Bears of British Columbia

After a leisurely start, join a street food tour of Vancouver and discover why this city has developed a reputation as a foodie hotspot in Canada. The afternoon is at leisure to continue your exploration of the city by yourselves.

Make your way to Vancouver's seaplane terminal and take a scenic flight over the Gulf Islands to British Columbia's provincial capital, Victoria. After a thrilling touchdown in the city's Inner Harbour, make your way to your hotel, located a short distance away.

This morning you join a whale-watching excursion out into the Gulf, traveling either by Zodiac or covered boat, and may see orca and humpback whales as well as a range of marine birdlife.

Make your own way to the airport this morning to collect your hire car. All insurance and an additional driver are included in your car hire package. You'll then drive to Tofino in the Pacific Rim National Park — a particularly scenic drive as you travel through Vancouver Island's rugged interior. We recommend taking a picnic and breaking the journey en route at Cathedral Grove. On arrival, spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the beaches and marina at Tofino.

Start the day with a black bear watching trip from Tofino, returning late morning. The rest of the day is free to continue exploring this scenic area under your own steam.

This morning, you might like to take a walk along one of the beautiful driftwood-strewn beaches that Vancouver Island is famous for before departing Tofino and driving across the island to Courtenay. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Spend today on an amazing grizzly bear safari to Bute Inlet during which you should also see abundant marine and birdlife.

Continue through Vancouver Island to Port Hardy at the northernmost tip. Take your time today to stop for some short walks along the way.

Make your own way to Port Hardy's airport and drop off your hire car in time for your scenic light aircraft flight over British Columbia's rugged coastline. Your hosts at Great Bear Lodge will be waiting to meet you on arrival, and your grizzly bear adventure will begin this afternoon. You'll be taken to a viewing site close to the lodge, where bears have been most active. You may reach an estuary site by boat, or by bus along a wilderness track. Keep your eyes peeled and your camera close to hand! Returning to the lodge, dinner will be served and the rest of the evening is yours to relax.

Following breakfast, embark on a three-hour morning trip to view more grizzlies. You'll have some time to relax back at the lodge after lunch, before heading out again in the afternoon to explore the surrounding area with a guide. The guide will explain the area's ecology and bear signs throughout the forest. Round off the day with another bear viewing trip before returning to Great Bear Lodge for dinner.

Enjoy another full day at Great Bear Lodge. You'll have more chances to spot grizzlies this morning and late afternoon when the bears are most active, and, if you wish, enjoy another afternoon activity at the lodge. You might like to take a guided boat cruise to explore a nearby glacially-carved inlet, or simply sit back and take in your surroundings from the lodge itself.

Embark on one final bear viewing trip this morning before returning to Port Hardy by light aircraft after lunch. Arriving back on Vancouver Island late this afternoon, pick up your car again and make your own way to your hotel. The rest of the evening is yours to relax and reminisce about your last few incredible days in the rainforest.

After a morning at leisure, make your way back along Vancouver Island's coastline toward Parksville. You'll have the full day to explore so take your time looking out for local wildlife. Finish up in this small, coastal town to soak up the Salish Sea one more time before returning to reality.

You can enjoy most of the day at leisure between Parksville and Vancouver including a scenic ferry journey from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay before your flight back home.