Tree of Life
VANCOUVER ISLAND HIKING TOURS
Zodiac, Wildlife, Hiking and Forest Bathing Adventure - Duration 6-7 hours
The Tree of Life Vancouver Island Hiking Adventure is a thoughtfully curated wellness experience that introduces guests to the Indigenous cultural values, forest medicines, and ancient ecosystems of the southern Great Bear Rainforest. This unique, place-based tour combines an exhilarating zodiac wildlife experience with an extraordinary hike into a cathedral grove of old-growth western red cedar.
Our destination is Blind Channel Resort on West Thurlow Island, home to the Tree of Life—an ancient cedar that stands as a living symbol of coastal rainforest ecology and cultural significance. Along the way, we travel north through the scenic Discovery Passage and the legendary tidal waters of Seymour Narrows, a historic marine corridor shaped by powerful currents and coastal history.
Book our Tree of Life hiking & forest bathing adventure
Once we arrive we will begin a Forest Bathing style interpretive hike where we discuss Forest Bathing, Coastal Temperate Rainforest ecosystems, Indigenous planet medicines, edible foods, cultural values of the Western red cedar, earthing, and our connection to all of IT. All the while hiking through rainforests teaming with consciousness. This adventure includes a homemade lunch. You may encounter any number of Cetaceans- (Whales, Dolphin, Porpoise), Sealions, Seals, Bears, Marine Birds and Bald Eagles.
Note: Every tour is different and what wildlife we see on tours varies depending on the seasonal migrations of marine mammals.Which route we take can vary on this adventure and is subject to weather, nevertheless no matter which way we navigate Northwest through the Discovery Islands, you will be immersed in some of the most beautiful and unique waterways in the world.
Rates & Additional Information
DISCOVERY ISLANDS GUIDED HIKE
- Adult: $275 + $3 conservation fee, booking fee and taxes.
- Kids 12 and under: $255 + booking fee and taxes.
- Private Charters
- $1777 + $11 conservation fee
- 15% Fuel Surcharge
- Gratuities are customary in Canada, but not included in rates and are at your discretion if you choose to tip your guide.
- Bring warm layers and a reusable water bottle (water provided). Don’t forget your camera and sunscreen.
- Light rain gear is a good idea if you have it to wear under Mustang Survival Suits on rainy days, and is nice to have for the hike. Rain Gear is not a requirement.
- Hiking boots, or comfortable gum boots, no runners (in spring) the trails can be muddy. In summer runners are fine. Bare feet for Earthing will be encouraged at the Big Tree!
- Small backpack for your water, and any personal effects you may want for hike.
- Departures can be arranged for groups from Campbell River- Discovery Harbour Marina | Quadra Island – Quathiaski Cove. If you have a private booking we can pick you up at Heriot Bay, Taku Resort or Cortes Island at Manson’s Landing or Gorge Harbour.
- Please arrive 20 mins prior to departure.
- 9 am daily.
- Afternoon charters can be arranged, if we are free. Give us a call or email.
Choose a departure time that works for you, or email us to further discuss departure options.
Boat and Gear sanitation provided by Envirocleanse-A, also known as “Anolite,” is a next gen commercial disinfectant that is non-toxic, organic, biodegradable and EPA approved to kill SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 (CleanTerra.ca). For moreFor more information on our covid protocols see our covid safety plan in our Health and Safety Policy.
Adventure FAQ
DISCOVERY ISLANDS GUIDED HIKE
We hike to the old growth Western redcedar on a rainforest trail at Blind Channel Resort on East Thurlow Island in the Discovery Islands.
The boat ride is approx 1.5 hrs each way, but varies depending on wildlife sightings along the way. The hike is 1.5 hour round trip with time for Forest Bathing and interpretation and we have a 30 min break for lunch at the resort.
Forest Bathing is taking advantage of essential Forest Medicine with all 5 senses. To do this we simply spend time in the forest with a more conscious frame of mind, connecting to nature as you hike. You will learn the basics of Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku) and simple Earthing techniques to increase vitality, basic Coastal Temperate Rainforest ecology, and new scientific findings on forest consciousness will be discussed.
Forest Bathing and Earthing reduce stress, improve sleep, improve immune function and much more.
There are accessible washrooms at the beginning and end of all tours and washrooms at Blind Channel Resort.
Every zodiac adventure to East Thurlow Island is unique and our route varies depending on the weather as well as wildlife sightings. We could see anything from bears, birds or whales and much more!