Tour Type

Canadian Tours

DEPARTURE INFORMATION

Lower Mainland

May 4, 2026 – 6 Days

Vancouver Island

May 4, 2026 – 6 Days

BC Interior

May 3, 2026 – 7 Days

Activity Level 2

Activity Level 2

GROUP SIZE

Group Size 40

TOUR SUMMARY

Places seldom seen on a Wells Gray Tour!

Vancouver Island is the 11th largest island in Canada, stretching 460 km from the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Queen Charlotte Sound. Named for Captain George Vancouver who explored BC’s coast in 1792, the island has great diversity and many famous attractions, but this tour focuses on the lesser known ones or the hidden delights. Visit the McLean Mill National Historic Site, cruise to Bamfield through the Alberni Inlet, ride the train around the BC Forest Discovery Centre, and drive a backcountry road past Lake Cowichan to the west coast at Port Renfrew. Sooke is not far out of Victoria, but often overlooked in favour of the busy Inner Harbour. Some delights in and near Sooke are Whiffin Spit, Six Mile Pub, the Hatley Castle Gardens, and the Charters River Salmon Interpretive Centre. Come and discover some lesser-known sights of Vancouver Island.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Meals

    • I
      12 total: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 1 dinner
    • V
      L
      9 total: 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches
  • Transportation

    • I
      Coach transportation for 7 days
    • I
      L
      2 Strait of Georgia ferry crossings
    • V
      L
      Coach transportation for 6 days
  • Accommodation

    • I
      6 nights of hotel accommodation & taxes
    • V
      L
      5 nights of hotel accommodation & taxes
    • Luggage handling at most hotels
  • Gratuities

    • Gratuities for local guides
  • Knowledgeable Wells Gray tour director

  • Tour Highlights (Included)

    • I
      Harrison Hot Springs with entertainment in the Copper Room
    • Rathtrevor Beach
    • Butterfly World
    • McLean Mill National Historic Site with guide
    • Excursion on MV Frances Barkley through Alberni Inlet to Bamfield
    • Cathedral Grove
    • Coombs Market
    • Chemainus Theatre (show TBA)
    • BC Forest Discovery Centre with train ride
    • Hatley Castle Gardens
    • Whiffin Spit
    • Charters River Salmon Interpretive Centre
    • Attractions are subject to change. Please see Tour Policies for more information.

TOUR FARES

Departure Point 1 Bed Standard View 1 or 2 Bed Ocean View
I
BC Interior
$2,880

double

$3,550

single

$2,900

twin

$3,595

single

$2,695

triple

V
Vancouver Island
$2,650

double

$3,210

single

$2,670

twin

$3,255

single

$2,490

triple

L
Lower Mainland
$2,685

double

$3,245

single

$2,705

twin

$3,290

single

$2,525

triple

  • Earn 73 Experience Points
  • Please add 5% GST.
  • The room distinctions above apply to the Prestige Oceanfront Resort in Sooke.
  • BC Seniors (65 & over): $17 discount with BC Services Card.

Early Booking Bonus!

$150 discount on first 12 seats; $75 on next 8.

DEPARTURE POINTS & DATES

I

BC Interior

May 3 – 9, 2026 (7 Days)

BC Interior: We depart on Sunday, May 3 and drive to Harrison Hot Springs. We take the ferry to Nanaimo the following day. We return on Saturday, May 9, taking the ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen. Transportation is provided from your pickup location on the day of departure and back when we return.


V

Vancouver Island

May 4 – 9, 2026 (6 Days)

Vancouver Island: We depart on Monday, May 4 and meet the main coach in Nanaimo. We return to Victoria on Saturday, May 9 from Sooke.

Departure from Victoria: For passengers in the Greater Victoria Area, transportation is provided from your pickup point on the day of departure and back when we return. Home pickup may be offered in the Greater Victoria Area depending on the number of people booked and coach size. The decision is made about 2 weeks before departure and you will be contacted about your pickup point and time.

Departure from Up-island: Pickup points are offered between Victoria and Parksville. No drop off points are available outside of Victoria due to the route of this tour.


L

Lower Mainland

May 4 – 9, 2026 (6 Days)

Lower Mainland: We depart on Monday, May 4 and take the ferry to Nanaimo. We return home on Saturday, May 9, taking the ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen.

Departure from Abbotsford or Chilliwack: Join this tour on Monday, May 4. Pickup is by the main coach. Please refer to the Lower Mainland pricing below.

ACTIVITY LEVEL

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 are short walks at Whiffin Spit and French Beach. You may need to handle your own luggage at a hotel if luggage service is not available.

You may bring a cane or walking poles if needed. The coaches 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

Group Size 40

This tour can accommodate 40 participants.

TOUR NOTES & POLICIES

  • : There is a choice of accommodation at the Prestige Oceanfront Resort in Sooke. Oceanview and standard (no view) rooms are available. Please inquire about availability of each room type at booking.

  • Chemainus show cancellation: It rarely happens, but actors occasionally get sick, or some mishap causes the cancellation of a show. This can occur even shortly before the performance begins. We know that this would be disappointing for our customers, but the only refund we would be able to obtain for you would be the actual ticket price of the show. The hotel, motorcoach, and other tour services are all prepaid and are nonrefundable at short notice.

  • 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 February 25, 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 $150 discount on the first 12 seats and $75 on the next 8 seats for booking early with deposit. The discount is not offered after February 25, 2026.

  • BC Seniors (65 & over): $17 discount offered by BC Ferries. Please bring your BC Services Card on the tour.

  • Cancellation Policy: Up to January 23, 2026, the cancellation charge is $50 per person. From January 24 to February 25, the cancellation charge is $150 per person. From February 26 to March 24, the cancellation charge is 60% of the tour fare. After March 24, 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 (Bamfield, McLean Mill National Historic Site, Whiffin Spit) and Miranda Schulz (French Beach).

  • Experience Points or E-points: This tour earns 73 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 February 25, 2026.

  • Consumer Protection BC Licences: Kamloops 178, Vernon 655, Kelowna 588, Penticton 924, Victoria 65842

TESTIMONIALS & STORIES

Early Booking Bonus!

$150 discount on first 12 seats; $75 on next 8.

REQUEST BOOKING

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