2009 Vancouver Official Travel Planner Guide - (Page 28) Activities & Adventures Outdoor lovers have just as much fun as urban adventurers in Vancouver. Whether they’re adrenaline junkies looking for rock walls to climb and trails to hike or laid-back sightseers interested in gardens and bird-watching, Vancouver is sure to have the perfect adventure for them. And there’s as much to do on the water as there is on land — scuba diving, kayaking, rafting, fishing and much more. In short, you can’t go wrong with any of the following activities and adventures. Adventures on Land Hiking Your clients can explore the West Coast rainforests of the North Shore mountains or Bowen Island, visit the shores of the Capilano River and Lynn Canyon, watch the sunset from the cliffs at Lighthouse Park, or enjoy a quiet stroll through the forest at Pacific Spirit Park or Stanley Park. Rainforest Interpretive Walks Discover ancient natural wonders and fascinating wildlife on the North Shore or Bowen Island as knowledgeable guides lead the group through the lush West Coast rainforest, amid towering Douglas firs and cedar trees, some 500 to 900 years old. Native Cultural Experiences Vancouver offers ample opportunity to experience the unique cultures of the First Nations Peoples of Canada. Traditional performances and carving can be seen daily at Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park. The UBC Museum of Anthropology showcases the best of West Coast native art. In Deep Cove, there are interpretive paddle tours, complete with ancestral songs and legends, in traditional cedar ocean-going canoes. Other companies offer customized native experiences for groups. Bird-watching Both the dedicated bird-watcher and amateur naturalist will be amazed by the wide variety of bird life, wintering shorebirds and waterfowl found within Metro Vancouver and the surrounding area. Reifel Bird Sanctuary, at the mouth of the Fraser River, is a pristine setting for viewing countless migratory birds in their natural habitat. Several adventure companies offer guided bird-watching experiences, including an eagle-viewing float trip at Brackendale, one of the world’s top spots for viewing these magnificent birds. Rock Climbing The Stawamus Chief near Squamish is a granite monolith offering rock climbers the ultimate vertical fix. Challenging climbs are also found on Vancouver’s North Shore, in the deep gorge of Capilano Canyon, at Lighthouse Park and on the bluffs in Deep Cove overlooking Indian Arm. Cycling and Mountain Biking Urban paths and forest trails have been drawing cycling enthusiasts to Vancouver for years. Whether your clients want to pedal leisurely through Stanley Park and the University of British Columbia campus or navigate rugged trails on the North Shore, they’re sure to find the right cycling experience in Vancouver. What’s New? Vancouver All-Terrain Adventures, City, Nature and Gourmet Picnic Tour On the relaxing, semiprivate driving tour, guests will discover some of Vancouver’s dynamic neighbourhoods before heading across the Lions Gate Bridge en route to Howe Sound, Shannon waterfalls and a scenic, private viewing deck, nestled 568 metres (1,865 feet) above sea level, where they will indulge in a gourmet picnic lunch. Return transportation is by a luxury four-wheeldrive Suburban. all-terrain.com Ecomarine Ocean Kayak’s Rainforest Tour Ecomarine Ocean Kayak recently introduced its newest kayaking excursion, the Rainforest Tour. After departing from the English Bay Bath House, guests will kayak, with the city and North Shore Mountains as their backdrops, toward the temperate rainforest of Stanley Park. Here they will go for a short interpretive walk, and then enjoy a break on the beach before a relaxing paddle home. ecomarine.com New Adventures at Sonora Resort Sonora Resort now offers opportunities for whitewater rafting and horseback riding. Guests can also enjoy world-class eco and grizzly tours, salmon fishing, wellness and relaxation, and fivestar dining and accommodation. Approximately 50 minutes away from Vancouver by private helicopter, Sonora offers an extraordinary level of attention and service surrounded by the ultimate in luxury. www.sonoraresort.com Premier Hiking Trails in Vancouver Easy Hikes • Beaver Lake (Stanley Park) • Sword Fern (Pacific Spirit Park) • Valley Trail (Lighthouse Park) • Baden Powell Trail – Deep Cove to Quarry Rock Moderate Hikes • Capilano Pacific (Capilano River Regional Park) • Twin Falls/30 Foot Pool (Lynn Canyon Park) • Brothers Creek (Cypress Provincial Park) • Headwaters Trail (Lynn Headwaters Regional Park) Difficult Hikes • Grouse Grind (Grouse Mountain) • Hollyburn Mountain (Cypress Provincial Park) • Mount Gardner (Bowen Island) • Mount Seymour (Mount Seymour Provincial Park) 28 t o u r i s m va n c o u ve r. c o m / t ra d e Eco to ©Sonour at Sonora Res ra Reso rt. Pho ort to by D arren B ernaerd t http://all-terrain.com http://ecomarine.com http://www.sonoraresort.com http://tourismvancouver.com/trade
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