Compare Whales & Bears of British Columbia by Exodus Travels vs Canada in the Fall by Titan Travel

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 Liverpool
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to Liverpool, where our staff will greet you and assist with embarking Black Watch (3T+) in preparation for a late evening sailing.

Day 2 Killybegs, Ireland
Our first stop en route to the Atlantic is Killybegs, on Ireland’s west coast. Spend a couple of hours wandering this charming town and picturesque fishing harbour, or head out on an optional excursion into the green heart of Donegal.

Days 3-6 At sea
In November 2016 Black Watch entered dry dock for a multi-million pound renovation - now this characterful ship is better than ever, renewed and revitalised. Settle back, relax and enjoy the fine facilities as Black Watch crosses the north Atlantic.

Day 7 St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada
The capital city of Newfoundland & Labrador has a history as colourful as its brightly painted hillside houses - discover it for yourself on this engaging port day, and perhaps strike out in search of puffins, whales and other wildlife wonders.

Day 8 At sea
Black Watch continues her journey to Nova Scotia.

Day 9 Halifax, Nova Scotia
Halifax is a buzzing, forward-looking city, but one with a healthy respect for its past. 18th century Fort George is considered so important than new buildings are not allowed to obstruct views of the hill upon which it stands, and a visit to nearby Peggy’s Cove, with its iconic lighthouse, lobster fishery and bustling harbour, is like stepping back in time.

Day 10 At sea
Black Watch sails on to Prince Edward Island.

Day 11 Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is ‘Anne of Green Gables’ country, and this port day invites you to discover the pastoral beauty that inspired this much-loved classic and simply soak up the significant history and enthralling heritage of Charlottetown, known as the ‘birthplace of Canada’. Ship to shore tender service.

Day 12 At sea
Black Watch continues to the Canadian mainland and sets sail along the St Lawrence River.

Day 13 Baie-Comeau
Baie-Comeau is something of a hidden gem; a peaceful city in spectacular natural surroundings - encouraging appreciation of the St Lawrence and Manicouagan rivers, and the Jardin des Glaciers, a landscape shaped by colossal ice sheets now designated a World Biosphere Reserve. Ship to shore tender service.

Day 14 Saguenay
Saguenay is where many Quebecois come to hike and kayak, but you don’t need to exert too much energy to enjoy this particular slice of the great outdoors. With a shallow, krill-rich river, it is the perfect place for whale watching, and a cruise along the Saguenay Fjord takes you into some of Canada’s most breathtakingly scenic regions.

Day 15 Québec City
The only walled city on the American continent north of Mexico, Québec City wears its history with pride. With Francophone residents and grand chateau-like architecture, it has a distinctly European feel, and a tour of the fortifications and old town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is highly recommended. Nearby, the impressive 83-metre high Montmorency Falls also richly rewards a visit.

Day 16 Trois-Rivières
Almost completely destroyed by fire a little over a century ago, Trois-Rivières has since blossomed into one of Canada’s busiest, most exciting and cosmopolitan cities. There are plenty of museums here celebrating the region’s industries, along with splendid views of the St Lawrence River and the mysterious world of the Boréalis underground vault.

Day 17 Montréal
Perfectly blending Gallic tradition and joie de vivre with North American innovation and optimism, Montréal is an icon of world travel. The only challenge of a visit is how to spend your day with so much to see and do. Will it be the Botanical Gardens, the Biosphere environment museum, the Olympic stadium or one of 50 National Historic Sites? Or will you head out into the glorious Laurentian Mountains for unforgettable ‘fall colours’ views?

Day 18 At sea
Black Watch makes its return journey along the St Lawrence River.

Day 19 Havre St Pierre
Havre St Pierre is quintessential rural Canada - a French-speaking fishing and lumbering town on the edge of breathtaking wilderness. Don’t miss the chance to discover the mesmerising Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada, set over 30 limestone islands and 1,000 granite islets on the northern shore of the Gulf of St Lawrence.

Day 20 Corner Brook
A fitting final stop in Canada, Corner Brook is an historic Newfoundland city set on land surveyed by Captain James Cook in 1767, an event commemorated with a monument on Crow Hill. There is never a dull day downtown, with shops, restaurants, bars and galleries to visit, though the adventurous may choose instead the year-round outdoor pursuits of Marble Mountain ski resort. Ship to shore tender service.

Days 21-25 At sea
Reflect on an amazing itinerary as Black Watch makes her return journey across the Atlantic.

Day 26 Belfast, UK
But there is one last treat in store - a stop in Belfast, a city which has moved away from the troubles of its past to become one of the most exciting places to visit in the British Isles. Will you explore the Botanical Gardens or the superb Titanic Experience, admire the views from Belfast Castle, or journey along the coast to the stunning, UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway?

Day 27 Liverpool
We disembark after breakfast and you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.