Grizzly Bear Wildlife Experience
In the autumn, when the salmon arrive to spawn, Bella Coola is host to one of the highest
concentrations of grizzly bears. Among these old growth forests, pristine rivers, stunning
peaks, soaring eagles, and vast glaciers, there is one animal at the top of the food
chain: it is the mighty grizzly bear.
concentrations of grizzly bears. Among these old growth forests, pristine rivers, stunning
peaks, soaring eagles, and vast glaciers, there is one animal at the top of the food
chain: it is the mighty grizzly bear.
Day 1: Tweedsmuir Park
Arrive at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge and begin your experience with an evening drift on the Atnarko River to look for Grizzly Bears. Relax and enjoy the scenery, but keep your eyes open for wildlife. The Salmon are spawning and provide an easy meal for Bald Eagles and Grizzly Bears. River Otters and Black Bears may also be spotted.
Day 2: Bella Coola Valley
This day includes another river float trip, with the express purpose of looking for and spending time watching the magnificent Grizzly Bears. Bella Coola is home to the highest concentration of Grizzly Bears in North America. The fall salmon run attracts them and they are busy eating and putting on weight for the coming winter. After a day on the river it is time for a scenic helicopter flight into the alpine and over to Hunlen falls, the third highest waterfall in Canada. There is nothing like an eagle eye view of the Bella Coola valley and its surroundings to make you appreciate the full extent of this wilderness.
Day 3: Bella Coola Valley
You have the choice of more Grizzly Bear viewing - river drift and/or hike the Alexander MacKenzie loop trail in search of
bears or Cruise the Fjord and enjoy the Bella Coola Valley. The interlinking fjord is the most extensive of its kind in North
America. Because there is so much to see and do in this beautiful area, you have the choice to customize this day to suit your interests. Options include:
• Full day on the water exploring the fjords
• Half day on the fjord combined with Bella Coola Valley exploration
• Crab and prawn trapping
• Fish for halibut
• Dip in the hotsprings at Larso Bay
• Visit the Tallheo Cannery
• Giant Cedar Walk on Walker Island
• Experience incredible views of the fjord from Harbour and Clayton Falls
• Explore the Petroglyph Gardens with a guide from the Petroglyph Gallery in Bella Coola
• Enjoy a stroll around the Bella Coola Town Centre
Day 4: Bella Coola Valley
3 night itinerary ends - Enjoy a daytime drift on the Atnarko River. You will also enjoy a guided valley tour with short hikes to look for bear signs, such as tracks, salmon carcasses, rub trees with claw and bite marks, as well as places the bears dig out in the forest floor for their naps called day beds.
Day 5: Tweedsmuir Park
4 night itinerary ends - We have built in a weather day to the program. If the helicopter sight seeing excursion is not possible on day two, then we would do it on this day. In addition, there would be an opportunity to go for an exploratory hike in Tweedsmuir Park, the biggest park in BC, as well as another evening drift down the Atnarko River for one last opportunity to view and photograph the Grizzly Bears.
Day 6: Departure
5 night itinerary ends – Enjoy breakfast, and a leisurely morning in which you can enjoy the grounds and the view
from the deck before you depart from Tweedsmuir Park Lodge.
Special Terms & Conditions apply to this tour which will be advised at the time of booking.
Arrive at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge and begin your experience with an evening drift on the Atnarko River to look for Grizzly Bears. Relax and enjoy the scenery, but keep your eyes open for wildlife. The Salmon are spawning and provide an easy meal for Bald Eagles and Grizzly Bears. River Otters and Black Bears may also be spotted.
Day 2: Bella Coola Valley
This day includes another river float trip, with the express purpose of looking for and spending time watching the magnificent Grizzly Bears. Bella Coola is home to the highest concentration of Grizzly Bears in North America. The fall salmon run attracts them and they are busy eating and putting on weight for the coming winter. After a day on the river it is time for a scenic helicopter flight into the alpine and over to Hunlen falls, the third highest waterfall in Canada. There is nothing like an eagle eye view of the Bella Coola valley and its surroundings to make you appreciate the full extent of this wilderness.
Day 3: Bella Coola Valley
You have the choice of more Grizzly Bear viewing - river drift and/or hike the Alexander MacKenzie loop trail in search of
bears or Cruise the Fjord and enjoy the Bella Coola Valley. The interlinking fjord is the most extensive of its kind in North
America. Because there is so much to see and do in this beautiful area, you have the choice to customize this day to suit your interests. Options include:
• Full day on the water exploring the fjords
• Half day on the fjord combined with Bella Coola Valley exploration
• Crab and prawn trapping
• Fish for halibut
• Dip in the hotsprings at Larso Bay
• Visit the Tallheo Cannery
• Giant Cedar Walk on Walker Island
• Experience incredible views of the fjord from Harbour and Clayton Falls
• Explore the Petroglyph Gardens with a guide from the Petroglyph Gallery in Bella Coola
• Enjoy a stroll around the Bella Coola Town Centre
Day 4: Bella Coola Valley
3 night itinerary ends - Enjoy a daytime drift on the Atnarko River. You will also enjoy a guided valley tour with short hikes to look for bear signs, such as tracks, salmon carcasses, rub trees with claw and bite marks, as well as places the bears dig out in the forest floor for their naps called day beds.
Day 5: Tweedsmuir Park
4 night itinerary ends - We have built in a weather day to the program. If the helicopter sight seeing excursion is not possible on day two, then we would do it on this day. In addition, there would be an opportunity to go for an exploratory hike in Tweedsmuir Park, the biggest park in BC, as well as another evening drift down the Atnarko River for one last opportunity to view and photograph the Grizzly Bears.
Day 6: Departure
5 night itinerary ends – Enjoy breakfast, and a leisurely morning in which you can enjoy the grounds and the view
from the deck before you depart from Tweedsmuir Park Lodge.
Special Terms & Conditions apply to this tour which will be advised at the time of booking.
Package includes:
- Accommodation at the Tweedsmuir Park Lodge / Double Occupancy.
- All meals.
- All activities described in the itinerary.
- Experienced guides.
- Entrance fees to parks.
- All ground transportation.
- Applicable taxes and GST rebates.
Not Included :