Holidays to Canada - The Grizzly Bear Whisperer Ref: C603

Day 1

UK to Vancouver

Depart on a scheduled Air Canada flight to Vancouver. On arrival You will be met and transferred to your comfortable downtown hotel in beautiful Vancouver.

Overnights (4): St Regis Hotel-Vancouver

Day 2

Whalewatching

This morning enjoy an exciting whalewatching excursion through the Gulf Islands region. A professional naturalist will explain all there is to know about the majestic killer whales, porpoises, sea lions, seals, bald eagles and other wildlife. Return transfers are included to/from your hotel.

Days 3 and 4

Vancouver

Renowned as o­ne of the most beautiful cities in the world, Vancouver is home to spectacular natural scenery with breathtaking views in each, and every direction, has a bustling metropolitan core and boasts o­ne of the mildest climates in Canada. Explore the city visiting Stanley Park, Gastown, and Chinatown. Spend time o­n Granville Island with its craft workshops and superb restaurants and for a stunning vista of Vancouver and its harbour, take the gondola up Grouse Mountain.

Day 5

Vancouver to Williams Lake

A private transfer will be provided to the airport for your scheduled flight northbound to Williams Lake. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your lodge. There will be an orientation dinner this evening.

Overnights (3): Pyna-Tee-Ah Lodge- Likely

Days 6-7

Grizzly Bears, Wildlife and Nature

The Cariboo Mountains watershed area includes a unique cross section of biogeoclimatic zones, which make it a rare and interesting nature study. The region runs the gamut from Old Growth interior cedar – hemlock to Engelmann spruce – subalpine forests, and including northern spruce, willow and birch of the subalpine zones and alpine tundra of the high mountains. This results in a very mixed climate ranging from cool, wet winters, and summers which are generally warm and dry, to long, cold winters and short, cool, growing seasons in portions of the area. Consequently this cross section also creates an unusually productive area for plant and animal life. It makes the wetlands a particularly rich staging area and home habitat for a varied and numerous bird population. This is area also is rich in history. It is the heart of the 1860’s Cariboo Gold Rush and there are many authentic and interesting historical sites remaining from the gold rush days.

Gary Zorn has a passion for the big bears – the grizzlies. With Gary you will meet the Cariboo Mountains grizzly bears in their wild natural habitat. Gary has devoted his life studying the social hierarchy, habits, habitat and body language of these creatures while communing with them on their turf. Grizzlies, one of the largest predatory and most solitary species with their razor sharp claws, big demeanor, tell-tale hump over the shoulder and dished nose are unmistakable - the undisputed signature species of the Canadian wilderness. From the wetlands to the alpine travel the trails of these great animals with Gary. He knows the bears here intimately from their unique habits, temperaments, family units and colourings. While amongst the grizzlies, Gary thinks like a bear. As he communicates with the bears he speaks in a soft monotone, and filled with his special brand of humour, he conveys calmness but can also convey a stern command – “Hey, bear, how’s the fishin’?”. “Enough bear, back off now”. These bears are wild, free and unhabituated.

With over 30 years experience Gary maintains a constant and vigilant respect for the bears. His most often repeated advice in bear viewing – “Grizzly Bears are wild animals. Remain calm. Never run from a bear.” High safety standards ensure guests enjoy this unique experience and see some of Canada’s premier wildlife in close proximity, ideal for photography and just experiencing nature in the raw. 

The salmon return from the Pacific Ocean through the Fraser River system and the Quesnel River into the watershed. They make their way to the Mitchell River where they spawn and complete their life cycle. As the salmon return the Grizzly bears also return to the river. This adventure provides exceptional grizzly bear watching and photography opportunities as the bears feast on salmon and ready themselves for their winter hibernation. Along with the grizzlies the river is lined with eagles, bald and golden, also feasting on the salmon carcasses. This exquisite river ecosystem provides a unique study opportunity for naturalists and photographers.

The Cariboo River hosts the largest bodied Chinook (King) Salmon run in the interior of British Columbia making it a “grizzly bear buffet”. It is an amazing sight to see these big King Salmon, that often exceed 60 pounds, attempting to jump the waterfalls to return to their spawning grounds. The Cariboo’s long runs and deep pools are ideal habitat for it’s big bull trout and rainbows. It also provides critical habitat for wildlife, especially moose, grizzly bears and waterfowl.

As you watch the cycle of the salmon and the antics of the native wildlife you are likely to see many species of birds including ducks, geese, blue herons, trumpeter swans, dippers (water ouesels), whiskey jacks (gray jays), sapsuckers, woodpeckers, grouse, swifts and many more. Native wildlife in the area includes the mountain grizzlies, mountain goats, mountain caribou, mule deer, moose, black bears, and a host of smaller furbearers such as otters, beavers, pine martens, chipmunks, squirrels and more. Don’t miss this natural history adventure. This is one of the few places on earth where this cycle of life remains in tact in the wild – untamed and undisturbed. Season – August to end of October.

Jetboats are used to access the rivers and then drift down which gives you an up close and personal view of the rivers, the ecosystems and the wildlife inhabitants. It is a unique and very safe way to view bears and enjoy the wilderness rivers in the Cariboo Mountains.

Come and join Gary for this unique experience. Hear his engaging and often humorous bear stories and learn about these magnificent animals from his knowledge and experience in the world of the great bears. A truly Canadian wilderness adventure this is not just a grizzly bear viewing trip. It’s a pure intimate experience with nature – one that has the power to enlighten and redefine one’s inner self.

Day 8

Williams Lake-Vancouver - UK

After breakfast you will be transferred to Williams Lake airport for your flight to Vancouver and the UK.

Day 9

Arrive UK

UPGRADE YOUR TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT TO EXECUTIVE FIRST FROM ECONOMY CLASS
Air Canada's award winning Executive-First Class operates from London (Heathrow). All seats convert to sleeper beds arranged in a two abreast layout. Upgraded meals are o­n offer with a choice of three main courses accompanied by fine wines. In-flight entertainment is provided by individual monitors with a choice of 6 video channels and 10 audio channels. Separate desks at Heathrow speed you through check-in and the Fast Track service speeds you through Security. You can relax in the Maple Leaf lounges who provide complimentary drinks and snacks prior to take-off.

BRITISH MIDLAND ECONOMY CLASS DOMESTIC ADD-ONS -fares £139 return including tax.
Available in conjunction with your trans-atlantic Air Canada flights between London and to/from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester. Details o­n request.

HOLIDAYS2 PRICE GUARANTEE
All offers are subject to availability. o­nce a booking is confirmed your holiday price is 100% GUARANTEED against any increase in price such as currency exchange fluctuations or fuel surcharges.