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There are few places in the world where so much magnificent wildlife, scenery and native culture can be experienced from one location. Knight Inlet is such a place. Situated 100 air miles northwest of Vancouver, in the heart of the great bear rainforest, Knight Inlet Lodge offers guests spectacular scenery and wildlife amidst tree-lined shores and snow-capped mountains.

Located 80 kilometres, or 50 air miles, north of Campbell River, British Columbia, is a wild and remote area of the Pacific Northwest known as Knight Inlet. As the longest fjord on the B.C. coast, Knight Inlet offers visitors spectacular scenery set against a backdrop of dramatic mountain peaks plunging into the Pacific Ocean. Situated 60 kilometres from the mouth of the inlet is Knight Inlet Lodge. The floating lodge, tucked into Glendale Cove, offers one of the few protected anchorages in the inlet, and it is here that you will begin each day's adventure
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Glendale Cove is home to one of the largest concentrations of grizzly (brown) bears in British Columbia. It is not uncommon for there to be up to 50 bears within 10 kilometres of the lodge in the peak fall season, when the salmon are returning to the river. Although they are abundant in the fall, it is not the only season that grizzly bears can be found in Glendale Cove.

The Bear Viewing Seasons
Starting in late April the bears return to the estuary from hibernation and start the year off feeding on the sedges, succulents, grasses and barnacles that abound in the estuary. This luxuriant spring growth provides the basic nutritional needs for the bears and this draws the bears from the mountains down to the estuary. This is the time to see the tiny cubs emerge with their ever-cautious mothers in close proximity.

In the summer the berry crop is very heavy and this helps keeps the bears in the general area. You do not get the high numbers of the spring and late summer/fall season viewing, but you can usually see some bears every day.

View the Bears Safely
How you view the bears differs from season to season. In the spring, set out in boats to get close (50 meters) to the shore to have a good view of the bears feeding, but remaining far enough away as to not disturb them.

The early summer program continues on the water as well, but if the opportunity arises there may be a chance of using purpose-built tree stands.
By mid-August viewing moves to platforms at the spawning channel, as well as continuing to use the tree and river stands. In all of the viewing programs guest safety is of utmost importance. The aim is to see the bears in their natural environment without having a negative impact on them.

More Than Just Bears
As well as bear viewing, there are a number of other tours available from the lodge. A marine wildlife tour is offered in all of the seasons but it changes greatly as the seasons change. In the spring, travel throughout the inlet viewing the seals, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins and the occasional minke whale that may travel though these waters.

From July onwards, tours have the added attraction of the orca (killer) whale and you may journey to the world famous Johnstone Strait, you are almost assured of spending some great viewing time with these magnificent marine mammals. Not only do you view the whales, but also the tour includes all of the spring marine viewing as well, so the program lasts for up to 10 hours.

In September, add the humpback whale to the list of marine mammals as they start to arrive from Alaska on their way to Hawaii. The viewing of these gentle giants is infrequent, but when it does happen, it is spectacular.

In addition, there are estuary tours, Knight Inlet boat tours, Jetboat tours up the Kliniklini River, excursions to the upper reaches of Knight Inlet, and day trips to the Thompson and Bond Sounds. These offer great photographic opportunities whether the viewing is of birds, bears, other wildlife or scenery.

In order to fully experience all that Knight Inlet has to offer, a minimum stay of 2 nights at the lodge, is recommended. (i.e The 3 night package)

The Lodge
The rustic lodge floats on the ocean, nestled in the only protected cover on the 100 mile long inlet. The only neighbours are the bears, mountain goats, otters, seals and eagles that all make the inlet their home.

The lodge is an assortment of construction styles dating from the early 1940's, when the original float housed a logging camp. Recent construction has provided modern buildings for guest accommodation. In the Palace, the Native House and the Lair, all of the rooms are cedar panelled and have private bathrooms for our guests' comfort. Most of the rooms have one double/queen/king bed and a twin bed. Most of the guest buildings have lounges with wood burning stoves in them, for relaxing in the evening or on a cool day. At full capacity the lodge will hold 30 guests in twelve rooms, but 24 - 26 is the average occupancy.

Rooms are all comfortably furnished in west coast style and feature cedar panelling, bold coloured duvets and private ensuite bathrooms. The rooms are grouped into several buildings - The Palace, Native House, Den, Lair. Most buildings provide a common lounge area with a wood burning stove. The lodge also features an outdoor hot tub with spectacular ocean front views.

Meals at the Lodge
Meals at the lodge are included in all packages and are a highlight in themselves.

The Knight Inlet Lodge dining room is home to bountiful and sumptuous West Coast and Continental cuisine, with delicious daily specials, fine wines and sinful desserts. They often feature crab, salmon and prawn harvested fresh from the pristine glacier fed waters of Knight Inlet. With fresh ingredients flown in daily and with expert chefs, this is a dining experience that receives almost as many compliments as the bear viewing!

With advance notice they are able to accommodate most dietary preferences.

Getting to the Lodge
The lodge is not accessible by road; the only access is by floatplane from Campbell River (on Vancouver Island). A short 30 minute flight takes you from Campbell River to Glendale Cove, which is where the lodge is located.

The floatplane from Campbell River to Glendale Cove is included in all our packages. Due to the early departure time of the flight (see below), a pre tour night in Campbell River is essential and this too, is included in all our packages.

Accommodation in Campbell River is at Herons Landing Hotel. Should this hotel be unavailable, an alternative will be offered. Parking is available at the hotel or at the floatplane dock.

Flight information*:
Depart Campbell River - 9.30am (check in 30 mins prior)
Arrive Glendale Cove - 10am
Depart Glendale Cove - 10.30am
Arrive Campbell River - 11am

Please Note : Baggage Allowance on floatplane is 17kgs plus a small carry-on bag.

Vancouver Add-on
For Vancouver based clients, we are pleased to offer a flight to take you from Vancouver to Campbell River. - Cost is £169 per person (return)*

Vancouver Add-on price was correct at the time of going to print but is subject to confirmation at the time of booking.

3 Night Packages include all of the above plus a choice of the following daily excursions

One or more excursions may be taken each day, daily activities are flexible and the lodge staff will do their utmost to make sure you have a most enjoyable stay.

GRIZZLY WILDLIFE OF BELLA COOLA

Explore the world of the Grizzly Bears in Canada’s newest grizzly viewing hot spot - the Brown Bears of Tweedsmuir and Bella Coola. The scenery in this region is unrivalled and your accommodation, the Tweedsmuir Lodge, has the best view of all, as it’s located at the base of a 8000 foot rock peak.

Day 1 - Arrive Bella Coola, British Columbia
You’ll arrive in Bella Coola and transfer to Tweedsmuir Lodge. Set near the base of an 8,000-foot rock peak in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, the views from the lodge are spectacular. The deck of the main lodge, as well as the porches and windows on each individual cabin, overlook a clearing where grizzlies are often seen.

Day 2 - Bella Coola River Float Trip & Helicopter Journey
Take an easy float trip down the Atnarko and Bella Coola Rivers to look for wildlife. During this time of year, the river is full of spawning salmon that attract eagles and bears. Later, a helicopter journey offers unparalleled views of high, snowy mountain passes where regal mountain goats reside. You’ll fly by Hunlen Falls, dropping 845 feet from a chain of lakes into a narrow canyon.

Day 3 - In Search of Grizzlies.
The summer and early fall salmon runs attract dozens of bears to this area. Take another float trip today, pausing along the riverbanks to watch for bears. Of course, grizzlies are unpredictable and we can never guarantee their appearance, but the Bella Coola Valley is so rich with bears so the chances are good!

Day 4 Native Cultures, Rainforest Exploration
Along with its prolific wildlife and spectacular scenery, the Bella Coola Valley is also home to a group of First Nations peoples, the Nuxalk, a vibrant ancient culture that still thrives today. Starting with a visit to the village of Bella Coola, you are introduced to the Nuxalk culture through local artisans, storytellers, drummers, and singers, and a walk to a newly discovered series of petroglyphs (ancient stone carvings) engraved into a forgotten trail atop a lush forest valley.

Day 5 - Tweedsmuir Park
Due to the different weather patterns experienced in the Bella Coola Valley, you may be precluded from travelling by helicopter on your flight-seeing excursion. If this happens a “back-up day” is arranged in case of bad weather on the proposed flying day. If you have been able to keep to the regular itinerary, then you may take a trail upriver on the Atnarko, where eagles, possibly bears, and other wildlife can be seen fishing for salmon.

Day 6 - Free Morning - Bella Coola / Home
After some free time this morning at the lodge, travel back to Bella Coola where your tour ends.

Your Accommodation
Your accommodation is at the rustic yet spectacular Tweedsmuir Lodge. Set across a field from the Atnarko River, in the shadows of an 8,000-foot rock peak, this lodge provides a chance to view grizzlies from the porch with a dramatic background rarely found. The accommodation is split into a main building, where you have meals and presentations, and ten wonderful log cabin bungalows, each with its own private toilet and shower facility as well as a deck and windows facing the towering mountain and the open fields where grizzlies often appear

All Packages Include
• 5 nights accommodation at Tweedsmuir Lodge
• All Meals
• All activities described in the itinerary
• Expert Guide
• Entrance fees to parks
• Transportation
• Gratuities for accommodations, baggage handlers and meals.

Not Included
• Travel to and from Bella Coola
• Alcoholic beverages (except for wine the first evening)
• Items of a personal nature (laundry, telephone, etc)
• Gratuities for Guides and pilots.

BLACK & GRIZZLY BEAR WATCHING - 2008

GRIZZLY BEARS - Knight Inlet, British Columbia

GRIZZLY WILDLIFE OF BELLA COOLA