The Sunshine Coast is a narrow stretch of coastline running from North Vancouver to Lund wedged between the Coastal Mountain range and the waters of The Georgia Strait. Set amid some of the most beautiful scenery, the coastline is deeply indented by fjords like Howe Sound, Jervis Inlet and Desolation Sound. Accessible only by water or air this region has retained its remote, laid-back and slower paced lifestyle despite being so close to Vancouver. The choices of outdoor recreation are huge with everything from kayaking, canoeing, diving, cycling to swimming, fishing and boat cruises. We include hiking parts of the 180km Sunshine Coast Trail, sea kayaking and a zodiac excursion to Desolation Sound. For the outdoors enthusiast and seekers of coastline scenery, this week long tour is the perfect escape.

VANCOUVER - LUND - This morning you meet your guide as arranged at a hotel in downtown Vancouver. You board your minibus for the short drive to the ferry terminal. It is a 40 minute cruise across Howe Sound to the southern tip of the Sunshine Coast. From the scenic fishing village of Gibsons Landing past Davis Bay with it’s beach promenade you follow the coast line through a few smaller towns and Sechelt, the supply town of the area. With a second ferry crossing of 50 minutes you reach the even more remote northern half of the Sunshine Coast. In the shadow of giant cedars and Douglas firs the winding road skirts the shore. Through gaps in the forest you get glimpses of waves in the Strait of Georgia with the mountains of Vancouver Island on the horizon. Base for the next four days is on a idyllic seaside campground not far from the tiny village of Lund, the most northern settlement on the Sunshine Coast. The picture postcard harbour, the historic hotel, a few houses and hundreds of square miles of outdoor playground. This afternoon a short hike to explore the vicinity of the campground. Hiking time 2 hours.

LUND - The wonders of Desolation Sound. A zodiac excursion offers stunning images of the coastal mountains towering over a myriad of islands. The onboard naturalist and guide points out the wildlife and has fascinating stories of the First Nations peoples and early European settlers. In a secluded bay 2-person kayaks are waiting for your next adventure. Following safety instructions you set out, paddling along craggy, rocky shores covered in intertidal marine life. The route meanders through the archipelago of islands, known locally as “The Raggeds”. A delicious shore lunch is served at an ancient beach landing site. The water of the shallow bays is clear and warm, ideal for swimming and snorkelling amidst an astounding variety of marine life. This 8-hour day of outdoor fun is included with this tour.

PENDER HARBOUR - The ferry to Earls Cove takes you across Jervis Inlet back to the southern part of the Coast. One of the greatest natural shows in British Columbia occurs twice daily in the Skookumchuck Rapids where the change of the tides forces huge amounts of water through the Narrows forming cavernous whirlpools and standing waves. A 4 km (2.5 mi) trail leads to viewing points, the guide consults the tide tables to determine the ideal timing of the visit. The Settlement of Pender Harbour is a maze of saltwater bays, inlets and freshwater lakes. The layout is explained after a short but steep hike to the top of Mount Daniel, 1.5 km to 419 m (1 mi to 1375 ft). The guide can suggest longer hikes as well as a variety of activities like a boat or float plane excursion into Jervis Inlet, guided fishing, kayaking, swimming, mountain biking and much more. Hiking time 4 hours

Empire Landmark Hotel

1400 Robson Street

Vancouver

British Colombia V6G 1B9

Tel: +1-604-687-0511

This tour is operated in conjunction with our local partners in Canada. You will be joined by other Kumuka passengers as well as travellers who have booked through other agencies.

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise care in keeping it safe. It should be valid for at least six months after the end of your tour and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required. We advise that you take photocopies of your passport in case of loss or damage. Alternatively, you can scan copies of these pages and email them to yourself so that you can access them if you happen to lose your passport whilst abroad and have to apply for a new one at your nearest Embassy.

If you wish to spend a few additional days in your starting or finishing city, then we can arrange accommodation for you. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability).

In North America tipping is a way of life and very much expected, as well as appreciated. For many, receiving tips is a means of supplementing their salary which is usually based on minimum wage. The standard amount in restaurants and bars is 15% of the total bill (please note that sales and service taxes are automatically imposed in some restaurants and bars).  Chambermaids usually receive $1 or $2 per night in a hotel, simply left on the bedside table.

It is also customary in North America to show appreciation of your Tour Leader by tipping him/her at the end of the tour.

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.