Tour Type
Canadian Tours
DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Lower Mainland
May 17, 2026 – 6 Days
Vancouver Island
May 17, 2026 – 6 Days
BC Interior
May 16, 2026 – 7 Days
Activity Level 2
GROUP SIZE
TOUR SUMMARY
Explore 8 exquisite gardens with spring regalia!
Vancouver Island has always been known for its exceptional gardens and enthusiastic gardeners, and Wells Gray Tours has offered many tours that focus on this theme. The immense variety of plants, shrubs, and trees that flourish in the rich soil and moderate climate make the area a horticultural paradise. This tour takes you up close in 8 colourful gardens to admire the spring blooms. The gardens range from small gems like Abkhazi to world famous such as Butchart, and from the floral displays dominated by Hatley Castle to woodland glades lined with rhododendrons at Milner Gardens in Qualicum Beach. Several of our garden visits are accompanied by an expert gardener. Here is your opportunity to explore 8 exquisite gardens on Vancouver Island, from Victoria to Comox, plus VanDusen Gardens, and admire the splendid spring blossoms.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
-
Meals
-
6 meals
-
5 meals
-
4 meals
-
-
Transportation
-
-
Accommodation
-
-
Gratuities
-
-
Knowledgeable Wells Gray tour director
-
Tour Highlights (Included)
-
TOUR FARES
| Departure Point | Fares per Person |
|---|---|
$2,985$3,755$2,775 |
|
$2,765$3,410$2,590 |
|
$2,865$3,510$2,690 |
- Please add 5% GST.
- Earn 77 Experience Points.
Early Booking Bonus!
$160 discount on first 12 seats; $80 on next 8.
DEPARTURE POINTS & DATES
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Level
Moderate Activity: As a traveller you like a variety of activities and walking up to 2 km with breaks such as a guided walking tour is very doable for you without assistance. You can stand for prolonged periods, negotiate a variety of terrain including moderate hills comfortably, and can climb two flights of stairs without assistance. There can be lots of walking in the gardens if you want to see all the displays. You may need to handle your own luggage at the hotel if luggage service is not available.
You may bring a cane or walking poles if needed. The coach cannot carry a scooter or motorized wheelchair. The tour director and driver have many responsibilities, so please do not expect them, or your fellow travellers, to provide ongoing assistance. If you are not capable of keeping up with the group or require frequent assistance, the tour director may stop you from participating in some activities or some days of the tour.
Tour Size
This tour can accommodate 40 participants.
-
Garden Guides: Garden Guides were requested at 5 gardens when this tour was planned 8 months before departure. Some gardens cannot confirm guides until a few days prior due to staff shortages.
-
Food Allergies: You must notify us no later than at final payment if you have a food allergy. An allergy causes medical distress, a preference does not. For some allergies, please consider bringing your own snacks or food items so you are not dependent on what restaurants are able to serve.
-
Payments:: A deposit of $200 per person is requested at the time of booking and balance is due March 31, 2026. By paying the deposit, you agree to the Terms & Conditions, Activity Level and Cancellation Policy outlined. Payments can be made by online banking or cheque (3% discount on tour fare), or by Visa or Mastercard.
-
Early Booking Bonus:: Receive a $160 discount on the first 12 seats and $60 on the next 8 seats for booking early with deposit. The discount is not offered after March 31, 2026.
-
Cancellation Policy:: Up to February 27, 2026, the cancellation charge is $100 per person. From February 28 to March 31, the cancellation charge is $200 per person (your deposit). From April 1 to April 14, the cancellation charge is 60% of the tour fare. After April 14, there is no refund.
-
Itinerary and Fare Changes:: Our many suppliers may notify us about changes to the itinerary prior to departure and sometimes during the tour. We do our best to substitute a similar service if something cancels, but occasionally the only alternative is to provide a refund for the missed activity. Please note that if we are forced to cancel a tour component due to an issue beyond our control, the current penalties still apply if you choose to cancel the entire tour. Fuel surcharges and changes to taxes or other tour costs can occur at any time, therefore Wells Gray Tours reserves the right to increase fares due to such changes up to departure.
-
Travel Insurance:: A Comprehensive Insurance policy is available through Wells Gray Tours and coverage is provided by Travel Guard. Policies purchased at deposit include a waiver of the pre-existing condition clause for medical and cancellation claims, otherwise policies can be purchased no later than at final payment. This tour stays in British Columbia. While your BC Services Card may cover you for a medical issue that arises during the tour, you will probably benefit from trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage in case of illness or a mishap before or during the tour. Many other benefits such as luggage insurance are included. Medical questionnaire is not needed. Please contact us for details. If you have your own travel insurance, please read the policy carefully to be sure that you are adequately covered for cancellation, interruption, and luggage.
-
Photo Credits:: Wikimedia (Abkhazi Gardens), tour director Julia (Japanese Gardens at Hatley Park, Butchart Gardens, Wells Gray Traveller at Abkhazi Gardens 2024), and Tourism Vancouver Island/Jordan Dyck (Pond at Milner Gardens).
-
Experience Points or E-points:: This tour earns 77 e-points. Each time you travel on a Wells Gray tour, you earn e-points that are added to your account after the tour returns. One e-point equals $1. Redeem your earned points on select tours or accumulate enough points to earn a free tour! Redemptions offered until March 31, 2026.
-
Consumer Protection BC Licences:: Kamloops 178, Vernon 655, Kelowna 588, Penticton 924, Victoria 65842