Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 1 – Arrive Vancouver | Orientation & Welcome Dinner (D)

Arrive at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and transfer to our airport hotel.

At 5:00 pm, gather for a group orientation and welcome dinner. We’ll review trip logistics, safety, gear, photography goals, and set clear expectations around wildlife behavior and ethical viewing.

Day 2 – Vancouver → Bella Bella → Spirit Bear Lodge (B, L, D)

Depart Vancouver’s South Terminal on a scenic coastal flight to Bella Bella. Upon arrival, transfer to the dock and travel by boat through remote channels and fjords toward Spirit Bear Lodge, watching for whales, eagles, and shoreline wildlife along the way. Settle into the lodge, meet local guides, and enjoy your first evening on the Great Bear Sea.

Day 3 – Spirit Bear Habitat Exploration (B, L, D)

Begin full-day exploration of salmon-fed river systems and estuaries within Kitasoo Xai’xais Traditional Territory. Today is typically focused on Spirit Bear search efforts, guided by local experts with deep knowledge of recent wildlife movement. Coastal grizzly bears, black bears, and bald eagles are frequent secondary subjects.

Day 4 – Spirit Bear Search & Coastal Wildlife (B, L, D)

Another full day dedicated to Spirit Bear habitat, with plans adjusted based on tides, light, and recent sightings. Some time may be spent patiently waiting in productive river systems, while other periods involve relocating to alternate areas or cruising shorelines for additional wildlife opportunities.

Day 5 – Coastal Grizzlies, Whales & Fjords (B, L, D)

Explore a broader range of environments including coastal grizzly bear estuaries, dramatic fjords, waterfalls, and open water. These locations offer powerful storytelling opportunities—bears framed by mist, reflections, and sweeping rainforest backdrops. Humpback whales are commonly encountered in these waters.

Day 6 – Spirit Bear Habitat or Adaptive Wildlife Day (B, L, D)

This day remains intentionally flexible and may be used to return to productive Spirit Bear river systems, explore new watersheds, or focus on marine and coastal wildlife depending on conditions. Cultural storytelling and interpretation from Kitasoo Xai’xais guides may be included this evening.

Day 7 – Final Exploration & Farewell Dinner (B, L, D)

Our final full day is shaped by the week’s most successful locations and guest interests. We may revisit key river systems, explore estuaries, or spend time photographing coastal wildlife and landscapes. Celebrate the journey with a relaxed farewell dinner at the lodge.

Day 8 – Spirit Bear Lodge → Bella Bella → Vancouver (B)

After breakfast, depart Spirit Bear Lodge by boat and return to Bella Bella for your flight back to Vancouver South Terminal. Arrival is typically early to mid-afternoon, allowing for onward travel.

Important Notes & Expectations

Spirit Bear sightings are rare and never guaranteed. Fewer than a few hundred Spirit Bears are believed to exist, and sightings vary greatly year to year based on salmon runs, weather, and bear movement. Multiple days are dedicated to searching prime Spirit Bear habitat with experienced local guides, but success depends entirely on natural conditions.

Daily activities and locations may shift in response to wildlife behavior, tides, weather, and light. Some days involve patient observation in a single river system, while others may include shoreline cruising, estuary exploration, or relocating to alternate areas. This flexibility is essential to ethical wildlife viewing and maximizing photographic opportunities in a truly wild environment.