Compare Whales & Bears of British Columbia by Exodus Travels vs Yukon Adventure by Great Canadian Trails

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: Whitehorse

Welcome to Whitehorse! Upon arrival, make your way to the downtown hotel using the hotel's complimentary shuttle. Named after the rapids on the Yukon River which resembled the flowing manes of charging white horses, the territory's capital was a First Nations’ campsite until the Gold Rush brought tens of thousands of gold-seekers on their way to the Klondike. This evening is free to explore the historic town and its quaint Main Street.

Day 2: Carcross Day Hike (4-5hrs, 9km)

Today we will hit the road and go south down the Klondike highway, to the First Nation community of Carcross, once known as 'Caribou Crossing'. In Carcross, we will climb the Sam McGee Trail, a historic and rewarding hike. The trail was originally made to service the tramway built in 1905 by Sam McGee for a silver mining operation and there remain many remnants of the tramway and mining artifacts along the trail. The hike has an elevation of 618m, is 9km long, and takes 4-5 hours. The mountain and lake views from the top are sure to amaze. We return to our hotel in Whitehorse for overnight.

Day 3: Visit and Hike in Kluane National Park (4hrs, 14km)

Today, you will have the opportunity to experience the beauty of Kluane National Park and Reserve. Truly a dream hiking destination, Kluane offers an alpine and subalpine landscape for hikers of all levels. At 22,000 square kilometres, the park is half the size of the Netherlands. It’s also home to Canada’s highest mountain, Mount Logan, and the largest non-polar icefields on Earth. Wildflowers bloom in abundance during summer, and in the fall, the aspen forests and alpine create an unforgettable display of colour. After a stop at the visitor's centre, we enjoy an easy afternoon hike on the Thunderegg Creek Trail; a good half-day hike that gives us a closer look at Kluane’s famous mountains, following along an old exploration road with open views of the Alsek Valley. The trail is 14km long with minimal elevation gain, and takes approximately 4 hours ending at the namesake sphere-shaped 'thunder egg' rocks. We spend the next 2 nights at a comfortable inn in the community of Haines Junction, conveniently located on the edge of the national park.

Day 4: Kluane National Park Full-Day Hike (6.5-8hrs, 15km)

We have a full day to truly experience majestic Kluane, as we are spoiled with trail options in this incredible park. Depending on local conditions and the group's interest/abilities, we may choose Sheep Creek trail which offers incredible mountain views and wildlife spotting opportunities. Sheep Creek is 15km long, has a 1100m elevation gain, and takes approximately 6.5 hours. Alternatively, we can consider the famous but difficult King’s Throne on Kathleen Lake, which has an elevation gain of 1250m, is 15km long, and takes approximately 8 hours. The views of the surrounding valleys and Kathleen Lake are absolutely breathtaking. This evening we return to Haines Junction for dinner (not included) and overnight.

Day 5: Half-Day Hike and Takhini Hot Springs

In the morning, we will have time for another short hike. We will decide on which one based on how we feel after the last two days. In the afternoon, we will return to Whitehorse and make our way to the Takhini Hot Pools to relax in the healing waters after hiking through Kluane. Rich in minerals, the natural hot springs have been in operation for over 100 years. This evening we have another opportunity to take time to explore Whitehorse and get to know the capital. Overnight downtown hotel.

Day 6: Paddling the Yukon River (5-7hrs)

It's time for a canoe trip down the Yukon River – this trip is one of the highlight experiences of the Yukon! The Yukon River presents excellent opportunities to spot unique wildlife and to see the Yukon from a different perspective. We paddle for about 5-7 hours down the historic river between its beginning near Marsh Lake, through Mile's Canyon, and to Schwatka Lake (2 people per canoe, no paddling experience required). From here, we return to Whitehorse for a celebratory farewell dinner and final night in the capital.

Day 7: Whitehorse

Today marks the end of our adventure. Take advantage of the hotel's free airport shuttle and have a safe onward journey!