Meet your guide for an introduction upon arrival at the Bella Coola Airport or at the BC Ferries Terminal. They will assist you with your bags before transferring you for the 45-minute drive to the lodge. If you are arriving by car, it is recommended that you arrive no earlier than 14:00. If you arrive early, enjoy a bite to eat in the main lodge or relax with a cocktail on the sun deck.

Upon arrival at the lodge, you will be given a detailed orientation of the lodge, its amenities, and the wildlife viewing stand. Your guide will also walk you through a Grizzly Bear Viewing 101 course to familiarize you with bear viewing best practices.

Check-in to your chalet is at 16:00. A three-course dinner is served at 19:00 each night.

Half-day Grizzly Bear Viewing River Drift:

In the morning, you will float down the Atnarko River in the presence of grizzly bears. Observe them in their natural environment, searching for food, and looking after their young. Beginning in late August, thousands upon thousands of salmon arrive in the local rivers to spawn—the final phase of their lifecycle.
For the bears, salmon are an easy meal. Many bears and other wildlife congregate on the river to feast and fatten up before the long winter ahead. Due to the abundance of food, the bears are less shy than usual. They are also more tolerant of each other and the people drifting by with their cameras. With breathtaking views of the mountains serving as the backdrop, it is possible to spot a variety of birds and other wildlife in addition to bears.

Duration: 2–3 Hours
Fitness Level: Easy

Half-day Grizzly Bear Ecology Walking Tour

In autumn, Tweedsmuir Park Lodge is all about bears, and a highlight activity is to venture out on foot with a guide to discover these majestic animals in their natural habitat. Guests will learn about bear ecology and how to cohabitate safely amongst these magnificent creatures. Guides will take guests to some of the bears’ favorite hangouts and point out signs of bear activity like claw marks, day beds, scats, and tufts of fur stuck in the bark of rub trees. Other wildlife species that also live in the forest include black bears, mule deer, moose, American beaver, mountain goats, bald eagles, and numerous amphibian species. The adjacent lands are also a significant habitat for Vaux’s Swift, the Peregrine falcon, fish, wolverines, and Townsend’s big-eared bat.

Every tour is planned with safety as a top priority. It should be noted that the objective of these walks is not to see bears but to find the telltale signs of their passing. In the event a bear is encountered, the guides are trained in reading and interpreting bear behavior so that conflicts are avoided. Guests will be briefed on how to act in the wilderness to avoid startling a bear and how to react in case a bear is spotted. All of our guides also carry bear spray and are trained in how to deploy it safely. They also carry radios to communicate with the lodge in case of an emergency.

Duration: half-day or Full-day
Fitness Level: Easy

Half-day Via Ferrata Climbing Adventure:

On this day, this assisted Via Ferrata climbing experience provides participants with a spectacular self-propelled mountain adventure, stunning scenery, and an exciting feeling of exposure with low risk.
 
The team of experienced guides will ensure guests' safety and enjoyment as they navigate short rock faces, traverse thin ledges, and follow ridge lines amidst the stunning natural landscape. Each guest progresses at their own pace, maximizing their experience while maintaining safety protocols.
 
There are two trekking options: a more challenging path with two aerial wire bridge sections with overhead support cables and a moderate vertical ladder route. Based on each guest's unique preferences and abilities, the guide chooses the best route after consulting with the guest. A lookout deck providing sweeping views of the Bella Coola Valley and surrounding peaks sits at the summit of both climbing routes. Here, visitors can celebrate their climb by choosing to have a $25 per person (minimum of two people) charcuterie board with sparkling water.

Duration: 2–3 Hours
Fitness Level: Easy

Half-day Guided Bella Coola Valley Hikes:

In the afternoon, discover extraordinary hikes with the support of a local guide. These hikes are a step above your ordinary walk in the park. The scenery is jaw-dropping, and the forests and rivers remain pristine. Options include an easy stroll along the Tote Road for a glimpse into Bella Coola’s pioneering past, a moderate loop trail that follows in the footsteps of Sir Alexander Mackenzie on his epic crossing of Canada in 1793, or a vigorous and exercising climb up to elevation points to enjoy views of the valley, waterfalls, and mountain views.

All tours are led by one of the experienced local guides. They will share their interests in wildlife, geography, forest ecosystems, and photography to ensure that the guest experience is truly memorable and well-spent.  These eco-tours involve approximately 2 hours of hiking on forest trails and tracks. The pace varies from moderate to vigorous walking based on the difficulty level of the trail and the fitness level of the group.

Duration: 2–3 Hours
Fitness Level: Medium / Moderate

Full-day Highlights of the Bella Coola Valley:

The Bella Coola Valley sits at the heart of an extraordinary area with the world’s most extensive interconnected fjord system, the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest, and a dramatic mountain landscape. Its stunning scenery, which includes granite cliffs, glaciers, tumbling creeks, and pure rivers, converges. Today, a significant amount of land is protected in the form of the Great Bear Rainforest and Tweedsmuir Provincial Park.
 
The guides will explain how the landscape was shaped by the forces of nature, particularly glaciation, and how these forces continue to shape its evolution. They will also provide an overview and point out examples of human history in the valley. From totem poles and culturally modified cedar trees to the logging and commercial fishing that supported the valley’s recent economy, humankind has left its mark on the landscape. Guides will also touch on the salmon lifecycle, Nuxalk First Nations history, and the spectacular environment from the glaciated peaks down to valley bottoms.

It is not possible to see all the valley has to offer in one day, so please advise your guide of your preferences and interests, whether it be the interface of the valley with the fjords or more on the inland aspects of the valley, and they will create the perfect outing.

Duration: 5–6 Hours
Fitness Level: Easy

If you are flying back to Vancouver with Pacific Coastal Airlines, take advantage of a leisurely morning in which you can enjoy the lodge property, make use of the spa and gym, play some lawn games, or just relax before taking the shuttle back to the Bella Coola Airport for the flight back to Vancouver or to the BC Ferries Terminal.

If you are driving home, the generous hospitality team will pack you a lunch, if you would like, before wishing you the best and helping you on your way.