Day 1: Arrive at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge and begin your safari with an evening drift on the Atnarko River to look for Grizzly Bears. Imagine a slow drift down a meandering river between massive, snowcapped peaks. Relax and enjoy the scenery, but keep your eyes open for wildlife! The Samlon are spawning and provide an easy meal for Bald Eagles and Grizzy Bears. River Otters and Black bears may also be spotted.
Day 2: Another river float trip, with the express purpose of looking for and spending time watching the magnificent Grizzly Bears. Bella Coola is home to the highest concentration of Grizzly Bears in North America. The fall salmon run attracts them and they are busy eating and putting on weight for the coming winter.
Day 3: You have the choice of more Grizzly Bear viewing (river drift and/or hike the Alexander MacKenzie loop trail in search of bears) or:
Cruise the Fjord and enjoy the Bella Coola Valley. The interlinking fjord is the most extensive of its kind in North America. As there is so much to see and do in this beautiful area, you have the choice to customize this day to suit your interests. Options include:
- Full day on the water exploring the fjords
- Half day on the fjord combined with Bella Coola Valley exploration
- Crab and prawn trapping
- Fishing for Halibut
- Dip in the hotsprings at Larso Bay
- Visit the Tallheo Cannery
- Gian Cedar Walk on Walker Island
- Experience incredible views of the fjord from Harbour and Clayton Falls
- Explore the Petroglyph Gardens with a guide from the Petroglyph Gallery in Bella Coola
- Enjoy a stroll around the Bella Coola Town Centre
Day 4: Enjoy a daytime drift on the Atnarko River for yet more photo opportunities. You will also enjoy a guided valley tour with short hikes to look for bear signs, such as tracks, salmon carcasses, rub trees with claw and bite marks, as well as places the bears dig out in the forest floor for their naps called day beds. In addition, there will be stops at the river and many superb vantage points for overlooking the river to see spawning salmon, and the bears and eagles fishing for them.
Day 5: Breakfast, and a leisurely morning in which you can enjoy the grounds and the veiw from the deck before you depart Tweedsmuir Park Lodge.
Please contact us to extend your stay at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge, or add additional activities!
Photo by Mike Wigle
