6 Nights / 7 days Self Drive
A circle self-drive itinerary from Vancouver focusing on wildlife viewing.
Bring your camera - you'll enjoy a whale watching cruise in search of grey whales,
humpback whales, sea lions, sea birds and resident bald eagles or
enjoy a bear viewing cruise in search of black bears who head for the closest food source - the ocean!
6 nights accommodation
BC Ferries tolls for vehicle & passengers included
1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner at Knight Inlet Lodge
Return Floatplane transfers Campbell River to Knight Inlet Lodge
Grizzly Bear Viewing at Knight Inlet Lodge
Whale Watch tour (Gray Whales) or Black Bear viewing in Clayoquot Sound
Admission to Butchart Gardens
Whale Watch tour (Orcas)in Victoria
Map, and Lonely Planet Guide Book, custom colour driving directions (delivered to your first hotel in Canada)
Rental Car Includes • Unlimited kilometres • GPS • LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) (This may exclude a non-waivable amount for damage) • CAD $1 Million Third Party Liability Insurance Coverage • One (1) Additional Driver • PST (Canadian Provincial Sales Tax) • GST (Canadian Goods and Service Tax) • HST (Canadian Harmonized Sales Tax) • Airport contract fees
Please note • Vehicles are not allowed on any unmaintained gravel roads • All vehicles are 100% Non-smoking. Penalty is CAD 250.00 plus taxes • Specific car models are not guaranteed
from $3,456 pp share twin
from $5,391 pp single
Valid for travel May - Oct 2019
Sale ends 01 Oct 2019
Package prices based on your choice of accommodation for 2 nights in Victoria.
Option 1 - 4 Star: Inn at Laurel Point
Prices per person
21 May - 10 Jun | $3,456 share twin - $5,391 single
11 Jun - 23 Aug | $3,628 share twin - $5,732 single
24 Aug - 26 Sep | $3,924 share twin - $6,162 single
27 Sep - 14 Oct | $3,603 share twin - $5,531 single
Option 2 - 4 Star: Fairmont Empress Hotel
21 May - 10 Jun | $3,704 share twin - $5,890 single
11 Jun - 23 Aug | $3,878 share twin - $7,269 single
24 Aug - 26 Sep | $4,173 share twin - $7,699 single
27 Sep - 14 Oct | $3,995 share twin - $6,314 single
Rental Car Option
Priced from $595
Day 1: Vancouver > Campbell River (177 km/105 mi + Ferry)
Depart Vancouver for Horseshoe Bay and sail for 1 hour, 45 minutes on BC Ferries (ferry toll included) to Vancouver Island. Upon departing BC Ferries, head north through Vancouver Island's second largest city, Nanaimo, known as the Harbour City, and Parksville, the beginning of Beach Country and home of the annual International Sandcastle Competition. Your destination today is the city of Campbell River, historically renowned as the "Salmon Capital of the World," lying at the heart of the neighbouring Strathcona Park, Desolation Sound, Mount Washington and Robson Bight. Surrounded by the backdrop of Strathcona Provincial Park to the west and the Coastal Mountain range to the east, massive cruise ships pass right by Campbell River's doorstep, and their parade of lights is best viewed from world-famous Discovery Pier as they venture up the Inside Passage for Alaskan destinations.
Overnight at: Comfort Inn and Suites - Standard Room
Day 2: Campbell River to Knight Inlet Lodge & Grizzly Bears
Today's destination, Knight Inlet Lodge, is not accessible by road, so you'll fly in by floatplane from Campbell River. A thrilling 30 minute flight brings you to the mouth of the Glendale River where Knight Inlet Lodge floats on large cedar booms. Bring your camera - you'll be going on a bear watching and wildlife viewing tour in search of the grizzly bears that frequent this area. Overnight at Knight Inlet Lodge (lunch and dinner is included).
Overnight at: Knights Inlet Lodge - Standard Room
Day 3: Knight Inlet Lodge > Tofino (225 km/140 mi)
Early this morning return to the Bear Viewing platforms for a last photo opportunity before departing for Campbell River by floatplane. Arrival time is between 10.30-11.00am. Collect your car and head southwest to Tofino on the rugged West Coast. En-route, picture stops should be made at Cathedral Cove to enjoy the splendour of 800 year old Douglas Fir and the Mars Water-Bombers at Sproat Lake, the world's two largest water-bombers used for the sole purpose of putting out forest fires. After the Mars Water-Bombers, drive through the majestic Sutton Pass and the Sawtooth Range of the Cascade Mountains to arrive in Tofino around mid afternoon. (breakfast is included).
Overnight at: Black Rock Resort - One Bedroom
Day 4: Tofino
Choose from 1 of 2 cruises. Whale Watch or Black Bear cruise. Today enjoy a Whale Watch cruise in search of gray whales, humpback whales, sea lions, sea birds and resident bald eagles. OR enjoy a Bear viewing cruise in search of black bears who head for the closest food source - the ocean!
Overnight at: Black Rock Resort - One Bedroom
Day 5: Tofino > Victoria (313 km/195 mi)
Travel back to the East Coast of Vancouver Island and head south to Victoria. En-route stops should be made at the artist community of Chemainus, where you can admire the giant murals which adorn the exterior walls throughout the town, and Duncan the "City of Totems". If time permits visit the Quw'utsun' Heritage Village which provides you with an insight into the lives of the northwest coast people (seasonal hours - admission not included).
Overnight at: 4 Star: Inn at Laurel Point - Laurel Wing Guest Room or 4 Star: Fairmont Empress Hotel - Fairmont Room
Day 6: Whale Watch Cruise & Victoria
This morning depart on an exhilarating round trip in search of Orcas, Minke whales, porpoises, harbour seals and other marine wildlife.
This afternoon is free to explore Victoria, with its turn of the century architecture, British traditions (such as high tea) and shops full of woolens and china.
Overnight at: 4 Star: Inn at Laurel Point - Laurel Wing Guest Room or 4 Star: Fairmont Empress Hotel - Fairmont Room
Day 7: Victoria > Vancouver (69 km/43 mi + Ferry)
Leaving Victoria drive the short and richly scenic route to Butchart Gardens (admission included) - fifty-five acres of wonderful floral display, continue driving north to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal for a 90 min ferry ride (ferry toll included) to Tsawwassen. On board BC Ferries enjoy the scenery of the Gulf Islands as you cross the Strait of Georgia. From Tsawwassen continue to downtown Vancouver where your self drive ends.
