Rocky Mountaineer Vacations

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	Grizzly Bear Adventure

8 Days/7 Nights
All Land transportation included

This tour is an experience of a lifetime!

The central coast of British Columbia is known as the Great Bear Rainforest.  This area is one of the best places in the world to observe grizzly bears and other wildlife.  During spring, grizzly bears leave the mountains to graze on the sedges, succulents and grasses at the river estuary.  A number of birds and other animals also inhabit the river estuaries.  In mid-August thousands of salmon return.  Enclosed viewing stands along the riverbanks allow you to watch the bears gorge themselves on fish in anticipation of their hibernation. 

• 7 Nights accommodations

• 2 Nights Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel

• 2 Nights hotel in Port Hardy – hotel to be determined

• Round trip air from Vancouver to Port Hardy

• Round trip air via seaplane from Port Hardy to the Great Bear Lodge

• 3 Nights accommodations at the Great Bear Lodge, which also includes:

  • Welcome orientation at the Great Bear Lodge

  • Afternoon and morning bear viewing sessions, guided by a wildlife biologist

  • Wilderness gourmet meals including complimentary wine with dinner

  • Slide shows and video presentations of the local natural history

  • Guided hiking, boat cruises or sea-kayaking

• Maps and destination information

• Hotel taxes and GST as applicable

**Please note:  Itinerary changes can occur based on the activities of the bears, the hours of daylight, the tides and the weather.

Day 1 – Arrive Vancouver

Welcome to Vancouver!  Overnight arrangements have been made for you at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel.  This is a magnificent airport hotel!  Your hotel is located inside the main terminal which makes check-in for your flight tomorrow very convenient.

Overnight – Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel

Day 2 – Vancouver to Port Hardy

Today you fly from Vancouver to Port Hardy.  The rest of the day is at your leisure.  Stroll or jog along the seawall to the bustling harbour, where fishing boats, sail boats and float planes always seem to be coming or going.  Port Hardy is rich in Native culture, and Native Art shops and galleries offer arts and crafts produced by local Native artisans.

Overnight – TBD

Day 3 – Port Hardy to the Great Bear Lodge

Today your Grizzly Bear Adventure begins!  Your seaplane flight from Port Hardy to the Great Bear Lodge departs mid-afternoon.  Upon your arrival at the lodge, your hosts will be on the dock to welcome you to your wilderness retreat.  Later this afternoon you have your first grizzly bear viewing.  This evening you will be treated to a wilderness-gourmet meal.  A wildlife biologist will present slides and videos, explaining the interaction of the grizzly bear with this unique ecology.

Overnight – Great Bear Lodge

Day 4 – Great Bear Lodge

The first viewing today is at dawn, but rest assured, you will be fortified with good coffee and fresh baked goods.  A typical viewing session lasts about three hours.  Brunch is served in the lodge late morning.  Early afternoon will be spent exploring the surrounding area with a guide.  In mid-afternoon you will venture out to see the bears again before having dinner in the lodge.  On clear nights, the stars are amazing!

Overnight – Great Bear Lodge

Day 5 – Great Bear Lodge

The bears are most active in the early morning and late afternoon hours, which is why the viewing sessions are at these times.  This afternoon you will take either a guided sea-kayaking tour of the estuary, or a boat cruise to explore the glacier-carved inlet.  The Great Bear Rainforest is home to many animals, including grey wolves, otters, black bears, mink and bald eagles. 

Overnight – Great Bear Lodge

Day 6 – Great Bear Lodge to Port Hardy

After one last session to see the bears, you will enjoy lunch at the lodge.  Your flight from the lodge to Port Hardy is late this afternoon.

Overnight – TBD

Day 7 – Port Hardy to Vancouver

You have most of the day to enjoy Port Hardy, as your flight departs later today.  Once again we have conveniently arranged your hotel accommodations at the Vancouver Airport.

Overnight – Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel

Day 8 – Vancouver/Home

We hope you have enjoyed this trip of a lifetime!  Thank you for choosing Cartan Tours.