Compare Whales & Bears of British Columbia by Exodus Travels vs Essential Ontario self-drive by Audley Travel
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 9 days | 11 days |
Price From | $ 6,285 | $ 3,007 |
Price Per Day | $ 698 | $ 273 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Small group tour | Private guided tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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Countries Visited | ||
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
Activities |
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Meals Included | Three breakfasts and four picnic lunches are included on this trip. For meals not included, you usually eat out in local restaurants recommended by the tour leader. To help you budget, meals cost on average: Hotel breakfasts: 15-20 Canadian dollars (US$11-US$15) Lunches: 20-25 dollars (US$15-US$19) Dinners: 30-50 dollars (US$23-US$38), this does not include alcoholic beverages Drinks cost on average: Wine: 15-20 dollars (US$11-15) per glass Beer: 8-12 dollars (US$6-US$9) per bottle A tip of approximately 17%-20% is added to group meals in Canadian restaurants. Applicable taxes will also be added to all listed menu prices. Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so our local team can be well prepared. | N/A |
Description |
‘Beautiful British Columbia’ proclaim the number plates, for once without hyperbole. Sensational wildlife regularly presents itself amid a backdrop of rugged scenery. Here, whale and bear watching is the big draw but seals, elk and beavers ensure a truly authentic British Columbian wildlife encounter. Our adventures take us to Vancouver Island, where we explore beaches and walk trails at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and we hope to see humpbacks, orcas, black bears and more.Discover the wildlife and rugged scenery of Western Canada |
Bear watching in coastal rainforests, glacier-strewn mountains, chasing the northern lights… On a tailor-made holiday to Canada with Audley, you’ll see the highlights — and much more — your way. We’ll design your ideal trip with you, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget. Our Canada specialists know the country inside out and can lead you to experiences you won’t find in a guidebook. |
Day 1 Start Vancouver
The adventure begins in Vancouver on Canada's west coast. If you have time, we recommend a stroll around this cosmopolitan city to get a feel for it. Treat yourself to moreish maple cookies in Stanley Park, a 990-acre (400ha) green wonderland where you can see authentic totem poles put up in the 1920s or sit in one of the cafes and enjoy a spot of people watching. A welcome briefing may be held this evening or tomorrow morning, in which we gather as a group and meet our tour leader. Accommodation: Holiday Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown (or similar)
Day 2 Morning ferry to Vancouver Island
In the morning, we head to the port for a ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, a 1hr 30min journey across the Strait of Georgia. On arrival in Nanaimo, we continue by road, stopping for a walk and picnic lunch at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park. Rathtrevor is known for its majestic old-growth woodland, beautiful ocean sunsets and a wide, sandy beach with picnic areas nestled amongst the trees. We then continue our drive to Ucluelet, our base for the next three nights. Today's travel time is approximately six hours. Accommodation: Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina (or similar)
Day 3 Pacific Rim National Park Reserve; boat excursion to observe grey and humpback whales
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is nestled between the mountains of the Vancouver Island range and the Pacific coastline. We walk inside the park this morning to admire the rich natural heritage of the west coast of Canada. The reserve has almost 10mi (16km) of sand and a huge collection of driftwood, while the next stop is Japan! We usually take the Nuu-Chah-Nulth trail to the beach and visit during low tide to explore some of the intertidal pools and rocky islands. You may see lime-green anemones and purple, brown and orange starfish. In the afternoon, we board Zodiacs with a naturalist guide who leads a 2hr 30min to three hour whale-observation excursion (depending on the low-tide schedule, this activity may take place earlier in the day). Our goal is to see humpback and grey whales, but it is also common to come across orcas, seals and sea lions among the rocky headlands. Today’s driving time should not exceed two hours. Accommodation: Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina (or similar)
Day 4 Rainforest Figure Eight trail; boat excursion to observe black bears
Today our leader will take us on an easy hike on the Rainforest Figure Eight trail, an hour-long walk along wooden boardwalks through the majestic forest. This is a peaceful trail and we will be surrounded by a dense foliage of ferns, Western Red Cedar and Western Hemlock trees. Keep your eyes peeled for birdlife - our tour leaders have reported sightings of Steller's jays and Rufous hummingbirds! Late this afternoon, we board Zodiacs for a 2hr 30min expedition to observe black bears and bald eagles (depending on the low-tide schedule, this activity may take place earlier in the day). In the wilderness of Clayoquot Sound, black bears search for crabs and clams on the rocky beaches. We travel the fjord inlet by Zodiac, looking in sheltered bays and stopping to see any black bears we find from the comfort of our vessel. Accommodation: Canadian Princess Lodge & Marina (or similar)
Day 5 To Campbell River and Cathedral Grove Provincial Park
Depart Ucluelet and drive for four hours to Campbell River on the north shore of Vancouver Island. Campbell River is known as the salmon capital of the world for its hugely impressive salmon runs, where five species of Pacific salmon swim the river. It has been designated a Heritage River for its importance in British Columbia; following the fish are bears, seals, kingfishers and eagles. This afternoon, we stop at Cathedral Grove Provincial Park to see the last remains of the temperate rainforest that covered the island more than a 1,000 years ago. This is one of the most accessible areas of giant Douglas fir trees in the province and there are many trails enabling us to meander through Douglas fir, western hemlock, grand fir and western red cedar trees. Accommodation: Painter’s Lodge (or similar)
Day 6 Boat excursion to Orford River to observe grizzly bears
Board a covered boat for a full-day excursion to the Orford River area (on the mainland of British Columbia) to observe grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Conservative estimates suggest there are 10,000 grizzly (brown) bears in British Columbia, with 92 percent of the original habitat of grizzlies still occupied. The abundance of spawning salmon in the Orford River at this time of year brings grizzlies down to feast. A two-hour journey by boat with a spectacular backdrop of mountainous scenery brings us to the mouth of the Orford River. From here, we take a short bus journey inland, where there are five viewing platforms from which to spot the bears. We visit one or sometimes two of these platforms, where we hope to observe the bears catching and feeding on salmon, sometimes with cubs in tow. On the boat journey to and from the Orford River, we may also see black bears, orcas, humpback and grey whales, dolphins, porpoises and sea lions. Accommodation: Painter’s Lodge (or similar)
Day 7 Quadra Island for hiking or optional sea kayaking
Board a ferry for a 10-minute journey across the Discovery Passage to Quadra Island, where we spend the day exploring the island trails and beaches by foot. Our leader will determine the best trail based on the group's preference and ability, but options include the Shallaligan Pass Trail along Quadra Island's coastline, which offers panoramic ocean views, or the Heriot Ridge Trail that passes through the bush and out onto a ridge for coastal views galore. There is also an optional three-hour sea kayaking excursion from Quadra Island. Accompanied by kayak and marine life observation guides, there is never a dull moment as we paddle by kayak around Quadra Island – we could see soaring eagles, oystercatchers, herons, cormorants, gulls and, if lucky, seals, sea lions, dolphins and porpoises. The mountain views offer a stunning backdrop to this excursion, which is suitable for beginners. Accommodation: Painter’s Lodge (or similar)
Day 8 Transfer to Victoria; whale-watching in the Salish Sea
We drive for around four hours to Victoria, capital of British Columbia. Victoria is well-known for its colourful gardens, British architecture and arts scene. In the afternoon, we have one final wildlife-viewing opportunity as we embark on a whale-watching excursion from Victoria, where orcas, humpback whales and sea lions are often spotted in the waters of the Salish Sea. A certified marine naturalist will accompany us in the Zodiac boat, helping to spot wildlife and providing background information on the species we observe. Accommodation: Huntingdon Manor (or similar)
Day 9 Ferry to Vancouver; orientation tour and end Vancouver
It's an early start on our final day in British Columbia as we take the ferry (approximately 1.5 hours) across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver. Our leader will take us on a guided orientation tour of the city then there's free time to explore Vancouver at your leisure. Those on Land Only arrangements may choose stay longer in the vibrant city of Victoria. Please speak to your sales representative if you'd like to add post-tour nights in Victoria or Vancouver.
Day 1 : Toronto
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Toronto. On arrival in Toronto, make your own way to your hotel, which is ideally located in the heart of the city. You'll have the rest of the day to start exploring Ontario's vibrant provincial capital.
Day 2 : Toronto
Toronto is a city of diverse neighbourhoods, and this morning you'll join a two hour guided tour of Kensington Market - one of the most eclectic regions of the city.Afterwards, you're at leisure to continue exploring. You might like to travel to the top of the iconic CN Tower, take a ferry out to the Toronto Islands, or visit to the historic Distillery District.
Day 3 : Toronto
You'll be collected from your hotel this morning and join a small group tour to see the magnificent Niagara Falls. These vast waterfalls are around an hour and a half from Toronto, and your guide will explain the history of the area during the drive. Arriving in Niagara, you'll board the famous Hornblower cruise, which takes passengers for a close-up view of the thundering water, right to the foot of the falls. Plastic ponchos are provided. After some time at leisure you'll then be taken to the pretty historic town of Niagara on the Lake, where you'll have the opportunity to visit one of its excellent wineries, before returning to Toronto at the end of the day.
Day 4 : Kingston
Make your own way to the downtown depot to collect your hire car, which will be ready and waiting for you. All insurances, a road map and a sat-nav are included in your car hire package. Your first drive takes you three hours east along the shoreline of Lake Ontario to Kingston â most notable for its proud colonial history. After checking into your hotel, you have time at leisure to explore this charming collegiate town.
Day 5 : Kingston
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Kingston - you might like to explore its harbourfront, visit one of its many art galleries and museums, or learn more about Canadian history at the Fort Henry National Historic Site.
Day 6 : Ottawa
Make the short drive over to Gananoque this morning in time for your next excursion. This sleepy town is the gateway to the picturesque Thousand Islands region of Lake Ontario, which you will explore on a guided one hour cruise.From here, continue on to Canada's capital city, Ottawa, where you'll have some time to explore under your own steam this afternoon.
Day 7 : Ottawa
Join a small group walking tour this morning, which offers a comprehensive overview of Ottawa's highlights, including the National War Memorial, Parliament Hill and Byward Market.
Day 8 : Algonquin Provincial Park
Today's three hour drive takes you west out of Ottawa to the breathtaking natural scenery of Algonquin Provincial Park. Algonquin was the first of Ontario's protected parks and is home to an abundance of wildlife, including moose, wolves, beavers and black bears. For the next two nights you will be staying in a log cabin in the heart of the park.
Day 9 : Algonquin Provincial Park
The day is yours to explore Algonquin under your own steam. Hike one of the park's rewarding walking trails, or hire a canoe and paddle along Algonquin's remote inlets and secluded beaches that are only accessible from the water. If you're staying on a Thursday night in August, join an communal 'wolf howl', which is arranged by the park's authorities to illicit spine-tingling responses from wolves in the area.
Day 10 : International return flight
Enjoy a final morning at leisure in Algonquin before making the three hour drive back to Toronto in time for your onward flight.
Day 11 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.