bella coola grizzly tours
bella coola grizzly tours
By Land: Follow Hwy 97 to Williams Lake and continue west on Hwy 20 for a 4-hour drive to Anahim Lake. A Nuxalk First Nations guide will teach about the traditional songs and stories of the nation. Pint Size Pilot is FREE for you to use. Please use the following menu to find what you need quickly, or start with our 1 minute video. Please arrive 15 minutes early. Get the newest grizzly bear photos, exclusive offers and news from The Great Bear Rainforest, sent on average once a month. In addition to September, the month of October is a great time to visit too! Given this, bears are also easier to spot at the height of these runs, around September. Among these old growth forests, pristine rivers, stunning peaks, soaring eagles, and vast glaciers, there is one animal at the top of the food chain: it is the mighty grizzly bear. (We saw a mom and 3 cubs there on 2 different days.). We were around 10 meters from him on the opposite side of the river. Pint Size Pilot Services Inc. Theyre powerful animals and are considered at the top of the food chain. This is a test of the emergency broadcast system. Especially if you plan to hike in the Valley on your own, bring along a can of bear spray and carry it somewhere easily accessible. Please check our Disclosure and Privacy Policy page for more information. If you want a more private experience, you can pay extra to go down with just your guide. Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism uses "cookies" to enhance the usability of its websites and provide you with a more personal experience. Give us a call anytime to discuss your trip to Bella Coola and what we can do for you. With their expert guides and all-inclusive programming, all the logistics are taken care of for your bear watching, fly fishing, hiking or heli-skiing adventure. Just imagine getting to spot seals, whales, and all manner of animals by exploring the nearby fjords. Wed love to hear about your experience in the comments! See Itinerary, Starting from $5212 per Adult (19+) Kynoch Adventures follows and exceeds guidelines established by the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of BC (CBVA) and supports the BC Conservation Foundation WildSafeBC program in Bella Coola; two of the most prominent advocacy groups for promoting sustainable bear-human interaction, and we encourage guests to consider these sustainable choices we have made when choosing their holiday arrangements! Wilderness Rafting, June through August 14 - Meet at Kynoch Office, 1896 Hwy 20. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is situated at the mouth of the Bella Coola River, where the river waters meets the Pacific Ocean at North Bentinck Arm. Bella Coola is a community located within the glacially-formed Bella Coola Valley. Transfers to and from the Bella Coola airport or the BC Ferries terminal on arrival and departure days, A complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival (one per group), Accommodation (double occupancy) in beautiful, private timber frame chalets at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge, All food and non-alcoholic beverages (hot or cold breakfast, lunch menu or picnic on the trail, apres snacks, and multi-course dinners), Two half-day or one full-day guided activity on each full day of the package (no activities on arrival or departure day), Guide service by certified wilderness and bear viewing guides, All safety equipment; lifejackets, rain gear, radios, umbrellas, binoculars, Use of all self-directed indoor and outdoor recreation equipment, Helicopter Adventures and River Fishing (not available during Grizzly Bear Safari season), > The Magnificent 7 Luxury Wilderness Lodges, > Our Commitment to the Environment and Local Community. See Itinerary. Bald Eagles, among other animals, scavenge on dead salmon throughout the spawning season. It is not officially grizzly season, but there is small chance you might still see bears. Going with a knowledgeable guide in the area is a great way to avoid conflicts with bears during your trip. This is due to the fact that in late summer and early fall, thebears descend from the alpine to fatten up on spawning salmon in the local rivers before heading into hibernation. Along with Cutthroat trout, Rainbow trout,Rocky Mountain whitefish and Dolly Varden, anglers can fish the multiple salmon runs in the rivers and streams of the Bella Coola Valley (Chinook, Coho, Chum and Pink). in Bear Watching Season. As mentioned before, there are a few types of accommodation that offer bear-viewing platforms. Our Wilderness Grizzly Tour destination is off-grid and extremely remote. Being on the water also means having chances to see all kinds of wildlife, including seals, eagles, and whales! Please read this information prior to arrival (2022). Small Group packages offer the knowledge and expertise of experienced guides to guests travelling in groups of 1 to 6. * Private planes and helicopter can also land at Bella Coola Airport. *Note: If the weather is not great in Bella Coola, planes will sometimes land in Anahim Lake instead. We would be more than happy to chat about how we can help you have an amazing holiday in the Bella Coola Valley and the Great Bear Rainforest! Kynoch Adventures can no longer offer transportation to the designated meeting points. While not the largest bear on Earth (that honor goes to the Polar bear), grizzlies can still get up to 600 pounds. On average, there will be a maximum of 7 people on the raft with you. Kynoch Adventures takes these responsibilities very seriously and we are happy to share our enthusiasm with guests on our tours! luxury wilderness lodge getaway, Tweedsmuir Park Lodge, just 40 minutes east of Bella Coola, is for you. Follow the trail across from the parking lot into the woods about 25m until you see this beauty. Both campers and the general public are welcome at this site. Tip:Inquire about specials. Christa is an avian ecologist and conservation biologist who loves to go birding, hiking, and traveling to see what this wild world has to offer. By Air: Pacific Coastal Airlines has daily flights to Bella Coola Airport (QBC) from Vancouvers South Terminal (YVR).The flight time is approximately 70 minutes. Kynoch Adventures follows and exceeds guidelines established by the, Commercial Bear Viewing Association of BC. Learn how your comment data is processed. We suggest booking a minimum of 4 nights. If you are venturing out on your own, please follow the linked guidelines forwildlife and bear encounters. Their professional guides answered all our questions and more about bear ecology and the surrounding region. Kynoch Adventures also offers hiking tours. This First Nations community can trace their roots as keepers of the Bella Coola Valley back thousands of years. If you have any questions about visiting Bella Coola, I recommend checking out BellaCoola.ca. If you do not have a knowledgeable local to ask (such as Steve), I recommend checking to see if anyone has posted recently about the hike on TripAdvisor, inquiring on the Visit Bella Coola Facebook page, or calling the Ministry of Forests front counter office at 250-982-2000. There are no roads into this pristine area with limited access only by boat or aircraft. Starting from $3909 per Adult (19+) Top 3 Product List for Wildlife Watching & Photography, Unusual Places to Go Birding and Find Birds, Must-Visit Dark Sky and Stargazing Destinations Worldwide, Koalas: All About the Marsupial Symbol of Australia. Having your own vehicle is mandatory for Bear Tours. Read More, The best tips for planning a trip to the Lofoten Islands, Norway. On the flip side, Tweedsmuir Park Lodge is a more expensive, luxury option. Interpretive tours can be booked through Copper Sun Gallery and Tours. The Belarko Wildlife Viewing Area is one of the best places to see bears, free of cost. Because of this, bears leave the rivers to search for food elsewhere. The petroglyphs continue to be a very sacred location for the Nuxalk Nation today. The site is supported by advertising which requires the use of cookies to personalize content, measure advertisements and provide a safer experience. Read more about it in our Privacy Policy. Effective 2020, Guests will meet at the following locations to sign in for their tours. - Upgrade to a Private- If you are a professional or serious amateur photographer, we strongly suggest upgrading to aPrivate package. We are located in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest at the West end of Highway 20. Instead, the plan was to experience some of B.C.s most beautiful coastal scenery through hiking, spending time on the local rivers, and enjoying quiet evenings around a campfire. The guides will cut sign with you, meaning theyll show you wildlife trails and footprints to interpret what animals have passed through there. Spam-free. Around Bella Coola, youll find both grizzly bears and black bears. Enjoy the breathtaking mountain views from your private sundeck while you enjoy a beverage and barbeque your dinner. Bear watching has ecological and social responsibilities attached to it as a wilderness activity. Check out our top picks for Bella Coola accommodations below. Alternatively, feel free to reach out to me at[emailprotected]. The journey to Bella Coola is then completed by taking a 2 hour ride on a school bus down a rather precarious-looking dirt road (The Hill) from the Chilcotin Plateau to the valley floor. Kermode, or Spirit, bears are special white bears found only in this part of the world. Plus, in lower salmon run years, more bears will congregate in smaller areas in an attempt to catch as many fish as possible. Youll also have to make the exciting journey down what is known as The Hill. We were told that when it was created, one bulldozer started from the top of the mountain, and the other at the bottom until they met in the middle. In fact, the Bella Coola airport is actually in Hagensborg as are a number of nice accommodation providers. Effective 2020, Guests will meet at the following locations to sign in for their tours. They get their special name from the grizzled look that their almost-grey fur tips give them. If your budget and time allows, we strongly staying for 4 or5 nights. A recent agreement reached between theBella Coola Valley Tourism Association and the Nuxalk Nation leadership would carefully welcome back residents of British Columbia only. From the bottom, it is another 60 minutes to Bella Coola. The Bella Coola Valley has many beautiful hiking trails that allow visitors to experience old growth forests, alpine meadows, glacial waterfalls and spectacular Bella Coola Valley viewpoints. Your own car is recommended, or a rental car if required. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These significant rock carvings, depicting both the natural and supernatural world, were created between 5-10,000 year ago by the Indigenous People of the valley. Shuttle Vans will be used only from the meeting point to the boat launches or trail heads as required on tours. Nathan used a 100-400 mm lens to get the bear photos in this post. There is a games room, a business centre, and an exercise room on site, plus a complimentary airport shuttle. However, they prefer to eat nuts, berries, and fruit, as well as salmon and small mammals during certain times of the year. (CBVA) and supports the BC Conservation Foundation WildSafeBC program in Bella Coola; two of the most prominent advocacy groups for promoting sustainable bear-human interaction, and we encourage guests to consider these sustainable choices we have made when choosing their holiday arrangements! The platform is located in a safe paddock right on the river and is surrounded by electric wiring to keep bears out. All guests will be required to sign a Waiver and Release of Liability prior to participating on any Tours or Activities provided by Kynoch Adventures. Kynoch Adventures supports accommodations throughout the valley, offering our tours to guests at all accommodations. In late summer, when the salmon arrive to spawn, Bella Coola is host to one of the highest concentrations of grizzly bears on the planet. Salmon, in particular, has all sorts of nutrients and fats that give bears the reserves they need to get through harsh northern winters. She also has a special affinity for wine, coffee, cats, and maps. All rates are before tax in Canadian dollars and are subject to a 5% goods and services tax. There are loads of places to stay in the area, but two of the best options are the Rip Rap Campgrounds and Cabins and the Tweedsmuir Park Lodge. Bella Coola is nestled right in beside the neighboring town of Hagensborg (15 minutes apart by car). (This happened to us in early Sept.). 2022 Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism. All this talk about Bella Coola and I dont actually recommend getting accommodation in town! We received 30% off the 3-night Grizzly Bear Safari package a unique deal offered to B.C. The link below will take you to our Waiver. They are a type of black bear with a fur-color mutation, and only about 10% of the bear population is all-white. Kynoch Adventures can no longer offer transportation to the designated meeting points. Hike right from your Chalet up to the beautiful cascading waterfalls and Mountain Goats you have watched from your front porch. See Great Bear Sailing Adventures(39 foot sailboat) and Bella Coola Grizzly Tours(42 foot power boat) for itinerary options. A reasonable one-hour flight lands you right into the Great Bear Rainforest. Just note that Bella Coola is really remote the nearest major town of Williams Lake is a 6-hour drive away. This curated list showcases authentic, immersive and engaging tourism experiences for travellers from around the world. By far, the fastest way to get to Bella Coola is by plane. Keep in mind when you stay at Tweedsmuir, there are a host of different free activities available to their guests. Because of its location, hanging out by the river banks likely means youll get to spot a bear or two. Note that if you plan to do any hiking, or driving to the trailheads to access various hiking destinations, you will need a vehicle with ample clearance! Additionally, guests can move freely around the boat to get the ideal shot position as the guide is not concerned with other guests in the group. In order to purchase a Single Occupancy upgrade you will need to pay for the cost of two packages. Kynoch Adventures is our go-to for bear watching in the Bella Coola Valley. If youre looking to explore the mainland of British Columbia on your way to Bella Coola, driving is a good option. Read More, Discover the best attractions in the mountain town of Golden, British Columbia. The total experience lasts at least a few hours, more if you see bears, as your guide will stop for you to watch them a bit. However, the majority of bear safari-goers visit for the chances of seeing a grizzly in nature. You have the option of hiking on the coastline or along the river in Tweedsmuir. Learn how your comment data is processed. At the closing of the bear season in October, it is considered a safety hazard for visitors to be on the platform. Bella Coola is a small, isolated valley tucked away in the northwestern reaches of British Columbia. This means our guests pretty much have the river to themselves and a few random Coho fishermen!-Beautiful Autumn Colours! Kynoch Adventures takes these responsibilities very seriously and we are happy to share our enthusiasm with guests on our tours! To set up for a successful fishing adventure, a guide is highly recommended. Join us at our 20 acre Bella Coola Grizzly Tours Resort/Basecamp centrally located in the Bella Coola Valley for your convenience. They belong to local mushroom pickers. Transportation to the meeting points is the responsibility of the guest. Note: It can be a little tricky to get updated information on the conditions of the forestry roads leading up to some of the alpine hikes. This platform above the Atnarko River is run and staffed by B.C. We earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. In the evening feel free to have a Dinner Party and socialize around the Lava Rock Firepit in our 80 foot Cedar Log Gazebo discussing your daily plans for your Great Bear Rainforest adventures. And, some of the proceeds from your stay go to bear conservation research at the Brown Bear Research Network. Wildlife Viewing/Walking Tours to the east and west of Bella Coola are available with Hanging Glaciers, Huge Old growth Cedars, Historic sites, Beautiful groomed trails, Spawning Salmon and incredible pristine scenery with raw coastal nature and First Nations Culture at its best. Watch in awe as coastal migratory Grizzly Bears catch and feast on wild pacific salmon as you silently drift down the meandering curves of the Atnarko River. Read More, A local's guide to what to do in London with kids when you've already done Read More, A guide to visiting South Wales with kids. Bear Viewing Tours, August 15 to October 15- Meet at Fisheries Pool Campground, South Tweedsmuir Park. If you would like to self-cater or are looking for cozy family-sized accommodations, Bella Coola Grizzly Tours log cabins are a solid choice. Staying at the Spirit Bear Lodge is a great way to get a glimpse of these wonderfully rare creatures. Note: You cannot fly with bear spray (carry-on or checked bags). Our Grizzly Bear Viewing River Drifts are recognized by Destination Canada as a "CanadianSignature Experience". Please see this list of Bella Coola tour providers. The descent into the Bella Coola Valley involves a 20 minute drive down The Hill (a packed, dirt road with numerous hairpin turns) that must be driven slowly and carefully. All rooms have hardwood floors, a fireplace, satellite TV and wireless internet. Please read this information prior to arrival. As our family has delved deeper into hiking in B.C., we definitely have had to familiarize ourselves with what to do in the event of a bear encounter. The spot that was most successful for us for seeing bears, however, was the Fisheries Pool Provincial Campground located just before the Belarko Platform when driving east into Tweedsmuir Provincial Park. Bella Coola is located within the ancestral lands of the Nuxalk Nation. See the Central Coast Connector on the BC Ferries website for more information. They are primarily found on Princess Royal Island, set out off of the British Columbia coast. Whether on a bear watching holiday, eco rafting adventure, hiking or on an adventure running camp in the alpine or on valley trails, accommodations are close at hand. See a full list of Bella Coola hikes here. During a summer of taking small road trips relatively close to our Vancouver home, I happened to read that the Bella Coola Valley was reopening to visitors. Travelling solo? Respectfully, they should only be visited as part of a tour with a Nuxalk guide. Please note bringing your own take away cup is encouraged as EOR does not contribute to Single Use Disposable cup culture. Bella Coola Grizzly Tours offers bear watching excursions and also has charming self-catering log cabin accommodations. So, you will not see them in and around Bella Coola. Here are some other accommodations in the nearby area, as well: The best bear-viewing locations are in Tweedsmuir National Park, British Columbias largest park. Note that the platform is only open from September 1 to September 30. This website stores cookies to improve your experience. It can, however, be purchased in Bella Coola or the neighboring town of Hagensborg. The Ellis Family looks forward to showing you a trip of a lifetime in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest. Looking for Bella Coola hotels? Remember, these animals are rare and youre never guaranteed a sighting, no matter how great the location is. READ MORE | Tips to photographing wildlife for wildlife photographers. Fine fare is served in the lodge where guests can later retire to the cozy lounge or games room. Parks throughout the month of September. It has 11 nicely appointed guest rooms in various configurations, including adjoining rooms for families. Our Transport Canada approved 42-foot twin diesel Jetboat MV Nekhani gets you there safely and in comfort with a relaxing dip in the pristine Hotsprings en route. All you have to do is wait for bears to show up. Note: Bella Coola Grizzly Tours land and marine based adventures leave right from the property. Its worth it to purchase the added canister holster. Please arrive 15 minutes early. Chalets are complete with full facilities including full kitchen, full bathroom, quality beds/linen, electric heat, wood stove, barbeque, unlimited Wi-Fi, Satellite TV, Cell phone coverage and clean mountain water. Take a bear safari in the Bella Coola Valley for some wonderful wildlife watching experiences! The view from the Belarko Platform is really beautiful! Many hikes (including M.Gurr and Odegaard) are reached via old forestry service roads that are not necessarily well maintained. Easy - Light walking with a few climbs that are more challenging than a flight of stairs. One of themust-see highlights of the Bella Coola Valley are the petroglyphs at Thorsen Creek. See also this post on our 3 night stay at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge. Hiking or Other Tours - Inquire. Bear safaris are meant to be done with an ethical, knowledgeable guide. Learn more on the Tweedsmuir Park Lodge website or read recent reviews on TripAdvisor. It is considered the gateway to the Great Bear Rainforest, a massive 15.8 million-acre conservation area along the western BC coastline. Judging by the number of photographers set up for the day (paparazzi-style), this is the place to be for grizzly bear watching. There are also some Bella Coola Valley accommodation providers that specialize in bear watching. To learn more about bears and their conservation efforts in this part of the world, visit the Bear ID Project website. The damp forest floor is perfect for pine mushrooms to flourish. For the best chance of seeing bears, be sure to book a Bella Coola bear watching tour with an accredited guide. For photographers, this may be a good way to go. If you have your own vehicle and are visiting in September, drive north into Tweedsmuir Provincial Park to the Belarko Bear Watching Platform. It may be fairly easy to see brown bears in certain parts of North America, particularly Alaska, but, in Canada, the Bella Coola Valley is one of the best. (Lesson learned from a trip to Iceland to see the Northern Lights a natural phenomena that is still on my bucket list.) Accessibility to the river is really key if your goal is to see bears. Her passion has always been to study wildlife and find ways to meld wildlife conservation and preservation with human activities and actions. While this varies depending on the kind of salmon, the running season typically starts in May and continues until the end of September to mid-October. Bella Coola also happens to be where explorer Alexander Mackenzie finally reached the Pacific Ocean in 1793 (with help from local Indigenous Peoples), to complete the first land crossing of the Americas north of Mexico (12 years before Lewis and Clark). Please note that due to the additional wear and tear on vehicles when traveling on these particularly rough roads, a rental surcharge is applied. Have you visited Bella Coola or seen grizzlies in the wild? That is, if your main goal is to spot bears. Several local lodges offer guided fishing packages including Eagle Lodge and Tweedsmuir Park Lodge. Photo by Christa Rolls. This way, your guide is doing the legwork to take you to the best spots to see bears while keeping you and the bear safe. Whether youre looking for adventure or prefer to leisurely explore, Private packages allow you to tailor your itinerary to suit your interests, you preferred pace, and you physical ability level. In October, grizzlies occasionally frequent our lower lodge lawn more often than other months in order to graze on the clover. bear watching family adventure was born! If youre interested in hiking and learning more about the cultural history of the region, check out Copper Sun Journeys petroglyph and totem tours. Prime season runs from September 1 to September 30 and shoulder season runs from October 1 to october 16. Overall, the rafting journey is incredibly relaxing, and you wont be moving quickly downriver. Photo by Nathan Rolls. While bear attacks in Bella Coola arent common, despite the sheer numbers of bears, be conscientious and respectful of the bears and their space. Bear Watching tours in Bella Coola often see bear cubs on the river feeding with the sow bears on Pacific Salmon. Update:As a precaution, Copper Sun has chosen to cancel tours for 2020 to ensure the safety and health of their community. Photo by Christa Rolls.
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