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Vancouver/WhistlerAdventure Retreat
June16-21, 2024
Cost: $3250
What are the accommodations?
1 night at Granville Island Hotel – this Hotel is nestled on Vancouver’s small breathtaking island oasis and will capture your heart, Granville Island is an urban haven spilling over with fine restaurants, theatres, galleries, studios and the public market. https://granvilleislandhotel.com/
4 nights –Whistler Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel – Stepping past the traditional stone façade and pitched rooftops of Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel in Whistler, you will hit with the first of many delightful surprises. What looks to be your standard mountain lodge hotel from the outside is really a quirky, fun, and laid-back hotel created for travelers who crave something different. It is the perfect place to relax in the sauna, hot tub and pool after a exhilarating day of activities.
What will the food be like?
The food is the BEST PART!
Amazing culturally and locally sourced meals at our guesthouses and restaurants. They will be offering the freshest ingredients available at this time- serving local and traditional food that takes your taste buds on an adventure they will never forget.
What is a typical day?
Most mornings will begin with gentle yoga flow. The first day will be a spellbinding day of non-stop adventure in the beautiful city of Vancouver. Board an aqua ferry to downtown, and after renting bikes, join a historical guide to explore Vancouver’s highlights, including a Stanley Park tour. Savor lunch at a waterfront gem, then gear up for dragon boating on False Creek. End the day with a delightful dinner experience. Magic and excitement await at every turn!
Then we head towards the beautiful town of Whistler, but on the way we’ll stop at one of our favorite areas (Squamish)
Prepare for an exhilarating ascent as we tackle the iconic Sea to Sky Trail in Squamish. This four-hour trek promises a rewarding challenge with stunning panoramas, a thrilling climb over rocky terrains, and the majestic Shannon Falls as your backdrop. For those seeking a less strenuous adventure, the tramway offers a scenic ride to the summit. Here, you can enjoy a leisurely loop hike that boasts spectacular views. Together, we’ll traverse a breathtaking suspension bridge before indulging in a well-earned late lunch against a vista of unparalleled beauty. Our journey continues to Whistler, where we’ll settle into the Summit Boutique Hotel. As evening unfurls, we’ll gather for a sumptuous dinner in the heart of this mountain paradise.
In the days ahead, prepare to immerse yourself in the thrill of the great outdoors at Whistler. We’ll mount our mountain bikes and weave through whispering pines on trails that promise both beauty and exhilaration. Trek through awe-inspiring paths where each turn reveals a new marvel of nature’s grandeur. Then, choose your vessel and glide down the enchanting River of Golden Dreams, where every paddle stroke takes you further into tranquility. After days filled with adventure, we’ll reconvene to share stories over gourmet meals that are as memorable as the day’s escapades. This is not just a getaway; it’s a feast for the senses and a celebration of the wild.
What is British Columbia like?
Vancouver, often acclaimed as one of the world’s most picturesque cities, sits like a jewel on a peninsula, cradled by the embrace of majestic mountains and the gentle caress of sparkling waters. It’s a place where modern architectural marvels rise amidst glorious rainforests, creating a stunning juxtaposition of urban sophistication and raw natural beauty.
Venture a little further, and Squamish and Whistler awaits, nestled in a valley where coastal mountains and ancient glaciers stand as silent sentinels in the sky. It’s a magnet for global travelers, drawn not just by the awe-inspiring mountain vistas but by the crystal-clear lakes, the sprawling, untouched old-growth forests, and the free-spirited rivers and creeks that wander through the valley. Whistler is more than a town; it’s a canvas painted by nature’s finest hand, offering a symphony of scenic splendor.
What will the weather be like?
The weather in Vancouver is unpredictable and completely dependent on location. It may be sunny in the south and think of high temperatures around 70’s, have a waterproof rain jacket!!
Do I have to do all of the activities?
No! All activities and outings are optional. This is YOUR retreat. We encourage you to do what feels most nurturing and right for you. You will be fully supported in doing as much or as little as you choose. All of our activities will be guided by expert staff, and instruction and support will be offered for every activity according to your experience level.
What will be yoga be like?
We begin each adventure-filled Women’s Quest day with Jax’s Yoga. This gentle but powerful practice draws inspiration from Yoga, Qigong, and Tai Chi, and is a perfect way to prepare the mind, body and senses for the activities of the day.
What will the hikes be like?
Whistler is known for hiking and the trails are maintained very well including ropes to help on steeper sections. We will be hiking to amazing spots including the Sea to Summit and High Note Trail in Whistler plus some bonus hikes. Hiking shoes or shoes with “4 wheel drive” are a must since the trails can be rocky and muddy.
What is the average age on this retreat?
We have a wide range of women who attend our retreats, from 15-75+ years young. Each retreat will vary but is for EVERYONE.
What if I am coming alone?
Most of the women who attend our retreats come by themselves. Vancouver is a safe and easy country to travel as a single female. English is widely spoken and we are here to answer any questions about travel that you may have. Although you may come alone, you will leave the retreat with new, lifelong friends!
How do I change money in Canada?
ATM’s may be the best option as they may give you a better exchange rate and allow you to travel with less cash in hand. Make sure to let your card company know where and when you will be traveling so they do not put any holds on your account for unusual transactions.
What about communications?
Wifi is everywhere in Canada. Most phone plans allow free texting – but check with your provider. Another way to communicate with home is with an online communication program – WhatsApp.
Payment Policy
Payment in full for all retreats is due 90 days prior to the retreat date. If you do not provide payment in full by 90 days prior to the retreat you risk losing your reservation. All deposits are non-refundable.
A 4% payment processing fee will be added to all payments made using PayPal, Stripe or Venmo. You are welcome to send in a check or pay by Zelle to avoid this fee.
Cancellation Policy
If you must cancel a reservation, a full refund, less your deposit which is non-refundable, will be provided for any cancellation we receive in writing at least 91 days prior to the commencement date of the retreat. We are sorry but we cannot refund any payments for cancellations made 90 or fewer days prior to the commencement of the retreat.
We reserve the right to cancel retreats with inadequate participant interest. Women’s Quest IS NOT responsible for any personal expenses, such as airline tickets due to changes in schedules or tour cancellations.
Covid-19 Policy
Cancellations by Women’s Quest: Women’s Quest reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel or reschedule any retreat due to concerns over Covid-19. As a small company Women’s Quest is unfortunately not able to provide refunds of payments for retreats cancelled by Women’s Quest due to the Covid pandemic. This is primarily due to our financial commitments with the various retreat venues. As a result, in the event Women’s Quest cancels or reschedules a retreat due to Covid-19 Women’s Quest will apply all payments to the rescheduled or following year’s retreat, or to any other Women’s Quest retreat of your choosing through the end of the next year after the year in which the retreat was cancelled by Women’s Quest. Because of the unforeseen and unprecedented circumstances of the outbreak, this policy supersedes earlier policies.
Cancellations by You: If you need or desire to cancel your reservation due to Covid-19, or failure to comply with the requirements of a negative test and being symptom free, this cancellation is subject to the Cancellation Policy above. This is why we urge everyone to purchase travel insurance when signing up.
Covid Waiver and Release
This waiver, release and acknowledgement of responsibilities is unfortunately necessary during this unique time of the Covid 19 pandemic. By signing up for and or attending any Women’s Quest retreat you agree to be bound by the terms of this document. We understand these times are challenging, however, these provisions are necessary to protect all attendees and staff members of Women’s Quest.
Testing For and Symptoms of Covid 19. Irrespective of vaccination status you are required to provide a negative test for Covid 19 taken within 3 days of the commencement of the retreat. This test can be either a PCR test or a home antigen test. Also, irrespective of your vaccination status, you agree you will not attend the retreat if you have any symptoms of Covid 19 immediately prior to the beginning of the trip. These symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea (these, along with symptoms outline in the following link and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control shall be collectively referred to as the “Symptoms”.) More information on symptoms of Covid 19 can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
Symptoms During the Retreat. In the event you develop any Symptoms during the retreat you must immediately leave the retreat and follow protocols outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and all local regulations. We understand this may result in you incurring significant expenses associated with separate accommodation and travel, however, you understand these expenses are not the responsibility of Women’s Quest and must be incurred by you. You agree to be fully honest with Women’s Quest staff in regard to any Symptoms you may develop and agree to comply with a request by Women’s Quest staff to depart as determined by Women’s Quest staff in their sole discretion. As provided below, this is why we strongly urge everyone to get travel insurance covering these and other expenses prior to departure.
Procedures During the Retreat. During the retreat Women’s Quest may, but need not, endeavor to practice social distancing and wearing of masks when traveling in close proximity. You agree to comply with all requests of Women’s Quest staff during the retreat related to these procedures. Any such procedures implemented by Women’s Quest are not a guaranty you will not be exposed to Covid 19 and you understand you are responsible for taking any precautions you deem necessary and providing your own personal protective equipment during the retreat. You also agree to comply with any reasonable requests by other attendees to respect their social distancing and other protective measures (“Participant Requests”.) Notwithstanding the foregoing, you are responsible to comply with all laws and regulations of the locality visited relating to protections against Covid 19.
Waiver of Coronavirus Related Illness; Indemnification. You understand that irrespective of protective measures that Women’s Quest or you may or may not take, you may be exposed to Covid 19 by another retreat attendee, a Women’s Quest staff member and or an individual to whom you may be exposed during, or traveling to or from the retreat. You agree to waive and release Women’s Quest, its officers, directors, staff, employees, contractors, and partners from any claims, liabilities or damages you may incur in the event you contract Covid 19 at any time during travel to, attending or after attending the retreat. You further agree to indemnify and hold harmless Women’s Quest, its officers, directors, staff, employees, contractors, and partners from any loss, liability or damages it or they may incur as a result of your failure to receive a negative test for Covid 19 prior to the retreat as provided above, attending the retreat with any Symptoms, not respecting Participant Requests, and not immediately departing the retreat if you develop any Symptoms.
Cancellation. In the unfortunate event you need to cancel your trip, cannot attend due to contracting Covid 19 or developing Symptoms prior to the retreat, or must leave the retreat due to contracting Covid 19 or developing Symptoms, Women’s Quest cannot provide any refund of any amounts you paid.
Travel Insurance. As provided in this document you could incur significant personal expense in the event you contract Covid 19 or develop any Symptoms during the retreat. As such, you are strongly urged to obtain travel insurance that provides adequate protections against these risks.
Additional Waiver. This waiver is incorporated into and made a part of other waivers you agreed to in connection with signing up for the retreat. In the event of a conflict between these terms and the terms of any other waiver, this waiver shall govern.
Purchasing Travel Insurance
We highly, highly recommend you get travel insurance to cover your expenses and losses in the event you test positive or come down with Symptoms prior to the retreat, develop Symptoms during the retreat, or cannot return home due to Covid related issues. We recommend getting insurance that covers the cost of your trip, medical care while at the retreat, and coverage to pay for the necessary quarantine period if you test positive or come down with Covid. Please remember, if you have to cancel your trip in the unfortunate event you come down with Covid, test positive, or suffer Symptoms prior to or during the retreat and need to leave, Women’s Quest cannot provide a refund since we have to pay your trip expenses well ahead of time.
If you are concerned about travel and the changing environment in which we are living irrespective of your Covid status, we recommend getting travel insurance that allows you to cancel for any reason. This coverage is more expensive, however, may provide you with the coverage and flexibility you desire.
We spoke with Allianz Travel Insurance about travel insurance primarily for Covid issues – trip cancellation, medical treatment and delay in coming home due to catching Covid. From our understanding, Allianz does offer policies providing for trip cancellation due to Covid and extended trip interruption coverage for Covid quarantine periods, however, you should talk to them via the phone to ensure you have the coverage you need.
Irrespective of the travel insurance you get, please make sure you talk to a travel insurance agent prior to buying any insurance and make sure you have the coverage you desire and that the policy will cover trip cancellation, medical expenses and trip interruption due to Covid.
We are providing this only as our understanding after talking to Allianz and not as a representation of what Allianz will cover. You should do your own investigation including directly calling Allianz or any insurance provider you choose, and not rely on this overview to ensure you get the coverage that is right for you.
Check Squaremouth website, it will help you to quickly quote, compare, and buy travel insurance https://www.squaremouth.com/