This remote expanse is home to many First Nations communities as well as abundant wildlife: coastal gray wolves, grizzly bears, Sitka deer, cougars, mountain goats, orca, salmon, sea lions, sea otters, humpback whales, and its most celebrated resident, the rare, cream-colored Kermode bear, or sprit bear, considered sacred by the T'simshian people. Guides will showcase the salmon life cycle and give an overview of the human history in the valley, including that of the Nuxalk First Nation. EBM provides a big picture view of how people interact with their environment, how peoples needs are met while co-existing with plants, animals, seasonal changes and climate. If you need to stretch your legs, hike around the 2km Chilcotin River Interpretive Trail, which highlights protected archaeological sites (please do not disturb) and displays the diverse array of plant life in the area. The CEDR program is part of CleanBC, the Province's pathway to a more prosperous . Follow these tips to travel safely and responsibly in BC. Prices are all-inclusive, and subject to a $200 sustainability fee per person. Catch a glimpse of the rare Spirit Bear in the Great Bear Rainforest Stay at historic, family-run ranches and wilderness lodges in the heart of this remote wilderness Brief Itinerary Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Vancouver Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver Some sailings go straight to Bella Coola, while some make stops in outlying coastal communities along the way such as McLoughlin Bay, Shearwater, Klemtu, and Ocean Falls. Leaving Williams Lake, take BC-97S toward Clinton, BC. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Mystical Haida Gwaii is an ancient archipelago off the coast of Northern BC. Historic Hat Creek: Used historically as a stopover for gold rushers in the 1860s, its now a BC Heritage Site in a beautiful setting with original buildings, equipment, and tours. The entire area is known all over the world as one of the prettiest areas in BC with a nice sprinkling of roadside wildlife. Visit in the winter for dramatic storm watching. Part 2: Side Trip to the West Coast. Bear-viewing season runs from June to October. Bear viewing tours in BC fill up fast! Clinton: Clinton is known for its gold rush and pioneer history but also as the Guest Ranch Capital of BC. Experience a place where the forests and rivers remain pristine, take in jaw-dropping scenery or climb the Rainbow Range for panoramic views of an 8-million-year-old peralkaline shield volcano. The Great Bear Rainforest is a global treasure that covers 6.4 million hectares on British Columbias north and central coast equivalent in size to Ireland. The size of the lake, the temperature and clarity of the water, and the numerous campgrounds and resorts located along its shoreline are alluring to anyone who loves fishing, water sports (such as wakeboarding, kayaking, and paddleboarding) or just relaxing on the shore in the sun. People can safely view this abundance of activity from a space constructed at rivers edge that serves as a blind or hide. A 3-course dinner is prepared fresh every evening. This tiny town still boasts some original buildings from its inception (the Clinton Museum is located in the original schoolhouse built in 1892) and offers an abundance of history and memories of gold rush days while also still serving as a central hub for many outlying ranches and smaller communities. Find all the transport options for your trip from Great Bear Rainforest to Vancouver right here. Several companies specialize in small-boat rainforest cruises andguided sailboat excursions. Trout fishing is in season year-round, and different Pacific salmon species run the rivers from April through October. Open June to September, the lodge is accessible only by floatplane. Instead, everyone travels by water. offers direct flights from the Vancouver airport (YVR). (Spotting a spirit bear takes a lot of patience, even more luck, and the expert tracking skills of a local guide.). 1: Board at Campbell River. Youll visit modern villages, talk with local residents, and see the ancient art traditions still in place today. Black and grizzly bears are common in these parts, and bear viewing tours are available. All British Columbians have a stake in protecting it. Take the trail that leads southwest and is lined by giant Ponderosa Pines. If youre keen on whale watching, the Johnstone Strait and the Broughton Archipelago (between mainland BC and northernVancouver Island) are two of the best places in the world to spot orcas. Approximately 10 minutes from the turnoff. Explore the wildlife, the waterfall-filled wonder, and the human history of one of the planet's most spectacular coastlines - often called "the last stand of the great North American rainforest. Directions: In 100 Mile House at 155 Wrangler Way. FromTweedsmuir Park Lodge, go heli-hiking in the Bella Coola Valley, take a guided nature walk, go birdwatching, or simply float down a river and take in the majesty. agree I consent to receive email communications from IndigenousBC.com and agree to visit the privacy policy. The Inside Passage Coastal Adventure cruise is an eight-night journey from Vancouver all the way to Prince Rupert and back, passing alongside the bulk of the Great Bear Rainforest as you travel. From Whistler, journey the scenic Sea-to-Sky on BC-99S/Sea-to-Sky toward Vancouver. than by rail. The views are epic with the Pacific Ocean on the right and the mountains rising up on the left. TheBella Coola Valleyalso offers prime wildlife and grizzly viewing. It has a fenced viewing platform at the top and there are hiking trails all over it. Dramatic landscape surrounds as you cruise deep into the coastal mountain range. For a web-based platform, visitwww.centralcoastbiodiversity.org, *Don't provide personal information . in Prince Rupert offers significant cultural exploration, Consider hiring a local guide and cultural interpreter. For the actual sailing that you book, youll receive a detailed How to Get Here and Boarding Time sheet. The eclectic breakfast-to-dinner menu options range from pancakes to chow mein, but stick to the beef burgers: thick, juicy, and with toppings galore. Part 6: Williams Lake to Clinton. Sail through Queen Charlotte Sound and into the Great Bear Rainforest. Ferry service to Bella Coola is operated by BC Ferries beginning in June and continuing approximately until the second week of September. Hike, sail, fly in and out. Does eating close to bedtime make you gain weight? For those flying from Calgary airport (YYC), there will be a short stop over in Vancouver. And, its the only corner of the planet where you can spot the elusive white Kermode bear, also known as the, Spirit bear., Need more? The bar for my next adventure. A subspecies of black bear, the Kermode bear has naturally white fur. Follow Big Bar for approximately 43.5 km and then turn left off of Big Bar (unnamed road) and follow that road for another 10.5 km. Returning salmon have filled the estuaries and wildlife is everywhere! This ruggedly scenic area is a 45-minute drive from Victoria, and it offers spectacular beaches backed by thick rainforest. Much of the Bella Coola Valley is now protected as part of the Great Bear Rainforest and Tweedsmuir Provincial Park but examples of human history in the Valley are plentiful. The Indigenous Tourism Association of British Columbia is a non-profit, membership-based organization that is committed to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich Indigenous tourism industry. But for your purposes now, we have also provided information on how you get to and back from all of our ports. Note your Start Port and End Port above, and then visit this How to Get Here page to see how you get to and from this trip. Possible hot springs visit. One of the area's main gateways is Bella Coola in central BC. While it is possible to see grizzly bears in the spring and summer they usually dont arrive to the Bella Coola Valley until the end of August. Travel up the coast of Vancouver Island to Port Hardy and embark on an unforgettable ferry ride. Contact us for more information and pricing! If possessing nautical skill and boating knowledge, private boaters and captains can cruise through Great Bear Rainforest and BC Inside Passage as well. STDs are at a shocking high. Everything in the rainforest is connected, a cycle of life in perfect balance. Highway 20 from Williams Lake leads to Bella Coola, or fly there on scheduled flights from Vancouver. Vancouver is consistently named as one of the top five worldwide cities for livability and quality of life and Nanaimo, known as The Harbour City is the gateway for other destinations on northern Vancouver Island. Enter a world of pristine rivers, lush valleys and coastal cliffs on this all-inclusive multi-day getaway to the luxurious Tweedsmuir Park Lodge. Lac la Hache: Often called The Longest Town in the Cariboo, this communitys resorts, ranches, restaurants and homes are scattered along the lakes 19 km shoreline. From the Kitlope witness steep snow capped peaks, grizzly bears relaxing among tall green sedges, and colourful wildflowers in shades of purple and blue. Wild west coast beaches with white sand and plenty to explore. The flight time is about 1 hour and 20 minutes. View Williams Lake accommodation, activities and attractions. Fly from Vancouver to Bella Bella and travel by boat to Spirit Bear Lodge, in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest and the ancestral lands of Kitasoo/Xai'xais First Nation. After checking out at 11 am, youll transfer to the airport or ferry terminal for your return home. This personal information is collected for the purpose of marketing under the authority of section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. A hot breakfast, served to order, is available at 8am. Tourism provides a number of communities with income from the Great Bear Rainforest and this sector is continuously growing. To approach a question 400 million years in the making, researchers turned to mudskippers, blinking fish that live partially out of water. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and hot drinks are provided as you glide through the Broughton Archipelago, home to migrating humpback whales. There are departures going in both ways between two and three times a week. This is our award-winning journey into the nature, wildlife and culture of the Great Bear Rainforest. On land, your hosts will guide you through estuaries and share ethnobotanical knowledge and the chance to get personal with feasting bears and other wonders from safe viewing decks. Travelling to the Great Bear Rainforest can be as much a part of the adventure as exploring your destination. Its 549 km or 341 miles from Vancouver to Williams Lake, which takes about 6 hours and 30 minutes to drive. This picturesque stretch of highway is chock full of quaint towns, camping and fishing spots, wineries and craft breweries, and so much more. All rights reserved, Spirit Bear Lodge bear viewing and cultural heritage tour, The Great Bear Rainforest: Canada's Forgotten Coast, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Spirit Bay Lodge offers guided wilderness tours and ocean-front lodging with grand views of the Pacific Ocean. It displays a spectacular array of colour during the spring and summer months, with a startling contrast between the red, brown, and purple lava walls of the gorge and the green of the Ponderosas and grasses of the valley below. Find places to stay, experience providers, and special offers. Follow along on a boat trip into BC's Khutzeymateen Grizzly Sanctuary. You may travel to remote islands, valleys, streams and estuaries for a chance to spot this unique sub-species of the black bear, noted for its near-white coat. Other great bear viewing sites include Knight Inlet which is only a day trip fromTelegraph CoveandCampbell Riveron Vancouver Island. British Columbia is home to close to 25% of the worlds temperate rainforest. Learn about key travel restrictions and how to travel safely in BC this season. The waters surrounding the Great Bear Rainforest offer some of the most productive sport fishing on the coast. In February 2016, the Government of B.C., First Nations, environmental groups, and forest industry representatives announced the final decision on how the Great Bear Rainforest would be managed now and into the future. Return to the lodge for a hearty lunch and a rest. 7: Exploring spectacular Fjordland in spring, including two of its beautiful estuaries. Marble Range Provincial Park: Known for limestone karst formations (a type of formation created by dissolved limestone, dolomite, and gypsum that results in sinkholes and caves), this park exists in an alpine and subalpine habitat. Experience the entirety of this special region, by taking the time to get to know its rhythms and intricacies, through cruising by yacht and anchoring in special places each night. Settle into your room and head to the welcome reception and property orientation. The pack stops to howl on the beach, perhaps to mark their territory. Tweedsmuir Provincial Park: Easily accessible via Highway 20, Tweedsmuir is the transition zone from the Interior Plateau into the Rainbow Range and Coast Mountain Range and, as a result, it provides some of the most dramatic scenery in North America. Questions about the collection or use of this information can be directed to Chief Financial Officer, 12th Floor, 510 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 3A8, Canada. Get ready for days of adventure and wildlife, supported by a very comfortable expedition ship, a gourmet chef and welcoming guides. From here, adventurers can access isolated cabins nestled in scenery that is unmatched for its dramatic setting or enjoy all that Nimpo Lake itself has to offer including terrific rainbow trout fishing, day-hikes, bird-watching and other wildlife viewing right from Nimpo Lake Resort, Retreat Wilderness Inn,Stewarts Lodge & Tweedsmuir Air, also offering flight-seeing tours of Tweedsmuir Park and its magnificent Hunlen Falls, access to over 25 air only access lakes or custom adventures in the rugged backcountry such as Nuk Tessli. *01234567891011121314151617181920, When are you thinking of travelling?When are you thinking of travelling? View grizzly bears, spirit bears, and black bears with some of BCs most experienced guides. Wildlife viewing typically marine mammals and possible spring bears. Explore special offers and deals on activities, accommodation, tours, and more. She suggests their juniper ales if they're available. Rainforest walk. Enjoy a glass of wine as you take in the serene forest surroundings. Often, bears are seen wandering through town. Sail through Queen Charlotte Sound and into the Great Bear Rainforest. In addition to private boats, there are a number of charter operators like. Kleena Kleen:is a tiny settlement 61 km/ 38mi west of Nimpo Lake. The Great Bear Rainforest is located on the central coast of British Columbia and is accessible by car from Vancouver. Serenely nestled in the rugged Pavilion Mountain Range, this limestone canyon is a rare geological formation in British Columbia. Maple Leaf See Dates & Itineraries Super, Natural British Columbia, Super, Natural, Hello BC and Visitor Centre and all associated logos/trade-marks are trade-marks or Official Marks of Destination BC Corp. Nuxalk Nation, Thorsen Creek, Great Bear Rainforest | Callum Snape, Search Hello BC for activities, events, places and more. Go light on breakfast and head to Dolly's before 11 a.m. for an early lunch. It is accessible only by boat or plane. January 24, 2019, Whats so great about theGreat Bear Rainforest? 100 Mile House: Accommodations, activities and attractions. 4: Sailing Cape Caution, exploring western islands and beaches of southern Great Bear. Watch for moose peeking from among the willows and black cottonwood trees. Be sure to stop in and grab a printed guide of all the local birds and wildlife at the 100 Mile House Visitors Centre at 155 Wrangler Way and then head to the Sanctuary, which is next door! In addition to private boats, there are a number of charter operators like Maple Leaf Adventures or Seaforth Expeditions that specialize in small-group charters through Great Bear Rainforest. Part 1: Ferry to Vancouver Island. Fares are per person, based on double occupancy, and in Canadian dollars. Stretching from Vancouver Island, north along the mainland coast, it forms a significant section of the famous "Inside Passage" route to Alaska - a name that started with the gold rush of the 1800's. Even without bears, there is a stunning mountain backdrop. Hunlen Falls, one of the other highlights of the park, plunges 855 ft into the Atnarko River and can be seen on many flightseeing tours in the area and is also an easy 20-minute hike in from Turner Lake. Photograph by Paul Nicklen, National Geographic. The entrance is well-marked and easily visible. Rainforest Explore travel Ideas in BC's unique rainforests. If you are excited to explore Tweedsmuir for a few days, but prefer to stay at a lodge, check outTweedsmuir Park Lodgelocated right in the heart of the park! A visit to the Great Bear Rainforest involves many different experiences. You can reserve waterfront accommodation in Klemtu atSpirit Bear Lodge, a community-based ecotourism venture owned and operated by the Kitasoo/Xaixais First Nation. National Geographic named the Great Bear Rainforest one of its "Best Trips" in 2013. Ian McAllister's IMAX team started filming "The Great Bear Rainforest" in March, 2016. Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours depart from Campbell River and travel on the Salish Sea to Bute Inlet. *May 2023June 2023July 2023August 2023September 2023October 2023November 2023December 2023January 2024February 2024March 2024April 2024May 2024June 2024July 2024August 2024September 2024October 2024November 2024December 2024January 2025February 2025March 2025April 2025, Sign-Up to our Landsby Newsletter to Receive Exclusive Offers, New Trip Offerings, and our Trusted, Expert Advice. Named after Chief Alexis of the Chilcotin, the small community of Alexis Creek is a service centre for the East Chilcotin Region. Remote reaches of coastal fjords are full with salmon throughout the fall. Make time to visit the wild and remote Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site, home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of SGang Gwaay. There are many viewing blinds and platforms situated near the most accessible spots on the river for wildlife to access. The remote Bella Coola Valley sits along BCs central coast. BC Ferries offers a summer-only ferry service to many local communities through its Discovery Coast Passage. The Rainbow Range gets its name from its multicoloured volcanic peaks and the day hike in to see them is well-known to be a long-time favourite of park visitors. Fort Berens Winery: Love wine? Heres what you need to know before you go. Definitely, plan to spend at least a day or two in Port Hardy to explore or just unwind in the ocean breeze. The longer voyages can last for either 24 or 36 hours. 2023 Destination BC Corp. All rights reserved. In addition to the heritage sites and many kilometres of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, there is also a 9.2 km trail winding around 108 and Sepa lakes that is an easy walk for the whole family. This free app identifies more than 210 plants, 80 birds, 190 marine invertebrates, 50 fish, and 20 mammals and reptiles. Click or tap to ask a general question about $agentSubject. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 9: Cruising to Bella Bella, watching for wildlife en route. Tweedsmuir Wilderness Lodge is located in the Bella Coola Valley and can be reached via a 70-minute direct flight from downtown Vancouver, on the BC Ferries system from Port Hardy or by car along Highway 2 from Williams Lake. If History interests you, Williams Lake has a rich First Nations history and it is actually named after Chief William of the Secwepemc First Nation. The trips in Canada are subject to 5% federal tax. There is so much territory to explore and such a wide array of wildlife and sights that you may never want to leave! Only one ancient account mentions the existence of Xerxes Canal, long thought to be a tall tale. Sail the fjords, where 4,000-foot cliffs rise above you. The best chance to see bears is during the annual salmon run from late August to September or October, when these magnificent creatures hunt fish. Kayaking around Klemtu, Bella Bella, and Shearwater located in the central and northern coastal areas of the Great Bear Rainforest promise dramatic natural experiences but can be logistically challenging for those unfamiliar with these waters. Watch for sea otters, seabirds, humpback whales and possible wolves. 2: Johnstone Strait and the steep-sided islands of the Broughton Archipelago. Learn the proper protocols so you know what to do if you encounter wildlife. Recommended accommodation includes Anahim Lake Resort & RV Park andEagles Nest Resort. This exciting odyssey along the coast as spring arrives is for people who like the road less travelled. Note that as with all expedition cruises, the itinerary may change based on weather, wildlife activity, and interests of the guests. Nearby Clearwater Lake is a departure point for float plane trips into remote fishing lakes and rivers and for exploring the regions Alpine Wilderness. Bear viewing (from shore boats, on land, and in some cases at a bear viewing stand), Marine mammal viewing (whales, sea lions) and bird viewing, Natural history through hands on experience and talks with your naturalist and any scientists encountered on your trip, Village visit, cultural history and experience, Spirit bear (rare) and black furred black bear. See our Privacy Policy for details on the storage of personal information outside of Canada. However, you can take the taxi to Campbell River airport, fly to Bella Coola, then take the travel to Great Bear Rainforest. In short, it doesnt get more off-the-beaten path than this. While it may take some effort to reach, the journey is well worth it for the once-in-a-lifetime experiences that await. Learn about the rich diversity of marine life, mammals, birds, plants and trees that make B.C's Great Bear Rainforest their home and contribute to the natural beauty of the region. 385 km | 4.5 hours Coming out of Nanaimo, take Highway BC-19N toward Campbell River and follow it all the way up to Port Hardy, where you will board a ferry to Bella Coola. Visit the estuary to see birds and marine mammals. We walk gently and encourage visitors to educate themselves on the Indigenous cultures in BC.