Explore an ancient, biodiverse rainforest by land, sea and air at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge in British Columbia. In this episode of Unpacked by Afar, follow senior deputy editor, Jennifer Flowers, as she hikes through new and old forests in Ursus Valley, tastes bull kelp on a boat ride in Clayoquot Sound and helicopters to a mountain peak. 

She learns why “untouched” isn’t an accurate description for a remote rainforest like this one on Vancouver Island. From the histories and sustainable work of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nations people who have stewarded the land for centuries to the flora and fauna that work together to thrive, this weekend trip is a cold plunge into a harmonious ecosystem. 

Inside a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

In this episode you’ll learn: 

• What makes a forest old? A primer on CMTs (culturally modified trees) and signs of old growth. 


• Who the Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nations people are and how they have sustained and protected the ancient forest for centuries. 


• How the coastal biome of Clayoquot Sound contributes to life on land. 

Nature Encounters at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge 

Don’t miss these moments: 

• [07:40 ] An expedition into an old forest valley: baconlike bark and CMTs: 


• [11:02 ] Borrowing banana slugs, and the First Nations groups who steward the forest.  


• [15:48 ] Coastal encounters at Clayoquot Sound: black bears, bull kelp and more. 

A Plunge, a Hike and a Helicopter Ride

“If These Walls Could Talk” is an Afar series that explores the stories—and secrets—hotels can tell us about the places we visit. One of Afar’s Hotels We Love, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge promises to immerse guests in the biodiverse ecosystem of an ancient rainforest. 

In this episode, Jennifer Flowers takes us along as she hikes through old and new forests in Bedwell River Valley and Ursus Valley, tastes bull kelp on a boat in Clayoquot Sound and encounters the traditions of the Ahousaht people who have sustained the forest for millennia. 

Resources: 

• Read the full transcript of the episode. 


• Book a weekend at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge. 


• Explore our Canadian Hotels We Love list. 


• Follow Jenn on Instagram to see more great hotel content. 

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And explore our second podcast, Travel Tales, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.