Wild West Coast Photo Tour
with Ron Long
• Home • Victoria Weekend Getaway • Whistler Coastal Mountain • Far West Coast Whale Watching •
• Banff & Rocky Mountains Express 4 days • Banff and Rocky Mountains 8 Days • Wine Country Tour • Wine Islands Tour •
•
Grand Tour British Columbia • BC Explorer West Coast and Rockys Tour • Wild West Coast Photo Tour •
Not just for photography buffs, anyone who enjoys nature
and adventure wil
l
love this unique opportunity to visit the world class Bamfield Marine
Science Centre on the dramatically scenic west coast of British Columbia
Canada. Remote yet
well equipped and comfortable, the centre is designed
for visiting academics, so bunks and cafeteria style accommodation are
the order of the day. You will never forget this once in a lifetime opportunity
to enjoy the majesty and adventure of this rarely visited coast line.
Click here to see Bamfield
http://www.bms.bc.ca
We are very fortunate to acquire this rare opportunely, for ours is one of the few non academic groups permitted. This tour has the added benefit of being conducted by a prominent, west coast, professional photographer and lecturer, Ron Long. Click here to meet Ron Long.
Everyone can benefit from the advice, and coaching of a pro like Ron to improve their photos, regardless if you are shooting with simple snap shot camera, or the most advanced professional model.
Departures by request, and limited to only 20 participants per tour .
Tour Highlights:
|
Package includes:
10
Days/10 nights: |
Day One: Vancouver
Arrival: You will be met by Wild BC Tours staff and transfered to the hotel. Evening get together to meet the rest of the group and your tour staff. (And a chance to meet Ron and discuss your interests, and goals.)
Overnignt in Vancouver.
Day Two: Vancouver to Victoria
Depart Vancouver for a 40 minute drive through agricultural country south of Vancouver to catch the British Columbia Ferry service to Vancouver Island. Priority boarding whisks us on board ship for a truly breathtaking 1 1/2 hour cruise through the Gulf Islands that stand between the mainland and Vancouver island.
Arriving on Vancouver Island, just a 20 minute drive takes us to the world Famous Butchart Gardens. (Entrance included) Where Ron will conduct a casual tour of the gardens for those that are interested.
Depart Gardens Mid afternoon for the 30 minute drive to Victoria. A city tour, check into hotel, Evening free time in Victoria.
Overnight in Victoria.
Total Distance: 65.0 Kms (40.4 Mi ) Estimated total driving and cruising time: 3 hours, 2 minutes including cruise time.
Day Three: Victoria to Port Alberni
Morning Departure with stops at:
Chemainus:
From just five murals and lots of spirit in the summer of 1982, Chemainus
has struggled, grown and suc
ceeded in literally putting itself on the
map. In 1983, it won the prestigious New York Downtown Revitalization
Award for redevelopment of the town core. It has since gained world wide
acclaim for the integrity and superb artistry of its huge depiction of
the town's history, earning the British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Award
(the Americas) in 1994.
Thirty-six larger-than-life historic paintings in this open air gallery and many statues now greet the gaze of hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Chemainus thrives as a result, but it remains a small town, with just over 4,500 residents. These welcoming people still dish out island hospitality, along with ice cream and afternoon tea and scones just as they always have.
Experience the sights and sounds of traditional dance and food along the Cowichan River. The Cowichan Tzinquaw Dancers will perform on the river bank the traditional songs and dances passed down from many generations. The Barbecue features fresh salmon cooked on cedar stakes over an open fire in traditional native style. Every table receives their food on a cedar plank by servers in traditional native regalia. Guests favor our freshly baked native scow bread and blackberry pie.
Cathedral Grove;
Walking through the immense, ancient trees of Cathedral Grove is a singular, awe-inspiring experience. The dense canopy creates a magical, dappled green light, matched by a profound quiet broken only by the occasional birdcall. One giant Douglas-fir on the south side of the highway measures more than 9 m (29.5 ft) in circumference. On the north side, western red cedars dominate the landscape by nearby Cameron Lake. Cathedral Grove is one of the most accessible stands of old-growth Douglas-fir trees on Vancouver Island - and not to be missed.
Coombs Market
The Market with the famous "goats on the roof" is located in Coombs, 37 kms. northwest of Nanaimo. Thousands of people each year travel through Coombs, stopping to visit with the goats.
Arrive at Port Alberni the jumping off port for Bamfield.
Evening Free.
Overnight in Port Alberni
Day Four: Port Alberni To Bamfield
8:00 AM Depart Aboard the MV Lady Rose for BMSC
You spend the morning much as you might have done over 60 years ago,
when the Lady Rose was a baby and the principal mea
ns of transportation
along the B.C. coast was by ships and crew similar to today's Lady Rose
and Frances Barkley.
These ships emulate the slower pace of life of yesteryear and you'll
have plenty of time to look for wildlife and enjoy the scenery as well
as make the acquaintance of your fellow passengers. You are invited to share your experiences with the ship's crew when they
are not engaged in landing at a wharf of float, or loading/unloading freight.
They will be pleased to answer your questions and have you visit the wheelhouse
and/or engine room.
It is not so uncommon to see whales, dolphins, seals and lots of other
wildlife right from this first day for keep your binoculars handy, and
camera and film, a warm jacket and casual clothes (these are working packet
freighters) and thoroughly enjoy your day!
Arriving at BMSC about 12:00 for check in.
Day Five Through Nine:
At the Bamfield Marine Science Centre
We will be one of the very few non-academic groups permitted to make use of the Bamfield Marine Science Centre facilities. Unique also in that, while living in complete comfort, we have an unspoiled coastal wilderness on our doorstep. Shooting opportunities will include but are certainly not limited to the following:
- Numerous beaches with crashing waves and no people.
- A hike to the Cape Beal lighthouse with plenty of shooting on the way.
- Any number of boat trips into the spectacular Barkley Sound with the possibility of photographing whales (last year we saw three different species), sea lions and fabulous scenery
- A hike along a portion of the famous West Coast Trail to visit the Pachena Point lighthouse.
- Access to teaching labs with 'critters' posing in salt water aquariums for us to photograph.
- Fabulous west coast sunsets.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Day Ten: Banfield-Port Alberni-Vancouver
Early afternoon departure aboard the Lady Rose, for return voyage to Port Alberni. Continue buy motor coach to Namaimo for a evening cruise across the Straight of Georgia and return to Vancouver
Distance: 158 km or 98 mi
Approximate driving and cruising time Port Alberni to Vancouver: 3 hrs, 33 min
Drop off at hotel. End of Tour
