Haida Gwaii August 14 to 19, 2022

“Haida Gwaii, also known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, is an archipelago of more than 150 islands located off the coast of Northern British Columbia[...]The islands have gained a reputation for breathtaking natural beauty and a remarkable First Nations culture. For thousands of years, the islands of Haida Gwaii have been inhabited by the Haida, an indigenous people to whom art, culture, legends, mythology, and community played an important role in their lives. Argillite carvings, totem poles and ancient Haida villages attract visitors from around the world.” - BC Adventure Network Immerse yourself in raw, natural beauty while delving into the culture and heritage of this wondrous place by visiting Gwaii Haanas National Park, tour the Haida village of Old Massett, and peruse artisan shops, galleries, local museums, and so much more! You don’t want to miss this journey where you’ll discover nature as it was meant to be seen.

With all this and so much more to discover, you will wonder why you waited so long to take this once in a lifetime tour!

SKIDEGATE

Afternoon check in at Vancouver Airport for your flight to Sandspit. Upon arrival your private shuttle will be waiting to transport you to the beautiful Premiere Creek Lodge located in Queen Charlotte. After check in depart to Skidegate to visit the famous Balance Rock, a popular nature-made

landmark and then you will share a traditional Haida meal with storytelling and information regarding harvesting on Haida Gwaii. Return to your hotel for overnight.

S'GANG GWAAY LLNAGAAY (NINSTINTS - UNESCO SITE)

After breakfast you will be taken to the dock in Queen Charlotte to board a covered vessel with washroom facilities on board. This tour will take you to S'Gang Gwaay Llnagaay (Ninstints) on Anthony Island. Here you will walk through the ancient village and UNESCO World Heritage Site, learning about Haida lineages and lifestyles. Ninstints is the best of the pre-- served abandoned Haida villages. The Haidas deserted Ninstints around 1885, and today, the dignified poles along the beach seem like phantoms of the past. Given that it is located at the southernmost part of Haida Gwaii, you will also enjoy a boat ride that traverses the full eastern shoreline of Gwaii Haanas. Sea life viewing is abundant during this tour in addition to local story- telling by guides of Haida ancestry about their land.

Return to your hotel after dinner.

RENNELL SOUND/CHAAHLUU KAAHII

Following breakfast depart to visit artist's homes located in Queen Charlotte and then on to Rennell Sound which is located in a remote area and accessed by travelling 22 km on logging roads from Queen Charlotte, then an additional 11 km drive through the Pennell Pass. Rennell sound is the only point on the west coast accessible by road. You will be amazed by the wildlife, birds, and the mystique of the landscape. You will visit the beaches through accessible trails that provide tranquil escapes into the virgin old growth rain forest.

After dinner return to your hotel for overnight.

TLELL, MASSET, OLD MASSET, NORTH BEACH

After breakfast travel to Tlell, a small village with only 183 inhabitants but it has a big presence. Known for its artisans and galleries, it is also known for the Tlell Fell Fair as well as the Edge of the World Music Festival.

Continue on to Masset, a small fishing village on the north side of Graham Island. It is known for areas of pristine beauty and unique culture. One of Masset's most visited areas is the Haida Village of Old Masset. Known mostly for its totem carvings, this small village is also abuindant with craft and art shops. The village is also home to the largest collection of totem poles on the island including St. John's Church Totem that stands before St. John's Church. You will have the opportunity to visit galleries, totem poles, and carving sheds.

Continue on to North Beach to view the totem pole located in the Hiellen Longhouse Village and explore the beach, views and blowholes. North Beach is situated in Naikoon Provincial Park which became a Class A park in 1973 and boasts a mixture of temperate rain forrest ecosystems , wetlands, bogs, sand dunes, and approximately 100 km of beaches.

Dinner on your own and overnight at hotel

PORT CLEMENTS, JUSQUATLA

Travel north to Port Clements to visit the Port Clements Museum and then view the site of the famous Golden Spruce and an ancient, abandoned Haida Canoe. The Golden Spruce is located in the Golden Spruce trail with paths that wind through the rain forest. Before the actual tree was vandalized in 1977, it was famous for its unique colour. The tree was 164 feet high and had needles of gold.

We will visit artist's studios in Sandspit, then travel to Gray Bay for our Farewell dinner.

Return to hotel for overnight.

QUEEN CHARLOTTE AND SANDSPIT

After breakfast and check out travel to Skidegate to enjoy the Haida Heritage Center. This original Queen Charlotte Island museum was opened in 1976 by then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and was re-opened in 2008 after 7 years of restorations and renovations. The museum tells the story of the Haida Nation and features a large collection of Haida culture materials and native art.

Take the Kwuna ferry to Alliford Bay to travel to the airport for afternoon departure back to Vancouver.

HAIDA GWAII—General Conditions

RESPONSIBILITY

Executive Cultural Tours and/or their agents, affiliates, or subsidiaries act only as agents for the hotel, airlines, bus companies and operators providing accommodation, transportation, meals, tours or other services and all coupons, exchange orders, receipts, contracts and tickets issued by the Company are issued subject to all tariffs, terms and conditions under which the forgoing or any other services whatsoever are provided by such hotels, airlines, bus companies. By the acceptance of such coupons, exchange orders, receipts, contracts and tickets, the tour member agrees that the Company shall not become liable or responsible for any loss, injury or damage to the person, firm or corporation. Further, the Company shall not become liable or responsible for any loss, injury or damage due to an Act of God or Act of War. The tour operator reserves the right to withdraw a tour, to refuse to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour at any time or to make changes in the itinerary whenever in their sole judgment conditions warrant or if such changes result from circumstances beyond the control of the tour operator. Executive Cultural Tours and/or their agents shall not be responsible for the injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or other, or through the acts or default of any company or person engaged in conveying or providing transportation to the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour or otherwise in connection therewith, or of any other hotel proprietor or employee. The aforesaid and their agents can accept no responsibility for losses or accidental expenses due to delay or changes in schedules or hotel overbookings or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger.

CONDITIONS

BOOKING

A CA$1,000 deposit plus single supplement, if applicable, as well as the optional package tour insurance cost, are required upon reservation. A post-dated cheque for the balance dated May 08, 2022, is also required at the time of reservation.

Cheques should be made payable to Uniglobe The Premiere Travel Group. Credit card payments are accepted

CANCELLATION

Full refund up to 120 days prior to departure less $500 per person. Between 120 days prior to departure and May 08, 2022, full refund less $1,000 per person. Between May 09 and June 08, 2022, full refund less $2,500. Subsequent to June 09, 2022, no refund will be made for any unused hotel accommodation, meals, transfers, sightseeing, etc. Notice of cancellation must be made in writing.

INSURANCE

The following insurance packages are optional but highly recom-mended. (Coverage for Covid-19 not covered)