Victoria and Butchart Gardens, an Elevated Experience
Description
Experience Victoria with the best of both worlds, a professional driver and a dedicated local step-on guide providing live commentary throughout the journey. You'll enjoy engaging stories, local history, and insider knowledge from departure to return. Travel by land and sea as you journey from Vancouver through the spectacular Gulf Islands before arriving in Victoria. Explore the city's historic streets at your own pace or join the optional guided walking tour to discover hidden gems, fascinating history, and iconic landmarks with your guide. Then, enjoy skip-the-line admission to the world-famous Butchart Gardens, where you'll have time to wander through breathtaking themed gardens. Take advantage of countless photo opportunities showcasing British Columbia's dramatic coastal landscapes To keep you refreshed throughout the day, complimentary bottled water is provided for all guests. Rain or shine, we've got you covered with complimentary umbrellas.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your elevated adventure begins in downtown Vancouver as you travel south through the diverse communities of Richmond, Delta, and Tsawwassen. Along the way, your dedicated local step-on guide shares fascinating stories, regional history, and insights into life in British Columbia. Watch the scenery transition from Vancouver's skyline to fertile farmland, blueberry fields, greenhouses, and coastal wetlands near the Canada–United States border before arriving at the BC Ferries terminal.
Board a BC Ferries vessel for a spectacular 90-minute sailing through the Gulf Islands, one of British Columbia's most scenic coastal regions. Enjoy panoramic ocean views from the outdoor decks or comfortable lounges while keeping an eye out for bald eagles, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and, with a little luck, whales.
Following a scenic drive into British Columbia's charming capital, you'll arrive in Victoria's picturesque Inner Harbour. Here, you can choose how you'd like to experience the city. Join our optional guided walking tour, included with your ticket, with your dedicated step-on guide for fascinating stories, local history, architectural highlights, and hidden gems throughout downtown Victoria. Prefer to explore independently? Enjoy free time to browse the unique boutiques and cafés along Government Street, stroll the waterfront, visit local attractions, or simply soak up the atmosphere at your own pace. Whichever option you choose, you'll have ample time to experience the charm and beauty that make Victoria one of Canada's most beloved cities.
Start the optional walking tour at the BC Legislative Assembly Building, completed in 1897. Its copper dome and Romanesque style are illuminated at night by thousands of lights, making it one of Victoria's most iconic landmarks. It remains the working seat of British Columbia's provincial government to this day.
Continue the walking tour to the iconic Empress Hotel, built by the Canadian Pacific Railway as the crown jewel of Victoria's harbourfront. It remains one of Canada's most celebrated "railway hotels," alongside sister properties like the Banff Springs and Château Frontenac. Today it's renowned for its elegant afternoon tea service, having hosted royalty, dignitaries, and travelers from around the world for over a century. Enjoy a quick photo-op with a beautiful view of Victoria's inner-harbour.
Walk up Government Street, as your guide points out the best restaurants, boutiques, and hidden gems Victoria has to offer.
Our walking tour ends at Victoria's Chinatown. Dating back to the 1850s gold rush era when Chinese immigrants arrived to build the Canadian Pacific Railway, making it the oldest Chinatown in Canada. Centered around Fan Tan Alley—often cited as one of the narrowest streets in North America—the district was once home to gambling dens, opium factories, and a thriving merchant community. Today it's a vibrant mix of historic architecture, herbal shops, and restaurants that still reflects over 150 years of history.
As we pass the western tip of Beacon Hill Park, keep your camera ready for Mile Zero of the Trans-Canada Highway—the official starting point of Canada's longest road, stretching nearly 8,000 km all the way to Newfoundland. Right beside it stands the Terry Fox monument, honouring the young Canadian hero who lost his leg to cancer and decided to run across the country. His Marathon of Hope inspired a nation, and has since raised millions for cancer research. Though Terry never reached this coast, Mile Zero is one of Victoria's most moving and photographed landmarks.
Skip the ticket lines and immerse yourself in one of the world's most celebrated botanical gardens. A National Historic Site of Canada, The Butchart Gardens features over 55 acres of spectacular floral displays, including the Sunken Garden, Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, Rose Garden, and Dancing Fountain. Enjoy approximately two hours to explore at your own pace while complimentary bottled water helps keep you refreshed.
Finish your day with another beautiful BC Ferries crossing before returning to Vancouver. Relax and enjoy one final opportunity to admire British Columbia's stunning coastline, islands, and marine wildlife while reflecting on a memorable day of history, nature, and unforgettable scenery.
Conclude you day with a quiet ride back to your hotel from the ferry terminal. To thank you for joining us to Victoria, our guide will hand out beautifully designed, nature postcard souvenirs created by a local artist in Squamish.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We will contact you the day before with a precise pickup time within the window of 7:25-8:00 AM. Please be ready outside the front door of your hotel, and call us if you need any assistance with your pickup. Due to the ferry schedule, we cannot wait for late parties. We pick up from all hotels in the downtown Vancouver area. If you do not see your hotel listed, or if you are staying in the Greater Vancouver area (North Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby), please contact us at the phone number provided in your ticket so we can arrange a pickup location.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Foldable wheelchairs can be stored in the undercarriage. Wheelchair available upon request.
- Coach buses kneel for easier entry and exit.
- Water bottles provided.
Reviews(446)
This was the best way to get to Victoria and to do it all in a day. All travel and admission to the gardens was included, and you get the freedom to explore. The ferry was very pleasant and our tour guide Matt was the best part. He was so personable, accommodating, and educational and made the trip so smooth and pleasant. Our driver David was excellent. Highly recommend.
Natalia was our wonderful tour guide and driver! She truly exceeded all my expectations during our trip to Victoria. Her deep knowledge of both Vancouver and Victoria history, combined with her humorous way of sharing facts, made every moment fascinating, fun, and memorable. Her sincere interest and passion for what she does made the experience even more special. Natalia is also an excellent and incredibly smooth driver. She made everyone ( there were 3 more couples) feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed throughout the entire journey. The experience was made even better by the luxurious Mercedes provided by the company. It was spacious, elegant, and incredibly comfortable — the perfect way to enjoy such a beautiful trip! Natalia even shared helpful local tips, including where to have lunch and how to navigate the huge ferry to find the best seats. Those little details made such a difference! What a huge stroke of luck to have Natalia as our host for this tour. And what a lucky company to have such a skilled, knowledgeable, passionate, and genuinely wonderful person on their team! Thank you, Natalia, for making the Victoria trip, and visit to gorgeous Butchart Garden so memorable and special! 💛
I was assigned a pickup site. Didn't wait long. Driver was 3 minutes early. Excellent personality and friendly driver whom gave us in the minibus a tour of downtown Vancouver, from there we transferred to the big bus with the full group. As a handicap passenger they did their best to accommodate me. Like half an hour ride to the ferry harbour. While waiting to enter the ferry there is a mini mall of washrooms, bakeries, candy shop, snack shops, fast food, restaurants and bars, souvenir shop and women's bouquet. After boarding the ferry one quickly heads upstairs by steps or elevator remembering our bus location ID. Quickly get in line for the cafeteria if you wish to eat. Victoria city is a drive inland; one of the most beautiful and clean cities I've ever seen. Breathtaking. It's a lunch break and viewing the city and the Empess hotel gardens. It's another drive to Butchart Gardens, self tour 2.5 hours there is barely enough to visit the whole gardens, so I recommend skipping the Japanese garden if pressed for time. Sunken garden's water fountain, rose garden and dahlia gardens are a must. If you have time there's at least two gift shops, one specializing in seeds. I also recommend the gelato parlor at the Italian Gardens. at the end of the tour. Carousel ride for the kids. If you ride back on the newest ferry, eat at the Seascape restaurant behind the cafeteria with its long que and overprice items.Seascape has comfort seating and tables with a good view of glass windows on 3 sides. Stephen was simply the best tour guide, knowledgeable, great perky personality and full of stories Used to work for the ferries so knows all ins and outs. Mike was an excellent driver and always looked out for disabled me. Tour is handicap accessible, in a comfortable air conditioned new big bus. Victoria city BC government building is a must photo opt. One can fly to Vicoria by seaplane. Worth staying a night or two.
Victoria and Buchart were incredible. Aimee and Suchan were amazing as our driver and guide. The information shared as well as the walking tour were well worth the time to do, while also giving the option to split off on our own. The shopping and restaurant options were also helpful (and delicious!!). Buchart was breath taking. If you love flowers you will be in heaven. And even if you don’t you have to appreciate the beauty and the history. Would highly recommend anyone looking for a days adventure.
What a wonderful tour! Natalia did a great job giving us background, making suggestions for lunch, and an overall asset on all things Vancouver. And Cimaron was our driver. Victoria is beautiful, and Butchart Gardens were breathtaking. A day well spent!
Byron was a fantastic guide. He helped elderly guests and had excellent advice. He is quite knowledgeable about the area and also is pretty funny. A gem.
A long but worthwhile day. Hotel pickup and dropoff were seamless. Our driver, Tai, got us everywhere safely in our very comfortable coach. And our guide, Matt, shared interesting and helpful info throughout the day. After a 30+ minute drive to the ferry, the ride to Vancouver Island, and 30+ minute drive on the island, we had a little over two hours in Victoria to explore and have lunch. Then on to Butchart Gardens which were unbelievably beautiful. We had another two hours or so there. Unfortunately, the return ferry was running late (not the fault of Matt and Tai), so it was a really long day (14+ hours), but no regrets. We were also very grateful for Matt's advice on the best place to eat and sit comfortably on the return ferry. So much nicer than anywhere we would have thought to go on our own.
A full day that is well worth it! Matt, our escort for the day, was knowledgeable and entertaining. Thai, our coach driver, was excellent and easy to visit with as well. Great recommendations for lunch spots Butchart Gardens are beyond words. Beautiful doesn’t say enough.
A big day out covering 2 of Vancouver Islands main attractions, Victoria and the Butchart Gardens. Our guide Matt was interesting and entertaining and our driver Tai did a great job behind the wheel. While it's a long day it was well paced with plenty of breaks and tips from Matt. A perfect tour for those with limited time but still keen to see the best of Vancouver island. Highly recommend!
We had an amazing day with Matt. His narration was interesting and entertaining. His knowledge of sights on our way to Victoria and Butchart Garden kept us well entertained. Victoria was everything we wanted it to be and Butchart Garden was beautiful. I was initially concerned about the length of the tour, but that wasn’t a problem. The timing at each location left us time to explore and enjoy the venues. We’d definitely enjoy another trip with Matt and regret our schedule forces us to move along.
