Due to COVID-19 all guided tours are suspended indefinitely. This page will be updated once guided tours are again operating. Please enjoy the seasonal self-guided tour prepared by VBGA volunteer guides by clicking here.
Guided Tours
Due to COVID-19 all guided tours are suspended indefinitely.
Guided tours are the best way to see and appreciate all the Garden has to offer. From April 1 – Thanksgiving, tours are offered daily by trained volunteer guides starting at 1 p.m and leaving no later than 3pm, as well as Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. In the winter months (Post Thanksgiving- March 31) guided tours are offered only on Sundays at 1 p.m. Please note: all tours are weather permitting.
Assisting Guests with Mobility Impairments
Due to COVID-19 all guided tours are suspended indefinitely.
Safety is our highest priority for our guests, volunteers, and staff. Volunteers may not assist guests with mobility impairments, due to the risk of injury to both the guest and volunteer with walking aides, transfers or mobility assistance of any kind including getting in or out of our guided tour golf cart, wheelchair, or lending an arm to assist someone in standing. Guests requiring such support should be accompanied by someone able to assist them. Due to safety reasons, we are unable to accept bookings from long-term care facilities for guided tours.
Pre-Booked Group Walking Tours
Due to COVID-19 all walking tours are suspended indefinitely.
Group walking tours are available 7 days per week from April 1 – Thanksgiving (not available in winter months) for groups of 10 or more.
- Group tours with under 20 individuals need to be booked a minimum of two weeks in advance. Group tours with over 20 individuals need to be booked a minimum of four weeks in advance.
- Group tours are not available on Canadian holidays or on days with special events
Cart Tours
Due to COVID-19 all cart tours are suspended indefinitely.
Cart Tours (primarily for persons with mobility issues) are available daily from April 1 – Thanksgiving (not available in winter months) at 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm. Advance booking is only available for weekdays, for those with mobility issues and is strongly recommended.
Cart tours on weekends and holidays are available on a first come-first served basis. Cart tours are not available on days with special events. Please note: cart tours are weather permitting.
Bookings
Due to COVID-19 all bookings can be made online only.
As of March 15th, bookings can be made from 10am to 4pm in person daily at the Information Desk in the Visitor Centre or by phone: 604.257.8162. Please do not leave a telephone message. Please note all tours are weather permitting.
A non-refundable administration booking fee will be taken at the time the pre-booked group walking or cart tour reservation is made. Groups need to arrive a minimum 15 minutes before the tour.
- Cart tours: $10 per group (per cart). Advance Booking can be made until 11am on the day of the tour.
- Group walking tours:
-
- For travel agencies and other business group reservations: $2.50 per tour participant
- For Garden clubs, seniors centres, clubs: $1 per tour participant
Self-Guided Tours
Inquire at the Information Desk regarding seasonal self-guided tour pamphlets. These highlight plants or plant families that are at their seasonal peak in any given month.
Bloedel Conservatory
Tours are not available at the Bloedel Conservatory, however Roving Docents are available on weekends and statutory holidays from 10am – 4pm and on weekdays from 1pm to 4pm. They are happy to answer questions and share the stories of the birds and plants that live under the dome.