Private tour in Vancouver Javier V
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Javier V.
5.0
Guide rate
97
Reviews
Tours delivered
5 hrs
Avg. response time
My story doing tours in Vancouver began around 12 years ago when I was working for a Chinese company and my mom called me asking to help her friend, Gloria, who was coming to Vancouver with a group of 35 people from South America. They were taking a cruise to Alaska and had only the morning to visit Vancouver. I didn't know Gloria, but I wanted to help, so I prepared a presentation highlighting the key places her and her group should visit. I gave her an itinerary, a map and spoke with her a couple times believing that was the most I could do to help her. However, to my great surprise, Gloria called me a third time asking me to be their tour guide. She noticed my passion, the knowledge I had of the city and my goodwill. That was my first tour, about 12 years ago. Since then, I've done over 1000 tours, and I've been able to refine my itinerary to showcase the best of this beautiful city. Along the way I have learned much more about the city's rich history, hidden gems, best angles for photos, and fascinating stories that make this city so wonderful. Despite my many tours done, my enthusiasm to share the beauty of the city has never wavered. It's truly a joy to see the awe and appreciation people's faces as I guide them through breathtaking sights. I never leave my house the day of the tour thinking I am going to work, I leave excited to meet new people and show them this breathtaking city. I view my clients as friends or family members and offer them as much hospitality as I possibly can. While the itineraries of my tours offer a helpful guide my goal is to create an unforgettable moment by savoring the little things as well such as enjoying a hot coffee in a cold day or perhaps an ice cream in a warm summer day. I own two vehicles, a minivan for 6 passengers and bigger van for 14 passengers plus the driver, as part of the British Columbia passenger rules, both vehicles passed a commercial inspection every 6 months, and are insured with a commercial insurance taking into account their passenger capacity. - Master's in business (MBA) in the University of British Columbia - Class 4 unrestricted driver license permit, which means I am authorized to drive a vehicle with a maximum capacity of 25 passengers. such as school buses, ambulances or limousines. - Passenger transportation authorization number 75302, honestly a very hard authorization to get but it is the only way to do tours while driving a vehicle with passengers.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Javier V.
The tour to Victoria takes many hours. Since the tour is private, it could be adjusted to a shorter time, but the change would sacrifice the limited time available to visit Downtown Victoria. That’s why I suggest starting the tour early and finishing late, but of course, there would be no problem shortening it if you prefer. The tour consists of three sections: The ferry, most people know Vancouver is surrounded by mountains, lakes, and rivers, but few notice that Vancouver is surrounded by islands, and the ferry lets you see this area of Vancouver, which I used to sail with a sailboat for many years. The Butchart Gardens, with over 100 years of history and a lofty design, provide a full experience that makes them magical, for some even more beautiful than the city of Victoria itself. Downtown Victoria, the provincial capital, is a city full of history, with iconic buildings like the Parliament and the Empress Hotel, the natural harbor, and Government Street filled with history and shops.
Pickup at your hotel or Airbnb 7:15 or 8:15 • Ferry Terminal, we need to arrive 30 minutes before departure to not lose our reservation. (FERRY TICKETS INCLUDED) • For the first half of the ferry crossing, I recommend you have breakfast in its restaurant. • For the second half, we can enjoy the views of the Gulf Islands from the ferry deck. It could be windy; hence, a wind jacket is recommended. • Visit The Butchart Gardens for about 2 hours (TICKETS INCLUDED). • Victoria City Center, I will do a loop with the vehicle so you can have a clear idea of where the Parliament, the Museum, Chinatown, Empress Hotel, etc. are located, and later you will have 3 or 4 free hours to visit the city and have lunch. • At 5:30 we start we will start heading back, we will take the 7 pm ferry back to Vancouver and arrive at your hotel at about 9:20 p. m. *This itinerary can be customized if you would like to make it shorter.
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
If your group is equal to or less than 5 passengers I will be using a new Chrysler Pacific Minivan with a capacity for 7 passengers, including myself. If your group is equal to or bigger than 6 passengers I will be using a new 2025 Ford Transit Passenger van with a capacity for 15 passengers, including myself. If your group is larger than 10 passengers, please send me a message for a customize quote. I can accommodate up to 14 people. Please let me know how many suitcases you are bringing in order to ensure that they all fit inside the Minivan or the bigger Transit Van, thank you.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
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