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Home > Where We Go | How We Travel | Where We Stay > Orcas
& Grizzlies
| Orcas
& Grizzlies Wildlife Tour "A La Carte"
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| 2007 |
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Explore pristine waters and
wilderness areas to see Orcas ("killer whales") and grizzlies off
the northeast coast of Vancouver Island, Canada. The setting for
this eco-adventure is the remote coastal wilderness that encompasses
Johnstone Strait, a deep and narrow glacier-carved passage between
the east coast of Vancouver Island and the BC mainland. In this
area the waters are sheltered and the marine life is plentiful.
We'll stay at Alert
Bay Lodge, once the United Church for Cormorant Island, and
now a rustic guesthouse that overlooks Johnstone Strait. Orcas can
often be viewed from the sundeck of the Lodge. From here, we go
whale watching on one day and Grizzly bear watching the next.
On a la carte tours our guests simply
call ahead to reserve a space and ask us to book their activities.
You must find your own way to Alert Bay or purchase one of our transportation
packages. There is no minimum number of guests; you can come on
your own, with a friend or your family. If you so desire, you may
stay on at Alert Bay Lodge for a fourth night, or longer, but please
reserve ahead.
While this experience begins and ends in Alert Bay, BC, coach
and air transportation packages to Alert Bay can be purchased from
Midnight Sun Adventure Travel (see below).
| Duration: |
4
days / 3 nights |
| Activity Level : |
Easy.
Travellers should be prepared to travel by 28’ power boat
and sailboat in varying ocean conditions. |
| Accommodation: |
3
nights guesthouse accommodation at the Alert
Bay Lodge |
| Meals: |
Three
breakfasts and one lunch. |
| Tour Dates: |
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Daily
from May 30 to October 4, 2006
Flights
are only available in July and August. |
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| Departs: |
Victoria,
B.C., Day 1 |
| Arrives: |
Victoria,
B.C., Day 4 |
| Price: |
$
795.00 CDN.
June 15 to September 30, 2007
Single supplement:
$125.00
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| Included: |
-accommodation
for 3 nights at the Alert Bay Lodge
-half
day whale watching in Johnstone Strait
-full
day of grizzly bear viewing at Knight's Inlet
-three
breakfasts.
|
| Not Included: |
-transportation to
Alert Bay.
-optional activities,
gratuities, and 6% GST.
Air transportation
to Alert Bay : $660.00.
This package includes
return transportation from Vancouver International Airport
to Port Hardy Airport, a taxi from Port Hardy to Port McNeill,
ferry fees to Alert Bay on Cormorant Island, and a taxi to
Alert Bay Lodge from the ferry terminal at Alert Bay. Approximate
arrival time in Alert Bay is 1:00 PM. Flights are only available
in July and August.
Coach add-on
to Alert Bay: $315.00
This package includes
return coach transportation from Vancouver or Victoria to
Port McNeill, return cab fare from the bus depot at Port McNeill
to the Port McNeill ferry dock, return passage on the Alert
Bay ferry and return cab fare from the Alert Bay ferry dock
to Alert Bay Lodge. Approximate arrival time at Alert Bay
Lodge is 5:45 PM. Bus service is available
year round.
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| Optional Activities: |
-Entrance to the
U'mista Cultural Centre
-Village Island
Native Marine Tour
-Native Dancing
-Additional nights
accommodation at the Lodge
|
Reservations
Top of Page
Orcas
& Grizzlies Itinerary
Day 1. Alert Bay,
B.C. Arrival in Alert Bay at Alert Bay Lodge. Check in
and relax or take in the local scenery. We'll recommend several
restaurants for your dinner in Alert Bay this evening.
Day 2. Alert Bay, B.C. Heading into Johnstone Straight
on a sailboat we "sail with the whales." Johnstone Strait is home
to the largest population of Orcas in the world. Other marine life
spotting opportunities include Minke whales, Dahl Porpoises, Harbour
Porpoises, Pacific White Sided Dolphins, sea lions and otters and
over 150 different species of birds. Along the shore, black bear,
deer cougar may be spotted.
In the afternoon, after whale watching,
you'll have the option to go for a walk through in the Ecological
Gardens and the adjacent Big Tree Trail, stroll through the colourfull
Village of Alert Bay, visit the U'mista Cultural Centre or the carving
studio,
Meals Included: Hot breakfast at Alert Bay Lodge.
Day 3. Alert Bay, B.C. Your Grizzly bear marine
tour arrives in Alert Bay early in the morning to pick you up for
a full day on the water. Becoming famous for its population of Grizzly
bears, Knight Inlet is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, steep-sided,
forested cliffs and active marine life.
Glendale Cove is our destination
on this adventure where we drift, paddle and motor quietly around
an estuary, looking to spot grizzly bears as they feed on the sedges
and grasses at high tide. Low tide brings more bears out, and we
may see them turn over large boulders in their search for crabs,
isopods and beach barnacles. By the end of August, the bears start
pursuing the salmon upstream and we move from our boat to on shore
blinds to enhance our Grizzly bear viewing prospects. In the evening
we can enjoy the sites and sounds of Alert Bay.
Meals Included: Hot breakfast at Alert Bay Lodge and lunch on the
bear watching tour.
Day 4. Return to Vancouver or Victoria, B.C. After
breakfast we'll call your taxi and get you on the right ferry to
Port McNeill to make your land or flight connection.
Meals Included: Hot breakfast at Alert Bay Lodge.
Wildlife Tours of Vancouver Island
with Midnight Sun Adventure Travel
Reservations
Top of Page
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Call toll free
1-800-255-5057
for info on tour availability
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Orcas & Grizzlies Tour
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