Spirit Bears of British Columbia

Fly from the UK to Vancouver, British Columbia and transfer to your hotel where you will check-in for a two-night stay.Accommodation: Georgian Court Hotel

Today is free for you to explore Vancouver at your leisure. You may wish to learn more about First Nation history and culture with a visit to the Museum of Vancouver, or take a cable car to the top of Grouse Mountain for views over the city and Gulf Islands.

Today you take a flight from Vancouver north to Bella Bella, home of the Heiltsuk First Nation people. From Bella Bella dock you will be transferred to Klemtu in the Great Bear Rainforest, the largest piece of intact temperate coastal rainforest left on the planet. Klemtu is a remote village on Swindle Island and the home of two indigenous groups, the Xai’xai’s and the Tsimshian. You will have time to learn more about the local area and traditions throughout your stay at Spirit Bear Lodge.Accommodation: Spirit Bear Lodge

Your stay at Spirit Bear Lodge will include small group guided tours of the waterways and rainforest by professional guides from the local community. Search for wildlife including Grizzly and Spirit Bears; other activities could include kayak explorations, marine tours in search of Humpback whales (seasonal) and tours to learn more about the culture of the First Nations people.

Another day of exploring the wilderness in search of local wildlife. The Spirit bear, also known as the Kermode bear, is thought to be a genetic variation of the Black bear, with a recessive gene that creates the white coat. The greatest number of Spirit bears can be found on the islands off the north-central coast of British Columbia, with most frequent sightings being on Princess Royal Island. Whilst there are no guarantees of spotting Spirit bears, your experienced guide will know where you are most likely to view them, along with other wildlife such as Black and Grizzly bears. Different wildlife viewing experiences can be had throughout spring, summer and autumn so be sure to check which wildlife you might be able to see at the time of year you wish to travel.

Depart Spirit Bear Lodge and transfer by boat to Bella Bella, where you will take your flight to Vancouver and back to the UK.