Canada

Biking British Columbia's Gulf Islands

Mountain Biking and Whale Watching

(5 Days)

Spend 5 days island hopping on 3 of British Columbia's world famous Southern Gulf Islands: Saltspring, Galiano and Pender. This adventure begins and ends in Victoria, BC, one of Canada's premier locations for cycling. We pedal along gravel trails and dirt and paved roads, riding high-quality mountain bikes. For our island hops we travel on BC Ferries and our support vehicle follow us the whole way. We overnight in very special boutique hotels and dine in some of the best locations in the Pacific Northwest. This trip offers a scrumptious taste of BC island life.

Trip Highlights

• Bike touring through lush rolling land and seascapes
• The rich history of Saltspring, Galiano and Pender Islands
• Whale watching on the Pacific Ocean with a certified Biologist

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Victoria - Saltspring Island (Biking)

From downtown Victoria we will ride part of the famous Galloping Goose Trail system to Brentwood Bay where we will have a delicious lunch then board a ferry to cross the Sannich Inlet to the Shawnigan Lake and Cowichan Valley districts. Our first stop will be to enjoy a cider tour and tasting at British Columbia's only commercial cidery. After our tour we will ride through picturesque countryside to one of Vancouver Island's most famous vineyards to enjoy another tour and tasting. From here it is on to Cowichan Bay for a delicious homemade ice cream. With loads of back roads, touring through the lush and rolling landscapes of what the aboriginal people call "the warm land", you will get a glimpse of unparalleled seascapes and countryside. Our day will end with a 20 minute ferry ride across the Stuart Channel to Vesuvius Harbour on Saltspring Island then on to our luxury accommodation and dinner. Approx. 55 kms of biking. (L,D)

Day 2: Saltspring Island - Galiano Island (Biking)

After a delicious breakfast we will set out to explore Saltspring Island; the largest and most famous of our Southern Gulf Islands. We'll stop for lunch in Ganges Harbour, which is named after the HMS Ganges, the last British sailing battleship commissioned for duty in foreign waters (1857-1860). This area is well known as a centre for arts and crafts and has an impressive selection of shops and galleries. Our afternoon ride leads to another ferry, crossing over to Galiano Island. Located at the edge of the Georgia Strait, Galiano is the most northerly of the Gulf Islands and is approximately halfway between Vancouver and Victoria. Accommodations and dinner tonight are at one of Galiano's most unique Inn's. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Galiano Island - Pender Island (Biking)

Nothing starts the day better than a home cooked breakfast. After we enjoy our meal we'll spend the day cycling the quiet country roads and trails of this visually stunning Gulf Island. From the highest points on the island, you can see the Coast Mountain Range, Mount Baker, the Gulf and San Juan Islands, Vancouver Island and even the Olympic Peninsula 100 kilometres away. Late afternoon we will catch another ferry to Pender Island. Pender is made up of 2 islands, separated by a manmade channel that was dredeged in 1903 for a safe passage for steamships. The day's end brings us to one of the most beautiful harbours in all of BC, Poet's Cove at Bedwell Harbour. We check in to our hotel, get refreshed and ready for another great dinner and spectacular sunset. Approx. 35 kms of biking. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Pender Island - Victoria (Biking)

Another great breakfast then it's off to tour the co-joined North and South Pender Islands, where historic two thousand year-old native trails still exist at Xelesen. From Gowlland Point there are more unbelievable views of the San Juan Islands, Mt. Baker, Bedwell Harbour, and Georgia Strait. After lunch at Browning Harbour we'll ride to our final ferry crossing, back to Vancouver Island and the Port of Sidney BC. From here we follow the Lochside Trail directly to the Inner Harbour of downtown Victoria. We'll check into our hotel and then it's off to a complimentary brewery tour and final night of feasting at the Canoe Brew Pub and Marina. Approx. 55kms of biking. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Victoria (Whale Watching)

Today we set off for a 3-hour tour in search of the mighty killer whale (orcas). Cruise the Pacific Ocean on-board a 45 ft. ocean cruiser and learn from a certified Naturalist and/or Biologist about Orcas and other members of the marine eco-system surrounding Vancouver Island. After our whale watching adventure, we will enjoy a delicious farewell luncheon at one of Victoria's most famous brew pubs. (B,L)

Tours maybe changed without notice due to weather, road conditions, rider safety, and other factors which may require an altered itinerary.

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