Excursions & Tours
1 Day Excursions
Click here for details Booking form
Your choice of one of seven excursions offered around Southern Vancouver Island
for the free time on Wednesday afternoon and evening.
3 Day Sightseeing Tour
Click here for details Booking form
Three days of sightseeing in Vancouver will be an option for those arriving early in Vancouver.
12 Day Tour
Click here for details Booking form
Following the Conference, a tour of the northern areas of Vancouver Island, with ferry sailing in the north British Columbian portion of the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert.
Both English and Spanish languages will be provided.
These excursions are offered through Sophia Services. For more information please contact:
Sarnia Guiton 604-740-0676 | sarnia@sophiaservices.ca
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1 Day Excursions
IN SEARCH OF BRITISH COLUMBIA: Vancouver Island Excursions
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
(minimum of 15 required for each excursion)
LAST BOOKING - MAY 1, 2012
Download Wednesday Excursions booking form
The following excursions will be offered in Spanish as well as English for the afternoon and evening of Wednesday during the Conference week. A complimentary place is offered to one person in each excursion, fluent in Spanish and English, who is willing to serve as translator. Bag lunches will be provided by the Shawnigan Lake School kitchen staff so we can leave promptly when necessary.
- Option 1 -
Victoria, Capital City of British Columbia
Visit the Royal B.C. Museum with a guided tour of the First People’s Gallery – free time to explore the BC History & Natural History Galleries – shopping opportunity to visit British Irish Linens & Scottish Wool Shops or renowned Murchie’s Tea Shop with the option there of afternoon tea OR welcome aboard the charming little ferry boat for a tour of Victoria’s harbour ($20 - not included in price). We meet again at the Empress Hotel for a historical tour of this icon of old world, Victorian elegance, followed by a Bengal curry buffet dinner in the style of the British Empire (included in price). Return to Shawnigan.
Cost: $115
- Option 2 -
Butchart Gardens – with Butterflies
The Butchart Gardens of Victoria are a National Historic Site of Canada – the best known gardens in the country, created from an abandoned limestone quarry and over 100 years in bloom. On the way we stop at the nearby Butterfly Garden – a tropical garden with thousands of butterflies and some entertaining tropical birds. Once at the Butchart Gardens, we are free to wander through the many different areas of the 55 acre garden. A restaurant and cafeteria provide choices for dinner (not included in price) and we’ll have time to see the gardens illuminated at sunset. Return to Shawnigan.
Cost: $75
- Option 3 -
Duncan, City of Totems
The indigenous Cowichan tribe have a strong presence in this area. Take a walking tour of their many totem poles in the town and hear the stories they portray – visit the Quw’utsun Cultural Centre for an interpretive tour – participate in an Indian craft (extra cost depending on craft chosen) – watch a Quw’utsun dance performance and enjoy dinner at their Riverwalk Café, on the banks of the beautiful Cowichan River, with dishes using ingredients indigenous to the Cowichan people (included in price). Return to Shawnigan.
Cost: $98
- Option 4 -
Rails and Forest
We’ll ride by bus to the trailhead and walk the old railway bed to the Kinsol Trestle, one of the largest wooden railway trestles in the world (44m high and 188m long). The walk continues over the trestle and along the railway bed, or by a detour through the forest. We’ll be met on the other side and driven to the B.C. Forestry Discovery Centre to ride the rails, explore the historical logging camp and learn about forestry on Vancouver Island in the past and present. Returning to Duncan we’ll have dinner at the Riverwalk Café, on the banks of the beautiful Cowichan River, with dishes using ingredients indigenous to the Cowichan people (included in price). Return to Shawnigan.
Cost: $85
- Option 5 -
Local Camphill and Biodynamic Farms
Alderlea Farm, Glenora Farm and Ita Wegman Association – biodynamic farms, IWA Camphill Community member and location of Christian Community services in Duncan. We will first visit Glenora Farm and the workshops of the Camphill Community members – weaving – wool working – wood crafting – production of health products. We will tour the farm and have afternoon tea in their café before moving on to tour Alderlea Biodynamic Farm and have a farm supper there (included in price). Return to Shawnigan.
Cost: $70
- Option 6 -
West Coast Beaches and Trails
A two hour bus drive takes us over the mountains to the west coast of Vancouver Island - opportunities to explore beaches with rock pools (depending on the tide) - hike beach and forest trails. Rain gear and hiking boots or good walking shoes essential. Dinner at a local restaurant (not included in price). Return to Shawnigan.
Cost: $65
- Option 7 -
Chemainus, ‘The Little Town That Did’
We drive to Chemainus for a historical walking tour of the small town and its famous murals telling the town’s story: The Little Town That Did:; did what? - followed by opportunities for shopping and exploring the town on your own - evening theatre performance (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat - musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber) and buffet dinner in the Chemainus Theatre Festival Playbill Dining Room ( included in price). Return to Shawnigan.
Cost: $90
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3 Day Sightseeing Tour
IN SEARCH OF BRITISH COLUMBIA: Vancouver
Download 3-Day Vancouver Tour booking form
July 18 – 20, 2012 (minimum of 15 required)
A variety of accommodation is available at student residences on the University of British Columbia (UBC) campus at reasonable cost. All day trips will begin from this campus, in Spanish as well as English. Accommodation bookings can be made online at www.ubcconferences.com. This excellent website also gives driving and public transport directions to reach the campus. Several restaurants are within walking distance on campus. Lunches & dinners during the day are not included in the cost of these excursions. You may bring your own picnics if you prefer. A complimentary place is offered to one person, fluent in Spanish and English, who is willing to serve as translator for these 3 days.
Day 1 – Wednesday, July 18
9:30am - meet at the entrance to the Museum of Anthropology on the UBC campus (see campus map at check-in) for walk around outdoor exhibit followed by tour of museum with explanation of lifestyles of aboriginal First Peoples of Western Canada. Our bus will then take us to the Bill Reid Gallery to view contemporary aboriginal art work. A short walk takes us to the Vancouver Art Gallery to see paintings of the west coast by Emily Carr, followed by lunch at the Gallery. We then drive over the Lions Gate Bridge to North Vancouver to spend the afternoon with some of the Tsleil-Waututh people, who will take us on a traditional canoe trip. We will learn about the history of these peoples, hear some stories, songs and drumming and enjoy a traditional grilled salmon feast before returning to UBC.
Day 2 – Thursday, July 19
9:00am – our bus will meet us at UBC and take us downtown for an architectural tour of the old town of Vancouver which started out as dense forest with frontier saloons! We will then take a drive around Stanley Park, a huge area in the city that has largely kept its dense forest. We will take the Lions Gate Bridge again to North Vancouver to lunch at the Bridge House Restaurant followed by an afternoon exploring the forest by way of the Capilano Suspension Bridge, the Treetop Walk and the Cliff Walk. You can have a light dinner on site or wait until we return to UBC to eat at your choice of campus restaurant.
Day 3 – Friday, July 20
9:00am – from UBC we drive to Steveston, a thriving fishing village on the shore of the Fraser River. We will take a walk in Garry Point Park to view across the waters to Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, then visit the Salmon Cannery, a dynamic fishing museum and see one of the ways that Japanese were so significant in the development of British Columbia before being interned during World War II. The Chinese were also very significant in the role they played in the development of this province, so we will visit the largest Buddhist Temple outside of China and have lunch in that dramatic and colourful setting.
In the afternoon we return to the centre of the city and tour Chinatown, including the Chinese Cultural Centre and the Ming Dynasty-styled Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden, followed by dinner in a Chinese restaurant. We end our day and the 3 days of sightseeing by riding the glass elevator to the top of the Vancouver Lookout Tower for a 360º view of the city we have been exploring. We return to UBC for the last night.
Cost: $425 - see booking form for further details
Saturday, July 21st – transport can be provided to the ferry and on to Shawnigan Lake School – for this group only - see booking form.
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12 Day Tour
IN SEARCH OF BRITISH COLUMBIA: West Coast Tour
starting Sunday afternoon, July 29, 2012
This tour explores some of the West Coast communities of Vancouver Island, the north coast of Eastern Vancouver Island and a ferry sailing along the southern half of the famous Inside Passage to Prince Rupert, the most northern community on the coast of British Columbia. Guiding will be in Spanish as well as English. A complimentary place is offered to one person, fluent in Spanish and English, who is willing to serve as translator.
Click here to download West Coast Tour booking form
Day 1 – Sunday, July 29
1:30pm: Depart Shawnigan Lake School by bus to Cathedral Grove to view ancient cedars and other old growth trees – on to Tofino on the west coast, close to the famous Long Beach. Accommodation 2 nights: Whalers Point Guest House - meals at local restaurants or self-catered.
Day 2 & 3 – Monday, July 30 & Tuesday, July 31
Tofino - two days to explore this lively community and/or take optional excursions (not included in price).
1. Whale watching 2. Fishing 3. Bird watching tour – forest and mudflats 4. Kayaking 5. 1st Nations canoe trip & hike on Meares Island 6. Assorted boat excursions 7. Botanical Gardens (whimsical!) 8. Short local bus ride to Long Beach
Day 4 – Wednesday Aug 1
Drive to Wickanish Point for Long Beach walk and lunch – drive to Ucluelet for 2:00pm boat to Port Alberni – arrives 7:00pm. Accommodation: Motel 2 nights, Port Alberni – dinner at local restaurants.
Day 5 – Thursday Aug 2
10:00am: Steam train ride to McLean Mill Historic Site – lunch at site – free afternoon. Breakfast and dinner at local restaurants or self-catered
Day 6 – Friday Aug 3
Depart Port Alberni – drive to Telegraph Cove. Accommodation 1 night: wharf-side cottages – meals at local cafés or self-catered.
Day 7 – Saturday Aug 4
Whale watching cruise – drive to Port Hardy. Accommodation 1 night: C & N Hostel - meals at local restaurants or self-catered.
Day 8 – Sunday Aug 5
Early morning embarkation on Northern Expedition – breakfast, lunch & dinner on ferry (not included in price) – cruise north on the Inside Passage waterway – arrive late in Prince Rupert. Accommodation 3 nights: Black Rooster Inn
Day 9 – Monday Aug 6
Free morning in Prince Rupert. Afternoon walking tour of historical frontier town – evening talk on history of Anglican Church in Northern B.C. - meals at local restaurants or self-catered.
Day 10 – Tuesday Aug 7
Prince Rupert – further explorations
Day 11 – Wednesday Aug 8
Early morning embarkation on Northern Expedition – breakfast, lunch & dinner on ferry (not included in price) – cruise south on Inside Passage waterway – arrive late in Port Hardy. Accommodation 1 night: C & N Hostel.
Day 12 – Thursday Aug 9
Drive south to Nanaimo, Duncan, Victoria and Schwartz Bay ferry terminal for departures from the Island - meals at local restaurants or self-catered.