Active West Coast Canada Discovery
Experience Overview
Get your heart pumping and your bodies moving with this eight-day adventure through some of British Columbia’s most sought-after landscapes. Venture by ferry to Vancouver Island and embark on hikes in East Sooke Provincial Park and the famed Juan de Fuca trail. Camp under the stars, hike up mountains in Squamish and Whistler featuring views of alpine lakes and glacier capped peaks, and see for yourself why the west coast is the best coast.
Highlights
- Hop on a ferry from Vancouver to Sooke
- Enjoy hikes in the lush Pacific rainforest in Sooke and along the Juan de Fuca trail
- Paddle around Lake Cowichan
- Hike to see the impressive views on the Stawamus Chief trail
- Take a dip into the cold waters of the Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park
- Ride the Whistler gondola to hike the High Note trail from the peak
- Spend free time exploring Whistler.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2495
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Private vehicle, ferry, and hiking.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Tour Operator:
G Adventures
Supplier Code: NCVS
Starts: Vancouver, Canada
Finishes: Vancouver, Canada
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Demanding
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Ferry ride from Vancouver to Sooke
- An afternoon of hiking in East Sooke Provincial Park
- A trek along a portion of the Juan de Fuca trail
- Canoe or kayak rental on Cowichan Lake
- Ferry from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay
- A hike up The Stawamus Chief train
- A visit to Garibaldi Provincial Park and a hike to the Elfin Lakes
- A ride up the Whistler Gondola to hike the High Note trail
- All transportation between destinations
Accommodation
- Participation camping (7 nts).
- 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
Transport
- Private vehicle, ferry, and hiking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,501 ($313 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Vancouver/Sooke
Enjoy a morning welcome meeting with your CEO in Vancouver before catching the ferry to Sooke on Vancouver Island. Eat a picnic lunch upon arrival before setting off into East Sooke Regional Park for some hiking. There's a wide range of trails that have different levels of difficulty, but all of them will offer great views of the dramatic, rocky coastline, and lush Pacific rainforest filled with moss and green ferns. In the evening set up camp, get settled, and have dinner around a fire with the group.
Day 2: Sooke
After fuelling up with a camp breakfast the group will travel to the Juan de Fuca Strait from Sooke to embark on a hike along a section of the impressive trail. You'll traverse miles of dense coastal forest and walk over beautiful pebble beaches, past gurgling waterfalls, slippery suspension bridges (watch your step) and the occasional pit of mud, but the dramatic views along this hike are well worth the effort. Transfer back to Sooke in the evening to rest up at camp and have dinner as a group.
Day 3: Sooke
Today after breakfast at camp the day is yours to do as you wish. If you need a break from hiking consider one of the many optional activities available like, sea kayaking, whale watching, bicycle rentals, or a visit to the quaint town of Victoria for some people watching and cafe hopping.
Day 4: Sooke/Parksville
In the morning after breakfast the group will transfer to Cowichan Valley where you'll go out on canoes and kayaks in Cowichan Bay. In the afternoon the group will travel to Parksville and walk in Rathtrevor Park along the beach. Feel the sand beneath your feet, hear the waves crashing, see old growth forests along the shoreline, and look for wildlife in the tide pools. In the evening set up camp and relax in the outdoors.
Day 5: Parksville/Squamish
Leave Parksville behind and head to the ferry port in Nanaimo to hop on a ferry to Horseshoe Bay. Once across the water, the group will drive to Squamish and hike The Stawamus Chief trail. This trail is one of the region's best hikes and will take you up a steep incline to one of its three peaks. The views of the area surrounding Squamish, with the Howe Sound and the Garibaldi Park to the north are incredible. Enjoy a picnic lunch during your hike and in the evening relax at camp and have dinner as a group, refuelling after the day's adventure.
Day 6: Squamish
Another great day of hiking to discover captivating views and new heights (literally). Set out to trek the Elfin Lake trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Offering amazing views you'll hike 11km to get to the lakes, but it's certainly worth it. Go for a dip in the icy water, fill up your bottles in another pond reserved only for drinking water and have lunch as you admire those insane views. After hiking the 11km downhill you'll be able to have dinner wherever you choose in Squamish before heading back to camp for the night.
Day 7: Squamish/Whistler
In the morning the group will travel from Squamish to Whistler to take the Whistler Gondola up to the peak and hike the High Note trail. This trail offers hikers with the most scenic views of Cheakamus Lake with its vibrant aquamarine waters. The hike begins at the top of Whistler Mountain and takes you around the backside with views of the surrounding mountains and a descent through an alpine area. After the hike you'll have free time to enjoy Whistler. Consider checking out the Squamish-Lil'wat Cultural Centre, the Cloudraker Skybridge, or find a cozy coffee shop in town. In the evening at camp you'll have your final dinner as a group around the campfire.
Day 8: Whistler/Vancouver
Travel from Whistler to Vancouver. Tours ends on arrival in Vancouver.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
James A. - Traveled, September 2023
The tours organized by G Adventures are great value for money, you cram a lot into every day and I never felt like there was unnecessary or excessive down time . Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, professional and friendly, everything ran very smoothly and his cooking was excellent!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/13/2023
Phillippa L. - Traveled, September 2023
Everything was seamlessly organised and couldn't have asked for a better guide
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/13/2023
Linda P. - Traveled, September 2023
well run trip and fun
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/13/2023
Nishi N. - Traveled, September 2023
The tour was well organised with many interesting stops. There was sufficient time allocated to explore the places.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/13/2023
Lucy J. - Traveled, August 2023
Everything was super easy, our guide was amazing. I felt like I got to see and do everything that was advertised.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/03/2023
Meredith C. - Traveled, July 2023
G Adventures makes amazing memories!!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/09/2023
Chris C. - Traveled, July 2023
Past experiences
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/09/2023
Sahias D. - Traveled, July 2023
Safe, fun, engaging
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/09/2023
Lisa K. - Traveled, July 2023
G Adventures provided a variety of experiences I was seeking and handles all the planning pieces that can be complicated and at times stressful.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/04/2023
Daniel M. - Traveled, July 2023
The Active West Coast Canada trip has exceeded my expectations. Of all the places visited, I am very pleased to learn a lot about British Columbia by learning about some of the history in Victoria, seeing nature and wildlife, dining, how to camp, serving and helping one another and shopping like a local.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/30/2023
Katarina K. - Traveled, July 2023
I was very happy with my experience! The main reason I chose to travel with G Adventures was so that I would feel safe as a solo traveler and that is exactly how I felt (especially while hiking). My CEO was very responsible so I never felt stressed about the organization of anything which made the trip feel more like a vacation. I would definitely recommend it for people who are looking for these things in a trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/25/2023
Athena L. - Traveled, July 2023
Loved the socializing along with the activities
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/15/2023
Scott W. - Traveled, August 2023
Extremely fun, great guide
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/15/2023
Cameron W. - Traveled, July 2023
Great experience on the trip, other travellers recommended other trips they had previously done.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/15/2023
Helena C - Traveled, July 2023
The overall experience and the quality of our CEO Jafar
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/15/2023
Isobel C. - Traveled, July 2023
Very well organised and enjoyable
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/15/2023
Katherine R. - Traveled, July 2023
The trips are well planned, involve highly experienced and motivated guides, and bring together groups of travelers from all over the world with similar interests and goals in travel.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/15/2023
Lori H. - Traveled, June 2023
Marie-Elise did a fantastic job on this trip especially given that she only knew about it less than a day before we started.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/05/2023
William M. - Traveled, June 2023
Based on my experience
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/05/2023
Tanya K. - Traveled, June 2023
This is my 4th time with G Adventures and every time I have loved the experience. Very welcoming of solo travellers and we see so much on the tours.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/05/2023
Share a personalized trip brochure!
Why Choose Us?
We Work for You
Our goal to make you happy! That means ensuring our travel consultants have the best product knowledge and excellent customer service. A positive customer experience is our #1 goal!
Our Products
We offer an broad selection of travel products, including all-inclusive vacation packages, pre-packaged tours, custom travel itineraries, destination weddings, and luxury vacations.
Escapes Cares
We believe in giving back. When you book with us, you are contributing to tree planting through our partners at Veritree, as well ocean conservation though Oceana Canada.
