- ENTIRE Cooling-Off Period
- ENTIRE AUD Prices
- ENTIRE Change of Mind
- ENTIRE Industry Accredited
- ENTIRE On Ground Support
- ENTIRE Australian Owned
Inclusions
Our Freedom of Choice program offers flexibility, by allowing you to choose from different options on pre-selected days.
Our per person price includes one tour on each Freedom of Choice day, as follows:
- One "Freedom of Choice" tour on day 4
- One "Freedom of Choice" tour on day 6
Expand the itinerary below for more details.
Please note, if more than one room is selected during the booking process, our team will contact you afterwards to discuss options.
Itinerary
Day 1 Vancouver Campbell River
Depart Vancouver for Horseshoe Bay and sail on BC Ferries 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 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 in Campbell River at Comfort Inn & Suites
Day 2 Campbell River Knight Inlet Lodge
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
Knight Inlet Lodge Inclusions:
- Interpretive guided bear viewing tours
- Knight Inlet sightseeing cruise (weather permitting, no substitute)
- Use of kayaks on organised estuary tours
- All meals and snacks while at the lodge
- Complimentary house wine with dinner
- Rain gear if required: rubber boots, coats, pants
Day 3 Knight Inlet Lodge Tofino/Ucluelet
Early this morning, enjoy a bear viewing experience for a last photo opportunity before departing for Campbell River by floatplane. Collect your car and head south west to Tofino on the rugged West Coast. En route, picture stops should be made at Cathedral Grove to enjoy the splendour of 800-year-old Douglas Fir and Cedar 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.
Overnight in Ucluelet at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort
Day 4 Tofino/Ucluelet
Today you can personalise your day with a pre-selected tour from our Freedom of Choice options below.
Overnight in Ucluelet at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort
Freedom of Choice Options
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Coastal Bear Watch Cruise:
Search for foraging bears from the comfort and safety of a 24’ Zodiac vessel. Abundant on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, black bears roam the shores at low tide in search of their favourite delicacy, the Rock Crab.
OR
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Whale Watching Cruise:
Cruise through the pristine waters of Clayoquot Sound to view beautiful scenery and wildlife. Depending on the time of year, you may encounter grey whales, humpback whales, sea lions, sea birds and resident bald eagles.
Day 5 Tofino/Ucluelet Victoria
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 in Victoria at Inn at Laurel Point
Day 6 Victoria
It's time to explore Victoria with a pre-selected tour from our Freedom of Choice options below.
Overnight in Victoria at Inn at Laurel Point
Freedom of Choice Options
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Butchart Gardens Admission:
On its 100th birthday in 2004, the Butchart Gardens was named a National Historic Site of Canada. Explore 22 hectares/55 acres of breathtaking gardens on the 53-hectare/130-acre estate.
OR
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Eat like a Canadian Food Tour:
Not many people can define exactly what Canadian food is. From local ingredients to historic dishes, this tour is the best way to experience Canadian culinary culture. Sip and savour local cuisine, explore the iconic Inner Harbour, and meet the chefs and owners that make Victoria such an exciting culinary hot spot.
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Day 7 Victoria Vancouver
Leaving Victoria, drive north to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal for a 90-minute ferry ride to Tsawwassen. On-board BC Ferries enjoy the scenery of the Gulf Islands as you cross the Strait of Georgia. From Tsawwassen, continue on to downtown Vancouver where your self-drive package ends.
Accommodation
Comfort Inn & Suites
Campbell River
Located on the waterfront in downtown Campbell River, the Comfort Inn & Suites offers unparalleled comfort in distinctive, West Coast style. After enjoying a great night’s sleep in our 100% smoke-free hotel, power up your morning with a free hot breakfast, admire the ocean views from your spacious suite or start your day with a soak in our indoor pool and hot tub. You can even bring your pet – to the hotel, not the pool! All of our hotel rooms and suites feature free Wi-Fi, phone calls within North America, flat-screen HDTV, mini-fridge, microwave and coffee maker. Plus, at our complimentary business centre, you can print out boarding passes and more. Whether you’re searching hotels in Campbell River for business or pleasure, our hotel is your perfect base for discovering the abundant pleasures and hidden treasures of northern Vancouver Island.
Knight Inlet Lodge
Knight Inlet
Situated 60 kilometres from the mouth of the inlet is Knight Inlet Lodge. Our floating resort is tucked into Glendale Cove, which offers one of the few protected anchorages in the inlet, and it is here that you will begin each day's adventure. The lodge is a modern one story facility consisting of 5 cement floats, we like to call ourselves a floating village, plus support buidlings. All guest rooms feature comfortable queen size beds plus private washrooms with showers. The resort is finished with western cedar board and batten siding to give it a real west coast British Columbia look and feel. There are 2 outside deck areas, one complete with gas fireplace, for relaxing on those warm summer evenings.
Black Rock Oceanfront Resort
Ucluelet
A 6-minute stroll from the Wild Pacific Trail, this chic oceanfront hotel built from granite and glass is also a 14-minute walk from downtown Ucluelet. Amenities include an ultrahip bar and restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows and a seasonal patio overlooking the Pacific Ocean. There's also a serene spa with 2 hot tubs, a lounge and a seasonal plunge pool.
Inn at Laurel Point
Victoria
Overlooking Laurel Point Park, this waterfront hotel is a 5-minute walk from the Black Ball Ferry Line and a 10-minute walk from the Royal BC Museum. Featuring private balconies with water views, the airy rooms include flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, plus minifridges, and tea and coffeemaking equipment. There's a heated indoor pool, an exercise room and a Japanese garden, plus a Pacific Rim-inspired restaurant with a patio and harbour views.
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