Location
canada
Magnificent Bear Viewing in The Great Bear Rainforest
Details
10 DAYS FROM 16000 PP
Best time to go
AUG - OCT
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Magnificent Bear Viewing
The Great Bear Rainforest
Travel deep into the Great Bear Rainforest, the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world, home to an abundance of grizzlies, black bears and the elusive spirit bears. Snow-capped peaks overlook spectacular fjords and ancient forests with 1000 year old cedars teeming with wildlife. Bears forage for roots and berries or gorge on salmon, wolves hide between trees, eagles wait patiently ready to swoop and the Pacific coastal waters welcome orca, grey and humpback whales.
This tailor-made itinerary offers unrivalled bear viewing opportunities and the chance to visit the only place in the world to see the white coated Kermode (spirit) bear in its natural environment. Enjoy walking safaris, boat safaris and explore fjords by kayak in this extraordinary journey.
Why You’ll Love This Trip
- Explore the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Vancouver.
- Watch for Grizzly and Black Bears passing through the grounds at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge.
- Enjoy canoeing and hiking through the ancient rainforest in search of wildlife.
- Come face to face with the magnificent grizzly bears on the annual Salmon run.
- Search for the mythical moskgm’ol (Spirit Bear) with local First Nations Guides.
- Watching orcas, grey whales, minke whales, harbour seals and other marine wildlife.
- Explore the Great Bear Rainforest, the largest piece of intact temperate rainforest in the world
Example day by day itinerary:
Day 1 – Arrive in Vancouver
Touch down in the vibrant coastal city of Vancouver, where mountains meet the Pacific Ocean. On arrival, a private driver will whisk you to your luxurious downtown base, the Fairmont Pacific Rim. The remainder of the day is yours to explore at leisure — perhaps wander the buzzing waterfront, enjoy a stroll through Stanley Park, or simply relax and take in the energy of this world-class city.
Accommodation: Fairmont Pacific Rim
Day 2 – Vancouver - Bella Coola - Tweedsmuir Park Lodge
This morning, you’ll transfer to Vancouver’s South Terminal for a spectacular flight over the Coast Range Mountains and shimmering fjords — an awe-inspiring 75 minutes in the air. On arrival in Bella Coola, meet your lodge transfer for a scenic drive through the valley to Tweedsmuir Park Lodge, your wilderness retreat. If time allows, step straight into adventure with a gentle drift down the Atnarko River. Float silently between towering peaks as salmon splash in the shallows and bald eagles soar overhead. Keep watch for grizzlies and black bears feeding along the riverbanks, as well as playful river otters. It’s a magical introduction to this wild corner of British Columbia.
Accommodation: Tweedsmuir Park Lodge
Days 3 & 4 – Grizzly Encounters at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge
Awaken to crisp mountain air and the promise of adventure. Over the next two days, your expert guides will lead you on an unforgettable journey through this pristine wilderness.
- Scenic river drifts bring you nose-to-nose with grizzlies as they fish for salmon.
- Guided nature walks uncover the hidden stories of old-growth forests, glaciers, and even ancient petroglyphs.
- For the adventurous, the Via Ferrata climb offers a thrilling ascent with panoramic valley views.
- On foot, follow in the tracks of bears — from day beds tucked into the forest to claw marks etched into tree trunks.
Accommodation: Tweedsmuir Park Lodge
Day 5 – Bella Coola - Return to Vancouver
Bid farewell to Tweedsmuir’s mountain sanctuary and transfer back through the valley to Bella Coola Airport. Your flight returns you to Vancouver, where the rest of the afternoon is free. Perhaps enjoy a final evening dining on the city’s acclaimed West Coast cuisine or sipping cocktails with mountain-and-harbor views.
Accommodation: Fairmont Pacific Rim
Day 6 – Vancouver - Bella Bella - Spirit Bear Lodge
Fly north to Bella Bella, a two-hour journey that reveals rugged coastlines and remote waterways from above. On arrival, transfer by water taxi across the channels to Spirit Bear Lodge, nestled in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest. This afternoon, set out on your first excursion in search of the legendary white Spirit Bear, as your Indigenous guides share stories and insights into the region’s culture and traditions.
Accommodation: Spirit Bear Lodge
Days 7–9 – Spirit Bear Lodge & the Great Bear Rainforest
For three full days, immerse yourself in one of the world’s last untouched temperate rainforests. This is a place of ancient cedars, cascading rivers, and rich cultural heritage.
- Join daily excursions deep into bear-viewing territory, where grizzlies and the elusive Spirit Bear roam.
- Glide along remote shorelines by sea kayak, keeping watch for coastal wolves that sometimes pad across the beaches.
- Scan the Pacific waters for orcas, dolphins, sea lions, and other marine life.
- Evenings are spent learning from your Kitasoo/Xai’xais hosts, who share stories, photographs, and a deep connection to this extraordinary land.
Accommodation: Spirit Bear Lodge
Day 10 – Spirit Bear Lodge - Bella Bella - Vancouver - Departure
This morning, take the water taxi back to Bella Bella, followed by a return flight to Vancouver. On arrival, connect to your international flight home — carrying with you unforgettable memories of grizzlies, Spirit Bears, and the wild beauty of British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest.
Your Accomodation
Tweedsmuir Park Lodge
Hailed by CNN Travel as one of British Columbia's best luxury lodges, Tweedsmuir Park Lodge is a cosy destination located on the banks of the Atnarko River and surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. It's the perfect base from which to explore this beautiful wilderness area and one of the best places to spot grizzly bears fishing the rivers during salmon-spawning season.
Spirit Bear Lodge
Located to the north of Vancouver Island in Klemtu, accessible via seaplane and water taxi, Spirit Bear Lodge is a unique concept built and run by the local Kitasoo/Xaixai community. The lodge itself directly reflects their culture as it has been built in the style of their traditional long houses, the interior of the lodge itself and the furnishings used within are also reflective of their culture with many antiques used to decorate the space.
There are twelve rooms available within the lodge, all of which are en-suite and complete with a king size bed, which can be separated into twins if preferred. All of the windows within the bedrooms and main area of the lodge are designed in a way to give you fantastic vistas across the river, Great Bear Rainforest and the Pacific Ocean; they are almost floor to ceiling to ensure you get the best chance of spotting as much wildlife from the comfort of your room as possible. During your stay at Spirit Bear Lodge all of your meals are included and are freshly prepared to your taste. The talented chefs ensure that each meal is prepared using the freshest ingredients and great attempts are made to locally source as many ingredients as possible. Your main focus is on seeing spirit bears, grizzly bears and black bears in their natural habitat. Travelling via small motorboats, to ensure as little disruption to the area as possible, you will go in search of these majestic creatures within the Great Bear Rainforest. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy, the only one in the world, where you can spot spirit bears, grizzly bears and sitka deer.