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Canada's Great Adventure
This itinerary is flexible and can be tailor-made to suit you; if you want to add extra days in one area, extend the holiday or maybe change the direction of travel. Talk to one of our experts about how to make this holiday the perfect one for you.
When to see the bears
May to August 24th – Spring/Summer Grizzly Bears, Wildlife and Alpine Hiking
Experience incredible grizzly bear viewing as spring brings fresh mountain air and new life to the landscape. In early spring, bears emerge from their dens hungry, searching the valleys, river estuaries, and green mountain slopes for fresh grasses and sedges after a long winter. You may see playful cubs with their mothers and even see courting pairs, reaching these areas by 4×4, ATV, hiking, or jetboat. As summer warms in July and August, you will follow the bears to higher elevations in the Cariboo Mountains, hiking through meadows, boreal forest, and alpine basins while some bears remain along rivers waiting for salmon runs. Along the way you can spot moose, deer, beaver, birds, and possibly wolves or otters. Later in summer, bears gather at berry patches filled with blueberries, huckleberries, raspberries, and saskatoons. From alpine ridges you enjoy excellent wildlife viewing and photography, and may also see species such as mountain caribou, goats, black bears, lynx, and wolverines in the ancient temperate rainforest – creating an unforgettable Canadian wilderness adventure
Aug 25th to Oct 25 (prime time Sep 15 to Oct 10) – Fall/Autumn – Grizzly Bears and Salmon
In the fall, experience some of the best grizzly bear watching along wilderness rivers during the salmon run. Starting in late August, sockeye salmon return from the Gulf of Alaska, travelling thousands of miles through the Fraser and Quesnel Rivers to reach the spawning grounds of their birth in the Quesnel Lake watershed. As millions of fish arrive, grizzlies gather along the rivers for a crucial feast before winter hibernation. In September and October, you explore these salmon-filled rivers mainly by jetboat, drifting quietly downstream while watching bears fish and observing other wildlife and birds in the surrounding wilderness. In some areas, you reach viewing spots by 4×4 and take short hikes to the riverbanks, giving you an unforgettable front-row seat to one of nature’s most remarkable seasonal events.
Mrs Dale - Travelled to Alberta & BC"We are just back and had a great time"
Just a quick note to say thanks for your help in organising our holiday. We are just back and had a great time, everything went like clockwork and, other that the slight hiccup with the beds, in Banff, which you sorted out straight away, everything was fabulous and stress free. I think a test of any organisation is not just how thing are that go right but how they respond when things go wrong. Your response was immediate and effective.
Itinerary (15 Nights)
Here’s a day-by-day guide to your itinerary. Feel free to ask us to add other days or ideas and excursions by contacting us directly, so we can give you the best price.
Day 1-2
Arrive in Vancouver and settle into this vibrant city. Vancouver is situated right next to...
Day 1-2
Vancouver
Arrive in Vancouver and settle into this vibrant city. Vancouver is situated right next to the Pacific Ocean on one side and the mountains on the other. Spend your first two nights exploring at a relaxed pace, from the tranquil trails of Stanley Park to the historic streets of Gastown and the bustling waterfront of Canada Place.
Wander through Granville Island Public Market, enjoy the city’s excellent restaurants or hire bicycles to follow the seawall.
2 nights Vancouver
Day 3-4
Collect your hire car and set off along the spectacular Sea-to-Sky Highway towards Whistler. This...
Day 3-4
Vancouver
to
Whistler
Collect your hire car and set off along the spectacular Sea-to-Sky Highway towards Whistler. This is a pretty drive in its own right. Stop at Shannon Falls or Squamish to enjoy the scenery before continuing into the mountains. In Whistler, you will find time to explore the pedestrian-friendly village, ride the Peak to Peak gondola for panoramic mountain views, hike the alpine trails or enjoy one of the many outdoor activities available such as rafting, canoeing, cycling and Zip-trekking.
2 nights Whistler
Day 5
Whistler to Williams Lake
Today leave Whistler in the morning and travel further into British Columbia, towards the ranchlands...
Day 5
Whistler
to Williams Lake
Today leave Whistler in the morning and travel further into British Columbia, towards the ranchlands and forests of the Cariboo region. You will pass the dramatic landscapes around Pemberton and Lillooet and then continue north towards Williams Lake. This is a longer drive of about 5 hours so take your time and enjoy the changing scenery as the coastal mountains give way to a more rugged, open landscape rich in Gold Rush history and wildlife. Arrive in Williams Lake which is a great base for the night.
1 night Williams Lake
Day 6-8
Williams Lake to Likely
The journey’s wildlife highlight begins as you travel into the remote Cariboo Mountains to stay...
Day 6-8
Williams Lake
to Likely
The journey’s wildlife highlight begins as you travel into the remote Cariboo Mountains to stay with Ecotours-BC, close to the southern shore of Quesnel Lake. Far removed from the busy tourist routes, this is an opportunity to experience British Columbia’s wilderness at its most authentic. Over the next few days, join an experienced local guide in search of grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Depending on the season, excursions may involve travelling by jetboat along wilderness rivers, exploring forest trails or reaching alpine meadows by 4×4 and ATV. Watch these magnificent animals foraging, fishing for salmon or roaming their territory, while keeping a respectful distance and learning about their behaviour.
The surrounding wilderness is also home to an abundance of other wildlife, potentially including black bears, moose, deer and numerous bird species. Between excursions, return to the lodge to relax, enjoy home-cooked meals and share the day’s sightings.
Autumn, particularly September and early October, is a special time to visit as salmon runs can draw grizzlies to the rivers. Spring and summer offer different wildlife and alpine experiences, making this a memorable stay at almost any point in the viewing season.
Note from Eco-tours
“On all of our wildlife viewing trips safety is first and foremost for both the wildlife and our guests. We are especially vigilant and safety conscious on our bear viewing excursions. Our guides are experienced, qualified professionals. Knowing and recognizing bear body language plays an important role in safe viewing. The bears we view are wild bears in their natural habitat. They are not habituated bears used to being around people. We keep in mind at all times that we are visitors and guests in their homes and we do everything possible to avoid stressing and impacting them as they go about the usual business of their daily lives and foraging for food. They are intelligent, often playful and very entertaining.”
3 to 5 nights with Eco-Tours
Day 9
Likely to Clearwater
Time to bid farewell to your wilderness hosts and the bears, and begin the drive...
Day 9
Likely
to Clearwater
Time to bid farewell to your wilderness hosts and the bears, and begin the drive east towards Clearwater, the gateway to Wells Gray Provincial Park. Arrive in Clearwater and settle into your accommodation, ready to explore the surrounding wilderness the next day.
2 nights Clearwater
Day 10
Clearwater
Spend a full day exploring Wells Gray Provincial Park, one of British Columbia’s great natural...
Day 10
Clearwater
Spend a full day exploring Wells Gray Provincial Park, one of British Columbia’s great natural treasures. Often known as Canada’s waterfall park, it boasts dramatic volcanic landscapes, pristine lakes and a remarkable collection of waterfalls hidden among its vast forests. Begin with a visit to Helmcken Falls, the park’s most famous waterfall, where the Murtle River plunges 141 metres into a spectacular canyon. Continue to Spahats Creek Falls, another impressive cascade surrounded by rugged rock formations and woodland scenery. Several viewpoints are accessible by relatively short walks, making it easy to enjoy the scenery without committing to a full day of hiking.
If you prefer a more active adventure, explore one of the park’s walking trails, look out for wildlife or take a scenic drive deeper into the wilderness.
Day 11-12
Clearwater to Jasper
Leaving Clearwater, continue north and east towards Jasper National Park, where the scenery gradually transforms...
Day 11-12
Clearwater
to
Jasper
Leaving Clearwater, continue north and east towards Jasper National Park, where the scenery gradually transforms into the mountainous landscapes of the Canadian Rockies. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way, pause for views of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies and possibly head out on a River Safari in Bluewater where you may see more bears and other wildlife. Spend two nights in Jasper, giving you time to explore the town and surrounding area. Take a scenic drive, enjoy the walking trails around the lakes or head out in search of elk, deer and other wildlife. We recommend taking a boat cruise on Maligne Lake, a guided wildlife excursion or heading up the Jasper Skytram.
2 nights Jasper
Day 13
Today brings one of the great highlights of any Canadian self-drive holiday: the Icefields Parkway....
Day 13
Jasper
to
Banff
Today brings one of the great highlights of any Canadian self-drive holiday: the Icefields Parkway. Linking Jasper with the Lake Louise and Banff area, this spectacular mountain highway winds past glaciers, turquoise lakes, waterfalls and rugged peaks. Make a day of it and allow plenty of time to stop along the way. Stop at the Athabasca Falls, several viewpoints over the Columbia Icefield and the blue waters of Peyto Lake. You could also consider an excursion at the Columbia Icefield. Arrive in Banff in the late afternoon or evening and settle into your hotel.
3 nights Banff
Day 14
Today maybe explore the stunning Lake Louise, which sits below the face of Victoria Glacier....
Day 14
Banff
Today maybe explore the stunning Lake Louise, which sits below the face of Victoria Glacier. You can walk along the lakeshore, enjoy a coffee with a view or choose a longer trail if you fancy exploring on foot. It gets busy at Lake Louise so we recommend a guided tour that also includes the gorgeous Moraine Lake (this lake is only accessible on a prearranged tour), please ask us for details. Return to Banff for the evening.
Day 15
Enjoy a full day to discover Banff and its surrounding mountains at your own pace....
Day 15
Banff
Enjoy a full day to discover Banff and its surrounding mountains at your own pace. Ride the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain for sweeping views across the Bow Valley, explore the shops and cafes of Banff Avenue or take a scenic drive to Lake Minnewanka. For those who prefer a more active day, there are numerous hiking trails, cycling routes and opportunities for guided outdoor adventures. Alternatively, simply take in the views, relax at a mountain spa or enjoy a leisurely lunch overlooking the Rockies. Ask us for details of the numerous tours we recommend and can book for you.
Day 16
Enjoy a final Canadian breakfast before driving east towards Calgary. The mountain scenery gradually gives...
Day 16
Banff
to
Calgary
Enjoy a final Canadian breakfast before driving east towards Calgary. The mountain scenery gradually gives way to the open landscapes of Alberta as you make your way towards the city. Return your hire car at Calgary International Airport and check in for your flight home to the UK.
