Hit the road north from Vancouver to paddle emerald waters in Squamish, hike up 'The Chief' and along Whistler's High Note Trail for some quintessential Canadian panoramas
Immerse yourself in the rugged forests, snowy peaks, wild shores, and bountiful wildlife of Vancouver Island
Explore Pacific Rim National Park, hike the epic Wild Pacific and East Sooke Coast trails, and meander through Cathedral Grove’s 800-year-old trees
Spot orcas and humpbacks on a boat trip from Victoria, surf in Tofino, and kayak and camp in Clayoquot Sound’s wild beauty
Day 1
Touch down in Vancouver, the bustling jewel of Canada's west coast. In the early evening, rendezvous with your fellow adventurers and host at the arrival hotel to discuss the exciting journey ahead. If you're keen to explore the city's many highlights, consider arriving a few days before the adventure start date as you'll be setting off first thing tomorrow morning.
Day 2
Hit the road after breakfast, leaving the city behind as you drive two hours north on the Sea-to-Sky Highway to the mountain town of Whistler, one of British Columbia's most famed adventure spots. Settle into a cable car on the Peak-to-Peak Gondola, enjoying stunning 360-degree views of mountains, lakes, glaciers and forests as you're whisked to the trailhead. Get off the gondola at the peak of Whistler Mountain to hike the High Note Trail – four hours of some of the most stunning hiking found anywhere in the world, with constant pinch-me views over Garibaldi Park and Cheakamus Lake, flanked by snowcapped mountains. Finish up the hike and head back down to Whistler for some free time to soak up the place – there are plenty of cafes and bars where you can refuel. Then you'll head south down to Squamish, about an hour away, where you'll set up camp and cook your meal together before a first night under canvas.
Day 3
Today is all about exploring Squamish. Known as the adventure capital of this part of Canada, it’s nestled on the edge of the island-dotted Howe Sound and surrounded by mountains including the Stawamus Chief, a huge granite monolith. After breakfast at camp, get straight into the action as you jump into a kayak to paddle amidst the spectacular surroundings. Put in at a marina in the protected channel that runs parallel to the skyline of the Chief, hugging the coastline as you head south – eyes peeled for seals and otters. Depending on the conditions, you'll either paddle into more open water towards the powerful Shannon Falls, or over to the mouth of the Squamish River. Later, on dry land, you'll hike up the iconic Stawamus Chief Mountain for an incredible view over the Howe Sound and Squamish town – an absolutely quintessential experience in this part of Canada. Finish up the day by enjoying another evening at camp.
Day 4
Drive back towards Vancouver this morning, heading for the ferry port at Horseshoe Bay as you embark on the journey across the Strait of Georgia to reach Vancouver Island. The sense of anticipation is palpable as the island gets closer, a rugged natural wonderland of wild coastline, dense forests and jagged peaks all packed with wildlife. Reaching the dock at Nanaimo, head down the road to Sooke, your first base camp on Vancouver Island. This afternoon, you'll get to hike a section of the East Sooke Coast Trail, a winding wilderness trail following the rocky shorelines along Juan de Fuca Strait. Completing the circular route via Beechey Head, with your first taste of Vancouver Island's wild treasures and Pacific Ocean air, finish up the the day with a well-deserved drink at the Sooke Brewing Company and some dinner from the popular pop-up here. Note that dinner and drinks at the brewery are not included in the trip cost - you'll pay locally for this, allowing you to choose.
Day 5
Head to Victoria in the morning to board a boat and explore the teeming waters off Vancouver Island’s south coast, with the San Juan Islands to the west and Olympic National Park just over the U.S. border to the south. This stunning spot is home to a dense population of resident and migratory orcas and humpback whales. The summer months are ideal to view orcas in all their glory and also marks the time of year when the humpbacks are returning to their feeding grounds. A supporting cast of seals, porpoises, sea lions, bald eagles, and cormorants makes this a true marine paradise adventure. Heading back to dry land, with (hopefully) plenty of sightings under your belt from the past few hours, enjoy some free time in Victoria. Wander through the quaint, quirky town, known for its British influences and Victorian-era architecture. Spend the evening relaxing back at camp in Sooke.
Day 6
Packdown camp and head north out of Sooke, dropping into your host's favourite breakfast spot at Shirley Delicious, (a much-loved institution) before you hit the road towards Tofino. The road trip takes a few hours through evolving landscapes - your host will plan a few stops to break up the journey, allowing you to take in the best spots and stretch your legs on short hikes. A highlight en route is in the Macmillan Provincial Park, where you'll walk in Cathedral Grove – an amazing old-growth forest of huge Douglas fir and redwood trees, some 800 years old. Stop by the Old Country Market in Coombs, also known as 'Goats on the Roof' due to the family of goats living on the roof! Pick up lunch here and try local specialities such as candied salmon before continuing the journey, stopping in Pacific Rim National Park to hike the shoreline or rainforest loop trail. The memorable journey concludes as you roll into Tofino, a truly unique spot on a peninsula within the Clayoquot Sound, with wild scenery and sandy beaches known for their surf breaks. Your campsite here is a gem! Set up camp and maybe catch the sunset from the beach before dinner and chill time around the fire.
Day 7
The Wild Pacific Trail traces the rugged coastline on the western side of Vancouver Island, skirting the edge of reefs where shipwrecks, whales and iconic vistas may greet you at each turn. You'll be hiking the section around Ucluelet, an amazing route through coastal forests, bogs, mudflats and beaches. This area is home to a variety of wildlife, including bears and wolves. Chances of encounters are very low as the animals avoid humans, particularly when you're hiking in larger groups of four or more. However your host will brief you on bear safety, the first port of call is to make plenty of noise as you walk, so feel free to chat away this morning! Finishing up the hike after a few hours, head back to Tofino and after lunch, you'll slip into a wetsuit for a beginner's surf session with a local instructor. Tofino is Canada’s surfing capital for good reason - with over 35 kilometres of beaches, surfers of all skill levels have access to year-round surfing here. One of the unique features of Tofino surf breaks is that they are along sandy shores, making it the perfect place for a beginner to learn. An amazing day nears its conclusion with dinner at 'Tacofino', a much-loved local taco joint, before heading back to your dreamy base for an evening around camp with the sound of waves in the distance.
Day 8
Your time on this adventure has been building up to an epic climax - kayaking into the Clayoquot Sound to spend a night wild camping. Guided by experienced kayak and wilderness guides, you'll paddle the calm and quiet inlet waters, skirting the ancient coastal rainforest, a forest that was fiercely protected by local environmental activists and First Nations communities back in the 90s, an episode known as 'The War in the Woods'. After some steady paddling since leaving Tofino, you'll reach the shores of Meares Island, a paradise for birds and marine wildlife, especially at low tide when shallow mud flats rich in intertidal invertebrates are exposed. Land the kayaks on the island and head for a short hike into the ancient rainforest along the aptly named Big Tree Trail, getting up close to giant cedars, some of which are six metres across and approximately 1500-2000 years old. A local guide will join the group to introduce the natural and cultural history of the island during this rest stop. Continue the mini-expedition with a paddle across Lemmen's Inlet, past the village of Opitsat, with the rich Native history of the west coast evident in the structures and culture of Opitsat today. A short way further on is your overnight wilderness camp spot on remote Vargas Island. Set up camp and enjoy some fresh salmon cooked on the BBQ by the beach. This is a memorable night in a truly wild place, with no light or noise pollution for miles.
Day 9
Wake up in this remote spot to the sound of the natural world on the other side of the canvas. Enjoy the surroundings with a coffee while breakfast is prepared, then pack down camp, load the kayaks, and set off on the water. Paddle towards Stubbs Island, stopping here to explore the rich history as a former commercial centre for Europeans and Japanese in the 1800s. Throughout your two days in the Clayoquot Sound, keep your eyes peeled on the shoreline in case of bear sightings. The kayak journey reaches its end after a last push, paddling back to Tofino where you'll bid farewell to your kayak team and Tofino itself as you drive across Vancouver Island from west to east to reach Parksville. Here you're rewarded with a hotel for the first time in a week after your camping exploits. Grab a shower and head out for a farewell dinner – Parksville is blessed with several breweries which make for a great place to toast the end of a true North American epic adventure.
Day 10
A short drive to the ferry port this morning, with a stop in Nanaimo for one last local delicacy - the famous Nanaimo bar (wafer, nuts, coconut and custard under a layer of chocolate ganache). Hop on the ferry to the mainland, bidding Vancouver Island farewell as you make your way back across the water to Vancouver. Your host can drop you off downtown or at the airport depending on your plans. What a trip!
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
4 lunches and 2 dinners are not included in the trip cost to offer more choice at certain spots, for example at Sooke Brewing Company on the evening of Day 4 there are artisan food popups for you to choose from.
We recommend you budget about £100/$180CAD to cover these meals.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion, but there is an expectation in North America to tip for good service. Your host can help with advice – however, we suggest $8-10CAD per person, per day for your main guide.
It is customary in Canada to tip service workers such as taxi drivers and waiters at around 15%, depending on the quality of the service you receive. A good rule of thumb for any visits to bars is to tip $1 per drink. Tipping culture in North America can be a little intimidating to anyone without previous experience of travelling or living there, however, your host will be happy to help you through the process anytime it comes up on the trip.
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping and laundry.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness. Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine (opens in new tab), as their insurance offers all of the above.
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
Looking for a private room? See Optional Extras for details and pricing.
Whilst camping, your guide will rustle up nutritious and varied meals. As it is participatory camping, your help washing up afterwards will be appreciated by the guide! Breakfasts are served buffet style each day with varying items, allowing for a qu…
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.
All extras must be paid before your trip starts.
Perfect for adventurers looking to gently step things up
This is an easy-going adventure which focuses on exploring all the amazing wild spaces that British Columbia and Vancouver Island have to offer. As long as you are happy hikin...
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Sunday 28th June 2026
to Tuesday 7th July 2026
Last minute - Host approval required
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Know before you go! Some stuff we'll provide, other things you'll need to bring.
The weather in the national parks can be unpredictable even in summer, with rain, wind and extreme temperatures possible at any time of the year. The best you can do is to be prepared for anything and come equipped with layers of clothing, sunscreen and waterproofs. Your host will be monitoring the weather conditions during the course of the trip and will suggest alternative, safer hiking routes or activities should the weather get particularly bad.
You'll have a tour leader throughout the trip who'll drive the van, organise camp and meals and guide the hikes throughout the trip. Additional guides will join for the kayaking in Squamish and the overnight wilderness kayak trip in Clayoquot Sound, plus surfing instructors will lead the surf session in Tofino.
You can check Vancouver Airport's website for luggage storage services at the airport
Drinking water is available at the campgrounds and various other points during the activities. You will need to carry your own water supply in a daypack throughout the trip. If you are interested in using a water filter, then you may wish to read our guide here
A mix of tandem and single sea kayaks are used for the Squamish and Clayoquot Sound kayaking experiences. They have a covered deck and are generally longer, faster and sit lower in the water than touring or sit-on-top kayaks. There's a spray sheet which you'll lock in yourself (full guidance will be provided by your expert kayak guides). You'll also learn how to steer using foot pedals to control the rudder.
The weight limit for the kayaks used on this trip is approximately 120kg per person.
During this trip, you'll be camping in locations where there can be wildlife present in their natural habitat. Both smaller animals (i.e. birds and rodents) and larger ones (such as bears, deer, moose and elk) are primarily attracted to food, not humans. To protect the local wildlife, you need to ensure your food is kept out of their reach. When camping, the key is to be vigilant about not leaving any food or scented items (like toothpaste and other toiletries) in tents or exposed at the campsite. Your guides will typically designate a safe place to store these items overnight away from the tents, which campers can access if needed. Occasionally a larger animal may pass through or near to your campsite, especially in areas that overlap with their natural travel routes. In these cases, just like when encountering wildlife on the trail, it's important to maintain a safe distance, respect the animal's space, and calmly make your presence known if necessary. Your guides will provide more details and directives once at camp so everyone can follow best practices camping and do their bit to help keep wild animals wild.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
The summer season in British Columbia spans from mid-June to mid-September. The peak summer months of July and August are the hottest, with temperatures typically sitting between 20-25°C during the daytime but above 30°C is increasingly common. June and September are cooler, with typical daytime temperatures in the mid-teens. Temperatures in the Rockies on that part of the trip will drop considerably at nighttime (to around 5°C, and lower in June and September), and of course, you should expect to encounter cooler climates when hiking to higher elevations in Whistler. Vancouver Island will be warmer at sea level, with average temperatures from 70°F to 80°F (21°C to 27°C). The water temperature around Vancouver Island is on the chilly side, from 12-14°C / 54-57°F.
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 168kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
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