At a glance
- Duration:
- 8 Days
- Start/End:
- Ketchikan Alaska to Prince Rupert, British Columbia
- From:
- $5,961
- Time of Year:
- September
On this 8-day Voyage to Great Bear Rainforest aboard the National Geographic Venture, explore the northern coast of British Columbia and sail into Great Bear Rainforest, the only place where the elusive Kermode bear, or spirit bear, can be found.
Get immersed in the region’s pristine natural beauty, and search for wildlife on land and sea—from orcas and sea lions to grizzly bears and golden eagles—as we navigate glacier-cut fjords, soaring granite peaks, and moss-draped forests.
Voyage to Great Bear Rainforest Highlights
- Take kayaks and Zodiacs deep into verdant fjords and wildlife-rich shores in search of bears, golden eagles, river otters, pods of orcas, and more
- Journey into pristine forests inaccessible by road and managed by First Nations people
- Learn the human history of the region from our cultural interpreter and on visits to fascinating First Nations museums
- Kayak among massive smacks of jellyfish and witness the surprising undersea through video shot by our undersea specialist
- With National Geographic Global Explorers, our exclusive program for kids and teens, kids will learn about this wild corner of the world—from grizzly bears to breaching whales
Expedition Team
Over 50+ years of exploring, Lindblad Expeditions’ veteran staff and the quality companionship they provide has established the company’s reputation. From expedition leaders to naturalists, most hold advanced degrees and are established authorities in their fields. Some join a few expeditions each year to explore the same sites, some of them spending some time in the field away from rigorous academic work. And others lead expeditions all around the world—with many guests saying, “Where you’re going, we’re going,” and returning time after time to travel with them. Browse our team directory to discover the full cast of expedition staff.
Voyage to Great Bear Rainforest Details
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Ketchikan, Alaska / Embark Ship
Arrive in Ketchikan, the southernmost city in Alaska, spread at the base of forested slopes on Revillagigedo Island. Known as the “salmon capital of the world,” it’s famous for colorful buildings and abundant fishing boats and canneries. Embark National Geographic Venture in time for cocktails and an introduction of the vessel staff and crew.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada
Wake up in Prince Rupert, a scenic harbor town on British Columbia’s rugged northwest coast. Get immersed in First Nations history at the Museum of Northern British Columbia, built in the style of a coastal longhouse. Breathe in the scent of cedar beams and peruse an impressive collection of ornate carvings, weavings, ceremonial objects and regalia. Visit the North Pacific Cannery Museum, a collection of cannery buildings located in pristine wilderness surroundings that highlight British Columbia’s economic, cultural and natural development over the last century.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 3-6: Exploring the Great Bear Rainforest and Rugged Coastline of British Columbia
Over the course of the next four days, you will cruise far into the fjords and deep valleys that carve into the Coast Range looking for black and grizzly bears. You and your fellow guests are accompanied by a cultural interpreter* who will share local Indigenous knowledge, culture and practice, offering unparalleled insights. You will cruise the eastern coast of Princess Royal Island in search of the elusive spirit bear. It is believed that between 10 to 20 percent of bears in this region are born with the recessive gene that causes the white fur; fewer than 400 are estimated to exist.
British Columbia has one of the highest proportions of protected land of any jurisdiction in the world. Almost 15 percent of the land is protected, with a wide range of provincial parks, national parks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Alongside your veteran expedition team, go ashore and explore several remote locations where few people venture. Discover hidden gems by Zodiac and kayak, navigating the tidal narrows that lead to the backs of bays while scanning for bears along the rocky shoreline and meadows such as Gilttoyees Inlet.
*Please note: Cultural interpreter is dependent on availability.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Cruising and Lowe Inlet Provincial Marine Park
Seek out pods of killer whales and foraging bears as you sail north through the narrow Grenville Channel between Pitt Island and the mainland, a dramatic navigational experience. Not only does the channel narrow to less than a quarter of a mile across, but a slight bend in the passage makes the waterway seem to disappear into the hills ahead and behind the ship. Here, you’ll explore the salmon run at Verney Falls in Lowe Inlet Provincial Marine Park by Zodiacs and kayaks on the way to Prince Rupert.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Prince Rupert / Disembark Ship / Seattle / Fly Home
Disembark in Prince Rupert and transfer to the airport for flights home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
