Explore the Queen Charlotte Islands, a place where you can set your own pace and savour the unique experience these islands have to offer. The misty islands of the Queen Charlotte archipelago (called Haida Gwaii by the Haida people) are nearly 300 km long and located 100 km off the northwest coast of British Columbia. The two main islands, Graham Island in the north and Moresby in the south, are divided by Skidgate Channel and separated from mainland BC by Hecate Strait.

Haida Gwaii, or “islands of the people” have developed in isolation from the rest of the province, spared the effects of the ice age that covered the rest of BC until 15,000 years ago. As a result, the virgin rainforests, wetlands, sand dunes, beaches, rugged mountains, streams and lakes of the Queen Charlottes nurture an extensive population of plants and animals that exist nowhere else on Earth. In fact, because of so many unique life forms have developed, the islands are referred to as Canada’s Galapagos.

Day 1 Saskatchewan to Edmonton, AB
Saskatchewan and southern Alberta passengers travel by Greyhound Coach Line to Edmonton, AB.

Day 2 West Coast & Okanagan to Williams Lake, BC
Edmonton, AB to Prince George, BC
Welcome Aboard! Sit back and enjoy the luxury of our quality motorcoach. Of course it is air conditioned and washroom equipped for your comfort. West Coast passengers travel through the Fraser Valley over the Coquihalla and Connector Highways to Kamloops to welcome onboard Okanagan passengers. Our further drive brings us to Williams Lake for the overnight stay.
Alberta and Saskatchewan passengers travel to Prince George via Jasper for an overnight stay.

Day 3 Williams Lake to Smithers, BC B
British Columbia passengers travel north through the world famous rancher and mountain country of the Caribou Plateau to Prince George. We meet fellow passengers on this tour from Alberta & Saskatchewan during lunch. Afterwards we travel west on the Yellowhead Highway through Vanderhoof and Burns Lake to Smithers, BC for an overnight stay. Join your Tour Director and fellow passengers this evening for a Welcome Get Acquainted Reception and Tour Briefing.

Day 4 Smithers to Prince Rupert, BC B
After an included breakfast, we continue our cultural journey on the Yellowhead Highway. Approaching the Coast Mountains, we view the fish ladders at Moricetown Canyon and the narrow Hagwilget Gorge. At Hazelton we tour the unusual Ksan Indian Village, where we watch carvers and aboriginal entertainers, learn the legends behind totems, and see traditional longhouses. We continue our drive, following the broad Skeena River through the mountains to tidewater at Prince Rupert. We spent the night in the charming coastal city of Prince Rupert.

Day 5 Prince Rupert to The Queen Charlotte Islands 3 Nts, B, L, D
Travelling via the BC Ferry service from Prince Rupert we cross Hectate Straight to reach the Queen Charlotte Islands. The total 150 islands stretch some 300 km parallel to BC’s coastline. The crossing takes about 6.5 hours so take the time to relax and take in the scenery as we travel to one the last remaining ecological and cultural enclaves of Canada’s Haida Nation.

Day 6 The Queen Charlotte Islands — Skidegate B, L, D
A local interpretive guide accompanies us for a visit to Port Clements and an active forestry area. Forestry is an economic mainstay of the islands and today you’ll also visit the forestry museum and learn about the history and present conditions of the industry. Visit the Haida Gwaii Museum in Skidegate this afternoon. Return to Queen Charlotte City to enjoy a traditional Haida meal this evening in the company of local Haida residents.

Day 7 Graham Island, New Massett B, L, D
Today we travel to the north end of Graham Island with a local guide where we visit the villages of Old Massett and New Massett. The Haida are renowned for their seafaring culture, their beautiful artwork and of course, their famous totem poles. Belived to have inhabited the islands for at least 10,000 years, they conducted trade all along the Canadian west coast. Take a walk on Agate Beach this afternoon with a naturalist who will provide information about the marine and coastal ecosystems of the islands.

Day 8 Haida Gwaii, BC to Prince Rupert, BC B, D
We again board BC Ferries this morning, for a 6.5-hour ferry sailing to Prince Rupert. Relax on board, but keep a sharp lookout for the ocean wildlife. Tonight join your tour director, driver and fellow passengers for a Farewell Dinner courtesy of Pacific Gold Tours in the coastal port of Prince Rupert.

Day 9 Prince Rupert, BC to Prince George, BC B
Today we journey to Smithers, BC. The first stop is at the North Pacific Cannery, a rebuilt fishing community from the turn of the century. As we travel along the Skeena River and move into the interior of BC, and on to Prince George, our home for the night.

Day 10 Prince George, BC to Kamloops & Kelowna, BC B
Prince George to Edmonton, AB
BC passengers head south to Kamloops and Kelowna where we bid farewell to our Okanagan passengers. Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island passengers overnight in Kelowna, BC.
Alberta and Saskatchewan passengers travel east via Jasper on the Yellowhead Highway to Edmonton. Saskachewan passengers spend the night there.

Day 11 Kelowna, BC to Vancouver, BC
Edmonton to Saskatchewan
As our journey of discovery slowly comes to a close we travel home through the scenic Fraser Canyon. All good things must come to an end! We say good-bye to fellow passengers and take with us our memories of a cultural experience visiting the ancestral lands of the First Nations.
Saskatchewan passengers return home via Greyhound Coach Lines.