Science has proven that time in nature can make us happier, more creative, less stressed and physically healthier. A retreat to the mountains can bring clarity and wider perspective to your thinking. Spending just three days in the mountains decreases the brain waves associated with worry and rumination. The visual beauty of forests offers gentle stimuli to awaken the mind and leads to higher functioning. The soothing flow of ocean tides brings comfort and restores vitality.
The British Columbia Effect is in essence, the culmination of all these benefits to our well-being. You can experience the raw power of British Columbia’s towering mountains, lush rainforests and rugged coastlines, and awaken a deeper connection with nature.
British Columbia’s landscapes are home to a wide variety of wildlife, that can be viewed in its natural habitat both safely and responsibly. While mountain ranges are home to bighorn sheep, mountain goats and marmots, forests support populations of grizzlies and black bears, who migrate to rivers to feed on salmon in late spring. The Great Bear Rainforest is also home to the elusive Kermode (Spirit) bear, a rare black bear with a white coat, while BC’s glacial valleys are home to herds of caribou, wolves and moose.
British Columbia has 200 designated marine protected areas located in all six of the provincial marine ecoregions, home to marine mammals like Orcas, humpback and gray whales, as well as porpoises and dolphins. They can be seen cruising the coastline fed by the salmon and herring runs that support so much of this rich ecosystem. Eagles are also a very common sight, as they perch in trees waiting to swoop down for a meal.
photo © Knight Inlet Lodge
Some great ideas to whet the appetite:
British Columbia Explorer
The perfect choice for the first-time visitor to British Columbia, this popular itinerary includes all the locations and attractions that you wouldn’t want to miss. Visit urban-hip Vancouver, mountain-chic Whistler and the beautiful Sunshine Coast. Then it’s over to Vancouver Island which mother nature blessed with idyllic coastlines and a wealth of wildlife.
Vancouver Paired with Victoria
After exploring the big city, you will depart Vancouver’s Coal Harbour for a breathtakingone-hour seaplane flight to downtown Victoria. Your time spent on Vancouver Island can include getting out on the water for a whale watching cruise, shopping, visiting Butchart Gardens and enjoying a range of outdoor recreational adventures.
British Columbia Outdoor Adventurer
Calling all adventurers! Filled with opportunities for memorable experiences, this exciting itinerary visits region renowned for their vineyards, lakes, waterfalls, mountains and beaches, before spending three nights at a luxury ranch. The mountain resort of Whistler and cool city of Vancouver are also included.
British Columbia Mountains & Valleys:
Filled with outdoor wonders, we cab arrange an itinerary that includes the mountain resorts of Revelstoke and whistler, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks and the Thompson River Valley, before enjoying a lodge stay on the beautiful Sunshine Coast. A few nights on Vancouver Island and in Vancouver complete this wonderful adventure.
