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Venture into the ‘Galapagos of the North’ on this Canadian expedition

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.

Start
Prince Rupert, Canada
Finish
Prince Rupert, Canada
Destination
Canada
Style
Comfort
Theme
Expedition
Code
STSG
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 4, Max 12

Why you'll 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.

Map of Haida Gwaii Islands Expedition including Canada
Spot a family of grizzlies at the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary
Sunset on the serene harbour waters of Prince Rupert
The edge of the Haida Gwaii islands looking out to sea
Magnificent totem poles of the Haida people
Watch for Kun (whales) on a cruise from Skidegate Inlet
Pass through the rich woods on an Ancient Forest walk
Expansive coasts of the Haida Gwaii islands

Itinerary
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Welcome to Prince Rupert, Canada! Your adventure begins at 6 pm with a welcome meeting. Prince Rupert is much more than just the gateway to the Haida Gwaii archipelago. It’s a gorgeous city in its own right, with interesting museums and a unique feel. If you arrive with time to spare, maybe head to the Cow Bay Shopping District where historic buildings house boutiques and more. It’s a great place to stock up on souvenirs, or any last-minute items you’ll need in Haida Gwaii.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Traveling to Prince Rupert is simple. We recommend flying with Air Canada from Vancouver. Air Canada operates daily flights from Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Prince Rupert Airport (YPR) and return daily flights from Prince Rupert to Vancouver. See 'Important Notes' section below for additional details.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.

Today you’ll become part of a small and exclusive club: people permitted entrance to Khutzeymateen Provincial Park, a protected area home to a large population of grizzly bears. In order to protect the bears and their habitat, visits and tours through the area are heavily restricted to all but a few companies. Take a 7-hour tour of the sanctuary (including lunch), cruising through the pristine wilderness and looking out for porpoises, seals, sea lions and bald eagles as well as grizzlies. You guide will illuminate the ecological and cultural history of the area, which was created as a response to the threat logging posed to the environment. Later, you can choose whether visit the Museum of Northern British Columbia or wander around Prince Rupert at your leisure.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary Tour
Optional Activities
  • Museum of Northern BC - CAD6
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary tour - A light lunch is included on this tour, however since it is a full day tour you might want to bring along some additional snacks.

Depart the mainland and travel 8 hours by ferry to Graham Island. Unlike a traditional cargo ferry, these vessels are built with traveller comfort in mind and thus feature a cafe, a lounge and multiple viewing areas. Depending on the weather, the scenery on this cruise can be captivating. Just in case, make sure you’ve got a good book, a podcast or some sparkling conversation ready to keep you occupied. Arrive in Queen Charlotte – located on Graham Island – in the early evening and perhaps head to one of the local restaurants in the village. The islands are on a salmon migration route, and fishing here is a way of life, so the pink fish is abundant and delicious however you order it.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Begin your exploration of this incredible archipelago. Drive around 1.5 hours to Dixon Entrance Maritime Museum, a tiny centre packed with artefacts and information about non-Native settlers. Continue to Old Masset, one of places the Haida First Nations people resettled in the 19th century after small pox ravaged other communities. Today, it’s a great place to see the work of Haida craftspeople both lining the streets and in small galleries. From here, venture into Naikoon Provincial Park. The Haida consider this mixture of coastal rainforest, sand dunes and more than 150 kilometres of beach their lifeblood, and the area is co-managed by the Haida Nation. A visit to the Haida Cultural Centre will shed light on the living culture of the Haida, and visits to Agate and North Beach exemplify the remote beauty of the coast. Return to Queen Charlotte (approximately 1.5 hours) and rest up after a long day of exploration.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Naikoon Provincial Park
  • Haida Heritage Centre visit
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Spend the day on Louise Island, immersing yourself in an isolated environment and ancient Haida culture. Your adventure begins on the way there, during a 1.5-hour cruise during which you can look out for kun (whales), kay (sea lions), taan (bears), and the occasional pod of sg̱aana (orcas). Arrive on the island and enjoy a guided exploration of K'uuna Llnagaay (Skedans), where the remnants of totem poles adorned with carvings of grizzly bears are being reclaimed by the forest. Meet the Haida Watchmen who live in the area over the summer, protecting their ancestral home. Enjoy a lunch of fresh-caught salmon, venison, sides and other refreshments on the island, then return to Queen Charlotte.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Louise Island cultural day tour
Meals Included
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today we will be traveling by Zodiac, an uncovered, inflatable motorboat. These small boats allow for sallow landings, making them ideal for exploring the remote Louise Island. Because of their design, the ride may be bumpy.

As always, warm clothing is recommended for this excursion. You will be provided with raingear, gumboots and lifejackets.

Today you'll have a free day to choose your own adventure. There are plenty of optional activities on offer, so speak to your leader about booking and cost. Perhaps explore the waters around the island on a kayaking tour led by a local Haida guide. Or maybe you would prefer to try your hand at reeling in some of the region’s prized salmon during a chartered fishing trip. Of course, you could always take it easy and enjoy Charlotte by grabbing a coffee and chatting to a local or exploring the historic town on foot.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Queen Charlotte - Sea Kayaking (full day including lunch) - CAD150
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Bid the Haida Gwaii farewell and board the 10 am ferry for return to Prince Rupert. Remember, this is an 8-hour journey, so make sure you’ve got something to occupy you in case you get tired of staring out the portholes. Arrive at around 5 pm, settle into our accommodation and then perhaps find a local restaurant to enjoy dinner. The waterfront has an array of dining options and depending on the season you might see wildlife splashing in the ocean while you eat.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

There are no activities scheduled for the final day of your tour. Two flights depart today for Vancouver International Airport, one at 11.20 am and another at 6 pm. Please organise these flights prior to departing for your trip.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

3 breakfasts, 2 lunches

Transport

Ferry, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights)

Included activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary Tour
  • Naikoon Provincial Park
  • Haida Heritage Centre visit
  • Louise Island cultural day tour

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Haida Gwaii Islands Expedition trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

TRAVEL TO PRINCE RUPERT
Traveling to Prince Rupert is simple. We recommend flying with Air Canada from Vancouver. Air Canada operates daily flights from Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Prince Rupert Airport (YPR) and return daily flights from Prince Rupert to Vancouver YPR (Prince Rupert Airport) is on an island, approximately 20 minutes by ferry from the City of Prince Rupert. Travelers aboard scheduled airlines are transferred by bus and ferry to downtown Prince Rupert as part of their ticket.

Once you leave your aircraft, you will enter the Terminal Building. You will claim your luggage in the baggage claim area and head to the shuttle bus that is conveniently located outside the airport terminal. The shuttle then boards the Digby Island Ferry to the shuttle bus terminal in the City of Prince Rupert which adjoins the Prestige Prince Rupert Hotel. Your hotel, Inn on the Harbour is within an easy 1 minute walking distance.

Taxis are generally parked beside the shuttle terminal so the option of taking a taxi to accommodation is available if required. Skeena Taxi +1 250-624-2185. For departure, the same steps apply.

Travelers must go to the shuttle bus terminal at the Prestige Prince Rupert Hotel, hand over their luggage and board the shuttle to Prince Rupert Airport.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is available on this trip.

MINIMUM GROUP SIZE
This Trip require a minimum of 4 passengers to be Guaranteed

TRANSFER:
A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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