Accommodation

Accommodation on this trip has been selected for its excellent location and warm, Canadian hospitality. Below are the properties we usually use on this itinerary. Vancouver (one night): The Holiday Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown offers an excellent central location to visit Vancouver’s key sites. There’s also a heated indoor swimming pool and a fitness centre. Ucluelet (three nights): Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina is an historic four-star property on the waterfront in the small town of Ucluelet on Vancouver Island’s west coast. All rooms have private balconies and complimentary wifi. Campbell River (three nights): Close to the Elk Falls Suspension Bridge, Painter’s Lodge is a completely non-smoking hotel, where we stay in garden-view rooms overlooking the grounds. Victoria (one night): Huntingdon Manor Hotel, located in Victoria’s scenic Inner Harbour, has a history dating back to 1890 and is built in the style of an English country manor house.

Guide

There is a local leader who also drives the vehicle. Local guides are used where necessary.

Transport

Transport is by 15-seater minibus, ferry and Zodiac. Most of the roads are in very good condition. The longest driving day is five-six hours when we travel from Vancouver to Ucluelet (Day 2). We have tried to keep travelling to a minimum on this trip, although most days involve some driving due to the distances covered.

Others

L listed activities

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Meals

Three breakfasts and four picnic lunches are included on this trip. For meals not included, you usually eat out in local restaurants recommended by the tour leader. To help you budget, meals cost on average: Hotel breakfasts: 15-20 Canadian dollars (US$11-US$15) Lunches: 20-25 dollars (US$15-US$19) Dinners: 30-50 dollars (US$23-US$38), this does not include alcoholic beverages Drinks cost on average: Wine: 15-20 dollars (US$11-15) per glass Beer: 8-12 dollars (US$6-US$9) per bottle A tip of approximately 17%-20% is added to group meals in Canadian restaurants. Applicable taxes will also be added to all listed menu prices. Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so our local team can be well prepared.

Others

— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request) — Visas or vaccinations — Meals not mentioned

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Flights

International flights are not included

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Day 1 Day 1: Start Vancouver
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start Vancouver

The adventure begins in Vancouver on Canada’s west coast. If you have time, we recommend a stroll around this cosmopolitan city to get a feel for it. Treat yourself to moreish maple cookies in Stanley Park, a 990-acre (400ha) green wonderland where you can see authentic totem poles put up in the 1920s or sit in one of the cafes and enjoy a spot of people watching. A welcome briefing may be held this evening or tomorrow morning, in which we gather as a group and meet our tour leader. Accommodation: Holiday Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown (or similar)
Day 2 Day 2: Morning Ferry To Vancouver Island (Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Morning Ferry To Vancouver Island (Lunch)

In the morning, we head to the port for a ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, a 1hr 30min journey across the Strait of Georgia. On arrival in Nanaimo, we continue by road, stopping for a walk and picnic lunch at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park. Rathtrevor is known for its majestic old-growth woodland, beautiful ocean sunsets and a wide, sandy beach with picnic areas nestled amongst the trees. We then continue our drive to Ucluelet, our base for the next three nights. Today’s travel time is approximately six hours. Accommodation: Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina (or similar)
Day 3 Day 3: Pacific Rim National Park Reserve; Boat Excursion To Observe Grey And Humpback Whales (Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Pacific Rim National Park Reserve; Boat Excursion To Observe Grey And Humpback Whales (Lunch)

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is nestled between the mountains of the Vancouver Island range and the Pacific coastline. We walk inside the park this morning to admire the rich natural heritage of the west coast of Canada. The reserve has almost 10mi (16km) of sand and a huge collection of driftwood, while the next stop is Japan! We usually take the Nuu-Chah-Nulth trail to the beach and visit during low tide to explore some of the intertidal pools and rocky islands. You may see lime-green anemones and purple, brown and orange starfish. In the afternoon, we board Zodiacs with a naturalist guide who leads a 2hr 30min to three hour whale-observation excursion (depending on the low-tide schedule, this activity may take place earlier in the day). Our goal is to see humpback and grey whales, but it is also common to come across orcas, seals and sea lions among the rocky headlands. Today’s driving time should not exceed two hours. Accommodation: Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina (or similar)
Day 4 Day 4: Rainforest Figure Eight Trail; Boat Excursion To Observe Black Bears
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Rainforest Figure Eight Trail; Boat Excursion To Observe Black Bears

Today our leader will take us on an easy hike on the Rainforest Figure Eight trail, an hour-long walk along wooden boardwalks through the majestic forest. This is a peaceful trail and we will be surrounded by a dense foliage of ferns, Western Red Cedar and Western Hemlock trees. Keep your eyes peeled for birdlife - our tour leaders have reported sightings of Steller’s jays and Rufous hummingbirds! Late this afternoon, we board Zodiacs for a 2hr 30min expedition to observe black bears and bald eagles (depending on the low-tide schedule, this activity may take place earlier in the day). In the wilderness of Clayoquot Sound, black bears search for crabs and clams on the rocky beaches. We travel the fjord inlet by Zodiac, looking in sheltered bays and stopping to see any black bears we find from the comfort of our vessel. Accommodation: Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina (or similar)
Day 5 Day 5: To Campbell River And Cathedral Grove Provincial Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: To Campbell River And Cathedral Grove Provincial Park

Depart Ucluelet and drive for four hours to Campbell River on the north shore of Vancouver Island. Campbell River is known as the salmon capital of the world for its hugely impressive salmon runs, where five species of Pacific salmon swim the river. It has been designated a Heritage River for its importance in British Columbia; following the fish are bears, seals, kingfishers and eagles. This afternoon, we stop at Cathedral Grove Provincial Park to see the last remains of the temperate rainforest that covered the island more than a 1,000 years ago. This is one of the most accessible areas of giant Douglas fir trees in the province and there are many trails enabling us to meander through Douglas fir, western hemlock, grand fir and western red cedar trees. Accommodation: Painter’s Lodge (or similar)
Day 6 Day 6: Boat Excursion To Orford River To Observe Grizzly Bears (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Boat Excursion To Orford River To Observe Grizzly Bears (Breakfast,Lunch)

Board a covered boat for a full-day excursion to the Orford River area (on the mainland of British Columbia) to observe grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Conservative estimates suggest there are 10,000 grizzly (brown) bears in British Columbia, with 92 percent of the original habitat of grizzlies still occupied. The abundance of spawning salmon in the Orford River at this time of year brings grizzlies down to feast. A two-hour journey by boat with a spectacular backdrop of mountainous scenery brings us to the mouth of the Orford River. From here, we take a short bus journey inland, where there are five viewing platforms from which to spot the bears. We visit one or sometimes two of these platforms, where we hope to observe the bears catching and feeding on salmon, sometimes with cubs in tow. On the boat journey to and from the Orford River, we may also see black bears, orcas, humpback and grey whales, dolphins, porpoises and sea lions. Accommodation: Painter’s Lodge (or similar)
Day 7 Day 7: Quadra Island For Hiking Or Optional Sea Kayaking (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Quadra Island For Hiking Or Optional Sea Kayaking (Breakfast,Lunch)

Board a ferry for a 10-minute journey across the Discovery Passage to Quadra Island, where we spend the day exploring the island trails and beaches by foot. Our leader will determine the best trail based on the group’s preference and ability, but options include the Shallaligan Pass Trail along Quadra Island’s coastline, which offers panoramic ocean views, or the Heriot Ridge Trail that passes through the bush and out onto a ridge for coastal views galore. There is also an optional three-hour sea kayaking excursion from Quadra Island. Accompanied by kayak and marine life observation guides, there is never a dull moment as we paddle by kayak around Quadra Island – we could see soaring eagles, oystercatchers, herons, cormorants, gulls and, if lucky, seals, sea lions, dolphins and porpoises. The mountain views offer a stunning backdrop to this excursion, which is suitable for beginners. Accommodation: Painter’s Lodge (or similar)
Day 8 Day 8: Transfer To Victoria; Whale-Watching In The Salish Sea (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Transfer To Victoria; Whale-Watching In The Salish Sea (Breakfast,Lunch)

We drive for around four hours to Victoria, capital of British Columbia. Victoria is well-known for its colourful gardens, British architecture and arts scene. In the afternoon, we have one final wildlife-viewing opportunity as we embark on a whale-watching excursion from Victoria, where orcas, humpback whales and sea lions are often spotted in the waters of the Salish Sea. A certified marine naturalist will accompany us in the Zodiac boat, helping to spot wildlife and providing background information on the species we observe. Accommodation: Huntingdon Manor (or similar)
Day 9 Day 9: Ferry To Vancouver; Orientation Tour And End Vancouver
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Ferry To Vancouver; Orientation Tour And End Vancouver

It’s an early start on our final day in British Columbia as we take the ferry (approximately 1.5 hours) across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver. Our leader will take us on a guided orientation tour of the city then there’s free time to explore Vancouver at your leisure. Those on Land Only arrangements may choose stay longer in the vibrant city of Victoria. Please speak to your sales representative if you’d like to add post-tour nights in Victoria or Vancouver.
Day 10 Day 10: End Vancouver.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: End Vancouver.

Those on the group flight will be transferred to the airport today. Those on Land Only arrangements are free to leave at any time.

9 days tour

Whales & Bears Of British Columbia

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Whales & Bears Of British Columbia

Day 1: Start Vancouver

Day 2: Morning Ferry To Vancouver Island (Lunch)

Day 3: Pacific Rim National Park Reserve; Boat Excursion To Observe Grey And Humpback Whales (Lunch)

Day 4: Rainforest Figure Eight Trail; Boat Excursion To Observe Black Bears

Day 5: To Campbell River And Cathedral Grove Provincial Park

Day 6: Boat Excursion To Orford River To Observe Grizzly Bears (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 7: Quadra Island For Hiking Or Optional Sea Kayaking (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 8: Transfer To Victoria; Whale-Watching In The Salish Sea (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 9: Ferry To Vancouver; Orientation Tour And End Vancouver

Day 10: End Vancouver.

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