Canada : Grizzlies and Orcas of Vancouver Island

Day 1 Victoria On arrival in Victoria, Vancouver Island, make your own way to your hotel. Amidst the wild beauty of the Pacific coast, this charming city boasts the mildest climate in Canada.

Day 2 Victoria-Alert Bay after an early morning departure from the downtown area, travel by scheduled coach service up the east coast of Vancouver Island. Pass by small towns, separated by forests and rolling hills. After Campbell River, the Island Highway takes us into the sparsely populated Nimpkish Valley - keep your eyes peeled for Roosevelt Elk and black bears. The coach journey concludes in Port McNeill where you will take the 35-minute ferry crossing to Alert Bay (payable locally). On arrival you will be met and transferred to Alert Bay Lodge. (D)

Day 3 Alert Bay today you will join a 3-hour cruise of the inlets, islands and waterways in Johnstone Strait and the Broughton Archipelago. During your tour, your guide will lead the search for orcas, humpback and Minke whales. Other marine life sighting opportunities include Dahl Porpoises, Harbour Porpoises, Pacific White Sided Dolphins and sea lions. Bald eagles and many species of birds are plentiful and, along the shore, black bear, deer and cougar may be spotted. Time is also available to explore Telegraph Cove. (BL)

Day 4 Alert Bay today is at leisure to explore the village of Alert Bay. After breakfast, the lodge manager will provide you with a map highlighting attractions on Cormorant Island, tickets to U'Mista Cultural Centre and a picnic lunch. The village can easily be explored by foot from your accommodation. Attractions include the village of Alert Bay including the Tourism Information Centre, and shops and galleries featuring native art, the U'Mista Cultural Centre featuring historic and contemporary artwork, including First Nations reclaimed potlatch collection (admission included), First Nations dancing at the Big House (schedule permitting), the Ecological Gardens and Big Tree Trail: a series of easy walking trails located at the top of the island. (BL)

Day 5 Alert Bay depart the lodge at 6.45am for a full day on the water to seek out grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Your destination is Knight Inlet, a two hour ride by covered boat into Johnstone Strait. Famous for its population of grizzly bears, Knight Inlet is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, steep-sided forested cliffs and active marine life.
At Knight Inlet you will drift, paddle and motor quietly around an estuary, looking to spot grizzly bears as they feed on the sedges and grasses at high tide. Low tide brings more bears out, and you may see them turn over large boulders in their search for crabs, isopods and beach barnacles. Don’t forget your binoculars and camera! (BL)

Day 6 Alert Bay-Vancouver after breakfast transfer by ferry and taxi to Port Hardy Airport for your afternoon scheduled flight to Vancouver. (B)