Overview
Embark on this iconic 12-day circle route through the Great Bear Rainforest and Chilcotin regions of British Columbia. From Vancouver, travel to northern Vancouver Island including Telegraph Cove, Alert Bay, and Port Hardy. Explore the region with a day of sea kayaking, Indigenous-led grizzly bear and wildlife viewing, and a visit to the renowned U’Mista Cultural Centre.
From here, board the scenic full-day ferry through the world-famous Inside Passage to Bella Coola. Spend your days grizzly bear viewing on the Atnarko River, hiking and flightseeing in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, and visiting ancient petroglyphs and hot springs.
The road trip continues east to the Chilcotin region, Canada’s ‘wild west’, where the rugged landscapes and hospitality are unmatched. Stay at family-run lodges or extend your stay at a classic Guest Ranch, before making your way back to Vancouver through the scenic Sea to Sky highway.
Are you looking for more travel inspiration in Western Canada? Check out our full range of self-drive tours in BC & the Yukon.
Highlights
- Immerse in the Great Bear Rainforest with two unique grizzly bear & wildlife viewing tours – a full-day Indigenous-led boat trip from Alert Bay, and a half-day river float in Bella Coola.
- Embark on a half-day kayak excursion in the hands of expert guides, paddling through ocean coves and channels with the chance to see orca, humpback whales, sea lions, and other wildlife.
- Embrace the cultural mecca of Alert Bay with a visit to U’Mista Cultural Centre and the renowned potlatch collection.
- Spend an afternoon strolling the boardwalks of Telegraph Cove, a former fishing and cannery village.
- Sail along the world-famous Inside Passage with BC Ferries from Port Hardy to Bella Coola, through scenic islands, dense rainforest, and glacial fjords.
- Explore the stunning Bella Coola valley and Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, with endless hiking, boating adventures, Indigenous cultural tours, and more.
- Visit the iconic Hunlen Falls via floatplane, dropping 260m from the Turner Lakes chain above, where you’ll spend the afternoon hiking to various scenic viewpoints.
- Enjoy the scenic drive along the Chilcotin Plateau, BC’s ‘wild west’, and into the Coast Mountain Range and Sea to Sky Highway to Vancouver.
The Route
Min. Group Size
Activity Level
Related Tours
Yukon Winter at the Lake
Yukon Aurora Adventure
Day by Day Itinerary
Accommodation: Hotel (4*) | Meals included: n/a.
Accommodation: Lodge | Meals included: n/a.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast | Meals included: n/a.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast | Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel | Meals included: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Lodge | Meals included: n/a
Accommodation: Lodge | Meals included: n/a
Accommodation: Lodge | Meals included: n/a
Accommodation: Lodge | Meals included: n/a
Accommodation: Lodge | Meals included: n/a
Accommodation: B&B | Meals included: n/a
Meals included: Breakfast.
Included/Excluded
- All accommodation for 11 nights, including 1 night in Vancouver, 1 night in Telegraph Cove, 2 nights in Alert Bay, 1 night in Port Hardy, 3 nights in Bella Coola, 1 night in Nimpo Lake, 1 night near Williams Lake, and 1 night near Green Lake.
- 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch
- Sea kayaking tour on the Johnstone Strait (half-day)
- Indigenous-led grizzly bear and wildlife viewing tour from Alert Bay (full-day)
- U'Mista Cultural Centre entry (optional add-on: Artist-led tour of the galleries)
- Grizzly viewing float in Bella Coola (half-day)
- Floatplane tour & hike at Hunlen Falls (full-day)
- Ferries from Vancouver to Nanaimo, and Port Hardy to Bella Coola
- Custom itinerary design, local recommendations, and remote support from during your trip.
- Additional meals and add-on activities
- Flights to/from and within British Columbia
- Vehicle rental/usage and fuel
- Ferry to/from Alert Bay
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
Dates & Rates
Self-Guided Tours are fully customizable and available for any group size, based on availability. This itinerary includes locally-guided day tours. Your own vehicle is required for transportation.
Contact us to start planning!
We also offer guided tours on the North Island, West Chilcotin region, and Yukon Territory.
Tour Dates:
Dates on Request
Tour Rates (2025):
Per Person
$5,895
Based on double occupancy. Single supplement applicable. All prices are in Canadian dollars and subject to GST tax (5%).
Getting Here
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