British Columbia Grand Tour
DAY 1: Arrival in Vancouver
Arrived and welcome at Vancouver International Airport. You will be met by one of our representative and transferred to your Hotel. A brief introductory Tour of the city along the same road to your hotel (Westin Bayshore Hotel or Fairmont Waterfront Hotel) where you will spend the next two nights to acclimatize. Dinner as suggested by your Road Book received upon arrival.
DAY 2: Vancouver
After a sumptuous American breakfast, your guide will take you for a Tour of the city of Vancouver, starting from Stanley Park with its beautiful Seawall and the Aquarium. Then you will move to the North side of the city, passing the Lions Gate Bridge to visit the West Marine Drive and Dundrave, where you will stop for a quick snack in one of the typical restaurants on the seashore. In the afternoon, a visit to Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Hatchery of Pacific salmon. Then back to your hotel and dinner in a restaurant suggested by your ROAD BOOK.
DAY 3: Vancouver Island: Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Tofino
In the morning you will collect your rented car, led by one of our representative, and board the Ferry to get Vancouver Island where you will arrive (in Nanaimo) after 1 hour and 35 minutes crossing. From Nanaimo, with your rented car, you will then proceed northwards, after driving along the Highway 4 and going through Port Alberni, and finally reach Tofino after about two and a half hour drive. You will find all the detailed informations for your drive in your Road Book. After Port Alberni, driving along the beautiful and winding road, you will get to the Cathedral Grove, one of the most beautiful Sequoia and Red Cedar park in the area. You will spend two nights in Tofino, in a beautiful Lodge in front of one of the most spectacular beach along the cliff of the Pacific Rim where you will be able to breathe and admire the wild beauty of this stretch coast of Vancouver Island. Distance from Nanaimo to Tofino: 208 Km.
DAY 4: Whalewatching, Pacific Rim
Today is your Ocean sightseeing day the Pacific Rim which is renowned for its violent and fascinating storms and a famous destination for many passionate travelers and naturalist photographers looking for beautiful images of this wonderful nature with creatures that still live here in perfect harmony. Big cetaceans, killer whales and large sea lions live permanently in this large stretch of the Pacific Ocean and are the real stars of this area. You will go on with your excursion on super fast dinghies and watch these fascinating animals by surfing in the magnificent archipelago of Broken Group Islands. Once arrived, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the invigorating relaxation offered by hot springs on this sea. In the afternoon, you can go for a kayak excursion along the beautiful Bay of Tofino or walk along the West Coast Trail. Return in the evening to your lodge or dine out.
DAY 5 to DAY 7: Great Eco Adventure in the East Coast of Vancouver Island
These are the days of the great eco-adventure in the East Coast. Greeted by one of our representative at Campbell River, you will be accommodated in your hotel for one night. Before dinner, you can visit the Museum or take a trip along the River Campbell. The morning after, you will reach the Knight Inlet Lodge by seaplane. This lodge was mentioned by National Geographic and defines the Great Bear Rain Forest as the jewel of Canadian naturalism. Three spectacular days of observation wait for you. WWF and UN consider this area as the most beautiful temperate rainforest in the world. A large number of Grizzly Bears live here, besides wolves, bald Eagles, giant Elk, bull deer, otters ashore, killer whales, dolphins, sea lions and many various species of Whales. Every day you will be on excursion with experienced naturalists of the Knight Inlet Lodge(www.savethegreatbear.org/resources/maps/gbrmapoct0). At times, in order to better reach some observation sites, you will be on board of boats or rubber dinghies. You will also do some mountain climbing and wildlife excursion such as whales and bears watching along the coast. All meals will be served at the lodge as part of an excellent West Coast cuisine based on seafood.
DAY 8: From Campbell River to Port Hardy
This morning, a seaplane will fly you back to Campbell River from where you will go on with your trip to get Port Hardy. From here, the morning after, you will board the ferry to reach the coast of the Northern territories and Prince Rupert, after a suggestive and interesting crossing of the Inside Passage. Overnight at Port Hardy in a small hotel or lodge on the harbor. Distance from Campbell River to Port Hardy: 238 Km.
DAY 9: The splendor of the Inside passage
The day has come for the great adventure in the Inside Passage. At 7.30 a.m. the Queen Charlotte Ferry will sail on time for your next destination: Prince Rupert. You will spend a full day by sailing among high fjords in a unique setting and see (and photograph) whales, killer whales, dolphins, sea lions and seals, in a succession of spectacular scenery. You will arrive in the late evening at Prince Rupert, where you will spend the night. Crossing Distance: 550 Km.
DAY 10: The Grizzly Bear Khutzeymateen Sanctuary
In the morning, you will depart from Prince Rupert on a boat to get the Grizzly Bear Khutzeymateen Sanctuary, the most important grizzly bear sanctuary in Canada. This area is part of the Great Bear Rainforest, which stretches for over 700 Km. The excursion will allow you to watch the big bears along the river. A video camera and a camera are a must here. Coming back from the excursion, time allowing, you can go and visit another beautiful natural site in the area around Terrace and Prince Rupert. Browse your Road Book for more details. In the afternoon, you will then proceed towards Terrace, along the Skeena River valley. Arrival and dinner at your characteristic lodge in Terrace.