Great Bear Experience
Tour No: STOGB4 & STOGB5
Why not extend your holiday in Canada or Alaska with a world-class wild-life viewing experience to the central coast of British Columbia?
The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the best places in the world to observe grizzly bears. During spring the bears emerge from hibernation, often with cubs in tow, to feed on sedges and grasses that make up the dense bio-mass of the river estuary. During the late summer and early autumn bears are drawn to the many salmon spawning streams feeding into the coastal inlets. This is an experience of a lifetime!
Day 1 Vancouver to Great Bear Lodge. Join your flight at Vancouver Airport and travel to Port Hardy located at the northern end of Vancouver Island. Leave behind the noise of modern life for pristine wilderness as you transfer from Port Hardy to Great Bear Lodge, a charming two-story, floating lodge with five bedrooms. The journey itself is a spectacular adventure, travelling past the breathtaking scenery of the central coast and over the rich waters of Queen Charlotte Strait, the home of orca, reay and humpback whales.
Upon arrival at the lodge, your hosts will extend a warm welcome before you settle into your private room. In the late afternoon, your grizzly bear experience begins! Your guides will select from a range of viewing sites according to where the bears have been most active. Estuary sites are reached by boat while river sites are reached by vehicle. The viewing blinds on the river have been constructed with the photographer in mind and are optimal and comfortable places from which to view bears. There is nothing quite like seeing your first grizzly emerge from the forest.
Return to the lodge this evening where you will be treated to a wilderness-gourmet meal. The lodge's biologist will present slides and videos, explaining the interaction of the grizzly bear with this unique ecology. Two-night stay: Great Bear Lodge (D)
Day 2 Great Bear Viewing. At dawn, you will go on the trail of the grizzly bear. A typical viewing session lasts three hours. Viewing sessions are non-strenuous, requiring guests only to step into a boat or to walk down stairs to the viewing blind.
Enjoy a fortifying brunch before exploring the surrounding area with a guide. A popular activity is the interpetive rainforest walk, examining bear signs and the general ecology of the area. Join an afternoon bear viewing session before relaxing in the lodge for dinner. (Brunch & D)
 Day 3 Morning Bear Viewing. Port Hardy. After your morning bear viewing session, enjoy lunch at the Great Bear Lodge. Transfer to Port Hardy this afternoon. Stay: Port Hardy, Quarterdeck Inn (CB & L).
Day 4. Port Hardy to Vancouver. Join your flight at Port Hardy and return to Vancouver (B).
A five-day Great Bear Experience is also available. Inclusions are as per the itinerary above with one extra night at Great Bear Lodge and two additional bear viewing sessions. Tour code: STOGB5 Just America will be pleased to assist you in including your Great Bear Experience into your Western Canada itinerary.
Just America will be pleased to quote airfares. We can offer a choice of airlines, economy, business and First Class travel, additional accommodation and onward travel. |
