Located off the mainland of British Columbia, Vancouver Island is stunningly beautiful with diverse habitats ranging from incredible beaches to amazing old-growth forests and high mountains. Add in some of the densest populations of Black Bear and Mountain Lion in North America, over 350 bird species, and a multitude of marine mammals just off the coast, this is an island not to be missed! We’ve chosen three of the best spots on the island to explore in detail as we watch an exciting array of wildlife backdropped by inspiring scenery.

We begin on the south end of Vancouver Island in the delightful city of Victoria, exploring both coastal and inland spots to see a great variety of birds, including an assortment of gulls, shorebirds, and songbirds like Chestnut-backed Chickadee and Bushtit. After two nights in Victoria, we move to the dramatic west coast to explore Tofino and the surrounding Clayoquot Sound. We have three nights here to savor this incredible part of the island. We enjoy two boat tours to search for Black Bear, Humpback Whale, Grey Whale, and pelagic birds such as Pink-footed Shearwater and Black-footed Albatross. In addition to exploring the waters around the island, we also spend time birding on the white sandy beaches and temperate rainforests in Pacific Rim National Park.

Moving back to the east coast of the island, we head to Campbell River, located at the south end of the Discovery Passage. Here, we have an exciting day exploring rivers to search for Grizzly Bear feeding on salmon and learn about traditional culture with a Homalco First Nation guide. Our tour comes to an end back in the vibrant city of Victoria, but you won’t soon forget this incredible island!

Tour Highlights

  • Explore the wonderful city of Victoria known for its gardens; for birders—its shorebirds and gulls
  • Visit the Nanaimo River Estuary, the largest on the island
  • Be amazed at 800-year-old Douglas fir trees in the Cathedral Grove
  • Find seabirds and marine mammals on two exciting boat tours from Tofino
  • Search for bears, whales, otters, puffins, and songbirds!
  • Dine on delicious fresh seafood and try local wines
  • Visit the beautiful beaches and lush rainforests of Pacific Rim National Park
  • Explore rivers near Campbell River to search for Grizzly Bear with a First Nations guide
  • Enjoy the amazing scenery throughout Vancouver Island

Trip Itinerary

Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary may occur to account for weather, road conditions, closures, etc. and to maximize your experience.

Wed., Sept. 3       Arrivals in Victoria    

Welcome to Victoria! Located at the southern end of Vancouver Island, Victoria is known as the “Garden City” due to its many parks and gardens. We head to our hotel, situated in a beautiful part of the city near the downtown area and across from the ferry terminal. 

Tonight, we gather for a welcome dinner to meet our guides and fellow travelers and prepare for an exciting adventure.
Accommodations at Best Western Inner Harbour, Victoria (D)

Thurs., Sept. 4      Birding in Victoria | Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary 

Today, we begin our exploration of Vancouver Island. With a mild climate, beautiful beaches, temperate rainforests, and high mountains, it is sure to be an exciting trip filled with incredible scenery. And the diverse habitat means a wonderful array of birds and wildlife! 

We start in Victoria, the picturesque capital of British Columbia. First inhabited by several First Nation groups, it was later colonized by the British in the mid-1800s. This British colonial past is evident throughout the city with its beautiful Victorian architecture and English-inspired gardens. Scenery in this coastal city is outstanding and on a clear day, the Olympic Mountains of Washington State in the US can be seen to the south. 

There is no shortage of areas to visit for great birding in Victoria and we make the most of our time here. Some of the most prominent locales are around Esquimalt Lagoon, located west of the city. A shallow lagoon that is enclosed by a sand and gravel bar, this is a great spot for birds and we expect a large concentration of gulls here, including Glaucous-winged, Short-billed, and California. We may also spot a scarce Western Gull or the attractive Heerman’s Gull. We search the rocky shorelines for flocks of Black Turnstone and Surfbird as they feed. 

In the afternoon, we visit several inland parks, including Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, which includes both wetland and oak forest habitat and has recorded over 225 species of birds. These inland areas should be productive for Anna’s Hummingbird, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, and a variety of other songbirds.  
Accommodations at Best Western Inner Harbour, Victoria (B,L,D)

Fri., Sept. 5    Nanaimo River Estuary Birding | Ancient Forests at Cathedral Grove | Tofino

After breakfast, we pack up and head north to Nanaimo on our way to Tofino. Famous for the delicious Nanaimo bar dessert, which features layers of custard and chocolate ganache on top of a graham cracker base with coconut and cocoa, Nanaimo is on the east coast of Vancouver Island and almost directly across the Strait of Georgia from the city of Vancouver. 

We visit the Nanaimo River Estuary, the largest estuary on the island and abundant in natural resources with five of the Pacific salmon species occurring here, along with over 200 bird species. This location is also popular with migrating shorebirds such as Least, Pectoral, and Western Sandpipers. After an enjoyable visit to the estuary, we have lunch, perhaps with one of those famous Nanaimo bars for dessert!

After lunch, we head over to the west side of the island on a scenic three-hour drive over the mountains, through old growth forests, and by scenic lakes. We stop at the stunning Cathedral Grove on the way. Here we are immersed in towering stands of Douglas fir trees, some of which are over 800 years old! Some of the largest trees here are more than 30 feet in circumference and will surely leave you in awe. After spending time admiring these massive trees, we continue to Tofino, arriving in the late afternoon. 

One of the most beautiful places on Vancouver Island, Tofino is situated at the end of the Esowista Peninsula on the Clayoquot Sound. We arrive and check into our hotel, located on a beautiful beach with stunning sunsets. 
Accommodations at the Ocean Village Resort (B,L,D)

Sat., Sept. 6    Whales & Bears | Ucluelet   

After breakfast, we enjoy our first of three boat trips on the tour. Today’s focus is Black Bear, Humpback Whale, and Gray Whale, along with numerous bird species. Coastal Black Bear can typically be found feeding in tidal pools along the shoreline, overturning rocks to look for prey. Vancouver Island has a dense population of these bears, with over 7,000 living on the island. Humpback Whale, the largest whale in the waters around Vancouver Island, are typically present and if we are lucky, we see one of the nearly 200 resident Gray Whales that live off the coast of the island. As always, we search for birds and hope to find Marbled Murrelet and Tufted Puffin in the waters, while we scan the shorelines for Black Oystercatcher and Wandering Tattler. We also keep our eyes peeled for Orca and Sea Otter along the way.

After an exciting day, we visit Pacific Rim National Park in the evening to watch sunset on one of the many spectacular white, sandy beaches. Along with beautiful views, we likely spot surfers out in the water—Tofino is one of the best surfing spots in Canada. What a terrific end to a truly great day!
Accommodations at the Ocean Village Resort (B,L,D)

Sun., Sept. 7    Pelagic Trip from Tofino   

Another exciting day in Tofino and another wonderful boat trip! Today, our focus is seabirds and we venture out to the continental shelf at Clayoquot Canyon in search of them. On our journey out, we see our first seabirds as Sooty Shearwater glide between the waves. We also look for Pink-footed Shearwater with their namesake pink feet and dark tipped pink bill, along with Black-footed Albatross and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel at the shelf. Alcids such as Cassin’s Auklet, Marbled Murrelet, and Tufted Puffin are seen as well and if we’re lucky, we spot jaeger species, Sabine’s Gull, and Arctic Tern. Rarities have also been seen in these pelagic waters and include both Short-tailed and Laysan Albatross. 

We arrive back in Tofino by mid-afternoon and enjoy a relaxing evening in this beautiful town.
Accommodations at the Ocean Village Resort (B,L,D)

Mon., Sept. 8      Pacific Rim National Park | Campbell River     

This morning, we say goodbye to Tofino and slowly work our way south along the west coast, birding as we go, before heading east to Campbell River. We make several stops in Pacific Rim National Park to search the beautiful beaches for migrant shorebirds and flocks of gulls. At 200 square miles, this park is big in size as well as beauty. Containing rugged coastline, spectacular beaches, and lush rainforests, this park has a great deal of diversity. Over 300 bird species have been found here and mammals include Black Bear, Black-tailed Deer, Cougar, and Vancouver Island Wolf, a semi-aquatic subspecies of the Grey Wolf. 

We search for Sanderling scampering back and forth on the beach, along with Western Sandpiper and perhaps a Pelagic Cormorant flying by. In the forests lining the beaches, we may see Steller’s Jay, Golden-crowned Kinglet, or Pacific Wren. 

On the way to Campbell River, we make stops for birding in the high elevation forests and look for Sooty Grouse, and if we’re lucky, Northern Pygmy Owl. We arrive in late afternoon and settle into our hotel in this quaint town.
Accommodations at the Comfort Inn (B,L,D) 

Tues., Sept. 9      Grizzly Bears in Campbell River

We awaken in Campbell River, known as the “Salmon Capital of the World.” Located on the east coast of Vancouver Island, this town is popular with fishing enthusiasts, and five species of Pacific salmon can be found here. This area is also known for its many hiking and biking trails and beautiful scenery.  

Today we enjoy our third boat tour of the trip, this time to search for Grizzly Bear! This boat tour differs from the others in Tofino in that we navigate the rivers rather than the ocean. We have a long, but very exciting day as we leave in the early morning and do not return until the evening. A local guide from the Homalco First Nation joins us and teaches us about the traditional culture and historical significance of this region as we search for Grizzly Bear feeding on spawning salmon that travel up the rivers. 

We return to our hotel for a relaxing evening, perhaps trying some of that delicious fresh salmon ourselves, after our exciting day on the river.
Accommodations at the Comfort Inn (B,L,D)

Wed., Sept. 10        Campbell River | Victoria   

This morning, we head south along the coast of Vancouver Island toward Victoria. We make multiple stops along the way for birding. On the beaches, we look for migrating shorebirds like Whimbrel, along with Surf Scoter, Pacific Loon, and Harlequin Duck. Large numbers of gulls concentrate in this area and we spend some time exploring the minor differences and extensive hybridization that occurs along the west coast of North America. 

We reach Victoria in the late afternoon. This evening, we enjoy a celebratory dinner and recount the many highlights of a wonderful time on Vancouver Island.
Accommodations at Best Western Inner Harbour, Victoria (B,L,D)

Thurs., Sept. 11      Departures    

Today, departures are at your leisure. Depending on the flight times, there may be time in the morning for some casual birding. Some may wish to stay on at leisure to enjoy the many attractions of this popular city, such as the Butchart Gardens. (B)

  • Birding Canada, Bird Watching Canada, Birding North America, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Banff National Park

    Vancouver Island Coastline

  • Birding Canada, Bird Watching Canada, Birding North America, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Banff National Park

    Black Bear

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    Anna's Hummingbird

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    Steller's Jay

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    Sea Otter

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    Discovery Passage

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    Pink-footed Shearwater

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    Whale-watching Vancouver Island

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    Tofino

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    Golden-crowned Kinglet

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    Cathedral Grove

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    Black Oystercatcher

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    Nanaimo River Estuary

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    Marbled Murrelet

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    Pacific Rim National Park

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    Glaucous-winged Gull

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    Cathedral Grove

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    Pacific Rim National Park

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    Grizzly Bear by Tina Greenawalt

Cost of the Journey

The cost of the journey is per person based on occupancy: $7,390 DBL / $8,540 SGL, from Victoria. This cost includes all accommodations, meals as specified in the itinerary, professional guide services, other park and program entrance fees and miscellaneous program expenses. This cost does not include: round-trip transportation from your home city to Victoria, optional activities, or items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone charges, maid gratuities, or beverages from the bar.

Travel Details

Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed.

Arrival and Departure Airport: Victoria International Airport (YYJ)

Arrival Details: Please plan to arrive September 3, 2025, no later than 4:00 PM in order to join the welcome dinner

Departure Details: Please plan flights to depart September 11, 2025, at your leisure

Travel Tips: If you arrive early to explore Victoria or rest up from your travels, you can book an early night at our first night hotel, the Best Western Plus Inner Harbour Victoria. You can book online and send us the confirmation number. 

 

Browse below for trip reports and species lists from past versions of this and other tours from this destination.

Arctic

Canada

  • Kent Skaggs

    Kent was born and raised in Nebraska and this is where he developed his passion for birds and nature in general. He worked 20 years at Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary where he helped countless visitors experience the annual spring staging of Sandhill Cranes along the Platte River in south-central Nebraska. While at Rowe, he conducted bird surveys on the sanctuary and coordinated and led birding field trips for the annual Audubon Nebraska Crane Festival. He also spent three seasons leading tours to see displaying Greater Prairie-Chickens and Sharp-tailed Grouse for Calamus Outfitters in the Nebraska Sandhills. Kent and his partner Kathy currently reside in southwest Virginia.

    Other trips with Kent Skaggs

Essential Information +

Ahead of Your Tour Make sure your passport is in good condition and at minimum is Read more

Ahead of Your Tour

  • Make sure your passport is in good condition and at minimum is valid from the date of entry through your scheduled return to the U.S.  We recommend it be valid at least 3 months beyond the end of tour. See "Passports, Visas, & Documents" section below for details.
  • Please check current CDC recommendations for travel to Canada and consult with your doctor about general travel vaccinations you should have as precaution for travel. See the “Health and Inoculations” section below.
  • Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is strongly recommended. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.
  • Plan your flight reservations arriving into and departing from Victoria International Airport (YYJ).
  • Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Arrival to Victoria International Airport (YYJ), Victoria, Canada

Your arrival airport is at Victoria International Airport (YYJ) in Victoria, Canada. Plan to arrive no later than 4:00 PM on the first day of the tour. 

Please note: If you are delayed in travel, please refer to your emergency contact list, and contact your ground operator AND our office.  You may also phone or text your guide.  Quite a few of your guides will set up a WhatsApp connection so you can reach your guide(s) by phone.  

We can recommend a good travel agent familiar with the routes to you upon request.

Please check the Travel Details tab of this tour for additional information and updates.

Departure from Victoria International Airport (YYJ), Victoria, Canada

Please plan departures on the last day of your tour from Victoria International Airport (YYJ), with flights at your leisure. Our travel agent, Pam Davis, can assist you with ticketing if requested.

Please check the Travel Details tab of this tour for additional information and updates.

Passports, Visas & Documents

Guidelines and regulations can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s documentation requirements 60-90 days ahead of traveling. Information for U.S. citizens can be found at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Canada.html. If you are from another country, please contact the tour destination’s embassy website for guidelines.

Passport: At the time of writing, U.S. citizens must have a passport that is in good condition and at minimum is valid at the time of entry through your scheduled return to the U.S. We suggest at least 3 months validity beyond the end of the tour to allow for unexpected delays in return travel. Please check that expiration date! You should have at least two blank visa pages free. The blank pages need to say “Visas” at the top. Pages marked “Amendments and Endorsements” will not be accepted. 

Visa: No Visa is required to visit Canada if you are a U.S. citizen.

We advise that you bring your eContact list of hotels for use at immigration as well. It is always smart to check for possible changes to visa requirements 60-90 days prior to your tour departure.

As a precaution for lost or misplaced documents you carry on your person during travel, we highly recommend you keep hard and digital backup copies on your phone (either photo or PDF scan), as well as a hard copy left with your emergency contact at home. The recommended important documents to copy include but are not limited to; your passport ID page, the front and back of your credit card(s), the airline barcode on your luggage. This will greatly expedite getting new ones if necessary – we hope everyone will always keep travel documents close so that losing them will not be an issue.  

General Health & Inoculations Information – Be Prepared!

Health requirements for entry to any country can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s health requirements and recommendations 60-90 days ahead of traveling. A helpful website for planning is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for Canada or by phone (800) CDC-INFO or (800) 232-4636.

We will share your health information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important as we want to be best prepared in case of medical emergency. 

Vaccinations: Bring copies of your current vaccination records with you. Although at the time of writing, there are no required vaccinations to enter Canada, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that "most travelers" to Canada be up-to-date with routine and basic travel vaccines, including Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Please check with your doctor for recommendations at least 4-6 weeks before departing on your trip.  He or she may recommend other preventative immunizations like DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis), which is recommended every 10 years. 

Prescriptions: It is a good idea to pack any meds you take regularly in your carry-on luggage.  Bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses. Bring an adequate supply of any prescription medications you use, a copy of the prescription and a list of generic names of your medicines as “back-up” in case it is necessary to purchase drugs while abroad. You’ll want to keep medications in their original, labeled containers.  

Allergies: To be prepared for environmental triggers to allergies or breathing difficulties, please bring your allergy and/or asthma medication(s).  If you have severe allergies talk to your doctor about carrying an EPI pen and notify your guides. It is also recommended to carry with you an up-to-date record of known allergies, chronic medical problems and Medic Alerts so that, if necessary, emergency treatment can be carried out without endangering your health.

Common Ailments: We recommend that you bring a travel-sized first aid kit and a supply of standard over-the-counter medications for prevention or treatment of common ailments (such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset, cough, congestion, head or body aches, motion sickness, insect bites and sunburn); as well as ointments, moisturizer, sunscreen, oral rehydration salts, band-aids, moleskin for blisters, cotton swabs, nail clippers, and tweezers, etc.

Daily Itinerary

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.  

Weather & Climate

September travelers can expect mild weather. This is generally one of the driest months and temperatures average in the mid-60s°F, with lows in the 40s to mid 50s°F. Make sure to pack layers for chilly mornings and evenings.

Annoyances & Hazards

Mosquitoes can occur in the forests; therefore, a supply of insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin is recommended.

Food & Drinks

Meals will offer a variety of local and international cuisine. Menus at the lodges are varied and are sustainably based on the wonderful local ingredients available.

Bottled water will be available for field trips and drinking water is provided for you to refill a bottle. One of the many ways we strive to do our part for the environment is by trying to reduce our consumption of plastics; if convenient we appreciate if you can bring reusable water bottles.

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

TRAVEL TIP: Imagine NOT getting your suitcase. Wear your most important shoes for the field and have one day’s clothing change (including a change of underwear!). And please do not pack any essential medications, or your vital optics, in your checked luggage!

Please, pack light. Dress is very informal. You may wish to change for dinners, but casual dress is suitable at all locations. 

We recommend muted colors of tan, brown, khaki, grey or green, as they are spotted less easily than white or bright colors. Camouflage clothing is not recommended and in some countries, it is not legal to wear. 

Laundry services are generally available, but easiest if we have several days in one location.

Spending Money

The Canadian dollar is the official currency in Canada. For the current exchange rate, please refer to online converter tool like www.xe.com, or your bank. We advise you carry a mix of different types of payments, such as the cash, an ATM card, and a credit card.

You can always carry U.S. dollars and exchange while in Canada. Some hotels, large post offices, and money exchange offices can exchange cash. You’ll need your passport and your money must be new (2004 or newer) and in good condition (no rips or tears). Each exchange method will involve a fee, so it’s a good idea to ask beforehand. 

The easiest way to withdraw Canadian dollars is from a local ATM. ATMs will give you a better rate on changing money. Canada ATMs are quite common throughout British Columbia. The ATM will give you local money and your bank will convert that into US Dollars. Many banks charge a fee of $1 - $5 each time you use a foreign ATM. Others may charge you a percentage of the amount you withdraw. Check with your bank before departure. You must become familiar with how to use your ATM card and PIN number ahead of the journey.

Credit cards are widely accepted. We suggest you have more than one card available. You may want to bring more than one brand of card (one Visa, and one MasterCard), if possible. Not every shop will accept every card. Some machines are set up for both, while some will only service one or the other. Also, we recommend that you advise your bank or credit card company that you will be traveling to Canada to avoid questions, card freezes, or charges. If you have a choice of cards, bring one with no foreign exchange fees.

Traveler’s checks are not widely accepted. They can be difficult to exchange. We do not advise you use them.

Many people ask how much money to plan to bring for spending money. Part of that depends on how much you want to shop. Cash is also handy for your drinks from the bar.

Gratuities

Tipping throughout the tour is at your discretion. Some guidelines follow. At larger (mostly city) hotels, tip maids and bar service as you would at home. Gratuities for group meals are already included. Your Naturalist Journeys host will take care of smaller tips such field trip services. Your additional tip is encouraged for birding tour guides and drivers who are with you for several days or the full trip; $10-$15 per day per guest is standard for guide service, and half that for a driver. If you have more than one local guide at a location, they will share the daily amount. We encourage tipping for the local teams hosting you; anything extra for your Naturalist Journeys host is at your discretion.

*Please note that these suggested tips are quoted in U.S. Dollars. You will want to convert and tip in local currency.

Cell Phones & Internet Service

Your guide is well connected and can help if any urgent communication need arises. However, it is highly recommended that you travel with a CELL PHONE, if only as a precaution for the unfortunate occurrence of a medical emergency during an outing and needing swift accessibility to critical personal or medical contacts. 

Cell phone service is widely available in Canada. Wi-Fi is available at our hotels and lodges.  Some available Wi-Fi services there may have fees, and these are determined by how much data you use, so be aware of that if people are sending you photos, etc. There are free apps available on smart phones (WhatsApp, Viber, Skype) that offer free international calls and texts, and you may want to research this ahead of time. Make sure when you do not want to use your cell phone that you turn off your cellular data, or you could incur huge charges if you are not on Wi-Fi.

Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers, unless it appears to be an emergency. This disrupts other guests, plan on cell phone call use on your own time.

Electricity

Outlets and electricity in Canada is the same as the U.S.

Time

Vancouver Island is on Pacific Daylight Time (PST). A great website if you want to tell someone to check ahead of calling you is www.timeanddate.com.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone us toll free at (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey!

Pace & Protocols +

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of Read more

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Naturalist Journeys International Trips: Guide Role

Naturalist Journeys supports ecotourism and the development of excellent local guides. Once we know our international partners and guides well, we can send out small groups working directly with these trusted partners, adding a Naturalist Journeys guide to assist the local expert when we have a group of 6-7 or more. This helps us keep your costs down while retaining tour quality. The local guide is your main guide. You can expect your Naturalist Journeys guide to be well-researched and often they are experienced in the destination, but their role is not to be primary, it is to help to organize logistics, help you find birds, mammals, and interesting other species in the field, keep reports, help facilitate group interactions, and to keep the trip within Naturalist Journeys' style. Local guides live in the countries we travel to, know the destinations intimately, and are often the strongest force for conservation in their countries. They open many doors for us to have a rich experience.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

As a courtesy to each other, we ask that all travelers please rotate seating. On international trips we may all be in one small bus, on some trips we are in vans, particularly the roomy Sprinter Vans when available. Some areas require us to be in smaller 4-wheel drive or safari vehicles. Rotation allows you to sit with different drivers and alternate front and back seating.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives’ permission to record on photography film and/or video, pictures of my participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Travel Insurance

You are traveling in remote areas. Naturalist Journeys strongly recommends you have full medical and evacuation insurance from a company such as Allianz, for all international travel. If you do not have medical coverage or evacuation coverage on your existing travel insurance policy or for some reason elected not to take that out, we advise getting an evacuation plan with Global Rescue, World Nomads, Medjet, Allianz (they can do evacuation only) or a similar company. These plans are typically $300-$400 for a year for multiple destinations. This coverage may be a part of a larger Travel Insurance policy but can also be purchased on its own.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

 

Packing List +

Please Pack Light! Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid Read more

Please Pack Light!

Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid hard sided piece, so if you have the choice, please use your soft luggage. Be sure your name and address are printed on the inside of the bag as well as on the luggage tag. Be sure to pack your personal medication, airline tickets, identification, binoculars, camera, and other essential items in your carry-on bag. Your carry-on bag must be able to fit under the seat, or it will be taken away by airline staff and put with the regular luggage. You will want a daypack for field trips, so this is the ideal carry-on. We recommend that you check with your airline a week or so before your departure regarding luggage weight and size restrictions.

In general, temperatures will likely be in the mid-60s°F, with lows in the 40s to mid 50s°F during our trip. Clothing should be appropriate for variable spring temperatures and conditions and outerwear should be wind and waterproof. Check your preferred weather app closer to departure to get a better idea of weather to expect.

Dress is comfortable and informal throughout the trip. Dressing in layers is the best way to be comfortable. Lightweight long sleeve shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing as they are more protective from sun and vegetation. But if you like to wear shorts, by all means bring some. Also, choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty or muddy and things that are easy to launder.  Loose clothing discourages insects and is very cool. 

Note on clothing colors and insect repellent: We recommend muted colors of tan, brown, khaki, grey or green, as they are spotted less easily than white or bright colors; though camouflage clothing is not recommended and in some countries, not legal to wear. It is possible to purchase field clothing permeated with insect repellent such as the Craghoppers Insect Shield Clothing collection. Another approach is to purchase Permethrin spray (online or from REI) to treat your field clothing and socks before your departure.

Clothing and Gear

  • Long pants, 2 pair
  • Shorts (optional)
  • Long-sleeved shirts (2-3)
  • T-shirts or equivalent (4-5 – remember you may be buying some anyway!)
  • Personal underclothing and pajamas
  • Thermal underwear upper and lower
  • Socks – warm
  • Comfortable clothes for evening (a cleaner version of your field clothes or a skirt, dress, etc.)
  • Bathing suit (optional)
  • Hat with broad brim
  • Bandana (gel bandanas work well to keep you cool)
  • Comfortable walking shoes (such as tennis shoes)
  • Lightweight hiking boots - waterproof
  • Sandals for evenings, travel days (optional)
  • Warm sweater or jacket; fleece fabric is ideal, but a sweatshirt will do.
  • Wind and waterproof outdoor gear
  • Lightweight raincoat or poncho (great if this doubles as windbreaker)
  • Warm scarf
  • Warm windproof hat
  • Field vest (optional), a great source is Big Pockets

Equipment and Miscellaneous

  • E-ticket verification
  • Passport, Photo ID, visa (if required), travel insurance info, money & credit cards.
  • A secure pouch to carry the items above on your person at all times (such as a secure, under-clothing document pouch)
  • As a backup: copies of all the above (phone and/or paper) packed in a separate location than on your person, plus a set given to your emergency contact at home as a backup. For passport, copy of the  ID and entry stamp pages.
  • Small daypack or fanny pack for carrying your field gear
  • Cell phone and charger - Check on international plans/fees with your carrier
  • Binoculars
  • Camera and charger/extra batteries, memory cards/film, lens cleaning supplies and your instruction manual (optional)
  • Tablet or laptop for personal use and/or transferring photos, USB cord and charger (optional)
  • Three prong adapters if needed
  • Rechargeable power bank (optional)
  • Spotting scope and tripod (optional) - WILL be VERY useful for scanning - guides will have one to share
  • Umbrella (compact, not brightly colored!)
  • Small flashlight/headlamp with fresh batteries
  • Alarm clock, or use your cell phone (with cellular data turned off)
  • Lens cleaning cloth
  • Sunscreen/lip balmwith SPF
  • Sunglasses with a neck strap
  • Insect repellent (bugs shouldn’t be too bad)
  • Toiletry articles
  • Hair dryer, if needed
  • Water bottle (or you can use one of ours and refill during the journey)
  • Laundry soap for hand washing, travel sewing kit (optional)
  • Notebook or journal and pen (optional)
  • Field guides (optional)
  • Earplugs (if hotel noise or roommates snoring may bother you; these are optional)
  • Reading light if you like to read at night (optional)
  • Trail food and snacks, e.g., dried fruit, nuts, cereal bars, or chocolate. Such items are easy to carry on the trail and come in handy mid-morning after an early breakfast (optional - guides will have snacks and water available)

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND TRAVELING WITH PRECIOUS OR VALUABLE JEWELRY – don’t tempt anyone and don’t bring things you’d regret losing - your mind will be at ease!

Medical and First Aid Items

  • Heath insurance and vaccination records (kept in personal pouch with other travel documents)
  • Personal medications (and copy of vital prescriptions, including glasses)
  • Personal first aid kit and medications for general ailments (such as aspirin, eyewash, lip-balm, an anti-bacterial ointment, remedies for colds, headaches, upset stomach, nerves, insect bites, skin irritations, a general antibiotic recommended by your physician)
  • Motion sickness preventatives if likely to be needed on bus, van drives, etc.
  • Band-Aids, moleskin to protect against blisters
  • Foot powder, lotions for dry skin, general “comfort” items
  • Small bottle of hand sanitizer
  • Copy of eyeglass prescription, copy of medical prescriptions, and any medical alerts
  • Extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts

Photo credits coming soon.

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