WHALES AND BEARS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA TRIP NOTES

Transcription

1 WHALES AND BEARS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA TRIP NOTES Trip Code: WFZ (AFZ) Country: Canada Amended: October 2013 Edition No: VB Valid from: 01 Jan Dec 2014 HIGHLIGHTS Vancouver Island, the largest island on the North American Pacific coast Orca, Humpback and Grey whale observation with experienced naturalist guide Observation of the 'mythical' Grizzly bear in its natural surroundings Walking tour of Pacific Rim National Park SUMMARY As the largest island on the North American Pacific coast, Vancouver Islands' endless beaches, rocky headlands and natural bays are regularly exposed to the tantrums of the ocean. The surrounding waters are a haven for marine life, especially Orca whales, one of the world's most powerful predators. Virtually the whole population of Pacific Grey whales migrate to the west coast of Vancouver Island twice each year, and all five species of Pacific salmon can be found spawning in the islands rivers. Black bears awake from their state of semi-hibernation and make their way towards this plentiful food source. In September, Grizzly bears also head from the mountains to catch the spawning salmon. Millions of migratory birds are attracted to the island and the resident Bald eagles can regularly be seen circling overhead during the famous 'salmon run'. Covered with temperate rainforest and giant trees, Vancouver Island has an impressive number of protected areas to ensure that much of its wildlife can reside in its natural habitat with little human interference. IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? This is a leisurely itinerary but much of our time will be spent outdoors, so a degree of fitness and a sense of adventure is required. We have the opportunity to explore some of the incredible natural history, scenery and wildlife of Vancouver Island on this itinerary. Inevitably some time will be spent travelling as there is a fair distance to cover, however, we have kept this to a minimum and the longest journey of 4 hours will be broken up with stops. LAND ONLY ITINERARY The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Day 1 Vancouver Those on the group flight will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel in Vancouver. Those on Land Only arrangements should make their own way to the start hotel this evening. Exodus Travels Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE Sales & Reservations: sales@exodus.co.uk

2 Day 2 Vancouver and Nanaimo Vancouver is often hailed as Canada's most beautiful city. This cosmopolitan and diverse metropolis is in stark contrast to the rest of British Columbia, but always proves to be a highlight. We have a guided city tour this morning, mostly on foot. In the afternoon we transfer to the port to board a ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, a one and a half hour journey across the Strait of Georgia. We spend some time visiting this gateway city before settling into our hotel for the night. Today we board a covered boat for a full day excursion to the Orford River area (on the mainland of British Columbia) to observe Grizzlies in their natural habitat. Conservative estimates suggest there are 10,000 Grizzly bears living in British Columbia, with 92% of the original habitat of Grizzly bears still occupied. The abundance of spawning salmon in the Orford River at this time of year brings Grizzlies down to feast. A two hour journey by boat with a spectacular backdrop of mountainous scenery brings us to the mouth of the Orford River. From here we take a short bus journey inland, where there are five viewing platforms from which to spot the bears. We will visit one (or maybe two) of these, from where we hope to observe the bears catching and feeding on salmon, sometimes with cubs in tow. On the boat journey to and from the Orford River we may also see Black bears, Grey, Orca and Humpback whales, dolphins, porpoise and sea lions. Day 8 Quadra Island Day 3 Ucluelet via Cathedral Grove This morning there is an optional excursion to explore the ancient fossils and crystal formations of Horn Lake Caves Provincial Park. In the afternoon we drive to Ucluelet (near Tofino), stopping on the way at Cathedral Grove Provincial Park to see the last remains of the temperate rainforest that covered the island more than a thousand years ago. This is one of the most accessible areas of giant Douglas-fir trees in the province and there are many trails enabling us to meander through Douglas-fir, Western Hemlock, Grand fir and Western Red Cedar trees. Today's total journey time is around 3.5 hours. Ucluelet is our home for the next 3 nights. Day 4 Whale watching The Pacific Rim National Park is nestled between the mountains of the Vancouver Island Range and the Pacific coastline. We'll take a walk inside the park this morning in order to admire the rich natural heritage of the west coast of Canada. In the afternoon we board zodiacs with a naturalist guide who will lead a 3 hour whale observation excursion. Our goal is to see Humpback and Grey whales, but it is also common to come across seals and sea lions amongst the rocky headlands. Today's driving time should not exceed 2 hours. Day 5 Tofino Botanical Gardens & Black bear observation We obtain a greater understanding of the rainforest environment this morning at the Tofino Botanical Gardens. There is a lovely birdwatching area where woodpeckers, songbirds and hummingbirds can be found and Bald eagles are sometimes seen circling overhead in search of prey on the neighbouring Tofino Mudflats. Late this afternoon we board zodiacs for a 2.5 hour expedition to observe Black bear and Bald eagle (depending on the low-tide schedule, this activity may take place earlier in the day). In the wilderness of Clayoquot Sound, Black bears can be found searching for crabs and clams on the rocky beaches. We'll travel the fjord inlet by zodiac, looking in sheltered bays and stopping to observe any Black bears that we find from the comfort of our zodiac. We board a ferry for a 10 minute journey across the Discovery Passage to Quadra Island where we spend the day exploring the islands trails and beaches by foot. Alternatively, you can join an optional excursion from Quadra Island to try sea kayaking. This 3 hour excursion is accompanied by kayak and marine life observation guides and is suitable for beginners. There is never a dull moment paddlying by kayak around Quadra Island - we could see soaring eagles, oyster catchers, herons, cormorants, gulls and if we are luckly, we may come across seals, sea lions, dolphins and porpoise! In addition there will be lots of inter-tidal life including sea stars, sea urchins, jellyfish and crabs. The mountain views offer a stunning backdrop to this excursion. Day 9 Vancouver We drive for around 4 hours to Victoria, making stops along the way to enjoy the scenery of Vancouver Island for the last time. This afternoon we'll board a ferry across the Strait of Georgia, admiring the small islands and breathtaking panorama of the city of Vancouver as it comes into view. In the late afternoon there will be some free time to explore Vancouver at your own pace, visiting Stanley Park or China Town. Day 10 Vancouver Those on the group flight will be transferred to the airport today. Those on Land Only arrangements are free to leave at any time. For those on group flights, these depart in the afternoon and will arrive in the UK the following day. ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD We use a mixture of standard and comfortable hotels on this trip. At the start of the trip we stay in a hotel close to the airport to allow for easy joining in Vancouver, where as at the end of the trip we'll have a hotel in a central area to enable us to explore Vancouver City. The accommodation highlight will most likely be our 3 nights at the Canadian Princess in Ucluelet, a traditional fishing resort overlooking a pretty harbour. We stay in comfortable, spacious hotel rooms in the on-shore part of the resort, all equipped with en suite facilities. In Campbell River we also have a 3 night stay at the Painters Lodge, where we stay in garden view rooms overlooking the grounds. Day 6 Campbell River We depart Ucluelet and drive for 4 hours to Campbell River on the North Shore of Vancouver Island. Campbell River is known as the 'Salmon Capital of the World' for its hugely impressive salmon runs where five species of Pacific salmon can be found in the river. It has been designated as a Heritage River for its importance in British Columbia - following the fish are bears, seals, kingfishers and eagles. This afternoon we take a short walk in Elk Falls Provincial Park with its thundering, impressive waterfalls. Day 7 Grizzly bear observation 2

3 No meals are included on this trip. The leader may suggest organising a kitty at the start of the trip to cover picnic lunches. If everyone is in agreement, a set amount will be collected (in the region of CAD$40-50) and the leader will coordinate and top up the purchase of supplies for lunch. This enables lunch to be taken in some wonderful beauty spots, making the most of Canada's great outdoors! For breakfast and dinner, the leader will recommend various options in convenient locations, usually booking restaurants and eating with the group. Single Accommodation: Please ask your Sales consultant for more details TRANSPORT Transport is by minibus, ferry and zodiac on this trip. All of the roads are paved and we travel by 15 seater minibus. The longest driving day will be about 4 hours when we travel from Tofino to Campbell River. We have tried to keep travelling to a minimum on this trip, although most days involve some driving due to the distances covered. WEATHER AND SEASONALITY than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays. Airport Transfers Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight, even if Exodus has booked it. Those arriving from London on non-group flights should read the airport transfer section below for information on reaching the start point. Please check with the Exodus office. JOINING THE TRIP IN VANCOUVER 10 days, normally start Vancouver Thu, end Vancouver Sat Itinerary Start Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Vancouver in the evening of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the Final Joining Instructions - sent approximately two weeks before departure. Airport Transfers If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight - please check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense. A shuttle bus is available from the airport to the start hotel, further details will follow in the Final Joining Instructions. The cost of a taxi is likely to be about 20 (US$30) should you decide to make your way independently. Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM With a latitude and maritime situation much like the UK, temperatures in the coastal region and mild summer temperatures average 22ºC in Vancouver, but can reach as high as 30ºC in the low lying interior. June and September are usually a bit cooler, and the coast can get rain at anytime. The mountains have typical mountain weather, and sun, cloud, rain and even snow can all be experienced in a morning. JOINING THE TRIP IN THE UK 11 days, normally depart London Thu, return Sun Some Sunday departures. Itinerary Start The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary. Flights from London We normally use the scheduled services of British Airways (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up-to-date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure. Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. Wildlife sightings are a highlight of this trip and we are careful to respect the species that we encounter. A specialist guide will accompany our whale observation excursion to educate us on their behaviour and we travel in small zodiacs which is a non-intrusive way to approach wildlife. When visiting national parks we stick to marked trails to reduce our impact on the local environment and we pay entrance fees which go towards supporting conservation efforts in the area. Throughout the trip we employ a 'leave no trace' policy in regard to litter - everything taken into the parks is taken out to preserve the local environment. We recycle wherever possible and all leaders are trained in responsible tourism to enable them to follow best practice. For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: UK Regional Flights The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please visit for a useful overview of the options available, and contact our sales team for expert advice. If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer 3

4 LEGAL NOTE Some US and Canadian suppliers may ask group members joining this tour to sign a liability waiver, essentially a Customer s Acknowledgement of Risk. This document limits the liability of our main supplier and is standard practice in the United States and Canada, especially on activities or excursions arranged in-country. As a client of Exodus Travels Ltd, your rights under the Package Travel Regulations (1992) are unaffected, and Exodus remains liable for the actions of our sub-contractors. A copy of this document is available from Exodus if required MONEY MATTERS Currency Information The national currency of Canada is the Canadian Dollar (CAD), with an exchange rate of 1.6 to the UK and 1 to the US$. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. PRACTICAL INFORMATION Passports and Visas All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. British, all other EC, Swiss, Australian and New Zealand passport holders do not require visas. South Africans need a visa, which must be obtained before departure. All other nationalities should enquire with their nearest Canadian High Commission. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. Vaccinations and Health Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. There are no specific health risks on this trip. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Insurance - are you adequately covered? You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. If you are a UK citizen and travelling in Europe you should obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your Post Office. This gives free medical care in many European countries, but should not be considered a substitute for adequate insurance. Local Time GMT - 8 hours (Pacific Standard Time) Group, Staff and Support The group will generally be between 5 and 12 people. There will be a local leader who will also drive the vehicle, local guides will also be used where necessary. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 16 years. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian. You should bring most of your funds in CAD$, but can withdraw money at cash machines enroute. Travellers cheques are also a good idea as money can only be changed in a few of the towns and these are widely accepted, not only in banks, but also in shops for larger purchases. If relying on cash machines, please advise your bank of your travel plans prior to departure to help reduce the chance of your card being blocked. ATM availability/credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques ATMs are widely available in Canada. Credit cards are widely accepted in shops and restaurants. Extra Expenses and Spending Money It is a good idea to allow approximately CAD$50 a day for food on average. In Canada, sales tax (of approx. 12%) and tips (of between 15-20%) should be added to the menu cost. Optional Excursions (approximate costs, depending on group sizes) Choose from the following optional excursions on this trip: Horn Lakes Provincial Park CAD$27 for 90 minutes +CAD$8.50 per helmet/light. Sea kayaking at Quadra Island CAD $77 Tipping (leader and local staff) Tipping is a way of life in North America and, while obviously not compulsory, it is expected. We recommend a tip of approximately CAD$60-70 for your leader. WHAT TO TAKE Essential Equipment and Clothing Most useful will be clothing that can be worn in layers; i.e. jeans, shorts, light shirts and sweatshirts or jumpers. If you have a choice, a fleece jumper and waterproof jacket are much better than bulky sweaters and jackets. It will be cold in the evenings in September, whilst it can be surprisingly warm during the day. Other items to take: a warm jacket, waterproofs, strong shoes or walking boots, daysack, swimwear. Optional items: Tracksuit pants Torch Spare batteries Insect repellent Sunhat Baggage and Baggage Allowance At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage. As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check and/or the airline's website for the latest information prior to your departure. 4

5 JOIN THE EXODUS ONLINE COMMUNITY Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write-ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment. In the Compass Café forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition. To make full use of the Compass Café you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for? IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLIENTS Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which can be contacted on 0044 (0) Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or at www. exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/essential-information? Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent. Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up-to-date prices can be found on the Exodus website. Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3. Complete your booking and payment When you re ready to book, go to for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. 5