Compare Whales & Bears of British Columbia by Exodus Travels vs The Canadian at Christmas by Great Rail Journeys

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 - FLY TO TORONTO
Toronto
We depart from London Heathrow for Toronto, arriving late afternoon for a three-night stay at the centrally located Fairmont Royal York Hotel. A favourite of our customers, this magnificent hotel was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway. When it officially opened in 1929, it was the tallest building in the British Commonwealth.

DAY 2 - GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR OF TORONTO
Ontario parliament
Our morning guided sightseeing tour is the ideal introduction to this friendly, multicultural city. Your afternoon is free to discover Toronto at your leisure. Perhaps take in Chinatown or Kensington Market, browse the hundreds of shops in the grand covered malls or visit the excellent Art Gallery of Ontario, with its wonderful collection by Canadian artists.

DAY 3 - AT LEISURE IN TORONTO
Toronto Downtown
Today you are free to spend the day at leisure, which gives you time to explore more highlights of Toronto, including Little India, Little Italy and Greektown. You could take a ride up the world famous CN tower, which has the world's highest public observation deck at 1,465 feet, as well as a revolving restaurant. Alternatively, you may wish to take a helicopter tour of the city.

DAY 4 - NIAGARA FALLS AND THE CANADIAN
Niagara Falls
A visit to the magnificent Niagara Falls is one of the highlights of any holiday to Canada. We enjoy lunch in the Falls View Restaurant of the Sheraton Hotel whilst admiring the views over the Falls. Niagara Falls are all the more dramatic in winter, when thick snow covers the ground and the water freezes into giant icicles. We then return to Toronto to board The Canadian and begin our unforgettable journey in Sleeper Plus Class through the majestic Rockies to Vancouver.

DAY 5 - THE CANADIAN SHIELD ON CHRISTMAS EVE
The Canadian
Our first full day on board is spent crossing the Canadian Shield - a wild land of frozen lakes, snow covered trees and isolated communities. Sleeper Touring Class guests enjoy use of the art-deco style Dome Car, its lounges and observation area. Here, you can relax with fellow travellers whilst taking in the passing scenery as you enjoy complimentary refreshments. During our journey, staff on board keep a watchful eye on the passing scenery, pointing out wildlife and points of interest.

DAY 6 - CHRISTMAS MORNING IN WINNIPEG
Winnipeg
We arrive in Winnipeg on Christmas Day, where the train stops for the morning, giving us the opportunity to explore this railway city and there is time for a festive stroll, known as the 'Gateway to the West'. Union Station was built in 1911 by the same architects as the famous Grand Central Station. The walls are faced with local limestone and studded with prehistoric fossils from the ancient seabeds that once covered the prairies. We continue westwards from Winnipeg where Christmas Dinner is served onboard the train, crossing the prairies and arrive in the province of Saskatchewan this evening.

DAY 7 - EDMONTON AND JASPER
The Rockies
After a brief stop at Edmonton in the morning, we begin the climb into the foothills of the Rockies, travelling through some truly spectacular scenery. Relax and enjoy the journey as we pass glaciers, lakes, plunging canyons, frozen waterfalls and soaring snow-covered peaks. The Rockies are not just a line of mountains, but the edge of the Western Cordillera, a complex array of plateaus and folded rock layers that stretch to the Pacific Coast. We make a short stop in Jasper, a quaint mountain town at the edge of the wilderness in the heart of the Rockies. The town is surrounded by tree covered mountains, blanketed in snow to create a fabulous setting. As you wander through the streets, past pretty houses and shops, it wouldn't be unusual to see a family of elk crossing the road.

DAY 8 - VANCOUVER
Vancouver
The Canadian arrives into Vancouver this morning. We leave the train after breakfast and transfer across the city by coach for a journey up Grouse Mountain by aerial tramway.

DAY 9 - AT LEISURE EXPLORING VANCOUVER
Vancouver
Vancouver enjoys a fabulous natural setting, with beautiful snow-covered mountains and deep fjords providing a dramatic backdrop to the urban landscape of modern skyscrapers. Today, we enjoy a guided tour of the city before a farewell dinner together at the 'Top of Vancouver', a revolving restaurant in a fabulous rooftop location with superb views of the city.

DAYS 10-11 - VANCOUVER TO LONDON
Flying home
You are free until the early evening to enjoy this fabulous city. We transfer to Vancouver airport for our overnight flight to London Heathrow, arriving early in the morning of Day 11.
PLEASE NOTE
Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.