Best of Western Canada

Tour Information

Arrive in coastal Vancouver, one of Canada’s favourite cities, to start this 12-day tour. After discovering city spots like the sprawling Stanley Park and the city’s harbour you’ll board a BC ferry to cross over to Vancouver Island, exploring small fishing communities, native American settlements and scenic bays along the way. Spot killer whales, dolphin and other fascinating marine life before heading to Albert Bay to search for wild grizzly bear as they feed around the estuary. You’ll circle the island, heading down the west coast via the Pacific Rim National Park en route to Clayoquot Sound and finally Victoria, a beautiful city on the coast.

Day 1

UK – Vancouver
Cross the Atlantic on a day time flight to Vancouver from your chosen UK airport. A short transfer to your hotel tonight located centrally in downtown Vancouver featuring some of the best dining and nightlife in Canada
Hotel: Delta Vancouver Suites

Day 2

Vancouver – day at leisure
Time to enjoy the major landmarks in Vancouver such as Stanley Park and the steam powered clock in Gastown, or the variety of festivals and events Vancouver has to offer. Visit the widely known and not-so-widely known Vancouver attractions, or simply relax by the harbour area and enjoy the view of majestic mountains in the background

Day 3

Alert Bay, BC.
Departing Vancouver by 7:30 am, we board a BC Ferry at Horseshoe Bay for a one hour and thirty-five minute ferry ride to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. From Nanaimo we wind our way north up the east coast of Vancouver Island. We arrive at Port McNeill in late afternoon and board a small ferry to Alert Bay.

Located on Cormorant Island, Alert Bay (pop. 1500) is the largest aboriginal community on the British Columbia coast. First Nations attractions include the U’Mista Cultural Centre, ’Namgis Burial Grounds, the Alert Bay Big House, the Big Tree Interpretive Trail and the world’s tallest totem pole
Hotel: Alert Bay Lodge

Day 4

Alert Bay, B.C.
In the morning we head to the harbour to go whale watching in Johnstone Strait, home to one of the largest populations of Orca (killer whale) in the world. Other marine life spotting opportunities include Dahl Porpoises, Harbour Porpoises, Pacific White Sided Dolphins, sea lions, otters, and Minke whales. In the afternoon, we can shop for native crafts, visit the U’Mista Cultural Centre and explore the Ecological Gardens, including the Big Tree Trail
Hotel: Alert Bay Lodge.
Meals: Hot Breakfast.

Day 5

Alert Bay, BC.
This is a free day to explore the village of Alert Bay or go on an optional grizzly bear excursion to Knight Inlet, famous for its population of grizzly bears. Bear Cove is our destination on this optional adventure where 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
Hotel: Alert Bay Lodge
Meals: Hot Breakfast.

Day 6

Ucluelet, B.C.
In the morning we leave Cormorant Island, heading south-west on Vancouver Island to its west coast. Your driver/leader will describe the area’s unique flora and fauna and the traditional uses of the area’s natural resources by the local indigenous people. In the afternoon we arrive on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Here lies Pacific Rim National Park, the only national park on Vancouver Island, providing protection for substantial rain forests and an amazing marine environment
Hotel: Canadian Princess Resort.
Meals: Hot Breakfast

Day 7

Ucluelet, B.C.
Today will be divided between exploring Pacific Rim National Park and bear watching. The day’s tide will determine which activity we do first: as low tides are best to see black bears, we may go bear watching in the morning or afternoon.

Our bear watching tour explores the quiet waters of Clayoquot Sound, traveling along fjord inlets and stopping in sheltered bays. Black bears come out of the rainforest to forage through the inter-tidal zone to feed on crunchy crab, clams and barnacles

Pacific Rim National Park is known for its wide, sandy beaches and rugged rocky headlands. A morning walk will lead us to Wickaninnish Beach and the Wickaninnish Nature Centre. We’ll find telescopes mounted on an observation deck at the centre, plus numerous displays inside that introduce visitors to the geographical and natural history of the Pacific Northwest
Hotel: Canadian Princess Resort
Meals: Hot Breakfast.

Day 8

Ucluelet, B.C.
Today is a free day to either try optional activities such as kayaking, whale watching, or a zodiac tour to Hot Springs Cove. Or, one may choose to take it easy and explore the village of Tofino.

For those that decide to explore Tofino (pop. 1700), they’ll find a pretty fishing and tourist village surrounded by islands forested by impressive trees. Once a timber and fishing town, Tofino has become a favored destination for travelers from around the world. Now, the economy of this relaxed, vacation destination is mainly dependent upon tourism and aquaculture. A colorful variety of shops, bakeries and art galleries are within short walking distance
Hotel: Canadian Princess Resort
Meals: Hot Breakfast.

Day 9

Depart Ucluelet for Victoria
Traveling southward we arrive in Victoria in the early afternoon where you enjoy your evening at leisure in this beautiful city. You’ll find horse drawn carriages, double-decker buses, meticulously kept gardens and the city’s tradition of formal afternoon tea provide start contrast to the ruggedness of the north Island.
Meals: Hot Breakfast.
Hotel; Delta Victoria Ocean Resort and Spa

Day 10

Victoria – day at leisure
Visit the museums and stately homes, go to a spa or rest in the sun as you watch the world go by, Victoria has something for everyone. This is the city that breaths in an abundance of fresh sea air and soaks up more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in Canada. It’s the perfect place to hold hands with nature and witness marine wildlife in its natural habitat; and to feel safe, free, and refreshed

Day 11

The early morning is at leisure until you transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK via Vancouver.

Day 12

Arrive UK
Morning arrival at your chosen UK airport. Times vary


Tour includes:
Transatlantic flights on scheduled airlines
10 night’s accommodation in hotel/lodges as described above (or similar standard).
Services of a professional Driver/Guide from Day 3 to 9
Wildlife visits and excursions as described in the itinerary
Hot breakfast each morning from Day 4 to 9