Holiday Overview
A once in a lifetime wilderness experience with this impressive itinerary.
See the best of British Columbia by visiting the capital Victoria where you will enjoy two of the city's essential experiences: whale watching and Butchart Gardens. Stay 3-nights in Vancouver, a coastal city with stunning views of the mountains and take in sights such as Stanley Park, English Bay and much more. The main highlight of your trip will be the wildlife experience at Farewell Harbour, situated on Berry Island where you will stay 3-nights revealing in fascinating wildlife excursions. You will end your spectacular holiday with a stay in Whistler, where you will take a ride on the world record breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola. The views from the top of Whistler Mountain will end your trip on a high with scenery that will leave you in awe.
Best of BC with Bears & Whales includes:
- Return flights from UK
- 12 nights Accommodation
- Transfers
- Whales & Butchart Gardens Tour
- Vancouver Sightseeing Tour
- Peak 2 Peak Gondola
- Bear watching
Day 1 - Fly to Vancouver
On arrival in Vancouver you will be transferred by coach & ferry to Victoria.
Featured accommodation
Oswego Hotel
Enhance your experience
Hotel Chateau Victoria
Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Day 2 - Victoria
Spend the day at your leisure in Victoria taking in the sights. Victoria is very picturesque with a beautiful Inner Harbour.
Featured accommodation
Oswego Hotel
Enhance your experience
Hotel Chateau Victoria
Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Day 3 - Whale Watching & Butchart Gardens Tour
Morning at leisure before your afternoon tour. Duration: 5 hours
This adventure makes the most of your vacation time by allowing you to enjoy two of Victoria's essential experiences in a single day: whale watching and The Butchart Gardens.
Explore the Haro Strait and the Strait of Juan de Fuca in search of the majestic wildlife that floods the local waters here in tth summer months. Take advantage of the opportunity to view several different species of whales in the wild as well as an assortment of sea birds and other species of marine wildlife from downtown Victoria en route to the Butchart Gardens private dock and entrance via Tod Inlet.
Enjoy at your leisure The Butchart Gardens with CVS return connections to Victoria departing the gardens regularly throughout the evening. Stay for dinner, the fireworks on Saturday evening or summer events!
Highlights: - Fully guides whale watching and wildlife viewing (3 hours) - VIP entrance into the Butchart Gardens by their private dock - Travel through inlets and bays not visited on other departures - Save time by combining whale watching and connections to the Butchart Gardens - Customize your return time to Victoria on any scheduled connection with our partner CVS Tours - Rate includes admission to the Butchart Gardens and return coach transfer with CVS Tours
Featured accommodation
Oswego Hotel
Enhance your experience
Hotel Chateau Victoria
Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Day 4 - Transfer to Vancouver
This morning you will depart Victoria and travel to Vancouver. (coach/ferry included) Once you are on the ferry you will get off your coach and can go up on deck to take in the stunning scenery. Keep your camera at hand as you pass by the Gulf Islands with the added chance of spotting wildlife too. Spend your afternoon at your leisure in Vancouver which has much to offer.
Featured accommodation
Georgian Court Hotel
Enhance your experience
The Listel Hotel Vancouver
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Day 5 - Sightsee Vancouver
Today use your Hop on Hop off Vancouver Sightseeing pass to help you get around the city to take in the sights at your leisure. The pass allows you hop on/off at over 20 sights and attractions. We recommend timing a visit to Granville Island for lunch or an afternoon treat at the Public Market.
Featured accommodation
Georgian Court Hotel
Enhance your experience
The Listel Hotel Vancouver
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Day 6 - Vancouver
Today is at your leisure, you still have the full day to continue using your Hop on Hop off Sightseeing pass.
Featured accommodation
Georgian Court Hotel
Enhance your experience
The Listel Hotel Vancouver
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Day 7 - Farewell Harbour
This morning you have a taxi transfer included to take you to Vancouver South Terminal for your early morning flight to Port Hardy.
Depart Port Hardy Airport or hotel between 9.30 - 10.30am. Arrive at Alder Bay by 12.00pm for your 12.30pm departure aboard our high speed water taxi for the scenic 30 minute service to Farewell Harbour. Greet Farewell Harbour Lodge staff at the dock (1.00pm).
Check in, receive a welcome orientation and lunch. Relax, you’re here! After settling into accommodation, join an afternoon tour in search of marine wildlife in the waters of the famous Johnstone Strait and Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. Return to the lodge by 4.30pm. Buffet dinner is at 6.00pm, followed by next day activity briefing. Evening presentation is at 7.00pm on some aspect of coastal ecology.
Day 8 - Farewell Harbour
After breakfast, meet on the dock at 8.00am for your first full day bear viewing adventure to one of our main grizzly viewing estuaries! Our bear viewing takes us to one of several estuaries where we view either from a zodiac or on foot depending on the tide. We do not use viewing platforms, preferring to view wildlife at eye level in their natural habitat. Return by 4.30pm; buffet dinner is at 6.00pm followed by an evening presentation the Great Bear Rainforest, Bears, Whales or First Nations culture.
Day 9 - Farewell Harbour
7.00am breakfast, then on the water at 8.00am for your choice of another bear viewing safari or a more extensive exploration of the the incredibly rich waters of Johnstone Strait and the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. Orcas typically return to these waters mid July although Humpbacks and other marine life can often be seen from May through October. Return by 4.30pm for dinner and an evening program.
Day 10 - Fly Port Hardy to Vancouver
Today, enjoy a a short morning sea kayak excursion in the protected and crystalline waters near Farewell Harbour Lodge, a marine excursion, or guided interpretive rainforest hike. Return to the lodge for the return water taxi back to Alder Bay about midday arriving for your transfer back to Port Hardy Airport for your return flight to Vancouver. Coach Transfer from Vancouver Main Terminal to your Whistler hotel is included this afternoon.
Featured accommodation
Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel
Enhance your experience
Aava Hotel
Four Seasons Whistler
Day 11 - Explore Whistler
Day at leisure in Whistler.
Featured accommodation
Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel
Enhance your experience
Aava Hotel
Four Seasons Whistler
Day 12 - Peak 2 Peak Gondola
Today you have your Peak 2 Peak Gondola ride pass.
Featured accommodation
Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel
Enhance your experience
Whistler Pinnacle
Four Seasons Whistler
Day 13 - Fly Vancouver to UK
Morning at leisure. Coach transfer from your hotel to Vancouver Airport is included for your overnight flight back to the UK
Oswego Hotel
The Oswega is a sophisticated, urban, boutique hotel steps away from the Inner Harbour and downtown Victoria. The hotel’s combination of modern design, incredible service and luxury amenities makes it the perfect place to get a taste of the city’s natural surroundings and urban vibe.
Hotel Chateau Victoria
Discover Victoria at its finest through an authentic local experience in the heart of downtown. With deeply entrenched roots in the local community and a strong sense of environmental responsibility – the Chateau Victoria strives to share all that makes Victoria special to each and every guest.
Magnolia Hotel & Spa
The Magnolia Hotel and Spa is just 2 blocks from Victoria’s picturesque Inner Harbour and in the heart of the city’s best shopping, dining and entertainment.
Georgian Court Hotel
The Georgian Court Hotel is a 4 star boutique hotel and a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Vancouver
The Fairmont Waterfront luxury hotel showcases the best of Vancouver. Conveniently located, the hotel connects by covered walkway to the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, the cruise ship terminal at Canada Place, and the Sky train. Situated on scenic Burrard Inlet, it has a central to sightseeing and shopping in Vancouver.
Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel
Summit Lodge is Whistlers quirky award-winning boutique hotel. It is located just steps away from the Olympic Plaza and some of Whistlers top restaurants.
Aava Hotel
The Aava is just a snowballs throw from Whistler Village and a few more footsteps to the lifts of Whistler & Blackcomb Mountains. Experience Whistlers’ culinary excellence and vibrant nightlife. Whether for business or fun, the Aava is the perfect hotel to relax in affordable style.
Four Seasons Whistler
Grand in scale, intimate by nature, luxury Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler epitomizes the mountain spirit. Inside, find 291 luxury lodge guest rooms, including 95 hotel suites and 20 private residences with open-sky spaciousness and European-styled refinement. An expansive timber, glass and stone lobby harmonizes your transition between the great outdoors and the cosy wood hotel interiors of your private space in Whistler.
Whistler Pinnacle Hotel
Experience Whistler with Pinnacle. Make yourself at home in this warm and inviting boutique hotel - that perfect blend of contemporary style and unique West Coast mountain charm.
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