Vancouver Island

SEPTEMBER 25 – 7 DAYS

Visit Victoria with its busy harbour, where there is so much to see and do. Then on to the central part of the Island to view the murals in Chemainus. It is difficult to find a more wonderful place in Canada than the West Coast of Vancouver Island, and the Pacific Rim National Park.

Tour Inclusions:

• Transportation by Fully Equipped Motorcoach
• Escorted by Professional Tour Director
• Nightly Accommodations in Victoria, Chemainus, Tofino & Whistler
• Baggage Handling – 1 suitcase per person
• 8 meals – 5 Breakfast & 3 Dinners
• Butterfly Garden/World
• Butchart Gardens
• Chemainus Mural Tour
• Chemainus Dinner/Theatre
• Bear Watching Tour
• MacMillan Provincial Park, Pacific Rim National Park
• Visit to Britannia Mine Museum

Day to day itinerary

Day 1 OKANAGAN TO VICTORIA

Welcome aboard our Vancouver Island Tour! Enjoy the scenery as we travel to the coast and take the ferry to Vancouver Island.

Our hotel is conveniently located to the inner harbour district. You have time to stroll along the picturesque harbour shoreline, or perhaps do some shopping. There is a wide assortment of shops, ranging from large department stores to one of a kind boutiques. Royal Scot Hotel & Suites has a beautiful indoor pool, whirl pool, sauna & exercise room. Have some fun in the billiards room or gather with friends for a hand of bridge or a movie in the games room. Free wireless Internet access throughout the hotel. For your convenience the courtesy shuttle is available to take you anywhere within Victoria’s downtown core.

Day 2 VICTORIA/BUTTERFLY GARDENS & BUTCHART GARDENS

Victoria’s BUTTERFLY GARDENS were designed and built specifically to showcase the life cycle and free flight of tropical butterflies and moths. The 12,000 sq ft enclosure is a riot of tropical color, aromas, and personalities. Stars of the show are the butterrflies themselves – 3000 of them fluttering amongst the flora! Enjoy the stunning beauty and color of exotic butterflies, tropical ducks, flamingos, and other rare tropical birds and Koi swimming in the stream and pond. BUTCHART GARDENS – an old stone quarry, which has been transformed into a 50 acre show ground of magnificent and colorful gardens. You will have time to browse the gardens and gift shop, ride the carousel and take in all that Butchart Gardens has to offer. This afternoon is at leisure – perhaps you may want to take in the Royal BC Museum or have high tea at the Empress Hotel.

Day 3 – VICTORIA TO CHEMAINUS

Today we will drive over the spectacular Malahat Pass, with a stop at the Split Rock Viewpoint where your guide will point out interesting landmarks and you are provided with the most scenic view of the Saanich Peninsula. Great opportunity for photos. Chemainus – The Little Town That Did” earned its nickname after Cheaminus residents decided to expand their forest industry past into a vibrant tourism driven future. Through the dreams, imagination and energy of the community, the little town of Chemainus found a new life by putting on a new face. The town transformed itself capturing and expressing its history, its people and its future. Artists from around the globe were invited to paint huge heritage murals on the sides of buildings, transforming a small coastal mill town into the world’s largest outdoor art gallery. We will delve into the history of the area through the colorful Murals while we are guided on a horse drawn trolley. Now take time to enjoy the little town of Chemainus on your own terms . Cheaminus Inn – an almost all suite style hotel, with spaciously appointed guest suites each complete with the comforts of home. Hotel amenities include an indoor swimming pool, relaxing hot tub, free parking, free internet, on site exercise facilities and nearby golf.

This evening we are off to The Playbill Dining Room which has delightful ambiance and great food, the Executive Chef has prepared an impressive buffet to enjoy prior to the show. Our show tonight is Chickens – A rural Musical Comedy. To escape money woes, a farmer raises exotic chickens, while his wife struggles to keep their farm afoat. Out in the chicken coop, roosters and hens mirror the couple’s life.

Day 4 – CHEMAINUS TO TOFINO

We depart Chemainus for our scenic drive to the Long Beach/Tofino area with stops at – The Old Country Market in Coombs, check the goats out, they are on the roof. Let’s go for a walk in Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park were you will view Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, and Balsam Fir which are the dominating species of trees, the majority being 300 – 400 years old. The Best Western Tin Wis Tofino Resort – situated on Vancouver Island’s West Coast is our home for two nights. We are privileged to overlook the beautiful Pacific Ocean, where each spring 20,000 Gray Whales travel through on their annual migration north, many to return south in the fall. situated on MacKenzie Beach, a mere three kilometers outside Tofino, the Best Western Tin Wis Resort Hotel offers a cultural experience on the traditional territory ofthe Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations.

Day 5 – TOFINTO/LONG BEACH

Today you will need sturdy shoes, binoculars, and camera. Dress in layers, jacket, hat, raincoat, even sunny days can be cool due to coastal weather. Abundant to the West Coast of Vancouver Island, the black bear makes its presence know when the tides are low. They roam the shores in search of their favourite delicacy, the rock crab. View this magnificent creature in it’s natural habitat from the comfort of a 45′ panoramic cruiser, the Stellar sea. This tour will be conducted in the calm inlet waters of Clayoquot Sound. The time must coincide with the tide. Long Beach – the open ocean stretches off unbroken and vacant, while the elemental forces at play here – the winds and tides, the sun and rain – excite within visitors a deep seated resonance, a sense of belonging to this place. The magnificent Pacific Rim National Park is the only national park on Vancouver Island, providing protection for substantial rain forest and an amazing marine environment. The full force of the might Pacific Ocean mercilessly pounds the constantly changing shores of this rugged coastline. This territory has significant history, having been inhabited by the Nuu-chah-nulth people for thousands of year.

Day 6 – TOFINO TO WHISTLER

Another scenic day driving to Whistler via Nanaimo with view of Stamp river, Kennedy Lake, which is the largest body of fresh water on Vancouver Island, Sproat Lake, maybe a view of the Mars Bombers on the job, as they prepare to fight a forest fire. Once again we travel to the mainland on BC Ferry and then on to Hwy 99 and Britannia Beach, where you will climb aboard a mine train and rumble into an authentic tunnel while entertaining guides describe the workings of drill and tools from the past century. A captivating 15 minute film re-creates the past and reveals how families turned their isolatd surrounds into pleasant experiences. View Shannon Falls, Shannon Falls is the third highest waterfall in B.C. Whistler – The Village is the heart of Whistler. Walk the Village Stroll, people watch, grab a bite, do some shopping, access the mountains, and be immersed in the culture that makes Whistler so unique. Whistler Village is big enough to have all amenities of a world class resort, yet small enough for you to feel its warmth and distinctive hospitality. We stay at the beautiful AAVAR Whistler Hotel.

Day 7 – WHISTLER TO THE OKANAGAN

Leaving Whistler we will take Hwy#99, the Duffey Lake Road, to Lillooet over the Coast Mountains with some of the most unique scenery. Beyond Duffey Lake you criss-cross Cayoosh Creek following the river to Lillooet over the Cayoosh Range and onto the Okanagan. What a memorable holiday.

**Itinerary & casino packages subject to change without notice**

Sunwest tours reserves the right to withdraw all or part of any tour should condition warrant.

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