Discovering Vancouver Island

Day 1 – Wednesday, July 19, 2023 – Victoria – Sooke – Port Renfrew

Depart Victoria this morning for a leisurely drive to Sooke. Immerse yourself in the area’s rich history and heritage during a visit to the Sooke Regional Museum. Taste the world’s first fermented beverage before traversing a wilderness highway designed by Mother Nature to arrive in the wild coastal community of Port Renfrew. Tonight, join your fellow travellers and Tour Director for dinner in the cozy community.

Today’s dinner is included

Day 2 – Thursday July 20, 2023 - Port Renfrew to Port Alberni

After breakfast, we climb eastward on a winding, scenic route with gorgeous panoramic views of Lake Cowichan’s backcountry. Stop for lunch at the delightful Coombs Country Market and then visit North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, an eight-acre world-class wildlife rehabilitation facility specializing in raptors and black bears. Marvel at towering ancient Douglas fir trees, some more than 800 years old, at Cathedral Grove. We arrive this evening in the City of Port Alberni surrounded by mountains, freshwater lakes and streams for a two-night stay.

Today’s breakfast and dinner are included

Day 3 – Friday July 21, 2023 – Port Alberni

This morning we travel the Pacific Rim Highway to the true west coast. Stop at the picturesque Amphitrite Point Lighthouse built in 1905 with a stunning view over Barkley Sound and the open Pacific Ocean. Take time to explore and have some lunch in the village of Ucluelet, fondly known by the locals as “Ukee”. This afternoon travel through the coastal landscapes of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, fundamental to the sustenance and heritage of the Nuu-chah-nulth people and stop for a stroll along a section of the stunning 16km aptly named Long Beach. Later return to Port Alberni for a free evening.

Today’s breakfast is included

Day 4 – Saturday July 22, 2023 – Port Alberni to Campbell River 

Begin your day at the Industrial Heritage Center, where you will see how a community of volunteers are lovingly restoring, maintaining, and operating a vast collection of historic vehicles, machinery, and equipment. Next, we visit the only commercial steam-operated sawmill in Canada; the McLean "Steam" Sawmill. Later, depart Campbell River heading north, stopping at the Mount Washington Alpine Resort. Here a scenic chairlift ride will whisk you away to Mt. Washington’s summit where stunning views of the Salish Seas and Strathcona Park await. Later this afternoon, we continue to Campbell River.

Today’s breakfast is included

Day 5 – Sunday July 23, 2023 – Campbell River to Port Hardy

This morning we journey on a tree lined highway into the Northern wilderness. We board a boat in Port McNeill and continue our journey on water taking the Goletas Channel as we cruise to Cape Sutil—the most northern point of the island (weather dependent). This trip will be an adventure of a lifetime with the opportunity for wildlife viewing – humpback whales, orcas and sea birds. Our boat tour concludes in Port Hardy where we check into a charming First Nations Hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner.

Today’s breakfast and dinner are included

Day 6 – Monday July 24, 2023 – Port Hardy–Port McNeill–Alert Bay–Telegraph Cove–Port Hardy

We make an early start to hop on the ferry from Port McNeill to Alert Bay, on Cormorant Island. It is the oldest community on northern Vancouver Island and a rare and remarkable Aboriginal cultural destination. Heritage buildings and old village houses on the waterfront still speak of the early pioneer days, where a fish saltery existed in 1870. Alert Bay is internationally renowned as a centre for First Nation culture. We return to Port McNeill for lunch where the world’s largest burl is located, weighing an estimated 72 tonnes and measuring 45 feet in circumference. A short drive brings us to Telegraph Cove nestled at the northern end of Johnstone Strait with its preserved historic multi-coloured buildings on stilts and beautiful ocean views. Later we return to our hotel in Port Hardy for a free evening. 

Today’s breakfast and lunch are included

Day 7 – Tuesday July 25, 2023 – Port Hardy to Parksville

We leave Port Hardy for Fanny Bay, best known for its famous oysters. We will lunch at a local restaurant in this small hamlet on the east coast of our Island and you will have time to browse for unusual artisan works at the Salish Sea Market. Travel on to Parksville, known for its long sandy beaches and warm ocean water.

Today’s breakfast, lunch and dinner are included

Day 8 – Wednesday July 26, 2023 – Parksville – Chemainus – Victoria

This morning we travel south to a little town with a big personality – Chemainus. Artists painted heritage murals on the buildings now known as the world’s largest outdoor gallery. Lunch at the Chemainus theatre followed by a matinee show will be a fitting end to your Island tour. Finally, we will raise a toast in the beautiful Cowichan Valley and say “Cheers,” there’s no place like home!

Today’s breakfast and lunch are included