Smithsonian Student Travel | Student Journey | Vancouver Island
Highlights
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Search for black bears and wolves in secluded coves with naturalist guides
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Meet First Nations elders to deepen your knowledge of Indigenous cultures
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Participate in conservation science to better understand native wildlife
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Kayak along the coastline and spot orca whales, sea otters, and bald eagles
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure ● Travel Day
Vancouver, British Columbia ● 3 days
Telegraph Cove, Vancouver Island ● 4 days
Settle into life in the remote fishing village of Telegraph Cove for the next four nights. Once home to a large salmon cannery operation, the village is now a launching point for sustainable land- and water-based eco-adventures. Meet with local tourism officials to understand the important economics of the salmon fishing and orca watching industries. Spend a day on the water searching for pods of transient and resident orca whales as they socialize and hunt in the narrow waters of Johnstone Strait. Learn to photograph dorsal markings and attempt to identify individual whales by their unique patterns. Then, get an insider’s perspective at the Whale Interpretive Center to learn more about the biology, habitat needs, and threats to the local killer whale populations. Explore the western end of the island by land with a fishing excursion for steelhead trout in a lake or river, and hike along mountain paths on the westernmost tip of the island. Return to Telegraph Cove for a kayak adventure along the winding coast in search of seals, sea otters, and dolphins.
Tofino, Vancouver Island ● 4 days
Victoria, Vancouver Island ● 2 days
Vancouver, British Columbia ● 1 day
Return ● Travel Day
What to Expect
Physical Activity
Accommodations
Climate
Meals
Cuisine
Language
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