Bear & Whale Watching at Farewell Harbour Lodge

After complimentary VIP airport lounge access, you'll board your day flight to Vancouver. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for next two days, The Loden, in Vancouver's picturesque Coal Harbour. This boutique hotel offers floor-to-ceiling curved glass windows and marble bathrooms, and you're just moments from the stunning Stanley Park and the delightful seafront. It's the perfect base to explore Vancouver’s offerings, such as its First Nations Totem Poles, art galleries and sprawling Chinese gardens. Perhaps head to the hotel’s spa before a stroll along dynamic Gastown’s streets peppered with 19th century buildings and boutiques, or the West End's public art and sculptures. Finish your evening in historic, charming Yaletown, where eccentric shops and buzzy bars line picturesque oceanfront walkways. 

After breakfast, embark on a sea plane to Port Hardy and then Farewell Harbour Lodge with a scenic high speed water taxi. After being greeted at the dock, enjoy lunch and settle into your suite. Situated in 10 acres of forested land, you'll stay in an oceanside suite along an expansive deck with an en-suite bathroom, wood stove and a true West Coast feel with natural cedar furnishings and art from the area. This afternoon, enjoy a tour of marine wildlife in the famous Johnstone Strait and Robson Bight Ecological Reserve before drinks and canapés at the lodge to prelude a delicious buffet dinner; expect the likes of fresh fish alongside complimentary wine. Then, go through your briefing for next day's thrills and enjoy a presentation about the surrounding coast.

Stay: Farewell Harbour Lodge

The next two days will be spent exploring all this spectacular region has to offer, including a full day spotting grizzly and black bears in one of the main bear viewing estuaries, either from a zodiac or on foot to spot the bears in their natural habitat. Head out on boat trips where, from mid-July, you're likely to spot orcas, and humpbacks emerge too between May to October. Then, enjoy fascinating presentations about the day's events, learning about the area's bears, the Great Bear Rainforest, whales and First Nations culture. Culminate evenings relaxing in the lounge with its own bar, brick fireplace and wraparound deck that lets in stunning harbour and sunset views. 

Stay: Farewell Harbour Lodge

After breakfast, you'll enjoy either a marine experience, a spectacular sea kayak in the crystal waters, or an interpretive guided rainforest hike through the verdant canopy. Then, take your included water taxi back to Alder Bay and flight to Vancouver, arriving with plenty of time to explore more of the city's delights. Tonight, perhaps head to the Tableau Bar Bistro, adjacent to The Loden hotel, offering a range of seasonal in-house classic cocktails, before exploring Vancouver’s endless food scene, from Japanese eateries and fresh seafood to excellent steaks – we particularly like Gotham Steakhouse.

After breakfast, transfer to Vancouver airport for your flight back to the UK arriving on Day 8.