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Haida Gwaii Tours Are A Great Way To See A Remote Place

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.

In 2010 the Queen Charlotte Islands were re-named Haida Gwaii to reflect their indigenous heritage. This was probably one of the first settled places in the Americas and the people have their own way of life and beliefs going back thousands of years. The place feels remote yet is only a two hour flight from Vancouver or a ferry trip from Prince Rupert.

One of the principle attractions of the islands is their natural beauty. They have evolved in isolation (much like the Galapagos) and are home to many unique species. Those who love forests will not fail to be impressed by the pristine temperate rainforests. There is lots of wildlife to see including bears, various species of deer, birds, and marine life. Bear watching and whale watching trips are especially popular.

At the southern tip of the archipelago is the Gwaii Haanas National Park. It is a true wilderness with mile after mile of ancient forest. It also has areas of alpine and sub-alpine tundra, fjords, lakes and wetlands. The brown bears found here are much bigger than their cousins on the mainland and are often seen by hikers. The area is ideal for the adventure enthusiast with miles of trails, kayaking, fishing, climbing and sailing.

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.

Nowhere else on Earth is like Haida Gwaii. It remains relatively unspoiled and evidence of it's unique culture is everywhere. There are many varieties of tour with different focuses for the nature lover or culture vulture. It is also possible to travel independently but there is no transport on the islands so hiring a car or taking one over on the ferry is essential.




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