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Grizzlies of Tweedsmuir Park

From £2754

Excluding Flights

3 Nights

Jul-Oct

Overview

Located in the beautiful Bella Coola Valley, on the edge of the Great Bear Rainforest and fringed by the snow-capped Coast Range Mountains, Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is the largest protected park in British Columbia and home to one of the healthiest bear habitats in the world. Staying in this spectacular setting offers an immersive bear-viewing experience.

Each autumn the park’s grizzly bears come down from the slopes to feast on spawning salmon. The Bella Coola Valley is unique in playing host to all five species of North American Pacific salmon, and together with its remote location and protected landscapes, makes for excellent bear territory. Other inhabitants of the region include black bear, deer, cougar, wolves and bald eagles.

Stay at the historic Tweedsmuir Park Lodge, which is bordered by the Atnarko and Bella Coola rivers and in the perfect spot for wildlife viewing and outdoor adventures. The lodge owns three private bear viewing stands overlooking the Atnarko River, as well as offering guided bear tracking walks and the chance to view the bears from the water with a raft drift excursion.

Itinerary

The sample itinerary below is based on our 3 night package from Bella Coola. We also offer options up to 5 nights and can arrange transfers from Vancouver. Please contact us for more details.

On arrival in Bella Coola you will be met and transferred to Tweedsmuir Park Lodge. After check-in the lodge team will provide an orientation and an informative bear awareness seminar.

tweedsmuir park lodge exterior and grounds british columbia tpl

Tweedsmuir Park Lodge, Bella Coola

A classic Canadian wilderness lodge within Tweedsmuir Provincial Park in British Columbia.

Wake up early and wander down to the Wildlife Viewing Platform, which is for the exclusive use of Tweedsmuir Park Lodge guests. Early morning is a great time to spot bears and the raised structure provides an excellent vantage point. After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drift down the Atnarko River. Relax and take in the surrounding mountains whilst keeping a look out for wildlife including moose, American beaver, mountain goats, bald eagles, black and grizzly bears. The River Drift is only offered at Tweedsmuir and is one of the best ways to enjoy close viewing of bears, at their level, as they actively fish in the river. After lunch, set out on a Guided Nature Walk in the old growth forests of Tweedsmuir Park. Your naturalist guide will show you how to track bears and will point out various signs of activity, including rub trees, scat, and the hollows in the forest floor which the bears use as day beds. In the evening swap tales of the day’s sightings with your fellow guests over dinner.

Spend another incredible day in search of bears.

There will be time for one last visit to the Wildlife Viewing Platforms before breakfast and departure from Tweedsmuir.

Heli-hiking from Tweedsmuir Park Lodge

Activities at Tweedsmuir

Beyond bear viewing, the lodge offers an array of outdoor adventures to suit every interest. The park features an extensive network of hiking trails, which can be explored independently or with a guide. Wander through pristine old-growth forests, uncover hidden waterfalls, and take in sweeping valley views from mountain lookout points. Enjoy use of the lodge’s complimentary bikes (electric bikes as well as mountain bikes, to assist with those hills!) or tackle the Via Ferrata climb, an ingenious system of cables and steel rungs that makes rock climbing accessible to all. For a truly unforgettable experience, take to the skies on a scenic helicopter flight over this spectacular wilderness.

From nearby Bella Coola you can head out on a wildlife cruise, exploring the spectacular fjord system in search of white sided dolphins, orca, humpback and grey whales, or join a local First Nations guide for an insight into 10,000 years of indigenous cultural history.

These activities are subject to availability and at additional cost. They may be in place of a bear watching activity and pre-booking is advised.

canada tweedsmuir park lodge ebikes through forest

When to go

Summer
During these warmer months, bears tend to be more elusive, foraging for berries deep within the forests and mountains. While sightings are still possible, the true highlight of a summer visit lies in exploring the vast wilderness of the park and enjoying a wide range of outdoor adventures.

Autumn 
Autumn is the prime season for bear viewing, as grizzly bears descend from the mountain slopes to feast on the spawning salmon. The Bella Coola Valley is uniquely home to all five species of North American Pacific salmon, and its remote setting and pristine landscapes create ideal conditions for observing these magnificent animals in the wild.

 

Prices

What's Included

  • Accommodation in a private timber frame chalet with private bathroom

  • All meals and snacks while at the lodge

  • All ground transportation, including return airport transfers from Bella Coola airport to the lodge

  • Welcome orientation

  • A variety of small group bear watching tours on each full day of your stay

  • Experienced guides

  • Use of all sporting equipment, including mountain bikes for independent exploration

  • For departures from Vancouver, return flights to Bella Coola are also included

  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday

  • No surcharge guarantee

  • Full financial protection

From £2754 Excluding Flights

3 Nights

Jul-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.

Doug
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Cage dive with sharks

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