Tours of the Queen Charlotte Islands: Islands of Wonder
2007

Set in the dramatic and pristine seascape of the British Columbia coastline, this tour up the west coast to the Queen Charlotte Islands, provides a stunning kaleidoscope of land and sea experiences.  Journey with us to ancient rainforests, secluded beaches, totems, abandoned native villages and plentiful marine and wildlife!    

On our way to the Queen Charlottes Islands, we travel north by van along BC's isolated Sunshine Coast, where we'll see miles of pristine coastline with ancient rainforests, and post-glacial fjords that are home to whales, seabirds, and nutrient rich waters. We take two ferry crossings to the Village of Lund near Powell River, the gateway to Desolation Sound and the Gulf Islands, quietly famous for resisting over-development and for its deep-water harbour.   Heading west, we cross Georgia Strait to Vancouver Island where we follow the highway to its conclusion at Port Hardy, on the north tip of Vancouver Island. We then catch a ferry up the protected waters of the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert from where we take a final ferry to Graham Island in the Queen Charlotte Islands.

This archipelago of about some 154 islands is often referred to as "Canada's Galapagos" or Haida Gwaii (The Haida Place). Essentially still a wilderness area, the islands are warmed from an ocean current from Japan and experience 127 centimeters of rain annually. These factors created a landscape of 1,000-year old spruce and cedar rainforests, abundant animal life and waters teeming with marine life. The islands, the largest of which are Graham and Moresby, are home to a wide variety of other large native trees, including Western Red cedar, Nootka Cypress, Shore Pine, Western Hemlock, Mountain Hemlock and Red alder.   These forests harbour endemic plant species, 25% of B.C's nesting seabirds, one third of B.C's population of peregrine falcon, and remains a stronghold of bald eagles, black bears, deer and raccoon. Waters surrounding the Queen Charlotte Islands host major salmon runs, rich and diverse intertidal populations, and the largest Stellar sea lion population in B.C., as well seals, whales and porpoises.

In addition to the remote culturally significant areas, main highlights include Naikoon National Park, Tlell River, the wreck of the Pestula, Louise Island with stops at Mathers Creek and Reef Island. We also visit an abandoned Haida gravesite and two abandoned Haida villages.

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Day 1. Vancouver, B.C.

Our tour guide will meet the group at the hotel and assist the group with their arrival. After check-in the group will have the option of a city tour of Vancouver including Stanley Park, Gastown and Robson Street. At dinner the driver guide will go over the tour itinerary with the group and talk about the optional activities, especially the bear watching as this needs to be booked in advance.

• Airport shuttle
• City tour
• Group orientation 

Accommodation: Hotel

Included meals: none

Day 2. Powell River/Lund, B.C.

• Scenic drive north along the Sunshine Coast from North Vancouver to Powell River
• 1 st Ferry crossing from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale
• 2 nd Ferry crossing from Schedlt to Powell River
• Arrive at Powell River 5 pm.

Accommodation: Hotel

Included Meals: Hot breakfast

Day 3. Powell River /Lund, B.C.

• Tour of Powell River and area
• Guided hike in a west coast rainforest
• Optional activities: bear watching, kayaking, scuba diving and sailing.

Included meals: hot breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 4. Port Hardy, B.C.

• Depart Powell River via BC Ferry across Georgia Straight to the town of Comox on Vancouver Island
• From Comox we drive north to the town of Port Hardy
• Arrive in Port Hardy at 5 p.m.

Included Meals: Hot breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 5. Prince Rupert, B.C.

• 7:30 am ferry departure along Inside Passage to Prince Rupert
• Ferry arrives in Prince Rupert at 10:30 pm
• Shuttle to hotel

Note: Van support ends with shuttle to ferry in Port Hardy.

Included Meals: Hot breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel.

Day 6. Queen Charlotte City / Graham Island, B.C. 

• Ferry departs Prince Rupert at either 9:00 am or 11:00 am

• Crossing time 8 hours

• Shuttle to hotel

• Free evening 

Included Meals: Hot breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 7. Queen Charlotte City / Graham Island, B.C.

• Full day guided hike to Naikoon NP
• Hunt for agates
• Walks along sandy beaches to blow holes

Included meals: Hot breakfast and light snack on day hike

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 8. Queen Charlotte City  / Graham Island, B.C.

• Day hike along the Tlell River
• View changing scenery as we walk through forests of Sitka Spruce and Helmlock to the wreck of the Pestula that ran aground in 1928
• Bird viewing enroute to site of boat wreck. Nesting birds in the forest along the river trail and shore birds to view near the wreck.
• River otters frequent this area

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Hot breakfast and light snack on day hike

Day 9. Floating Spruce Lodge / Louise Island, B.C.

• Zodiac tour to Louise Island with stops at Mathers Creek, an abandoned logging camp from WWII. This camp supplied the airforce with spruce to build airplanes and is also the site of an abandoned Haida gravesite. We also stop at Skedans Village an abandoned Haida Village and Reef Island where we can walk along the sandy beaches and explore the giant spruce and cedar trees.
• We overnight in a floating cabin with a large deck. Optional kayaking is available from the lodge.

Accommodation: Rustic Floating Lodge

Meals: Hot breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10. Queen Charlotte City / Graham Island, B.C. 

• Returning to the water we end our tour to this area with a visit to Hot Springs Island. Here visitors can relax while soaking rock pools of hot mineral water while viewing the San Christoval Mountain Range. Our last stop before returning to Queen Charlotte City is Tanu, an abandoned Native Haida Village. Surrounded by giant helmlock and cedar the century old village footprint is barley visible.
• We arrive back in Queen Charlotte City just after lunch.
• Afternoon free to explore village and visit museum.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Hot breakfast and lunch.

Day 11. Flight from Masset to Vancouver, B.C.

• Free morning
• Shuttle to Masset
• Flight to Vancouver (Flight not included)

Meals included: Hot breakfast.

Tours of the Queen Charlotte Islands with Midnight Sun Adventure Travel

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Gateway Accommodation We offer door-to-door service at a number of modest priced hotels in downtown Vancouver. Please call us for a recommendation and to book your gateway accommodation. If you prefer hostel type accommodation, contact: YWCA Hotel/Residence St. Regis Hotel Hotel Sylvia    Transportation Getting to Vancouver   Weather Vancouver Port Hardy Sandspit   Parks & Information Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site Naikoon - Agate Beach and Misty Meadows Provincial Park   West Coast Books Call toll free 1-800-255-5057 for info on tour availability

Islands of Wonder Tour
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