Summer Seaplane Safari of Southwest Canada | Yampu Tours

Custom Travel Experiences Since 1998

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Summer Seaplane Safari of Southwest Canada

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PRIVATE TOUR - 9 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY

FROM £$ 5660

Private Tour Highlights

  • Observe the wildlife of the secluded fjord inlets of Clayoquot Sound's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve such as whales, black bears, sea lions, and sea otters.
  • Step into a fascinating world where ancient ways meet modern life with a signature Canadian experience with an authentic First Nations ambassador.
  • Feel your heartbeat in time to traditional music and hear stories handed down through generations from the Squamish people.
  • Get an up-close look at Vancouver's best sights with perfect photo stops on a privately guided half day Vancouver City tour.
  • Partake in a whale watching activity in Victoria, the best place on earth to view killer whales in the wild.
  • Appreciate the serenity of Canada’s isolated landscapes and fantastic views with multiple seaplane flights.
Interested in this tour?   Let us build you a customized quote based on your budget.

Tour Overview

Known for its astounding landscape and stunning wildlife, Canada is an exceptional escape for nature lovers looking for an unforgettable adventure. Visitors can take in the country’s pristine nature on its western coast with Yampu Tours’ suggested Summer Seaplane Safari of Southwest Canada tour.

From Vancouver, adventurers will hop on a seaplane to fly into some of Canada’s most rural destinations to experience both land and marine wildlife firsthand, starting in the small coastal village of Tofino. Here, travelers can witness the magnificence of the Canadian grizzly bear as they forage on the beaches outside of the secluded fjord inlets of Clayoquot Sound’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Following Tofino, visitors will board another seaplane to the mountain town of Whistler, taking in fantastic views along the Coast Mountains. Here in Whistler, the tour allows visitors to step into a fascinating world where ancient ways meet modern life while learning the significance of the mountains, the sea, and the rivers to the Squamish and Lil’wat people, the First Nations of the Canadian southwest.

Continuing on to Victoria, the best place on earth to view killer whales in the wild, visitors set sail for a fun-filled whale watching activity. After taking in the beauty of the ocean and the numerous types of marine life of the region, the tour continues to The Royal British Colombia Museum, showcasing the human and natural history of British Columbia with authentic artifacts and specimens displayed in highly realistic settings, giving visitors the experience of another time and place.

Inclusions
Price includes domestic and regional flights within the itinerary; all hotel accommodations including daily continental or buffet breakfast and daily city tax; all transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling; guided tours in English including entrance fees.
Exclusions

International airfare (unless specifically included), airport departure taxes that must be paid on-site, gratuities, meals not mentioned, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages with meals, early / late check-out, room service, visa fees/services, and other personal items or services not mentioned.

Best Time to Travel
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Best Good Consult

Package Price: From £$ 5660

Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.

Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.

Trip Type:

All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!

Tour Itinerary

Day
1

International Flight to Vancouver - Half Day Vancouver City Tour

Upon arrival to Vancouver, you will be met at the airport by a Yampu guide and privately transferred to your hotel.

Vancouver is one of the most spectacular cities in the world. Visit Canada Place and the waterfront, Chinatown, historic Gastown and Granville Island with its famous public market, art and craft shops.

After settling in, be met by your local guide for a Private Half Day Vancouver City Tour. This three-hour Vancouver City tour provides perfect photo stops for you to get an up-close look at Vancouver's best sights. You will make a stop at Robson Street, Stanley Park Totem Poles, Lighthouse and Prospect Point. Drive over historic Lions Gate Bridge and take in a spectacular view from Cypress Mountain Lookout. You will return to beautiful Vancouver to continue your city adventure, passing through English Bay, across the Burrard Street Bridge to Kits Beach. We will visit the Planetarium and Maritime Museum and make a 30-minute stop at Granville Island Farmers Market. Continue through the Shaughnessy Mansions, Queen Elizabeth Park and past Vancouver City Hall to Science World, the Olympic Village, BC Place, Roger's Arena, China Town, the Gastown Steam Clock, Olympic Torch and the Canada Place sails.
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Day
2

Vancouver - Tofino

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel by a Yampu guide and privately transferred to the Harbor Air seaplane base on Coal Harbor for your 60-minute flight to Tofino.

Note: Maximum of 50 Pounds (22.6 Kg.) of luggage per person permitted on Seaplane flights.

Upon arrival to Tofino, take a short walk across the dock to your hotel.
Tofino is an incredible kick-off point for wildlife viewing. It's home to the greatest whale migration on the planet as 20,000 grey whales pass Tofino every spring, and is also a popular destination for bear and birdwatching. Fishing and ocean kayaking are other popular adventures among locals and tourists both.
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Day
3

Tofino Marine Wildlife Safari Experience

From the open Pacific coast to the secluded fjord inlets of Clayoquot Sound's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, whales, black bears, sea lions, sea otters highlight this marine experience. While bears forage on the beach at low tide, they can unobtrusively be observed and photographed from the 12-passenger Zodiac boats. Grey and Humpback whales may be seen off our shores through the summer months. Sea otters and sea lions are also found close to the outer islands and reefs frequented by the whales. This wildlife experience has two parts, with a shore break to refresh and enjoy a personal landside interpretation program with a guide.

(Note: The second part of the tour may be scheduled for the morning of the following day due to tides).
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Day
4

Tofino - Vancouver

At the appropriate time, you will make your own way to the Harbor Air seaplane base at the Adventure Center for your return flight to Vancouver. Upon arrival to Vancouver, you will have a group transfer to your hotel.

Vancouver is a city where the skyline of glass towers reflects the beauty of the surrounding ocean and coastal mountains. You can swim at the beach and explore a mountain in the same day. Enjoy their world-class cuisine and their electrifying nightlife. Vancouver is definitely spectacular by nature.

At the appropriate time, you will make your own way to the Harbor Air seaplane base at the Adventure Center for your return flight to Vancouver. Upon arrival to Vancouver, you will have a group transfer to your hotel.

Vancouver is a city where the skyline of glass towers reflects the beauty of the surrounding ocean and coastal mountains. You can swim at the beach and explore a mountain in the same day. Enjoy their world-class cuisine and their electrifying nightlife. Vancouver is definitely spectacular by nature.

Day
5

Vancouver - Whistler

This morning return to Coal Harbor for your 35-minute flight to Whistler. You will have fantastic views on this flight up Howe Sound and along the Coast Mountains. Upon arrival you will have a group transfer from the Green Lake seaplane base to your hotel in Whistler.

This morning return to Coal Harbor for your 35-minute flight to Whistler. You will have fantastic views on this flight up Howe Sound and along the Coast Mountains. Upon arrival you will have a group transfer from the Green Lake seaplane base to your hotel in Whistler.

Day
6

Canadian Signature Experience

Step into a fascinating world where ancient ways meet modern life with a signature Canadian experience. Your guide will be an authentic First Nations ambassador from the Squamish Nation or Lil'wat Nation. Feel your heartbeat in time to the traditional music, enjoy genuine hospitality, hear stories handed down through generations. Share in ancient knowledge and learn the significance of the mountains, the sea and the rivers to the Squamish and Lil'wat people.

Next, enjoy Whistler's pinnacle summer experience, a ride on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. While on the highest and longest lift in the world, enjoy a 360-degree experience with viewpoints in every direction and an ever-changing timeline of seasonal highlights.

After your gondola ride, enjoy a guided walking tour featuring 4 delicious courses at four award winning Whistler restaurants. Included is a visit to an impressive 15,000-bottle wine cellar where guests can learn to savor champagne. If you are looking to treat yourself to Whistler's best, then this is the tour for you!
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Day
7

Whistler - Victoria

Today, you will have a group transfer from Whistler Village to the seaplane base at Green Lake for your seaplane flight to Victoria. Your flight will take you over the Coast Mountain range and then over the Gulf Islands to British Columbia's Capital city. Upon arrival, you will have a shuttle service to your hotel.

Victoria is a city that has charm in spades. Explore the waterfront, walk cobblestone streets, enjoy pristine nature, and indulge in a flourishing food scene. Victoria is home to history, but also a certain modernity that begs to be explored.
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Day
8

Victoria Whale Watching

Today, you will make your own way to partake in a whale watching activity and to visit the Royal BC Museum.

Victoria is the best place on earth to view killer whales in the wild. The Juan de Fuca and Haro Straits are home to three resident orca pods, referred to as J, K & L. Nearly 85 whales belong to these three families, allowing you ample opportunity to have your own close encounter of the deep. Other marine wildlife you may encounter include Dall's porpoise, Harbor porpoise, Stellar and California Sea Lions, Harbor and Elephant seals, Otters and many marine birds such as Cormorants and Bald Eagles. There is also a very good chance of sighting Humpback, Minke and Gray Whales. Every trip is led by a certified marine naturalist and every vessel is equipped with hydrophones to bring the underwater experience to light.

After an exhilarating whale watch, transfer on your own to The Royal BC Museum for a self-guided tour. Through unique galleries, the Museum showcases the human and natural history of British Columbia and temporary exhibits from other countries and cultures. Authentic Artifacts and specimens are displayed in highly realistic settings, giving visitors the experience of another time and place.
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Day
9

International Flight Home

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and privately transferred to the airport for your flight to Vancouver. Upon arrival to Vancouver, connect with your international flight home.

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and privately transferred to the airport for your flight to Vancouver. Upon arrival to Vancouver, connect with your international flight home.

Vancouver, BC, Canada

Tofino, BC, Canada

Whistler, BC, Canada

Victoria, BC, Canada

Places You'll See

  • Vancouver

    Located on the western coast in British Colombia, Vancouver is one of the largest and densest cities in Canada. Ethnically diverse, Vancouver offers numerous cultural experiences within its unique neighborhoods and thriving art and theater scenes, all surrounded by picturesque mountains and bay views. While being perched on the edge of wilderness, Vancouver gives nature lovers and cosmopolitan explorers the best of both worlds. Visitors can explore the city through Vancouver’s meandering oceanside pathways and take in the buzzing nightlife with an assortment of restaurants, bars and breweries.

  • Tofino

    The small coastal village of Tofino is located on the edge of Vancouver Island of British Colombia. With a great appreciation for both land and sea, the quaint village offers numerous outdoor activities from whale watching and fishing, to ziplining through ancient growth rainforest.

  • Whistler

    Just a short two-hour drive from Vancouver, the mountain town of Whistler attracts both outdoor enthusiasts and city dwellers looking for a wilderness retreat. A year-round destination, visitors can enjoy Whistler with outdoor activities such as hiking and golfing in the summer, and snowshoeing, skiing, and dogsledding in the winter. Taking a break indoors, Whistler has an array of delicious restaurants and a thriving art scene not to be missed.

  • Victoria

    Sitting on the south end of Vancouver Island, across the Salish Sea from the U.S. state of Washington, Victoria is a popular destination for both British Colombians and Pacific Northwesterners with its accessibility via ferry or fun seaplane rides from Vancouver and Seattle. Once in the city, Victoria’s British colonial history becomes prevalent with its Victorian and stately architecture, delightful pubs, and some of the best fish in chips. Whether travelers choose to connect to nature with nearby whale watching, rainforest hiking, and kayaking through the harbor or taking in historical sites, coastal cuisine, and a thriving arts scene, Victoria will never leave one bored.

Hotel Options

4 Star Properties

Vancouver : The Westin Bayshore

Tofino : Tofino Resort + Marina

Whistler : Delta Whistler Village Suites

Victoria : Hotel Grand Pacific

Testimonials

Gary W.

Traveled June 2018

a great curation of activities

They chose amazing hotels, energetic enthusiastic tour guides, and a great curation of activities in Peru

Traveled To

Lisa

Traveled March, 2017

Already planning a return for next year!

Kenya is on record on FB and Instagram as the best vacation ever that the Ahmads have taken! Thank you for all your efforts and attention to detail which made transfers and bookings so easy. I am still in Nairobi with friends about will reach out when I return to share details. Already planning a return for next year! 🙂

Traveled To

Michele

Traveled April, 2016

Best customer care & itineraries

I am recently returned from my third trip organised by Yampu, this time to Costa Rica. As always, it was fabulous from start to finish!

I do look around initially when planning my holidays but each time Karolina offers the best customer care & arranges by far the best itineraries. Value for money is excellent & they keep in constant contact before during & afterwards to make sure everything is going well.

The standard of accommodation & guides they use is superb & they actually listen to your requests as opposed to copying a generic page from their website…. Do I highly recommend Karolina & Yampu? YES!  Will I use them again? YES!  Save time & effort & just use Yampu is my travel tip  🙂

Traveled To

Let Us Customize This Trip For You

Our World Experts offer full support and dedication to customizing this tour to fit your wishlist - We can mix and match experiences, hotels and highlights to fit your budget and taste.

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