This Rotary Convention tour weaves a common denominator of indigenous culture through a series of spectacular natural places along the Pacific Coast of British Columbia. For those who've never been to BC, this tour offers the widest variety of sights and experiences. For those who have been here before, our focus on indigenous culture means you will see familiar things, but from a new perspective.
TravelMaven and the Haliburton Rotary Club created this tour for both Canadian and international Rotarians attending the Rotary International Convention in Calgary on June 21-25, 2025. The Best of BRITISH COLUMBIA begins in Vancouver on June 26 and ends in the same place 16 days later on July 11.
Our tour begins with a week in Vancouver and Whistler, followed by six days in Haida Gwaii, the crown jewel of Canada's west coast (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands). Finally, we will sail down the Inside Passage to Vancouver Island, whale watching while winding our way amongst the Coastal Mountains.
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 ferrys are not available on the day we've planned.
LAND PACKAGE: $9,980 (US$7,485)
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $2,140 (US$1,605)
TYPE: Active Sightseeing (lots of walking)
HOTELS: 4 star & 3 star
GROUP: Max 18 guests
DURATION: 16 days (15 hotel nights)
Tour begins in Vancouver on June 26, 2025.
Tour ends in Vancouver on July 11, 2025.
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. Barry Devolin (Ursula's husband), who owns and operates TravelMaven, plans and manages the tours.
Ursula & Barry Devolin
DAY1 (Thu June 26) Arrive Vancouver; Welcome Dinner (D)
Guests who've been attending the Rotary Convention in Calgary will fly to Vancouver on Wednesday evening or Friday morning. Our tour formally begins in the late afternoon at our Vancouver hotel with an Orientation Session, followed by our Welcome Dinner in a nearby restaurant.
DAY 2 (Fri June 27) Museum of Anthropology; Salmon n' Bannock; Stanley Park (B,L)
We'll begin with a visit to the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. Afterwards, we'll have lunch at Vancouver's most famous indigenous restaurant, Salmon n' Bannock. In the afternoon, we'll do a walking tour through Stanley Park. Guests will have a free evening.
Iconic Bill Reid sculpture
DAY 3 (Sat June 28) Canada Place, Coal Harbour, Lonsdale Quay Market; Bill Reid Gallery (B)
This day will feature a walking tour of downtown Vancouver, including Canada Place and Coal Harbour. Afterwards, we'll ferry across to Lonsdale Quay Market in North Vancouver. After a casual lunch, we'll return downtown and visit the Bill Reid Gallery. Guests will have a free late afternoon (optional walk to Granville Island with Barry) and evening.
DAY 4 (Sun June 29) Vancouver to Whistler (B,L)
After breakfast and checking out, we will depart for Whistler, making multiple stops along the way, including lunch. Upon arrival, we will check-in at our centrally located hotel. Barry & Ursula (former Whistler residents) will lead a walking tour through the Village. Guests have a free evening.
Downtown Vancouver
DAY 5 (Mon June 30) Whistler (B,L)
We will begin our day with a visit to the Audain Art Museum, which features several Emily Carr paintings of Haida Gwaii. Our second stop is the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre for lunch and a tour. Guests will have a free late afternoon and evening.
DAY 6 (Tue July 1) CANADA DAY in Whistler (B)
It's great to have a party in a real party town, and that's what we're going to do celebrating Canada Day in Whistler. A list of events and activities will be posted closer to the date.
Whistler on Canada Day
DAY 7 (Wed July 2) Whistler to YVR to Sandspit (B,D)
After check-out, we will depart Whistler, headed for Vancouver Airport where we will board our Dash-8 headed north to Sandspit Airport in Haida Gwaii. After arrival and transfer to JAGS Cafe and Guest Rooms to check-in, we will enjoy a traditional dinner in Keenawaa's Kitchen.
DAY 8 (Thu July 3) Haida Cultural Immersion (B,L,D)
This day offers a full immersion experience into Haida culture. We'll make multiple stops, all within a few kilometres of our accommodation. These include the Haida Heritage Centre museum and the GuuhlaGa Silwaay K'yuu Interpretive Trail. Dinner is fine dining at Blacktail Haida Gwaii in Daajing Giids.
Louise Island in distance (Moresby Camp)
DAY 9 (Fri July 4) 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 Llingaay. 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 10 (Sat July 5) 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.
Massett totem pole and lodge
DAY 11 (Sun July 6) EASY DAY (with options) (B,D)
On this day, guests have three options. The default plan is to relax and enjoy an easy day at JAGS. The second option is a moderately easy four hour hike in beautiful Naikoon Provincial Park (fee $135 including lunch). The final option is a thrilling day of salmon fishing off the west coast (fee $580 including lunch but not licenses or fish-packing fees). Please note, space for fishing is likely to be limited, so bookings will be on a 'first come, first served' basis.
DAY 12 (Mon July 7) BC Ferry from Skidegate to Prince Rupert (B,D)
After breakfast and checking out, we will catch a BC Ferry from Skidegate to Prince Rupert. After our 7 hour sailing, we will check in and have dinner at the indigenous-owned Crest Hotel in the city core.
BC Ferry plying the Inside Passage
DAY 13 (Tue July 8) Museum of Northern BC; North Pacific Cannery HIstoric Site (B,L)
Our first stop will be up the street at the small but impressive Museum of Northern BC. Afterwards, we will travel half an hour south to the North Pacific Cannery Historic Site for lunch and a tour. Guests will have a free evening.
DAY 14 (Wed July 9) BC Ferry via the Inside Passage (B)
Early in the morning we will catch another BC Ferry south along the Inside Passage to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island. This cruise offers great whale watching as we pass between islands and the Coastal Mountains. Arrival is 11 pm, when we'll shuttle to our hotel for a very late check-in.
North Pacific Cannery Historical Site
DAY 15 (Thu July 10) Rotary mtg; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
After an easy morning, we hope to join the local Rotary club for their regular Thursday lunch meeting and enjoy a sightseeing tour of Port Hardy before our Farewell Dinner.
DAY 16 (Fri July 11) Fly Port Hardy to Vancouver International Airport (B)
After checking out of the Kwa'lilas Hotel, we will head to Telegraph Cove for lunch before going to the local airport to catch our Pacific Coastal Airlines flight to Vancouver International Airport.
Whale watching in the Inside Passage
BC Museum of Anthropology
Stanley Park
Bill Reid Gallery
Granville Island Market
Aubain Art Museum
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
Blackcomb/Whistler Mountain
Keenawaa's Kitchen traditional dinner
Haida Heritage Centre Museum
GuuhlGa Silwaay K'yuu (Spirit Lake) Trail
K'uuna Linagaay visit (by boat)
Haida Art Galleries (Old Massett)
Totem Carving Shed (New Massett)
Haida House gourmet dinner
Museum of Northern BC
North Pacific Cannery Historic Site
Port Hardy Sightseeing tour
Vancouver - Hyatt Regency (or similar) 3 nights
Whistler - Cascade Lodge (or similar) 3 nights (full kitchen; no breakfast)
JAGS Guest Rooms (Haida Gwaii): 5 nights
Crest Hotel (Price Rupert): 2 nights
Kwa'lilas Hotel (Port Hardy) 2 nights
Breakfast (12)
Lunches (7)
Dinners (8)
Bus from Vancouver to Whistler
Bus from Whistler to Vancouver airport
BC Ferry (Skidegate to Prince Rupert)
BC Ferry (Prince Rupert to Port Hardy)
Flight #1: Vancouver to Sandspit
Flight #2: Port Hardy to Vancouver
Ground transportation & transfers (unless otherwise noted)
NOTE: Shuttle from airport to hotel in Vancouver NOT INCLUDED on June 26.
NOTE: Tour ends at YVR (not downtown Vancouver) on July 11.
This tour will be guaranteed with 8 registrations. The price is in Canadian dollars, based on double occupancy, and guaranteed once a 20% nonrefundable deposit is received. The US dollar price is an estimate based on an exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.75. As such, it will fluctuate.