16 Day Tour
Explore Vancouver, one of Canada’s most vibrant cities, and join a food tour here. Go looking for humpback whales and Orca in Victoria Harbour. Encounter black and grizzly bears in their natural environment around Vancouver Island. Enjoy a scenic flight along the rugged coastline to Bella Bella. Stay at Great Bear Lodge, in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, and spend a few days in this stunning wilderness setting.
DAY 1: Vancouver
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Vancouver. On arrival in Vancouver make your own way to your downtown hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax.
Stay At: The Listel Hotel Vancouver
DAY 2: Vancouver
After a leisurely start, join a street food tour of Vancouver and discover why this city has developed a reputation as a foodie hotspot in Canada. The afternoon is at leisure to continue your exploration of the city by yourselves.
Stay At: The Listel Hotel Vancouver
DAY 3: Victoria
Make your own way to Vancouver’s seaplane terminal and take a scenic flight over the Gulf Islands to British Columbia’s provincial capital, Victoria. After a thrilling touchdown in the city’s Inner Harbour, make your own way to your hotel, which is located a short distance away.
Stay At: The Oswego Hotel
DAY 4: Victoria
This morning you join a whale-watching excursion out into the Gulf, travelling either by Zodiac or covered boat, and may see orca and humpback whales as well as a range of marine birdlife.
Stay At: The Oswego Hotel
DAY 5: Tofino
Make your own way to the airport this morning to collect your hire car. All insurances, a road map and a sat-nav are included in your car hire package. You’ll then drive to Tofino in the Pacific Rim National Park — a particularly scenic drive as you travel through Vancouver Island’s rugged interior. We recommend taking a picnic and breaking the journey at Cathedral Grove en route. On arrival, spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the beaches and marina at Tofino.
Stay At: Long Beach Lodge Resort
DAY 6: Tofino
Start the day with a black bear watching trip from Tofino returning late morning. The rest of the day is free to continue exploring this scenic area under your own steam.
Tofino
Stay At: Long Beach Lodge Resort
DAY 7: Courtenay
This morning you might like to take a walk along one of the beautiful driftwood strewn beaches that Vancouver Island is famous for, before departing Tofino and driving across the island to Courtenay. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Stay At: Belle Vue Bed & Breakfast
DAY 8: Courtenay
Spend today on an amazing grizzly bear safari to Bute Inlet during which you should also see abundant marine and birdlife.
Stay At: Belle Vue Bed & Breakfast
DAY 9: Port Hardy
Continue through Vancouver Island to Port Hardy at the northernmost tip. Take your time today to stop for some short walks along the way.
Stay At: Kwa’lilas Hotel
DAY 10: Port Hardy
Make your own way to Port Hardy’s airport and drop off your hire car in time for your scenic light aircraft flight over British Columbia’s rugged coastline. Your hosts at Great Bear Lodge will be waiting to meet you on arrival, and your grizzly bear adventure gets underway this afternoon. You’ll be taken to a viewing site close to the lodge, where bears have been most active. You may reach an estuary site by boat, or by bus along a wilderness track. Keep your eyes peeled and your camera close to hand! Returning to the lodge, dinner will be served and the rest of the evening is yours to relax.
Stay At: Great Bear Lodge
DAY 11 Port Hardy
Following breakfast, embark on a three-hour morning trip to view more grizzlies. You’ll have some time to relax back at the lodge after lunch, before heading out again in the afternoon to explore the surrounding area with a guide, who will explain the area’s ecology and bear signs throughout the forest. Round off the day with another bear viewing trip, before returning to Great Bear Lodge for dinner.
Stay At: Great Bear Lodge
DAY 12: Port Hardy
Enjoy another full day at Great Bear Lodge. You’ll have more chances to spot grizzlies this morning and late afternoon, when the bears are most active, and, if you wish, enjoy another afternoon activity at the lodge. You might like to take a guided boat cruise to explore a nearby glacially-carved inlet, or simply sit back and take in your surroundings from the lodge itself.
Stay At: Great Bear Lodge
DAY 13: Port Hardy
Embark on one final bear viewing trip this morning before returning to Port Hardy by light aircraft after lunch. Arriving back on Vancouver Island late this afternoon, make your own way to your hotel. The rest of the evening is yours to relax and reminisce about your last few incredible days in the rainforest.
Stay At: Kwa’lilas Hotel
DAY 14: Vancouver
After a morning at leisure, make your way to the airport for your short flight to Vancouver. On arrival in Vancouver make your own way to your hotel for your final night in Canada.
Stay At: The Listel Hotel Vancouver
DAY 15: International return flight
You can enjoy most of the day at leisure in Vancouver then make your way to the airport later on for your onward flight.
DAY 16: International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
16 days from £8370 pp
The price reflects the suggested accommodation in this itinerary. This will depend on when you travel and is subject to change. All of our Wildlife holidays are completely tailor-made to your requirements. We are happy to make recommendation to meet the quality and experience you are looking for, within your given budget.
