British Columbia’s Haida Gwaii Archipelago 9-days exploring the ecosystems, wildlife, & cultural heritage of one of the most spectacular places on the planet One of National Geographic’s Top 20 Places to Visit in 2015!
Discover Encounter Learn Ecosystems, wildlife, and Puffins, albatrosses, About the rich cultural cultural heritage of Gwaii sunfish, jellyfish, orcas heritage of the indigenous Haanas National Park and fin whales Haida Nation Haida Gwaii Archipelago Islands at the Edge
Haida Gwaii (“Islands of the People” in the Haida language) is a remote island archipelago located approximately 100 km off the northwest coast of British Columbia. The “Galapagos of the North” is a world where giant spruce and cedar trees tower over salmon-rich streams, and kelp forests connect the land to the sea. An ecological hotspot, the unparalleled diversity of marine life here includes everything from puffins to albatrosses, sunfish to jellyfish, and killer whales to blue whales. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area, and Haida Heritage Site (or simply “Gwaii Haanas”) protects the ecological and cultural treasures of this globally significant region from sea floor to mountain top.
2 Our 8-day expedition through Gwaii Haanas is dedicated to learning about the ecosystems and wildlife of the archipelago, while exploring the cultural heritage of the Masset Haida people who have lived here for more than 10,000 years. Throughout this expedition we’ll explore old-growth forests, white-sand beaches, rocky shores, ancient and modern cultural sites, and encounter the stunning wildlife BRITISH found here. Gwaii Haanas protects and informs us how COLUMBIA the Haida have thrived here in concert with the diverse ecosystems of this island archipelago for millenia.
8-days / 7-nights VANCOUVER Tlell
2016 departures: Jun 10, 18, 26, Jul 5, 14, 22 GRAHAM ISLAND Price per person: $5400 CAD
Departs from / Returns to: Sandspit Queen Charlotte Skidgate Sandspit
What’s Included?
Land tour including the Haida Heritage Centre, float plane Moresby Camp flight over Gwaii Haanas, all meals, accommodation, transportation, user fees, and use of onboard gear and K’uuna Llnagaay (Skedans) resources including rubber boots. What’s not included? 5% GST, travel and accommodation before and after the T’aanuu Linagaay expedition, gratuities, any personal expenses incurred (Tanu) due to weather, logistical delays, delayed departures of chartered aircraft, taxis, ferries.
Hlk’yah GawGa (Windy Bay)
Gandll K’in Gwaay-yaay (Hotspring Island)
GWAII HAANAS NATIONAL PARK RESERVE
Rose Harbour
SGang Gwaay (Anthony Island)
Cape St. James
3 Sample Itinerary: British Columbia’s Haida Gwaii Archipelago
We structure our Haida Gwaii expeditions as one-way voyages between the northern and southern portions of the park, rather than return trips. By doing so we are able to reduce our travel time and spend more time exploring and sailing during each expedition. A distinct feature of all our expeditions is that we have no fixed itineraries. Instead, our days structured by the winds, tides, and wildlife we encounter, and the interests and expertise of our guests and crew members. Please note that the following sample itinerary describes a south-bound expedition.
Day 1 Our expedition begins in Sandspit where our ground I never dreamt of the beauty we crew will pick you up from your accommodations and would find beneath the waters. travel to Moresby Camp via passenger van were we It was such a gift to see it and will get acquainted with our home for the next 8 days; Passing Cloud. After meeting the crew and settling have someone explain it all to us. into your accommodations our crew will deliver a I loved learning about the ocean, comprehensive safety briefing. Then we cast off our lines and set sail for the ancient village of K’uuna the Haida, and experience first Llagaay (Skedans) where we take a guided tour of the hand what it is like to be one with ancient Haida village. Later in the afternoon, we head nature. back aboard Passing Cloud and travel towards Anna Inlet, where we set anchor for the evening. Judi Trotter, Outer Shores Traveller Day 2
Today we travel towards the ancient villages of Taanuu Llnagaay (Tanu) and Hlk’yah GaawGa (Windy Bay) to walk through an old-growth forest filled with massive cedar and spruce trees. We follow that up with a visit to a Haida Watchmen’s cabin to learn the story of the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site. We cap off our day by heading back to our floating home and enjoying an evening sail. Make sure to keep a sharp lookout for orca, which are frequent visitors to the area.
4 Day 3
Today, weather permitting, we hope to sail a few miles from shore to reach the pelagic zone. This area is the perfect place to search for marine wildlife, such as pelagic seabirds, sharks, giant ocean sunfish, Pacific Day white-sided dolphins, and humpback whales. In the afternoon we make our way closer to shore to explore 6 a small river system, and examine the remnants of We kick-off our day scouring the shoreline for wood-stake fish weirs (traps) dating from more than a intertidal archaeological features, including fish thousand years ago. traps, and clam gardens, and contemplate the interconnectedness of natural ecosystems and Day Haida subsistence and beliefs. Later, we have the chance to tour a sea lion rookery, learning more 4 about these formidable creatures and their ecology and conservation. We cap off the day by sailing to This morning we’re up early to catch low tide and Louscoone Inlet to anchor for the night. explore the incredible marine biodiversity of the world-famous Burnaby Narrows. Using our kayaks and inflatable skiff, we follow one of our expedition teams in snorkeling gear to check-out giant predatory sunflower stars, multi-coloured bat stars, massive moon snails, decorator crabs, and nudibranchs (sea slugs). Once the tide begins to rise we return to the Passing Cloud and continue our travels southward to Kunghit Island, traditional territory of the Kunghit Haida.
Day 7 Today we travel to the ancient village of SGang Gwaay on Anthony Island. The village, was inhabited until approximately 1880, and in 1984 was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its globally significant cultural heritage. Here we find the remains of massive long houses, and a stunning grove of standing mortuary and memorial poles. We will embark on a guided tour of the village to learn about the traditional Haida way of Day life and social systems. 5 Today we visit Cape St. James (weather permitting) Day at the southernmost extremity of the Haida Gwaii Archipelago. With ocean currents meeting from the 8 east and west, this area is alive with marine life, including tufted and horned puffins, sea lions, and On our final day, we get one last chance to orcas on the hunt for their next meal. This region is experience the breathtaking Gwaii Haanas region, also home to one of our favorite white-sand beaches this time from the window of a floatplane. We on the BC coast, which is great for an afternoon of will take in a spectacular 50-minute flight back to exploring, relaxing, and strolling barefoot along the Sandspit, where our journey officially comes to an shore. end.
5 If you have any questions about our 360 B Harbour Road expeditions, or a specific detail about the Victoria, British Columbia expedition you have booked, please let V9A 3S1, Canada us know by phone or visit our website for more information. [email protected]
Photo Credits: James Thompson, Ryan Flett, 1-855-714-7233 (Toll Free in North America) Tavish Campbell, and Russell Markel. 1-250-220-2311 (Local and International)