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This is a Quest Nature Tours exclusive charter. |
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The "islands of the people," as these remote islands of British Columbia are known to the Haida, are the ancestral home of the Haida people. They are thick with mossy old-growth spruce forests, rugged mountains, rich tidal pools and ghostly totem poles. The islands' isolation is noteworthy, for it has created a unique set of circumstances that has encouraged local flora and fauna to develop characteristics that set them apart from their cousins on the mainland. Deer are tiny and tame. Hairy woodpeckers have grey breasts. The races of the Stellar's jay, pine marten and very large black bears have unique characteristics. The Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii are indeed "Canada's Galapagos."
Our tour of the islands is timed to coincide with good Pacific Coast weather and the peak of the region's summer wildlife activities. As we move around the archipelago, we'll find such seabirds as ancient murrelets and tufted puffins, peregrine falcons and bald eagles. Humpback and fin whales and orcas are in their summer waters and Steller's sea lions settle into their rookeries. Summer wildflowers are growing in profusion and add a colourful dimension to an already rich landscape.
We'll start our tour with two days on land. We plan to explore some of the communities of Graham Island, stopping at beaches, museums and shorebird migration points. At Masset, we'll visit the Haida carvers and enjoy a feast of local seafood. In Skidegate we'll visit the Haida Heritage Centre and enjoy a traditional feast hosted by a Haida family. Then we'll board the sailing ketch, S.V. Island Roamer, our home for the rest of the trip as we meander leisurely through the islands.
We'll go ashore in our small boats to explore tidal pools and sandy beaches, hike through old-growth forests, knee-deep in spongy more
moss and lush ferns, and enjoy alpine meadows glowing with flowers. We'll splash through clear salmon streams and waterfalls and, from the deck, watch for porpoises surfing the bow wave. The restored totem poles at Ninstints, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, are a highlight. More poignant are abandoned Haida villages being reclaimed by the moss of the rainforest.
Join Sherry Kirkvold on our exclusive charter of the S.V. Island Roamer as we explore and experience in depth this magnificent example of Canada's unique cultural and natural heritage, the scenic wilderness areas of the legendary Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii.
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| FACTS: |
| • | 11-day trip |
| • | Maximum 16 participants |
| • | Start and finish in Sandspit, British Columbia |
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| HIGHLIGHTS: |
| • | Exploring the unique flora and fauna of "Canada's Galapagos" |
| • | Being on hand while the humpback, fin and orca whales are in their summer grounds |
| • | Visiting Haida carvers and enjoying a traditional feast |
| • | Watching for porpoises from the deck |
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| ACTIVITY LEVEL: |
| • | Easy to Moderate. While this is not a particularly strenuous trip and none of our hikes are particularly long or fast, you should bear in mind that walking on rough paths or pebbly beaches is sometimes more difficult than on hard ground or pavement. Good firm walking shoes and perhaps a trekking pole for extra balance should maximize your enjoyment of this trip. It is a good idea to have a change of shoes for on board the S. V. Island Roamer. |
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| SHIP: S/V Island Roamer |
| LIMIT: 16 passengers | |
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| ITINERARY IN BRIEF: |
| Day 1: |
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Arrive in Sandspit, Queen Charlotte City |
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Massett |
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Skidegate, Haida Gwaii Museum, board the S.V. Island Roamer |
| Day 4 - 10: |
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Sailing the Queen Charlotte Islands |
| Day 11: |
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Return to Sandspit and disembark |
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 Sherry is a naturalist who has worked in the provincial, national and regional park systems in British Columbia, in museums and has run her own business in the field of interpretation. The west coast has been her home for 25 years and she has explored many areas of it. She is the principal author of the art book that helped raise awareness and led, eventually, to the protection of the Carmanah Valley. She has previously been a Quest leader in the Queen Charlotte Islands and on Quest's Vancouver Island trip.
416-633-5666 / 1-800-387-1483
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Finish: Charlottetown, PEI
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Our participants say...
My recent trip to the Queen Charlotte Islands was a big success! It was well organized, everything ran smoothly, The crew were great, the cook served fantastic meals, the leader was very
knowledgeable, and all went beyond the call of duty. I have thoroughly enjoyed all my 14 trips with Quest and look forward to my 15th trip next spring.
Marjorie C.
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