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Overview
From May through to October, travel to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island to the central coast of British Columbia. Known as the Great Bear Rainforest, this area is one of the best places in the world to see grizzly bears and other wildlife such as wolves, black bears, otters, pine martens, mink and bald eagles. The Great Bear Lodge is located in rich grizzly bear habitat in the Nekite Valley and you can view the bears either by boat or by using one of the many viewing stands along the river.
The Lodge has just five bedrooms, all en-suite, and in keeping with the management philosophy of low-impact ecotourism, features wind and solar power. Your hosts will prepare wilderness-gourmet meals during your stay, using the best local seafood and produce available. Enjoy a glass of wine on the deck at night as you watch the moon rise over the mountains. Due to the size of the lodge you are assured a very special and personalised experience.
The Great Bear Rainforest
The Great Bear Rainforest is home to a significant concentration of coastal grizzly bears. During Spring (May and June), grizzly bears come down from the mountains to graze on the sedges, succulents and grasses that make up the dense bio-mass of the river estuary. There you can observe and photograph the grizzly bears from boats, floating quietly in the estuary sloughs. Coinciding with breeding season, you can often see large males interacting with females. Additionally, the estuary is bustling with other bird and animal life at this time of year. The return of tens of thousands of salmon marks the beginning of the autumn season in mid-August. Great Bear Lodge has constructed a series of enclosed viewing stands along the river, providing a variety of settings to view and photograph grizzly bears as they gorge on fish in anticipation of their coming hibernation.
Mrs Boulton"We had an absolutely, amazing, awesome time!"
We had an absolutely, amazing, awesome time! It met all our expectations and more, believe it or not we did not have one hiccup. Many, many thanks for assisting us on this holiday it was magical.
Itinerary (6 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
This bear tour should be part of a longer holiday. Whether you stay in Vancouver,...
Day 1
Vancouver
This bear tour should be part of a longer holiday. Whether you stay in Vancouver, Whistler or tour Vancouver Island let us put together some ideas for you.
1 night in Vancouver (minimum in order to connect with onward flight to Port Hardy)
Day 2
Vancouver to Great Bear Lodge
Departing from Port Hardy at 3pm, you will leave for a pristine wilderness. Transportation is...
Day 2
Vancouver
to Great Bear Lodge
Departing from Port Hardy at 3pm, you will leave for a pristine wilderness. Transportation is by seaplane. Journeying to your site is a spectacular adventure in itself, traveling past the breathtaking scenery of the central coast and over the rich waters of Queen Charlotte Strait, the home of orca, grey and humpback whales. Upon arrival at the lodge, settle into your private room and in the late afternoon, your grizzly bear experience begins. There are a range of different viewing sites, and will choose one according to where the bears have been most active. Estuary sites are reached by boat, while river sites are reached by a bus along a wilderness track. The viewing blinds on the river have been constructed with the photographer in mind, and are optimal and comfortable places from which to view bears. Returning to the lodge that evening, you will be treated to a wilderness-gourmet meal.
3 nights at The Great Bear Lodge.
Day 3
Great Bear Lodge
In the morning, you will be on the trail of the grizzly bear again after...
Day 3
Great Bear Lodge
In the morning, you will be on the trail of the grizzly bear again after some good coffee and breakfast. A typical viewing session lasts three hours. Viewing sessions are not strenuous, requiring guests only to step from a boat onto an undeveloped shoreline or to walk 50 feet down wooden stairs from the bus to the viewing platforms. After a morning of adventure, you will return to the lodge for lunch and a chance to relax. Spend the early afternoon exploring the surrounding area with a guide. A popular activity is the interpretive rainforest walk, examining bear signs and the general ecology of the area. In mid-afternoon you will venture out to see the bears before returning to the lodge for dinner. On clear nights, the stars are amazing.
Day 4
Great Bear Lodge
As your stay at the lodge continues, you begin to settle into the natural rhythm...
Day 4
Great Bear Lodge
As your stay at the lodge continues, you begin to settle into the natural rhythm of the valley. The bears are generally most active in the early morning and late afternoon hours, which is why viewing sessions are focused on these times. Over the course of your stay you will be taken to a variety of sites, depending on the bear activity. For the afternoon recreation today you may take a guided sea-kayaking tour of the estuary, or a boat cruise to explore the glacier-carved inlet. Or you may prefer to relax and enjoy the view from the lodge.
Day 5
Great Bear Lodge to Port Hardy
After your parting session with the bears you will enjoy lunch at the Great Bear...
Day 5
Great Bear Lodge
to Port Hardy
After your parting session with the bears you will enjoy lunch at the Great Bear Lodge. You will be scheduled to return to Port Hardy in the afternoon between 4pm and 6pm.
1 night in Port Hardy.
Day 6
Port Hardy to Vancouver
Fly back to Vancouver – or maybe head up the Inside Passage. In Vancouver transfer...
Day 6
Port Hardy
to
Vancouver
Fly back to Vancouver – or maybe head up the Inside Passage.
In Vancouver transfer downtown for 2 nights in this fabulous city. Extend your holiday in British Columbia or into Alberta. Ask us to tailor-make your holiday.
2 nights in Vancouver
