Bears & whales of Vancouver Island

After a leisurely start, you join a street food tour to discover why Vancouver has become a foodie hotspot in Canada. You will visit several highly renowned locally-owned restaurants and taste a variety of deliciously eclectic food, either with or without alcohol pairings. Along the way, your guide will tell you all about the stories and history of Gastown, one of the oldest parts of the city. This afternoon is free for you to explore the city on your own. Don't miss seeing Stanley Park with its totem poles, Chinatown, False Creek, and the market and independent shops on Granville Island.

Check out of your hotel and collect your hire car, which includes all necessary insurance and an additional driver. It is then a simple but scenic drive as you make your way over the Lion's Gate Bridge and onto the Sea to Sky Highway. The road follows the spectacular Howe Sound for much of the way as it climbs ever higher toward the Coast Mountains. Arrive in the mountain resort of Whistler, your home for the next two nights.

Whistler is Canada's mountain resort par excellence, with a proliferation of outdoor activities year-round and for all ages. The buzzing heart of this mountain resort is easily accessed from your tranquil and elegant hotel. A highlight for many is the Peak 2 Peak gondola, which transports you, with breathtaking views, from the summit of Whistler Mountain to the top of Blackcomb Mountain. Included this afternoon is a private trip to see bears in the surrounding mountains. Your guide will take you off the beaten path to the hidden hang-outs of these fascinating mammals.

Leaving Whistler, drive south along the Sea to Sky Highway to Horseshoe Bay. Board the BC Ferries car ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, looking out for whales and eagles on this scenic route. Continue your drive west, traversing the verdant range of mountains that form the backbone of Vancouver Island. Arrive in the small, hip town of Tofino, nestled on the edge of the mighty Pacific Ocean.

Included this morning is a guided small-group black bear watching trip by boat. We have known this locally-owned trip provider for many years; they employ excellent knowledgeable guides to enable the best opportunity of seeing black bears at close quarters in their natural environment. The rest of the day is free to stroll along the beautiful expansive beaches, watch the surfers, or explore the ancient temperate rainforests protected within adjacent Pacific Rim National Park.

There is time this morning to go for a stroll along one of the beautiful driftwood-strewn beaches that Vancouver Island is known for. It is then time to drive back across the mountains and head north on the scenic road to Campbell River. There are plenty of scenic stops and interesting communities to explore along the way. After checking into your hotel, there is time to wander along the waterfront, explore the town, or simply relax after your journey.

Join a full-day guided small group trip to Bute Inlet. This spectacular fjord exemplifies the breathtaking and unspoilt scenery of British Columbia's glorious coastline. Admire the emerald-green forested mountainsides as they rise steeply from the inky waters of the fjord. Your guides will take you to parts of the fjord that are inhabited by both black and grizzly bears, providing you with a very good chance of seeing both. The fjord is also home to a healthy population of bald eagles, and you may also see whales and porpoises.

Leaving Campbell River, drive north almost to the tip of Vancouver Island. Park your car at Alder Bay, and take a half-hour boat transfer to Farewell Harbour Lodge. The lodge is situated on pristine Berry Island, in the heart of the Broughton Archipelago Marine Park, part of the Great Bear Rainforest, and a haven for bears, whales, marine mammals and birds. A friendly welcome awaits you from the team at this locally-owned lodge. Having been shown to your room, and all lodge introductions complete, there is time to take part in one of the many activities on offer. All meals and activities are included during your stay.

Wake in the comfort of your beautiful en suite room and admire the spectacular views from your window. Perhaps enjoy a cup of coffee on the wrap-around deck before tucking into a hearty breakfast in the dining room. There are so many activities that you can choose to do today — guided bear-viewing trips, searching for humpback whales, visiting the renowned (and nearby) Johnstone Strait to look for orca, enjoying hiking in the temperate rainforests, or you may prefer to simply relax at the lodge and make use of the kayaks and paddleboards.

After breakfast, you may wish to embark on a guided three-hour trip to view grizzly bears. Your guides know the area intimately and provide excellent viewing possibilities. After lunch, there is an opportunity to visit one of the nearby First Nations villages and learn about their ancient, and fascinating, culture. After a day of activities, return to the lodge for the 5pm 'swim club' (a quick ocean dip). Enjoy a glass of wine on the terrace before dinner, then afterwards enjoy one of the lodge's fascinating lectures.

After breakfast, it's time to leave this special spot. Say goodbye to the staff and your fellow guests as you return by boat to Alder Bay. Back with your hire car, there is time to explore the small communities of northern Vancouver Island. In particular, you may wish to visit pretty Telegraph Cove or the fascinating First Nations U'mista Cultural Centre at Alert Bay. Afterwards, drive south to Campbell River for a one-night stay.

Leaving behind Campbell River, follow the coast road south alongside Discovery Passage where you might see large cruise ships making their way to or from Alaska. Watch out for deer grazing along the verges as the road curves around Comox and then Qualicum Beach. Continue past Nanaimo to Victoria, British Columbia's capital, located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. After your drive, you may wish to take an easy stroll around Victoria's pretty Inner Harbour. Admire the magnificent parliament buildings and be mesmerised watching seaplanes take off and land.

This morning, join a three-hour guided group whale-watching trip. Leading the field in terms of environmental responsibility, this award-winning trip is guided by passionate and knowledgeable experts. Keep a sharp look out for the resident orcas and other marine wildlife, as you learn all about this beautiful marine environment. This afternoon, explore the 'garden city' independently. Feast your eyes on the colorful blooms of Butchart Gardens, indulge in afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel or visit the Royal British Columbia Museum, Craigdarroch Castle or the artist Emily Carr's house.

Drive the short distance to Swartz Bay to board the included car ferry to Tsawwassen on the British Columbia mainland. Continue your drive to Vancouver Airport to drop off your hire car and check in for your onward flight.