Canadian Wildlife & Vancouver Island
Canadian Wildlife & Vancouver Island
Canadian Wildlife & Vancouver Island
15 Days Starting in Calgary and ending in Vancouver
Visiting: Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Wells Gray Provincial Park, Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park, Tweedsmuir, Bella Coola, Vancouver, Tofino, Victoria
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PWV
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 13
Physical rating:
Leisurely / Moderate
Age range:
16 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
The Canadian Rockies are incredible: rugged peaks, untouched fir forests and radiant glaciers interspersed with valleys rich with wildlife, from Black bears, to deer, moose and coyotes. Visit the unmissable sights of the Rockies and Lake Louise, as well as venturing far off the beaten track for a wilderness experience in Bella Coola and Tweedsmuir. Two dedicated Zodiac boat trips from Vancouver Island give us opportunities to spot bears and whales and get close to the wonderful nature this region is deservedly famous. A highlight is a ferry trip through the Inside Passage which reveals one of the richest marine habitats of the world.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Calgary
Location: Calgary
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Ramada Downtown Calgary (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
Welcome to Calgary, a cosmopolitan Alberta city with skyscrapers and a
booming oil business industry. Calgary has historically been famous for its
Wild West roots but in recent years it has become a dynamic and vibrant city.
It’s oozing with the Western culture that earned it the nickname
‘Cowtown’, evident in the Calgary Stampede. Introduce yourself to the
city by wandering around ahead of your welcome meeting at 18:00 hrs in the
hotel lobby, where you’ll meet you tour leader and fellow travelling
companions.
Day 2 : Banff National Park
Location: Banff
Accommodation: Charltons Banff (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
Banff National Park is one of the highlights of any visit to Western Canada,
with its magnificent mountains, lakes and forests. Banff was Canada's first
national park and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Banff town can easily
be explored on foot and with plenty of optional activities there's more than
enough to fill your time. Check out the iconic Banff Springs Hotel where
tourism in the Canadian Rockies first began, visit some of the many souvenir
shops in town or take a short trail to the tumbling Bow Falls. You could also
walk along Tunnel Mountain trail for a view of Banff and the Bow Valley. Take
the gondola up to Sulphur Mountain for rewarding panoramic views of the
Rockies, or simply relax in the heated, natural pools of the Banff Hot
Springs.
Optional activities:
* Aerial gondola/tramway CAD$49-64
* Hot Springs CA$9
Day 3 : Banff National Park; Walk At Lake Louise
Location: Banff
Accommodation: Charltons Banff (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
It's time to see more of the magnificent mountains, lakes and forests that
Banff is so famous for. Drive to Moraine Lake located in the Valley of the
Ten Peaks, the highest of which is Deltaform Mountain (3,424m). Next take a
walk on one of the many trails at nearby Lake Louise; a favourite with many
visitors is the hike up to the Plain of Six Glaciers, offering incredible
views of the valley. Both of these lakes are famous for their striking blue
glacial colour, caused by rock flour carried into the lakes by meltwater from
the surrounding glaciers. This is picture-perfect scenery at its very best!
Day 4 : Drive Along Icefields Parkway; To Jasper National Park
Location: Jasper
Accommodation: Pocahontas Cabins (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Brace yourself, as this morning we travel on one of the most famous and
beautiful drives in the world, the Icefields Parkway. This spectacular road
traverses the Rockies, running parallel to the Continental Divide. Mountain
passes, glaciers and high peaks are some of the many scenic highlights and
there are opportunities to see elk, caribou, bears, Bighorn Sheep and goats,
which often graze on the vegetation found at the roadside. We stop at all of
the 'must see' sights, including Bow Summit and Bow Lake, Peyto Lake and
Crowfoot Glacier. There is the option to enjoy a guided glacier walk along
the way. Our overnight location will be around forty minutes out of town.
Optional activities:*
•* Guided glacier walk CA$100 (CA$60 for under 17s)
Day 5 : Jasper National Park
Location: Jasper
Accommodation: Pocahontas Cabins (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
Jasper is much quieter and less developed than Banff, which means it is much
easier to escape the crowds and spend the day getting to know the national
park and its surroundings. There are several options for today. We
recommend taking the SkyTram and walking to the summit, which provides
fantastic views over the Canadian Rockies. Alternatively, there are various
hikes at Mount Edith Cavell including a short hike in the alpine meadows with
chances to see caribou, and from where you'll enjoy spectacular views of
Angel Glacier, a beautiful hanging glacier in the shape of angel wings. A
visit to Miette Hot Springs is included, to relax your muscles after a day of
exploring and hiking.
Optional activities:
* SkyTram cable car CA$50
* Float trip on the Athabasca River CA$70
Day 6 : Â Mount Robson And Wells Gray Provincial ParkÂ
Location: Wells Gray Provincial Park
Accommodation: Ace Western Motel (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
This morning we take in the majestic views of Mount Robson, the highest peak
in the Rockies. Our travels continue to Clearwater, the gateway to Wells Gray
Provincial Park where we can discover the parks bewitching waterfalls.
Day 7 : To Tweedsmuir Provincial Park; Anahim Lake; Optional Canoeing Excursion.
Location: Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park
Accommodation: Chilcotin's Waterfront Resort & Motel (or similar) - multi share
Meals Included: Dinner
We drive through the Canadian wilderness towards Tweedsmuir Provincial Park,
an area that's off the beaten path. Tweedsmuir Provincial Park was named
after the 15th Governor General of Canada, Baron Tweedsmuir, who travelled
extensively throughout the area by float plane and horseback. The park has
varied landscapes on offer, and you can expect to come face to face with
rugged mountains, deep lush valleys and spectacular ocean fjords.
Our overnight location for the next two nights is on picturesque Nimpo Lake,
a popular lake for fly fishing that supports an eclectic mix of wildlife.
This area has very basic facilities but is extremely beautiful and off the
tourist trail.
Please note: due to the remote nature of this property, some cabins will be
more basic than others, often with shared bathroom facilities with a capacity
of two to four people maximum.Â
Day 8 : Tweedsmuir Provincial Park
Location: Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park
Accommodation: Chilcotin's Waterfront Resort & Motel (or similar) - multi share
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We have a full day free to explore Tweedsmuir Provincial Park today. There
are different hikes that can be done in the area, at Mt. Kappan, near Anahim
Lake or at Rando Burnt Ridge, or you can simply enjoy the resort at Nimpo
Lake.
Day 9 : Hiking In Tweedsmuir; To Bella Coola
Location: Tweedsmuir
Accommodation: Bella Coola Mountain Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is completely off the radar for most tour groups,
despite being named as British Columbia's most beautiful park. Spend time in
the southern area of the park and enjoy a hiking trail through an area of
thick forest. A healthy population of Grizzly and Black bear exists
throughout the park, as well as elk, deer, moose and coyote; it is possible
to see any of these whilst visiting Tweedsmuir. Wildlife aside, the colours
of the mountains combined with the flora and the wilderness feel will ensure
that Tweedsmuir is a park that you'll remember. After some time spent hiking,
you'll drive over 'the Hill' with superb views all the way to Bella Coola.
Day 10 : Bella Coola
Location: Bella Coola
Accommodation: Bella Coola Mountain Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
Bella Coola is located at the point where the Bella Coola River joins with
the saltwater of the Pacific Ocean. Here, amongst the lush valley bottoms and
snow-capped peaks, some of the largest Grizzly bear in the world reside and
this little community is gaining a reputation as one of the best places to
spot them in British Columbia. The best time of year to view Grizzly bear is
from the middle of August to the end of September as this is when they
descend from the mountains to catch salmon in the rivers and eat berries. In
season, it's possible to join an optional excursion in search of Grizzly
bear. Outside of bear season there's a selection of excellent hikes on offer
and plenty of optional activities, such as fishing and wildlife viewing.
Optional activities:
• Grizzly bear watching (mid Aug - end of Sept) CAD$195
• Wildlife Rafting tour CAD$100
Day 11 : Ferry To Vancouver Island Through The Rich Marine Environment Of The Inside Passage
Location: Vancouver
Accommodation: North Shore Inn (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
An absolute delight for wildlife lovers, the Inside Passage offers one of the
most amazing ferry journeys in the whole of North America, with everything
from frozen fjords to forest-covered hillsides flanking your route. The
journey involves taking a 10-hour direct ferry and the scenery is simply
spectacular: towering, forest-clad peaks surround the deep fjords and those
with a keen eye can often spot Bald eagles and bears. The Inside Passage also
supports one of the world's richest marine environments and it may be
possible to see Grey whales, Orcas, Pacific White Sided and occasionally
Humpback whales. The remoteness of the Inside Passage is its most stunning
feature; this area is largely inaccessible by road and the tiny communities
that spread along it rely on boats for transportation. We spend tonight in
Vancouver Island's most northerly town, Port Hardy.
Day 12 : Scenic Drive Via Cathedral Grove; To Ucluelet Near Tofino
Location: Tofino
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Meares Vista Inn (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
We drive from the northern side of Vancouver Island to the area of Tofino on
the west coast, through some incredibly scenic areas. We'll make a stop at
Cathedral Grove, where there are many trails which meander through the
Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, Grand Fir and Western Red Cedar trees. Enjoy
the scenery and breathe in that fresh island air! Our overnight location will
be Ucluelet which is our base for the next two nights.
Day 13 : Morning Boat Excursion To Observe Black Bears; Afternoon Free For Optional Activities
Location: Tofino
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Meares Vista Inn (or similar)
Meals Included: Dinner
The west coast of Vancouver Island is well-known for its whale and bear
sightings. This morning we undertake a boat trip for a unique chance to
observe Black bears searching for crabs and clams on the rocky beaches near
Tofino. Experienced on-board guides know the area in depth, and we may even
be lucky enough to spot whales on this tour. The afternoon is free to enjoy
as you wish with kayaking, hiking or the option to join a whale watching
boat trip.
Optional activities:
* Zodiac Whale watching adventure CAD $130 per half day
* Sea Kayaking CAD $130 per half day
Day 14 : Travel To Victoria; City Tour And Free Time.
Location: Victoria
Accommodation: Victoria Strathcona (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
We travel to Victoria, Vancouver Island's main city and the capital of
British Columbia. It's a remarkable mix of English Edwardian, First Nations
and Chinese architecture, and was home to the first Chinatown in Canada.
Victoria is well-known for being the ultimate place to spot Orcas so we have
included a zodiac tour to search for these magnificent mammals in their
natural environment. In the late afternoon we'll also enjoy a brief tour of
the city's highlights with free time for you to explore afterwards.
Day 15 : Ferry To Vancouver; Discover The City; End Vancouver
Location: Vancouver
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning we board a ferry across the Salish Sea, admiring the small
islands and breathtaking panorama of the city of Vancouver as it comes into
view. This cosmopolitan and diverse metropolis is a real contrast to the rest
of British Columbia, but always proves to be a highlight. Enjoy a scenic
drive through Stanley Park, a 400-hectare green wonderland with authentic
totem poles erected in the 1920s; and stop by Prospect Point, a scenic
lookout where you can gaze out at spectacular views of Lions Gate Bridge,
North Vancouver and West Vancouver.
This holiday ends at our gateway hotel in Vancouver at approximately 17:00
hrs. We can book your post-tour accommodation if required. If you are
planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before
21:00 hrs.
What's Included
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Driver
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We can include flights from the UK. Please contact us for a quote.
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All accommodation
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All transport and listed activities
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Tour leader throughout
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5 breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches and 3 dinnersÂ
What's Not Included
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Optional activities
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Flights
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All meals
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Travel insurance
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Airport transfers
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Visas and vaccinations
Food
5 breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches and 3 dinners are included. For all other meals you will usually eat out in local restaurants. To help you budget for your meals on average hotel breakfasts cost from CAD$6-$12, lunches from CAD$8-$15 and dinners from CAD$13-$30; this does not include alcoholic beverages. Wine costs approximately CAD$5 per glass and beer CAD$4 per bottle. Please also be aware that a tip of approximately 15%-20% is added to group meals in Canadian restaurants. Applicable taxes will also be added to all listed menu prices. Your tour guide may offer your group the option to operate a ‘lunch only’ food kitty; this has proven to be a popular alternative to three daily restaurant meals. Tour guides will explain this option while on your tour, and the whole group will have to agree for this system to run. Please make sure we are aware of any special meal requirements before travelling. We will do all we can to accommodate for various dietary requirements but in certain parts of Canada certain food types can be limited.
Accommodation
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Minimum 16 ye
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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