Located
50 air miles north of Campbell River, British Columbia , is a wild
and remote area of the Pacific Northwest known as Knight Inlet. Being
one of the largest fjords on the B.C. coast, Knight Inlet offers its
visitors spectacular scenery amidst steep cliffs that fall away to
the deep blues and greens of the glacial-fed water. Silence reigns
here, broken only by the slap of the water against the shore and the
thunder of nearby waterfalls, intermingled with the cries of the many
seabirds.
Situated
37 miles from the mouth of the inlet is Knight Inlet Lodge. The floating
lodge 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 an assortment of construction styles dating from the early 1940's,
when the original float housed a logging camp, until recent construction
has provided modern buildings for guest accommodation. In the Palace,
the Native House and the Lair, all of the rooms are cedar paneled
and have private bathrooms for the guests' comfort. Most of the rooms
have one double/queen/king bed and a twin bed. With the addition of
a cot we can accommodate four in some of the rooms. Most of the guest
buildings have lounges with wood burning stoves in them, for relaxing
in the evening or on a cool day. At full capacity the lodge will hold
30 guests in twelve rooms, but 24 - 26 is the average occupancy.
Glendale
Cove is home to one of the largest concentrations of grizzly (brown)
bears in British Columbia. It is not uncommon for there to be up to
50 bears within 5 miles of the lodge in the peak fall season, when
the salmon are returning to the river. Although they are abundant
in the fall, it is not the only season that grizzly bears are around
Glendale Cove. Starting in late April the bears return to the estuary
from hibernation and start the year off feeding on the sedges, succulents,
grasses and barnacles that abound in our estuary. This luxuriant spring
growth provides the basic nutritional needs for the bears and this
draws the bears from the mountains down to the estuary. This is the
time to see the tiny cubs emerge with their ever-cautious mothers
in close proximity. In the summer the berry crop is very heavy and
this helps keeps the bears in the general area. We do not get the
high numbers of the spring and late summer/fall season viewing, but
we usually see some bears every day.
The bears
are viewed differently in the different seasons. In the spring, you
will set out in boats so that you can get close (50 meters) to the
shore for a good view of the bears feeding, but still remain far enough
away as to not disturb them. The early summer program continues on
the water as well, but if the opportunity arises there may be a chance
of using the tree stands. By mid-August, viewing is from platforms
at the spawning channel, as well as continuing to use the tree and
river stands. In all of the viewing programs, guest safety is of utmost
importance. The bears are viewed in their natural environment without
having a negative impact on them.
As well
as bear viewing, there are also a number of other tours. The marine
wildlife tour is offered in all of the seasons that, but it changes
greatly as the seasons change. In the spring, you can view the seals,
sea lions, porpoises, dolphins and the occasional minke whale. At
tidal pools the tour leader will be happy to give you lots of information
on the local marine life. From July onwards, the tours have the added
attraction of the orca (killer) whale and when you journey to the
world famous Johnstone Strait, you are almost assured of spending
some great viewing time with these magnificent marine mammals. Not
only do you view the whales, but the tour includes all of the spring
marine viewing as well, so the program lasts for up to 10 hours..
In September, the humpback whale is added to the list of marine mammals
as they start to arrive from Alaska on their way to Hawaii. The viewing
of these gentle giants is infrequent, but when it does happen, it
is spectacular. In addition, offered are estuary tours, Knight Inlet
boat tours, Jetboat tours up the Kliniklini River, excursions to the
upper reaches of Knight Inlet, and day trips to the Thompson and Bond
Sounds. There are great photographic opportunities on all of the tours,
whether the viewing is of birds, bears, other wildlife or scenics.
As well, there are day-hiking tours and guided kayaking tours in the
estuary. These tours are great for the novice as there are doubles
and singles and excellent guides to take you through the brief lesson
and then get you on the water.
Included in Tour:
Two-day tour:
Return airfare from Campbell River Float Plane dock to Knight Inlet
Lodge
Campell River Airport/hotel transfers
One nights accommodation in Campbell River
One night accommodation at Knight Inlet Lodge
Welcome orientation for wildlife viewing
All meals and snacks while at the lodge (lunch, dinner and breakfast)
Complimentary house wine with dinner
All transportation to the bear viewing stands and boats
Bear viewing tour
Scenic boat ride of Glendale Cove
Interpretive guide on all tours
Rain gear if required
Evening interpretive programs
B.C. Provincial Hotel Tax
B.C. Back Country Permit Fee
First Nations User Fee
Three-day
tour:
All of above adding one more night at Knight Inlet Lodge plus
the offer or the following extra tours:
Extra bear viewing trips
Interpretive hike of the Kwalate River valley
Wildlife tracking to make plaster casts of animal prints
Excursions for Bald Eagle viewing and other bird life
Knight Inlet sightseeing cruise (weather permitting, no substitutes)
Use of kayaks on organized estuary tours
Four
- Eight day tours:
All of the above including three to seven nights at Knight Inlet
Lodge and your choice of:
Excursions
to Johnstone Strait for marine wildlife viewing - weather permitting
Excursions for Bald Eagle viewing and other bird life
Excursions to the upper reaches of Knight inlet for scenic viewing
of the inlet
Excursions to see the grizzly bears from the platforms or boats
Excursions for other wildlife viewing depending on location and availability
Scenic cruise of Knight inlet
Excursions to Thompson Sound and Bond Sound for bear and wildlife
viewing
Jetboat tours of the Klinaklini River - subject to water levels in
the river
Wildlife tracking to make plaster casts of animal prints
Interpretive forest walk in the Kwalate Valley
Use of kayaks on organized tours
Not
included:
3% Insurance surcharge
7% G.S.T.(Canadian Goods and Services Tax)
Items of a personal nature (telephone, laundry, alcoholic beverages
except wine with dinner etc.) while at the lodge
Gratuity for staff (recommended $20.00 per day per guest for duration
of stay. All tour leaders are included in the general gratuity pool
so we discourage direct tipping)
***Marine
based tours are very weather dependent. On a short duration tour,
it may be difficult to fit them in***
The lodge
is closed from July 25th to 31st
Departure
Dates:
All tours can be depart on any day.
2006/2007 Prices:
| Low
Season: June 26 - July 24 |
| |
2 days |
3 days |
4 days |
5 days |
6 days |
7 days |
8 days |
| Double |
$1077 |
$1753 |
$2435 |
$3123 |
$3673 |
$4223 |
$4773 |
| Single |
$1682 |
$2760 |
$3832 |
$4905 |
$5565 |
$6225 |
$6885 |
| Triple |
$961 |
$1594 |
$2226 |
$2837 |
$3277 |
$3717 |
$4157 |
| Quad |
$890 |
$1445 |
$2012 |
$2562 |
$2892 |
$3222 |
$3552 |
| Child
(8-16)* |
$686 |
$1088 |
$1500 |
$1902 |
$2177 |
$2452 |
$2727 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Shoulder
Season: May 7 - June 25, Aug. 1 - 21 |
| |
2 days |
3 days |
4 days |
5 days |
6 days |
7 days |
8 days |
| Double |
$1176 |
$1929 |
$2738 |
$3431 |
$4008 |
$4586 |
$5163 |
| Single |
$1874 |
$2980 |
$4053 |
$5279 |
$5939 |
$6599 |
$7259 |
| Triple |
$1088 |
$1753 |
$2446 |
$3123 |
$3590 |
$4058 |
$4525 |
| Quad |
$989 |
$1588 |
$2210 |
$2815 |
$3200 |
$3585 |
$3970 |
| Child
(8-16)* |
$758 |
$1198 |
$1632 |
$2072 |
$2320 |
$2567 |
$2815 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| High
Season: Aug. 22 - Oct. 17 |
| |
2 days |
3 days |
4 days |
5 days |
6 days |
7 days |
8 days |
| Double |
$1319 |
$2127 |
$2991 |
$3750 |
$4353 |
$4960 |
$5565 |
| Single |
$2061 |
$3299 |
$4542 |
$5779 |
$6494 |
$7209 |
$7924 |
| Triple |
$1203 |
$1946 |
$2672 |
$3414 |
$3909 |
$4404 |
$4899 |
| Quad |
$1088 |
$1753 |
$2408 |
$3079 |
$3519 |
$3959 |
$4399 |
| Child (8-16)* |
$824 |
$1302 |
$1775 |
$2248 |
$2523 |
$2798 |
$3073 |
All prices in Canadian dollars
Currency conversion
*Children's
rate based on children accompanying two full paying adults - all sharing
the same room.
Flight
Information:
Departure - 9:30 a.m. (please check in at 9:00 a.m.)
Arrival Glendale Cove - 10:00 a.m.
Depart Glendale Cove - 10:30 a.m.
Arrive Campbell River - 11:00 a.m.
Departures commence from the Vancouver Island Air Float Plane dock
on Spit Road. Please make sure that you call the day prior to confirm
the exact departure point and time (250) 287-2433. Departure and arrival
times can vary due to weather conditions so please make sure that
you have sufficient connecting time for departure flights following
your tour.
Baggage Allowance: (40 pounds) per person plus a small carry-on.
Any excess baggage could be subject to a service charge or a later
arrival if space is limited.
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