The Totem Trail - Land of Totems
DURATION 15 Nights / 16 Days ¦¦§ ¥¡ ¨£¥§ DATES May to October, check BC Ferries’ schedule for sailings § §¥¦ ROUTE Vancouver | Victoria | Campbell River / Quadra Island | Port Hardy | Prince Rupert | Haida Gwaii | Prince Rupert | Smithers | Prince George ¥¡ ¢¥ Discover British Columbia and its rich First Nations culture. Explore ancient villages and impressive totem sites, plus encounter stunning wildlife during whale and bear-watching £ ¥ ¤ у ¦
у Ź ¢¥§ ¥¬ tours on this fascinating and captivating itinerary. The totem poles you’ll encounter on ¥§¬ the journey are as varied as the cultures that make them, and recount timeless legends, £©¥ ¨¥ ¦¡ clan lineages or notable events. British Columbia is home to the world’s oldest, largest, and best examples of totem poles, with many of these ancient works of art still standing у in their original, historic settings. Touch these timeless treasures and interact with many ¨¡¡ ¡¢¨©¥ of the world-famous master carvers and artists who live in these regions and share their ¡¬ §¢¥ heritage and culture as they create their art.
Suggested Itinerary Gift Shop just off the Lions Gate Bridge in stop at the museum and explore the First North Vancouver. First Nations activities Peoples Gallery, one of the permanent Day 1-2 Vancouver Exploring include a canoe or covered boat adventure exhibitions of the museum. This gallery Vancouver is one of the world’s most with Takaya Tours. In the evening, enjoy gives visitors dramatic glimpses of First beautiful cities, rich with culture, nature First Nations cuisine at the Salmon n’ Nations cultures before and after the and world-class shopping, dining and Bannock restaurant. arrival of Europeans. hotels. It is also home to the Coast Salish peoples including the Tsleil- Day 3 Vancouver | Victoria Day 4 Victoria | Sidney Exploring Waututh, Musqueam and Squamish Travel from Vancouver to Victoria on BC Explore the city sights of Victoria and the Nations. Explore Aboriginal culture at Ferries for a scenic ferry ride through the nearby harbour town of Sidney. In Sidney, the Klahowya Village in Stanley Park Gulf Islands. Take the remainder of the day Sidney Whale Watching welcomes and visit the nearby Totem Poles. Other to explore Thunderbird Park next to the visitors to its traditional territory to attractions include the Bill Reid Gallery Royal British Columbia Museum. The park discover the rich cultural history of the of Northwest Coast Art in downtown is home to many totem poles and other Coast Salish people on whale-watching Vancouver or Khot-La-Cha Art Gallery & First Nations monuments. Afterwards and cultural interpretive tours.
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Day 5 Victoria | Duncan | Campbell rapids and surrounding wilderness ferry or by plane, River | Quadra Island in the company of Aboriginal guides head for Tlell. A From Victoria, travel north up the from the Gwa’sala and ‘Nakwaxda’xw charming town east coast of Vancouver Island to the Nations with Nakwakto Rapids mid-island, Tlell community of Duncan. The route travels Tours. This fascinating adventure aboard offers guests easy access to the northern over the scenic Malahat Highway, which a 28’ Transport Canada certified vessel and southern parts of Graham Island (the offers spectacular views to the Saanich provides great insights into the magnitude northern island of Haida Gwaii). Miles of Inlet and the Gulf Islands. With 80 totems of the rapids, which can run up to 17 knots beaches, a meandering river hugging lush within the city, Duncan is also called “The during the peak tidal changes, as well as the forests, an abundance of hiking trails and City of Totems”. From Duncan continue to local Aboriginal culture and wildlife. many quaint artisan shops makes this an Campbell River where you will take a short ideal getaway for everyone. The Haida car ferry ride to quaint Quadra Island, Day 9 Port Hardy | Inside Passage | House at Tllaal will be your home for the the home of Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge, the Prince Rupert (BC Ferries) next three days. Oceanfront Resort at Cape Mudge. The Enjoy the early morning sailing aboard BC lodge features Pacific Coast Kwagiulth Ferries to Prince Rupert. This is a full-day Day 12 Haida Gwaii Exploring architecture as well as traditional and journey up the fjord-like waters of the You may wish to relax at the Haida House, contemporary Aboriginal art. Inside Passage. Enjoy the amenities of this or explore other parts of the island. Visit vessel, and relax as it winds its way through Old Massett with 18 totem poles each with Day 6 Quadra Island Exploring some of the most rugged and beautiful its unique design. You can take a tour that While on Quadra Island you can explore sceneries in the world. Keep an eye out for will explain the history and meaning of the Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre or wildlife along the shoreline, killer whales each totem pole. In Skidegate, the Haida partake in wildlife or adventure tours with and porpoises in the channel or great bald Heritage Centre invites you to explore the Aboriginal Journeys. Their whale-watching eagles circling overhead. Watch for remote fascinating history and living culture of the and bear-viewing tours are interwoven First Nations villages tucked into several of Haida. Don’t miss the Farmers’ Market in with insights into local First Nations history the bays along the route. You will arrive in Queen Charlotte or the many potlatches and culture. In the evening enjoy West Prince Rupert late evening. and cultural events available during the Coast seafood cuisine at the resort. summer months. Day 10 Prince Rupert Exploring Day 7 Quadra Island | Port McNeill | Prince Rupert is home to many of the Day 13 Moresby Island Exploring Alert Bay | Port Hardy Tsimshian First Nations people, as well Today you will explore many fascinating The North Island Highway travels through as members of other First Nations bands inlets of Moresby Island (the southern the rugged northern half of Vancouver in the north. Prince Rupert is a major island of Haida Gwaii) and Gwaii Haanas Island. From Port McNeill, a short ferry transportation hub - it is a deep-sea port by zodiac boat. The main stop is the ride will bring you to Alert Bay, home of the and quickly becoming one of the busiest ancient Haida village of Skedans. A Haida Namgis First Nation. In Alert Bay you can on the West Coast with container and Gwaii Watchman will be your guide and explore the rich and vibrant culture and cruise ships visiting from around the explain the history of the village and the history of the Kwakwaka’wakw people world. Take time to soak in the culture meaning of the remaining totem poles. at the U’mista Cultural Centre or at of the area. The Museum of Northern the Culture Shock Interactive Gallery. BC, housed in a magnificent, Northwest Day 14 Haida Gwaii | Prince Rupert Today’s journey will end in Port Hardy. Coast-style longhouse, is a must-see. Travel aboard BC Ferries or by plane to Prince Rupert. If time allows, explore Day 8 Port Hardy Exploring Day 11 Prince Rupert | Haida Gwaii the surrounding areas of Prince Rupert. Explore the world’s fastest navigable tidal Upon arriving in Haida Gwaii either via Known for great wildlife-viewing,
The Totem Trail www.AboriginalBC.com The Totem Trail - Land of Totems
Prince Rupert is also home to the deep green forests. There is a fascinating Gitwangak and Kitseguecla. Over 50 Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary. abundance of sights and activities of standing totem poles are located in eight Aboriginal and cultural significance to scenic Aboriginal villages. Day 15 Prince Rupert | Terrace | be found in this region. In Hazelton, visit Hazelton | Smithers ‘Ksan Historical Village and Museum. As Day 16 Tour Ends in Prince George From Prince Rupert, follow the Skeena a replicated ancient village, ‘Ksan illustrates From Smithers, drive to Prince George River to Terrace and Hazelton. The drive many features of a Gitxsan village from the – where you can head back to Vancouver will take you along beautiful scenery distant past. Take a self-guided totem pole or continue your trip to Jasper and the with rough and craggy mountains and tour of neighbouring Kispiox, Gitanyow, Canadian Rockies.
TRIP OVERVIEW
Day Location Activities Information on Totems Hotel Suggestions km / Day 1 Arrive in Vancouver Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art Coast Coal Harbour N/A Salmon n’ Bannock Restaurant Hotel or Skwachàys Lodge 2 Vancouver Exploring Klahowya Village in Stanley Park (Jun - Sep) Eight Totem Poles in Stanley Park Coast Coal Harbour N/A Totem Poles in Stanley Park - these totems are the most- Hotel or Skwachàys Khot-La-Cha Art Gallery & Gift Shop visited attraction in all of BC Lodge Takaya Tours 3 Vancouver to Victoria Thunderbird Totem Park Thunderbird Park hosts many Abigail’s Hotel 70 km / 1.30 Royal British Columbia Museum totem poles (mostly Gitxsan, hr Ferry Haida, and Kwakwaka’wakw) 4 Victoria / Sidney Exploring Whale-watching with Sidney Whale Abigail’s Hotel 52 km Watching 5 Victoria to Quadra Island Explore totem poles in Duncan With 80 totems within the city, Tsa-Kwa-Luten, the 267 km Duncan is also called “The City of Oceanfront Resort at Totems” Cape Mudge 6 Quadra Island Exploring Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre - Quadra Island Tsa-Kwa-Luten, the N/A Whale-watching or bear-viewing tours with Oceanfront Resort at Aboriginal Journeys - Campbell River Cape Mudge 7 Quadra Island to Alert Bay U’mista Cultural Centre - Alert Bay The world’s tallest totem pole (173 Quarter Deck Inn & 240 km ending in Port Hardy Culture Shock Interactive Gallery - Alert Bay feet) can be found in Alert Bay Marina Resort 8 Port Hardy Exploring Explore the world’s fastest navigable tidal Quarter Deck Inn & N/A rapids with Nakwakto Rapids Tours Marina Resort 9 Inside Passage to Prince Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Inside The Crest Hotel 10.15 hr Rupert Passage from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert Ferry 10 Prince Rupert Exploring Museum of Northern British Columbia The Crest Hotel N/A 11 Prince Rupert to Haida Travel by BC Ferries or Plane Haida House at Tllaal 6 hr by Ferry Gwaii or 1 hr by Plane 12 Haida Gwaii Exploring Haida Heritage Centre - Skidegate Explore the 18 totem poles of Old Haida House at Tllaal N/A Massett and the totem poles at the Haida Heritage Centre 13 Gwaii Haanas Exploring Zodiac tour to Skedans, an ancient Haida Ancient totem poles at Skedans Haida House at Tllaal N/A village site with Moresby Explorer 14 Haida Gwaii to Prince Travel by BC Ferries or Plane The Crest Hotel 6 hr by Ferry Rupert or 1 hr by Plane 15 Prince Rupert to Smithers Explore the region ‘Ksan Historic Village and Over 50 standing totem poles Hudson Bay Lodge 348 km Museum located in eight scenic Aboriginal villages 16 Smithers to Prince George Tour ends in Prince George 371 km
The Totem Trail www.AboriginalBC.com