The Ultimate Adventure in British Columbia and Vancouver Island

Touch down in Vancouver, the bustling jewel of Canada's west coast. In the early evening, meet up with your fellow adventurers and host at the arrival hotel to discuss the exciting journey ahead. If you're eager to explore the city's many highlights, consider arriving a few days before the adventure start date as you'll be setting off first thing tomorrow morning.

Hit the road after breakfast, leaving the city behind as you drive two hours north on the Sea-to-Sky Highway to the mountain town of Whistler, one of British Columbia's most famed adventure spots. Settle into a cable car on the Peak-to-Peak Gondola, enjoying stunning 360-degree views of mountains, lakes, glaciers, and forests as you're whisked to the trailhead. Get off the gondola at the peak of Whistler Mountain to hike the High Note Trail – four hours of some of the most stunning hiking found anywhere in the world, with constant pinch-me views over Garibaldi Park and Cheakamus Lake, flanked by snowcapped mountains. Finish up the hike and head back down to Whistler for some free time to soak up the place – there are plenty of cafes and bars where you can refuel. Then you'll head south down to Squamish, about an hour away, where you'll set up camp and cook your meal together before a first night under canvas.

Today is all about exploring Squamish. Known as the adventure capital of this part of Canada, it’s nestled on the edge of the island-dotted Howe Sound and surrounded by mountains including the Stawamus Chief, a huge granite monolith. After breakfast at camp, get straight into the action as you jump into a kayak to paddle amidst the spectacular surroundings. Put in at a marina in the protected channel that runs parallel to the skyline of the Chief, hugging the coastline as you head south – eyes peeled for seals and otters. Depending on the conditions, you'll either paddle into more open water towards the powerful Shannon Falls, or over to the mouth of the Squamish River. Later, on dry land, you'll hike up the iconic Stawamus Chief Mountain for an incredible view over the Howe Sound and Squamish town – an absolutely quintessential experience in this part of Canada. Finish up the day by enjoying another evening at camp.

Drive back toward Vancouver this morning, heading for the ferry port at Horseshoe Bay as you embark on the journey across the Strait of Georgia to reach Vancouver Island. The sense of anticipation is palpable as the island gets closer, a rugged natural wonderland of wild coastline, dense forests, and jagged peaks all packed with wildlife. Reaching the dock at Nanaimo, head down the road to Sooke, your first base camp on Vancouver Island. This afternoon, you'll get to hike a section of the East Sooke Coast Trail, a winding wilderness trail following the rocky shorelines along Juan de Fuca Strait. Completing the circular route via Beechey Head, with your first taste of Vancouver Island's wild treasures and Pacific Ocean air, finish up the day with a well-deserved drink at the Sooke Brewing Company and some dinner from the popular pop-up here. Note that dinner and drinks at the brewery are not included in the trip cost - you'll pay locally for this, allowing you to choose.

Head to Victoria in the morning to board a boat and explore the teeming waters off Vancouver Island’s south coast, with the San Juan Islands to the west and Olympic National Park just over the U.S. border to the south. This stunning spot is home to a dense population of resident and migratory orcas and humpback whales. The summer months are ideal to view orcas in all their glory and also marks the time of year when the humpbacks are returning to their feeding grounds. A supporting cast of seals, porpoises, sea lions, bald eagles, and cormorants makes this a true marine paradise adventure. Heading back to dry land, with (hopefully) plenty of sightings under your belt from the past few hours, enjoy some free time in Victoria. Wander through the quaint, quirky town, known for its British influences and Victorian-era architecture. Spend the evening relaxing back at camp in Sooke.

Pack down camp and head north out of Sooke, dropping into your host's favorite breakfast spot at Shirley Delicious, (a much-loved institution) before you hit the road towards Tofino. The road trip takes a few hours through evolving landscapes - your host will plan a few stops to break up the journey, allowing you to take in the best spots and stretch your legs on short hikes. A highlight en route is in the Macmillan Provincial Park, where you'll walk in Cathedral Grove – an amazing old-growth forest of huge Douglas fir and redwood trees, some 800 years old. Stop by the Old Country Market in Coombs, also known as 'Goats on the Roof' due to the family of goats living on the roof! Pick up lunch here and try local specialties such as candied salmon before continuing the journey, stopping in Pacific Rim National Park to hike the shoreline or rainforest loop trail. The memorable journey concludes as you roll into Tofino, a truly unique spot on a peninsula within the Clayoquot Sound, with wild scenery and sandy beaches known for their surf breaks. Your campsite here is a gem! Set up camp and maybe catch the sunset from the beach before dinner and chill time around the fire.

The Wild Pacific Trail traces the rugged coastline on the western side of Vancouver Island, skirting the edge of reefs where shipwrecks, whales, and iconic views may greet you at each turn. You'll be hiking the section around Ucluelet, an amazing route through coastal forests, bogs, mudflats, and beaches. This area is home to a variety of wildlife, including bears and wolves. Chances of encounters are very low as the animals avoid humans, particularly when you're hiking in larger groups of four or more. However, your host will brief you on bear safety, the first port of call is to make plenty of noise as you walk, so feel free to chat away this morning! Finishing up the hike after a few hours, head back to Tofino and after lunch, you'll slip into a wetsuit for a beginner's surf session with a local instructor. Tofino is Canada’s surfing capital for good reason - with over 22 miles of beaches, surfers of all skill levels have access to year-round surfing here. One of the unique features of Tofino surf breaks is that they are along sandy shores, making it the perfect place for a beginner to learn. An amazing day nears its conclusion with dinner at 'Tacofino', a much-loved local taco joint, before heading back to your dreamy base for an evening around camp with the sound of waves in the distance.

Your time on this adventure has been building up to an epic climax - kayaking into the Clayoquot Sound to spend a night wild camping. Guided by experienced kayak and wilderness guides, you'll paddle the calm and quiet inlet waters, skirting the ancient coastal rainforest, a forest that was fiercely protected by local environmental activists and First Nations communities back in the 90s, an episode known as 'The War in the Woods'. After some steady paddling since leaving Tofino, you'll reach the shores of Meares Island, a paradise for birds and marine wildlife, especially at low tide when shallow mud flats rich in intertidal invertebrates are exposed. Land the kayaks on the island and head for a short hike into the ancient rainforest along the aptly named Big Tree Trail, getting up close to giant cedars, some of which are 20 feet across and approximately 1,500-2,000 years old. A local guide will join the group to introduce the natural and cultural history of the island during this rest stop. Continue the mini-expedition with a paddle across Lemmen's Inlet, past the village of Opitsat, with the rich Native history of the west coast evident in the structures and culture of Opitsat today. A short way further on is your overnight wilderness camp spot on remote Vargas Island. Set up camp and enjoy some fresh salmon cooked on the BBQ. This is a memorable night in a truly wild place, with no light or noise pollution for miles.

Wake up in this remote spot to the sound of the natural world on the other side of the canvas. Enjoy the surroundings with a coffee while breakfast is prepared, then pack down camp, load the kayaks, and set off on the water. Paddle towards Stubbs Island, stopping here to explore the rich history as a former commercial center for Europeans and Japanese in the 1800s. Throughout your two days in the Clayoquot Sound, keep your eyes peeled on the shoreline in case of bear sightings. The kayak journey reaches its end after a last push, paddling back to Tofino where you'll bid farewell to your kayak team and Tofino itself as you drive across Vancouver Island from west to east to reach Parksville. Here you're rewarded with a hotel for the first time in a week after your camping exploits. Grab a shower and head out for a farewell dinner – Parksville is blessed with several breweries which make for a great place to toast the end of a true North American epic adventure.

A short drive to the ferry terminal this morning, with a stop in Nanaimo for one last local treat - the famous Nanaimo bar (wafer, nuts, coconut, and custard under a layer of chocolate ganache). Hop on the ferry to the mainland, bidding Vancouver Island goodbye as you make your way back across the water to Vancouver. Your host can drop you off downtown or at the airport depending on your plans. What a trip!