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Bears of Knight Inlet...
Bear tours main menu - call Nathan on
01543 258631 or 0845 003 2211
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Day 1. Depart London
Depart for Vancouver where you spend the night at the Fairmont Airport Hotel.
Day 2. Campbell River
Today you fly to Campbell River for a 1-night stay at Painters Lodge.
Days 3 to 8. Knight Inlet Lodge [B (Days 4 to 9 only), L, D]
In the wild and pristine region of Western Canada's Pacific north-west, a select
few travellers are afforded the incomparable thrill of close encounters with
some of North America's most impressive creatures - massive Brown (Grizzly)
Bears, soaring Bald Eagles and large pods of Orca Whales. Our wilderness break
visits this untouched area 70 kilometres north of Campbell River for a wildlife
and photography adventure few can rival. Your trip begins with a 30-minute
floatplane flight over the Johnstone Strait to Glendale Cove where Knight Inlet
Lodge is situated. This will be your base for the next six nights. The
activities at Knight Inlet vary from season to season and even from week to
week, depending upon animal migrations. From early May until the end of June the
grizzlies are in the estuary very close to the lodge, feeding on the sedges and
succulents that abound. At this time young bear cubs and new life explode in the
bay and all wildlife-viewing is done from the water. The bears are frequent
travellers along the shores in this season and it is not uncommon to see twelve
to fifteen different bears in a day, while in Johnstone Strait seals, sea lions,
porpoises, dolphins and the occasional Minke Whale may be seen. In the summer
months the bears move into the forest to feed on the berry crop so numbers are
fewer, but past sightings have included mothers and cubs playing, mating rituals
on the beach, and sub-adults sparring. From July to November, close encounters
with Orca Whales, along with porpoises and large numbers of playful Pacific
White-sided Dolphins are common and in September you may see Humpback Whales.
From the middle of August to the middle of October, millions of salmon making
their final spawning run turn the clear waters dark, attracting dozens of
grizzlies who are able to gorge to their hearts content in preparation for the
imminent winter freeze. Meanwhile Bald Eagles are present all year round, but
the best viewing and photography opportunities for Bald Eagles are in the late
autumn. Knight Inlet Lodge accommodates a maximum of 30 guests in floating
wooden cabins, most of which have lounge areas with wood burning stoves. The
bedrooms are cedar-panelled and have their own private bathrooms. Public areas
include a rustic dining hall and lounge area. The lodge exhibits an assortment
of construction styles dating from the 1940's when the original float housed a
logging camp. Estuary tours, jetboat tours up the Kliniklini River, excursions
to the upper reaches of Knight Inlet and day trips to the Thompson and Bond
Sounds are also available, offering more stunning scenery, magnificent wildlife
and of course superb photographic opportunities.
Day 9. Homeward [B]
You return to Vancouver where you connect with your flight home.
Day 10. Arrive home
Call Nathan on 01543 258631 or 0845 003 2211 to check availability and make your booking