Tick Grizzly Bears and the Northern Lights off Your Bucket List on This Epic Adventure
Fall into the rhythm of the wild on an unforgettable autumn holiday in Canada’s British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. Along the way you’ll tick off two bucket-list experiences – bear and aurora sightings – plus so much more.
Pacific Coast
Wildlife spotting is common on British Columbia’s west coast so keep your eyes peeled for eagles soaring overhead, seals basking on rocky shores, whales breaching in the Pacific Ocean and bears lolling by streams.
Encounter grizzlies in the wild
In September and October, when the rivers that run through the Great Bear Rainforest, starting from Vancouver Island and running north past Prince Rupert, heave with spawning salmon, tawny grizzly and black bears gather along the banks for a pre-winter feast.
Family-friendly Farewell Harbour Lodge, located on Berry Island (a 30-minute water taxi from Alder Bay on Vancouver Island), offers full-day excursions to secluded estuaries where bears forage, crossing open waters that teem with marine life such as humpback whales, orcas, dolphins and sea lions. Once you’ve had your fill of wildlife watching, spend a morning paddling a kayak around the Broughton Archipelago or walking in the rainforest. On a tour to the neighbouring Indigenous village of Tsatsinukwomi, a local guide will take you inside the Big House, a cultural and spiritual gathering place, to get a sense of daily life for the Da'naxda'xw and Awaetlala tribes of Knight Inlet.
Road-trip on Vancouver Island
Across the Johnstone Strait, the rugged beauty of Vancouver Island's east coast awaits. While driving the 500-kilometre scenic route from Port Hardy to Victoria, you’ll wind through lush forests, visit creative seaside communities and sample freshly picked produce.
The northern town of Port Hardy is the gateway to the wild landscapes of Cape Scott Provincial Park, where dense rainforests give way to dramatic cliffs and rock-strewn beaches. Heading south to the charming village of Telegraph Cove, the marine population outnumbers humans – in autumn, the waters brim with humpbacks.
Just over a 2.5-hour drive further south, the Comox Valley is a thriving breadbasket with verdant farmland stretching to the water’s edge. Locals Restaurant in Courtenay puts the season on your plate, with locally grown ingredients such as squash, wild mushrooms and just-harvested apples. Complement your meal with a glass of organic ortega from Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery or a crisp cider from Coastal Black Estate – both produced just up the road.
Continue to Cowichan Valley, where you can walk through an outdoor gallery of Indigenous art along the colourful streets of Duncan, also known as the “City of Totems”. Throughout the self-guided Totems Tour, you’ll see spectacular pieces such as the Centennial Pole, which towers more than 10 metres above Charles Hoey Park and features bold depictions of humans and wildlife intertwined.
Your island journey concludes in British Columbia’s capital, Victoria, where the ornate Parliament Buildings and stately Fairmont Empress hotel downtown stand against a backdrop of golden leaves. Meander among ancient Garry oaks in the city’s 80-hectare Beacon Hill Park and visit the First Peoples Gallery at the Royal BC Museum, a 10-minute walk away, to admire traditional carvings and weavings. Stop for a farm-to-table lunch at nearby 10 Acres Bistro – the restaurant has its own veggie crops, orchard and livestock. In autumn, expect succulent pork chops accompanied by earthy root vegetables. Toast the end of your journey by knocking back a pint of hazy IPA beneath the twinkling lights at Whistle Buoy Brewing in lively Market Square.
Where to stay in Victoria, BC
The Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Head straight to this boutique stay’s revered house spa for a soothing hot stone massage then get cosy in your Signature Corner Room by the fireplace, with views of Victoria’s historic Parliament Buildings.
Fairmont Empress
A living landmark, this grand hotel has hosted royalty and dignitaries and just earned One Key in the Michelin Guide. Retreat to the palm-filled Lobby Lounge and indulge in afternoon tea on china that was gifted by the Queen Mother during her 1939 visit.
Stunning scenery, wildlife encounters, delicious food and luxury stays in one epic road trip. Start planning your grand Canadian adventure.
Northwest Territories
Considered the “aurora capital of the world”, Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories offers ideal Northern Lights-viewing conditions from mid-August to mid-September, with longer nights, clear skies and mild conditions.
Get to know Yellowknife
Yellowknife is the kind of place where you could be drinking beer in a hip brewpub one minute and stepping outside to witness the marvel of the Northern Lights the next.
A short drive from the city centre, the eccentric Old Town serves up a mix of log cabins, quirky shacks and modern mansions – all hugging the shores of Great Slave Lake, one of the world’s largest. On the water itself, you’ll spy a collection of floating colourful houseboats that look even better when you’re paddling past them on a kayak. Visit the Gallery of the Midnight Sun to see Indigenous paintings, sculptures and handcrafted jewellery then refuel with local fish and chips at Bullocks Bistro before climbing up to Bush Pilots’ Monument for panoramic views of the city and lake – all are within a few minutes’ walk of each other.
From Yellowknife, drive 70 kilometres along the Ingraham Trail, which winds through rugged landscapes of fiery autumn leaves, granite cliffs and sparkling lakes. Stop at Hidden Lake Territorial Park, where a scenic 20-minute hike through the boreal forest leads you to 17-metre-high Cameron Falls.
Next-level ways to see the Northern Lights
Yellowknife typically experiences up to 240 aurora nights each year so the chances of witnessing this natural phenomenon are high – but you can increase the odds on a tour that ventures beyond the city limits. North Star Adventures’ aurora hunter, Joe Bailey, will take you to under-the-radar viewing spots while sharing Indigenous wisdom about the skies and land. At Aurora Village, an Indigenous-owned destination dotted with glowing teepees, you’ll sit by a crackling fire while cradling a steaming mug of hot cocoa and see double as the sky comes alive and reflects in the glassy lake.
Venture into the wilderness
Blachford Lake Lodge is so remote that it’s only accessible via a 25-minute flight from Yellowknife in a float plane. After soaring over vast stretches of shimmering water and dense spruce and birch forest, you’ll land on the rocky shoreline of Blachford Lake. Explore the trails surrounding the lodge on foot then paddle across the lake while listening to the birds, breeze and beat of your oar. As evening falls, enjoy dinner and the aurora – you’ll dine on gourmet meals, prepared with produce plucked from the onsite greenhouse and garden, while waiting for the lightshow through expansive glass windows or the hot tub.
Where to stay in Yellowknife
The Explorer Hotel
Fireplaces, spa baths, and local art and photography add extra touches of comfort and luxury to the spacious suites at this cosy four-star retreat.
Chateau Nova
Contemporary rooms and ample wellness facilities – including a steam room, sauna and fitness centre – make this hotel the ideal place to unwind at the end of the day.
Are you ready to finally check the Northern Lights off your bucket list? Plan your Canada holiday and book flights now.
