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Home > Where We Go | How We Travel | Where We Stay
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Tours
of Vancouver Island:
North Island Grease Trail |
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The setting
for this active small group exploration of First Nation culture is the
interior wilderness and far flung north-east coast of Vancouver Island.
The 'Namgis people of the east coast of Vancouver Island are reopening
the Grease Trail through to the west coast, home of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht
people. Once used to transport ooligan, an oily fish, this ancient
trade route transverses the rugged and remote interior of the North Island
and crosses through the Vancouver Island Mountain Range.
In the company of a First Nation guide, we explore part of this trail
on foot and by boat in the traditional territory of the the Kwakwaka'wakw
people. We spend two nights at a lakeside First Nation cabin, taking a
day to boat to the trailhead and then hiking up to a mountain pass with
spectacular views of soaring mountain peaks, glaciers and pristine alipine
meadows. Along the way, we observe traces of the early use of the
trail and learn about First Nations customs and tradtions, inlcuding medicinal
use of the areas flora and fauna.
On Day 3, we head to the northeast coast, following Nimpkish Lake before
we turn off to historic Telegraph Cove (pop. 20). This cozy cove is the
setting for some of the best whale watching on Canada's west coast.
We then take a short drive to catch a ferry to Cormorant Island to spend
the next two nights at a waterfront lodge in the First Nation community
of Alert Bay (pop. 1400), home of the 'Namgis. Sights
here include the Big House, First Nations Dancing, the world's tallest
totem pole, U'Mista Cultural Centre, the Ecological Gardens and the Big
Tree Trail.
| Duration: |
5 days / 4 nights |
| Activity
Level : |
Moderate |
| Maximum
Group Size |
8 guests |
| Accommodation: |
Two
nights at a rustic cabin and two nights at rustic lodge |
| Meals: |
4 breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners |
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Tour Dates: |
2008
Tour Dates
Tour 1: June 17-21
Tour 5: August 12-16
Tour 2: July 1-5
Tour 6: August 19-23
Tour 3: July 15-19
Tour 7: September 2-6
Tour 4: July 29-August 2 Tour
8: September 16-20
All tour depart on a Tuesday
and return on a Saturday.
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| Departs: |
Victoria, BC at 8:00
am. |
| Arrives: |
Victoria, BC by 5:00
pm (approximately) |
| Price: |
$895 CDN; single supplement:
$125 CDN. |
| Included: |
-
Services of a driver/leader and 15 passenger van.
- All ferry fees to and from Cormorant Island
- All guiding fees
- All accommodation as listed on the itinerary
- All meals listed on the itinerary
- All park and land use fees
- Entrance Fees to the Umista Cultural Centre
- Guided hike of the Ecological Gardens and the Big Tree Trail
- First Nations dancing at the Big House |
| Not
Included: |
Optional activities, gratuities and
5% GST |
| Optional
Activities: |
A full day grizzly bear
watch tour is available on Day 5 |
North Island Grease Trail Itinerary
Victoria,
B.C. return
Day 1 Woss Lake, B.C.
-
Depart Victoria, BC, at 8:00 am
- Travel by van to Northern Vancouver Island. Stops include the Nanaimo
Ferry Terminal and a small café north of Campbell River for a
delicious home made lunch.
-
Travel to the town of Woss and proceed along a logging road for about
20 minutes to our lakeshore cabin.
- Here we meet our First Nation guide and enjoy a salmon barbeque.
Accommodation: Rustic Lakeside Cabin / shared accommodation
Included meals: Dinner
Day 2 Woss Lake, B.C.
-
After breakfast, we travel by boat for 20 minutes to the trailhead south
end of Woss Lake. We then strike out for a four hour hike along the
Grease Trail.
- After hiking up to a mountain pass with an elevation gain of 1,800
feet we stop for lunch and enjoy the view.
- After lunch we hike downhill to our cabin, returning in time for a
campfire dinner.
Accommodation: Rustic Lakeside
Cabin / shared accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and
dinner
Day 3 Alert Bay, B.C. (via Telegraph Cove)
-
After breakfast we will head out and drive to the waterfront community
of Telegraph Cove.
- Lunch is available at the local restaurant/pub.
- In the afternoon passengers have the option of a 3.5 hour whale watching
excursion in Johnstone Straight, or visiting the Whale Interpretative
Museum and exploring the boardwalk community of Telegraph Cove.
- Passengers have a choice of several different restaurants in Alert
Bay for dinner.
- In the evening we will take a short drive to the First Nation’s
Big House and experience the pageantry of the dance.
Accommodation: Rustic Waterfront Lodge / double occupancy
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Alert Bay, B.C.
-
After breakfast we take a driving tour of Cormorant Island including
the Umista Cultural Centre, the Carving Studio, local craft shops, and
the Namgis Burial Grounds.
- Your guide will also provide a walking tour of the Ecological Gardens
and the Big Tree Trail.
- The rest of the day is free for everyone to explore Cormorant Island.
Accommodation: Rustic Waterfront Lodge / double occupancy
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Return to Victoria
-
After breakfast we will catch the 9:40 am ferry to Port McNeill
- We stop at Sayward at a locally owned café for a homemade lunch.
- Next we stop at Nanaimo Ferry Terminal to connect passengers to Vancouver.
- We arrive in Victoria at approximately 6:00 pm
Meals: Breakfast
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Call toll free
1-800-255-5057
for info on tour availability
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