Grand Tour West Canada – Canadian Coast and Charlotte Islands

First Day Arrival in Vancouver
Arrival in Vancouver and welcome of our delegate which will assist you in the transfer and accommodation to your hotel

Second Day Visit to the town
We take the rental car and we begin a guided tour of the city, with stages at Stanley Park and its aquarium, at the beautiful bay, Capilano Suspension Bridge, to end at Capilano Hatchery and Cypress Mountain. In the afternoon, on request, a spectacular seaplane flight over the city.

Third Day Vancouver Island
In the morning, boarding on the Ferry, with your car, for Nanaimo and from here, transfer to Tofino, Pacific Rim, along the scenic highway that crosses the island, and accommodation for two nights in the comfortable lodge
beach front.

Fourth Day Whales and sea lions
In the morning, excursion on request in the ocean for whale watching and sea lions on super-inflatable boats. During the excursion, if required, a short relaxing break at the Hot Springs. In the afternoon, drive on a comfortable boat to Meares Island to admire its millenary forest.

Fifth day The eastern coast of Vancouver Island
Transfer to the east coast and accommodation at the beautiful Painter’s Lodge, by the sea.
In the afternoon, a relaxing boat excursion awaits you at Discovery Bay (the bay in front of your lodge), to admire the sunset while enjoying an aperitif.

Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Days Great Bear Rainforest
Departure with seaplane for the Knight Inlet Lodge in the Great Bear Rainforest. Already from the flight you will have a striking approach to what is today considered the park-jewel of Canada.

2/3 Full Board Nights in 3/4-day observation with guide to the park, with the aid of inflatable boats, 4×4 and trucks to watch the beautiful animals of the Great Bear Rainforest from a safe but close distance. This lodge served as a base for the National Geographic documentary on the Great Bear Rainforest Park. Unique and unsurpassed experience! Moreover, the lodge is provided with a high-class service featuring healthy West Coast and international cuisine.
Possibility to stay in another lodge in the same park.

Daily guided expeditions can be selected with several options:
1. Whale Watching on Johnston Strait with orcas, dolphins and so on.
2. Eagle watching excursion: eagles observation from white head.
3. Grizzly bear watching excursion with both boat and platform.
4. Climbing to the panoramic views that overlook the strait.
5. Photo Excursion to the marine and terrestrial wildlife by boat on the strait.
6. Excursion to Thompson Sound and Bond Sound for wild watching.
7. Excursion to discovery animal traces – to reconstruct them with plaster cast.
8. Guided expeditions in kayaks to various sounds and stretches along the coast.
9. Excursion on local forest routes – with the help of ethologists and botanists

Alternative option :
3 daily excursions to the Great Bear Rainforest in 3 different locations:
3-nights hotel between Campbell River and Port Hardy. Excursions will take place:
1) Campbell River: the same area as the Knight Inlet Lodge. Duration: 3/4 hours
2) Telegraph Cove: one of the most beautiful in the Great Bear Rainforest coast. Duration 4 hours
3) Prince Rupert: One of the most beautiful in the region at the grizzly sanctuary. Duration 3/4 hours

Ninth Day Excursion to the Johnston Strait Orcas
This morning you will be heading to Telegraph Cove where at 12:30 pm you will sail for the hike that is recognized by the largest ecological associations as the best whale watching at orcas in the world. It will always take place within the Great Bear Rain Forest area, in Johnston Strait. In addition to the orcas, real stars of this sea boom, you can spot dolphins, sea lions and various species of whales in the sea and the many species that make up the fauna of this area. At the end, transfer to Port Hardy, accommodation and overnight stay at the lodge.

Tenth Day Magnificent Inside Passage– Ferry – 17 hours
At 7.30am departure for the Inside Passage (show up 2 hours before embarkation), the magnificent maritime landscape along the beautiful West Pacific Coast, between long fjords and high canyons. During this crossing you will not have time to get bored because constantly
stimulated from the beautiful views and the many close encounters with   orcas, whale humpbacks e and sea lions. Arrival in Prince Rupert at 11.30 pm. Overnight stay at the Hotel Coast in P. Rupert.

Eleventh Day Grizzly watching at Khuntzmayteen Park (seasonal and on request)
By Prince Rupert in the early morning, if you have so chosen and if you are in the right season, the 6-hour excursion is waiting for you, perhaps the most spectacular of the entire trip. Photographic hunt for the powerful and magnificent grizzly bear of the Kutzeymateen Park, in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, the jewel of Canada’s park, designated by UNESCO and WWF as the most beautiful and best conserved rainforest park in the world… Overnight stay at the same hotel.

Twelfth Day Queen Charlotte Islands – Haida Gwaii Unesco Site since 1981
In the morning, transfer to the national airport and flight to Sandspit, in Queen Charlotte Islands. Welcome
local guide and transfer to visit Haida Gwaii, the UNESCO Heritage Site since 1981, with the aim of preserving the cultural and architectural heritage of the Haida people, who have been here for over 10,000 years. Visit the Heritage Center. Dinner at Sandspit and arrival at the Inn in Sandspit.

Thirteenth Day  – Queen Charlotte Islands – Sandspit – Skidegate
Departing from Sandspit for the first spectacular hike to the Gwaii Haanas National Park and Haida Heritage site, on the island of Moresby, which along with Graham Island forms the Queen Charlotte Islands. Gwaii Hanaas was first ranked among the parks to be visited in North America by National Geographic. With over 100 ancient totems, it is the destination most eager for eco-tourism enthusiasts. It offers the opportunity to explore unspoilt nature and appreciate the history and culture of the native Haida population. Overnight stay at the Inn of Sandspit and dinner at the village.

Fourteenth Day – Queen Charlotte Island – Sandspit – Masset
Starting from Sandspit we will go to the northern part of Graham Island. We will pass the village of Tlell and explore the Naikoon Provincial Park.Many unique plants and animals populate the park. You will visit the white agate beach. Then you will come to Masset where you will meet young local artists, representatives of the Haida community.

Fifteenth and Sixteenth Days Terrace
Return flight to Prince Rupert. Rent a car to rent, then transfer to Terrace for two days of various visits and excursions on the list in the Skeena Valley. Overnight stays at the Skeena Lodge in full board.

Seventeenth Day Return flight
Return to Vancouver from Terrace. Redelivery rented car and time available for shopping, then transfer to airport and boarding on return flight.