Overview
Embark on this iconic 13-day circle route through the Great Bear Rainforest and Chilcotin regions of British Columbia. From Vancouver, travel to northern Vancouver Island including Campbell River, Telegraph Cove, Alert Bay, and Port Hardy. Explore the region with a sunset whale watching cruise, Indigenous-led grizzly bear viewing, optional sea kayaking, and a visit to the renowned U’Mista Cultural Centre.
From here, board the scenic full-day ferry through the world-famous Inside Passage to Bella Coola. Spend your days grizzly bear viewing on the Atnarko River, hiking and flightseeing in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, and visiting ancient petroglyphs and hot springs.
The road trip continues east to the Chilcotin region, Canada’s ‘wild west’, where the rugged landscapes and hospitality are unmatched. Stay at family-run lodges or extend your stay at a classic Guest Ranch, before making your way back to Vancouver through the scenic Sea to Sky highway.
This tour is designed by Mosaic Earth Travel in partnership with local guides and businesses across British Columbia. Travelling on an itinerary planned by us, you have the opportunity to deeply connect with this unique destination and the wonderful locals who make it so special.
The Great Bear Rainforest & Chilcotin Circle Route sample itinerary can be fully customized to your unique interests. Contact our team today to learn more & plan your next trip!
Looking for more travel inspiration in Western Canada? Check out our full range of tours in BC & the Yukon.
Highlights
- Immerse in the Great Bear Rainforest with three unique grizzly bear & wildlife viewing tours – a serene sunset whale watching tour from Campbell River, a full-day Indigenous-led grizzly tour from Alert Bay, and a half-day river float in Bella Coola (best for bears: mid-August through September).
- Embark on an optional kayak excursion from Telegraph Cove in the hands of expert guides, paddling through ocean coves and channels with the chance to see orca, humpback whales, sea lions, and other wildlife.
- Embrace the cultural mecca of Alert Bay with a visit to U’Mista Cultural Centre and the renowned potlatch collection.
- Spend an afternoon strolling the boardwalks of Telegraph Cove, a former fishing and cannery village.
- Sail along the world-famous Inside Passage with BC Ferries from Port Hardy to Bella Coola, through scenic islands, dense rainforest, and glacial fjords.
- Explore the stunning Bella Coola valley and Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, with endless hiking, boating adventures, Indigenous cultural tours, and more.
- Visit the iconic Hunlen Falls via floatplane, dropping 260m from the Turner Lakes chain above, where you’ll spend the afternoon hiking to various scenic viewpoints (optional add-on).
- Enjoy the scenic drive along the Chilcotin Plateau, BC’s ‘wild west’, and into the Coast Mountain Range and Sea to Sky Highway to Vancouver.
- Optional stay at a classic Canadian Guest Ranch in the Chilcotin.
The Route
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See Mosaic Earth Travel’s Terms & Conditions for Self-Drive, Custom & Private Tours.
Min. Group Size
Activity Level
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Day by Day Itinerary
Arrive to Vancouver | Ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island | Drive to Campbell River (1.5 hours) | Check-in to Hotel (2 nights) | Dinner in town.
Add-on: Hotel night(s) in Vancouver & free time in the city.
Accommodation: Hotel (3*, upgrade available) | Meals included: n/a.
Hiking and sightseeing in Elk Falls Provincial Park & Strathcona Provincial Park | Sunset Whale Watching Tour | Overnight in Campbell River.
Accommodation: Hotel | Meals included: Breakfast.
Drive north to Telegraph Cove (2.25 hrs) | Free time in Telegraph Cove to explore this historic boardwalk town | Enjoy lunch at the pub featuring local seafood | Continue to Port McNeill & ferry to Alert Bay | Check-in to family-run B&B (2 nights) | Dinner on-site.
Add-on: 1-2 nights at the Lodge in Telegraph Cove with half- or full-day sea kayaking tours.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast | Meals included: Breakfast.
Indigenous-led Grizzly Bears & Whale-Watching Tour in the Broughton Archipelago (full day) | Overnight in Alert Bay.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast | Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Free morning in Alert Bay to explore town, shops, beach and forest walking trails | Visit U'Mista Cultural Centre and the renowned Potlatch Collection (optional: Artist-led tour of galleries) | Travel to Port Hardy | Check in to Kwa'Lilas Hotel (1 night).
Add-on: extra nights in Port Hardy to visit San Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park.
Accommodation: Hotel | Meals included: Breakfast.
Embark on the ferry journey from Port Hardy to Bella Coola through the scenic Inside Passage (approx. 7:30am-5:30pm) | Check-in to Bella Coola lodge or cabins (3 nights) | Dinner in town or on-site.
Accommodation: Lodge or cabins | Meals included: n/a
Grizzly bear viewing tour on the Atnarko River in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park (half-day*) | Free afternoon to enjoy Bella Coola and hike in the local parks.
*Note: Grizzly-viewing tours are available mid-August to end of September. If booking prior to mid-August, substitute with an Eco-Rafting experience or other optional adventure or cultural tour in Bella Coola.
Accommodation: Lodge or cabins | Meals included: n/a
Free day in Bella Coola | Optional tours & activities: Glacial Fjords & Hot Springs boat/sailing tour; Indigenous-led petroglyph tour; UTV hiking & sightseeing tour; Guided hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, and more.
Accommodation: Lodge or cabins | Meals included: n/a
Enjoy a leisurely drive east via the scenic Heckman Pass onto the Chilcotin Plateau | Optional hiking and scenic viewpoints on-route | Arrive in Nimpo Lake | Check-in to family-run lodge and cabins (2 nights) | Optional boat rentals from the lodge, or nearby hiking. Note: your accommodation is self-catered, with the option to add-on meals & boat rental.
Add-on/substitute Nimpo Lake stay with 3 nights at a classic Canadian Guest Ranch, including horseback riding and ATV tours.
Accommodation: Cabin | Meals included: n/a
Leisure day on Nimpo Lake | Recommended: Scenic glacier flight to Turner Lake & Hunlen Falls with stop-and-drop for hiking and viewpoints.
Accommodation: Cabin | Meals included: n/a
Continue the road trip east along the Chilcotin Plateau | Stop at Bull Canyon Provincial Park | Lunch in Redstone | Check in to family-run lodge near Williams Lake (1 night).
Accommodation: Lodge | Meals included: n/a
Visit Farwell Canyon sand dunes | Travel to Williams Lake and continue south to Lillooet with scenic stops on-route | Overnight in Lillooet (1 night).
Accommodation: Hotel | Meals included: n/a
Continue south to Vancouver via the scenic Duffey Lake Road and Sea to Sky highway (roughly 4 hours) | Tour ends in Vancouver.
Add-on: nights in Whistler, Vancouver, Tofino, or Victoria.
Meals included: n/a.
- Night(s) in Telegraph Cove & sea kayaking tours on the Johnstone Strait (half-or full-day).
- U’Mista Cultural Centre Artist-led tour in Alert Bay.
- Cultural dance performance in Alert Bay (Saturdays in July & Aug).
- Add-on nights in Port Hardy to visit San Josef Bay, Cape Scott Provincial Park.
- Tours in Bella Coola: Glacial Fjords & Hot Springs boat/sailing tour; Indigenous-led petroglyph tour; UTV hiking & sightseeing tour; Guided hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, and more.
- Daily meals & boat rental on Nimpo Lake.
- Scenic flightseeing tour from Nimpo Lake to Hunlen Falls & Turner Lake.
- 3-night stay at a classic Canadian Guest Ranch on the Chilcotin Plateau, with horseback riding and ATV tours.
- Add-on nights in Whistler, Vancouver, Tofino, or Victoria.
Included/Excluded
- All accommodation for 12 nights, including 2 nights in Campbell River, 2 nights in Alert Bay, 1 night in Port Hardy, 3 nights in Bella Coola, 2 nights in Nimpo Lake, 1 night near Williams Lake, and 1 night in Lillooet.
- 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch.
- Sunset whale watching tour on the Salish Sea from Campbell River.
- Indigenous-led grizzly bear and wildlife viewing tour from Alert Bay (full-day).
- Grizzly viewing float on the Atnarko River in Bella Coola (half-day).
- Ferries from Vancouver to Nanaimo, and Port Hardy to Bella Coola.
- Custom itinerary design, local recommendations, and remote support from during your trip.
- Additional meals and add-on activities.
- Entry to U'Mista Cultural Centre.
- Flights to/from and within British Columbia.
- Vehicle rental/usage and fuel.
- Ferry to/from Alert Bay.
- Travel insurance.
- Gratuities.
Dates & Rates
Self-Guided Tours are fully customizable and available for any group size, based on availability. This itinerary includes locally-guided day tours. Your own vehicle is required for transportation.
Contact us to start planning!
We also offer guided tours on the North Island, West Chilcotin region, and Yukon Territory.
Tour Dates:
Dates on Request
Tour Rates (2027):
Per Person
$4,995
Based on double occupancy. Single supplement applicable. All prices are in Canadian dollars and subject to GST tax (5%).
See Mosaic Earth Travel’s Terms & Conditions for Self-Drive, Custom & Private Tours.
Getting Here
This trip starts in Vancouver with a ferry journey from either Tsawwassen or Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. For those arriving by air into BC, we recommend renting a car from Vancouver International Airport.
Your trip ends back in Vancouver on Day 13, with the option to add extra nights in the city or nearby towns before heading home.
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