Grizzly Bear Safari

Throughout your stay at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge, you will benefit from the expertise of professional wilderness and wildlife guides, ensuring safe and insightful exploration. Your all-inclusive package includes three gourmet meals per day, with savoury and sweet snacks available anytime, featuring locally sourced ingredients. Complimentary access to lodge amenities such as the private wildlife viewing platform, hot tub, cedar sauna, and fitness center will enhance your comfort and relaxation amidst the stunning natural surroundings. Adventure equipment like binoculars, rain gear, and more is also provided for your excursions. While this package is based on a small group itinerary, you can also arrange a fully private and customized experience. Guests can also choose to extend their stay at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge.

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN VANCOUVER – GATEWAY TO THE WEST COAST

Your holistic West Coast Canadian adventure begins in the bustling city of Vancouver. Upon arrival, check into your centrally located hotel, providing the ideal base for exploration. Spend your evening immersing yourself in Vancouver’s vibrant culinary scene or discover iconic attractions like Gastown’s historic charm or the lively Robson Street.

Accommodation: Pan Pacific Vancouver (or similar)

DAY 2: VANCOUVER EXPLORATION & PREPARATION

Dedicate your day to exploring the diverse offerings of Vancouver at your leisure. Wander through the lush expanse of Stanley Park, discover the artisan delights of Granville Island, or delve into the unique boutiques and cafes of the city’s various neighbourhoods. This day also serves as an opportune moment to prepare for your exciting wilderness adventure ahead, ensuring you have all the essentials for your journey into the Great Bear Rainforest.

Accommodation: Pan Pacific Vancouver (or similar)

DAY 3: JOURNEY TO BELLA COOLA VALLEY – WILDERNESS AWAITS

Today, your true wilderness immersion begins. Transfer to Vancouver Airport for your included flight to Bella Coola. Upon arrival at the Bella Coola Airport or BC Ferries terminal, you’ll be warmly met by a Tweedsmuir Park Lodge representative and enjoy a scenic ground transfer to the lodge. Check-in commences at 16:00, followed by a welcoming reception and a comprehensive property orientation. Settle into your private Timber Frame Chalet or Elevated Suite, nestled at the forest’s edge, before indulging in a gourmet dinner crafted from locally sourced ingredients at the main lodge.

DAY 4: GRIZZLY BEAR VIEWING RIVER DRIFT

Gently float down the Atnarko River in the presence of Grizzly Bears. Observe them in their natural environment, foraging for food, and looking after their young. Starting in late August, thousands upon thousands of salmon arrive in the local rivers to spawn – the final phase of their lifecycle.

For the bears, salmon are an easy meal. Many bears, as well as other wildlife, congregate on the river to feast and fatten up before the long winter ahead. Due to the abundance of food, the bears are less shy than usual. They are also more tolerant of each other as well as of the people drifting by with their cameras. Along with bears, it is also possible to see a wide variety of birds and other wildlife with incredible mountain views as the backdrop.

Private Groups of less than 3 guests will drift in a Mckenzie Drift Boat. These boats have comfortable seating for up to 3 adults + 1 guide and gear. Small Groups of more than 3 will drift in an Inflatable Raft. These boats have comfortable seating for up to 6 adults + 1 guide and gear. Both boat types provide a stable platform from which to capture photographs. There is a total guest weight restriction (including gear)of 800 lbs (382 kgs) for McKenzie Drift Boats. This also applies to Inflatable Rafts later in the season in low water conditions.

Whether on a McKenzie Drift Boat or an Inflatable Raft, a trained wildlife guide will accompany you every step of the way to explain Grizzly Bear behaviour, to teach you about the history and geography of the area, to share interesting facts about the river habitat, and to keep you safe.

DAY 5: GRIZZLY BEAR ECOLOGY WALKING TOUR

In autumn, Tweedsmuir Park Lodge is all about bears and a highlight activity is to venture out on foot, with a guide, to discover these majestic animals in their natural habitat. Guests will learn about bear ecology and how to cohabitate safely amongst these magnificent creatures. Guides will take guests to some of the bears’ favourite hang outs and will point out signs of bear activity such as claw marks, day beds, scat, and tufts of fur stuck in the bark of rub trees. Other wildlife species that also inhabit the forest include black bears, mule deer, moose, American beaver, mountain goats, bald eagles and numerous amphibian species. The adjacent lands are also a significant habitat for Vaux’s swift, the Peregrine falcon, fisher, wolverine, and Townsend’s big-eared bat.

All tours are designed with safety in mind. It should be noted that the objective of these walks is not to see bears, but to find the telltale signs of their passing. In the event a bear is encountered, the guides are trained in reading and interpreting bear behaviour so that conflicts are avoided. Guests will be briefed on how to act in the wilderness to avoid startling a bear and how to react in case a bear is spotted. All of our guides also carry bear spray and are trained in how to deploy it safely. They also carry radios to communicate with the lodge in the case of an emergency.

DAY 6: FAREWELL WILDERNESS, RETURN TO VANCOUVER

Savour a final gourmet breakfast at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge, reflecting on your immersive wilderness experiences. At 11:00, check out from the lodge and begin your ground transfer back to the Bella Coola Airport for your included flight to Vancouver. Upon arrival in Vancouver, check into your comfortable hotel, allowing for a relaxing evening to unwind and recall the incredible adventures of the past week.

Accommodation: Pan Pacific Vancouver (or similar)

DAY 7: DEPART VANCOUVER

Enjoy breakfast in Vancouver at your leisure before heading to the airport for your onward journey, filled with unforgettable memories from your truly comprehensive West Coast Canadian adventure, a unique blend of urban charm and unparalleled wilderness exploration.