Grand Tour British Columbia Alaska Panhandle & Glacier Bay
Day 1: Arrival in Vancouver
Meet at the airport with a representative of Le Reve House and pick up your car. Then, transfer to Century Plaza Hotel or similar (double room, breakfast included).
Day 2: Visit Vancouver
Guided city tour, visiting the main areas: Downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park Aquarium, Capilano Suspension Bridge & Hatchery (salmon hatchery) and West Vancouver parks – the giant trees of Light House Park and Dundarave Beach with a picnic by the sea. If time permits, feel free to visit the Museum of Antroplogy (MOA) at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Free evening and overnight stay at your hotel.
Day 3: Vancouver Island
In the morning, embark for Nanaimo, Vancouver Island. Starting from Nanaimo, you will cross the island by car to its West Coast, stopping along the way to admire the spectacular Cathedral Grove with its thousands-year-old Douglas Fir. Arrive at Ucluelet early in the afternoon where you will stay overnight the lodge in front of the marina (Pacific Rim-front).
Nanaimo – Tofino: 195 Km
Day 4: Meares Island Excursion
Enjoy a magnificent waterfront breakfast before heading out on an excursion to Meares Island, visiting the rainforest by boat. This will be followed by a trip to Schooner Cove for beachcombing in the tide pools. These beautiful pools are an explosion of life at your feet in the Pacific Rim. Dinner included in the village of Tofino; overnight stay back at your lodge in Ucluelet.
Day 5: The Pacific Rim
What awaits you in today’s excursion is spectacular whale-watching by super-raft in the Pacific Rim and the Broughton Group Archipelago, where you will view the many whales and sea lions among the islands off of Tofino. In the afternoon, depart toward Northeast Vancouver Island and arrive at Campbell River. Overnight stay at the Painter’s Lodge on Quadra Island (half board).
Tofino – Campbell River: 244 Km
Day 6 & 7: Orcas and Grizzlies of the Great Bear Rainforest (excursion to see the grizzlies on request)
Transfer from Campbell River to Telegraph Cove.
In the early afternoon, you will head out on an excursion to observe orcas in Telegraph Cove. This involves a legendary hike that will bring you in direct contact with these magnificent and powerful animals. Afterwards, you accommodation for the night will be in a restored cabin on the boardwalk of Telegraph Cove. In the morning of day seven, you’ll embark on another exciting boat tour (on request) to Knight Inlet, where you will pass through a coastal area of completely pristine fjords of over 50 Km. The only inhabitants of this paradise are animals including whales, dolphins, black bears and more. When you arrive at your destination of the Great Bear Rainforest, you’ll find a large community of grizzlies.
Upon your return, you will move on to Port Hardy where you will start off the next day for the famous Inside Passage. In Port Hardy, you will leave your car at the hotel’s car park.
Campbell R. – Telegraph Cove: 274 Km
Telegraph Cove – Port Hardy: 63 km
Day 8: Beautiful Inside Passage by Ferry – 17 hours
At 7.30am, depart for the Inside Passage – the magnificent maritime passage along the stunning West Pacific Coast, between long fjords and high canyons. During this trip, you will be constantly surrounded by wonderful views and encounters with killer whales, humpback whales and sea lions. You’ll arrive in Prince Rupert at 11.30pm. Overnight stay at the Coast Hotel in Prince Rupert (breakfast included).
Inside Passage crossing distance – 550 Km
From Canada to Alaska
Day 9 & 10: Juneau
You’ll have the morning free in Prince Rupert, and then you’ll catch your flight to Juneau in the afternoon or evening. Once you arrive, you’ll transfer to your Juneau hotel. If there’s any time left in the day, you can do whatever you like before having dinner and staying overnight.
The next day is all about exploring the town. Juneau, Alaska’s capital, is actually considered the prettiest city in the state by locals—they even call it “little San Francisco”! We’ll start by strolling through the central streets, which are full of old-school pubs, art galleries, cozy bars, and fancy restaurants. After the visit, it’s back to the hotel for dinner and another overnight stay..
Day 11: Juneau
Today is all about your first walking excursion! We’ll be heading out along the high ground around the Mendenhall Glacier, where you’ll be completely surrounded by some of Alaska’s richest wildlife. If you’re interested, you can also take a canoe trip among the icebergs on Mendenhall Lake. Afterward, we’ll head back to the hotel for dinner and another overnight stay.
Day 12: Glacier Bay and its UNESCO site
Today, you’ll fly to Gustavus: the gate of Glacier Bay, which is the most important Alaskan glacier and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. From here, you will view the glacier by boat, amongst the famous ice fronts and spectacular fauna. On board, a delicious lunch will be served. Upon returning from the trip, you will stay at Glacier Bay Lodge for the night.
Day 13: Whale-watching at Glacier Bay
Today (on request), you will set out on a magnificent whale-watching excursion in the middle of the glacier. At this time of year, blue whales come from the southern seas to start their mating period and nursing period. There are many incredible sights to see both in and out of the water – including curious sea lions that will approach under the boat, and magnificent eagles that fly the skies with the arrival of summer. In the afternoon, you will transfer back to Gustavus, where at 15.30 you will board a return flight to Juneau. Dinner and overnight stay in Juneau.
Day 14: Return to Vancouver
Free morning in Juneau, then transfer to the airport and fly to Vancouver. When you arrive in Vancouver, you will transfer to your airport hotel. Free time for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 15: Return flight
After breakfast, you will be transferred by shuttle to the airport for your return flight.