Alaska, Canada
53° 23′ N 128° 55′ W
Voyage to Great Bear Rainforest: Native Culture & Wildlife in the Land of the Spirit Bear
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
Day by Day
Ketchikan, Alaska
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
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.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 1
Ketchikan, Alaska / Embark ShipArrive 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.
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
Day 2
Prince Rupert, British Columbia, CanadaWake 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, 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.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 3-6
Exploring the Great Bear Rainforest and Rugged Coastline of British ColumbiaOver 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.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
Cruising and Lowe Inlet Provincial Marine ParkSeek 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.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 8
Prince Rupert / Disembark Ship / Seattle / Fly HomeDisembark and transfer to the airport in Prince Rupert. Board a charter flight to Seattle for your connecting flight home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Please review the Essential Eligibility Criteria for hiking activities on this voyage.
Dates & Rates
Ships
National Geographic Venture
Guests
100
Cabins
50
American-flagged, she and her sister National Geographic Quest are ideal for discovering domestic waters
Following the build of National Geographic Quest at Nichols Brothers shipyard, her sister ship, the 100-guest National Geographic Venture, floated into the bay on Whidbey Island, becoming the fourth ship in the Lindblad fleet built at this storied Pacific Northwest shipyard. Like her sister ship National Geographic Quest, National Geographic 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.
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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.
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$700 AIR CREDIT
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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.
From
$5,560
/ per person
Does not include flight
$700 AIR CREDIT
Talk to an Expedition Specialist
+1.800.397.3348From
$5,560
/ per person
From
$5,560
/ per person
$700 AIR CREDIT