Haida Gwaii August 16 to 21, 2021
Haida Gwaii, also known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, is an archipelago of more than 150 islands located off the coast of Northern British Columbia. The islands have gained a reputation for breathtaking natural beauty and a remarkable First Nations culture.
For thousands of years, the islands of Haida Gwaii have been inhabited the Haida, an indigenous people to whom art, culture, legends, mythology, and community played an important role in their lives. Argillite carvings, totem poles and ancient Haida villages attract visitors from around the world.” – BC Adventure Network.
Immerse yourself in raw, natural beauty while delving into the culture and heritage of this wondrous place by staying for 5 nights at the Premiere Creek Lodge, visit Gwaii Haanas, tour the Haida village of Old Massett, and peruse artisan shops, galleries, local museums, and so much more!
You don’t want to miss this journey where you’ll discover nature as it was meant to be seen.
Monday, August 16 - SKIDEGATE
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Afternoon check in at Vancouver Airport for your Air Canada flight to Sandspit. Upon arrival your private shuttle will be waiting to transport you to the beautiful Premiere Creek Lodge located in Queen Charlotte.
After check in depart to Skidegate to visit the famous Balance Rock, a popular nature-made landmark and then you will share a traditional Haida meal with storytelling and information regarding harvesting on Haida Gwaii.
Return to your hotel for overnight.
Tuesday, August 17 - RENNELL SOUND/CHAAHLUU KAAHLII
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Following breakfast depart to visit artist’s homes located in Queen Charlotte and then on to Rennell Sound which is located in a remote area and accessed by travelling 22 km on logging roads from Queen Charlotte, then an additional 11 km drive through the Pennell Pass. Rennell Sound is the only point on the west coast accessible by road. You will be amazed by the wildlife, birds, and the mystique of the landscape. You will visit the beaches through accessible trails that provide tranquil escapes into the virgin old growth rainforest.
Return to your hotel for dinner on your own and overnight.
Wednesday, August 18 - S’GANG GWAAY LLNAGAAY (NINTSTINTS – UNESCO SITE)
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After breakfast you will be taken to the dock in Queen Charlotte to board a covered vessel with washroom facilities on board. This tour will take you to S’Gang Gwaay Llnagaay (Ninstints) on Anthony Island. Here you will walk through the ancient village and UNESCO World Heritage Site, learning about Haida lineages and lifestyles.
Ninstints is the best of the pre-served abandoned Haida villages. The Haidas deserted Ninstints around 1885, and today, the dignified poles along the beach seem like phantoms of the past. Given that it is located at the southernmost part of Haida Gwaii, you will also enjoy a boat ride that traverses the full eastern shoreline of Gwaii Haanas. Sea life viewing is abundant during this tour in addition to local storytelling by guides of Haida ancestry about their land.
Return to your hotel after dinner.
Thursday, August 19 - MASSET, OLD MASSETT, NORTH BEACH
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After breakfast travel to Masset, a small fishing village on the north side of Graham Island. It is known for areas of pristine beauty and unique culture. One of Masset’s most visited areas is the Haida Village of Old Masset. Known mostly for its totem carvings, this small village is also abundant with craft and art shops.. The village is also home to the largest collection of totem poles on the island, including St. John’s Church Totem that stands before St. John’s church. You will have the opportunity to visit galleries, totem poles, and carving sheds.
Continue on to North Beach to view the totem pole located in the Hiellen Longhouse Village and explore the beach, views and blowholes. North Beach is situated in Naikoon Provincial Park which became a Class A park in 1973 and boasts a mixture of temperate rainforest ecosystems, wetlands, bogs, sand dunes, and approximately 100 km of beaches.
Dinner on your own and overnight at hotel.
Friday, August 20 - TLELL, PORT CLEMENTS, JUSQUATLA
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After breakfast depart to Skidegate and Tlell to visit galleries and artists’ studios. Tlell is a small village with only 183 inhabitants but it has a big presence. Known for its artisans and galleries, it is also known for the Tlell Fell Fair as well as the Edge of the World Music Festival. Continue to travel north to Port Clements to visit the Port Clements Museum and then on to view the site of the famous Golden Spruce and an ancient, abandoned Haida Canoe. The Golden Spruce is located in the Golden Spruce Trail with paths that wind through the rainforest. Before the actual tree was vandalized in 1997, it was famous for its unique colour. The tree was 164 feet high and had needles of gold.
After lunch you will meet with a Registered Professional Forester and visit forestry sites to learn about the various ecosystems and shared governance of these forests between the Haida Nation and BC government.
Return to your hotel before attending our Farewell Dinner. Final overnight at hotel.
Saturday, August 21 - QUEEN CHARLOTTE & SANDSPIT
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After breakfast and check out travel to Skidegate to enjoy the Haida Heritage Centre. This original Queen Charlotte Island museum was opened in 1976 by then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and was re-opened in 2008 after 7 years of restorations and renovations. The museum tells the story of the Haida Nation and features a large collection of Haida cultural materials and native art.
Take the Kwuna ferry to Alliford Bay to travel to the airport for afternoon departure back to Vancouver.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
$4,301 per person, based on double occupancy
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
$380 per person.
Tour limited to a maximum of 14 participants
INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE
- TRANSPORTATION: Airfare from Vancouver to Sandspit return on Air Canada. We can arrange airfares from your departure city to Vancouver and return if required. Mini-bus transportation for Haida Gwaii.
- TRANSFERS AND SIGHTSEEING: Group transfer from Vancouver Airport to the Pacific Gateway Hotel at a designated time on August 18th. Sightseeing and transportation on Haida Gwaii as per itinerary.
- TIPS & TAXES: Current air transport taxes and security fee from Vancouver to Sandspit and return. Tipping to tour guides and driver.
- GUIDES: Knowledgeable tour director and local guides
- HOTELS/MEALS: 5 nights accommodation & hotel taxes. 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 3 dinners as per itinerary.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE
Airfare Airfare from home city to Vancouver return. Cancellation, baggage and health insurance, excess baggage charges, food and beverages not included in the group menus, wines and liquors, individual services and any items of a personal nature.
RESPONSIBILITY
Executive Cultural Tours and/or their agents, affiliates, or subsidiaries act only as agents for the hotel, airlines, bus companies and operators providing accommodation, transportation, meals, tours or other services and all coupons, exchange orders, receipts, contracts and tickets issued by the Company are issued subject to all tariffs, terms and conditions under which the forgoing or any other services whatsoever are provided by such hotels, airlines, bus companies. By the acceptance of such coupons, exchange orders, receipts, contracts and tickets, the tour member agrees that the Company shall not become liable or responsible for any loss, injury or damage to the person, firm or corporation. Further, the Company shall not become liable or responsible for any loss, injury or damage due to an Act of God or Act of War. The tour operator reserves the right to withdraw a tour, to refuse to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour at any time or to make changes in the itinerary whenever in their sole judgment conditions warrant or if such changes result from circumstances beyond the control of the tour operator. Executive Cultural Tours and/or their agents shall not be responsible for the injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or other, or through the acts or default of any company or person engaged in conveying or providing transportation to the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour or otherwise in connection therewith, or of any other hotel proprietor or employee. The aforesaid and their agents can accept no responsibility for losses or accidental expenses due to delay or changes in schedules or hotel overbookings or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger.
CONDITIONS
BOOKING
A CA$1,000 deposit plus single supplement, if applicable, as well as the optional package tour insurance cost, are required upon reservation. A post-dated cheque for the balance dated May 10, 2021, is also required at the time of reservation.
Cheques should be made payable to Uniglobe The Premiere Travel Group. Credit card payments are accepted.
CANCELLATION
Full refund up to 120 days prior to departure less $500 per person. Between 120 days prior to departure and May 10, 2021, full refund less $1,000 per person. Between May 11 and June 10, 2021, full refund less $2,500. Subsequent to June 11, 2021, no refund will be made for any unused hotel accommodation, meals, transfers, sightseeing, etc. Notice of cancellation must be made in writing.
INSURANCE
The following insurance packages are optional but highly recommended.
ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE TOUR INSURANCE
(INCLUDING CANCELLATION)
| Sharing | Single | |
|---|---|---|
| Up to age 59: | $291.60 | $304.56 |
| Age 60 –64: | $328.22 | $344.52 |
| Age 65 –69: | $368.28 | $387.72 |
| Age 70—74: | $428.76 | $451.44 |
| Age 75—79: | $618.84 | $648.00 |
| Age 80—84: | $793.80 | $832.68 |
| Age 85+: | $1013.04 | $1058.40 |
CANCELLATION/INTERRUPTION INSURANCE
| Sharing | Single | |
|---|---|---|
| Up to age 59: | $268.92 | $281.88 |
| Age 60 –64: | $312.12 | $328.32 |
| Age 65 –69: | $342.26 | $361.80 |
| Age 70—74: | $395.28 | $417.96 |
| Age 75—79: | $572.40 | $601.56 |
| Age 80+: | $754.92 | $797.04 |
24 Selkirk Street, Suite 100
Ottawa. ON. K1L 0A4