Spring 2011
Wild Bear Adventure Ecotour

Knight Inlet, British Columbia
Saturday May 14 through Friday May 21, 2011

We cordially invite you to join us on our Annual Spring Wild Bear Adventure Ecotour to Knight Inlet, British Columbia. You will have an unforgettable experience in a coastal temperate rainforest and estuary teeming with wildlife, all from the comfort and convenience of an ecologically sensitive floating lodge. We will be traveling to world famous Knight Inlet Lodge, featured in Growing up Grizzly 2, located on the southern edge of British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest.

This special Vital Ground ecotour is organized through the generosity of our corporate partner, Knight Inlet Lodge, owned by former Vital Ground board member Dean Wyatt. Dean will donate a percentage of the profits from this special trip to Vital Ground to aid in our mission to protect crucial wildlife habitat!

Watch highlights from our Spring 2010 trip here.
Watch our promotional video for our Knight Inlet tours here.

These exciting activities are included in the trip cost*:

• Bear viewing within the estuary from either small motorboats or kayaks;
• Bird-watching excursions for bald eagles, waterfowl, and many of the 200 species of birds that call this area home;
• Scenic excursions to the upper reaches of Knight Inlet, the longest fjord in Canada;
• Marine mammal viewing...which may include seal, orcas, otter, and dolphins;
• Incredible wildlife photography opportunities;
• Interpretive old growth rainforest treks in the Kwalate River Valley;
• Upriver kayak tours at high tide;
• Excursions to Johnstone Strait for marine wildlife viewing;
• Fishing excursions for salmon, trout or rock bass;
• Educational natural history presentations by biologists, photographers, and Vital Ground staff.

*All activities are subject to weather conditions, water levels, and seasonal wildlife movements.

If you'd like to make a trip deposit online, click here.
If you'd like to pay in full online, click here.

Tentative Itinerary:

• The tour begins and ends in Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada. Campbell River is located on Vancouver Island, just a short commercial flight from Vancouver, British Columbia. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from Campbell River, and should plan to arrive in Campbell River no later than 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 14th.
• We will spend Saturday night, May 14th at Heron's Landing Hotel in Campbell River. That evening we will be treated to a private tour of The Campbell River Museum, a museum devoted to indigenous cultures of British Columbia. A group dinner follows. 
• On Sunday morning, May 15th, shuttles will transport us to the Campbell River float plane dock for our 30 minute flight into Knight Inlet Lodge. The float plane will depart Campbell River at approximately 9:30 a.m. 
• The outstanding staff at Knight Inlet Lodge will meet us upon arrival for check-in and orientation. 
• After a short break to settle into our rooms, we'll meet for lunch in the dining area. All Knight Inlet Lodge rooms are cedar or pine-lined, with private washroom and two queen beds, or a queen/twin combo. 
• After lunch at the lodge, our exploration of the magnificent Knight Inlet will begin. Naturalist guides will lead us as we take off to explore Knight Inlet and find grizzly bears, black bears, bald eagles, ospreys, harbor seals, dolphins and myriad other fauna and flora. Special notes: All tours are guided by trained professionals. All rain, fishing, and foul weather gear (including rubber boots), along with water safety vests are available for your use at the lodge. All meals and snacks are included while at Knight Inlet Lodge, as is wine with dinner. Special eating requests are easily accommodated with advance notice.
• Each evening after dinner, the lodge's guides, naturalists and photographers present informative natural history presentations.
• Departure from Knight Inlet Lodge will be on Friday, May 21st via floatplane to Campbell River. Transportation from the floatplane dock to the Campbell River airport will be provided. Weather permitting, we should be at the Campbell River airport by noon. 

Special Travel Notes:

• Please arrange your flights to arrive into Campbell River as early in the day as possible on Saturday, May 14th. This will minimize the possibility that a travel snafu could cause you to miss rendezvousing with the group for the museum tour and dinner that evening. 
• You will most likely travel through Vancouver, B.C. Upon arrival in Vancouver, international passengers must clear customs. All international travelers (including U.S. citizens) must have a valid passport. 
• Pacific Coastal Airlines (1-800-663-2872) and Central Mountain Air (1-888-865-8585) provide commercial flights from Vancouver to Campbell River. Pacific Coastal Airlines departs from the South Terminal, while Central Mountain Air departs from the Main Terminal. If you are traveling to Campbell River on Pacific Coastal Airlines, give yourself ample time (at least two hours) to clear customs and transfer to the South Terminal for your connecting flight to Campbell River. 
• Cell phones will not operate while at Knight Inlet Lodge. The only available phone is the lodge's Marine Telephone, which is reserved for emergency or high priority use.

TOUR COST: $6,500 USD per couple, $3,500 USD single.

Pricing includes:

• Campbell River Museum group tour;
• Saturday night's group dinner in Campbell River;
• Accommodations for one night at Heron's Landing in Campbell River and five nights at Knight Inlet Lodge;
• Round trip float plane flight between Campbell River, BC and Knight Inlet Lodge;
• All meals and snacks while at Knight Inlet Lodge, including wine with dinner; and
• All recreational activities and special equipment while at Knight Inlet Lodge.

A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required to secure your reservation. Capacity is limited to only fourteen rooms, so please reserve your room as early as possible! PAY YOUR DEPOSIT ONLINE HERE.

This special Vital Ground ecotour is limited to a maximum of 30 guests, and we are certain you will have a unique adventure in this wildlife paradise! Come and meet individuals and families who are committed to conservation, and share an experience that you will treasure forever.

If you'd like to make a trip deposit online, click here.
If you'd like to pay in full online, click here.

Contact us with questions at 406-549-8650 or info@vitalground.org.

Watch highlights from our Spring 2010 trip here.
Watch our promotional video for our Knight Inlet tours here.