The
First Nations have a very rich cultural history in British Columbia.
Learn the history of the First Nations, how they lived, their artwork,
totem poles, homes and the way they hunted and fished. This tour will
explain the coming of the white man, the development of BC and the
Indian Reserves, and the state of the First Nations people today.
Start your tour in Vancouver; continue with a trip to beautiful Vancouver
Island to learn about the coastal natives. Tour Quadra Island one
of the Discovery Islands before going back to Vancouver.
Day 1 Vancouver
Arrive Vancouver. Settle into your downtown Vancouver hotel. Relax
for the evening or take in the sights and sounds of Vancouver's largest
city.
Day 2-3 Vancouver
Enjoy a city tour where you will cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge,
go on the Grouse Mountain Skyride and cross Vancouver's harbour on
the Seabus. Join the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and paddle a Northwest
Coast Ocean Going Canoe and listen to traditional songs, legends of
the area and learn the cultural history of Burrard Inlet. Also while
in Vancouver, you may want to visit the Museum of Anthropology, Stanley
Park and the Vancouver Aquarium and the Inuit Gallery in Gastown.
Day 4 Vancouver - Victoria
Pick up your rental car and board one of the BC Ferries for a picturesque
trip to Vancouver Island. BC's capital city, Victoria, is well known
for its British colonial heritage. Spend the afternoon exploring the
city, the parliament building, Royal London Wax Museum, Empress Hotel
etc.
Day 5 Victoria
Enjoy your day in beautiful Victoria. For native heritage, visit the
Royal BC Museum with its First Nations Exhibit, one of the world's
tallest totem poles at Beacon Hill Park, the totem poles at Thunderbird
Park, or enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride, Butchart Gardens, Butterfly
World, Crystal Gardens or a trip whale watching.
Day 6 Victoria - Parksville (1 ½ hrs)
Drive north to Parksville. Stop in Duncan for a walking tour of the
town's many totems. Tour the Quw'utsun' Cultural & Conference
Centre and visit a traditional long house where First Nations people
today are carving the traditional totems. Stop at Chemainus, "The
Little Town That Did", where you will see 33 murals and 8 sculptures
on the buildings of the town, many depicting the native heritage of
the area. Spend the night at the seaside resort area of Parksville
and explore Rathtrevor Beach with its golden sand and tide that goes
out forever.
Day 7 Parksville - Quadra Island (1 ½ hrs)
Drive north to the port town of Campbell River, the "Salmon Capital
of the World". Enjoy an afternoon native dance at the Gildas
Box of Treasures Theatre and visit the Wei Wai Kum House of Treasures,
to see the stunning native artwork. Take the 10-minute ferry ride
to Quadra Island and stay at "Tsa-Kwa-Luten,", which means
gathering place in the Kwak'wala language. The Laichwiltach people
own and run the Lodge where their ancestors once lived, hunted and
fished the salmon rich Discovery Passage.
Day 8 Quadra Island
This historic location is where British explorer Captain George Vancouver
first came in contact with the aboriginal peoples of the coast during
his voyage in 1792. You may be able to find ancient petroglyph (rock
carvings and pits) on boulders strewn along the beach in front of
the former village site of Tsa-Kwa-Luten. You may enjoy a tour with
Aboriginal Journeys, a First Nations wildlife and cultural tour company
where you could be shown where First Nations village sites were once
located and some of the history of the area.
Day 9 Quadra Island -Vancouver (2 hrs driving time)
Drive to Nanaimo where you can take the BC Ferry back to the mainland.
Drop off your rental car and your native cultural tour has ended.
Included:
8 nights hotel/lodge accommodations
North Shore City Tour including entrance to:
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Grouse Mountain Gondola
Seabus
Takaya Tours Canoe Paddle
Quw'utsun' Cultural & Conference Centre
Gildas Box of Treasures Theatre
6-day mid-size car rental and unlimited kms
Comprehensive information packageRoom tax
Not included:
Meals
BC Ferry tolls
Gas, taxes and PDW on rental vehicle
7% GST
2006/2007 Trip start dates:
June-September: Wednesday - Sundays
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Double
Occupancy
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Single
Occupancy
|
Triple
Occupancy
|
Quad
Occupancy
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Child
Rate*
Age: 12-16
|
Child
Rate*
Age: 5-12
|
|
$1394
|
$2494
|
$1229
|
$1009
|
$294
|
$239
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*Child
rate based on two paying adults.
Maximum
2 children per 2 adults.
Children under 5 free.
Rates
are per person in Canadian Dollars
Please add 7% GST on all rates.
All prices in Canadian dollars
Currency conversion
We can
custom
make any itinerary to meet your individual needs.
Deposit:
$300
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