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Home > Where We Go | How We Travel | Where We Stay
2009 Orcas
& Grizzlies Wildlife Tour
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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. This area sports sheltered waters and plentiful
marine life, including the largest population of orcas in western North
America.
During the course of your three full days on Cormorant Island, one day
will be occupied by whale watching and another day will focus on grizzly
bear viewing. We've set aside a third day to explore the Village of Alert
Bay (pop. 1,300), one of the few remaining authentic coastal communities
on the coast of British Columbia. Please note that the scheduling of activities
on these three days may vary from the itinerary (below).
Travelers may choose to stay at a comfortable, rustic inn or at the local
hotel. Both properties overlook Johnstone Strait, enabling panoramic views
of sunsets, local marine traffic and sometimes pods of orcas. The five
room inn is the formerly United Church for the Island and offers basic
rooms and a large, comfortable common room where guests gather. The hotel
has complete room amenities in it's nine rooms and a pub on the main floor.
Transportation is by narrated coach tour up Vancouver Island and by plane
back to Vancouver, BC.
| Duration: |
5 days / 4 nights |
| Activity
Level : |
Easy. Travellers should be prepared
to travel by 28’ power boat and zodiac in varying ocean conditions. |
| Maximum
Group Size: |
Not applicable as guests book
individually for this tour |
| Accommodation: |
4 nights waterview accommodation
at either the Alert
Bay Lodge or the Nimpkish
Hotel. |
| Meals: |
Four breakfasts, two lunches and
one dinner. |
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Tour Departure Dates: |
| May:
19,21,31.
June:
2,4,14,16,18,28,30.
July:
2,12,14,16,26,28,30.
August:
9,11,13,23,25,27.
September: 6,8,10,20,22,24.
During the period
of May 19 to September 30, this package is available on dates
other than those stated above. Individuals will, however,
have to travel by public coach to Port McNeill.
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| Departs: |
Victoria, BC, Day 1,
by coach |
| Arrives: |
Vancouver, BC, Day 5,
by air |
| Price: |
$1,645
CDN. Hotel Accommodation (single supplement: $360)
$1,480. CDN. Rustic Inn
(single supplement: $210)
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| Included: |
- 4 nights accommodation
- 4 breakfasts, three lunches and one dinner
- 9 hour grizzly bear viewing marine tour
- 6 hour wildlife and orca/whale watching marine tour
- Narrated coach tour from Victoria to Port McNeill
- Return ferry passage to Alert Bay
- Admission ticket to U’Mista Cultural Centre
- Taxi from Port McNeill to Port Hardy Airport
- Air from Port Hardy to Vancouver |
| Not
Included: |
Meals
where not stated and 5% GST.
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| Optional
Activities: |
-
Native Dancing at the Big House
- Deep sea fishing
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Orcas
& Grizzlies Itinerary
Day 1. Alert Bay, B.C.
After hotel pick up in Victoria, BC, our coach tour departs northbound
on the Island Highway. We stop first at the Brentwood Bay Scenic pullout
and continue to Duncan to view the totem poles. Further north is Chemainus,
“the city of murals”, where we stop for a 50 minute break
to explore this colouful town. We continue our drive up the east coast
of Vancouver Island to the Coombs Country Market, made famous for the
goats that graze on the roof. Here, we stop for a one hour lunch break
and to shop in the village. After lunch, we follow the scenic route along
the shoreline through Qualicum Beach. Passing Campbell River, the Island
Highway takes us into the sparsely populated Nimpkish Valley - keep your
eyes peeled for Roosevelt Elk and black bears. The tour ends concludes
in Port McNeill in time to make the 5:00 pm ferry sailing to Alert Bay.
After a 35 minute sailing, a cab will meet you at the Alert Bay Ferry
Terminal to drive you to your accommodation. The cab fare is approximately
$8.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2. Alert Bay, B.C. Our whale watching zodiac tour
departs Alert Bay at 10:00 am for an exciting six hour tour of the inlets,
islands and waterways in Johnstone Strait and the Broughton Archipelago.
During our tour, your guide lead the search for orcas, humpback and and
Minke whales. Other marine life sighting opportunities include Dahl Porpoises,
Harbour Porpoises, Pacific White Sided Dolphins and sea lions. Bald eagles
and many species of birds are plentiful and, along the shore, black bear,
deer and cougar may be spotted. The tour returns to Alert Bay by 4:00
pm, in time to repair to the local pub or do some shopping.
Compared to other vessels, a zodiac has enhanced stability and sea sickness
is extremely rare among our guests. A floater suit, warm gloves and a
picnic lunch are included. On-shore rest stops are provided to stretch
our legs, enjoy lunch and examine the local flora and fauna.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch.
Day 3. Alert Bay, B.C. We’ve set this day aside
for you to explore the Village of Alert Bay. After breakfast, the lodge
manager will provide you with a map highlighting attractions on the 5
kilometer long Cormorant Island, tickets to U’Mista Cultural Centre
and a picnic lunch. The Village can easly be explored by foot from your
accommodation. Attractions include:
· The Village of Alert Bay including the Tourism Information Centre,
and shops and galleries featuring native art;
· The U’Mista Cultural Centre: Features historic and contemporary
artwork, including First Nations reclaimed potlatch collection (admission
included);
· First Nations dancing at the Big House (schedule permitting).
· The Ecological Gardens
and Big Tree Trail: a series of easy walking trails located at the top
of the island. This attraction is about 2 kilometers from the Village.
Meals Included: Breakfast and a picnic lunch.
Day 4. Alert Bay, BC. We depart at 6:45
am from Alert Bay for a full day on the water to seek out grizzly bears
in their natural habitat. Our destination is Knight Inlet, a two hour
ride by covered boat into Johnstone Strait. Becoming famous for its population
of Grizzly bears, Knight Inlet is surrounded by snow-capped mountains,
steep-sided, forested cliffs and active marine life.
Here 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. On some tides we transfer to our flat bottomed
skiff to get into the shallows. Please bring your binoculars and camera!
Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch on the bear watching tour.
Dinner on own.
Day 5. Alert
Bay, BC. After breakfast we'll call your taxi and get you on
the right ferry to Port McNeill. Your up-Island journey continues when
you’re picked up by taxi at the Port McNeill Ferry Terminal and
escorted to Port Hardy Airport. Here, you catch an afternoon scheduled
flight to Vancouver, BC.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
Once you book, we provide you with comprehensive pre-departure
information. Click here for an excerpt.
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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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