Holiday Overview
A once in a lifetime wilderness experience with this impressive itinerary. No other holiday will compare to travelling in a floatplane over the Queen Charlotte Strait, the home of orca, grey & humpback whales and the breathtaking views of the Great Bear Rainforest before landing at your floating lodge for an unforgettable 3 nights at Great Bear Lodge.
See the best of British Columbia by visiting the capital Victoria where you will enjoy two of the city's essential experiences: whale watching and Butchart Gardens. Stay 4 nights in Vancouver, a coastal city with stunning views of the mountains and take in sights such as Stanley Park, English Bay and much more. You will end your spectacular holiday with a stay in Whistler, where you will take a ride on the world record breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola. The views from the top of Whistler Mountain will end your trip on a high with scenery that will leave you in awe.
Best of BC with Bears & Whales includes:
- Return flights from UK
- 13 nights Accommodation
- Transfers
- Full Board with Wine & Beer at Dinner at Great Bear Lodge
- Whales & Butchart Gardens Tour
- Vancouver Sightseeing Tour
- Peak 2 Peak Gondola
- Bear watching
Day 1 - Fly to Vancouver
On arrival in Vancouver you will be transferred by coach & ferry to Victoria.
Featured accommodation
Oswego Hotel
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Hotel Chateau Victoria
Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Day 2 - Victoria
Spend the day at your leisure in Victoria taking in the sights. Victoria is very picturesque with a beautiful Inner Harbour.
Featured accommodation
Oswego Hotel
Enhance your experience
Hotel Chateau Victoria
Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Day 3 - Whales & Butchart Gardens
Today you will have a whale of a time on the Whales & Butchart Gardens Tour. (duration 5 hours)
This adventure makes the most of your vacation time by allowing you to enjoy two of Victoria's essential experiences in a single day: whale watching and The Butchart Gardens.
Explore the Haro Strait and the Strait of Juan de Fuca in search of the majestic wildlife that floods the local waters here in the summer months. Take advantage of the opportunity to view several different species of whales in the wild as well as an assortment of sea birds and other species of marine wildlife from downtown Victoria en route to the Butchart Gardens private dock and entrance via Tod Inlet. Enjoy at your leisure The Butchart Gardens with CVS return connections to Victoria departing the gardens regularly throughout the evening. Stay for dinner, the fireworks on Saturday evening or summer events!
Featured accommodation
Oswego Hotel
Enhance your experience
Hotel Chateau Victoria
Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Day 4 - Transfer to Vancouver
This morning you will depart Victoria and travel to Vancouver. (coach/ferry included) Once you are on the ferry you will get off your coach and can go up on deck to take in the stunning scenery. Keep your camera at hand as you pass by the Gulf Islands with the added chance of spotting wildlife too. Spend your afternoon at your leisure in Vancouver which has much to offer.
Featured accommodation
Loden Hotel
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The Listel Hotel Vancouver
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Day 5 - Vancouver
Today use your Hop on Hop off Vancouver Sightseeing pass to help you get around the city to take in the sights at your leisure. The pass allows you hop on/off at over 20 sights and attractions. We recommend timing a visit to Granville Island for lunch or an afternoon treat at the Public Market.
Featured accommodation
Loden Hotel
Enhance your experience
The Listel Hotel Vancouver
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Day 6 - Great Bear Lodge
Depart the Blue Horizon this morning for Vancouver Airport for your 70 minute flight to Port Hardy. Upon arrival transfer (included) to the town of Port Hardy for lunch (own cost) and to explore the town. Mid-afternoon you will be transferred to the float plane base for your scenic flight over the Queen Charlotte Strait to the floating lodge. After a brief introduction to the lodge you will go on your first Grizzly Bear excursion.
Featured accommodation
Great Bear Lodge
Day 7 - Great Bear Lodge
In the morning, you will be on the trail of the grizzly bear again after some good coffee and breakfast. A typical viewing session lasts three hours. After a morning of adventure, you will return to the lodge for lunch and a chance to relax. Spend the early afternoon exploring the surrounding area with a guide. A popular activity is the interpretive rainforest walk, examining bear sign and the general ecology of the area. In mid-afternoon you will venture out to see the bears before returning to the lodge for dinner. On clear nights, the stars are amazing.
Featured accommodation
Great Bear Lodge
Day 8 - Great Bear Lodge
As your stay at the lodge continues, you begin to settle into the natural rhythm of the valley. The bears are generally most active in the early morning and late afternoon hours, which is why we focus our viewing sessions on these times. Over the course of your stay we will take you to a variety of sites, depending on the bear activity.
For the afternoon recreation today we may take a guided sea-kayaking tour of the estuary, or a boat cruise to explore the glacier-carved inlet. Or you may prefer to relax and enjoy the view from the lodge. The Great Bear Rainforest is home to many animals, including grey wolves, otters, black bears, mink and bald eagles.
Featured accommodation
Great Bear Lodge
Day 9 - Depart Great Bear Lodge for Port Hardy
After your parting session with the bears you will enjoy lunch at the Great Bear Lodge. You will be returned to Port Hardy in the afternoon between 4pm and 6pm. Due to unpredictable weather conditions for flights around the lodge and Port Hardy we have included a nights accommodation in Port Hardy.
Featured accommodation
Quarter Deck Inn
Day 10 - Fly Port Hardy to Vancouver
Transfer (not included) mid-morning to Port Hardy Airport for your return flight to Vancouver International Airport (South Terminal) . Make your own way to the Blue Horizon Hotel for your final 2 night stay in Vancouver.
Featured accommodation
Loden Hotel
Enhance your experience
The Listel Hotel Vancouver
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Day 11 - Vancouver
Day at leisure in Vancouver. Relax and enjoy some final shopping or sightseeing.
Featured accommodation
Loden Hotel
Enhance your experience
The Listel Hotel Vancouver
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Day 12 - Transfer to Whistler
This morning you will travel to Whistler by coach (included). You will travel the famous Sea to Sky Highway taking you from the coast up into the mountains. Check into your chosen hotel and spend the afternoon in Whistler at your leisure.
Featured accommodation
Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel
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Whistler Pinnacle
Four Seasons Whistler
Day 13 - Whistler
Today you have your Peak 2 Peak Gondola ticket. We recommend you take the gondola up Whistler Mountain, spend some time at the top taking in a walk or hike before getting the chair lift up to the Summit before then taking your ride on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. Spanning the distance between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, the world record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola is a breathtaking, 4.4-kilometre journey to infinite possibilities. Redefining the Whistler summer experience by creating limitless new ways to get up-close-and personal with the mountains, this engineering marvel breaks three world records.
Featured accommodation
Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel
Enhance your experience
Whistler Pinnacle
Four Seasons Whistler
Day 14 - Fly Vancouver to UK
Oswego Hotel
The Oswega is a sophisticated, urban, boutique hotel steps away from the Inner Harbour and downtown Victoria. The hotel’s combination of modern design, incredible service and luxury amenities makes it the perfect place to get a taste of the city’s natural surroundings and urban vibe.
Hotel Chateau Victoria
Discover Victoria at its finest through an authentic local experience in the heart of downtown. With deeply entrenched roots in the local community and a strong sense of environmental responsibility – the Chateau Victoria strives to share all that makes Victoria special to each and every guest.
Magnolia Hotel & Spa
The Magnolia Hotel and Spa is just 2 blocks from Victoria’s picturesque Inner Harbour and in the heart of the city’s best shopping, dining and entertainment.
Loden Hotel
The Loden Hotel is an interesting boutique hotel which features an on-site spa and gourmet restaurant and is only approx 5 minutes from Robson Street.
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Vancouver
The Fairmont Waterfront luxury hotel showcases the best of Vancouver. Conveniently located, the hotel connects by covered walkway to the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, the cruise ship terminal at Canada Place, and the Sky train. Situated on scenic Burrard Inlet, it has a central to sightseeing and shopping in Vancouver.
Great Bear Lodge
Great Bear Lodge is located 50 air miles from Port Hardy, British Columbia.
The fully self-contained floating lodge is situated at an outstanding wildlife viewing location.
Quarter Deck Inn
Port Hardy’s newest hotel with deluxe rooms overlooking the marina and the spectacular local scenery. The Quarterdeck Resort and Marina is a full-service hotel, complete with a marina, pub and restaurant.
Whistler Pinnacle Hotel
Experience Whistler with Pinnacle. Make yourself at home in this warm and inviting boutique hotel - that perfect blend of contemporary style and unique West Coast mountain charm.
Four Seasons Whistler
Grand in scale, intimate by nature, luxury Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler epitomizes the mountain spirit. Inside, find 291 luxury lodge guest rooms, including 95 hotel suites and 20 private residences with open-sky spaciousness and European-styled refinement. An expansive timber, glass and stone lobby harmonizes your transition between the great outdoors and the cosy wood hotel interiors of your private space in Whistler.
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Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2022, 2023 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 270 0009 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
Canada & Alaska Cruises
Grizzlies and Alaska Cruise
- 14 Nights
- Vancouver
- Knight Inlet
- Alaska Cruise
Canada & Alaska Cruises
Bears, Whales & Glaciers
- 14 Nights
- Vancouver
- Victoria
- Tofino
- Alaska Cruise
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Best of BC with Bears & Whales
- 13 Nights
- Victoria
- Vancouver
- Great Bear Lodge
- Whistler