Saturday, June 7, 2014

Have The Ultimate Vacation With Haida Gwaii Adventure Tours And Travel

By Sally Delacruz


An exotic travel destination is often just the thing to help you view life in a fresh way. It's even better when that destination takes you away from the crowds and closer to nature. If you'd like to experience the ultimate vacation to help you recharge your batteries, Haida Gwaii adventure tours and travel will be right up your alley.

The archipelago known as Haida Gwaii lies off the northern coast of British Columbia in Canada. It's to the south of Alaska and to the north of Vancouver Island. There are about 150 islands in the group, with Moresby and Graham Islands the two largest ones.

The name is relatively new, since the island group was known as the Queen Charlotte Islands until 2010. The archipelago is now named for the Haida people who have lived here for centuries and today make up almost half the population of the islands. To find out more about their heritage, you may want to visit the Haida Heritage Centre first. It is located in Kaay Ilnygaay. Visits to ancient villages and totem poles will then be more meaningful.

The original inhabitants were renowned sailors and water-based activities are still a popular pastime. Rent a kayak or take a boat cruise to explore the coastline and get to the more remote parts of the archipelago. There are some good surf breaks too. If you're in the region at the right time, you can go whale watching or fishing for a variety of species.

Wildlife is plentiful, especially in the national and provincial parks. Otters and black bears are just some of the species that are native to the island group but you may also spot animals such as beavers that came from the mainland. There are many bird species too and going on a hike through the wilderness is the best way to see them.

A great time to visit is in summer, when the weather's cool and it's pleasant outside. This doesn't mean though that there's nothing to do in winter. This is the time to go steelhead fishing and it's so mild that you won't mind being outside. Fall is not the best time for outdoor activities, however, since this is when the rain comes down hard and heavy. Find refuge in one of the great little pubs, restaurants or coffee shops or visit a local art gallery, of which there are plenty too. Museums include the Haida Gwaii Museum as well as the Dixon Entrance Maritime Museum and the little Port Clements Museum.

Getting to the archipelago is very easy, especially in summer. Fly in from Vancouver or take the seaplane from Prince Rupert on the mainland. Alternatively, make use of the regular ferries that travel between Prince Rupert and the islands. Once there, getting around is a breeze too with very good taxi services. You may also want to rent a bike to go exploring.

There are several tour operators that offer a variety of packages, from hiking or kayaking trips to bear-watching or whale-watching tours. Accommodation options are plentiful as well and range from campsites to hotels, cabins and guest houses. Find these establishments online and remember to book well in advance, especially if you're planning to visit during the busy summer season.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment