June Welcome to Super, Natural British Columbia! We look forward to hosting you during the VIP German FAM. Below is some helpful information that will assist you in packing and planning for this trip. Dress: June is beginning of summer in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Region; weather is changeable, and can be cool in the evenings but is often pleasant and sunny during the daytime. Bring layered clothing, light rain gear, gloves, hat and sunscreen. Please pack light as there will be a plane transfer during your itinerary. There is a limit of 25lbs per person (11.36 kg). Luggage exceeding this may fly standby on your flight, or the first available flight with room. Be sure to check Environment Canada’s weather forecast a day or two before leaving www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca Passports: All passports should be valid for the entire duration of the visit to Canada plus one day. Travel Insurance: This is your responsibility; please ensure it covers you for all activities. You will be responsible for your own medical requirements. Credit Cards & Money: All major credit cards are accepted in British Columbia (AMEX, Diners, Visa, and MasterCard). Please note that some hotels require a credit card for check-in and you will be responsible for any additional room charges. We would appreciate you noting the following: Departure times. The itinerary is designed to allow you to experience as much as possible while you are with us. The departure times listed on the schedule are the times the coach will leave the designated meeting area. Baggage Handling. None of the hotels you are staying at charge a baggage-handling fee. You will be responsible for taking your own luggage to your room. You are also responsible for bringing your own luggage down in time for loading the coach prior to departure. Waivers. Where appropriate, participants will be asked to complete waivers before participating in activities. Weather Permitting. Please note that activities are subject to weather conditions. Final itinerary may change nearer the arrival date. Day 1 Participants arrive at Vancouver International Airport (varying arrival times) Check-in at Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel for your one-night stay. Sample ITINERARY Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel Fairmont Vancouver Airport is the only soundproofed, luxury hotel and spa conveniently located within Vancouver's International Airport (YVR). Situated directly above the US departures terminal - a two-minute stroll from the luggage carousels, no shuttle is required. In addition to exceptional accommodations, this AAA / CAA 4- diamond airport hotel features state-of-the-art meeting facilities, an extensive Health Club and Spa, soundproofed guestrooms, and breathtaking floor-to-ceiling views. Day use rooms are also available for guests travelling through Vancouver International Airport. Melody Duvenage Director, Tour & Travel 3111 Grant McConachie Way Tel: 604-691-1860 Email: [email protected] Web: www.fairmont.com/vancouverairport 7:00 pm Dinner & Overnight at Fairmont Vancouver International Airport Hotel Day 2 Note: a bag pull has been arranged for you this morning. Please have your bags ready for pick-up in your room. 7:30 am Site inspection and hosted breakfast compliments of Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel 8:40 am Pick-up bags from Bell desk and make your way to the International Arrivals area to take the complimentary Pacific Coastal Airlines shuttle to YVR South Terminal. The shuttle pick-up is located at Pillar #3 at International Arrivals. Note: If you are storing your extra luggage at Fairmont Vancouver International Airport Hotel while travelling in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, please let the Bellman know so that they can tag your bag(s) appropriately. You will be provided with a luggage tag to identify the bag(s) upon your return. 9:05 am Transfer to the South Terminal of Vancouver International Airport via Pacific Coastal Airlines complimentary shuttle. 10:15 am Depart YVR south Terminal on Pacific Coastal Airlines Pacific Coastal Airlines Pacific Coastal Airlines provides regular schedule, charter, and cargo services to 15 airports with connections to 50+ destinations in British Columbia, more than any other airline. We are the sixth largest airline operating at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) based on total outbound seats, and third largest based on take offs and landings. An equal opportunity employer, we employ over three hundred Sample ITINERARY people in two divisions across fourteen bases including pilots, flight attendants, engineers, dispatchers, and cargo. Our administrative office is located at YVR’s South Terminal in Richmond B.C., and our Seaplane division is headquartered in Port Hardy on Vancouver Island. Susan Clarke Business Development and Customer Service Manager Tel: 778-349-0695 Email: [email protected] A100– 4141 Airport Road Prince George, BC V2N 4M6 Website: http://www.pacificcoastal.com/ 12:25 pm Arrive in Bella Bella. The Heiltsuk First Nation live in the island village of Bella Bella located 98 nautical miles north of Port Hardy and 78 nautical miles west of Bella Coola. The Heiltsuk traditionally occupied 13,000 square miles of land and sea on B.C.´s coastal Inside Passage. Bella Bella is the name given to Heiltsuk Indian Reserve #1 and is the largest of the 23 reserves set aside in 1913 for the exclusive use of the Heiltsuk. The village located on Campbell Island is amalgamated from all Heiltsuk tribes who occupied numerous large winter and spring villages and associated camp sites spread throughout this traditional territory. Met by Spirit Bear Lodge Team Spirit Bear Lodge Wildlife, Bear Watching Tours and Native Culture in BC's Great Bear Rainforest Visit the Great Bear Rainforest, the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world. Explore the natural habitat of the Spirit Bear and home of the world’s only Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy. Unique tours in the ancestral lands and traditional territory of the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation. Kelli McGrady Reservations Lead Tel: 250-339-5644 Fax: 866-902-6843 Skype: spiritbearlodge www.spiritbear.com Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.spiritbear.com/ 12:40 pm Transported by Starr Taxi to public dock 10mins 12:50 pm Board the water taxi for the 90 minute trip to Spirit Bear Lodge 3:00 pm Arriving at Spirit Bear Lodge. Will then have an orientation, check in, welcome cocktail and snacks. Balance of afternoon on short nature hike or sheltered waters sea kayaking excursions. Sample ITINERARY 6:30 pm Appetizers 7:00 pm Dinner 8:15 pm Evening presentation consisting of Big House performance by Sua First Nations Youth Cultural Performance Group The Kitasoo/Xai'xais people have been taking control of their own destiny over the last 30 years and with this, rediscovering their culture that was almost lost forever to forces out of their control. Through initiatives such as Rediscovery Camps for Klemtu youth, the digital recording of stories from the elders in the community and construction of cultural buildings, such as the Big House in Klemtu, which provides a space for songs and dances to be performed and cultural gatherings to take place. This re-connection to their culture is helping the Kitasoo/Xai'xais people link to the past while moving forward as a modern people into the future. Day 3 7:00 am Breakfast & ready for day 8:00 am Depart for full day bear excursion to Mussel Inlet compliments of Spirit Bear Lodge and the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association 6:00 pm Return to lodge for shower and clean up. 6:30 pm Appies 7:00 pm Dinner 8:15 pm Evening presentation on Spirit Bears by one of our naturalist guides. Day 4 7:00 am Breakfast & packed to leave 8:00 am Short Community Tour 9:00 am Depart Klemtu by vessel for Bella Bella Klemtu (population: 460) is located in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest. The area is naturally lush and abounds with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Local waterways are great for both fishing and kayaking. Klemtu's pristine natural setting is augmented by a rich culture and history centered on Aboriginal heritage and tradition. 11:00 am Arrive at dock Sample ITINERARY 11:10 am Taxi ride back to Bella Bella Airport 11:30 am Depart Bella Bella for Bella Coola transport by Pacific Coastal Airlines 12:20 pm Arrive in Bella Coola Relax with a fishing line in hand, explore a hiking trail, drift a river, hire a guide to watch wildlife, tour the petroglyphs, go horseback riding, mountain biking, air- touring, heli-hiking & swim among salmon. This valley has a temperate climate that encompasses the Coast Mountains, glacial rivers and inland regions. Yet because Bella Coola lies 100km inland from the outer Pacific, it has much less rainfall than the coast. July through September tend to be dry and sunny. Journeying to the Bella Coola Valley is an adventure. Tweedsmuir Park Lodge staff will meet the flight and transfer your luggage compliment of Tweedsmuir Park Lodge. 12:30 pm Depart Bella Coola Airport on Adventure Charters (Bus) Adventure Charter and Rentals Our fleet contains 6 shuttle style buses ranging in size from 14 to 29 passengers and we have both rugged and hardworking buses or cozy and comfortable buses. We offer a variety of seating, entertainment and capacity levels depending on your use and destination. We have travelled the highways of BC and beyond or traversed the backcountry deactivated logging roads of the Cariboo Chilcotin all with ease, safety, and comfort for our passengers. From tourism exploration, school or organization travel, to wedding and local event shuttle service, we can deliver a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience to everyone. Randy Gertzen Gertzen Ventures Ltd 4705B Collier Place Williams Lake BC V2G 5E9 Tel: 250-305-2251 Fax: 250-398-2892 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.adventurecharters.ca/ 12:40 pm Arrive @ West Coast Heli for a hike to Goat Mountain West Coast Heli If you are looking for a unique heli adventure look no further than West Coast Helicopters.