Monday, August 12, 2013

Haida Gwaii Tours Open Doors To An Older Canada

By Andrea Davidson


Taking Haida Gwaii tours is a holiday activity which is becoming increasingly popular with visitors to the Canadian province of British Columbia. The Haida Gwaii archipelago used to be called the Queen Charlotte Islands, and lie off Canada's western coast. They possess stunning natural beauty, as well as being the home of the Haida First Nations people.

Tours of the islands are available, as well as a good range of accommodation. The local First Nations people are known for their distinctive art work, and many First Nations artists still live and work on the islands. Currently, around 5000 people live and work on the islands, with approximately half of those being Haida.

There are still many First Nations cultural sites on the islands, with folk art and totem poles of various types on display at Haida locations. Visitors can also participate in a traditional feast at some venues, as well as attending other festivals and events. The renaming of the islands from Queen Charlotte Islands to their current name took place in 2010, as a way of cementing reconciliation between the local native people and the Canandian government.

As well as the many cultural highlights, though, there is also plenty of scope for outdoors activities. Hikers will love exploring the woodland trails of the islands, while some routes along the coasts are also spectacular. Fishermen can find plenty to test them in the local rivers and oceans, while the islands remain the only place in western Canada where it is possible to surf.

There is a massive range of other outdoors activities on offer in addition to hiking or surfing, though. Some visitors may want to explore the ocean by kayak, while cyclists can find plenty to see on the land. Some cyclists will prefer the road route of Graham Island's coastal highway, while mountain bikers can find plenty in the woods to challenge them.

There is also plenty of wildlife for visitors to spot and enjoy. Much of the islands is protected by the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, and there are also other protected areas. Many protected areas also have First Nations cultural sites present too. On the islands, the largest and the smallest species of North American Black Bear can be found, while hundreds of bird species call the region home.

The seas around the islands are also rich in wildlife, with whales and orca frequenting the waters off the islands' shores. Visitors have a range of options when it comes to exploring the oceans here, being able to take Native canoes as well as modern power boats, along with just about everything in between. Fishing charter boats are also plentiful, should anglers want to try out the rich waters.

Overall, Haida Gwaii tours are a great way of getting to see an older Canada. The unspoilt wilderness is breathtaking in its beauty, while the ancient culture and modern revival of the local First Nations people is interesting in itself. With sporting activities plentiful, a visit here is full of possibilities.




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