Tuesday, April 22, 2014

The Growing Popularity Of Haida Gwaii Tours

By Essie Osborn


Everyone would love to have a good vacation or holiday retreat one way or another. For those of us who are getting tired of the usual regular places there is something that is quite interesting found in an archipelago near British Columbia. Quite a few have discovered this place already and yet more are now booking Haida Gwaii tours for their next travel plans and holiday getaways.

One great thing about this place is the weather. The summers are not so hot and the winters not so cold, or much bearable at least. It has not been overdeveloped and the local populace, the Haida, are a very accommodating and friendly people. In fact the name Haida Gwaii means island of the Haida. The islands were known as the Queen Charlotte islands before.

As the Haida also inhabit great sections of Alaska, previous visitors to Alaska may find similarities in the culture and crafts when visiting. The archipelago also has numerous totem poles that are both historical and family records of the inhabitants and also it engages in arts and crafts using the bent wood technique.

Should one want a cultural experience it is best to reserve at least four days for this to really cover all the communities. This is also enough time to cover the museum and little workshops and curios shops one will find on the way.

The archipelago is a hikers paradise. Plenty of walking adventures can be had here but also one should be prepared to do a bit of kayaking as it may call for travelling over a bit of water to connecting juts of land. Local tour packages with guides are available for this experience.

For those with an aquatic adventure in mind one should try to do some whale watching. British Columbia and this particular area are world renowned for being able to see humpback whales, killer whales and gray whales up close. There are several packages again available for this kind of thrill.

The less physically endowed can still enjoy also however. There are plenty of areas for less strenuous activities like camping, fishing or just plain chilling out and enjoying nature. Thus one need not feel left out even if one does not want to do physically demanding activities.

Accommodations wise there are quite a few bed and breakfasts around and also lodges. There is also available an RV park for those who want to travel and vacation this way. However, one should not go during the summer season as rates can get quite high, unless you want to of course. Therefore you should plan accordingly to avoid the crowds and the prices.

Far enough from civilization to be considered isolated, and near enough to be accessible, these islands cannot be beat. It only takes two hours by plane from Vancouver and around seven hours by boat. Definitely this is one trip that you should consider taking on your next vacation by yourself, with a loved one or with your family.




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