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Your Path Through the Great Bear
This is a private invitation to an expedition into the temperate rainforests of British Columbia, the forests where Canopy was born. There, we pledged to stand together to protect forests the world over. This is what guides our work. And every year, we return to renew this promise to the forests.
This October, we are gathering a small group of leaders to deepen what we can do together and to find, in this extraordinary place, the joy that sustains this work.
Your Expedition Briefing
This journey is a private expedition into one of the world's last truly wild places, where each day is shaped by the land itself.
You will be traveling within the ancestral territory of the Kitasoo/Xai'xais Nation, whose stewardship of these lands and waters spans generations. Your experiences will be guided by expedition leaders and Indigenous forest guardians, people whose living relationship to this place offers not only access, but context, knowledge, and deep respect for the territory you are stepping into.
Travel unfolds at nature's pace. You may find yourself moving through estuaries by zodiac, navigating remote river systems, or waiting in stillness as wildlife reveals itself on its own terms. Some days will be devoted to the search for the elusive spirit bear, others to encounters with grizzly bears and the broader coastal ecosystem that sustains them. Everything here is intentionally unhurried, allowing for presence, observation, and a deeper connection to place.
Rhythm of the Forest
No two days in the Great Bear Rainforest are ever the same. Each morning we set out by boat to explore the forests, rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters of the Kitasoo Xai'xais Territory, our routes shaped by wildlife activity, tides, and weather, following the rhythms of the landscape itself.
As we journey, we'll look out for spirit bears, grizzly bears, whales, wolves, and eagles, visiting culturally significant places and learning from Indigenous leaders, Guardians, knowledge holders, scientists, and conservation practitioners. Some days may be spent quietly observing a river system, waiting for wildlife to appear; others may take us through remote inlets, along dramatic shorelines, or deeper into the rainforest by boat.
Each evening, we return to Spirit Bear Lodge to share stories, reflect on the day, and enjoy presentations, cultural exchanges, and conversation overlooking the Great Bear Sea. The itinerary that follows offers a glimpse of what awaits — while leaving space for the unexpected moments that often become the most memorable.
Day 1 - Tuesday October 6th
*Final flight times are still being determined by Spirit Bear Lodge, please keep this day free for travel.
Into the Heart of the Rainforest
Depart Vancouver's South Terminal aboard a Pacific Coastal Airlines flight to Bella Bella before transferring by boat through the traditional territories of the Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation, with whales, seals, sea lions, and coastal birds visible along the coast.
Upon arrival at Spirit Bear Lodge, settle into your oceanfront accommodations before dinner and a Coastal Ecology Briefing led by Indigenous knowledge holders and local experts, as the first chapter of the expedition unfolds overlooking the Great Bear Sea.
- 10:00 - Meet at Vancouver Airport South Terminal for flight check-in
- TBD* - Arrive at Bella Bella airport and shuttle to water taxi at Bella Bella dock
- TBD* - Arrival at Spirit Bear Lodge in Klemtu, orientation and settle-in
- 18:00 - Appetizers
- 19:00 - Dinner
- 20:00 - Coastal Ecology Briefing: Understanding the Living Systems of the Great Bear Rainforest
Wildlife and Wild Places
Set out by boat to explore the waterways, estuaries, old-growth forests, and remote inlets that make the Great Bear Rainforest one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Along the way, look out for bears, whales, wolves, eagles, salmon, and other species that thrive within this interconnected ecosystem.
As the landscape reveals itself, gain a deeper appreciation for the ecological relationships that sustain life along this remarkable coast and the efforts underway to protect it for future generations.
- 7:00 - Breakfast
- 8:00 - Departure for the day's adventures
- 8:00-17:00 - Exploring and lunch on the go
- 18:00 - Appetizers
- 19:00 - Dinner
- Evening - Stories from the Coast
Day 2 - Wednesday October 7th
Day 3 - Tuesday October 8th
Indigenous Knowledge and Stewardship
Spend the day with Kitasoo Xai'xais leaders, Guardians, and knowledge holders whose stewardship has shaped these lands and waters for generations. Learn about the deep connections between culture, community, and place, and how Indigenous leadership has helped safeguard one of the world's last great coastal temperate rainforests while building thriving communities and resilient ecosystems.
- 7:00 - Breakfast
- 8:00 - Departure for the day's adventures
- 8:00-17:00 - Exploring and lunch on the go
- 18:00 - Appetizers
- 19:00 - Dinner
- Evening - Gathering at the Big House: Stories, Culture, Stewardship
Deeper into the Forest
Journey into the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, exploring remote waterways, ancient forests, and wildlife-rich ecosystems that few people ever have the opportunity to experience. The day offers an opportunity to reflect on what is possible when communities, conservation, and investment come together around a shared vision for the future.
- 7:00 - Breakfast
- TBD* - Departure for the day's adventures
- TBD* - Exploring and lunch on the go
- 18:00 - Appetizers
- 19:00 - Dinner
- 20:00 - Campfire Conversations
Day 4 - Friday October 9th
Day 5 - Tuesday October 10th
Cultural Farewell and Departure
Following breakfast, gather for a cultural farewell and closing reflections before departing Spirit Bear Lodge by boat for Bella Bella. As the coastline recedes into the distance, take with you new relationships, fresh perspectives, and a deeper understanding of the people and places that make the Great Bear Rainforest so extraordinary.
Transfer to the airport and board your return flight to Vancouver, bringing the expedition to a close.
- 7:00 - Breakfast
- TBD* - Departure via water taxi to Bella Bella
- TBD* - Arrive at the airport
- TBD* - Return flight to Vancouver
Your Accomodations
Spirit Bear Lodge
Tucked between ocean and rainforest, Spirit Bear Lodge is an intimate, 12-suite, Indigenous-owned and operated sanctuary reserved exclusively for Canopy during your stay. It is an extension of the community itself, offering a rare opportunity to experience this landscape through the lens of those who have stewarded it for generations. Your presence here directly supports the local economy and the continued stewardship of these lands and waters, a place where purpose and belonging are quietly intertwined.
Lodge Location
300 Spirit Bear Dr. Klemtu, BC V0T 2L0, Canada
What to Pack
In the Great Bear Rainforest, October weather can be dramatic and shifting. Preparing well is part of the adventure.
We recommend you take a layered approach to dressing. October can bring beautiful sunny days, yet temperatures can shift quickly and rain is never far away. Pack synthetic fibres or wool for days out on the field.
Please do not wear cotton on day expeditions. When wet and cold, cotton quickly loses its warmth and can become uncomfortable. In extreme cases, it can even lead to hypothermia. Pack separate clothing for evenings at the lodge and travel days, as the evenings are likely to be cool.
- Fleece or wool jacket
- Fleece or wool sweater
- Pants for hiking (not jeans)
- Long sleeve shirt
- Warm pants and shirt (for back in the lodge)
- Long underwear
- Thermal shirts
- Extra shoes or sandals
- Wool socks
- Warm hat / rain hat with brim or ball cap
- Warm gloves
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses and retainer
- Sunscreen
- Toiletries (biodegradable)
- Personal medication (clearly labeled)
- Small backpack or bag to carry camera and belongings during the day
- Dry bag(s) or heavy duty ziplocks to go inside your backpack
- Water bottle
- Insect repellent
- Additional rain gear (boots, jacket, and pants provided)
Camera and film, small novel or journal, binoculars (recommended), personal thermos , personal snacks if there is something you cannot do without) , polypropylene liner socks and or glove liners, hiking poles, hip waders.
Departure
Departure Airport
The expedition departs from Vancouver South Terminal (YVR South), located at Vancouver International Airport approximately 20–30 minutes from downtown Vancouver by taxi or rideshare. Address: 4440 Cowley Crescent, Richmond, BC.
Vancouver South Terminal is separate from YVR's Main Terminal. Please ensure your driver knows to take you there.
Check-In
Plan to arrive at least 60 minutes prior to departure. Flight details and check-in instructions will be sent ahead of the expedition.
Luggage
Please refer to your flight confirmation for baggage allowances.
Questions?
Canopy staff are available to help with travel logistics before you depart.
