Butchart Gardens and Victoria Sightseeing Tour from Vancouver
Description
Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is located on gorgeous Vancouver Island and is considered one of the world’s most beautiful cities. It is famous for the historic Empress Hotel, the Parliament buildings and beautiful Butchart Gardens. Upon leaving Vancouver, you will take a scenic ferry ride from the Vancouver mainland through the Gulf Islands to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. From here, you will have a driving tour to Victoria, and of Victoria’s downtown area featuring the Inner Harbour, The Fairmont Empress Hotel, Mile 0 and the historic Chinatown. There will be free time to explore downtown Victoria at your own pace. Then on to the internationally renowned Butchart Gardens. Today the garden showcases 55 acres of themed garden displays, including a Japanese Garden, Italian Garden and Rose Garden. Wind down your day with the scenic return sailing aboard BC Ferries and then back to where your tour began.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Please meet us at Canada Place for a fun-filled daytrip to Victoria. Your bus and tour guide will be waiting for you.
A 45 minute drive from downtown Vancouver to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. While we are waiting to get on the ferry, enjoy the little ferry terminal market.
Enjoy a 90-minute "cruise" to Vancouver Island. After about 40 minutes, the ferry enters Active Pass and you will cruise through the Southern Gulf Islands, a popular vacation spot for locals.
As you arrive in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, you will visit the top sighting locations. Starting at Mile O, Ogden Point, Empress Hotel and Historic Chinatown, including the famous Fan Tan Alley and shops. Later, enjoy free time to explore on your own or book one of our optional activities. Whatever your purpose for exploring Victoria today, our guide is ready to assist you with suggestions on the best restaurants, top breweries, shops and hidden gems.
During your free time, visit the beautiful Empress Hotel.
Visit Fisherman's Wharf and enjoy some Fish & Chips
While visiting Victoria, you can not miss out on the opportunity to take a photo of the famous Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Visit Victoria's most famous street and shop some souvenirs in one of the many gift stores.
Visit Canada's oldest Chinatown which is characterized by narrow, winding streets and lots of little shops and restaurants.
While in Chinatown, visit Fan Tan Alley. The Alley is known for being the narrowest commercial street in North America.
Meet your guide at the bus after your free time and we continue to the famous Butchart Gardens
Visit Butchart Gardens: a National Historic Site covering 55 acres and showcasing over 900 species of plants.
Relax as we cruise back to the Mainland this evening, explore the outside decks and views.
Once we arrive at Tsawwassen Ferry terminal, our coach drives off the ferry and we head back into Vancouver. Arrive back in Vancouver at approx. 9:30 pm
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Guests 16-18 years of age may travel on the trip without a parent or guardian but MUST have one present on the departure day to sign the waiver forms held by the tour guide.
- Anyone 15 or younger must have a parent or guardian travel on the trip with them.
- No booster seats available.
- The tour still operates when it rains and no refunds will be given within the 24 cancellation policy.
Reviews(594)
Would have preferred more time at Buchart Gardens and less of Victoria. The Victoria part was very disappointing, and disappointing not to be able to see all of Buchart Gardens.
Great day out but be warned, it is a long one. Picked up by bus at 8am and then travelled by ferry to Vancouver island which was a very pleasant experience in itself. Our visit was probably helped by lovely sunny weather so the drive to and around Victoria was fabulous and Butchart gardens were spectacular in the sunshine. We also had plenty of free time to explore. Bernie was our guide on the day and was very informative and helpful. We even enjoyed his jokes!! By the time we got back to our drop off point it was around 9.30. A great day out, highly recommended.
I thought Rene was an excellent host, very knowledgeable, well prepared with the maps on where we need to meet up later etc
It’s a long trip but WORTH the experience . Our tour guide, RENE , was personable, Knowledgeable, and funny making the ride so much more memorable. Ask for him ! The gardens are stunning and vibrant in color. Each garden is unique and so well manicured . You feel like you are in the land of OZ . Follow the yellow brick road !
Byron was a friendly, knowledgeable guide. And a good driver! We were able to take an earlier ferry which gave us extra time at the gardens. He gave precise directions about seeing highlights of Victoria, choosing restaurants, and we learned quite a bit about them culture and history of the area, helping us make the most of a long day. We had great weather, too! All in all, it was better than we’d hoped it would be.
Everything about this tour was perfection! Bernie our guide, his knowledge of the area and sites, he went above and beyond. We loved Victoria and hand ample time there. Butchart Gardens was beyond expectations.
Rene, our guide was exceptional! Knowledgeable, professional, friendly. He went above and beyond in everything he did.
Departed our accomodation at 07.30 arrived back 10.00. A long day but very worth it. Very pleasant driver / tour guide.
For the most part we were dropped off at the locations & wandered around independently- no real explanation of what we were looking at (ie type of plants explanations of areas etc)
Thanks to René who allowed us to have an excellent day. His contagious good mood combined with his professionalism, all enhanced by numerous anecdotes and comments, made this outing unique.
