canada desolation sound british columbia kwr

Wildlife and Culture at Klahoose

from £2958 excluding flights

  • 3-4 nights
  • May-Oct
Home Destinations Americas Canada Wildlife and Culture at Klahoose

Highlights

canada british columbia grizzly bear in forest near toba inlet kwr

Spot grizzly bears up close from late-August onwards

canada paddle boarding from klahoose wilderness resort

Explore this pristine wilderness on foot or by kayak or paddle-board

canada first nations guide at klahoose wilderness resort

Enjoy cultural immersion with First Nations guides

Bald eagle

Witness whales, sea lions, bald eagles and more

Why this trip...

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Conservation/Eco-tourism

This itinerary has a strong focus on wildlife and natural habitat conservation, one of our pillars of sustainability

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Culture

Experience local culture and heritage as part of this holiday

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Add-on

This itinerary is intended to be an add-on to a longer holiday - speak to our specialists for recommendations

Overview

Perched on the water’s edge in one of British Columbia’s many inlets and fjords, Klahoose Wilderness Resort offers a fascinating base from which to discover this region’s abundant wildlife and rich indigenous culture.

A 3- or 4-night stay at the lodge can be added on to any western Canada holiday and provides plenty of time for an immersive exploration of waterways and nature trails, surrounded by coastal rainforest and mountains. Abundant marine life can be spotted here, including orca and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoise, sea lions and seals. Bald eagles soar overhead whilst, from mid-August, the spawning salmon in nearby Toba Inlet attract the iconic grizzly bear.

A visit to Klahoose also reveals an insight into the local culture and traditions of the Klahoose First Nations. Many of the resort’s staff and guides are Klahoose, and are able to provide a different perspective as they share their traditional interpretation and understanding of the region’s wildlife and landscapes, as passed on through generations of story-tellers.

From May to mid-August the resort offers wildlife packages, whilst from late-August to October the focus is on bear-viewing. All packages include return transfers by air, road and boat from Vancouver via the Sunshine Coast, and a choice of activities including guided walks, foraging and Indigenous storytelling, as well as the use of kayaks, paddle boards and walking trails. Grizzly bear viewing takes place from late-summer from specially built viewing stands in Toba Inlet, whilst earlier in the summer an included boat tour explores Desolation Sound in search of wildlife.

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Bear viewing

british columbia grizzly bear in river istl TomStrudley

Bear viewing at Klahoose (late-Aug to Oct)

From Klahoose Wilderness Resort it’s around an hour by boat into Toba Inlet, with its towering glaciers and abundant waterfalls. Purpose-built bear-viewing stands are located here, deep in the Toba Valley surrounded by lush temperate rainforest, overlooking the glacier blue waters of the Klite River. Each August thousands of salmon return to the river to spawn, attracting large numbers of grizzly bears as they feed in preparation for winter hibernation.

Your experienced Klahoose guides have trained with the Commercial Bear Viewing Association to ensure you get the most out of your time with the bears. They will explain their habits and habitat, as well as sharing traditional myths and legends as you witness this incredible natural spectacle first hand.

Itinerary

Make your way to Vancouver Airport’s South Terminal for your flight to Powell River on the Sunshine Coast. Here you will be met and transferred by road to Lund and then take a scenic 1-hour boat ride to Klahoose. On arrival you will have a welcome orientation and time to relax or explore before dinner.

Take a wildlife & culture boat cruise through Desolation Sound (May to mid-Aug) or a grizzly bear viewing excursion in Toba Inlet (late-Aug to Oct). During your stay you may also take your pick of included activities: perhaps cruise to see waterfalls or additional wildlife viewing, take a guided nature walk, enjoy some traditional story-telling and cedar weaving, or explore the sound by kayak or paddleboard. Photographers will be spoilt for choice with spectacular landscapes and up-close wildlife encounters. In the evenings there may be the opportunity for some stargazing around the campfire, or an informal presentation by guides or guest speakers.

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canada british columbia paddle boarding at klahoose

Your Klahoose adventure comes to an end after breakfast, with the boat journey back to Lund and your onward transfers by road and air to Vancouver.

Klahoose Wilderness Resort also offers a 4-night package, allowing more time to explore, learn or relax in the BC wilderness.

Special Interest Departures

Royal Canadian Geographic Society Ambassadors

On the following special departures, Klahoose Wilderness Resort have partnered up with the Royal Canadian Geographic Society (RCGS) for a 4-night bear viewing holiday with a twist! Join their expert ambassadors on an immersive cultural experience through Indigenous storytelling, cedar weaving, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, ocean swimming, forest walks and ocean foraging.

Departure dates 2024
19 May with RCGS Ambassador & Photographer Javier Frutos
02 Jun with RCGS Ambassador & Photographer Fred Cattroll
06 Oct with RCGS Ambassador & Photographer Scott Forsyth

 

klahoose ambassador fred cattroll

Fred Cattroll

Fred discovered his passion for photography during his studies in Journalism, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Still Photography following on from this. The photography of Fred Cattroll is well known for its intimate human touch and his most recent work has focused on people: in communities, corporations and as individuals. Simple, yet honest and seductive, his pictures are subtle interplays of light and image. His work has been published in various publications including the London Times, New York Times and Washington Post, as well as featuring in the collections of National Gallery, Canadian Museum of Photography and the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

klahoose ambassador javier frutos

Javier Frutos

As both the creative and brand director of the RCGS and Canadian Geographic, Javier regularly works on assignment with both professional and amateur photographers by evaluating their images and helping them to improve their trade. He is an award-winning photographer whose assignments have seen him travel extensively in Canada, Europe, the U.S., Mexico and numerous other locations around the world.

klahoose ambassador scott forsyth

Scott Forsyth

A professional photographer specialising in the Canadian landscape, Scott has embarked on a lifelong photographic journey to explore and depict the vastness and beauty of the country. His photographic quest has taken him across Canada, from the Atlantic to the Pacific and Arctic Ocean coastlines. As a Fellow at both the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and The Explorer’s Club, Scott is also a certified Marine Guide on ship-based expeditions, where he regularly leads photographic excursions to remote coastal locations across Canada.

Prices and Departures

Price from £2958 excluding flights

Airfares start from around £550 per person and are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
Note: Airfares tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

What's Included

  • Accommodation in Lodge Room or Cabin with private bathroom and ocean views
  • All meals and snacks from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on day of departure
  • Beer and wine with dinner
  • Wildlife & cultural boat tour (May to mid-Aug) OR grizzly bear viewing tour (late-Aug to Oct)
  • Choice of activities: cedar weaving, storytelling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, nature walks, foraging and wildlife viewing
  • Interpretive guide on all tours
  • Informal presentations and talks
  • Return flights from Vancouver to Powell River
  • Return road transfers from Powell River to Lund
  • Return transfers by boat from Lund
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Gratuities
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

From prices per person

Based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom

Dates Duration Twin price (pp)
09 May - 12 Jun 2024 3 nights £2,461
13 Jun - 21 Aug 2024 3 nights £2,607
22 Aug - 19 Oct 2024 3 nights £2,981

Longer stays are available on request.

From prices per person

Based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom

Dates Duration Twin price (pp)
12 May - 15 Jun 2024 4 nights £2,958
16 Jun - 24 Aug 2024 4 nights £3,250
25 Aug - 21 Sep 2024 4 nights £3,696
22 - 26 Sep 2024 4 nights £4,353
27 Sep - 23 Oct 2024 4 nights £3,696

Optional tours such as helicopter sightseeing, heli-hiking, heli-paddles, glacier walking and guided fishing charters are available at additional cost.

Please contact us for details and prices.

As Standard, Complete Piece of Mind

We’re listening. We always care what our fellow travellers think and love building strong customer relationships so we continuously focus on improving future experiences based on feedback. How incredible for the last three years we have received the Feefo Platinum Award.

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The World's Great. Pass it On

To mark our 40th anniversary, we've launched our Education Bursary Fund to help disadvantaged school children experience the wonders of travel. A percentage of revenue from every holiday booked will go into the bursary fund to pay for at least 40 students to join one of our school trips abroad.