Tour British Columbia & Baja California
First Day – Arrival in Vancouver
Welcome at the airport by our representative and transfer to Hotel Sheraton or Century Plaza or other category, with breakfast.
Second day – Visit to Vancouver
The second day you will take the car hire and you will go in self-managed tour, using your road-book, guided on request with a visit to the main areas of the city: Downtown, Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge, the Hatchery & Aquarium (hatchery salmon) and the parks of West Vancouver, the giant trees of the Light House and Dundrave Park with a picnic area on the sea. If there is time and desire, visit suggesteed to the Museum of Anthroplogy at U.B.C. University of British Columbia. Free evening and overnight stay at your hotel.
Third Day – Vancouver Island
In the morning you will reach the embarkation point for the ferry to Vancouver Island. You will disembark to Nanaimo after 1 hour and 35 minutes crossing. From Nanaimo continue towards Campbell River, northward and then, bending to the West, you will arrive in Tofino, after about 2 hours and a half. The indications of each route are located within your road book. Along this road, full of curves but beautiful, you will find the Cathedral Grove, one of the most beautiful parks of centenary sequoias and red cedar of the region. In the afternoon you will arrive in Tofino, the lovely and shiny village, symbol of the Pacific Rim, where you will stay for two days at the Ocean Village resort, opposite one of the most spectacular beaches along the cliffs of the Pacific Rim. Here you can enjoy and admire the wild beauty of this coast of Vancouver Island. In the evening walk with dinner on the Yacht Harbor, in front of the beautiful Bay of Tofino.
Fourth Day – Whales and sea lions on the Pacific Rim
Today is your day trip by ocean in the Pacific Rim, which is famous for its fascinating and violent squalls and a destination for passionate travelers and photographers in search of beautiful images of this nature and animals that still live here harmoniously.The great whales, killer whales and sea lions living resident in this great Pacific arm and are the real stars of this area. You will take an excursion on super-fast rubber boats to approach these fascinating animals and navigate the magnificent archipelago of Broken Group Islands. In the afternoon, boat ride to Meares island for a walk through the ancient giant trees of the rainforest. Return to the lodge and overnight.
Fifth Day – The East coast of Vancouver Island
This morning, going back over the Pacific Rim Highway, you’ll return to the main highway. First we stop at the magnificent Schooner Bay for beach combing between colorful anemones and starfish . You continue on the east coast up to Campbell River. Qui vi sistemerete nello splendido Painter’s lodge. Here you will be staying in the beautiful Painter’s Lodge. In the afternoon, guests can enjoy a pleasant and relaxing indoor boat ride. You are going to watch a magnificent sunset on Discovery Bay, the one you have in front of your lodge. Return to the lodge and dinner on the terrace in front of Quadra Island.
Sixth Day – Grizzlies of the Forest
This morning, from your lodge, you will embark on a real wild-excursion within the Discovery Coast, with a large variety of animals to watch: bears, bald-headed eagles, giant elk and deer, as well as whales, dolphins, and sea lions. Upon returning from the hike, we travel further north, in the picturesque fishing village of Telegraph Cove, where you will stay in a cabin on the boardwalk, the rustic and historic waterfront. During the transfer, visit to another beautiful village on the East Coast, Port McNeill.
Seventh Day – Orcas of Johnston Strait
This day will be devoted to what is recognized by major ecological associations, as the best whale watching in the world at orcas. The excursion will take place within the area of the Great Bear Rain Forest, in Johnston Strait. In addition to the orcas, true stars of this sea entrance, you will catch sight of dolphins, sea lions and various species of whales and the many species that make up the earth fauna. At the end of the excursion, return to Telegraph Cove. Overnight stay in your cabin on the boardwalk.
Eigth Day – Toward Vancouver
In the morning south along the East coast of Vancouver Island for easy return to Nanaimo, where you will board the ferry that will take you back to Vancouver. Then, you will travel to the international airport where, returned the rented car, you board your flight to Los Angeles and Loreto.
BAJA CALIFORNIA
Ninth Day – Arrival to Punta Chivato
Once landed in Loreto and picked up your hired 4WD, you’ll begin to know the Baja from Loreto, along a path that will take you to Punta Chivato, where was booked for you a room in the charming Posada, an ideal base for excursions and trips, both to coast and inland. Dinner at the Posada.
Tenth Day – Relaxing on the beach or open air activities
After the hardships of the journey, today you can relax on the beach. However, activity addicts do not get bored: can play tennis or kayaking, snorkeling or skuba diving. Those who want to immediately immerse themselves in dreamlike atmospheres of the landscapes of Baja, will dedicate itself to hiking or even mountain biking and thus have the opportunity to enjoy the sight of, on the same day, mountain landscapes, sea and desert. Overnight stay at Posada.
Eleventh Day – Ojo de Liebre Bay whales
Today is the day of contact, almost always very, very close, with the whales in Ojo de Liebre, a place where gray whales mate and where they feed their young. The coasts of the peninsula are ideal for observing these magnificent giants because the area, from December to March, is one of the largest concentrations of whales in the world, then, because here the species has been protected for some time now, they allow themselves to be easily approached by man, often to the point of being touched: a truly unparalleled experience and feeling. This tranquility is remarkable because these huge mammals are here in a particular season for them: that of mating and then of the nursing puppies, a period during which other species are unapproachable. After returning to Posada and overnight.
Twelfth Day – Loreto
Transfer stage to Loreto, where you will stay, with breakfast, in a Posada from the typical Mexican atmosphere. Relaxing afternoon for rest from (nice) labors of the trip or you can play tennis, golf or other outdoor activities. Alternatively, we propose a visit to the town of Loreto, especially to see the Mission of Nuestra Señora de Loreto, dating back to the 17th century, and the adjacent Museum. The mission is considered the oldest and first of all the missions of Baja and has withstood the blows of hurricanes and earthquakes. In the Museum you can admire artefacts that bear witness to the life and activities of missions and various equipment for horses and wagons. Overnight stay at posada.
Thirteenth Day – San Javier Mission and cave paintings
From your Posada, along 35 km of dirt road, climbing with your off-road on the Sierra Giganta, between cactus and palms, you will reach San Javier mission, dating back to the late ‘ 600, considered one of the prettiest and best preserved of Baja: remarkable its stained glass Windows and the wooden altar of the ‘ 700. From here you will go to guided hike to admire the cave paintings. These prehistoric works, paintings of deer, humans, reptiles, birds, but also fish, squid, turtles, and whales, are in caves often over 300 meters above sea level. Coming back in the afternoon, relax on the beach or hike self-managed in Bahia Concepcion (77 km from Loreto). Along the way, stunning beaches (Requeson, Coyote, Santipac). Visit to Muleguè (in the North of Bahia Concepcion), hamlet – with adjoining mission of 1700 and eponymous green oasis. Return to Posada, dinner and overnight stay.
Fourteenth Day – Isla Coronados
At 8 km from the coast, lies the island of – Coronados, or rather the Islands, as what looks like a single island is actually a mini archipelago. We will arrive in 20 minutes with a spear (panga) or with a super-inflatable zodiac. On this island are easily observable sea lions, dolphins and pelicans – is a reserve for these birds and other 160 species. It is an ideal place for snorkeling or just to get a Tan in one of its many small beaches, which can be easily reached by paddling a kayak. The hike on this island, however, also provides for the use of this simple but highly enjoyable boat. When finished, transfer to Bahia Magdalena for whale watching. Puerto San Carlos, where you will spend the night tonight, does not present any particular points of interest; though is a great base for excursions to whale watching at Bahia Magdalena.
Fifteenth day – Bahia Magdalena whales
Protected from the waves of the Pacific from the islands of Magdalena and Santa Margherita, the Bay is another favourite place of grey whales for their mating. Its mangroves offer shelter to many species of seabirds. San Carlos and Lopez Mateos are the best locations for viewing. Better the first though, because its waters are deeper. After the hike, we return to Loreto for the overnight stay in the same Posada.
Sixteenth Day – Return flight
Time until transfer to the international airport of Loreto, hired car release and return flight.