Haida Gwaii Tour (8-Day Haida Gwaii & Prince Rupert Tour)



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Haida Gwaii Tour
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8 DAY HAIDA GWAII AND PRINCE RUPERT

CODE
HAGW
STARTING FROM
$4,070 USD
PLACES VISITED
Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii
HAIDA GWAII TOUR
Haida Gwaii is a wild and untouched archipelago on the west coast of British Columbia steeped in the culture of the Haida People dating back over 10,000 years. Discover the culture both past and present as we explore the dramatic landscapes and abundant wildlife of these incredible islands. Visit Haida Gwaii and experience a mystical world of adventure and breathtaking beauty.
Start Location: Prince Rupert End Location: Haida Gwaii
TOP HIGHLIGHTS
  • Grizzly Bear Viewing (on July departures) or Whale Watching Tour (on Aug-Sep departures)
  • Excursion to Skedans on Aug-Sep departures
  • Haida Gwaii Museum
  • Old Massett and Tlell Artisans
  • BC Ferry Crossing
  • Naikoon Provincial Park
  • Tow Hill and Agate Beach
  • Port Clements
  • The Balanced Rock
DOWNLOAD BROCHURE
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Prince Rupert, BC

Welcome to Prince Rupert, a scenic coastal town, and a gateway to British Columbia's pristine north. Our arrival at the Prince Rupert airport, located on Digby Island, and the following transfer to the main town, located on Kaien Island, introduces the lush coastal temperate rainforest environment that we will explore over the following days. This evening, you will meet your tour leader in the hotel lobby and enjoy a welcome dinner and a meet & greet with your fellow travellers.
Overnight: Prince Rupert
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Prince Rupert, BC

We discover more of the Great Bear Rainforest Coast today on our full-day tour on a catamaran boat to view the wildlife of the area. In July, we prepare for a full day of bear watching at the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, part of the Great Bear Rainforest of Northern British Columbia. On our September tour, we board the vessel for a full day of whale watching off the rugged coastline of Northern British Columbia.Upon return, there will be some free time to explore Cow Bay and the many shops and restaurants along Prince Rupert's waterfront. Evening is at leisure for dinner.
Overnight: Prince Rupert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site, Prince Rupert, BC

After breakfast, we will drive a short distance to the magnificent Northwest Coast longhouse overlooking Prince Rupert Harbour which is home to the Museum of Northern BC. Internationally known for its exceptional collection and quality of its exhibits, this museum draws visitors from around the world. Prince Rupert is in the centre of a culturally rich area and the gateway to the northern part of British Columbia’s coastline with diverse Indigenous groups. The history and the culture of this region find expression in the museum’s existing and expanding collection of artifacts and research material. From the Museum we will drive 25 km to the community of Port Edward, just south of Prince Rupert and the National Historic Site of the North Pacific Cannery, the oldest West Coast cannery still standing. Typical of most canneries in its isolation and operations, North Pacific relied more on Indigenous labour than those closer to urban centres like Vancouver, was slower to adopt new technology, and had lower production costs. Ethnically segregated living and work areas divided Chinese, Japanese, Indigenous, and white workers. There will be a guided walk through the many buildings of the complex and then lunch served in The Mess House within the cannery.This evening there will be some free time to explore Cow Bay and the many shops and restaurants along Prince Rupert's waterfront.
Overnight: Prince Rupert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Prince Rupert - Haida Gwaii, BC

On board a BC Ferry ship we begin our scenic journey across the Hecate Strait to the Islands of Haida Gwaii. Haida Gwaii, meaning "Islands of the People" is an archipelago of over 150 islands with an incredible history surrounding the culture of the Haida People who first inhabited these islands over 10,000 years ago. We sail through the scenic Hecate Straight, named for the HMS Hecate used for surveying these waters in the 1860's. Thousands of years before being named the Hecate Strait, the strait was both a transport route to the mainland land, with its shallow waterways providing a navigational challenge to outsiders and a source of protection for the Haida people. This afternoon we arrive in Haida Gwaii and travel to our modest Queen Charlotte City accommodation. Enjoy the evening at leisure to explore this island village.
Overnight: Haida Gwaii
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Excursion to Skedans (Ḵ'uuna Llnagaay)

*Important Note: The planned boat tour excursions in Haida Gwaii are heavily dependent on the constantly changing weather. Our aim is to include these boat tours but please be advised that we could be providing alternative programs if unfavorable weather, wind, and sea conditions.***Due to the liability reasons, the boat company has the right to refuse passengers if they have mobility restrictions **This will be this day tour to the village of Skedans or Ḵ'uuna Llnagaay, in the Haida language. Skedans was a village of 26 to 30 longhouses at its height. Today, the poles that remain and the depressions of several longhouses give you a sense of the former grandeur of the village, splayed out along Skedans Bay. We pass through the Laskeek Bay area, where we visit Ḵay (sea lion) rookeries, explore the shoreline, search for taan (bear) and cruise the seas looking for whales. Along the way, our guides will incorporate a combination of storytelling, songs and/or local history, giving guests a unique glimpse into Haida's heritage. Alternatively, we may go to Windy Bay and Hotspring Island. This evening we plan for our Haida Style dinner experience
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Dajing Giids and Tlell, BC

Our first stop on a full day of touring is a visit to the magnificent Haida Heritage Centre. The Haida Gwaii Museum is a magnificent showcase of the Haida People, culture, and way of life, highlighting the traditions of all fourteen Haida Clans. With an interpreter of the museum, we enjoy an interpretive tour of the facility followed by some time to experience the exhibits at leisure.We then visit Balance Rock, a remnant of the Ice Age that looks precariously posed on the coast, but is in fact, firmly in place and immovable. The trail to the rock may be slippery and we may opt to view this from a distance. We drive to Tlell, home to a variety of local artisans and take time at leisure to visit their shops and learn of their crafts firsthand. A short distance from the village of Tlell is the south entrance of the Naikoon Provincial Park. Part of the traditional territory of the Haida people, the park figures prominently in their culture and history and holds many sites of cultural importance as well as historic villages and important traditional food gathering locations throughout the park. A walk along the East Beach Trail is a great experience. We strongly suggest bringing a pair of binoculars and your camera and reading up in advance about the natural and human history of Haida Gwaii before you start to gain in-depth knowledge and appreciation of the landscape you are travelling through.
Overnight: Haida Gwaii
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Port Clements, Masset and the Naikoon Provincial Park, BC

Travelling a short distance further to Port Clements, an active forestry area, we visit the Port Clements Museum and learn about the past conditions of the forest industry in Haida Gwaii. Nearby is a short, easy hike from the museum to the Golden Spruce Trail. The trail is named after the Golden Sitka Spruce that grew at the end of the trail for nearly 300 years and had a mutation causing the spruce to grow needles of a golden yellow colour. The tree was cut down by a protester in 1997 leading to a Canada-wide outcry. A sapling was saved when the original tree grew and had been nurtured and grown at the Port Clements Memorial Park which we will visit after our walk along the trail. The village of Masset is located at the entrance to the Masset Inlet, an important centre for sport fishing. A short walk takes us to the Dixon Entrance Maritime Museum housed in a restored heritage building. The museum offers a look back at the early settlement and maritime history of the Greater Masset area.We will then do a quick drive through nearby Old Masset, located 2 km north of Masset. The community of Old Masset is connected by road and a well-used sidewalk and sits on the site of three traditional Haida villages. Old Masset is one of 2 villages where the Haida Nation regrouped in the late 1800s, having been forced to leave most of their ancient villages due to their declining numbers, a severe consequence of smallpox introduced by Europeans. The Hudson's Bay Company operated a trading post at the far end of the village from 1869 to 1898. Old Masset is named after Maast Island, a small island in Masset Sound, which is believed to have been named after an early European sailor who was buried on the Island. Today, Old Masset is the administrative seat of the Council of the Haida Nation and is home to about 800 Haida people, including some well-known Indigenous carvers. 10 km east of Masset is an easily walkable boardwalk trail that allows access to a blowhole as well as to Tow Hill, both important landmarks in Naikoon Provincial Park.
Overnight: Haida Gwaii
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Depart Haida Gwaii, BC

We bid farewell to Haida Gwaii as we board a transfer to Sandspit Airport to begin the journey home.**Due to the remoteness of the area, one group transfer will be arranged to the Sandspit airport for 1 PM, please book your flights accordingly**
Meals: Breakfast
DATES & PRICES
We accept
AVAILABILITY
START DATE
END DATE
PRICE
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
DEPOSIT
BOOK
AVAILABLE
Thu, 11 Jul 2024
Thu, 18 Jul 2024
$4,070 USD
$975 USD
$500 USD
AVAILABLE
Mon, 12 Aug 2024
Mon, 19 Aug 2024
$4,070 USD
$975 USD
$500 USD
AVAILABLE
Thu, 05 Sep 2024
Thu, 12 Sep 2024
$4,070 USD
$975 USD
$500 USD
(does not include 5% tax)

Note: Arrival flights can be booked to for any time on first day of tour. Departure flight from Sandspit should be afternoon departure to allow for morning transfer. Valid Government Photo ID is required for BC Ferry Crossing. *Check before booking flights

Applicable taxes vary depending on travel destination and are not included. Please ask your sales agent what extra taxes will be payable for your tour.
WHY CHOOSE ANDERSON VACATIONS?

Anderson Vacations
Other Companies

Small Group Tours

Travel with a limited number of participants for a personalized journey with a tour leader.

Experienced Tour Leaders

Who have gone through intensive vetting and training.

(But most contract their tour leaders from Anderson Vacations.)

Canadian Travel Experts

With at least 30 years of experience.

Min. 95% Satisfaction Rate

From past guests.

Travel to unique places, visit more attractions each day.

Without the distractions of tipping.

Activities and excursions included as part of the tour.

(Not as add-ons.)

Sustainability

Planting one tree for every passenger that travels with us.

 


WHAT'S INCLUDED
  • 7 nights hotel accommodation (3.5 - 4 star, or best available)
  • Professional Tour Leader
  • Transportation from local company
  • 15 meals: 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
  • Expert local Step-on-Guide on Days 5 and 6
EXCLUSIONS
  • 5% provincial tax on top of tour base rate
  • Gratuities to driver (Recommend $3-$4 per person per day)
  • Gratuities to guide (Recommend $5-$7 per person per day)
  • Meals not listed
  • Attractions not listed
  • Credit card payment fees, where applicable
  • Airfare — domestic and international (Unless Specified)
  • Travel insurance (Strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
  • Items of a personal nature

 


Why Take An Anderson Tour?

Seasoned Tour Guides Get a deeper understanding with storytelling tailored to your interests.
Space To Breathe We never max out buses even if we use the same size bus as the competition.
All Inclusive No hidden expenses along the way. Competitors offer activities as an extra - we don't

ACTA
Our guide training manual is accredited by ACTA/CITC Canadian Educational Standard Inc. Now used as the standard in educational college programs.
Can't find what you're looking for? Our specialists can take away the stress and create a custom trip tailored to your exact interests and budget.
Get A Custom Quote
OR CALL 1.866.814.7378
Custom Trip Plans You can see what you want, when you want, how you want.
Unique Experiences Experiences that help you take in the region in a different way.
Freedom To Explore Time to take in each place with only the tours you want to do.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Ask A Question
Tour Questions

What is the maximum number of travellers in a group?

Anderson Vacations specializes in Small Group Fully Escorted tours. If the tour is classified as a ‘Classic Tour’ up to 24 persons may join the tour although tours commonly travel with anywhere between 18 to 24 travellers. If the tour is classified as a 'Tour of Distinction’ only up to 18 persons may join the tour and many 'Tours of Distinction' travel with 12 to 18 travellers.

What are Guaranteed Departures?

After dreaming about travel to an exciting destination, arranging for time off work, booking your flights the last thing you need is for your trip to be cancelled. Anderson vacation's pre-Guaranteed tours take the uncertainty away from planning your travel and give you peace of mind to book our tours. Pre-Guaranteed Tours are group tours that we have already confirmed as certain to travel on the specified date. All 'Guaranteed Tours' will travel except in the event of a natural disaster or a catastrophic event that is beyond our control. They may already have the minimum number of people booked or else are tours that are known to be popular. Only select departures of tours are 'pre-Guaranteed'.

What happens if I book on a tour that is not Guaranteed?

We pride ourselves on providing “a small shared group experience.” In the event that we have fewer than ten participants on a tour we will offer a “small-group surcharge” to ensure that the tour runs as scheduled. This fee, which is up to 15% of the “land” portion of the tour, will be offered to you as an option to continue with the trip. This fee will cover the costs associated with handling a smaller group.

What is the average age of passengers for this tour?

Our tours are suitable for all age demographics. The average age of travelers is typically 45+.

How physically demanding is this tour? Are you able to accommodate people with mobility restrictions/limitations?

Some tours are mainly coach based and may not be physically demanding while others may require walking inclines or on rough surfaces to access interesting locations. Please check with us and your booking agent carefully and discuss your mobility restrictions before completing any tour booking to ensure this style of travel is right for you.

Can you accommodate passengers with dietary restrictions (food allergies, vegan, vegetarian etc.)?

Yes, we do accommodate dietary restrictions (within reason) such as, food allergies, vegan, vegetarian, etc. There are many meals included on our fully escorted tours. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking so we can ensure there are alternative meal choices.
Booking & Flight Questions

Do you arrange airport transfers?

Yes, we can assist you with airport transfers for you in most locations at a reasonable extra cost. Several tours have airport transfers already included. Please contact us for more details.

Can you assist with booking additional accommodation?

Yes, we can certainly assist with booking additional nights of hotel accommodation for you before and after your fully escorted tour. This is available upon request and subject to availability. Please inquire for further information and prices.

How much luggage should I bring?

Each passenger may bring one large suitcase and one carry-on bag. The weight limit for baggage is 20 kilograms or about 40 pounds. Baggage handling is provided at the hotels in our tour packages but there may be places where you will be required to wheel in your bags for quicker access. Be sure to advise our reservations staff if you will be bringing additional items such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair. You may also bring one small soft-sided carry-on bag, which should easily fit into the overhead shelf of a coach. Each person is responsible for his/her own carryon luggage. Remember to check your airline baggage restrictions if you are flying, as they may differ from Anderson Vacations guidelines.

I am a solo traveller. Is there a single surcharge?

There are options for single travelers to join most tours. Solo travellers can choose to pay a Single Supplement and have their own room throughout the tour. For those willing to share with a co-traveller of the same gender, we have a Twin Share option that is offered for most tours where you share a hotel room with another same gender traveller. In this case, you will not be charged for Single Supplement.

Is it possible to book a triple share accommodation?

Yes, it is possible to book triple share accommodations on select trips. Please inquire or contact us regarding this option, as prices and availability vary from tour to tour.

Can we book this tour with our exclusive group?

Yes, you can! Anderson Vacations works with many private groups and helps to customize a tour to traveller’s needs. Please contact us for more details.

Are gratuities included in the tour cost?

For convenience, gratuities for local guides and meals that are specified in the itinerary are included in the tour price. For meals not included in your tour package please remember that it is customary to tip your server 10-20% in North America. Gratuities for your Coach Driver (where appropriate) and Tour Director are entirely at your discretion. We recommend about CDN $5.00 per person, per day, for your Driver and CDN$7.00 per person, per day for your Tour Leader.

TOURS YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Ready? Have More Questions? Over 25 years offering custom trips and small group tours.
INQUIRE ABOUT THIS TRIP
OR CALL 1.866.814.7378
Seasoned Tour Guides Get a deeper understanding with storytelling tailored to your interests.
Space To Breathe We never max out buses even if we use the same size bus as the competition.
All Inclusive No hidden expenses along the way. Competitors offer activities as an extra - we don't
CLASSIC TOURS

The style our travellers have enjoyed for over 20 years, these tours feature inclusive itineraries to popular destinations including the 'must see' sites and attractions. Led by an expert Tour Leader, you will enjoy comfortable accommodation, and coach transport throughout the journey.

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TOURS OF DISTINCTION

These tours are defined by their incomparably unique itineraries, featuring 'off the beaten path' destinations and immersive experiences. An intimate group size allows us to stay in smaller, centrally located, unique and boutique style inns, lodges and hotels, utilize traditional local transportation and dive deep into each destination's local culture and traditions.

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INDEPENDENT TRAVEL

These travel experiences are fully customizable to better fit your needs. Every itinerary is created based on your comfort level, accommodation choices, and personal interests. Whether you are looking for a rail adventure, self drive holiday, unique experiences, or a short city stay our team will work with you on combining accommodation, transportation, and activities based on your preferences to create the perfect itinerary for you.

Click Icon to Read More.
INDEPENDENT TRIPS

These travel experiences are fully customizable to better fit your needs. Every itinerary is created based on your comfort level, accommodation choices, and personal interests. Whether you are looking for a rail adventure, self drive holiday, unique experiences, or a short city stay our team will work with you on combining accommodation, transportation, and activities based on your preferences to create the perfect itinerary for you.

Click Icon to Read More.