Holiday Overview
A once in a lifetime wilderness experience with this impressive itinerary.
See the best of British Columbia by visiting the capital Victoria where you will enjoy two of the city's essential experiences: whale watching and Butchart Gardens. Stay 3-nights in Vancouver, a coastal city with stunning views of the mountains and take in sights such as Stanley Park, English Bay and much more.
The main highlight of your trip will be the wildlife experience at Knight Inlet Lodge, where you will stay 2-nights indulging in fascinating wildlife excursions. Knight Inlet is a 100 km long fjord carved by glaciers in the coastal mountains. This pristine wilderness is the native habitat of the Grizzly Bear. Every spring when the bears come out of hibernation, they can be seen from a boat on the banks of Glendale Cove eating sedge grasses, mussels and barnacles that abound in the cove. In the fall the bears feed heavily on the returning salmon to the Glendale River and can be seen in large numbers from the specially constructed viewing platform.
You will end your spectacular holiday with a stay in Whistler, where you will take a ride on the world record breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola. The views from the top of Whistler Mountain will end your trip on a high with scenery that will leave you in awe.
Best of BC with Bears & Whales includes:
- Return flights from UK
- 12 nights Accommodation
- Transfers
- Knight Inlet Lodge Package (1 night at Campbell River, 2 nights at Knight Inlet Lodge) with return flights from Vancouver
- Whale Watching Cruise - Victoria
- Butchart Gardens Tour - Victoria
- Vancouver Hop on Hop off Sightseeing Pass
- Peak 2 Peak Gondola - Whistler
- Bear watching excursions at Knight Inlet Lodge
- All meals and snacks whilst at Knight Inlet lodge and complimentary house wine with dinner
- Scenic boat ride of Knight Inlet, Kayak tour of Glendale Cove, Interpretive hike of the Kwalate River Valley, Intepretive forest walks in the Glendale Cove area with Interpretive guide on all tours at Knight Inlet
Day 1 - Fly to Victoria
Upon arrival in Victoria make your own way to your chosen hotel.
Featured accommodation
Inn at Laurel Point
Enhance your experience
Fairmont Empress
Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Day 2 - Victoria
Spend the day at your leisure in Victoria taking in the sights. Victoria is very picturesque with a beautiful Inner Harbour.
Featured accommodation
Inn at Laurel Point
Enhance your experience
Fairmont Empress
Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Unmissable Experiences
Victoria Experiences
Day 3 - Whale Watching & Butchart Gardens Tour
Morning at leisure before your afternoon tour. Duration: 5 hours
This adventure makes the most of your vacation time by allowing you to enjoy two of Victoria's essential experiences in a single day: whale watching and The Butchart Gardens.
Explore the Haro Strait and the Strait of Juan de Fuca in search of the majestic wildlife that floods the local waters here in tth summer months. Take advantage of the opportunity to view several different species of whales in the wild as well as an assortment of sea birds and other species of marine wildlife from downtown Victoria en route to the Butchart Gardens private dock and entrance via Tod Inlet.
Enjoy at your leisure The Butchart Gardens with CVS return connections to Victoria departing the gardens regularly throughout the evening. Stay for dinner, the fireworks on Saturday evening or summer events!
Highlights: - Fully guides whale watching and wildlife viewing (3 hours) - VIP entrance into the Butchart Gardens by their private dock - Travel through inlets and bays not visited on other departures - Save time by combining whale watching and connections to the Butchart Gardens - Customize your return time to Victoria on any scheduled connection with our partner CVS Tours - Rate includes admission to the Butchart Gardens and return coach transfer with CVS Tours
Featured accommodation
Inn at Laurel Point
Enhance your experience
Fairmont Empress
Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Day 4 - Transfer to Vancouver
This morning you will depart Victoria and travel to Vancouver. (coach/ferry included) Once you are on the ferry you will get off your coach and can go up on deck to take in the stunning scenery. Keep your camera at hand as you pass by the Gulf Islands with the added chance of spotting wildlife too. Spend your afternoon at your leisure in Vancouver which has much to offer.
Featured accommodation
Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
Enhance your experience
Sheraton Wall Centre
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Day 5 - Sightsee Vancouver
Today use your Hop on Hop off Vancouver Sightseeing pass to help you get around the city to take in the sights at your leisure. The pass allows you hop on/off at over 20 sights and attractions. We recommend timing a visit to Granville Island for lunch or an afternoon treat at the Public Market.
Featured accommodation
Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
Enhance your experience
Sheraton Wall Centre
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Unmissable Experiences
Vancouver Experiences
Day 6 - Vancouver
Today is at your leisure, you still have the full day to continue using your Hop on Hop off Sightseeing pass.
Featured accommodation
Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
Enhance your experience
Sheraton Wall Centre
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Unmissable Experiences
Vancouver Hop on Hop off Bus Tour
Day 7 - Vancouver to Campbell River
Make your own way (transfer not included) to Vancouver Airport (South Terminal) for your afternoon departure to Campbell River, this is a short 40-minute flight. Upon arrival, transfer (included) to your overnight accommodation in Campbell River. Evening is at your leisure.
Day 8 - Knight Inlet Lodge
This morning, transfer (included) from Campbell River accommodation to floatplane base. Fly 30 minutes to Knight Inlet, a remote fjord and natural habitat of the grizzly bear.
This afternoon, guests will check-in and be briefed on the safety orientation. Once settled into their rooms, guests will join a guided wildlife tour in search of the bears and other wildlife that frequent the area. In the evening guides will speak with guests about the next days tour options. Stay overnight at the floating Knight Inlet Lodge.
Enhance your experience
Knight Inlet Lodge
Day 9 - Knight Inlet Lodge
Today guests can partake in any of the guided activities listed in the inclusions below (subject to weather and guide recommendations). Stay overnight at the floating Knight Inlet Lodge. * Extra bear viewing trip * Interpretive hike of the Kwalate River Valley * Wildlife tracking to make plaster casts of animal prints * Intepretive forest walks in the Glendale Cove area * Scenic boat ride of Knight Inlet * Interpretive guide on all tours
Enhance your experience
Knight Inlet Lodge
Day 10 - Fly Campbell River to Vancouver Transfer to Whistler
In the morning, enjoy one final tour of the estuary. This can be by small boat or by kayak, your choice. Departure from the lodge is around 10.00am and returning to Campbell River around 11.00am. On arrival, transfer (included) to the local airport for your return flight to Vancouver. Upon arrival in Vancouver take the coach transfer to Whistler.
Featured accommodation
Aava Hotel
Enhance your experience
Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel
Four Seasons Whistler
Day 11 - Explore Whistler
Day at leisure in Whistler.
Featured accommodation
Aava Hotel
Enhance your experience
Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel
Four Seasons Whistler
Unmissable Experiences
Whistler Experiences
Day 12 - Peak 2 Peak Gondola
Today you have your Peak 2 Peak Gondola ride pass. This will help you take in the stunning scenery from Whistler and Blackcomb mountains with views of the village and it's lakes. We highlight recommed taking the chairlift up to the summit on Whistler mountain.
Featured accommodation
Aava Hotel
Enhance your experience
Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel
Four Seasons Whistler
Unmissable Experiences
Peak 2 Peak Gondola
Day 13 - Fly Vancouver to UK
Morning at leisure. Coach transfer from your hotel to Vancouver Airport is included for your overnight flight back to the UK.
Inn at Laurel Point, Victoria BC
The Inn at Laurel Point is located on a pretty peninsula jutting out into Victoria's Inner Harbour. Offering stunning views of the Inner Harbour, this hotel has an overall Japanese-influenced design and is only 4 blocks from the Royal BC Museum and Government Street shopping, accessible via a waterfront walkway.
Fairmont Empress, Victoria BC
The Fairmont Empress hotel sits majestically at the cornerstone of Victoria’s sparkling Inner Harbour and city centre of arts, entertainment and cultural attractions. This Vancouver Island resort is located in British Columbia’s capital city and features turn of the century architecture, classic beauty and an unrivalled location on the water.
Magnolia Hotel & Spa, Victoria BC
The Magnolia Hotel and Spa is just 2 blocks from Victoria’s picturesque Inner Harbour and in the heart of the city’s best shopping, dining and entertainment.
Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
Few hotels can rival the elegance, European charm and hospitality of The Sutton Place Hotel. One of Vancouver’s most beautiful boutique hotels, situated in the heart of downtown Vancouver. The spectacular setting allows guests to experience exceptional service and all the needed amenities within the cosmopolitan ambience of the city set against a majestic backdrop of mountains and sea.
Sheraton Wall Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia
Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the Sheraton Wall Centre is a short walk from business and entertainment neighbourhoods, Robson Street shops and Yaletown restaurants.
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Vancouver
The Fairmont Waterfront luxury hotel showcases the best of Vancouver. Conveniently located, the hotel connects by covered walkway to the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, the cruise ship terminal at Canada Place, and the Sky train. Situated on scenic Burrard Inlet, it has a central to sightseeing and shopping in Vancouver.
Knight Inlet Lodge
Knight Inlet is a 100 km long fjord carved by glaciers in the coastal mountains. This pristine wilderness is the native habitat of the Grizzly Bear. Every spring when the bears come out of hibernation, they can be seen from a boat on the banks of Glendale Cove eating sedge grasses, mussels and barnacles that abound in the cove.
Aava Hotel, Whistler, British Columbia
The Aava is just a snowballs throw from Whistler Village and a few more footsteps to the lifts of Whistler & Blackcomb Mountains. Experience Whistlers’ culinary excellence and vibrant nightlife. Whether for business or fun, the Aava is the perfect hotel to relax in affordable style.
Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel, Whistler British Columbia
Summit Lodge is Whistlers quirky award-winning boutique hotel. It is located just steps away from the Olympic Plaza and some of Whistlers top restaurants.
Four Seasons Whistler
Grand in scale, intimate by nature, luxury Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler epitomizes the mountain spirit. Inside, find 291 luxury lodge guest rooms, including 95 hotel suites and 20 private residences with open-sky spaciousness and European-styled refinement. An expansive timber, glass and stone lobby harmonizes your transition between the great outdoors and the cosy wood hotel interiors of your private space in Whistler.
Image Gallery
Whistler Green Lake
Grizzlies in Water
Victoria Inner Harbour
Peak 2 Peak Gondola Whistler
Victoria
Victoria
Victoria
Butchart Gardens
Vancouver
Vancouver
Victoria
Vancouver Evening
Knight Inlet Lodge Aerial
Whistler
Whistler
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2024, 2025 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 270 0009 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
Canada Holiday Offers
Rockies & Alaska Experience
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Canada Holiday Offers
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Ontario & Quebec
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Calgary Stampede
Cowboys, Trains & Cruise - The Calgary Stampede
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