Compare Whales & Bears of British Columbia by Exodus Travels vs Exploring the Arctic Land of the Caribou by Hurtigruten

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: St. Johns, Newfoundland

St. John's is the oldest and most easterly city in North America, and it is said that this is where heritage lives. With its narrow streets and hidden alleyways, the city is full of character. We recommend that you explore this historic town, with its striking twin clock towers of the Basilica of St. John the Baptist, before you embark on your adventure.

Day 2: St. Pierre and Miquelon

Even though Paris is around 2,500 miles away, the people living in St Pierre and Miquelon are very proud to be French. The islands are part of the French Republic and are, in fact, the country's oldest overseas territory. Today, you can enjoy a taste of the typical French way of life with nice bistros, cafés, wine, cheese, baguettes, chocolates and pastries. 

Day 3: At sea

Enjoy a day at sea. There will be lectures on various topics or you can spend some time on deck enjoying the wildlife we'll see on our journey.

Day 4: Gros Morne National Park

The Gros Morne National Park is one of the highlights of a trip to Newfoundland. The landscape, with its deep valleys, steep cliffs, sandy beaches and spectacular fjord system, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Moose, caribou, foxes, black bears, ptarmigans and eagles are all a very common sight here. A visit to the higher regions of this ancient landscape will be unforgettable.

Day 5: Red Bay

Between 1550 and the early 17th century, Red Bay was a centre for Basque whaling operations. During the whaling heyday up to 2,500 whalers came on 50 ships from France and Spain for the whale-hunting season. The discovery of the wrecks of whale-hunting galleons and chalupas has made Red Bay one of the most exquisite underwater archaeological sites in America. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you feel like going treasure hunting while we are here, local legend has it that the infamous pirate Captain Kidd hid some of his treasure in the 'Pond on the Hill'.

Day 6: L'anse Aux Meadows, Newfoundland

In L'Anse aux Meadows, you'll find the first known evidence of European presence in America. It is here that a Norse expedition built a small camp around 1,000 years ago. In 1960, two Norwegian archaeologists started excavating in this area and discovered the fascinating remains of this Viking camp. In 1979, L´Anse aux Meadows became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the recreated camp, you can see original artefacts from this internationally renowned archaeological find.

Day 7: Battle Harbour

Located on the edge of the Labrador Sea, Battle Harbour is a nature lover's paradise. For two centuries, it was the economic and social centre of the southeast Labrador coast. Today, it is a wilderness adventure destination, where you can encounter whales, dolphins, seabirds, Arctic foxes, icebergs and the spectacular island scenery on one of our hikes or boat tours.

Day 8: Cruising the Coast of Labrador

We will spend three days sailing along the coast of Labrador and exploring this area. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking along the trails and the countless miles of wilderness to explore, while others will appreciate learning more about the history, cultures and traditions of the area at the numerous his­toric sites we will visit.

Day 9: Cruising the Coast of Labrador

One of the places we may visit is Red Bay. The discovery of the wrecks of whale-hunting galleons and chalupas has made Red Bay one of the most exquisite underwater archaeological sites in America. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 10: Cruising the Coast of Labrador

We may also visit the picturesque town of Rigolet, the southernmost Inuit community in the world. This small, isolated town has a population of just 300 and cannot be accessed by road. However, it is accessible by ship all year around, and in wintertime also via snowmobile. We offer several outings here: You can explore the beautiful waters in a speedboat or go fishing, riding or whale watching. We may also visit Hopedale, originally the Inuit settlement of Agvituk, meaning 'the place of the whales', and Hebron, a former Moravian mission and the northernmost settlement in Labrador.

Day 11: Torngat Mountains National Park

The spectacular wilderness of Torngat Mountains National Park comprises 3,700 square miles in Northern Labrador Mountains.

Day 12: Torngat Mountains National Park

The peaks of the Torngat Mountains National Park are dotted with remnant glaciers. The landscape was formed during the last ice age and features steep fjord systems rising up to 900 metres directly out of the sea. It is truly rough and wild. 

Day 13: Torngat Mountains National Park

Today, the Inuit people continue to use this area for hunting, fishing and travelling throughout the year. Torngait, means 'place of spirits', and the Torngat Mountains have been home to the Inuit and their predecessors for 7,000 years, as we can see from archaeological sites in the area.

Day 14: Torngat Mountains National Park

You might get to see polar bears hunting seals along the coast, the Torngat Mountain and George River caribou herds crossing paths as they migrate to and from their calving grounds or any number of moose, foxes, wolves and black bears that are native to the park.

Day 15: Kuujjuaq/Montreal

Your adventure ends in Quebec's Arctic region – an immense, pristine territory lying north of the 55th parallel. Experience the Nunavik Inuit’s corner of the world, and maybe see the distinctive characteristics of their cultural and linguistic heritage, art and history, as well as traditional clothing and tools before you fly to Montreal.