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Great Bear Nature Tour

From £2360

Excluding Flights

4 Nights

May-Oct

Overview

Guided hiking and kayaking are available from Great Bear Lodge but the main reason people visit is for the abundant wildlife. Along with grizzly bears you may well be lucky enough to spot wolves, black bears, river otters, pine martens, mink, harbour seals and bald eagles. Two grizzly bear viewing sessions are scheduled each day.

In the spring, grizzlies spend time in the estuary where they feed on grasses and sedges. Birdlife is also in abundance and viewing excursions are by small boat. During the summer months the bears move around more and can be found gorging on berry patches, grazing on estuarine grasslands and scouting for the early salmon.

Autumn sees a move to the river where the grizzly bears congregate in anticipation of the Pacific salmon that spawns here.

Viewing hides are comfortable and provide optimal viewing and photographic opportunities as the bears demonstrate their fishing skills. All viewing excursions are accompanied by expert biologists, to ensure you get the most out of your once-in-a-lifetime encounter with Canada’s fascinating wildlife

Itinerary

The sample itinerary below is based on our 4 night package from Port Hardy. We also offer options up to 7 nights and can arrange transfers from Vancouver. Please contact us for more details.

Departing from Port Hardy in the afternoon, you will leave behind the noise of modern life for a pristine wilderness. Transportation is by seaplane flight. Journeying to the lodge is a spectacular adventure in itself, traveling past the breath-taking scenery of the central coast and over the rich waters of Queen Charlotte Strait, home to orca, gray and humpback whales. Upon your arrival at the lodge, your hosts will be on the dock to welcome you to your wilderness retreat. After a brief introduction, you will head out on your first bear viewing excursion. Expert guides will choose a range of different viewing sites according to where the bears have been most active.

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Great Bear Lodge

Situated in the Great Bear Rainforest, this floating lodge has just 8 guest rooms, making for an intimate experience in this pristine wilderness.

After breakfast, venture out to view the grizzly bear, a typical viewing session lasts three hours and offers unforgettable encounters with these incredible animals. Following your morning adventure, return to the lodge for lunch and take some time to unwind. In the early afternoon, head out with a guide to explore the surrounding wilderness. A favourite activity is the interpretive rainforest walk, where you’ll learn about local ecology and spot signs of bear activity. Later in the afternoon, you’ll venture out for another bear viewing session before returning to the lodge for dinner. On clear nights, enjoy looking at the incredible star-studded sky.

As your stay at the lodge continues, you find yourself settling into the natural rhythm of the valley. Bears are generally most active in the early morning and late afternoon hours and throughout your stay you’ll visit a variety of sites, depending on the bear activity. This afternoon, you may wish to take a boat cruise to explore the glacier-carved inlet or a sea-kayaking tour of the estuary. Alternatively, you may prefer to relax and enjoy the view from the lodge. Keep a look out for local wildlife, The Great Bear Rainforest is home to grey wolves, otters, black bears, mink and bald eagles.

Spend your final morning at Great Bear Nature Lodge viewing the bears, then enjoy lunch before your departure. You will be returned to Port Hardy and dropped off at your hotel in the afternoon.

After check-out of your hotel in Port Hardy you will be transferred to the airport if required.

When to go

Spring
In spring, grizzlies gather in the estuary to feast on fresh grasses and sedges, while the area comes alive with abundant birdlife.

Summer
In summer, the bears become more active, roaming between berry-laden patches, estuarine grasslands, and rivers as they search for the season’s first salmon.

Autumn
In autumn, grizzly bears gather along the river in anticipation of the Pacific salmon run, offering a spectacular display of fishing skills. Comfortable viewing hides provide prime spots for watching and photographing the action, all under the guidance of expert biologists who ensure you make the most of this unforgettable encounter with Canada’s remarkable wildlife.

Prices

What's Included

  • 3 nights accommodation in a private room at the Great Bear Lodge

  • 1 night post accommodation in Port Hardy

  • Transfers between Port Hardy and Great Bear Lodge

  • All meals including complimentary wine & beer with dinner at Great Bear Lodge

  • Guided morning and afternoon bear viewing sessions

  • Interpretive walks or boat excursions

  • For departures from Vancouver, return flights to Port Hardy are also included

  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday

  • No surcharge guarantee

  • Full financial protection

From £2360 Excluding Flights

4 Nights

May-Oct

Prices are per person based upon 2 sharing, subject to availability. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your tailored requirements, inclusions, and travel dates.

Our holiday prices exclude flights. Why? Because we want to offer you the best value, tailored to your needs. Flight prices and offers change daily, so when you’re ready to book, we’ll provide a bespoke quote based on the best options from your local airport. This way, you’ll always get the best prices and the flexibility to choose what works best for you.

Make this trip yours

Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.

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We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch. 

Experts with real experience