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Wilderness-gourmet meals with complimentary wine and beer
Two wildlife viewing tours are scheduled each day at the lodge
Experience the Great Bear Rainforest, which is home to a significant concentration of coastal grizzly bears
Chance to view other wildlife like wolves, river otters, pine martens, mink, harbour seals and bald eagles
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Make an enquiryGreat Bear Nature Tours is rated by National Geographic Adventure as one of the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth. Their ecotourism, Great Bear Lodge, is the ideal base for photography and wildlife viewing tours, nestled at the mouth of a pristine salmon river. Wilderness-gourmet meals await you upon your return from the two guided viewing sessions per day. With a maximum of sixteen guests, you are assured of a personalised wilderness adventure in this very special area.
Nestled within the Great Bear Rainforest, the lodge resides in the midst of a natural wonderland celebrated by conservationists as a true rarity in our modern world. It stands as an extraordinary gem, preserving one of the few remaining complete and unspoiled ecosystems on our planet. Expanding across a colossal expanse of over 8 million acres, dwarfing even Africa's Serengeti, this remote coastal rainforest, with its abundance of threatened species, serves as a crucial sanctuary for the magnificent grizzly bear, making it one of their last bastions worldwide.
This coastal haven thrives on the annual homecoming of five distinct species of Pacific salmon each autumn, providing a sumptuous feast that sustains the iconic towering trees and the formidable bears that have become synonymous with this enchanting coastline.
Late this morning depart from Vancouver International Airport (South Terminal) for a 70 minute flight to Port Hardy. Upon arrival transfer (included) to the town of Port Hardy for lunch (own cost) and to explore the town. Departing from Port Hardy in the afternoon, you will leave behind the noise of modern life for a remote wilderness. Transportation is by seaplane. Journeying to the site is a spectacular adventure in itself, traveling over the breathtaking scenery of the central coast and over the rich waters of Queen Charlotte Strait, the home of orca, gray and humpback whales.
Upon your arrival at the lodge, your hosts will be on the dock to welcome you to your wilderness retreat. Settle into your private room at the lodge, before joining the group for your first wildlife viewing session. The Lodge has a range of different viewing sites, and will choose one according to where the bears have been most active. Estuary sites are reached by boat, while river sites are reached by a wilderness track. The viewing blinds on the river have been constructed with the photographer in mind, and are optimal and comfortable places from which to view bears.There is nothing quite like seeing your first grizzly emerge from the forest.
Returning to the lodge that evening, you will be treated to a wilderness-gourmet meal. Our biologist will present slides and videos, explaining the interaction of the grizzly bear with this unique ecology.
Overnight stay at Great Bear Lodge.
The Great Bear Lodge promotes low-impact ecotourism, using wind and solar power and taking special care not to disturb the bears or their environment. Scheduled morning and afternoon bear viewing sessions coincide with times when the bears are the most active. Accompanied by an experienced wildlife biologist you will observe the bears as they roam freely in their natural habitat as you float by boat through nearby estuaries or watch from specially-designed optimal viewing areas. Other possible wildlife sightings: wolves, otters, bald eagles, black bears, pine martins and mink.
Daily guided activities such as boat tours and an interpretative rainforest walk are offered between morning and afternoon viewing excursions, followed by a delicious lunch. Guests arriving in fall will also be able to witness thousands of migrating salmon from a series of enclosed blinds and open viewing stands along the river. Watch as the grizzlies hunt for fish in preparation for their coming hibernation.
Overnight stay at Great Bear Lodge.
After breakfast, participate in a final bear watching session, followed by a farewell lunch and afternoon activity before taking a floatplane flight back to Port Hardy in the afternoon and a transfer to your post-night hotel.
Overnight stay in Port Hardy
After check-out of your hotel in Port Hardy, you will be transferred mid-morning to Port Hardy Airport for your return flight to Vancouver International Airport (South Terminal).
Great Bear Lodge is located 50 air miles from Port Hardy, British Columbia. This is a place of spectacular beauty where one can still find the silence and solitude of another era. The charming floating lodge has eight bedrooms. The common area is a comfortable place for relaxing and listening to natural history presentations from our wildlife biologists. Completely upgraded in 2014, each bedroom now has an ensuite bathroom with a shower. The wind and solar powered lodge is in keeping with our commitment to low-impact ecotourism. Wilderness-gourmet meals await you at the lodge on your return from the wilderness.
Welcome to Entire Travel Group. We offer exceptional travel experiences across our extensive range of Entire Holiday Packages, Entire Group Journeys, Entire Rail Journeys, and Entire Cruise Journeys. With our industry-leading Peace of Mind Booking Plan, you can Book Now with flexibility and confidence.
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Entire Travel Group is proudly Australian family owned and operated and as it stands today represents 50 years of experience, progress, and evolution. We proudly support the community with our long-term commitment to many important charity organisations. We were awarded the best operator in our class at the most recent National Travel Industry Awards.
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Our Independent Holiday Packages are NOT group tours with set departure dates. Group Tours have specific set departure dates, and of course, you are travelling with unknown passengers in a coach. These tours are great for certain travellers and there are many reputable tour operators providing a wide range of options around the world.
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