I promised some more options of exploring Canada. After my excellent trip to Vancouver Island, I decided I needed to see Haida Gwaii. In the past, the islands were known as the Queen Charlotte Islands- off the coast of British Columbia. Not easy to accces, but part of exploring Canada for every Canadian if they should get the chance.
I have now updated this trip- and I switched to August…..in hopes of definitely travelling with vaccinations in place. I am crossing my fingers!
There are limited ways to explore these islands, and I chose a small group expedition trip with Intrepid Travel. Their description pulled me in immediately- I was hooked.
“Journey to Canada’s most remote and stunning region on this 8-day expedition. At the heart of this trip is Haida Gwaii – an isolated and wildlife-rich archipelago continuously inhabited by the Haida Nation for over 10,000 years. Discover the beauty of the ‘Galapagos of the North’ and search for ancient totem poles and the remnants of colonial life among evergreen rainforest. In addition to the splendid nature of Haida Gwaii, this takes you on a rare voyage into Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, where you will cruise through the waters of a protected area very few people are permitted to enter to spot wild grizzlies, seals, sea lions and bald eagles. This trip is a breath of fresh air for nature lovers.”
Why you (and I) will love this trip
- Traipse the rugged islands of Haida Gwaii, the isolated heartland of the Haida people. Archaeological evidence suggests they have called the islands home for 13,000 years.
- Spend a day on Louise Island. Take a guided tour among ancient totem poles being swallowed by moss and vines in Skedans, then enjoy a lunch of fresh-caught salmon and venison.
- Explore the Naikoon Provincial Park. This mixture of rainforest, sand dunes, wetlands and more than 150 kilometres of beach that features heavily in traditional Haida stories.
- Encounter behemoth grizzly bears in the wild during a trip to Khutzeymateen, a bear sanctuary and protected area where few human visitors are permitted.
- More inclusions, a slower pace and hotel accommodation along the way – this trip is a comfortable way to explore Canada’s remote wilderness.
Is this trip right for you?
- “There are trips, and then there are adventures. This expedition falls into the latter category. As we are travelling to incredibly remote areas, expect mobile and internet reception to be spotty and some convenience items to be hard to come by.
- The diversity of the seasons here makes for incredible scenery, but the weather in this region can be unpredictable. It’s best to wear layers at all times of the year in case conditions change during the day. This trip involves multiple excursions in open-air boats, and you can expect to be cold when on the water. As they say in Masset: ‘If you don’t like the weather, wait 20 minutes.’
- Some of the best scenery in Canada is found on hikes. So, while this trip doesn’t require a high level of fitness, it’s essential to be at least moderately fit if you want to partake in all activities.
- For going ashore at uninhabited islands, it is necessary to use a Zodiac boat (panga). You will need to be comfortable climbing in and out of one during wet and dry landings.”
I am so looking forward to this trip in August of 2021. This trip is only offered twice per season (June and August), and is priced from $3740 plus flights. Add on a few days on either end in Vancouver, and one has the perfect trip! For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me…….
