Grizzly Bears & Alaska Odyssey

Day 1 - Transfer - Vancouver

Arrive Vancouver and transfer to your downtown hotel.

Day 2 - Enjoy Vancouver

This morning we have included a 3.5 hour Vancouver City Highlights tour. Prepare to experience the unique history and unfolding splendour as you tour through the modern streets of Vancouver. Drive by the most renowned sights and learn how Vancouver became the city it is today. Situated on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and framed by British Columbia's imposing mountains, it's easy to fall in love with this astonishing city. Drive through historic neighbourhoods such as Gastown, Chinatown, scenic English Bay and the picturesque Vancouver Harbour. Stops in Stanley Park feature Indigenous Peoples' Totem Poles, spectacular views of the mountains and the Lions Gate Bridge. Also includes the opportunity to wander through the charming farmer's market at Granville Island.

We recommend taking the option to end your tour in Granville Island, have lunch at your leisure, take in the buskers, and enjoy the arty and boutique shops before taking a water taxi back to downtown Vancouver.

Day 3 - Enjoy Victoria & Butchart Gardens

Your day begins with an awe inspiring 35-minute floatplane flight to Victoria with stunning aerial views of Vancouver, the Gulf Islands and Victoria Harbour. Upon arrival in Victoria, you will enjoy free time to explore Victoria's Inner Harbour and quaint downtown Victoria, then you will be taken to experience the splendor at beautiful Butchart Gardens. At the end of the day, this tour will navigate you through the Gulf Islands back to Vancouver. 

Highlights: - 35 minute floatplane ride to downtown Victoria  - Victoria's Inner Harbour  - Empress Hotel and Legislative Buildings - The world famous Butchart Gardens - A 90 minute cruise through the spectacular Gulf Islands

Day 4 - Vancouver to Campbell River

Make your way to Vancouver Airport South Terminal for your flight to Campbell River, on arrival you will be transferred to a hotel for the evening.

Day 5 - Knight Inlet Lodge

Today you will be transferred by floatplane to Knight Inlet Lodge where you will have a welcome orientation for your 2-night stay at the lodge.

Day 6 - Knight Inlet Lodge

Enjoy your day in the wilderness with a Bear Viewing session, interpretive walk and boat cruise around Glendale Cove.

Day 7 - Campbell River to Whistler

You will be transferred by floatplane to Cambell River before your short flight to Vancouver where you will then make your own way to the Main terminal for your coach along the Sea to Sky highway up to the mountain resort of Whistler.

Day 8 - Discover Whistler

Discover Whistler at your leisure today with the Peak 2 Peak gondola ride (included). Travel up Whistler mountain, have lunch, take a walk/hike and head up on the summit chair lift to take in the NEW Cloudraker Skybridge. After which travel across to Blackcomb mountain on the world famous Peak 2 Peak gondola before travelling down to the village. Keep your eyes peeled and camera at hand as it is not uncommon to spot bears on Blackcomb mountain.

Day 9 - Enjoy Whistler

Enjoy Whistler and its many lakes and walking/hiking trails or perhaps speak to one of our Canada Experts about organising on of the many tours were offer in the area.

Day 10 - Transfer to Vancouver for Alaska Cruise

This morning you will be transferred to Vancouver downtown for your 7 night Alaska Cruise on the luxurious Regent of the Seven Seas Mariner, where you will stay in a Verandah cabin.

Day 11 - Cruise the Inside Passage

The fabled Inside Passage is one of the most scenic sea-lanes in the world, and one of the few where deep-draft vessels can sail close to steep mountain walls. The scenery is unbelievable, with forests in a hundred shades of green, tumbling turquoise glaciers, and evocative towns loaded with history, culture and adventure. With most of Southeast Alaska accessible only by boat or plane, the Inside Passage is a lifeline to the outside world. All day long it hums with activity.

Day 12 - Ketchikan

Ketchikan, on the southwest side of Revillagigedo Island, grew up around salmon canneries and sawmills. Ketchikan's name supposedly comes from the native term "Katch Kanna", which roughly translates: "spread wings of a thundering eagle." At one time Ketchikan was proclaimed the “Salmon Capital of the World.” An outstanding collection of totem poles make a visit to Ketchikan essential for anyone interested in Native art. Travelers flock to Ketchikan for their first look at the North Country, and are rarely disappointed.

Day 13 - Juneau

In 1880, Joe Juneau and Richard Harris were prospecting for gold with the help of Indian guides. Here they discovered nuggets “as large as beans” at the mouth of the aptly named Gold Creek. Out of their discoveries came three of the largest gold digs in the world where more than $150 million in gold was mined. Juneau’s surrounding beauty and natural wonders have attracted cruise ship travelers for over a century, with steamship companies bringing tourists here since the early 1880’s.

Day 14 - Skagway

Skagua, as it is known by the Tlingit, means” windy place.” Skagway, a place of many names, and much history is the northern terminus of the Alaska Marine Highway. It was known to thousands of hopeful gold rushers as the gateway to the gold fields. Skagway retains the flavor of the gold rush era and the character of such colorful inhabitants as Soapy Smith “King of the Frontier Con Men”; especially on Broadway, with its false-front buildings, and in the Trail of ‘98 Museum, with its outstanding collection of gold fever memorabilia.

Day 15 - Icy Strait (Hoonah)

Discover the frontier town of Icy Strait surrounded by nature in its unspoiled glory. Pine trees as tall as skyscrapers, humpback whales, eagles, wild salmon, black bears and more, form the harmonious tapestry of life in this Alaskan hinterland. Visit the Native Theater and Heritage Center to see Tlinglit tribal members enacting their history through song and dance. Also worthy of attention are the elaborately carved totem poles. Stroll over to the Cannery Museum and find out how this staple of the Alaskan diet is processed. Shop for locally made preserves, jewelry, wooden carvings, clothing, and bath products. Take a walk along the well-marked nature trail to Hoonah. Enjoy delicious and abundant seafood, Dungeness crab, salmon, shrimp and cod in this remarkable natural environment.

Day 17 - Anchorage, fly to the UK

This morning you will disembark your Alaska cruise in Anchorage, transfer to the airport and fly back to the UK.