HAIDA GWAII & BC COAST

Some have called Haida Gwaii Canada's Galapagos North - and it's easy to see why. Both are home to amazing wildlife and offer unique and spectacular natural environments. Both have a mystical appeal, but are difficult to reach. As an added bonus, Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands) also features a fascinating indigenous culture, past and present.

Our first stop will be Port Hardy, the most northerly community on Vancouver Island, where we will visit tiny Telegraph Cove. Next up is a day-long cruise through the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert. Fortunately, BC Ferries are small enough to reach the most direct (and scenic) parts of the waterway. Some say this makes the BC Ferry scenery better than an Alaskan cruise!

While in Prince Rupert, we will visit the Museum of Northern BC and tour a historic cannery. After an overnight ferry, we'll enjoy three days on Haida Gwaii visiting cultural centres, sharing a meal with indigenous elders, boating to an ancient Haida settlement, hiking through the rainforest, seeing how they make totem poles, and more.

PLEASE NOTE: The BC Ferry schedule for 2025 won't be released until November 2024. As such, changes to this agenda may be necessary if ferries are not available on the day we've planned. 

Haliburton Rotary Tours are a combined effort of the Rotary Club of Haliburton and TravelMaven Tours. Ursula Devolin, a former club president who works for an international water charity, leads a club committee that decides when and where the Convention and Service tours will go. Ursula's husband Barry (who owns and operates TravelMaven) plans and manages the tours.

DAY 1 (Fri Jun 13)  Meet at Vancouver Airport; fly YVR to Port Hardy  (D)

Guests need to get themselves to Vancouver Airport for our late afternoon Pacific Coastal flight to Port Hardy. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the Kwa'lilas Hotel, where we will enjoy our Welcome Dinner.

DAY 2 (Sat Jun 14)  Telegraph Cove; meet local Rotarians (B,D)

On this day we expect to meet up with some local Rotarians and explore their town. A specific program for the day will be circulated closer to the date of departure. We will also have a group dinner at a local seafood restaurant.

DAY 3 (Sun Jun 15)  BC Ferry thru the Inside Passage (B)

We will check-out early to catch the ferry headed north to Prince Rupert. This journey will provide many spectacular sights, including lots of whale watching. PLEASE NOTE: Cabins are available for rent for those wanting a place to rest during the day. Upon our late arrival, we will transfer to the Crest Hotel.

DAY 4 (Mon Jun 16)  Museum of Northern BC; North Pacific Cannery HIstoric Site; Ferry (B,D)

Our first stop will be up the street to the Museum of Northern BC. Afterwards, we will visit the North Pacific Cannery Historic Site for lunch and a tour. After dinner at the Crest Hotel, we will catch the BC Ferry to Haida Gwaii at 10 pm. Upon arrival, we will check in to our private cabins.

DAY 5 (Tue Jun 17)  Ferry arrival; Haida Heritage Centre; (B,L,D)

Upon our early arrival at the Skidegate dock, we will go into town for breakfast before visiting the Haida Heritage Centre. After lunch and check-in at JAGS Cafe & Guest Rooms, we will have a free afternoon. For dinner, we will enjoy a traditional dinner in Keenawaa's Kitchen.

DAY 6 (Wed Jun 18)  Massett's Totem Pole Sheds; North Beach; Haida House dinner (B,L,D)

There are two major communities on Graham Island: Daajing Giids/Skidigate at the south end and Massett at the north. Massett is best known for its active totem pole carving community, which we will visit on this day. On our way back to JAGS, we'll stop at Haida House for a memorable meal.

DAY 7 (Thu Jun 19) Ancient Haida Village (B,L,D)

For many this day will be the crown jewel of our tour, a day-long trip by boat to visit the Haida village of K'uuna Llnagaay. Guests may only visit this place with the blessing of the Haida Watchmen, a group of men and women who's ancestors lived in this magical place. Let's hope they let us ashore!

DAY 8 (Fri Jun 20) Spirit Lake Hike; fly Sandspit to Vancouver (to Calgary) (B,L)

Right after breakfast we will go to the Spirit Lake trailhead for a walk through the forest. After returning for check-out and lunch, we will head to Sandspit Airport to catch our flight to Vancouver. Upon arrival at YVR, the tour will formally end. (Most guests will continue to Calgary.)