2023 Great Bear Tales. Great Bear Rainforest is a pristine and protected environment so please practice responsible tourism by not leaving trash or chemicals in the forest, rivers, or ocean. This protected, coastal temperate rainforest is home to the infamous cream-coloured Spirit Bear. To explore it fully, youll need a home base and we suggest you stick around for a day or two to get your adventure on. All Rights Reserved. Besides the logging and commercial fishing of post-European contact, the Valley also has signs of human activity that dates back thousands of years. You'll explore from south to north, along protected passages, an inland sea and from island to island, with frequent shore trips. Shore trips on west coast beach, viewing intertidal life, coastal bog forest trail, rainforest. Spot wildlife from the boat and keep an eye out for remote First Nations villages tucked into multiple bays along the route. A hot breakfast, served to order, is available at 8am. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., calls the Great Bear Rainforest "the planet's last large expanse of coastal temperate rain forest." Questions about the collection of information can be directed to the Manager of Corporate Web, Government Digital Experience Division. Home to 1000-year old trees and more than 20 First Nations, the beauty of the Great Bear Rainforest has inspired many preservation efforts. What we can learn from Chernobyl's strays. The voyage from Port Hardy to Bella Coola via the most direct route takes ten hours. After youve seen the lookout, follow the trail that parallels the train tracks north. Dolly's is a working market, so the restaurant side is simple, compact, and usually packed in summer. There are a variety of full-service fishing lodges for anglers and boaters. The pack stops to howl on the beach, perhaps to mark their territory. Take shelter under thousand-year-old ancient cedar and spruce as you travel into this global treasure. Here are some of the top places to experience BCs rainforest. Part 1: Ferry to Vancouver Island. Part 7: Pemberton to Whistler. The Kermode (Spirit) bear, a subspecies of black bear with a white coat and British Columbia's provincial mammal, is found almost exclusively in the Great Bear Rainforest. A visit to the Great Bear Rainforest involves many different experiences. How many adults (ages 12+)? Day 3: Coastal villages, Alert Bay cultural centre, marine mammals. The Rainbow Range gets its name from its multicoloured volcanic peaks and the day hike in to see them is well-known to be a long-time favourite of park visitors. Black and grizzly bears are common in these parts, and bear viewing tours are available. The Great Bear Rainforest incorporating traditional areas known as Txalgiu, Tsee-Motsa, Waglisla, Klemdulxk, Aweenak'ola and more to local First Nations is a rare and remarkable ecosystem stretching 64,000 square kilometres from the northern tip of Vancouver Island to Alaska. Healthy populations of bears, including the rare, white spirit bear. STDs are at a shocking high. *May 2023June 2023July 2023August 2023September 2023October 2023November 2023December 2023January 2024February 2024March 2024April 2024May 2024June 2024July 2024August 2024September 2024October 2024November 2024December 2024January 2025February 2025March 2025April 2025, Sign-Up to our Landsby Newsletter to Receive Exclusive Offers, New Trip Offerings, and our Trusted, Expert Advice. We walk gently and encourage education and exploration about the rich and diverse Indigenous cultures in British Columbia. Stretching for more than 250 miles along the coast of British Columbia, the 21-million-acre wilderness is sometimes called the Amazon of the North. Hike a seemingly endless number of rainforest trails, many of which lead to cascading waterfalls, or search for local wildlife. Helpful Links: Great Bear Nature Tours, National Geographic article, National Geographic map of the area. Seton Lake Recreation Area: Excellent swimming and day picnic area. Coffee, tea and a cold buffet is ready for self-service at 7am and you can wander down to the lodges wildlife viewing platform to take in the forest as it wakes up. You can depart from Northern Vancouver Island on daytrips or multi-day trips. Many migratory species live here during the summer months or pass through in the spring and fall during their annual passage. In February 2016, the Government of B.C., First Nations, environmental groups, and forest industry representatives announced the final decision on how the Great Bear Rainforest would be managed now and into the future. Here are some of many fiction and non-fiction literary works by #IndigenousBC authors, available at bookstores and online. Click or tap to ask a general question about $agentSubject. Keep your eyes open for bald eagles, river otters and bears. If you are extremely lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the elusive Kermode (Spirit) bear, a rare black bear with white fur found only on BCs north and central coast. The waters surrounding the Great Bear Rainforest offer some of the most productive sport fishing on the coast. Looking down the valley, you can see the point where the boreal forest gives way to the coastal rainforest in the valley below and the ocean stretches out beyond the mountains. The Via Ferrata is a network of 360 metal rungs, ladders and wires that enable most people from kids to seniors to safely climb cliffs without needing rock-climbing skills. The Great Bear Rainforest has become a popular destination for travelers seeking first-hand views of the regions stunning landscapes, waterways and array of wildlife. Only a few roads actually reach the coast, but they end once they reach small harbor towns . Seymour Narrows, the dividing line between southern and northern climates. Be careful you dont get caught up in gaping at the views and cause an accidentits been known to happen! We walk gently and encourage visitors to educate themselves on the Indigenous cultures in BC. There are several ways to travel to Great Bear Rainforest, depending on your preferences and budget. A subspecies of black bear, the Kermode bear has naturally white fur. Fares are per person, based on double occupancy, and in Canadian dollars. One of the area's main gateways is Bella Coola in central BC. Definitely something for everyone and a fantastic way to spend a day out on the lake in the sun. Upon arrival, you will be picked up from the airport or ferry terminal and transferred to the lodge. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Or enjoy dramatic views of Mount Melikan and Mount Stupendous from the comfort of the large outdoor hot tub. Keep an eye out for bears, deer, marmots, and bighorn sheep. The exploratory nature of these cruises, and the small number of passengers (10 or fewer per trip), creates a more intimate adventure with minimal ecological impact. Up to 80% of the yearly nitrogen in the ancient trees that grow along salmon rivers is derived from salmon nutrients. Sail through Queen Charlotte Sound and into the Great Bear Rainforest. About 10 per cent of the black bears born in this area carry this recessive white gene. Definitely, plan to spend at least a day or two in Port Hardy to explore or just unwind in the ocean breeze. Remote reaches of coastal fjords are full with salmon throughout the fall. Go light on breakfast and head to Dolly's before 11 a.m. for an early lunch. With a heavy dose of First Nations history permeating the region, the town has some must-see historic sites, such as the culla culla houses at Natsadalia Point on Anahim Lake, which offer great insight into the way of life of the indigenous people of the region. Unauthorized use is prohibited. To see these again later, type ", {"type": "chips","options": [{"text": "More languages"},{"text": "COVID-19 safety"},{"text": "COVID-19 vaccine"},{"text": "Travel"},{"text": "COVID-19 testing"},{"text": "Self-isolation"},{"text": "COVID-19 data"},{"text": "Connect by phone"}]}, Employment, business and economic development, Employment standards and workplace safety, Birth, adoption, death, marriage and divorce, Environmental protection and sustainability, Tax verification, audits, rulings and appeals, Transportation and infrastructure projects, Fraser Valley Highway 1 Corridor Improvement Program, Highway 1 - Lower Lynn Improvements Project, Belleville Terminal Redevelopment Project, Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance, Inside Passage Fall/Winter/Spring schedule, From Bella Coola, you can take a guided forest hike to view ancient petroglyphs or watch a Nuxalk carver at work, The Museum of Northern B.C. YES. The pace is slow, allowing visitors to take their time to adjust to its rhythms, intricacies, and seasonal changes. The switchbacks and blind corners require caution and care when navigating. Part 3: Ferries to Bella Coola. All British Columbians have a stake in protecting it. In February 2016, the Government of B.C., First Nations, environmental groups, and forest industry representatives announced their final agreement on how the Great Bear Rainforest would be managed. The flight time is about 1 hour and 20 minutes. The Discovery Coast Passageoperates in the summer only, and runs between Port Hardy on the north tip of Vancouver Island and Bella Bella, Shearwater, Klemtu, Ocean Falls, and Bella Coola. Several fishing resorts and serviced RV campsites are located on the lake including Barneys Lakeside Resort and Woodlands Fishin Resort! This personal information is collected for the purpose of marketing under the authority of section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Two-hour walking explorations of the Great Bear Rainforest include visits to ancient petroglyphs, towering cedars, and totem poles that tell creation stories or smayustas. We thought we knew turtles. Heckman Pass Summit: As you leave Bella Coola and reach the top of the switchbacks, take a few minutes to stop in at the Heckman Summit and have a boo at the valley beyond. In addition to private boats, there are a number of charter operators like Maple Leaf Adventures or Seaforth Expeditions that specialize in small-group charters through Great Bear Rainforest. Tweedsmuir Wilderness Lodge is located in the Bella Coola Valley and can be reached via a 70-minute direct flight from downtown Vancouver, on the BC Ferries system from Port Hardy or by car along Highway 2 from Williams Lake. Drive but only up to a certain point. Learn about key travel restrictions and how to travel safely in BC this season. No matter where you are coming from and which travel method you choose, you are in for an amazing adventure. Located in the Great Bear Rainforest Knight Inlet Lodge, 240 kilometers (150 miles) northwest of Vancouver, lies in the southern reaches of one of the last intact temperate rainforests on earth, the Great Bear Rainforest - home to Indigenous peoples, ancient forests, and wild bears since time immemorial. Learn about this incredible place and the historic agreement that will conserve this area for generations to come. Some sailings go straight to Bella Coola, while some make stops in outlying coastal communities along the way such as McLoughlin Bay, Shearwater, Klemtu, and Ocean Falls. The word, Landsby comes from the Nordic word for Village. 2023 Destination BC Corp. All rights reserved. Alexis Creek: (Tsilhqotin)an indigenous people who live between the Fraser River and the Coast Mountains. Note your Start Port and End Port above, and then visit this How to Get Here page to see how you get to and from this trip. Continue on BC-97S and turn right at the junction onto BC-99N toward Lillooet. Watch for whales and explore island beaches. This Vancouver Island to Great Bear Rainforest tour covers a broad area of the Canadian Inside Passage, from the dryer Discovery Islands in the south to the steep-sided, rainforest islands and fjords in the north. Search Indigenous Tourism British Columbia for things to do, places to go, and more. Travelling to the Great Bear Rainforest can be as much a part of the adventure as exploring your destination. The winding roadoften more switchbacks than highwayis often single lane and the sites along the way are sublime. View Williams Lake accommodation, activities and attractions. Embark on guided small-group excursions through the regions diverse landscapes, discovering the jagged Pacific coast, the temperate rainforest and the Chilcotin Plateau. It is covered in pristine rainforest, much of it protected jointly by Parks Canada and the local Haida Nation, whose rich cultural heritage you can experience here. Where to Stay: Built in 1929 as a hunting lodge, Tweedsmuir Lodge has 11 chalets and cabins (most facing a central lawn) on 60 wilderness acres in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park. From our first inquiries to the final docking, our trip has been first class all the way. Hunlen Falls, one of the other highlights of the park, plunges 855 ft into the Atnarko River and can be seen on many flightseeing tours in the area and is also an easy 20-minute hike in from Turner Lake. The park is packed with hiking trails, is popular with backcountry and horseback riding enthusiasts and it offers a mix of both easy ambling for those who want to stretch their legs and summit scaling for those who want to test their mettle. The final leg of the drive begins with a 20-minute hill descending to the Valley floor. Explore special offers and deals on activities, accommodation, tours, and more. Klemtu is the community closest to the home of the elusive Spirit Bear, and a local cultural guide can escort you into areas where there have been sightings. This incredible trip covers an immense portion of the Great Bear Rainforest. Tatla Lake: Located on the western edge of the Chilcotin grasslands, Tatla Lake is where Irish settler Robert Graham started the areas ranching legacy. From here, adventurers can access isolated cabins nestled in scenery that is unmatched for its dramatic setting or enjoy all that Nimpo Lake itself has to offer including terrific rainbow trout fishing, day-hikes, bird-watching and other wildlife viewing right from Nimpo Lake Resort, Retreat Wilderness Inn,Stewarts Lodge & Tweedsmuir Air, also offering flight-seeing tours of Tweedsmuir Park and its magnificent Hunlen Falls, access to over 25 air only access lakes or custom adventures in the rugged backcountry such as Nuk Tessli. Special packages are available through the Canadian Rockies and Pacific Coast areas, with an overnight stay in Prince George, and travel along the mighty Skeena River. Or venture further north to Chezacut Wilderness & Ranch Adventures. The vast, sodden land encompasses 1,000-year-old cedars, waterfalls spouting off the sides of moss-covered mountains, granite-dark waters, and glacier-cut fjords. This is a breathtaking alternative way of getting to or travelling from Bella Coola. Fall asleep in your chalet or suite to the sounds of the forest each room is designed to offer privacy and beautiful views. When you are ready, board the Northern Sea Wolf and head North into Great Bear Rainforest. To see these again later, type ", {"type": "chips","options": [{"text": "More languages"},{"text": "COVID-19 safety"},{"text": "COVID-19 vaccine"},{"text": "Travel"},{"text": "COVID-19 testing"},{"text": "Self-isolation"},{"text": "COVID-19 data"},{"text": "Connect by phone"}]}, Employment, business and economic development, Employment standards and workplace safety, Birth, adoption, death, marriage and divorce, Environmental protection and sustainability, Tax verification, audits, rulings and appeals, Transportation and infrastructure projects, Fraser Valley Highway 1 Corridor Improvement Program, Highway 1 - Lower Lynn Improvements Project, Belleville Terminal Redevelopment Project, Learn more about the Great Bear Rainforest, Great Bear Rainforest Agreement Highlights, Great Bear Rainforest Education and Awareness Trust. The Inside Passageruns between Prince Rupert and Port Hardy with stops in Bella Bella and Klemtu. Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours depart from Campbell River and travel on the Salish Sea to Bute Inlet. Sign up to stay in touch with us on all things Indigenous travel. http://api.hellobc.com/services/v2/partners/listings?website_url=http%3A%2F%2Findigenousbc.com&offset=0&q=indigenous_owner_type%3D%27Indigenous%27+AND+region='Great+Bear+Rainforest'. Anahim Lake:Located deep in the heart of the Carrier First Nation territory, Anahim Lake is the eastern gateway to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park and is known for excellent fishing, vast and virtually untouched wilderness, and some spectacular nearby ice fields and waterfalls. If you are interested in exploring some backcountry or experiencing a taste of the cowboy life that permeates this region, consider contacting some local outfits and booking a stay atBracewells Alpine Wilderness Adventures, Escott Bay Resort,Rainbow Mountain Outfitting,Taseko Adventures, orTerra Nostra Guest Ranch. Overnight accommodation options are plentiful including Clearwater Lake Lodge and Terra Nostra Guest Ranch. Plan and prepare because getting thereis part of the adventure. Everything in the rainforest is connected, a cycle of life in perfect balance. Puntzi Lake and Redstone: 11 km off the Hwy at Chilanko Forks, awaits Puntzi lake where biking and hiking trails, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hunting and birdwatching are plentiful. Continue on BC-20E toward Williams Lake. All Rights Reserved, Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance. The gory history of Europes mummy-eating fad, This ordinary woman hid Anne Frankand kept her story alive, This Persian marvel was lost for millennia. British Columbia is home to close to 25% of the worlds temperate rainforest. In a word, epic. Spirit Bear Lodge, a tour/lodging outfitter in Klemtu, is owned and operated by the local Kitasoo/Xai'xais First Nations community. You can fly into one of the nearby airports, sail along the coastline, or even drive (though only up to a certain point). "The wolves eat the brains," says William Housty. Learn the proper protocols so you know what to do if you encounter wildlife. Directions: As you turn onto BC-99N, you will see the ranch on the left side. There is so much territory to explore and such a wide array of wildlife and sights that you may never want to leave! Pacific Coastal Airlines operates non-stop flights to Bella Coola Airport (QBC) year-round, and it takes approximately 70 minutes to fly from Vancouver. For solo travellers, there is no single supplement on the SV Maple Leaf trips (shared accommodation), and there is a 50% single supplement on the MV Swell and Cascadia trips. The voyage from Port Hardy to Bella Coola via the most direct route takes ten hours. Pacific Coastal Airlines operates direct flights from Vancouver to the Great Bear Rainforest communities of Bella Bella, Bella Coola, and Klemtu. Bella Coola. Recommended accommodation includes Anahim Lake Resort & RV Park andEagles Nest Resort. This is a breathtaking alternative way of getting to or travelling from Bella Coola. (Steve Woods) Advertisement. Watch for fin whales, orca, or possibly even a sea otter. You can approach the Great Bear Rainforest in several different ways: roads get you only so far in the wilderness. About 50 grizzlies have 450 sq km of protected wilderness here, which includes dense rainforest, a river mouth estuary, and ocean fjord. Lac la Hache: Often called The Longest Town in the Cariboo, this communitys resorts, ranches, restaurants and homes are scattered along the lakes 19 km shoreline. The longer voyages can last for either 24 or 36 hours. Dense rainforest covers much of the landscape, and opportunities for hiking are everywhere you look. The flights depart from Vancouver International Airports South Terminal (YVR), which is only a 5-minute car ride from the main terminal. Pacific Rim is an area on the west coast of Vancouver Island that includes the communities of Tofino and Ucluelet. Terrace sits near the bottom of the Alaska Panhandle, and is home to the mighty Skeena River, a spot known to host some of the worlds best steelhead fishing. People can safely view this abundance of activity from a space constructed at rivers edge that serves as a blind or hide. Several companies specialize in small-boat rainforest cruises andguided sailboat excursions. For those flying from Calgary airport (YYC), there will be a short stop over in Vancouver. The region encompasses 21 million acres from the northern tip of Vancouver Island to the Alaska border and includes Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlotte Islands). Catch a glimpse of the rare Spirit Bear in the Great Bear Rainforest Stay at historic, family-run ranches and wilderness lodges in the heart of this remote wilderness Brief Itinerary Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Vancouver Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver Settle into your room and head to the welcome reception and property orientation.

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