Day 1: Victoria – Bella Coola
Check in at Vancouver Airport for the short Coastal Pacific flight to Bella Coola. On arrival at Bella Coola you will be met and transferred to Tweedsmuir Park Lodge, where you stay four nights in a premium view cabin (full-board basis).
Tweedsmuir Park Lodge
Tweedsmuir occupies a prime wilderness setting to the east of Bella Coola, on Canada’s Pacific coastline. Positioned at the junction of the Bella Coola, Atnarko and Talchako Valleys, it directly overlooks the Atnarko River, and also enjoys stunning views of the Mts. Stupendous and Mellikan.Tweedsmuir is a relatively small lodge, with just 10 forest chalets scattered around the lodge grounds and accommodating 2-4 guests each, ensuring an intimate stay. The chalets centre on a the main lounge, dining and guest area, which houses two bars (including a sports bar with billiards table) and dining room. The main building opens onto a wide viewing deck overlooking the river.
Separate to the main lodge is the spa building, housing yoga room, gymnasium, massage rooms and a outdoor hot tub overlooking the lodge grounds.
Start your wildlife-viewing this afternoon with a cruise on the Atnarko River. The cruise will see you follow the meandering river through dense forest and beneath tall peaks. This is a great chance to relax and get a feel for the environment, but do also keep your eyes peeled – during salmon-spawning season, grizzly bears can be seen hunting in the river! Black bears and river otter may also be spotted, albeit more rarely.
After the cruise, return to Tweedsmuir Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Bear-spotting in Tweedsmuir
Start the day with another river trip with the express purpose of looking for grizzly bear. The group size is restricted to 4 passengers per boat to provide a more intimate wildlife-viewing experience.
Bella Coola is home to the highest concentration of grizzly bears in North America. During the fall season they can reliably be seen in the Atnarko River as they hunt for salmon and put on weight for the winter hibernation.
Return to the lodge in the afternoon. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 3: Cultural tour of Bella Coola
Bella Coola is home to the Nuxalk First Nation peoples. The Nuxalk have inhabited the valley for thousands of years, and developed a vibrant culture which finds expression in totem poles, dance and ancient rock petroglyphs.
Today you’ll be able to learn more about the history of the Nuxalk people and the region in general. The day includes stops at an Nuxalk art gallery, the Bella Coola town site, and the harbour for a picnic lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy a walk on the famed Alexander MacKenzie loop trail, which commemorates the terminus of the first crossing of North America in 1793 and will offer yet more opportunities to see the local wildlife.
Day 4: Wildlife-viewing in Tweedsmuir
Start the day with another drift on the Atnarko River in search of grizzly bear, followed by a guided walk in the valley, during which your guide and tracker will show you how to identify bear tracks and claw marks while also keeping an eye out for other wildlife.
The day will also include plenty of stops at vantage points overlooking the river to view the spawning salmon and the bears and fish eagles in pursuit of them.
Day 5: Departure
Breakfast, and a leisurely morning in which you can relax on the lodge grounds and enjoy the view from the deck before departing for Bella Coola.
When ready, transfer to Bella Coola and check-in for the Coastal Pacific flight to Vancouver, where you can connect with your international flight home.
The Bears of Tweedsmuir
Grizzly Bear viewing in Bella Coola, British Columbia
The Bears of Tweedsmuir
Tweedsmuir is an attractive, family-style wilderness lodge nestled within Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, Bella Coola, BC. Constructed in the 1920s as a hunting lodge, it has since been renovated to accommodate those seeking out a more eco-friendly adventure, and now stands as one of the best grizzly bear-viewing locations in Canada.
Outline Itinerary
Price guide
Price based on two travellers in shared double/twin accommodation and subject to availability at the time of booking.
Pricing
5 days from £1995pp
Another successful Kilimanjaro climb!
My group of seven got along so well – we certainly supported each other. All seven of us summited!!
