North Vancouver Island, Canada
- Duration: 7 Days
- Location: Port Hardy, British Columbia
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Gwadzi (Port Hardy) + Amazing Art
*Check into the Kwa’lilas Hotel, owned by the Gwaʼsa̱la
ʼNakʼwaxdaʼx̱w people and built to resemble a traditional cedar wood Big House. The Hotel showcases traditional carving and tapestry and features an 18 ft piece of copper wall art by Salish artist Shain Jackson.
We kick off our trip after lunch with a visit to the workshop of a celebrated Northwest Coast carver, storyteller and elder, whose Kwagu’ł style totem poles and mystical masks are sought after the world over.
Dinner of local, indigenous-inspired West Coast fare at the Hotel.
*Directions and travel options to Port Hardy provided with your booking confirmation.
Day 2,3 & 4 Kayaking along the Johnstone Strait
We make our way, via shuttle and water taxi, to our kayaking base camp in the Johnstone Strait. We spend three glorious days gliding through kelp beds and island narrows, taking in spectacular views while on the lookout for Stellar sea lions, humpback whales, porpoises, orca, and eagles.
We end the day with apps and a delicious meal and then head to a prime lookout over the Strait to spot for orca while the sun sets.
Day 5 The Great Bear Rainforest + Hada
Today Indigenous guides take us by boat into Bond Sound and the traditional and unceded
territory of the Ḵwiḵwa̱sut̓inux̱w people, one of the four tribes of
the Musǥa̱makw Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w. We are entering the Great Bear Rainforest, the
world’s largest intact temperate rainforest, on the lookout for whales and
grizzlies hunting for salmon. We make a special stop at Hada, the location of a
unique Indigenous cultural initiative. Cultural leaders will guide us in a rare
glimpse into efforts to revive the Kwakwala language and bring healing and
economic opportunity to their people.
Overnight at the Kwa'lilas Hotel in Port Hardy.
Day 6 'Yalis (Alert Bay) + Telegraph Cove
Today our Indigenous guide takes us to the renowned U'mista Cultural Centre and its priceless Potlatch Collection before heading over to the Big House, with its towering totem poles and cedar log roof, for a performance of traditional Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw dances. We'll cap off the day with a visit to the picturesque fishing village of Telegraph Cove and its multi-coloured wood cabins built on stilts. We’ll tuck in for a generous dinner at the local café before heading back to Port Hardy for the night.
Overnight at Kwa’lilas Hotel.
Day 7 Port Hardy + Depart
Enjoy the morning in Port Hardy. Check out Guido's, a favourite local haunt and eclectic mix of bookstore, artsy gift shop and gourmet sandwiches, before departing for your next adventure.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- All accommodation
- All transfers (shuttles, water taxis)
- Certified local guides
- All equipment
- All meals, except 2 dinners
- Artist studio visit
- Tickets to U’mista Cultural Centre & Big House dance
performance - Port Hardy Airport pick up and drop off - based on Pacific Coastal flight morning arrivals and departures.
Not included: 2 Dinners, alcohol, gratuities
Getting There
The most direct route to Port Hardy is by plane, with a direct flight from Vancouver on Pacific Coastal Airlines. The flight is just over an hour. We recommend taking the mid-morning flight from Vancouver which arrives in Port Hardy by noon. karibu provides an airport shuttle pick-up for this flight as well as a drop-off for the morning departure from Port Hardy. If you are flying to Port Hardy, we recommend you book your flight early to secure the best pricing.
You can also fly to Victoria and rent a car if you are looking to explore other parts of Vancouver Island.
Alternatively, if traveling by car, take a ferry to Nanaimo, and then drive north on Hwy 19 for 385 km or 4 hours.
*Medical travel insurance is required to participate in our Programs if you are a non-Canadian resident. Your insurance plan should include full medical coverage, emergency evacuation and emergency repatriation.
