Ultimate Lords Of The Wilderness
11 nights
Enjoyable for everyone used to independent travel in a developed country.
Comfortable transportation and accommodations, except on a more off-the-beaten track itinerary. E.g. a self-drive trip
Trip Overview |
Map |
Itinerary |
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Accommodation |
For just a few weeks each Fall, in the Great Bear Rainforest, on the eastern edge of the Inside Passage in western British Columbia, Grizzly Bears come out of the forest to hunt for salmon struggling up river to spawn. At the same time, in the far north of Manitoba, on the starkly beautiful shores of Hudson Bay, Polar Bears gather, waiting for the ‘Great Freeze’ to begin....
This is a brand new journey we are very proud of - because only on vacations in Canada, and only for a few weeks each year, can you see both Polar Bears and Grizzly Bears on the same vacation pacakge. And you will also see wonderful marine life - including schools of Orca whales - and even have the chance to get into the water with a snorkel and observe a river running red with spawning salmon...
For the true wildlife enthusiast, this is one of the great natural history vacations.
This is a brand new journey we are very proud of - because only on vacations in Canada, and only for a few weeks each year, can you see both Polar Bears and Grizzly Bears on the same vacation pacakge. And you will also see wonderful marine life - including schools of Orca whales - and even have the chance to get into the water with a snorkel and observe a river running red with spawning salmon...
For the true wildlife enthusiast, this is one of the great natural history vacations.
Outline
1 night Vancouver
1 night Campbell River
3 nights Knight Inlet Lodge
1 night Vancouver
1 night Winnipeg
4 nights Churchill
1 night Vancouver
1 night Campbell River
3 nights Knight Inlet Lodge
1 night Vancouver
1 night Winnipeg
4 nights Churchill
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Canada Vacation Package Begins - Vancouver
Surrounded by mountains and ocean, Vancouver has a reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Depending on your arrival time, you might want to just relax and watch the world go by on an outdoor patio, or get out and explore on foot or by bicycle. Overnight in Vancouver.
Day 2 - Swimming With Salmon on Vacations in Canada
Campbell River, just a short hop by air from Vancouver to the eastern edge of Vancouver Island, is known as the ‘The Salmon Capital Of The World’. This afternoon you will have the opportunity to explore the local salmon runs and even get into the water with the fish - a fascinating adventure. Overnight in Campbell River.
Day 3 - Your Canada Vacation Package Brings you to Knight Inlet and Black Bears
This morning begins with a 30-minute float-plane ride across the Inside Passage to the eastern shore, with views of the spectacular Coast Mountains and fjords below. After settling into your comfortable lodge and meeting your guides, you will do an afternoon game drive in the estuary -- with a fair chance of seeing Black Bears feeding on the beaches - or you may try kayaking in the fjord. Choices are abundant on vacations in Canada. Overnight Knight Inlet.
Day 4 - Up Close With Grizzly Bears Hunting Salmon
Today you journey into the Great Bear Rainforest with your guide in search of Grizzlies hunting for spawning salmon. From the safety of a hide, you will watch these magnificent hunters plunging into the water again and again in search of their illusive prey - one of the most spectacular sights in nature is available only on your Canada vacation package. Overnight in Knight Inlet.
Days 5 - Marine Safari In Johnstone Strait
Explore Johnstone Strait, one of the best places in the world to observe Orca Whales in the wild - and with a little luck you will also see their cousins, Minke and Humpback Whales - as well as Bald Eagles, Sea Lions, Seals, and even White-Sided Dolphins. Overnight Knight Inlet.
Day 6 - Get a Second Look at Vancouver on your Canada Vacation Package
Get up early to soak in the fresh wilderness air, perhaps getting a final glimpse of a grazing deer or a soaring eagle as you sip your coffee. Today you fly by float plane back to Campbell River and then by regular flight to Vancouver for another night in the city.
Day 7 - Vancouver to Winnipeg
Today fly about three hours from Vancouver to Winnipeg, Manitoba - almost in the middle of the country. The afternoon of your Canada vacation package is at leisure - consider visiting the Manitoba Museum, The Royal Canadian Mint, or stroll down to The Forks, a funky market and one of the city’s most popular gathering places. Overnight in Winnipeg.
Day 8 - Winnipeg to Churchill
Now we fly north from Winnipeg to Churchill, on the western edge of Hudson Bay (we are still nowhere near the northernmost part of Canada.) Enjoy a guided tour of the town, including the Inuit Museum and an introduction to the unique culture of the North. Experience culture on vacations in Canada! Overnight in Churchill.
Days 9 & 10 - Encounters with Polar Bears
Today is the day of your Canada vacation package that you get almost nose-to-nose with one of the most fearsome predators on the planet. Luckily you will be safe and warm in your specially-designed ‘Tundra Buggy’. It is an exhilarating encounter -- and with an expert naturalist and the luxury of small groups your experience will be truly memorable.
Optional Helicopter Flight Over the Tundra - Customize Your Canada Vacation
On journeys starting on October 5th & 12th guests will also enjoy a scenic helicopter flight over the tundra on one of these two days. You’ll see the full extent of Churchill’s wild beauty, with its rugged coastline, the mouth of the Churchill River, forest to the south, and treeless tundra to the north. The chances of spotting wildlife, such as caribou and polar bears are excellent - and you may also visit Nunalla, an abandoned Hudson Bay Company trading post with a fascinating history.
Day 11 - Dogsledding and Inuit Life
Experience First Nation’s culture on your Canada vacation package! Today you will learn more about the life of the Inuit with a dogsledding adventure and a visit to an interpretive centre illustrating their history, the wildlife of the Arctic, and the unique culture of the people who live here. Take an afternoon flight back to Winnipeg for the last night of your vacation.
Day 12 - Depart Winnipeg
Much too soon you leave the amazing wildlife and crisp air of Canada behind as your Polar Bear and Grizzly Bear vacation package comes to an end.
Note: As always with our safaris, the order of events will vary at the discretion of your guides - based on their expert knowledge of wildlife behavior at the time and their desire to give you the best experience possible.)
Day 1 – Canada Vacation Package Begins - Vancouver
Surrounded by mountains and ocean, Vancouver has a reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Depending on your arrival time, you might want to just relax and watch the world go by on an outdoor patio, or get out and explore on foot or by bicycle. Overnight in Vancouver.
Day 2 - Swimming With Salmon on Vacations in Canada
Campbell River, just a short hop by air from Vancouver to the eastern edge of Vancouver Island, is known as the ‘The Salmon Capital Of The World’. This afternoon you will have the opportunity to explore the local salmon runs and even get into the water with the fish - a fascinating adventure. Overnight in Campbell River.
Day 3 - Your Canada Vacation Package Brings you to Knight Inlet and Black Bears
This morning begins with a 30-minute float-plane ride across the Inside Passage to the eastern shore, with views of the spectacular Coast Mountains and fjords below. After settling into your comfortable lodge and meeting your guides, you will do an afternoon game drive in the estuary -- with a fair chance of seeing Black Bears feeding on the beaches - or you may try kayaking in the fjord. Choices are abundant on vacations in Canada. Overnight Knight Inlet.
Day 4 - Up Close With Grizzly Bears Hunting Salmon
Today you journey into the Great Bear Rainforest with your guide in search of Grizzlies hunting for spawning salmon. From the safety of a hide, you will watch these magnificent hunters plunging into the water again and again in search of their illusive prey - one of the most spectacular sights in nature is available only on your Canada vacation package. Overnight in Knight Inlet.
Days 5 - Marine Safari In Johnstone Strait
Explore Johnstone Strait, one of the best places in the world to observe Orca Whales in the wild - and with a little luck you will also see their cousins, Minke and Humpback Whales - as well as Bald Eagles, Sea Lions, Seals, and even White-Sided Dolphins. Overnight Knight Inlet.
Day 6 - Get a Second Look at Vancouver on your Canada Vacation Package
Get up early to soak in the fresh wilderness air, perhaps getting a final glimpse of a grazing deer or a soaring eagle as you sip your coffee. Today you fly by float plane back to Campbell River and then by regular flight to Vancouver for another night in the city.
Day 7 - Vancouver to Winnipeg
Today fly about three hours from Vancouver to Winnipeg, Manitoba - almost in the middle of the country. The afternoon of your Canada vacation package is at leisure - consider visiting the Manitoba Museum, The Royal Canadian Mint, or stroll down to The Forks, a funky market and one of the city’s most popular gathering places. Overnight in Winnipeg.
Day 8 - Winnipeg to Churchill
Now we fly north from Winnipeg to Churchill, on the western edge of Hudson Bay (we are still nowhere near the northernmost part of Canada.) Enjoy a guided tour of the town, including the Inuit Museum and an introduction to the unique culture of the North. Experience culture on vacations in Canada! Overnight in Churchill.
Days 9 & 10 - Encounters with Polar Bears
Today is the day of your Canada vacation package that you get almost nose-to-nose with one of the most fearsome predators on the planet. Luckily you will be safe and warm in your specially-designed ‘Tundra Buggy’. It is an exhilarating encounter -- and with an expert naturalist and the luxury of small groups your experience will be truly memorable.
Optional Helicopter Flight Over the Tundra - Customize Your Canada Vacation
On journeys starting on October 5th & 12th guests will also enjoy a scenic helicopter flight over the tundra on one of these two days. You’ll see the full extent of Churchill’s wild beauty, with its rugged coastline, the mouth of the Churchill River, forest to the south, and treeless tundra to the north. The chances of spotting wildlife, such as caribou and polar bears are excellent - and you may also visit Nunalla, an abandoned Hudson Bay Company trading post with a fascinating history.
Day 11 - Dogsledding and Inuit Life
Experience First Nation’s culture on your Canada vacation package! Today you will learn more about the life of the Inuit with a dogsledding adventure and a visit to an interpretive centre illustrating their history, the wildlife of the Arctic, and the unique culture of the people who live here. Take an afternoon flight back to Winnipeg for the last night of your vacation.
Day 12 - Depart Winnipeg
Much too soon you leave the amazing wildlife and crisp air of Canada behind as your Polar Bear and Grizzly Bear vacation package comes to an end.
Note: As always with our safaris, the order of events will vary at the discretion of your guides - based on their expert knowledge of wildlife behavior at the time and their desire to give you the best experience possible.)
Options & Upgrades
Please Note: As some of the tours are marine based they are strongly weather dependant. It may be difficult to fit some tours into your stay. Extra nights are available for your stay at Knight Inlet and are recommended if you want to participate in more optional activities.
- Extra nights in Vancouver or Winnipeg at the start or end of your trip.
- Excursions to Johnstone Strait for marine wildlife viewing - weather permitting
Bald Eagle viewing and other bird life - Trips to the upper reaches of Knight Inlet for scenic viewing
- Viewing grizzly bears from the platforms or boats
- Other wildlife viewing depending on location and availability
- Excursions to Thompson Sound and Bond Sound for bear and wildlife viewing
- Scenic cruise of Knight Inlet
- Jetboat tours of Klinaklini River - subject to water levels in the river
- Wildlife tracking to make plaster casts of animal prints
- Interpretive forest walk in the Kwalate Valley
- Use of sea kayaks on organized tours
Please Note: As some of the tours are marine based they are strongly weather dependant. It may be difficult to fit some tours into your stay. Extra nights are available for your stay at Knight Inlet and are recommended if you want to participate in more optional activities.
Accommodation
Churchill hotel and Knight Inlet floating wilderness lodge
Churchill hotel and Knight Inlet floating wilderness lodge
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Dates + Prices |
Highlights
- Grizzly bears teaching their cubs to fish for salmon
- Churchill’s famous polar bears
- Orcas hunting in packs on the west coast of British Columbia
- Traveling by float plane
- Optional helicopter sightseeing above the tundra
Testimonials
Several folks have asked about the trip, and I have given you and your team my highest recommendation. Thank you once again for setting up an amazing trip, and creating memories that our family will cherish for a lifetime.
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Reserving Your Trip Is Easy
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1 800 667 4744 (US/Can)
0 800 917 5924 (UK)
1 800 992 872 (Aus.)
Office hours:
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Sat 10am - 4pm.
A personal trip advisor will help you book your perfect trip.
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Reserve Online using the form at left.
We will contact you as quickly as we can and you will not be under any obligation until after we have confirmed all details with you.
At that time a US$500 per person deposit is payable and you will be subject to our usual terms and conditions.
Reserve your spot without obligation for 48 hours. Our consultants will contact you to confirm details before you pay a deposit.
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2009 Start dates
Oct 5*, 10, 12*, 14
* departures include tundra helicopter
flights in Churchill
Price Notes
• Prices are per person
• Double means two people occupying a room
• Please inquire about triple, quad, and children rates (minimum age: eight years old)
Included
• Round-trip float plane between Campbell River and Knight Inlet
• Transfers to and from the float plane
• 11 nights accommodation.
• All meals and snacks in Knight Inlet (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Complimentary house wine with dinner
• Services of staff including naturalists and photography leaders
• Evening interpretive programs
• Rain gear if required
• BC Backcountry Permit Fee & First Nations User Fee, Wilderness Tourism Assoc. Habitat Conservation fee
• Round-trip air transportation between Winnipeg and Churchill; light snack aboard
• Escorted small-group tour of Churchill
• 2 full days aboard the Tundra Buggy, including lunch
• Tour of the Inuit Museum and Parks Canada Interpretation Center
• Dogsledding
• Group farewell dinner
• Provincial taxes
• Tundra Helicopter flights - included on Oct 12th & 14th departures only
Not Included
• The following flights:
- Your home to Vancouver
- Vancouver-Winnipeg (one way)
- From Winnipeg to your home.
• Meals, except as indicated above
• G.S.T.
• Hospital, medical insurance, trip cancellation insurance
Oct 5*, 10, 12*, 14
* departures include tundra helicopter
flights in Churchill
| Standard | USD $ | CAD $ | ||
| Double | Single | Double | Single | |
| Oct 7 2009 | 7,174 | 9,284 | 8,106 | 10,491 |
| Oct 9 2009 - Oct 13 2009 | 7,358 | 9,469 | 8,315 | 10,700 |
| Helicopter | USD $ | CAD $ | ||
| Double | Single | Double | Single | |
| Oct 12 2009 - Oct 14 2009 | 7,959 | 10,069 | 8,994 | 11,378 |
• Prices are per person
• Double means two people occupying a room
• Please inquire about triple, quad, and children rates (minimum age: eight years old)
Included
• Round-trip float plane between Campbell River and Knight Inlet
• Transfers to and from the float plane
• 11 nights accommodation.
• All meals and snacks in Knight Inlet (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Complimentary house wine with dinner
• Services of staff including naturalists and photography leaders
• Evening interpretive programs
• Rain gear if required
• BC Backcountry Permit Fee & First Nations User Fee, Wilderness Tourism Assoc. Habitat Conservation fee
• Round-trip air transportation between Winnipeg and Churchill; light snack aboard
• Escorted small-group tour of Churchill
• 2 full days aboard the Tundra Buggy, including lunch
• Tour of the Inuit Museum and Parks Canada Interpretation Center
• Dogsledding
• Group farewell dinner
• Provincial taxes
• Tundra Helicopter flights - included on Oct 12th & 14th departures only
Not Included
• The following flights:
- Your home to Vancouver
- Vancouver-Winnipeg (one way)
- From Winnipeg to your home.
• Meals, except as indicated above
• G.S.T.
• Hospital, medical insurance, trip cancellation insurance
