Black & Grizzly Bear Watching in Canada

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GRIZZLY BEARS - Knight Inlet, British Columbia

2 or 3 nights, from Vancouver or Campbell River

General Information

The Knight Inlet Lodge is located 180 kilometres northwest of the city of Vancouver. The lodge is not accessible by road; access is by floatplane from Campbell River, which is located on Vancouver Island. From Campbell River, a short 30-minute flight takes you to the mouth of the Glendale River, home of the Knight Inlet Lodge. The lodge floats on large cedar log booms and accommodates just 26 people in rustic luxury rooms, complete with private bathrooms. All meals are served in the history-themed dining hall.

Our packages are designed for the wildlife enthusiast who really wants to escape the ordinary and encounter Canada’s most famous animals in their natural habitat. Knight Inlet abounds with marine wildlife (orcas, seals, sea lions, otters, Pacific white-sided dolphins, humpback whales (August - October), minke and gray whales), birds (bald eagles, commons loons, herons, Canada geese and ducks) and land based wildlife (black bears, deer, mountain goats, cougars) and of course, the notorious grizzly bear!

In the spring, you will be able to see the magnificent grizzly bears eating mussels, barnacles and sedge grass within 100 metres of the shore.

In the fall, you travel across the cove in a special covered boat and then take a 3-km bus ride to the viewing platforms to view the grizzlies feeding on the returning salmon in the Glendale River. At this time of year, it is common to see up to 15 bears at one time within view of the platform.

The summer offers fewer bears to view, but the increased quality of the viewing conditions more than compensates for the reduced numbers. In this season, the bears are viewed by boat but occasionally also from tree stands.

Any season gives you the opportunity to explore the famous West Coast rainforests. Located just a short boat and bus ride from the lodge, you can take an inspiring tour through an old growth forest.

Please note:

Knight Inlet is a full service lodge with a gift shop, steam rooms and hot tub and guest lounges. All guestrooms have private facilities but do not have telephones or televisions (a public phone is available).

The check in time for the floatplane flight from Campbell River to Knight Inlet is 9am. Therefore to make sure you arrive in time, the first night of all our packages is at the Painters Lodge in Campbell River, thereby allowing you to arrive in Campbell River at your leisure.

All Packages Include

• Return floatplane airfare from Campbell River to Knight Inlet Lodge (check in is 9am, return flight arrives in Campbell River at 10am)

• Accommodation for 1 night at Painters Lodge and 1 or 2 nights (as chosen) at the Knight Inlet Lodge (deluxe bedroom with private bathroom and shower)

• All meals starting with lunch on day 1 and ending with breakfast on your last day, complimentary wine with dinner.

• Welcome orientation briefing

• Rain gear if necessary

• All park user fees

2 Night Package also includes

• Scenic boat ride through Glendale Cove

• All transportation to the bear-watching platforms (in the spring and summer, viewing is done from boats)

• Interpretative guide

• Evening interpretative programmes

3 Night Packages include all of the above plus a choice of the following daily excursions

• Daily excursion to Johnstone Strait for marine wildlife viewing

• Bald eagle & other bird watching

• Scenic boat cruise of Knight Inlet and to see the grizzly bears from platforms or boats

• Excursion to Thompson Sound and Bond Sound for bear and wildlife viewing

• Evening Interpretative programme

• Wildlife tracking to make plaster casts of animal prints

• Interpretative forest hike in the Kwalate River Valley

• First Nations tour to New Vancouver including lunch and legend telling

• All transportation for all excursions

• Services of lodge staff including naturalists and photography leaders

• Rain gear if necessary

One or more excursions may be taken each day, daily activities are flexible and the lodge staff will do their utmost to make sure you have a most enjoyable stay.

What's not?

• Transfers to/from Campbell River

• Transfer to and from the Painters Lodge to the floatplane base

• Alcoholic beverages unless specified

• Gratuities for staff

Options

A flight option from Vancouver to Campbell River is available.

Transfers from Painters Lodge to Campbell River floatplane base are available.

Prices per person 2005

WHALES & BEARS

This is a short adventure that takes you to the special location of Quadra Island, the heart and hub of the Discovery Islands, remote yet accessible, just a ten minute ferry ride across from Campbell River. Quadra Island is home to a lively close-knit community of 2,700 people from all walks of life and all parts of the world.

Day 1 - Vancouver to Quadra Island. This morning transfer (not included) to Vancouver's coach depot to board a scheduled departure for Campbell River. Winding northward on the Sea to Sky Highway to the picturesque port of Horseshoe Bay to connect with B.C. Ferries to Nanaimo, your route offers panoramic views of the Gulf Islands and the Strait of Georgia. In Nanaimo transfer to Island Coachlines for your journey to Campbell River. Upon your arrival transfer by water taxi to Quadra Island. April Point Resort offers a unique rustic west coast theme with beautiful ocean views a feature of every room. You will awaken to the cry of Eagles, refreshed and ready for the day's nature adventure

Day 2 - Whale Watching Tour. See Killer Whales (Orcas) in their natural habitat while visiting famous Robson Bight where Orcas rub their stomachs in the shallow sand, historic Telegraph Cove and a working fish farm. The tour includes lunch and is a full day mini-coach/zodiac adventure. (Please note: Between 06 May - 30 Jun today will be a free day to enjoy the many activities at the lodge due to the Whale Watch tour not operating.)

Day 3 -  Wilderness Tour. Today cruise through breathtaking Desolation Sound and enjoy the majesty of Toba Inlet to seek out Black Bears in their natural habitat. See Mitlenatch Island Marine Park and Bird Sanctuary, Sea Lions, Dolphins, Eagles, Timber Wolves, Deer and more.

Day 4 - Quadra Island to Vancouver. Transfer by water taxi to Campbell River to connect with your scheduled coach service to Nanaimo and on to Vancouver arriving at approximately 5:15pm.

Your Hotel

April Point Lodge Located on Quadra Island, April Point Resort is a West Coast paradise away from the crowds, home to world renowned salmon fishing, and wilderness adventures. The resort is situated on the Inside Passage between the Mainland and Vancouver Island, offering an unbeatable combination of wildlife and natural beauty. The Resort offers a unique rustic west coast theme with beautiful ocean views a feature of every room. You will awaken to the cry of Eagles, refreshed and ready for the day's nature adventure.

All Packages Include

• 3 Nights Accommodation

• Return coach transfer between Vancouver & Campbell River

• Return water taxi to Quadra Island

Prices per person 2005

Departs daily between 06 May & 30 June 2005
& Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays between 01 July & 30 September 2005

GREAT BEAR LODGE

Embark on an adventure in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest! Share the natural environment of these predators during your stay at a charming two story floating lodge located 50 air miles from Port Hardy, in one of the world's richest grizzly bear habitats. Watch bears roam freely through the unspoiled surroundings as your guide leads you to prime observation areas

Arrival Day - Port Hardy to Great Bear Lodge. You will be met in Port Hardy this morning for your seaplane or whale watching boat transfer to great Bear Lodge (departure at 8am or 12 noon). Upon arrival you will be by your hosts and shown to your room. After lunch you will join your first wildlife viewing tour. Dinner is included tonight at the lodge.

During your stay - Great Bear Lodge

For those choosing a 2 night or longer stay, you will enjoy scheduled morning and afternoon bear viewing sessions which will coincide with the times when the bears are most active. Accompanied by an experienced wildlife biologist you will observe bears as they roam freely in the natural habitat as you float by on a boat or watch from specially designed viewing areas. Guests arriving in late summer and fall will also be able to witness the incredible sight of thousands of migrating salmon from a series of enclosed viewing stands along the river. Watch as the grizzlies hunt for fish in preparation for their coming hibernation. Overnight at the Great Gear Lodge.

Departure Day - Great Bear Lodge to Port Hardy

On your departure day you will participate in a final bear watching session, followed by a farewell brunch before being transferred back to Port Hardy in the early afternoon.

All Packages Include

• Accommodation for 1, 2 or 3 nights at the Great Bear Lodge

• Private bathroom, but shared shower facilities

• Meals : Full board starting with lunch on day 1 and ending with brunch on the last day (complimentary wine with dinner)

• Return transfers from Port Hardy to the lodge (by floatplane or whale watching charter boat)

• Welcome briefing

• All transportation to the bear viewing sites

• Wildlife biologist guide

• Evening interpretative programme

• Rain poncho and rubber boots (if needed)

• First Nation fee

Prices per person 2005

Departs daily between 01 May and 29 October 2005