Spirit Bear Sighting in The Great Bear Rainforest
Spirit Bear Sighting in The Great Bear Rainforest
The Spirit Bear Lodge
The Spirit Bear Lodge
Sightings of the Spirit Bear & other wildlife at Spirit Bear Lodge
Sightings of the Spirit Bear & other wildlife at Spirit Bear Lodge
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  4. Bear and Wildlife Watching at Spirit Bear Lodge

Bear and Wildlife Watching at Spirit Bear Lodge

6 nights from €5,649 per person Including Flights

Overview

The elusive Kermode bear, otherwise known as the ‘spirit bear’, is a must-see for wildlife enthusiasts wanting to tick all of Canada’s more unique animals off their list. A rare subspecies of the American black bear, these magnificent, white bears are the provincial mammal of British Columbia.

This brilliant six-night tour gives you ample opportunity to see the gorgeous spirit bears in their natural habitat, catching salmon from streams and lazing in the sunshine by a trickling estuary. Staying at Spirit Bear lodge, your days will be spent tracking nearby spirit bears, as well as choosing from a range of other excursions, including kayaking, enjoying cultural First Nations tours, walking through rainforests, whale watching and enjoying educational evening entertainment.

An ecotourism venture owned and operated by the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nations people, Spirit Bear Lodge is a charming and welcoming hotel nestled along the waterfront in British Columbia’s verdant Great Bear Rainforest.

There are only 12 rooms altogether, making for a quiet and secluded stay. With architecture paying homage to the traditional long houses built by West Coast First Nations over thousands of years, the interiors have a cosy cabin vibe, with every room offering gorgeous ocean or forest views from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Inspired by the First Nations heritage, Spirit Bear Lodge encapsulates the natural wilderness and the peoples’ welcoming and friendly spirit, and your four night stay at the lodge will introduce you to the wonderful spirit bears that make this verdant area their home. If you would like to add another tour, a few days in Vancouver or some time in and around Vancouver island, then we will be happy to tailormake a quote for you. (TM/JV)

Highlights

  • See the elusive spirit bear in its natural habitat
  • Spot a number of other beautiful animals, including humpback whales, dolphins, sea lions and grizzlies
  • Enjoy evening entertainment that will educate you on Great Bear Forest and the First Nations
  • Enjoy a number of full day and half day grizzly tracking tours
  • Choose from an array of excellent excursions, including kayaking, rainforest trekking, and whale watching

Travel inspiration: Experience bear watching in British Columbia's wilderness and read our overview to the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region and discover more about the "land without limits".

2023 Departure dates, Monday arrival:

July: 31
Aug: 07, 14, 21, 28
Sept: 04, 11, 18, 25
Oct: 02, 09

2024 Departure dates, various arrival dates:

Aug: 07, 11, 15, 25
Sept: 04, 14, 24
Oct: 04, 08, 12

Whats included?
  • Flights & taxes
  • Accommodation
  • Checked baggage
  • CAR licensed & bonded
  • In resort assistance & 24 hour contact centre
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Day 1

Arrive into Vancouver and transfer independently to your hotel. We've chosen this hotel as they provide free airport transportation.

Overnight: Radisson Hotel Vancouver Airport or similar

Day 2

Begin your day with a journey to Spirit Bear Lodge, which includes flying on a Pacific Coastal Airlines flight from Vancouver South Terminal to Bella Bella. Once there, you will be given a van transfer to the Bella Bella town docks, where you will be picked up by the Spirit Bear Lodge water taxi for a lovely 90-minute boat ride to Klemtu and Spirit Bear Lodge.

Your arrival in the afternoon will leave you time to enjoy a late lunch and brief orientation, followed by a cultural experience in the Big House. This evening is at leisure to enjoy dinner and the amenities of the lodge.

Overnight: Spirit Bear Lodge (Dinner included)

Day 3

After an early breakfast, you will meet on the dock at 8am for your first full day of bear viewing at one of the main grizzly viewing creeks. After hours of amazing bear sightings, head back to Spirit Bear Lodge for 6pm for a buffet dinner at 7pm, followed by a fascinating presentation on aspects of Great Bear Rainforest, bears, or the First Nations culture.

Overnight: Spirit Bear Lodge (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 4

You’ll enjoy another full day of Spirit Bear watching today, by boat and foot. Your experienced guide will take you to the best viewing areas for the local bears, given you a great chance to see these gorgeous, elusive creatures. Dinner is back at Spirit Bear Lodge at 6pm, alongside the evening programme.

Overnight: Spirit Bear Lodge (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 5

Today you’ll have a choice of guided excursions. Choose from a Spirit Quest to one of the Spirit Bear Conservancy’s luscious valleys, whale watching in Finlayson Channel, a grizzly viewing tour to Fiordland Recreation Area, a First Nationals Cultural tour to United Nations World Heritage Candidate Site Dis’ju, or a leisurely sea kayaking day trip.

Overnight: Spirit Bear Lodge (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 6

After breakfast take a scenic boat ride back to Bella Bella, arriving in time for a shuttle to the airport and a Pacific Coastal Airlines flight back to Vancouver South Terminal. Upon arrival into Vancouver, transfer independently to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore this fabulous city.

Overnight: Georgian Court Hotel or similar

Day 7

Enjoy some final time in Vancouver before making your way back to the airport for your flight home. Alternatively extend your holiday with a few more nights in this vibrant city or perhaps add on a few nights in Victoria - the charming capital of British Columbia located on Vancouver Island reached by a picturesque ferry ride.

  • International return flights
  • 2 nights accommodation in Vancouver
  • Spirit Bear Lodge Package:
  • Flights between Vancouver South Terminal and Bella Bella
  • Meet and greet shuttle transfer between Bella Bella airport and town docks
  • Water taxi between Bella Bella and Spirit Bear Lodge
  • All transportation to bear viewing areas
  • Full board including starting with lunch on first day of Spirit Bear Lodge and ending with breakfast on the day of departure
  • Table wine and beer with dinner
  • Professional Guide for full and half day bear watching excursions and programs; Whale watching, walking tour, Evening Big House interpretive tour, evening guide presentation/slide show
  • Rain gear, including rubber rain trousers, jackets and rubber boots
  • Evening Big House interpretive tour
  • Conservation and Coastal Watchman Program user fee

What’s not included

  • Airport transfers (unless provided by hotel)
  • Meals unless stated
  • Suggested Spirit Bear Lodge gratuities - $50 per person per day
  • Optional Excursions - please see other tab for further information

Approximate from prices per person:

  • Vancouver Flyover Canada - €20
  • Vancouver Scenic Floatplane Experience - 30 minutes - €120
  • Vancouver Granville Island Market Tour - 2 hours - €100
  • Vancouver Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park Admission - €50

Speak to our sales specialist on pre-booking these excursions for you

 

  • All bookings are on request
  • Given the active nature of the excursions, guests must have good mobility
  • Special dietary needs will be accommodated with notice at the time of booking
  • Smoking is not permitted inside the lodge, or whilst on tours
  • The destination of your bear viewing tours may change or be altered in order to increase the potential for bear sightings on each day
  • Given the changes in weather and the varying conditions whilst on excursions, we would suggest packing warm clothes, extra shoes, a warm hat and gloves, a sun hat, sunglasses, biodegradable toiletries, a small backpack or bag for your camera and belongings during the day, and heavy-duty zip-lock bags to keep belongings safe
Yvonne Knott
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