Wildlife and bear tour of Western Canada.  North America's newest grizzly viewing hot spot — brown bears of Tweedsmuir and Bella Coola!

Trip Overview:

• Search for grizzlies where they are more abundant than anywhere else in North America
• Float protected rivers through old-growth forest and helicopter over glaciers and waterfalls
• Meet and hear storytellers, singers and drummers from the Nuxalk First Nations culture
• Priced at $3,995 per person

Along the central coast of British Columbia, where the Coast Range meets the Pacific Ocean, lies a wilderness known and visited by few. Glaciers ice the summits of the peaks, spawning rivers that trace a path to the sea through ancient forests of cedar, hemlock and fir. The waters and woods of the Bella Coola Valley have sheltered great wildlife populations for millennia. Salmon, eagles and bears, totemic animals of coastal native peoples, are still abundant here, evocative of nature that is both primal and arresting. We are immersed in it, on this rare adventure into the Canadian wild.

Location: Bella Coola, British Columbia

Included

Accommodations, meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on final day, bottled water, services of an expedition leader, local guides and lodge staff, most gratuities, airport transfers in Bella Coola on Day 1 and final day, permits and entrance fees, all taxes.

Not Included

Travel to and from start and end point of trip (Bella Coola), alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees, optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, souvenirs, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes, optional travel insurance.?This adventure travel opportunity does not require a high degree of physical fitness although some short walks may be required should you wish to participate in every activity.

2012 Dates: Aug 26th – Aug 31st,   Aug 31st – Sep 5th ,    Sep 5th – Sep 10th

2012 Pricing:

$3,995 per person
Single supplement: $895
Group is limited to 9 travelers
Physical Rating:  Easy/Flexible
Deposit:  $500

Day 1: Arrive Bella Coola, British Columbia

Day 2: Bella Coola River Float Trip & Helicopter Journey

Day 3: In Search of Grizzlies

Day 4: Native Cultures & Rainforest Exploration

Day 5: Exploring Tweedsmuir Park

Day 6: Departure

Important Information about this trip

Travelers interested in very close up viewing and photography of grizzlies may prefer our Alaska Explorer or Grizzlies: From Kodiak to Katmai trips, as we may not experience bears at such a close range on this trip. This area, however, has its distinct advantages in that the scenery is spectacular and the grizzlies are truly wild, with very few other people around. Bears in the “Great Bear Valley” tend to be all over the place. We have prepared for a variety of ways to view them but cannot guarantee which manner we will use due to the permit requirements at any given time. We have taken the proper steps but will never be assured of a specific activity due to the nature of these animals and the nature of permitting in Canada. Also, be aware that since the area we are visiting is full of bears, natural dangers do exist. We try to be as careful as possible, but we can never fully predict the behavior of wild animals. A quote from our director, Ben Bressler: “One of the favorite experiences I have had with NHA was floating the Atnarko River, which runs right behind our lodge. Bald eagles fly overhead, and every turn in the river promises another chance to pass a hungry grizzly fishing for salmon. It is a peaceful, intimate experience of nature, the memory of which has stayed with me for a long, long time.”

Getting There & Getting Home

We have pre-booked spaces for our travelers on R/T flights from Vancouver to Bella Coola. These flight times are not determined until late spring. We will notify you when these times are determined so you may book your arrival and departure flights in and out of Vancouver. You will be invoiced for these flights upon booking. Please call us with questions.

Day 1:

Arrive Bella Coola, British Columbia

Upon our arrival in Bella Coola, we will be met at the airport and taken to Tweedsmuir Lodge, a 1-hour drive from the town of Bella Coola.

The scenery in this region of British Columbia is unrivaled, and Tweedsmuir Lodge has the best view of all. Set near the base of an 8,000-foot rock peak across from the salmon-filled Atnarko River, the lodge is located within Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, the largest protected area in all of British Columbia, rich with wildlife and far away from civilization. The deck of the main lodge, as well as the porches and windows on each individual cabin, overlook a clearing where grizzlies are often seen. This evening, we will gather with our Expedition Leader at 7:00pm for a welcome/orientation dinner.

Lodging: Tweedsmuir Lodge (D)

Day 2:

Bella Coola River Float Trip & Helicopter Journey

This morning we have the opportunity to enjoy wildlife viewing while gently floating down the Atnarko and Bella Coola Rivers.

Our float begins just several miles from our lodge on the Atnarko River and ends at the mouth of the Bella Coola River. During this time of year, the river is full of spawning salmon, which attract both eagles and bears. The awe-inspiring scenery includes snowy mountain peaks and the colors of late summer filling the river valley. A shore lunch will be provided, allowing us time to relax in Mother Nature’s backyard.

After lunch and the conclusion of the float trip, we will embark on a helicopter journey, which will reveal the other side of B.C.’s splendid scenery – the high mountain passes. We board our helicopter for a thrilling “heli-journey” over the snow-peaked mountains, ever watchful for families of mountain goats perched atop seemingly impossible terrain. From this rare perspective, we experience British Columbia’s unique beauty. We will also fly over a high coastal glacier and past Hunlen Falls, Canada’s second largest waterfall, dropping 845 feet from a chain of lakes into a narrow canyon.

If time allows, we will also head into Tweedsmuir Provincial Park with our Expedition Leader to explore the dense forest habitat on one of the many secluded trails. Always be on the lookout for the rare cougar, bald eagles and a variety of other northern birdlife. One of the most unique animals of this region is the gray wolf, occasionally appearing in a jet-black coat.

Lodging: Tweedsmuir Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 3:

In Search of Grizzlies

British Columbia is home to an estimated 6,000 to 14,000 grizzlies, among the highest bear concentrations in North America. The summer and early fall salmon runs attract dozens of bears to this area, and although it is very likely we will see bears during our other activities and perhaps at the lodge, we will spend this entire day focused on British Columbia’s magnificent bears.

We will take another float trip today, pausing along the riverbanks to watch for bears. Of course, grizzlies are unpredictable, and we can never guarantee their appearance, but the Bella Coola Valley is so rich with bears that we feel confident in our sightings.

Lodging: Tweedsmuir Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 4:

Native Cultures & Rainforest Exploration

Along with its prolific wildlife and spectacular scenery, the Bella Coola Valley is also home to a group of First Nations peoples, the Nuxalk – a vibrant, ancient culture that still thrives today. Starting with a visit to the village of Bella Coola, we are introduced to the Nuxalk culture through local artisans, storytellers, drummers and singers.

We may also have the chance to hike to a newly discovered series of petroglyphs (ancient stone carvings) engraved into a forgotten trail atop a lush forest valley. Our mile-long walk takes us along the river’s edge to the rarely seen site where dozens of carvings, some estimated to be 10,000 years old, can be found hidden on the rocks along Thorsen Creek. As the hike is fairly strenuous, those who prefer to stay in town will have the option to do so. Always be on the lookout for eagles and other wildlife, particularly in the early mornings and late afternoons.

Lodging: Tweedsmuir Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 5:

Exploring Tweedsmuir Park

Due to the different weather patterns experienced in the Bella Coola Valley, we are occasionally precluded from traveling by helicopter on our flight-seeing excursion. To ensure that we provide the optimal outdoor wildlife experience that our travelers have come to expect, we have arranged a “back-up day” in case of bad weather on our proposed flying days.

If we have been able to keep our regular itinerary, then we may take a trail upriver on the Atnarko where eagles, possibly bears and other wildlife can be seen fishing for salmon. In either case, exploration of this spectacular region will be extremely rewarding.

Lodging: Tweedsmuir Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 6:

Departure

After some free time this morning at the lodge, we will travel back into town for our return flights to Vancouver and onward.

(B)