Monday 2 March 2015

Choose Haida Gwaii Tours For A Unique Holiday

By Olivia Cross


It gets harder and harder to get off the beaten track these days and really experience some wilderness and unfamiliar culture. However, Haida Gwaii tours can offer these and much more. The islands which make up the area are remote and naturally beautiful with ancient cultures and modern art all coming peacefully together.

The Islands formerly known as Queen Charlotte Islands lie just of the western coast of Canada. They are a short two hour flight from Vancouver so are easily accessible from the mainland. There is also a regular ferry service from Prince Rupert if you prefer to arrive like the locals do. Once on the islands there is no public transport.

The islands have been nicknamed the "Galapagos of the North" due to their isolation. They have evolved separately from the mainland and have their own species of plants and animals. Like their southern counterparts they also have incredibly rich marine life due to an underwater shelf which brings up nutrients from the deep. Whale watching is popular here with hundreds of humpbacks to see.

Gwaii Haanas National Park was nominated by National Geographic as the best national park in North America. It contains and incredible range of eco-systems, ancient forests with trees over a thousand year old cover ninety percent of the area. Then there are alpine tundra, lakes, fjords and wetlands. It is a paradise for adventure lovers with unparalleled hiking, kayaking, caving and fishing opportunities.

The Haida people have a unique culture and evidence of it is dotted all over the land. There is an excellent heritage center in Skidegate which has exhibitions of many of their ways of life. They have a very structured society and were thought to be fearsome warriors. Nowadays they are more known for their arts and crafts which are highly skilled, especially in carving.

Art is an integral part of the culture of the islands and the visitor can enjoy a variety of traditional crafts and modern art styles. For the Haida art was a way to join their culture with their land. They use lots of wood and are experts in various carving styles. There is an art route which has an online brochure available. In addition to native arts Haida has attracted a number of creative people over the years and there are also modern galleries to explore.

One of the most magical and mythical parts of the islands can only be reached from the sea. A boat trip is a highlight of a visit. The marine life in the area is abundant with several species of whale, seals, sea lions, and plenty of bird life. A cruise will pass close by abandoned villages and ancient forest, there is no other place like it.

There are a number of companies offering package tours on the islands. There are general ones which include a bit of everything or specialist ones for adventure seekers, natural history and art and culture. Most companies can also offer bespoke tours for small groups and families. Independent travel is possible but there is no public transport on the islands.




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