Canada's Spirit Bears - August 28 - September 10, 2018
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Canada’s Spirit Bears August 28 – September 10, 2018
This Photo © Douglas Neasloss; Cover © Ignacio Yúfera
Expedition O ver view
On the untouched islands and misty valleys of Canada’s far western
edge, shrouded by towering forests of spruce and fir, a rare and ghostly
creature lives: the local Gitga’at people call it mooksgm’ol, or Spirit Bear,
for its stark white coat. Its official name is Kermode Bear, and it exists
only here, in the remote and rugged “forgotten coast” of British
Columbia. Travel with Apex Expeditions through a labyrinth of ancient
moss-draped woods and stunning fjords that stretch back into the
glacier-capped Coastal Mountain range. Follow wildlife biologists and
© Tom Rivest
First Nations guides in search of the elusive Kermode, as well as
Grizzly and Black Bears, wolves, eagles, and Humpback Whales. Learn
Photos: (Cover) Kermode, or Spirit,
about the culture of the local Tshimshian and Heiltsuk people, who are Bear, Humpback Whale, Brown
Bears
working diligently to protect this, one of the largest remaining tracts of
unspoiled temperate rainforest left in the world.
WWW.APEX-EXPEDITIONS.COM 800.861.6425 / 206.669.9272
© Patrick McCloskey
Itinerar y
Tuesday, August 28: Arrive Vancouver, British Columbia
Arrive into Vancouver, British Columbia (B.C.), and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a
welcome dinner with your fellow travelers and overnight at the Vancouver Fairmont
Airport Hotel.
Wednesday, August 29: Vancouver / Bella Bella / Klemtu
© Bluewater Adventures
This morning, fly from Vancouver to Bella Bella, a remote island village in central
B.C., the traditional home of the Heiltsuk First Nation and the gateway to the Great
Bear Rainforest. Among the most biologically productive coastal rainforests on the
planet, the Great Bear Rainforest harbors some of the oldest and largest trees,
including Sitka Spruce, Red Cedar, Western Hemlock, and Amabilis Fir. Transfer to
the marina for a short water taxi to the native village of Klemtu, and on to the Spirit
Bear Lodge. This evening, enjoy dinner, followed by a presentation on bear ecology.
Dinner and overnight at Spirit Bear Lodge.
Thursday–Saturday, August 30–September 1: Klemtu
Enjoy three full days at this secluded waterfront lodge. Each day after breakfast,
expert guides will lead you to prime bear viewing sites, by land and water,
ensuring you every vantage point and angle on these magnificent creatures. The
salmon spawning season should be in full swing, and Grizzly and Black Bears will be
vying for the best fishing opportunities. Between bear viewings, enjoy interpretive
© Douglas Neasloss
rainforest hikes or a sea kayak excursion to explore the shoreline south of Klemtu.
The area is home to many mammals, including Grey Wolves, River Otters, Pine
Martens, and Mink, and the salmon run attracts a great number of Bald Eagles,
Buffleheads, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Belted Kingfisher and other fish-eating birds.
You may also visit the spectacular waterfalls in Carter Inlet, see the ceremonial Big Photos: American Black Bear,
House at the Dis’ju site, and enjoy evening presentations on coastal ecology and Klemtu Longhouse, Bald Eagle
local First Nations culture. Dinners and overnights at Spirit Bear Lodge.
WWW.APEX-EXPEDITIONS.COM 800.861.6425 / 206.669.9272
Sunday, September 2: Klemtu / Bella Bella / Terrace
Soak up the surrounding forest on one last walk, before catching the water taxi back
to Bella Bella and transferring to the airport for a flight north to Terrace. We hope
to fly directly to Terrace, but may need to fly via Vancouver if schedules and aircraft
availability change. Dinner and overnight on the salmon-rich Skeena River at Yellow
Cedar Lodge.
Monday, September 3: Terrace / Embark SV Island Solitude
© Phil Charles
After breakfast, a short drive will take you to Kitimat Marina, and the Island Solitude,
the custom 72-foot ketch that will be your home base for the next seven nights.
After settling into your cabin, head up on deck as you set sail, traveling down the
Douglas Channel toward Campania Sound and Whale Channel, so called for the
abundance of Humpback Whales that congregate here on their summer migration.
Keep a watchful eye for bears, deer, Wolverines, Coastal Black Wolves, Golden and
Bald Eagles, and the endangered Marbled Murrelet along the shoreline. Dinner and
overnight on Island Solitude.
Tuesday–Sunday, September 4–9: Great Bear Rainforest
Spend the next five days cruising the intricate waterways of the 12,000-square-mile
Great Bear Rainforest, only officially recognized (and protected) by the B.C.
government in 2016. In the spirit of expedition cruising, flexibility is key, and your
© Randy Burke
captain and expedition leader will determine the best course each day. Spend each
night in a different secluded anchorage aboard the Island Solitude.
Highlights of the voyage include time on and around Princess Royal Island, the
largest island on B.C.’s coast and among the most remote and rugged on Earth. The
island has no permanent residents, no maintained roads and no trails. Spend a day
in the rainforest with a Gitga’at First Nations guide, looking for Black Bears and the
legendary white Kermode Bear. These bears are actually a race of Black Bear, in
which a genetic variation, expressed in about ten percent of the population, results
in pure white individuals. Nearly half of the remaining 400 Kermodes known to
exist live right here on this island, but they remain elusive, and viewing them takes
patience.
© Cael Cook
Sail into Bishop Bay Hot Springs, located in the intriguingly named Devastation
Channel, and enjoy a magnificent soak. Head deep into the coastal Kitimat Range
to explore the Fiordland Conservancy Area, a large marine park dedicated to
protecting the glacially gouged fiords that characterize this portion of Canada’s
Pacific coast. Explore lush estuaries at the base of sharply plunging glacier-topped
mountains. See salmon spawn in the many coastal rivers and creeks, attracting
Grizzlies and Black Bears.
Monday, September 10: Bella Bella / Vancouver
Enjoy a farewell breakfast on the Island Solitude before disembarking at Bella Bella.
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Vancouver, then connect with your
© Patrick McCloskey
international flights homeward.
Photos: Grizzly Bear, Kayers view a
Grizzly Bear, Spirit Bears,
Zodiac Exploration
WWW.APEX-EXPEDITIONS.COM 800.861.6425 / 206.669.9272
Expedition Map — Canada’s Spirit Bears
A – Vancouver D – Terrace
B – Bella Bella E – Great Bear Rainfores t
C – K lemtu
B y A ir B y Boat B y Road
WWW.APEX-EXPEDITIONS.COM 800.861.6425 / 206.669.9272
Your Expedition Leaders
Kevin Clement
Not many people can say they have lived inside Denali National Park, but Kevin
Clement is one. Nowadays, however, he spends most of his time guiding
ecotourism and adventure travel trips on all seven continents. “Kevin is the consummate
Kevin has served as the Denali Foundation instructor for natural history and Renaissance Man, possessing a
as a trainer for the Park’s staff of naturalists. As a Certification Instructor for
the Wilderness Education Association he led month-long outdoor leadership poetic and artistic take on the
courses under the auspices of the University of Alaska. He has lived in world that adds a fascinating
several other national parks and has guided groups in whitewater rafts, on
cross-country skis, by sled dog, and on foot, earning certifications in scuba dimension to his interpretation
diving, swiftwater rescue, and wilderness medicine, as well as a Coast Guard as you explore alongside him.”
Master’s license. Most recently he’s been running a sea kayaking program in
Antarctica—a place he has visited more than 50 times. – Judy M., Hawaii
And as he always has, he still draws and paints. His first career was as an
illustrator, and his work has appeared in various juried art shows, several
times winning juror’s or people’s choice awards. He never travels without his
sketchbook. Or his sense of humor.
WWW.APEX-EXPEDITIONS.COM 800.861.6425 / 206.669.9272
Expedition Details
Canada’s Spirit Bears August 28 – September 10, 2018
$18,970 Per Person Rate
$33,970 Solo Rate
14 Days Trip Length
12 Guests Group Size
Vancouver / Vancouver Start/End
Included
Apex Expeditions’ rates include all accommodations; all meals, activities and excursions as described in the itinerary;
flights from Vancouver to Bella Bella, Bella Bella to Terrace, and Bella Bella to Vancouver, as noted in the itinerary;
services of an Apex Expeditions leader and local guides throughout the itinerary; local beer & wines at lunch & dinner;
all gratuities; airport transfers; permits and entrance fees; all taxes.
Not Included
Costs not included in the price of your Apex expedition include travel to and from the start and end point of trip;
premium brand drinks and liquor; travel insurance (Trip Cancellation and Interruption, as well as Emergency Medical
and Evacuation insurance, are highly recommended); airport departure taxes; equipment rental; excess baggage fees;
passport and/or visa fees; items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, souvenirs, etc.); and independent travel
arrangements pre- or post-trip.
Payments & Terms
20% of the trip cost will confirm your place on the expedition. The final balance is due 150 days prior to departure.
All prices are quoted in U.S. dollars and must be paid in U.S. dollars. Per person pricing is based on double occupancy.
The solo rate is paid by participants who specifically request single accommodations and is subject to availability.
If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will try to match you with a roommate of the same
gender. However, if a roommate is not available, the published solo rate will be charged. Upon confirming your
reservation you will be required to pay the published Solo Rate, if we are able to pair you with a roommate, the
applicable difference will be refunded at the time that the final trip payment is due for all participants. Please note that
solo accommodations are limited and cannot always be guaranteed throughout. For our full set of Terms & Conditions,
please visit our web site at www.apex-expeditions.com/about/terms-conditions/
One-of-a-kind adventures to
the world’s most fascinating
© Patrick McCloskey
places. Join us.
WWW.APEX-EXPEDITIONS.COM 800.861.6425 / 206.669.9272
Reser vation Form
Canada’s Spirit Bears August 28 – September 10, 2018
Person 1: (Primary Contact)
Passport Name:
Preferred Name:
Date of Birth:
Email Address:
Mailing Details:
Address:
City: State: ZIP Code: Country:
Phone: Fax:
Double Solo
Person 2: (If applicable and at same address, otherwise please submit a second Reservation Form.)
Passport Name:
Preferred Name:
Date of Birth:
Email Address:
Deposit Information:
My deposit check is enclosed (20% of total tour fare)
Charge my deposit to my: VISA MasterCard American Express
Card #: Expires: CCV Code:
Name on Card:
Signature:
Please return this completed form to Apex Expeditions.
E-mail: info@apex-expeditions.com or Mail: 4130 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
WWW.APEX-EXPEDITIONS.COM 800.861.6425 / 206.669.9272
You can also read
