Find the Spirit Bear
Head out in search of the mystical spirit bear, a rare subspecies of the black bear.
Travel on board an authentic sailing boat to leave the lightest of footprints as you experience the remote waters of the Great Bear Rainforest on the Pacific coast of British Columbia.
Top and tailed with time spent in the bustling seaport city of Vancouver, navigate against a backdrop of mountains and inlets and witness the outstanding biodiversity of Canada’s remote west coast. Visit the local communities of the Fiordland Conservancy and embark on treks and kayak expeditions in search of spirit and grizzly bears.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Watch for Marine Life
Observe orca whales, sea lions and humpback whales as they emerge from the cool water.
Sail or Charter
Travel the remote coastal fjords in search of grizzlies in a sail boat or charter yacht.
First Nation Villages
Visit the small First Nation villages and their inhabitants in this fairly remote region.
Why Steppes?
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Why we like it
This voyage is suited to those who aspire to experience one of Canada’s most biodiverse regions and one of the last great wildernesses on Earth while leaving as light a footprint as possible. Our partner on this trip is renowned for the lengths it takes, to reduce its environmental impact, not only being carbon neutral but also supporting numerous conservation and community initiatives.
Sail deep into the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest in remote British Columbia, home to the native First Nations for over 10,000 years. Drawn by its plethora of salmon and distinct lack of human development, this region is also home to large quantities of black and grizzly bears and even the rare and elusive spirit bear. Known for their snow-white fur, the result of a recessive gene in the black bear, a lot of luck and a dash of perseverance is required to spot this enchanting species. Kayaks are carried on board, enabling passengers to navigate even closer to the estuaries and waterfalls and paddle through orca and humpback habitats. Travelling with local Gitga’at First Nation guides gives further privileged insight into this extraordinary part of the world.
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Day 1
London - Vancouver
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Day 2
Vancouver - Bella Bella
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Day 3-8
Great Bear Rainforest
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Day 9
Bella Bella - Vancouver - London
Day 1
London - Vancouver
Day 2
Vancouver - Bella Bella
Day 3-8
Great Bear Rainforest
Explore the biggest tract of coastal temperate rainforest on earth – 6.4 million hectares.
Day 9
Bella Bella - Vancouver - London
Sail the Great Bear Rainforest
Sail deep into the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest on board one of our favourite hand-picked small expedition yachts – Island Odyssey, Island Roamer or Island Solitude. Navigating where larger boats cannot go, follow the Inside Passage along Canada’s Pacific coast and voyage into remote estuaries where grizzlies feast on spawning salmon. Navigate Campania Sound, an ideal area for spotting humpback whales and Steller’s sea lions, and launch a kayak to paddle in the immensity and peacefulness of this extraordinary part of the world.
Discover the Rainforest
The Great Bear Rainforest contains 25% of the remaining intact temperate rainforest in the world and is one of the planet’s most special and unique ecosystems. During the month of September, five species of wild Pacific Salmon return to the north coast and enter the thousands of freshwater rivers. These salmon not only provide food for hundreds of bears, wolves, and eagles but also provide nutrients for the giant trees that grow in this temperate rainforest. As a result, these forests contain as much as four times the amount of life found in a tropical rainforest.
Bubble Net Feeding & Remote Kayaking
Share in the thrill of watching humpback whales bubble net feeding, or take to kayaks to get a closer perspective of the Great Bear Rainforest. Spend days hiking old trails in search of bears and visit historic First Nations cultural sites to tour remote villages. Ultimately, this trip is about wildlife, so you will spend as much time as possible searching for bears and viewing humpback whales.
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A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.
Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?
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