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Voyage to Great Bear Rainforest: Native Culture & Wildlife in the Land of the Spirit Bear

Voyage to Great Bear Rainforest: Native Culture & Wildlife in the Land of the Spirit Bear

From AUD $8,430

Description

Aboard 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.

Trip Name
Voyage to Great Bear Rainforest: Native Culture & Wildlife in the Land of the Spirit Bear
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Ship Passenger Capacity: 100 Built: 2017 National Geographic Venture is a purpose-built expedition vessel designed to follow the seasons and uncover the wild beauty of North America’s west coast and Baja California. A sister ship to National Geographic Quest, she was constructed at the renowned Nichols Brothers shipyard in the Pacific Northwest, continuing a legacy of shipbuilding excellence that began with Sea Bird and Sea Lion in the 1970s. Carrying 100 guests in 50 comfortable cabins, Venture offers the perfect balance of modern amenities and expedition-ready design, with a shallow draught that allows for access to hidden coves, narrow inlets, and wildlife-rich waters. On board, guests enjoy spacious public areas including a lounge with bar and presentation space, a dining room with open seating, a Global Gallery, fitness centre, and a furnished sundeck. A mudroom with lockers keeps expedition gear handy, while the open Bridge invites guests to learn from the Captain and crew. With twin Zodiac platforms for efficient embarkation, Venture is ideally suited for spontaneous wildlife encounters and exploration by paddleboard or kayak. Her design, informed by over 50 years of expedition expertise, ensures an immersive, flexible, and unforgettable experience at sea.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 Ketchikan, Alaska / Embark Ship
Arrive in Ketchikan, the southernmost city in Alaska, spread at the base of forested slopes on Revillagigedo Island, in the early afternoon. Its many monikers, from “salmon capital of the world” to “rain capital of Alaska,” capture the spirit of this city, 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.
Day 2 - 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.
Day 3 - DAYS 3-6 Exploring the Great Bear Rainforest and Rugged Coastline of British Columbia
Over the course of the next four days, we cruise far into the fjords and deep valleys that carve into the Coast Range looking for black and grizzly bears. We are accompanied by a cultural interpreter* who will share local Indigenous knowledge, culture, and practice, offering unparalleled insights. We 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. We go ashore and explore several remote locations where few people venture. Discover hidden gems by Zodiac and kayak, navigate the tidal narrows that lead to the backs of bays while constantly scanning for bears along the rocky shoreline and meadows such as Gilttoyees Inlet. *Please note: Cultural interpreter is dependent on availability.
Day 4 - DAY 7 Cruising and Lowe Inlet Provincial Marine Park
Seek out pods of killer whales and foraging bears as we 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, we will drop our Zodiacs and kayaks to explore the salmon run at Verney Falls in Lowe Inlet Provincial Marine Park on our way to Prince Rupert.
Day 5 - DAY 8 Prince Rupert / Disembark Ship / Seattle / Fly Home
Disembark and transfer to the airport in Prince Rupert. Board a charter flight to Seattle for your connecting flight home.
Day 6 - Please note:
All day-by-day breakdowns are a sampling of the places we intend to visit, conditions permitting.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
01-09-202508-09-2025AUD $8,687Category 1
01-09-202508-09-2025AUD $10,101Category 2
01-09-202508-09-2025AUD $11,183Category 3
01-09-202508-09-2025AUD $12,414Category 4
01-09-202508-09-2025AUD $13,839Category 5 Suite
08-09-202515-09-2025AUD $9,146Category 1
08-09-202515-09-2025AUD $10,634Category 2
08-09-202515-09-2025AUD $11,771Category 3
08-09-202515-09-2025AUD $13,069Category 4
08-09-202515-09-2025AUD $14,567Category 5 Suite
15-09-202522-09-2025AUD $8,516Category 1
15-09-202522-09-2025AUD $9,900Category 2
15-09-202522-09-2025AUD $10,950Category 3
15-09-202522-09-2025AUD $12,183Category 4
15-09-202522-09-2025AUD $13,556Category 5 Suite
08-09-202615-09-2026AUD $8,860Category 1
08-09-202615-09-2026AUD $10,300Category 2
08-09-202615-09-2026AUD $11,410Category 3
08-09-202615-09-2026AUD $12,670Category 4
08-09-202615-09-2026AUD $14,120Category 5 Suite
16-09-202623-09-2026AUD $8,860Category 1
16-09-202623-09-2026AUD $10,300Category 2
16-09-202623-09-2026AUD $11,410Category 3
16-09-202623-09-2026AUD $12,670Category 4
16-09-202623-09-2026AUD $14,120Category 5 Suite
24-09-202601-10-2026AUD $8,430Category 1
24-09-202601-10-2026AUD $9,800Category 2
24-09-202601-10-2026AUD $10,840Category 3
24-09-202601-10-2026AUD $12,060Category 4
24-09-202601-10-2026AUD $13,420Category 5 Suite

Inclusions

    • Kayak deep into verdant fjords and along wildlife-rich shores
    • Cruise by Zodiac in protected waters in search of grizzly, black, and Kermode bears
    • Experience the silence as you stand among towering, monumental cedars
    • Witness the surprisingly colorful undersea through video shot by our undersea specialist
    • Soak in rustic hot spring pools—conditions and wildlife permitting

Map