GUEST HANDBOOK - Spirit of the West Adventures
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great bear Rainforest
expedition
GUEST HANDBOOK
All the details you need to learn about and reserve your sea kayak adventure! Explore the spirit of the unique and
wild Pacific west coast. Kayak the beautiful and remote central coast. Set up your tent on a remote island and
listen to the sounds of silence. Come, relax & enjoy!
GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST EXPEDITION
AT A GLANCE
TYPE Sea kayak expedition & wilderness camping (nomadic-style)
LENGTH 8 days, 7 nights
GROUP SIZE Maximum 10 guests and 2 guides
ACTIVITY LEVEL Moderate level of fitness and some kayaking/wilderness travel experience requested.
Call to discuss if you have any questions or concerns.
HIGHLIGHTS Kayak & explore a paddler’s paradise in some of the most remote parts of BC’s coast, wildlife
viewing, whales, rare sea otters, beautiful beaches, our wonderful guides, rich First Nations
culture and history, stunning wild camp sites & gourmet camp food.
WILDLIFE An unspoilt area teaming with life. We may have the opportunity to see whales, dolphins,
sea otters, black bears, wolves, eagles and wonderfully rich intertidal and bird life.
PRICE $2989 CAD + 5% GST
INCLUDES Expert guiding service, water taxi drop-off and pick-up, all kayaking & safety equipment,
camping equipment (except sleeping bag), food and non-alcoholic drinks from dinner on
day one to after breakfast on day eight, park and land use permits.
TOUR DATES 2021 tour dates to be announced late summer 2020. Please contact our office crew.
IN 2021
TO RESERVE YOUR TO REGISTER OR SEND US AN
TRIP CALL ONLINE VISIT EMAIL
1 800 307 3982 Toll Free kayakingtours.com/reservations info@kayakingtours.com
1 250 285 2121 Overseas
EXPEDITION TOUR MAP
THE GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST & OUTER ISLANDS
Tour start & end: Bella Bella, Central Coast, British Columbia. Your gateway to the Great Bear Rainforest.
Water taxi transportation to and from Bella Bella at the beginning and end of the tour to maximize our paddling time.
Route varies depending on weather conditions.
TOUR
START
& END Central Coast
bia
of British Colum
Port Hardy
Campbell River
Nanaimo
Paddling in Hakai
Conservancy between
Bella Bella and Calvert
Island.
WELCOME TO SPIRIT OF THE WEST ADVENTURES
ENTER THE WILD CENTRAL COAST WITH US!
This tour offers you a chance to paddle one of the most THE TOUR
unspolit and unique kayak routes in North America. It This tour aims to help you experience the best and
combines travel through an area teeming with wild- most beautiful parts of this area by kayak. Bella Bel-
life along with excellent paddling amongst the beautiful la is a great location for starting our journey. We will
outer islands of the Great Bear Rainforest. be picked up by water taxi and transported into our
paddling area. From here we explore the intricate
THE AREA shoreline, beautiful long beaches, and windswept
We start and end this tour in Bella Bella, located on outer islands.
the Central Coast of BC (a 2.5 hour flight from Van-
couver). The Great Bear Rainforest is the largest intact The water taxi transport out on our first day and back
temperate rainforest in the world which means camp- to Bella Bella on our last tour day means we see
ing amongst giant sitka spruce trees, ancient red ce- somewhere new and different every day of our
dars and western hemlocks that are nothing short of journey, making the most of your time in the Great
awe inspiring. The area’s cold water and great tidal ex- Bear Rainforest.
changes - not to mention healthy kelp forests - provide
for ample oxygen in the water, supporting an incredible
diversity of sea life from tiny shore creatures to majestic
whales, dolphins and porpoises.
GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST VIDEO
See what it’s like to kayak the remote Great Bear Sea.
Click here to watch now!
WHAT MAKES THIS TOUR SO UNIQUE?
NO BACKTRACKING & SCENIC WATER TAXI RIDE WHAT’S COOKING?
Explore somewhere new each day! The Great Bear Spirit of the West Adventures considers food to be a
Rainforest area includes too many amazing places to very important part of your tour. From our wild & local
explore in one trip – but in order to make the most of fish dinner to our chocolate fondue and home baking
your time here we make use of a water taxi shuttle as for desserts there are few camp menus that compare
part of our tour so we have the most time in the outer to the one you will experience on this tour. We have a
islands and don’t need to spend time backtracking. wonderful kitchen crew who ensure all dietary needs
This also allows us to get off the beaten track exploring and restrictions are met, providing creative culinary al-
some of the more remote areas and islands (weather ternatives that will please vegetarians, vegans, gluten
and group permitting of course). and wheat-free diets, and those with various allergies
and food sensitivities. Of course the food is hearty,
CAMPING AMONG STUNNING ISLANDS healthy, full of flavour and fun.
There are so many beautiful places to stay you will be
hard pressed to choose a favourite campsite. Each site THE PADDLING
has unique attributes either tucked in amongst tow- Depending on route we may traverse both the relative-
ering forests, atop ancient village sites or overlooking ly open waters of Hakai Passage, Kildidt Sound as well
wildlife rich waters. This is a true expedition style trip, as the more protected islands and islets in one of the
which means we will move from camp to camp each most stunning seascapes around. This area has been
day. featured in many documentaries and publications and
is part of one of the largest protected areas on the
coast because of it’s stunning beauty.
WHAT’S INCLUDED? WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?
Professional guiding service, all kayaking equipment Not included in the tour cost are accommodation be-
(including kayaks, PFDs, paddles, pumps, ropes and fore or after the kayaking portion of your trip, flights, air-
sponges), meals (dinner day 1 to breakfast day 8), port transfers, ferries, taxis, travel/medical insurance,
cooking equipment, camping equipment including alcoholic or carbonated beverages, rain gear, sleeping
tents and Therma-rest sleeping pads, water taxi ser- bags or personal items (toiletries, clothing, etc.). Sleep-
vice, and park and land use permits are included in ing bags and rain gear may be rented if you prefer not
your tour package. If you are planning on bringing any to travel with them (please reserve in advance).
of your own equipment please double-check the pack-
ing list to ensure you have the appropriate gear and
please let our office know in advance of the tour to
avoid us bringing duplicates.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
MEETING LOCATION DAY 1
Meet your guides in the morning in Bella Bella in the
The Great Bear Rainforest Expedition Tour starts and heart of BC’s Central Coast. After an introduction to
ends in Bella Bella on the Central Coast of British Co- the area and Heiltsuk First Nation with a cultural in-
lumbia. You will meet your guides the evening prior to terpreter, we will sort our gear and then set off on our
your trip start for an orientation meeting in the Fish- water taxi. Once at the first beach we will begin with
erman's Bar and Grill at Shearwater Resort (on Denny an orientation to the kayaks and gear, learning efficient
Island, a short seabus ride from the Bella Bella gov- paddling techniques and safety procedures. Once
ernment dock). On day 1 we meet at the main public everyone is comfortable with their boats we’ll launch
dock in the town of Bella Bella. and have an afternoon intro paddle for our first strokes
in the Great Bear Sea (time and weather dependent).
THE TOUR
This is the proposed itinerary for our trip, but it is flex- DAYS 2-7
ible and may be adapted to suit the interests of those This is a beautiful area to paddle and we work with the
who join the trip as well as weather conditions. On this conditions and remain open to adventure. Each day,
tour we can expect a combination of exposed open your guides will assess the weather, tides, and sea
coastline and more protected inner passageways. As state to determine the destination for the day. Flexibili-
this is a expedition style tour, we usually move camp- ty is key. Paddling options abound, and we'll generally
sites each night. We may have an opportunity to stay travel north-south to take advantage of the prevailing
in the same place for two nights, if conditions allow. northwesterlies. We'll aim to paddle among the Tribal,
Admiralty, McMullin and McNaughton Island groups,
DAY PRIOR with the hope to get out in the remote Goose Islands if
Start your travel towards Bella Bella. We have conve- weather allows. Moving southeast we’ll enter the spec-
niently scheduled the start and end dates of the trip tacular islands and beaches of the Hakai Conservancy.
so you may arrive in Bella Bella the day before the tour
starts either via ferry from Port Hardy on Vancouver DAY 8
Island or plane from Vancouver or Port Hardy. Please We will meet a water taxi about mid-day for trans-
note: If you are traveling by ferry you will likely need port back to Bella Bella. We expect to arrive in Bella
to spend the night before in Port Hardy as the ferry Bella by mid-late afternoon, allowing us time to relax
leaves Port Hardy at 7:30am, arriving in Bella Bella at in the village before heading south by air or ferry the
12:50pm, leaving a bit of time to explore Bella Bella following day. Please do not book any flight for the
before meeting your guides. last day of your trip.
On the day following your trip, the return ferry to Port
Hardy departs Bella Bella at 6:10pm and arrives in
Port Hardy at 11:30pm. Ferry reservations highly rec-
ommended. (Times accurate at time of publication -
please double check before planning your travel).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Below is a list of commonly asked questions. Feel free to we have certain kayaks that may work best for you. Please
visit our website, selelct your tour and find an even more give us a call and we can ensure we have the appropriate
detailed FAQ section. Of course, feel free to contact us kayak available for you.
with any questions at all, before or during your trip. We
are happy to help you find the perfect tour for you and What is included in the tour costs?
your comfort is very important to us. We supply everything that you will need for kayaking and
camping except for a few personal items such as your cloth-
Where can I find Spirit of the West’s updates related to ing, toiletries, sleeping bag and rain gear (sleeping bags and
coronavirus (COVID-19)? rain gear can be rented if needed). We pick you up free of
All Spirit of the West Adventures updates about coronavirus charge from your accommodation on Quadra Island on the
(COVID-19) will be published on our website: kayakingtours. morning the trip starts and we will drop you off there when the
com, sent via our newsletter (sign up here) and posted on our tour is finished.
social media channels: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We provide all meals from morning snack on day one to lunch
To give you further confidence in our commitments we are in- on the last day. Non-alcoholic beverages including a wide vari-
troducing some more flexible terms and conditions for 2020 ety of teas, coffee, juices, hot chocolate are provided. Alcohol
which you can find on page 10 and 11 of this Tour Info Pack- is not provided and you are welcome to bring your favourite
age. wine, beer or pop to enjoy responsibly. There is a grocery and
liquor store very close to the location of the pre-trip meeting
What is the minimum age required to join our tours? if you would like to pick up extra beverages on the evening
We cater to all ages of adventurers. Kids age 5 to 12 are before the tour. There are no additional costs once on our tour
encouraged to join the Family Orca Tours which have been unless you wish to purchase souvenirs.
designed with the needs of younger kayakers. For all of our
other regularly scheduled tours we prefer a minimum age of What do I need to bring?
12. If your child is almost 12 or your family has a good deal of We send you a complete packing list a few weeks prior to your
experience kayaking and camping we do occasionally make tour to help you prepare. If you would like to see what type of
acceptions. We like to assess each case individually. We can clothing and items we recommend visit kayakingtours.com/
also organize private, custom style adventures.Feel free to tour-packages/ and select your tour.
call us and we would be happy to discuss the options.
How much kayaking experience is required?
What is the average age of our guests? Our adventures are designed to cater to all levels of experi-
We have guests from age 5 and up on our family tours and ence and abilities from first-timer to expert paddler. We have
ages 12 to 85 joining our regularly scheduled tours. The av- several different styles and lengths of tours so that everyone
erage age ranges between age 30 to 65. Each tour and tour can find the perfect trip.
date is different, but we usually get a good mix of ages. For If you are new to kayaking and camping check out our base-
those concerned with being in ‘their older years’ or anyone camping style tours- the Whales and Wilderness Glamping
unsure of which tour fits them best, we welcome you to con- and Johnstone Strait Ultimate tours.
tact us and we will be happy to help you find the perfect trip.
If you are looking for more rustic camping and more paddling
check out our expedition style tours; the Johnstone Strait
Are there any single supplement fees if I am travel-
Expedition, Orca Lite, Nuchatlitz, Desolation Sound or Great
ling on my own?
Bear Rainforest Tours.
There are NO single supplements. We encourage solo trav-
elers to join us and often have several solo travelers on each
Do I need to be in great shape for this trip?
tour. It should be no problem to have your own tent and you
The Great Bear Rainforest tour is considered moderate in
will have access to both single and double kayaks.
nature and requires a moderate level of fitness. If you are
capable of a few hours of moderate exercise each day with
Can you accommodate food allergies/special diets?
possible short periods of increased exertion you should have
Our food preparation crew are masters at accommodating di-
no problems. Keep in mind that good general health will go
etary restrictions. We are able to offer gluten-free, vegetarian,
a long way if we happen to encounter some strong winds
pescatarian, dairy light and vegan menus with prior notice.
or time restrictions. Most important is an adventurous spirit.
Other dietary requests may involve additional charges and
Please check with your doctor if you have any particular con-
need to be discussed in advance with our food crew. We are
cerns.
NOT a nut-free facility.
How much paddling do we do each day?
Will I comfortably fit in the kayaks?
Paddling time will vary depending on the trip, our destination,
If you are over 6ft (182cms) tall, if you are on the more petite
weather conditions and the group’s abilities and desires. Gen-
side of things, have larger hips or weigh over 250lbs (115 kg)
erally, we travel between 4-7 hours a day on our expedition
tours, not including breaks and lunch We set a pace which is Where is the best place to see orcas/killer whales?
manageable and enjoyable for all. On our tours to Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound,
which includes the Whales and Wilderness Glamping Tour,
How stable are the kayaks? What is the likelihood of the Johnstone Strait Ultimate, Family Orca Tour and Orca
flipping over? Lite tours, we stand a high chance of seeing whales, espe-
The kayaks we use are stable and designed for comfort. Your cially between mid-July and mid-September.
guides will give you through instruction on how to safely use
and enjoy the kayaks and what to do in case of a capsize.
Understandably we cannot guarantee what nature will dic-
For those concerned about capsizing, the double kayaks are tate, but we can tell you that this area has one of the highest
slightly more stable than the singles and we have a variety concentrations of Killer Whales on earth and this is where
of both singles and doubles on every trip. The likelihood of they spend their summer holiday. Some trips view the whales
a capsize is minimal and if it does happen your well-trained from the kayaks, some while traveling on our water taxi or from
guides will be there before you know it to help. our campsites on the shore and some see all of the above.
What happens if my kayak flips over? How close to we paddle to whales & other wildlife?
In the rare event of a capsize, all of our guides are trained in We do our very best to provide awesome sightings of whales
rescue procedures in order to quickly and efficiently get you but all the while ensuring that we do not disrupt the natural
back in your boat. At this point, we will take you to the near- behaviour of all the wildlife we encounter. We abide by the
est shoreline to change into some warm clothing and carry Canadian whale watching regulations which means we do
on with our journey when you are ready. While we are out on not approach killer whales (orcas) any closer than 200
the water, it is of the utmost importance that the group stays meters (656 ft) and all other cetaceans no closer than
together for safety. 100 meters (328 ft).
To learn more about how we do our best to minimize our
If the weather turns bad? Will I be comfy and warm? impacts on whales check out nimmsa.org the North Island
Our weather in the Pacific Northwest is generally pleasant Marine Mammal Stewardship Association. Your trip fees help
from May through until September. The temperatures on the to fund whale research and conservation efforts through the
Central Coast will be cooler than the Vancouver area. Fog NIMMSA fund which Spirit of the West Contributes too.
is very common on summer mornings, however, this near-
ly always clears at midday. Although it is uncommon, it can What is the camp setup like?
rain in the summer, be prepared for any type of weather and All of our campsites are in wilderness settings, and shelter is
you will stay comfortable. Layering is the key. It allows you provided by the tents and tarps we carry with us. We seek out
to put on or take off layers while on the water if you need to. sites with beautiful surroundings and those that offer solitude;
If you are very concerned about the weather then we rec- these are all undeveloped and may be clearings in the forest
ommend our base-camping style tours as these campsites or space on the beach. There may be times (on occasion)
have covered eating and lounge areas as well as dry tents when we are camping next to another group of kayakers.
to come home to at the end of every day. On our expedi- Campsite choice will be based on weather conditions, route
tion style tours we carry tarps but we are a little more at the choice and group size and preference.
mercy of mother nature in these more rustic style campsites.
Where do we wash and are there toilets?
What sort of wildlife might we see? There is very little fresh water to be found. Therefore, seawa-
The diversity and abundance of wildlife in the Pacific North- ter is your best bet for washing up. Please use biodegrad-
west is one of our great privileges. From the rich marine life of able, environmentally friendly soap brands. Toilet facilities
colourful plants and invertebrates, seabirds, shorebirds, wa- are not common in most wilderness settings, although some
terfowl, mink, otter, seals, sea lions, dolphins, and whales, areas may have pit toilets. We also carry a portable toilet sys-
to the land animals of deer, raccoons, cougars, wolves, and tem. Your guide will generally designate an area that works
bears, we are bound to see something. for ensuring your privacy. We are very accustomed to making
For those with an eye for eagles take note that they are most sure all of our guests feel comfortable and informed – please
prominent in the earlier months before the salmon migration feel free to ask us any questions you might have, before or
in the late summer/early fall. during your tour.
For those keen to see humpback whales- you are in luck. The Where can I leave my luggage I won’t need on trip?
population of humpbacks in our area is doing well and we If you are staying on Quadra Island, many of the B&Bs offer
are fortunate to often see these whales any time of the year. free luggage storage. Alternatively, guests staying on either
If Orcas are your main priority then we recommend traveling Quadra Island or in Campbell River have the option of storing
between mid-July and mid-September. While it is possible to excess luggage at our office.
see orcas outside of these times, we see them with the great-
est abundance and frequency during this peak period. What is the industry standard for tipping my guides?
Please just remember that wildlife is just that wild and If you would like to express your appreciation through a gra-
we cannot control sightings. That said the whales are the tuity, such recognition would be enthusiastically received. The
icing on the cake in this stunning, rich and diverse area. industry standard for tipping is approx. 10% per person of
the trip cost. All tips received will be collected and disbursed
amongst your guides & basecrew by the trip leader.
ACCOMMODATIONS
WHILE ON TOUR ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS ON DENNY ISLAND
We provide high quality expedition style tents from DENNY ISLAND BED & BREAKFAST
Mountain Equipment Co-op and MSR. These tents A self contained cabin nestled amongst the trees, atop
have a full fly and ample space for comfort while still a hill with stunning panoramic views of the ocean and
being compact enough for travel by kayak. Coast Mountain range. Accommodates up to 5.
Local & Overseas 1 250 957 4248
BEFORE AND AFTER TOUR dennyisland-bb@xplornet.com
dennyislandbandb.com
If you are planning to stay on the Central Coast one or
more nights before your tour starts here is a list of ac- DRIFTER’S COVE CABIN
commodation options for Bella Bella or Denny Island. Hand built cabin on a large acreage with a private
As Bella Bella has limited accommodation options we beach. The cabin features a master bedroom, loft,
encourage our guests to also consider Denny Island. kitchen, dining area, living room, library and laundry.
It is a beautiful island and just a short water taxi ride Accommodates up to 5.
from Bella Bella. Some of the listed accommodations Local & Overseas 1 250 957 7177
offer pick-ups from Bella Bella. Please contact them to drifterscove@yahoo.com | drifterscove.com
find out more details. Otherwise there is a public water
taxi service offered by Shearwater Resort & Marina on C’IDAWAI POINT CABINS
Denny Island. Spectacular waterfront cabin rentals, self-contained
and private, in a forested setting. Accommodates up
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS IN BELLA BELLA to 4. Local & Overseas 1 250 957 2920
cidawai.point@gmail.com | cidawaipoint.com
BELLA GUEST CABINS
A friendly place to stay that is cozy, comfortable and INSIDE PASSAGE COTTAGES
tastefully decorated. The spacious decks boast a fan- Newly built in spring 2012, this self-contained cottage
tastic place to enjoy your morning coffee, and watch has a fantastic view of Pacific inlet. It’s a perfect place
the eagles soar and ocean waves come in. Two self to recharge and refresh before your kayaking adven-
contained units accommodate up to 4 people each. ture. Local & Overseas 1 250 957 2298
Local & Overseas 1 250 957 8019 info@insidepassagecottages.ca
bellaguestcabins@gmail.com | bellaguestcabins.com insidepassagecottages.ca
ANNETTE'S BEACH HOUSE SHEARWATER RESORT & MARINA
A peaceful and secluded house on the beach in central A variety of accommodation options are available
Bella Bella. Three rooms available (queen and two sin- at the resort, including private cottages, an upscale
gles) with shared kitchen and bathroom. Wifi available. lodge, an RV park and campground.
Local & Overseas 1 250 957 7423 Local & Overseas 1 250 957 2666
annettetstarr@gmail.com | annettesbeachhouse.com hotel@shearwater.ca | https://shearwater.ca/accom-
modations/
TESTIMONIALS OF SPIRIT OF THE WEST
“Great service from start to finish. Very detail orient- “The group was excellent from the moment of pick
ed (hydrophones to hear the whales singing). I love up to the drop off. We have all got memories to last
the travel mug we got, a great souvenir! The guides a lifetime. The camp sites were spectacular. The
always made us feel super comfortable, they were hydrophone was brilliant, seeing and hearing whales
competent kayakers, and knew a lot about the marine was incredible. The guides’ knowledge was really
environment, ecosystems, going green...” broad; all of them were so enthusiastic and willing to
share their knowledge.”
Martina and Patrick Mike, Caroline and Family
“Really every comfort was considered in allowing “I am very happy I came on this trip. Not only did
us to experience the gorgeous wilderness as fully as I have fun, but I learned a tonne about the area and
possible. Can’t say enough about how how precious it is. I’m so happy to be a resident of
excellent those guides were.” BC and be so close to pristine wilderness.”
Jennifer Colleen
“Exceeded expectations, guides were 200%! All fa- “Thank you for all the memorable experiences.
cilities were top notch and equipment too! Food and We will recommend you to all our friends. I was able
dietary accommodation was superb. Our group had to fulfill a lifelong dream on this trip.”
gluten, dairy and fruit allergies, all were well fed (an Ben
understatement).”
Andrea and Rod
“I highly recommend your paddling company. My
experience was superb, food and guides were exem-
“Thank you for making our trip so special. The plary. I always appreciate a personal, yet profession-
food – yum! Camp – great! Guides fantastic! Our al approach and you have this mastered. Excellent
anniversary will be something that we will always job. Thanks so much for a wonderful time - it was
remember.” good for the soul.”
Helen & Andrew JoniOUR TERMS & CONDITIONS
This policy applies to reservations made from Oct 15, 2020 onwards. If you reserved your tour before this, the terms and conditions that were included on your tour confirmation apply.
A NOTE ABOUT COVID-19 PRICING
We recognise that travel has changed as a result of COVID-19 and we want to assure All tours which take place in Canada are priced and charged in Canadian dollars;
you we are here to help you have a safe and wonderful experience. We will work with tours to Chile, the Bahamas and Greenland are priced and charged in US dollars.
you to help you find appropriate travel insurance protection for your adventure to give Any foreign currency pricing is only approximate. It is your credit card company or
you the peace of mind to travel while protecting your hard-earned vacation dollars. bank who determines your exchange rate on the day your transaction takes place. If
We are a small family-run company and really appreciate your understanding that we for some reason you have to cancel and funds are refunded to your card Spirit of the
incur many expenses in preparing for these tours and our terms and conditions and West Adventures is not responsible for any differences in exchange rates. Pricing is
cancellation policy reflect this. We are happy to provide any paperwork needed for subject to change.
your insurance claim if you are unable to join us and you seek to reclaim any retained
For all Canadian tours there is an additional 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST). Tours
travel or tour costs.
that take place outside of Canada are not taxed. Non-tour add-ons (equipment rent-
As our thank you to you for purchasing travel insurance, which helps to protect us als, merchandise) must be charged both 5% GST and 7% PST. All tours are also
both, we will offer you a $50/per person credit towards your tour cost if you provide subject to a non-taxed voluntary $20 per person sustainability fee which is donated
evidence of a valid Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Insurance policy that will cover your to research and conservation organizations that work in the areas where we operate.
tour costs if you had to cancel as a result of travel restrictions, advisories, quarantine,
self-isolation and other COVID-19 related reasons. The credit will be applied to the CANCELLATION POLICY
final payment. For a list of policies/coverage that qualify for this credit, please click Please understand that our trip dates and capacities are limited, and when we accept
here (inserted link: https://www.kayakingtours.com/travel-insurance/ | MVW) or call your reservation we may be turning others away from booking that trip. If you find it
our office for more details. Please note, this insurance needs to be purchased imme- necessary to cancel your tour, please let us know as soon as possible. No refunds are
diately after reserving your tour to be valid; again, we are happy to help you sort out given once tours have departed. Spirit of the West Adventures Ltd. is not responsible
the details. for any additional costs that may arise in the event of a trip alteration or delay caused
by circumstances beyond our control. To avoid confusion, we require written notice
If Spirit of the West Adventures chooses to cancel a tour (NOT for reasons outside of
of cancellation, by email or mail. The following fees will apply to cancellations and are
our control; see force majeure below) then the full amount paid for the tour is refund-
calculated as of the date we receive your written cancellation notice, which can be
able. Please note, expenses outside of the kayaking tour i.e. travel, hotel etc. would
sent by email or standard mail.
remain your responsibility and are another reason we strongly encourage purchasing
travel insurance. Tours that take place in Canada: If you must cancel your tour, your refund is as
follows:
In order to participate in our tours you will need to complete and answer satisfactorily
- 60 days or more prior to the trip departure date – Full amount is refunded less a $150
- COVID - 19 Pre-Screening Questionnaire
administration fee (per person).
- COVID - 19 Statement of Understanding
- 59-30 days prior to the trip departure date – 50% of total tour price is refunded.
- Liability Waiver
- Less than 30 days prior to the trip departure date – No refund will be given.
- Medical Information Form
Tours that take place outside of Canada: If you must cancel your tour, your
Please note that if you exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been ordered to
refund is as follows:
self-isolate, you will be immediately isolated from the group and likely removed from
- 90 days or more prior to the trip departure date – Deposit is refunded less a $250
the tour. There will be no refunds after tour departure and you will be responsible for
administration fee per person and the guest is responsible for any costs incurred for
the costs associated with being removed from the tour and any additional expenses
cancelling any additional tours or travel arrangements.
incurred as a result. Please contact your travel insurance provider in order to submit a
- 90-60 days prior to the trip departure date – 50% of total tour price is refunded.
claim for expenses incurred.
- Less than 60 days prior to the trip departure date – No refund will be given.
Please visit our website for more details on the Pre-Screening Questionnaire, State-
Spirit of the West Adventures Ltd. is not responsible for ensuring the appropriate level
ment of Understanding and our COVID-19 specific procedures and safety measures.
or amount of coverage is purchased. Please contact your travel insurance provider to
ensure you have appropriate coverage for your entire trip. If you use a credit card for
HOW TO RESERVE YOUR TRIP
payment for your tour expenses, you may have trip interruption insurance as part of
Reserving your adventure with Spirit of the West Adventures is simple. Just call 1-800-
your card benefits. This coverage, however, is often a limited dollar amount, may not
307-3982 to speak with one of our friendly and helpful office crew, e-mail your request
cover COVID-19 related issues and does not usually include cancellation or medical
to info@kayakingtours.com or reserve your trip on the web through our online reser-
coverage. Please check with your specific card provider to ensure you are adequately
vation request system. If reserving a private bubble tour, please contact us to have
insured. Personal equipment, baggage and valuables (cameras, electronics, jewellery,
special group rates applied to your reservation.
etc.) are carried entirely at the owner’s risk. Spirit of the West Adventures Ltd. is not
If you’re not sure if a particular trip is right for you or you’re looking for more informa- responsible for lost, damaged or delayed property.
tion, let us know and we would be happy to answer your questions or put you in touch
Learn more about Travel Insurance here. Spirit of the West Adventures Ltd. reserves
with a past guest who has experienced the trip before.
the right to cancel any trip prior to departure for any reason whatsoever, including but
To reserve space on our tours we ask for a deposit as well as a completed reservation
not limited to insufficient bookings. If we have to cancel a tour due to insufficient book-
form. We require a deposit of 25% on all tours.
ings, you may choose between an alternate trip or a full refund. We will inform partici-
Payment can be made by cheque, money order, Visa, MasterCard, or Interac e-Trans- pants of cancellations due to insufficient bookings at the earliest possible point and no
fer; any processing charges or fees are your responsibility. later than 30 days prior to the tour departure. If the alternate trip chosen is of a lower
value than the originally booked, then you are entitled to a refund of the difference. If
PAYMENT SCHEDULE the alternate tour chosen is of a higher value, then you will pay the difference in price.
A deposit to reserve your space on a tour is due at time of booking. For tours that take
If a tour has to be cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control and/or a cir-
place in Canada, the balance of your trip cost is due 60 days prior to departure. For
cumstance amounting to “force majeure” such as war, threat of war, political instabili-
tours that take place outside of Canada, the balance of your trip cost is due 90 days
ty, riots, civil disturbances, actual or threatened terrorist activity and its consequences,
prior to departure. If you book and pay after the final balance due date, all monies paid
natural or nuclear disasters, fires, epidemics, health risks and pandemics, acts of
are non-refundable. For your convenience, with your authorization, we automatically
God, industrial disputes, unforeseeable technical problems with transport for reasons
charge your credit card when the balance is due unless otherwise arranged.beyond our control or that of our suppliers, closed or congested airports or ports, the authority of the leader at all times. You need to be aware that group travel may
hurricanes and other actual or potential adverse weather condition, and any other involve compromise to accommodate the diverse desires and abilities of group mem-
similar events, there will be no refund from Spirit of the West Adventures Ltd. Please bers. We just ask that you welcome your adventure with an open mind and be able to
contact your travel insurance provider for details on how to start a claim. Spirit of the laugh and have fun when encountering the unexpected. Spirit of the West is dedicated
West Adventures Ltd. is not responsible for expenses incurred by trip participants in to providing safe, environmentally sensitive, well-organized, fun-filled adventures.
preparing for a cancelled trip (for example non-refundable advance purchase plane
tickets, visa fees, inoculations, equipment etc. or for any additional arrangements for PASSPORTS AND VISAS
other travel plans associated with your travel). You must carry a valid passport and/or necessary documentation and have obtained
the appropriate visas when travelling with Spirit of the West Adventures Ltd. Please
Spirit of the West will make every reasonable effort to contact you as soon as it
ensure your passport is valid for 6 months beyond the duration of your trip. It is your
appears that a trip may be cancelled.
responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas for your travels.
Spirit of the West Adventures Ltd. does not accept responsibility if you are refused
TRIP PREPARATION
entry to a country because you lack the correct documentation, or the authorities
Once your tour is booked and your deposit is received by us, we’ll send you a detailed
deem you unsuitable for entry.
document that includes everything that you will need to prepare for your tour including
an itinerary, packing list, transportation options, directions, meeting times and fre-
ACCOMMODATIONS ON TOUR
quently asked questions. For tours outside of Canada, we also include information
Tours within Canada: Keep in mind that our sea kayaking tours are a true wilderness
about topics such as passports, visas, immunizations and currency exchange. All you
experience that can involve camping in established and non-established sites. Our ex-
need to bring is your passport, a sense of adventure, your clothing and personal items.
pedition style tours involve camping at sites with minimal facilities and rustic surround-
Let us know if you’re planning a birthday or anniversary trip. We’ll pack a surprise!
ings. Basecamp style tours afford more facilities and comforts. This is all part of what
we call an adventure! Tenting and lodging is generally based on double occupancy,
DIETARY RESTRICTIONS AND ACCOMMODATIONS
however if you are traveling solo we do our best to provide you with your own tent,
We need to know as soon as possible about any dietary requirements we should con-
please confirm this is possible when making your reservation.
sider when planning your trip menu. If you have food allergies or restrictions, we will
do our best to accommodate your needs. However, people with severe food allergies Tours outside of Canada: Hotel portions of tours are based on double occupancy. If
may need to supply some or all of their own food as we can’t entirely mitigate the you prefer a single room there is an additional $100/night single supplement charge.
risk of cross-contamination. Additionally, some specific needs can only be met if we Availability of single rooms may be limited. Single accommodation on the mothership
charge you a supplemental menu fee to cover our increased costs. in Chile is not possible. All tenting is also based on double occupancy, however if you
are travelling solo we do our best to provide you with your own tent.
Please note we are not a peanut- or nut-free facility. On Chile and Bahamas tours the
availability of ingredients or restaurant kitchens outside of our control may limit the
GRATUITIES
type of dietary accommodation we are able to offer.
Gratuities are not included in your tour costs. Gratuities are always appreciated. If
Note: Pending a detailed discussion about a guest’s specific dietary requirements,
you feel the guides and crew have done an exceptional job, tipping is a great way to
Spirit of the West Adventures may determine that a person with severe allergies and/
show your appreciation. We also appreciate other expressions of thanks including
or dietary restrictions is not suitable for our adventures due to the constraints of pre-
cards, letters etc.
paring food for groups of people in a wilderness setting.
STORAGE OF PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION
MEDICAL & RISK ACKNOWLEDGEMENT/
Due to the nature of our services, it is necessary to collect and store a certain amount
LIABILITY RELEASE FORMS
of personal and financial information. By providing us with address, personal and fi-
Each participant is required to fully fill out the Medical Information Form, Liability Re-
nancial information, you consent to the storage of this information for a period of time
lease Form, a COVID-19 Pre-screening Questionnaire and Statement of Understand-
deemed appropriate by Spirit of the West Adventures Ltd. Personal information in-
ing in order to join the tour. Spirit of the West Adventures Ltd. must receive the com-
cludes, but is not limited to, your first name, last name, phone number, email address
pleted Medical Information Form, Liability Release and Statement of Understanding
and billing address and date of birth. Financial information includes, but is not limited
at least 30 days prior to tour departure. Please read and understand the COVID-19
to, your card account number, card expiration date and cardholder name. Spirit of
Pre-screening Questionnaire as you will be asked to complete the questionnaire the
the West Adventures Ltd. is PCI compliant and is committed to ensuring the safety
day before or day of your tour departure.
of your information.
GUEST RESPONSIBILITY
PRIVACY POLICY
All guests will be required to complete a Pre-Screening Questionnaire and Statement
Spirit of the West Adventures occasionally sends out an e-newsletter and occasion-
of Understanding regarding COVID-19. Your honesty in self-reporting on these forms
ally area- or activity-specific news that we think you’ll want to hear about. We will
as well as compliance with our COVID-19 policies and procedures is required and will
assume you agree to email correspondence when you make an e-booking or pro-
help to keep us all safe. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance that
vide us with your email in other situations such as competitions, promotions, prize
covers medical, interruption and cancellation as a minimum.
draws and social media. We will NEVER SELL your email address to any third-par-
Although no previous kayaking experience is required on our tours, as with any ad- ty company. We do however sometimes share this information for the purpose of
venture there is always an element of risk. While our trips are not considered to be coordinating trip logistics, for example booking airline tickets, arranging travel and
overly strenuous or physically demanding, we do require a moderate level of fitness for helping with our marketing efforts. You can unsubscribe at any time by email-
and good general physical condition. If you have any physical limitations or concerns, ing or clicking on the links in newsletters. See our privacy policy for more details.
please let us know. As we are not qualified to evaluate your level of fitness we ask that
you (possibly along with your doctor) determine whether or not you are able to join PHOTOGRAPHIC RELEASE
one of our adventures. If you have any special medical conditions, we encourage you Spirit of the West Adventures Ltd, reserves the right to take photographic or film
to check with your doctor before you reserve your trip. Please also note that all of our records of any of its tours. Trip members should be aware that Spirit of the West
tours take place in remote areas and evacuations can take a great deal of time and Adventures Ltd. may use these photos or film for promotional and or commercial
can be expensive. Persons with physical limitations and/or disabilities are welcome on purposes without remuneration to the trip participants.
Spirit of the West tours, pending a discussion of any special needs and requirements.
You must also acknowledge that travel with Spirit of the West Adventures Ltd. requires
a degree of flexibility and understanding that the trip’s route, itinerary, accommodation Box 569, Heriot Bay, BC V0P 1H0, Canada
and modes of transport are subject to change without prior notice due to local circum- Toll free 1 800 307 3982, Overseas 1 250 285 2121
stances. While traveling with Spirit of the West Adventures Ltd. you agree to accept info@kayakingtours.com, kayakingtours.comYou can also read
