Ultimate Lords Of The Wilderness 12 days / 11 nights
Trip Overview
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.
Map
1 night Campbell River
3 nights Knight Inlet Lodge
1 night Vancouver
1 night Winnipeg
3 nights Churchill
1 night Winnipeg
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Canada Vacation Package Begins - VancouverThe perfect combination of nature and big city, it’s no wonder that Vancouver’s population continues to grow. Depending on your arrival time, you might want to just relax and watch the world go by with latte in hand, or get out and explore on foot or by bicycle. Overnight in Vancouver.
Day 2 Swimming with Salmon on Vacations in Canada
A short flight from Vancouver takes you to the ‘The Salmon Capital Of The World’ - Campbell River. Get out and explore the local salmon runs; jump in the water with the salmon for a fascinating adventure. Overnight in Campbell River.
Day 3 Continue to Knight Inlet Lodge
The feeling of your float plane racing across the water for take-off is like nothing you’ve ever felt before. The bird’s eye view of the stunning Inside Passage doesn’t last long enough as you touch down at Knight Inlet just 30 minutes later.
After settling into your comfortable lodge and meeting your guides you get right out into the wilderness - with a fair chance of seeing Black Bears feeding on the beaches. Overnight Knight Inlet.
Day 4 Up Close with Grizzly Bears
Discover the Great Bear Rainforest! From the safety of a hide, you watch these masterful hunters plunge into the water again and again in search of their illusive prey - the scene is awe inspiring. Overnight in Knight Inlet.
Days 5 Marine Safari In Johnstone Strait
Today is a day full of western Canadian wildlife! Johnstone Strait is one of the best places in the world to see orca whales in their natural habitat; with a little luck you may also see minke, humpback whales, bald eagles, sea lions, seals, and even white-sided dolphins. Overnight Knight Inlet.
Day 6 Return to Vancouver
Wake this morning and step out of the lodge into the fresh crisp air - the silence is calming. Today you return to Campbell River and then on to Vancouver for one more night in the city.
Day 7 Vancouver to Winnipeg
Today you journey to central Canada - Winnipeg, Manitoba. This afternoon of your Canada vacation package is at leisure. There’s lots to do in this dynamic city so get out and explore! Overnight in Winnipeg.
Day 8 Winnipeg to Churchill
Today is the day you head north - Churchill is located on the western edge of Hudson Bay. A guided tour of town and a visit to the Eskimo Museum gives you a complete introduction northern life and culture. Overnight in Churchill.
Days 9 & 10 Encounters with Polar Bears
Get almost nose-to-nose with one of the most feared predators in the world. Luckily you will be safe and comfortable in your ‘Tundra Buggy’. With an expert guide and the convenience of small groups your experience will be truly memorable.
Optional Helicopter Flight Over the Tundra - Customize Your Canada Vacation
On tours starting October 5th and 12th, guests will enjoy a scenic helicopter flight over the tundra. You will see the entire extent of Churchill’s wild beauty - its rugged coastline, the mouth of the Churchill River, forest to the south, and treeless tundra to the north. The chances of spotting wildlife - 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 Inuit culture on your Canada vacation package - learn more about their life and culture with a dogsledding adventure and visit to the interpretive Centre. Illustrating the history and wildlife of the Arctic the centre highlights 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 nature of Canada behind as your Polar Bear and Grizzly Bear vacation package comes to an end.
Note: 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.
Need help making the most of your time?
Call one of our friendly local experts now.
| US & Canada | UK 0-800-917-5924 | AUS 1-800-992-872 |
Accommodations
AccommodationChurchill hotel and Knight Inlet floating wilderness lodge
Options & Upgrades
• 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.
Dates & Prices
2010 Start DatesOctober 5*, 9, 10, 12*
*Departures includes tundra helicopter flight in Churchill
| Standard | USD $ | |
| Double | Single | |
| Oct 9 2010 | 8,932 | 11,735 |
| Oct 10 2010 | 9,091 | 11,893 |
| Helicopter | USD $ | |
| Double | Single | |
| Oct 5 2010 | 10,200 | 13,003 |
| Oct 12 2010 | 9,672 | 12,474 |
• 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)
• Private luxury vehicle airport transfers in Vancouver on day one and two, including meet & greet on day one
• 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 5th & 12th 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
HAVE A CHAT
From UK toll-free: 0-800-917-5924
From Australia toll-free: 1-800-992-872
Other countries: (int.l prefix +) 1-604-737-8743
Your vacation is important and to make the most of it, we strongly advise talking to a local expert first.