Spirit Bears 2022
Dates: September 28- October 4
Costs: $6300.00
This itinerary is a basic outline only – our activities on this trip will be dictated by factors including weather, tides and photo opportunities. Each day Marven and I will make a plan that will maximize our chances of seeing a spirit bear and other wildlife, working within the parameters of weather, safety and time.
Day 1
Arrive in Prince Ruppert (YPR) meet at the hotel. The town is fairly small, everything is in walkable distance or short taxi ride. Day spent at own leisure. Overnight prince Rupert. (Accommodations and Meals not included at Prince Rupert)
Day 2
8:00 am – Guests depart from Prince Rupert for Hartley Bay by water taxi. The 3-hour trip provides a first glimpse of this beautiful landscape from the water. 11:00 pm -After arriving in Hartley Bay, we will quickly get settled in the guesthouse, have an orientation session, pack a lunch and head out for the afternoon and early evening in search of spirit bears at a beautiful river valley close to the village.
Day 3 – 5
Each morning we will set out by boat from Hartley Bay to explore the Great Bear Rainforest. To maximize our chances for encounters with spirit bears and other wildlife, guests should expect to depart from Hartley Bay first thing each morning and be out exploring until early evening. There will be opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography every day, but please remember that the weather conditions and the location of wildlife will dictate our activities.
Day 6
Morning: After breakfast and packing up, guests can choose to accompany their guide on a hike to a nearby lake and/or a trip to view the local Gitga’at Cultural Centre. 11:30 am: Guests depart by water taxi for Prince Rupert. 2:30 to 3:30 pm (weather depending): Water taxi arrives back in Prince Rupert. Guests spend the night in Prince Rupert at the hotel or B&B of their choice. (Accommodation and food not included in Prince Rupert)
Additional important details
Your guides will do everything they can to assist you during the trip. However, this trip requires a moderate to good level of fitness and will involve extended time travelling in boats from Hartley Bay to spirit bear viewing locations. We will also be hiking on uneven, wet and muddy terrain and we will often be out all day in search of spirit bears with the only access to toilets being the Great Outdoors. A moderate to high level of fitness is required for these trips. Participants should be mobile enough to climb in and out of boats and walk across the uneven and slippery terrain of the intertidal zone. People must be capable of carrying their gear over rough and muddy rainforest trails. Please note that all guests will be required to sign a waiver.
Weather
Lastly, weather conditions may be variable and participants must be prepared for adverse weather including heavy rain (it is a rainforest after all!). Although conditions may be difficult at times, my past guests always agree that experiencing the magic of the Great Bear Rainforest is worth it. You may even become one of the few people who have seen and photographed one of the most rare bears on earth – the spirit bear.
Payment
A $1500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot on this Spirit Bear Tour. The balance owing is due 90 days before your trip departure date and is also non-refundable, unless, upon cancellation, I am able to fill your spot. Tour participants must purchase independent trip cancellation insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances.
Included:
-All guiding services
-Water taxis
-Park fees
-Accommodations
-All meals in Hartley Bay
Not included:
-Tips
-Meals in Prince Rupert
-Personal expenses
-Travel insurance
-International and Domestic flights
-Any covid related expenses
