The 5 Best Tours And Excursions From Vancouver

Vancouver is a cultural wonderland with a historic heart. Days can be spent time-traveling to the old-world neighborhood of Gastown – complete with a whistling steam clock and Victorian buildings – or losing yourself in the colorful swirl of Downtown’s independent galleries. It’s a magnet for creatives, and with so much nature on its doorstep providing ample opportunities for hiking, biking and kayaking, a haven for adventure junkies.

1. Victoria and Butchart Gardens Day Trip

Tours

Discover the treasures of Victoria on this immersive tour. Traveling by ferry through the scattered jigsaw-piece-like Gulf Islands, you will dock at Vancouver Island and set off to British Columbia’s capital city. Once there, you’ll be free to dig out your camera as you are led around significant landmarks. Snap shots of Chinatown’s twisting red dragons, the famous woolly mammoth of the Royal BC Museum and the stately Parliament Buildings. Then it’s on to the Butchart Gardens – a horticulturalist’s dream, this floral paradise is made up of several parts, including a Sunken Garden and Japanese Garden.

2. North Shore Hiking and Photography Tour

Tours, Activities

The North Shore’s spellbinding landscape deserves to be caught on camera, and this tour gives you the chance to do just that. As you are driven through the rugged countryside, a guide will fill you in on the history and cultural traditions of the area. Then you can juice up your photography portfolio while hiking along the root-twisted trails, through fairytale forests and up to the summit of Quarry Rock. At its peak you’ll be spoilt for choice between shooting striking views of Deep Cove, the midnight-blue stretch of sea or the Indian Arm ocean inlet.

3. Fraser Valley Winery Tour

Tours, Activities

Venture into the heart of winemaking country on this tour of Fraser Valley. Set off for the town of Langley with an in-the-know guide will keep you entertained with stories about the region and the Greater Vancouver area. Over multiple stops, you’ll learn all about the grape harvest, history and winemaking process of each establishment. Bring extra cash if you’re looking to try the honey wine or a chardonnay once served to the Queen of England, as tastings are not included.

5. Vancouver Island Bike Tour With Lunch and Wine Tasting

Tours, Activities

If you’re partial to an exploratory pedal, farm-to-table fare and a glass of wine, then this tour is tailor-made for you. Kicking things off with a ferry ride through the wildlife-spotted waters of the Strait of Georgia, you’ll then set off on a 34mi (55km) bike ride. As you follow your guide through the salty sea air of Saanich Peninsula you’ll be treated to incredible coastline views. Stop for a rustic lunch at a local cafe before ascending to a hilltop vineyard for a wine-tasting experience, followed by a leisurely cycle back along quiet country roads.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.