Photographing Grizzly Bears in Canada

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN VANCOUVER
Departure from France to British Columbia.
Arrival in Vancouver with your photographer guide.
Private vehicle transfer to your hotel in the heart of downtown.
Dinner on your own and overnight at the Loden Hotel Boutique 4*

Day 2: VANCOUVER – TWEEDSMUIR PARK LODGE
Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to Vancouver airport for your flight to Bella Coola.

This 1h15 flight is already an experience in itself, with views over the lush Bella Coola valley nestled between stunning mountain ranges, then over the vast and magnificent Tweedsmuir Park. Arrival in Bella Coola and a 45-minute vehicle transfer to the lodge.

Lunch at the lodge followed by a briefing on bear awareness, including the safety rules to be strictly followed. In the afternoon, you’ll get straight into it with your first grizzly observation outing. Drifting by boat on the Atnarko River, you’ll head out in search of grizzlies.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 3: BELLA COOLA VALLEY
Today you’ll set out to explore the Bella Coola valley. You’ll discover a remarkable landscape, its pristine ecosystems and the rich heritage of the First Nations. Your guide will take you to Walker Island and its ancient cedars. These trees are over 800 years old and were used by the Nuxalk First Nation to smoke salmon and provide planks for their longhouses. You’ll have a picnic lunch at Clayton Falls Park, overlooking the fjord.

In the afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to meet a Nuxalk community member who will guide you to ancient petroglyphs. These petroglyphs are hidden in the woods at a remarkable site. You’ll also have the chance to visit the Bella Coola First Nation site, discover their totem poles, and browse the art gallery for jewelry or masks.

Breakfast, dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 4: TWEEDSMUIR PARK – Hiking
After an early start, you’ll head to the wildlife viewing station, reserved exclusively for Tweedsmuir Park Lodge guests. Early morning is the best time to spot bears. The elevated platform offers clear sightlines over both the river and the stream.
After breakfast, you’ll explore the old-growth forests of Tweedsmuir Park, still on the lookout for wildlife. Your local guide will show you how to track bears… safely.
A picnic lunch is planned during the outing.

In the afternoon, you’ll continue exploring Tweedsmuir Park along other trails leading to old abandoned farmsteads. Your guide will also take you to Stillwater Lake. It’s a beautiful spot not to be missed!

Return to the lodge in the late afternoon. Breakfast, dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 5: TWEEDSMUIR PARK – Drifting
At first light, you’ll set out on a boat drifting silently, in search of further wildlife sightings. Observing grizzlies from a small boat is a unique experience and one of the best ways to see them up close. They’re so absorbed in fishing that they pay no attention to your presence – ideal conditions for capturing remarkable shots!

In the afternoon, you’ll continue exploring Tweedsmuir Park on foot with your guide. Walks will lead you to superb viewpoints over the Atnarko River, where you can observe the famous salmon run… along with the bears and eagles that feed on them!

Meals and overnight at the lodge.

Day 6: RETURN TO VANCOUVER
This morning before departure, your guide will offer an early start to return to the viewing station for one last chance to observe grizzlies and the wildlife sharing their habitat. You’ll leave the lodge around 9:30 am to reach Bella Coola airport and take your return flight to Vancouver.

Arrival in Vancouver late morning and transfer to your hotel.

Your afternoon is free; we recommend a walk from the hotel to Stanley Park. From there, you can head to the harbour to watch the seaplanes taking off from Vancouver’s harbour, or explore the park’s totem poles.

In the evening, dinner on your own in the city – we recommend Cardero’s restaurant, located on the waterfront.

Overnight at the Loden Hotel Boutique 4*

Day 7: RETURN FLIGHT
Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to Vancouver airport for your return flight to Europe.

Day 8: Arrival in France