Voyage to Great Bear Rainforest: Native Culture and Wildlife in the Land of the Spirit Bear
Voyage to Great Bear Rainforest: Native Culture & Wildlife in the Land of the Spirit Bear
Enter the realm of the Spirit Bear
Sail into the narrow, winding fjords of northern British Columbia and enter the domain of the rare Spirit Bear. Also known as a Kermode bear, it is a variant of the North American black bear and can only be found in the pristine wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest. The forest is roughly the size of Ireland and one of National Geographic’s “Places of a Lifetime.” It stretches 250 miles across the central and northern coast of British Columbia and encompases a quarter of the world’s coastal temperate rainforest. Hike along its salmon-rich streams, enter forests of towering cedars, and see the protected region’s abundant wildlife. This Alaska itinerary aboard National Geographic Venture will enable you to:
- 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
Discover the region's abundant wildlife
A diverse and healthy population of wildlife species thrive in the rainforest. Search for mountain goats, cougars, grizzly bears, as well as subspecies and genetically unique populations like the coastal grey wolves. The seas teem with killer whales, sea lions, sea otters, and more. Sail into the narrow Grenville Channel, which pinches to less than a quarter-mile across and is a gathering place for killer whales. Zodiac and kayak to a salmon run where bears come to feed.
Learn the history of First Nations people
Joining us aboard is a cultural interpreter who will share the legends and lore of their people and the lands we explore. In British Columbia see a coastal longhouse built of bark-stripped cedar and a museum’s collection of First Nations artifacts. And in Ketchikan visit the Totem Heritage Center to view a unique collection of 19th-century Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian totem poles recovered from abandoned villages.
Search for the Kermode Bear
Circumnavigate Gribbell Island, what the Valhalla Wilderness Society has dubbed “Mother Island of the White Bear,” in search of this elusive spirit bear. It is believed that 10 - 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.
Travel in excellent company
Explore under the sure guidance of an expedition leader, veteran naturalists, including a Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor and an undersea specialist, plus a wellness specialist. Their knowledge and passion for the region is the key to your once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- Adventure and Active
- Gardens, Foliage, and Nature
- National Geographic Journeys
- National Parks and Preserves
- Safari, Animals, and Wildlife
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About National Geographic Venture
Venture, like much of the wildlife she follows, is migratory. She follows the seasons from Alaska, along the coast of British Columbia, up the Columbia & Snake Rivers, and along the Baja coast and into the Sea of Cortez. In each region, her design innovations were informed by 50+ years of expedition expertise to ensure extraordinary discoveries. Larger than her sibling twin ships, Sea Bird and Sea Lion, Venture has the same shallow draft, enabling her to nimbly navigate the same inner reaches and provide the same intimate, ‘insider’ experiences of the charismatic regions we explore.
Like her sister ship Quest, Venture has dual boarding platforms, enabling our team to load two Zodiacs at once means guests get off ship quickly, to take advantage of wildlife sightings and maximize exploring time. Modern, cleaned-lined, with large expanses of glass to keep you connected to the extraordinary views, National Geographic Venture enables you to see, do and experience the best of her geographies.
| 05 | Category 5 | $9,213.00 USD |
| 04 | Category 4 | $8,273.00 USD |
| 03 | Category 3 | $7,445.00 USD |
| 02 | Category 2 | $6,728.00 USD |
| 01 | Category 1 | $5,788.00 USD |
Costs Include: All accommodations aboard ships or in hotels per itinerary or similar, all meals and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship, meals on land as indicated, air transportation where indicated as included, shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees, special access permits, transfers to and from group flights, use of snorkeling equipment and wet suits, use of kayaks (where available), tips (except to Egyptologists and ship’s crew), taxes and service charges, services of a ship physician on most voyages, and services of our expedition staff.
Not Included: Air transportation (except where shown as included), extensions, passport, visa, immigration fees, scuba diving (where available), meals not indicated, baggage/accident/travel protection plan, items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages, e-mail, laundry. Gratuities to Egyptologists and ship’s crew at your discretion.
Airfare: For all programs, airfare is an additional cost unless otherwise indicated. Sample airfares are based on 2007 fares and are subject to change. We will gladly assist in making your air arrangements.
Note: Complete pre-journey information, including suggestions on what to bring and recommended reading, will be sent after your reservation is confirmed 4-6 months prior to departure.
Venture, like much of the wildlife she follows, is migratory. She follows the seasons from Alaska, along the coast of British Columbia, up the Columbia & Snake Rivers, and along the Baja coast and into the Sea of Cortez. In each region, her design innovations were informed by 50+ years of expedition expertise to ensure extraordinary discoveries. Larger than her sibling twin ships, Sea Bird and Sea Lion, Venture has the same shallow draft, enabling her to nimbly navigate the same inner reaches and provide the same intimate, ‘insider’ experiences of the charismatic regions we explore.
Like her sister ship Quest, Venture has dual boarding platforms, enabling our team to load two Zodiacs at once means guests get off ship quickly, to take advantage of wildlife sightings and maximize exploring time. Modern, cleaned-lined, with large expanses of glass to keep you connected to the extraordinary views, National Geographic Venture enables you to see, do and experience the best of her geographies.
| 05 | Category 5 | $9,213.00 USD |
| 04 | Category 4 | $8,273.00 USD |
| 03 | Category 3 | $7,445.00 USD |
| 02 | Category 2 | $6,728.00 USD |
| 01 | Category 1 | $5,788.00 USD |
Costs Include: All accommodations aboard ships or in hotels per itinerary or similar, all meals and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship, meals on land as indicated, air transportation where indicated as included, shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees, special access permits, transfers to and from group flights, use of snorkeling equipment and wet suits, use of kayaks (where available), tips (except to Egyptologists and ship’s crew), taxes and service charges, services of a ship physician on most voyages, and services of our expedition staff.
Not Included: Air transportation (except where shown as included), extensions, passport, visa, immigration fees, scuba diving (where available), meals not indicated, baggage/accident/travel protection plan, items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages, e-mail, laundry. Gratuities to Egyptologists and ship’s crew at your discretion.
Airfare: For all programs, airfare is an additional cost unless otherwise indicated. Sample airfares are based on 2007 fares and are subject to change. We will gladly assist in making your air arrangements.
Note: Complete pre-journey information, including suggestions on what to bring and recommended reading, will be sent after your reservation is confirmed 4-6 months prior to departure.
About Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions goes to the most amazing places on the planet—40+ geographies in all. And they’ve planted a flag in many of them, deeply committing to remote wild places—like South Georgia and the Falklands; Patagonia, where they opened up Staten Island, ‘the island at the end of the world,’ for eco-tourism; and remote and beautiful regions of Polynesia, including the Marquesas Islands where few go.
Teams that do whatever it takes
Lindblad’s teams will do whatever it takes to ensure you unforgettable experiences. Whether it’s manning the spotting scopes all night to ensure a polar bear sighting, orchestrating a landing at an extraordinary wildlife site to coincide with a magnificent sunrise, or sending waitstaff out with gourmet ice cream bars to refresh you as you explore a Polynesia atoll, their commitment creates thrilling moments for you.
Global Stewards
A core value of Lindablad Expeditions is to positively impact the geographies where the fleet sails. Leaders in the travel industry for over 50 years, Lindblad has built ground-breaking programs in education, empowered local artisans, protected wild areas, and so much more. By bringing travelers into wilderness and inspiring them to care, Lindblad creates planetary stewards every day.
About Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions goes to the most amazing places on the planet—40+ geographies in all. And they’ve planted a flag in many of them, deeply committing to remote wild places—like South Georgia and the Falklands; Patagonia, where they opened up Staten Island, ‘the island at the end of the world,’ for eco-tourism; and remote and beautiful regions of Polynesia, including the Marquesas Islands where few go.
Teams that do whatever it takes
Lindblad’s teams will do whatever it takes to ensure you unforgettable experiences. Whether it’s manning the spotting scopes all night to ensure a polar bear sighting, orchestrating a landing at an extraordinary wildlife site to coincide with a magnificent sunrise, or sending waitstaff out with gourmet ice cream bars to refresh you as you explore a Polynesia atoll, their commitment creates thrilling moments for you.
Global Stewards
A core value of Lindablad Expeditions is to positively impact the geographies where the fleet sails. Leaders in the travel industry for over 50 years, Lindblad has built ground-breaking programs in education, empowered local artisans, protected wild areas, and so much more. By bringing travelers into wilderness and inspiring them to care, Lindblad creates planetary stewards every day.
