Bears, Whales & Vancouver Island - NEW
Discover the incredible wildlife of British Columbia on this journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Vancouver Island.
Black bear on the shore
Victoria's Inner Harbour
Whale watching
Whale watching in Tofino
Vancouver Island
Campbell River
An Orca in Campbell River
Vancouver Island
Whale watching
Vancouver Island
Vancouver; you could add 2 extra nights in this lovely city
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Your Itinerary
DAY 1: UK - Vancouver.
Fly to Vancouver where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.
DAY 2: Vancouver - Victoria.
Considered Canada's most beautiful city, Vancouver enjoys a magnificent location sandwiched between Burrard Inlet and towering, snow-capped mountains. This morning, enjoy breakfast at the Vancouver Aquarium in the company of their resident beluga whales before taking in Chinatown, pretty Gastown, the beautiful beaches and harbour area, and Stanley Park. Afterwards, set sail across the Strait of Georgia, cruising past the rugged shores and pristine beaches of the Gulf Islands to Vancouver Island. From here, continue along the Saanich Peninsula to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. This afternoon brings a sightseeing tour, which encompasses the world-famous Butchart Gardens, Bastion Square and Thunderbird Park.
DAY 3: Victoria.
Victoria is a charming seaside town of fragrant gardens, waterfront paths, engaging museums and lovingly restored 19th century buildings. The Inner Harbour - the city's social and cultural hub - buzzes with yachts, horse-drawn carriages and street entertainers. Today brings your first exciting chance to spot whales in the wild on an unforgettable whale-watching cruise aboard a Zodiac powerboat. Keep your camera handy as you look for resident and visiting pods of Orca, Minke and Grey whales, as well as seals and porpoises. The rest of the day is free for you to delve further. Perhaps wander along the causeway of the Inner Harbour, tuck into some fabulous West coast cuisine or enjoy an optional dinner excursion to Chinatown. Alternatively, treat yourself to another, optional whale-watching cruise or a birdwatching tour.
DAY 4: Victoria - Tofino.
Today, travel through ancient rainforests as you journey across Vancouver Island to Tofino. On the way, stop in Duncan - 'the City of Totems' - for a guided walking tour around its famous, intricately carved totem poles. Continue through the Pacific Rim National Park, which occupies a finger of land framed by the Pacific Ocean and the rocky Vancouver Island range. The Park's unique geology and climate has created dense, overgrown forests, which run right down to sandy beaches, all alive with an extraordinary spectrum of animal life. The seas here are ideal for spotting a rich variety of species, such as seals, porpoises, sea lions and whales. This afternoon, the time is your own to explore Tofino and the surrounding area. Perhaps enjoy a walk along one of the many nearby beaches. Tofino itself is a pretty fishing town with shops, galleries and restaurants.
DAY 5: Tofino.
Each year, over 22,000 whales swim past Vancouver Island on their way from the Bering and Chukchi Seas of northern Alaska to the west coasts of Canada, USA and Mexico and on to Baja, California - an annual migration considered to be the longest undertaken by any of the world?s mammals. Today, join an exciting whale-watching expedition in search of the Pacific Grey whale, cruising over protected and open marine waters and keeping watch for other species like sea lions, puffins and bald eagles. Later, your boat will sail into calm inlets and sheltered bays in search of black bears, which frequently forage on the shores for rock crabs, clams and barnacles. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the craggy coastline.
DAY 6: Tofino - Campbell River.
This morning, a spectacular winding road takes you back to the east coast of Vancouver Island. Here, see Cathedral Grove, an incredible forest of old growth trees towering to heights of 250 feet. After a brief stop at the Old Country Market in Coombs, continue to the quaint town of Campbell River, the 'salmon capital of the world'. As this evening is free, why not meander along Discovery Pier - Canada's first saltwater fishing pier.
DAY 7: Campbell River - Telegraph Cove - Campbell River.
Head for Telegraph Cove, a tiny sawmill and cannery community hidden in the untouched northeast of Vancouver Island. This area is acknowledged as the world?s best spot for sighting Orca whales. Cruise the calm, protected waters of Johnstone Straight and the Blackfish Archipelago accompanied by a trained naturalist who will identify and explain the local marine species and seabirds. Keep an eye on the shore - you may just spot black bear, otters, mink, raccoons and deer.
DAY 8: Campbell River.
A whole day free to enjoy the scenery and outdoor activities on offer. Hire a bike and take off down quiet cycle trails or play a round of golf. Alternatively, take a short ferry ride across Discovery Passage to nearby Quadra Island - a haven of idyllic beaches, lakes and parks sprinkled with lodges, native art centres and artisan's studios. If you're here between July and October, you may want to grab the opportunity to don a facemask and snorkel and swim with the salmon as they travel upriver to their spawning grounds. Between September and mid-October, you can join an optional boat excursion to Bute Inlet in search of grizzly bears. Watching from viewing platforms, it's a fantastic chance to witness these magnificent animals fishing for salmon.
DAY 9: Campbell River - Vancouver.
This morning, make your way to Nanaimo for a ferry trip back to Vancouver, sailing through picturesque Horseshoe Bay. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the last night of your wildlife adventure.
DAY 10: Vancouver - UK.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK, or extend your stay in Vancouver or on an Alaskan cruise.
DAY 11: Home landing in the UK.
Note: Please note that although the success rate for wildlife sightings is high, they cannot be guaranteed.
Maximum elevation on this tour is 2,214 ft.
Accommodation on Tour
Vancouver: Quality Hotel Downtown Vancouver; Victoria: Royal Scot Hotel & Suites; Tofino: Best Western Tin Wis; Campbell River: Painter's Lodge.
Your Holiday Map
Bears, Whales & Vancouver Island - NEW
Bears, Whales & Vancouver Island - NEW 9 nights
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Bears, Whales & Vancouver Island - NEW 9 nights
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| Date | Depart From | Price from PP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Jun 2012 |
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| 28 Jun 2012 |
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Bears, Whales & Vancouver Island - NEW
Price from £1995.00
What's Included
- Flights: UK - Vancouver - UK
- Accommodation on tour in a twin room with private facilities
- Services of a tour director on tour and local representative at other times
- Porterage at hotels during tour (for one suitcase per person)
- Transfers between overseas airport and hotels
- All local and airport taxes/service charges
- Single share option no supplement to pay
Holiday highlights
- Vancouver City sightseeing
- Victoria City sightseeing and visit to Butchart Gardens
- Tofino Bear and whale watching tour
- Campbell River
- Telegraph Cove Whale watching cruise
Departures from
- Aberdeen
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
- London Heathrow
- Manchester
- Newcastle
Departures between
21 Jun 2012 to 27 Sep 2012
NO HIDDEN EXTRAS: All prices shown include ALL compulsory charges (Fuel Supplement, Air Passenger Duty & Flight Supplement where applicable). Book with confidence: We are members of ABTA and all our air-inclusive holidays are financially protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under the ATOL scheme
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