Overview
In the remote valleys of the Coast Range on Canada’s far western edge, the planet’s oldest and tallest trees rise along salmon-studded rivers that rush to the Pacific. Thousand-year-old cedars and Sitka spruce soaring 350 feet into the rain clouds provide shelter for the pale spirit bear of Native legend. Just a few hundred of these rarely seen bears live in this isolated wilderness, and we go in search of them with local Gitga’at guides, First Nations people who have lived among them for millennia. Here, too, are grizzlies and wolves, and bald eagles nest atop ancient conifers while deer and elk browse the undergrowth. Humpback whales and porpoises ply the jade-green fjords. We join them as we sail a maze of inlets in British Columbia’s Inside Passage—a wilderness voyage into the Great Bear Rainforest, one of Earth’s most magnificent, pristine and at-risk natural realms.
Trip Highlights
- Gain Intimate Access Via Private Yacht Aboard our privately chartered sailboat, explore remote reaches of the world’s largest remaining tract of virgin temperate rainforest, which blankets the Coast Range
- See More Wildlife with Expert Guides Look for prolific marine life, grizzlies and black bears, and search the Great Bear Rainforest for the mystical spirit bear with an Indigenous Gitga'at guide
- Watch Humpback Whales at Close Range See humpback whales feed and breach as we weave through the sheltered waters of some of the most pristine coastal wilderness on Earth
Itinerary
Our British Columbia wilderness adventure begins in Vancouver, where we board our group flight north to Terrace in the lush Skeena River Valley. On arrival, transfer to Kitimat on Minnette Bay where our hotel awaits in the heart of town. This evening, gather with our Expedition Leader for a welcome dinner and orientation.
This morning, board the sailing ketch that will be our home for the next seven nights. Once we meet the crew and settle into our private cabins, lunch is served aboard as we depart Kitimat harbor. Signs of civilization are soon behind us as we enter the sheltered inlets and estuaries of the Great Bear Rainforest, stopping each night in a different secluded anchorage.
This ancient ecosystem is one of the largest tracts of temperate rainforest left on Earth, harboring thousand-year-old cedar trees and Sitka spruce that soar 350 feet into the clouds. Rich salmon streams weave through valley bottoms, providing food for eagles, orcas, wolves, grizzlies, black bears, and the mystical creamy-white Kermode bear, also known as the "spirit bear." Cruising south down Douglas Channel, we reach a remote valley deep within the Coast Range where we go ashore in hopes of catching our first look at a black bear or grizzly. Amid the towering mountains and waterfalls cascading from sheer rock walls, look for bald eagles gliding overhead. Continuing down the fjord, keep an eye out from the deck for humpback whales. These charismatic mammals, which can grow to 50 feet and weigh 40 tons, may entertain us with breaching, spy-hopping or slapping their flippers. They congregate to feed in these waters in late summer and fall before their winter migration to the warm Pacific waters of Hawaii. We may also spot porpoises and Steller sea lions, and possibly orcas.
This morning, board the sailing ketch that will be our home for the next seven nights. Once we meet the crew and settle into our private cabins, lunch is served aboard as we depart Kitimat harbor. Signs of civilization are soon behind us as we enter the sheltered inlets and estuaries of the Great Bear Rainforest, stopping each night in a different secluded anchorage.
This ancient ecosystem is one of the largest tracts of temperate rainforest left on Earth, harboring thousand-year-old cedar trees and Sitka spruce that soar 350 feet into the clouds. Rich salmon streams weave through valley bottoms, providing food for eagles, orcas, wolves, grizzlies, black bears, and the mystical creamy-white Kermode bear, also known as the "spirit bear." Cruising south down Douglas Channel, we reach a remote valley deep within the Coast Range where we go ashore in hopes of catching our first look at a black bear or grizzly. Amid the towering mountains and waterfalls cascading from sheer rock walls, look for bald eagles gliding overhead. Continuing down the fjord, keep an eye out from the deck for humpback whales. These charismatic mammals, which can grow to 50 feet and weigh 40 tons, may entertain us with breaching, spy-hopping or slapping their flippers. They congregate to feed in these waters in late summer and fall before their winter migration to the warm Pacific waters of Hawaii. We may also spot porpoises and Steller sea lions, and possibly orcas.
Continuing southward, our boat follows the indented shoreline of Princess Royal Island. This is the best-known area for catching a glimpse of the rare spirit bear, whose name reflects its legendary status among the Tsimshian peoples as a creature to be revered. Spirit bears are actually a unique subspecies of North American black bear, in which about one in every 10 bears is cream-colored due to a recessive gene. Over the next two days we're joined by a local Gitga’at Indigenous guide within the protected bounds of the Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy. Our guide knows this terrain intimately and will help us search for the pale bears along the creeks and estuaries, against the evergreen backdrop.
Though research remains inconclusive, perhaps only a few hundred spirit bears are thought to exist, living exclusively along this wild portion of the British Columbia coast. The campaign to save the Great Bear Rainforest has heightened efforts to conserve this habitat from further logging and oil pipeline development that threaten the bears' future. The Gitga’at people are passionate about protecting the bears and their habitat, and without their stewardship, we would not have access to this special place. Our Gitga’at guide spends hours in this forest looking for the bears every day and is familiar with their behavior, sharing his experiences and stories with us. He will lead us to the area where spirit bears have most recently been spotted, and with patience and perseverance we’ll hope to see these secretive creatures, as well as conventional black bears, which we see frequently, along with grizzly bears.
Continuing southward, our boat follows the indented shoreline of Princess Royal Island. This is the best-known area for catching a glimpse of the rare spirit bear, whose name reflects its legendary status among the Tsimshian peoples as a creature to be revered. Spirit bears are actually a unique subspecies of North American black bear, in which about one in every 10 bears is cream-colored due to a recessive gene. Over the next two days we're joined by a local Gitga’at Indigenous guide within the protected bounds of the Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy. Our guide knows this terrain intimately and will help us search for the pale bears along the creeks and estuaries, against the evergreen backdrop.
Though research remains inconclusive, perhaps only a few hundred spirit bears are thought to exist, living exclusively along this wild portion of the British Columbia coast. The campaign to save the Great Bear Rainforest has heightened efforts to conserve this habitat from further logging and oil pipeline development that threaten the bears' future. The Gitga’at people are passionate about protecting the bears and their habitat, and without their stewardship, we would not have access to this special place. Our Gitga’at guide spends hours in this forest looking for the bears every day and is familiar with their behavior, sharing his experiences and stories with us. He will lead us to the area where spirit bears have most recently been spotted, and with patience and perseverance we’ll hope to see these secretive creatures, as well as conventional black bears, which we see frequently, along with grizzly bears.
Continuing southward, our boat follows the indented shoreline of Princess Royal Island. This is the best-known area for catching a glimpse of the rare spirit bear, whose name reflects its legendary status among the Tsimshian peoples as a creature to be revered. Spirit bears are actually a unique subspecies of North American black bear, in which about one in every 10 bears is cream-colored due to a recessive gene. Over the next two days we're joined by a local Gitga’at Indigenous guide within the protected bounds of the Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy. Our guide knows this terrain intimately and will help us search for the pale bears along the creeks and estuaries, against the evergreen backdrop.
Though research remains inconclusive, perhaps only a few hundred spirit bears are thought to exist, living exclusively along this wild portion of the British Columbia coast. The campaign to save the Great Bear Rainforest has heightened efforts to conserve this habitat from further logging and oil pipeline development that threaten the bears' future. The Gitga’at people are passionate about protecting the bears and their habitat, and without their stewardship, we would not have access to this special place. Our Gitga’at guide spends hours in this forest looking for the bears every day and is familiar with their behavior, sharing his experiences and stories with us. He will lead us to the area where spirit bears have most recently been spotted, and with patience and perseverance we’ll hope to see these secretive creatures, as well as conventional black bears, which we see frequently, along with grizzly bears.
Spend two full days exploring the Fiordland Conservancy, deep within the Coast Range, which offers some of the most dramatic examples of glacially forged landscapes on the BC coast. Sheer granite cliffs rise more than 3,000 feet, and waterfalls plummet from their faces into the sea. Navigating the jade-green fjords, we explore remote estuaries up close, hoping to see grizzly bears attracted by spawning salmon. The combination of lush vegetation and salmon-rich streams makes Fiordland ideal grizzly habitat. Black bears are also prolific in these ancient forests, and we keep an eye out for wolves, too, though they are elusive. Gain another vantage point on these protected waters as we explore via stable sea kayaks carried on board. On daily shore excursions, our Expedition Leader helps identify various trees and plants, and interested guests can keep a species list for the trip. At low tide, search the shoreline for colorful sea stars, anemones and algae.
Spend two full days exploring the Fiordland Conservancy, deep within the Coast Range, which offers some of the most dramatic examples of glacially forged landscapes on the BC coast. Sheer granite cliffs rise more than 3,000 feet, and waterfalls plummet from their faces into the sea. Navigating the jade-green fjords, we explore remote estuaries up close, hoping to see grizzly bears attracted by spawning salmon. The combination of lush vegetation and salmon-rich streams makes Fiordland ideal grizzly habitat. Black bears are also prolific in these ancient forests, and we keep an eye out for wolves, too, though they are elusive. Gain another vantage point on these protected waters as we explore via stable sea kayaks carried on board. On daily shore excursions, our Expedition Leader helps identify various trees and plants, and interested guests can keep a species list for the trip. At low tide, search the shoreline for colorful sea stars, anemones and algae.
Our voyage ends in Bella Bella, an isolated village on the central coast of British Columbia that is the traditional home of the Heiltsuk First Nations people. Here, we disembark and transfer to the small airport for our group flight to Vancouver, to connect with onward departures.
Please Note: Trips operating in the reverse direction, from Bella Bella to Terrace, will include the same destinations in reverse order and will conclude in Terrace. However, this itinerary is meant as a guideline. The exact nature, duration and order of activities will be determined by weather, tides, permits, the location of wildlife and our guides' discretion. The itinerary above details the typical route between Terrace and Bella Bella.
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Included
- Accommodations, services of Nat Hab's professional Expedition Leader(s), local guides and boat crew, all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day, some alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, airport transfers in Bella Bella or Terrace on Day 1 and final day, all activities and entrance fees, all taxes, permits and service fees.
Not Included
- Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip, some alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees (if any), optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry and internet, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes (if any), required medical evacuation insurance, optional travel protection insurance.
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