Vancouver Island & the Grizzlies Fly Drive

Day 1 - Fly UK to Vancouver

On arrival at Vancouver Airport, transfer to your chosen downtown hotel. (transfer included)

Day 2 - Explore Vancouver

Day at leisure to explore the delights of Vancouver.

Day 3 - Vancouver to Victoria

This morning pick up your hire car and head for Tsawwassen Ferry terminal for a 90 min ferry ride (ferry toll included). On-board BC Ferries enjoy the scenery of the Gulf Islands as you cross the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island.  Stay 2 nights at a centrally located Victoria hotel.

Day 4 - Explore Victoria

Today is free to explore Victoria, with its turn-of-the-century architecture, British traditions such as high tea, and shops full of woollens and china. Take in Butchart Gardens and/or a Whale Watching trip (optional)

Day 5 - Victoria to Tofino

Travel to the rugged West Coast of Vancouver Island and head to Pacific Rim National Park. En-route stops should be made at Duncan the ‘City of Totems’, where you may visit the Quw’utsun’ Heritage Village, which will provide you with an insight into the lives of the  northwest  coast people (admission not included). Make a stop in the artist community of Chemainus, where you can admire the giant murals which adorn the exterior walls throughout the town. Drive through majestic Sutton Pass and the Sawtooth Range of the Cascade Mountains to arrive in Tofino around mid afternoon

Day 6 - Explore Pacific Rim National Park

Mid-afternoon you may opt to enjoy a 3-hour whale watch cruise (not included) through the Clayoquot Sound, revealing sensational scenery and wildlife such as Gray Whales, Sea Lions, Porpoises and Orcas. The area is also known for its variety of birds, including tufted puffins and resident bald eagles. Tofino is famous for it's beaches - no less than 6! Make sure to catch one of the stunning sunsets from one of the beaches - Tonquin is one of our favourites for the sunset..

Day 7 - Tofino to Campbell River

Travel to Campbell River for your 2 night stay at Painters Lodge.

Day 8 - Campbell River

Enjoy your day at leisure enjoying the resort facilities and take the complimentary water taxi over to Painters Lodge sister hotel April Point Resort across the Inside Passage to Quadra Island. There are various wildlife excursions and even a guided Salmon fishing excursion on offer, ask for details and prices.

Day 9 - Campbell River to Great Bear Lodge

Drive to Port Hardy this morning for your seaplane transfer to Great Bear Lodge. The seaplane is an adventure in itself, travelling over the breathtaking scenery of the central coast and over the rich waters of Queen Charlotte Strait, the home of orca, gray and humpback whales. Upon your arrival at the lodge, your hosts will be on the dock to welcome you to your wilderness retreat. Settle into your private room at the lodge, before joining the group for your first wildlife viewing session. We have a range of different viewing sites, and will choose one according to where the bears have been most active. Estuary sites are reached by boat, while river sites are reached by a wilderness track. 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. Returning to the lodge that evening, you will be treated to a wilderness-gourmet meal. Our biologist will present slides and videos, explaining the interaction of the grizzly bear with this unique ecology.

Day 10 - Great Bear Lodge

In the morning, you will be on the trail of the grizzly bear again after some good coffee and breakfast. A typical viewing session lasts three hours. After a morning of adventure, you will return to the lodge for lunch and a chance to relax. Spend the early afternoon exploring the surrounding area with the guide. A popular activity is the interpretive rainforest walk, examining bear sign and the general ecology of the area. In mid-afternoon you will venture out to see the bears before relaxing in the lodge for dinner. On clear nights, the stars are amazing.

Day 11 - Great Bear Lodge

The bears are generally most active in the early morning and late afternoon hours, which is why we focus our viewing sessions on these times. Over the course of your stay we will take you to a variety of sites, depending on the bear activity.

For the afternoon recreation today we may a boat cruise to explore the glacier-carved inlet. Or you may prefer to relax and enjoy the view from the lodge. The Great Bear Rainforest is home to many animals, including grey wolves, otters, black bears, mink and bald eagles.

Day 12 - Great Bear Lodge to Port Hardy

After your parting session with the bears, lunch and an afternoon activity, you will be returned to Port Hardy by floatplane in the afternoon sometime between 4pm and 6pm.

Day 13 - Port Hardy to Parksville

Make your way from Port Hardy this morning to Parksville. Spend your afternoon at leisure exploring the resort and enjoying the facilities on offer

Day 14 - Parksville to Vancouver

Depart Parksville and pick up the ferry from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay. Continue your journey to Vancouver before dropping off your rental vehicle

Day 15 - Fly Vancouver to UK

Enjoy your final morning in Vancouver. Check out from your hotel and head to Vancouver Airport (transfer included)