Fully narrated tour of Butchart Gardens and Saanich Peninsula

Victoria, Canada

3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

This private tour of Butchart Gardens is geared toward anyone who desires a more personalized look at one of the world’s finest gardens. Walk among the fragrant displays and recreated historical fountains and soak up the scenery of the Saanich Peninsula. Skip the hassle of organizing your own transport from Victoria; your guide offers the convenience of hotel pickup and drop-off. The itinerary is fully customizable; admission is not included.

Private tour of Butchart Gardens, a National Historic Site in British Columbia
Pricing is per vehicle, offered for up to 20 passengers in your private party
Fully narrated tour with a guide and a personal driver to the Saanich Peninsula
Hotel pickup and drop-off are available from Victoria

What's Included

Private tour of Butchart Gardens from Victoria
Fully narrated tour
Driver and guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Entrance fee - Entrance fees to the Gardens is not included in the cost of the tour. The entrance fees are varied based on ages of visitors - child, youth, adult

CA$44.25 per person
Transportation to/from Ferry terminal, cruise terminal, or airport ($5 per person fee)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Victoria, Victoria, Victoria Capital Regional District, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Arranged start time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.

Select your preferred tour option to see hours.

Itinerary

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, an alternative date or full refund will be offered

Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
The tour inside the gardens has an additional entrance fee and is self guided as required by Butchart Gardens management.
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Reviews

3.7

based on 15 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Terrible. Was cancelled...

Marcela_C, Aug 2025

Terrible. Was cancelled minutes before the scheduled tour!!!! Tour operator was very rude, he said he had no time for explanarions

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Your trip was not terrible. It did not occur as you failed to provide pickup location and time. Despite calls and emails to you over 3 weeks prior to your tour you did not respond to our calls. The source of the problem was failure to communicate. We tried repeatedly however there was no response

Garden tour on our own was great but not by your company’s support

Helene_K, Oct 2023

It was not what we had expected of a fully narrated tour as sold to us. We could have driven our rental car for much cheaper than $266 for 34 minUte ride.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

I’m sorry. This statement is untrue. You can clearly see that the guide cannot guide in the gardens. He gave you full instructions and a complete tour. Please be truthful

Beautiful, But Not Enough Time

Anonymous, Sep 2023

Sunken Garden was highlight; we, however, didn't have enough time for Rose Garden & Japanese Garden. I was good that we were one of the few visitors at the time. Also, Viator really messed up with communications with Kiki the vendor! You refused to verify my reservation with them, which held up the whole process, while they insisted I pay them directly, since you were refusing to pay them; it took them an hour on the phone with you to finally straighten things out with you. Meanwhile, we had a lot less time at Butchart Gardens with Butchart Gardens stating they weren't dealing with you as a vendor at all & that they would not honor anything with you & we'd have to pay full price, not even any discounts offered! With all this, we were disappointed that all this cut at least an hour off our time at the Gardens, which is primarily Viator's fault in total miscommunication with us all! Please correct this in the future or you'll be losing lots of potential customers!! We do expect you to do something to help compensate for your treatment of us and the vendor. Thanks so much, Ira

Decent Uber ride

Angela_H, Aug 2023

This excursion turned out to be more of an Uber ride. The driver was very friendly and a good driver. He did give a guided tour of the City, but unfortunately didn't have a microphone. Only the people in the front of the van could hear him. The other 5 of us couldn't hear anything.

Shawn’s history knowledge...

Janis_P, Jul 2023

Shawn’s history knowledge was amazing and very informative. The experience was perfect it was wonderful

Response from Host, Jul 2023

I am very fortunate to have Sean on staff. Excellent worker who loves what he’s doing. Thanks for your kind comments

Need a refund

Randi_C, Oct 2022

The tour guide never showed up and when I called him he said it had been cancelled. I would like my $275 refunded that I paid for this tour.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

There has been a communication gap. We were canceled and another provider was contracted.by Viator. We will be canceling all billing and checking what went wrong to rectify the situation. I apologize if we were at fault. You can see that we are reliable and this is most troubling

Nice excursion

Andrey_L, Sep 2022

Gardens are very beautiful! It was really worth to go. It is real Victoria gem! I am glad that Canadian border was transparent

Response from Host, Sep 2022

Glad you enjoyed your visit

False Advertising!

Denise_P, May 2022

We did not receive a narrated tour of Buchart gardens! Our driver stayed at the car while we went into the garden. Also, admission was not included into the park. Also, she was not a good driver, and slammed on the brakes when she almost ran a stop sign. Asked her if she knew the story behind the gardens as well. She said I’ve never been there!! $325 for 4 hrs for a car ride… what a joke and rip off!

Response from Host, May 2022

Investigated fully. Customer upset with Provincial rules on second party ticket selling and Gardens policy on tours being self guided. Dash camera reveals no driving issues. Full refund unwarranted however despite great exaggeration we’re giving her one. Inexperienced traveler. Tried to explain but she cannot be placated.

Gardens are incredibly...

Diana_D, May 2022

Gardens are incredibly beautiful! Very nice walk without pressure at our own pace. Food was surprisingly fresh and tasty.

Response from Host, May 2022

I’m happy you enjoyed your visit. Please come see us again soon!!

Worth it

Jeffrey_F, May 2022

Loved the tour, Scott did a great job, only thing that could of made it better, should have booked a longer version, so much to see at the gardens. Would recommend to anyone.

Response from Host, May 2022

Thank you for your kind words. Scott is an absolutely wonderful driver. I’ll pass along your great review! Kiki

Butchard Gardens are incredible

Bill_J, Apr 2022

Hotel pick up in Victoria on time. Our driver/guide Scott was excellent in driving, informative and pleasant. Comfortable clean ride. Gardens and greenhouse were incredible and so glad we booked the tour.