Kayaking Adventure trip among Orcas
First Day Arrival in Vancouver
Welcome to Vancouver, the most beautiful city in Canada. Greeted by our representative, you will then pick up a rental car and take a quick mini city tour and then you will arrive at your hotel, Century Plaza or similar one with breakfast.
Second Day Vancouver and its natural beauty
On the second day you will take a tour with the help of your road book. You will visit the key areas of Downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park & Aquarium; take a guided tour to the Suspension Bridge and Capilano Hatchery (salmon hatchery); visit the parks of West Vancouver and see the giant trees of Light House and Dundrave Parks, have picnic by the sea. If there is time and desire, you will visit the M.O.A., Museum of Anthroplogy at U.B.C., University of British Columbia.
Third Day Nanaimo and Pacific Rim
Today you will board on a ferry to Vancouver Island and disembark in Nanaimo where you will travel without any delay to Tofino and Pacific Rim marine park with its lovely villages of Tofino and Ucluelet, where you will be staying at Canadian Princess Lodge, along the marina village. Here you can discover and admire the wild beauty of this stretch of coast of Vancouver Island.
Fourth Day The whales and sea lions of the Pacific Rim
Today is your day of travel across the ocean to Pacific Rim, famous for its charming and violent storms in the Pacific. This is a destination for passionate travelers and nature photographers chasing the beautiful images and creatures of this nature which still live in harmony here: the great whales, orcas and large sea lions. Large cetaceans, killer whales and great sea lions, are the residents and the real stars of this Pacific area. You will go on excursion on the board of a super fast rubber boat to approach these fascinating animals, and navigate through the magnificent Broken Group Islands. In the afternoon, you will have an excursion by boat to the island of Meares for a walk through ancient giant rainforest trees Overnight stay at your lodge.
Fifth Day The black bears of Tofino
Today you will take a 2-3 hour excursion to see the black bears of Tofino. This time of year there are many bears that, at low tide, wander around looking for the delicious crabs. This offers a unique opportunity to observe and photograph these beautiful specimens of black bear close enough in their natural habitat! At the end of the excursion, you will head to the East coast of Vancouver Island to Campbell River, and check in the Painter’s Lodge.
Sixth Day Moving to Port McNeil and a kayak tour
This morning you will leave Campbell River to go North, to arrive in Port McNeil in mid morning. Arrival and accommodation in a Lodge (breakfast the next morning). You are here for an exploratory adventure which will take place in the waters of the Great Bear Rainforest already defined the most beautiful park of temperate rainforests in the world. The variety of wildlife in this park is truly unique: lots of grizzly bears, along with the black ones, gray wolves, bald-headed eagles, moose and deer, earth otters, and – killer whales, dolphins, sea lions and various species of whales at sea.
Seventh Day Start of the kayak tour among whales, orcas and sea lions
At 8.30 you are awaited at the marina, not far from the hotel, for boarding on water-taxis, which will take you to the base camp in about 45 minutes. Here, after a short orientation briefing, you’ll take a first paddle before lunch, to get familiar with the means, with the natural surroundings and with the guides and other participants. Then you will return to the base camp for the night. Lunch and dinner included.
Eighth and Ninth Days Encounters with killer whales
Every day is different! The base camp is strategically located for exploration of the area. It is close to the routes of orcas, and is regularly approached by humpback whales (whales from the hump) and is not far from numerous small islands crowded with birds and seals: there are a lot of things to see.
Your guide will offer something new each day depending on weather conditions. Normally lunch will be served on some secluded beaches and dinner in the comforts of the base camp. The objectives of these days will be the observation of wildlife, nature exploration and paddling in relaxation. Breakfast lunch and dinner are included in these three days.
Tenth Day The last paddle
After a hearty breakfast (included), the last paddling with a guide. Then it’s time to get back to the camp for lunch (included). The water taxi will start off between 15.00 and 16.00 to take you back to Port McNeill. From here, you will pick up your rental car, and then travel to Telegraph Cove and accommodate in your cabin (to go to bed early because tomorrow you will start early!)
Eleventh Day the Grizzlies of Knight Inlet
Today you’ll make the last major excursion to observe the grizzly bears of Knight Inlet, the area to the south from the Great Bear Rainforest. But this time you will travel more than 50 km aboard a fast motor boat, through the fjord of Knight Inlet, where you can meet not only the grizzly but also various other animals living on the land and in the ocean. Bears come down to the plains of the River to eat the grass that grows here. Then you’ll explore the area while expert naturalists will accompany you by giving you simple but complete explanations on the community life of the largest carnivores on the planet (along with polar bears). On board you will be served breakfast and a packed lunch. Departure at 7 in the morning and return at 4 in the afternoon. Free evening and overnight stay at your hotel.
Twelfth Day Descent to Nanaimo and return to Vancouver
Today you will go to the South of Vancouver Island. You can go directly to Nanaimo to catch the ferry to Vancouver, or you can opt for a further day of exploring in Campbell River. Upon return to Vancouver you will leave the car and spend a night in your hotel in the area of English Bay
Thirteenth Day Return flight