Totem Pole at the Haida Heritage Centre. Photo courtesy of Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC

Balance Rock, Haida Gwaii

Carver/Artist Ben Davidson

K'san Village, Hazelton BC

Forest, Haida Gwaii, BC

Tow Hill Walking Trail

view at Queen Charlotte, Haida Gwaii

July 2018 group photo

CLOSE TO HOME TOUR SERIES

Haida Gwaii

formerly Queen Charlotte Islands

DEPARTURE: Edmonton 7:00 a.m., Acheson 7:30 AM., Entwistle 8:45 a.m., Edson 9:45 a.m., Hinton 10:45 a.m.

Come along on an adventure of a lifetime!

Re-named from Queen Charlotte Islands in 2009, this group of almost 200 islands off the northwest coast of British Columbia will captivate you with its scenery, excite you with its history and calm you with its serenity.    

You will be guests of the Haida people in their traditional homeland where they continue to live, their culture and way of life vibrant since time immemorial. This tour focuses not only on the Haida, but you will also learn about other Coastal nations including the Tsimshian, Gitxsan and Nisga’a peoples in our mainland explorations.

Highlights include ‘Ksan Historical Village, Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Provincial Park, Balance Rock, a picnic lunch at the beach, the Haida Heritage Centre, remains of the Golden Spruce and a fabulous Haida Feast served family style.

  • Guaranteed Date
  • 11 days |  July 10, 2023 Sold Out 
    Canada West
    Motorcoach
    Passport Not Required
1

Edmonton to Prince George

Your Haida Adventure begins as you are welcomed aboard your deluxe coach in Edmonton.  Majestic MOUNT ROBSON greets you as you travel west through JASPER NATIONAL PARK on your way to Prince George for your first night. 

2

Prince George to Terrace

Enjoy the beautiful scenery this morning.  A highlight this afternoon is a visit to the ‘Ksan HISTORICAL VILLAGE AND MUSEUM at Hazelton. The Gitxsan and Haida cultures are very similar. Upon arrival at your hotel in Terrace, enjoy a WELCOME MEET and GREET with your travel companions.

3

Terrace to Prince Rupert

Your travels today take you to the interesting NISGA’A MEMORIAL LAVA BED PROVINCIAL PARK before travelling a short distance for overnight in Prince Rupert, the gateway to BC’s beautiful north coast.

4

Prince Rupert to Queen Charlotte, Haida Gwaii

(4 nights) The MV NORTHERN ADVENTURE departs Prince Rupert this morning for a 7-hour scenic voyage through the COAST ISLANDS. Watch for whales as you cross the HECATE STRAIT to Skidegate and the village Daajing Giids (formerly known as Queen Charlotte) with our modest accommodations at the Sea Raven Motel for the next four nights. 

5

Haida Gwaii

A full day of sightseeing is planned for today.  You will make a stop at ST. MARY’S SPRING and JUNGLE BEACH.  Have your cameras ready for a picture stop at BALANCE ROCK when tides allow.  At the north end of Graham Island make a stop at MILE ZERO of the Yellowhead highway.  In NAIKOON PROVINCIAL PARK explore the beach for agates at AGATE BEACH and visit HIELLEN RIVER.  Enjoy a picnic lunch among the mystical trees of the park.  After, you might choose a short walk to the BLOWHOLE or to go all the way to the top of the volcanic TOW HILL for a magnificent view.  Visit the Haida Village of OLD MASSETT on the north coast to see the new totems, with time to browse the gift shop.  Tonight, you will be treated to a delicious and fun evening as a Haida Chef prepares a HAIDA FEAST using traditional local foods.

6

Haida Gwaii

.This morning, a LOCAL GUIDE will take you through the HAIDA HERITAGE CENTRE, a world-class cultural complex built to look like the traditional Haida village that was once at this location.  Here you will learn about the 14 clans of the Haida people.  After, you will return to Queen Charlotte for an afternoon of free time to explore the village, perhaps having lunch at the local market (when available), taking in the Visitor’s Centre, or just having a chance to relax and absorb the atmosphere.

7

Haida Gwaii

Today’s adventures will take you to the arts community of TLELL with a visit to Crystal Cabin for an AGATE INFORMATIONAL TALK, followed by a visit to the PORT CLEMENTS MUSEUM.  Travel a short distance to the GOLDEN SPRUCE TRAIL where some of the trees are over 500 years old!  Learn the story of the famous GOLDEN SPRUCE when you visit the remains. 

8

Queen Charlotte to Prince Rupert

This morning we say Háw’aa (thank you) and goodbye to beautiful Haida Gwaii as we board a BC FERRY for your trip to the mainland. Watch for last sightings of whales and enjoy the scenery as you make your way back across the Hecate Strait.

9

Prince Rupert to Terrace

The morning allows time to visit downtown shops and the acclaimed MUSEUM OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA.  This afternoon drive to Port Edward, located on the Skeena River, to visit the NORTH PACIFIC CANNERY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE.  This site is the oldest surviving salmon cannery village along British Columbia’s coast.  Established in 1889, the cannery was typical of those in remote locations in that it provided accommodation through the summer canning season. Little has changed since the plant closed in the late 1960’s.  Almost 30 buildings linked by wooden boardwalks are open for viewing.  Travel a short distance to Terrace for overnight.

10

Terrace to Prince George

.Retrace your route back through north-central British Columbia to Prince George for overnight.  This evening join your fellow travellers for a HOSTED FAREWELL DINNER. 

11

Prince George to Edmonton

With fond memories of your Haida Gwaii visit, say farewell to your new-found friends as you return to Edmonton.

tour route map for Haida Gwaii

HAIDA GWAII INFORMATION

  • The Haida are a seafaring people well-known for their beautiful artwork and famous totem poles – one of which is now located at the Edmonton Stollery Children’s hospital.
  • Haida Gwaii is at the end of the road, a wet, wild refuge that has captured nature lovers’ hearts. Often called the Canadian Galapagos due to the flora and fauna only found in this Pacific archipelago, the climate is mild with summer temperatures similar to those in the rest of northern and central BC.
  • Due to the remote location of this tour, Queen Charlotte accommodations are categorized as basic/modest.

SIGHTSEEING:   Will require occasional walking on rugged and uneven terrain and travellers should therefore be in reasonably good health.

SMALL GROUP tour – seats are limited.

This very special program will be limited to 30 passengers per tour due to the nature of interpretive programs on Haida Gwaii.

Included in Your Holiday

  • First class transportation on an air-conditioned, washroom-equipped motorcoach
  • Quality accommodation and tax
  • Services of an experienced Tour Director and Driver
  • Baggage handling, one average piece per person
  • Travel Bag
  • Admission to attractions and sightseeing as outlined in the itinerary
  • Ferries as indicated
  • Mount Robson
  • Jasper National Park
  • K’san Historical Village
  • Meet and Greet
  • Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park
  • Coast Islands
  • Hecate Strait
  • St. Mary’s Spring
  • Jungle Beach
  • Balance Rock
  • Mile Zero
  • Naikoon Provincial Park
  • Agate Beach
  • Heillen River
  • Blowhole
  • Tow Hill
  • Village of Old Massett
  • Haida Feast
  • Haida Heritage Centre with a Local Guide
  • Tlell
  • Agate Informational Talk
  • Port Clements Museum
  • Golden Spruce Trail
  • Golden Spruce remains
  • Museum of Northern British Columbia
  • North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site
  • Farewell Dinner
  • Meals Include: 4 Continental Breakfasts, 1 Picnic Lunch, 2 Dinners: Haida Feast, Farewell Dinner.

2023 Pricing

Cost per person | Prices in Canadian Dollars | Prices subject to change

Triple

$2,479.00

GST: $123.95

Twin

$2,759.00

GST: $137.95

Single

$3,589.00

GST: $179.45

Early Booking Discount

twin sharing per person.

$55.00