Whales and Bears of British Columbia

2017 Trip Dossier Whales and Bears of British Columbia TOUR AT A GLANCE: T E YRURKI TOONR Y WILDLIFE DISCOVERY TRIP OVERVIEW 100% HOTELS Guaranteed Departures Accommodation: 9 hotel nights, including 3 nights at the Canadian Princess in Ucluelet Departs: and 3 nights at the Painters Lodge Trip code: WBB Group size: Maximum 12 Staff: Professional tour leader Meals: All paid locally Transport: Private vehicle, ferry, Zodiac boat 1 Canadian Province: British Columbia Length: 10 days Please see our website for detailed destination information and insider tips. N O island R T H on E Rthe N North T E RAmerican R I T O RPacific I E S coast, Islands endless As the largest beaches, rocky headlands and natural bays are regularly exposed to the tantrums of the ocean. The surrounding waters are a haven for marine life, especially Orca Whales, one of the world s most powerful predators. Virtually the whole population of Pacific Grey Whales migrate to the west coast of Island twice each year, and all five species of Pacific salmon can be found spawning in the islands rivers. Black Bear awake from their state of semi-hibernation and make their way towards this plentiful food source. In September, Grizzly Bear also head from the mountains to catch the spawning salmon. Millions of migratory birds are attracted to the island and the resident Bald eagles can regularly be seen circling overhead during the famous salmon run. Covered with temperate rainforest and giant trees, Island has an impressive number of protected areas to ensure that much of its wildlife can reside in its natural habitat with little human interference. C A N A D A HIGHLIGHTS: ALBERTA Elk Falls PP Island BRITISH COLUMBIA Quadra Island Orford River Campbell River Tofino Ucluelet Pacific Rim NP M North A N I American T O B A Pacific Coast Island, the largest island on the S A S K AT C H E W A N Full day observation of Grizzly Bears in their natural surroundings Zodiac boat excursion to spot Black Bear in Clayoquot Sound O N T A R I O Cathedral Grove PP Nanaimo Zodiac boat excursion for Orca, Humpback and Gray Whale observation with an Ferry journeys to and from Island Victoria experienced naturalist guide Ferry to Quadra Island in the Inside Passage for hiking and beaches Three night stays in a traditional fishing resort in Ucluelet and a comfortable lodge at Campbell River WASHINGTON Discover birdlife at the beautiful Tofino Botanical Gardens Tour of including Gastown and Granville Island U N I T E D S T A T E S Many scenic walks and hikes O F A M E R I C A National and provincial parks: Cathedral Grove, Pacific Rim and Elk Falls GRAND AMERICAN ADVENTURES 16-17 Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE 500 1000 1500 Miles

ITINERARY AND DETAILS Day 1: Day one is an arrival day. You are free to arrive at any time to explore the city at your own pace. is often hailed as Canada s most beautiful city and this cosmopolitan and diverse metropolis is a real contrast to the wild open spaces of British Columbia, but always proves to be a highlight. Please keep an eye out for the welcome notice in the hotel reception indicating the time of the evening meeting where you will meet your tour leader and travelling companions. Day 2: Nanaimo, Island This morning you have a guided city tour of, with time to take in the sights of Gastown and Granville Island, which has some great viewpoints overlooking the city. In the afternoon, you transfer to the port to board a ferry to Nanaimo on Island, a 90-minute journey across the Strait of Georgia. You ll spend some time visiting this gateway city before settling into your hotel for the night. Day 3: Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park - Cathedral Grove Provincial Park - Ucluelet Explore ancient fossils and crystal formations on an optional visit to Horn Lake Caves Provincial Park, home to more than 1,000 caves. Discover the unique geology and history of the caves whilst exploring this magical underground world. If you prefer to stay above the surface you could take the Phil Whitfield Interpretive Trail, where you can still explore the interesting geology features of the area. Next you ll make your way to Ucluelet, for a three night stay on the west coast of Island. Stop en route at Cathedral Grove Provincial Park to see the last remains of the temperate rainforest that covered the island over 1,000 years ago. Walk the trails lined with beautiful giant Douglas Fir trees and fascinating rock formations. Optional Activities: Horn Lake Caves Provincial Park CAD$27 + CAD$9 for helmet Day 4: Pacific Rim National Park Nestled between the mountains of the Island Range and the Pacific coastline, Pacific Rim National Park boasts magnificent rocky islands and miles of rugged beaches. You ll be amazed at the amount of wildlife that lives here, such as Black Tail Deer, Black Bear, Bald Eagles and the endangered Leatherback Turtle. In the afternoon it s time to head out on a three hour whale observation cruise on a Zodiac boat with a specialist guide. Small Zodiac boats are an ideal nonintrusive way to approach wildlife. Humpback and Gray Whales are often seen in the area, but don t be surprised if you see Orcas, seals and sea lions as well. Day 5: Tofino Tofino has an easy-going, laid-back atmosphere and is Island s most popular outdoor retreat. It s the perfect place for city dwellers to escape to for a spot of hiking or fishing, and is said to be the jewel of Canada s West Coast. Spot songbirds and hummingbirds at the beautiful Tofino Botanical Gardens and keep your eyes peeled for Bald Eagles which can sometimes be seen soaring above. Board your Zodiac again, this time heading into the sheltered bays of Clayoquot Sound in search of Black Bear, which we will stop to observe from the boat. Day 6: Elk Falls Provincial Park - Campbell River Take a short walk in Elk Falls Provincial Park, which boasts some impressive waterfalls and stunning hiking trails, en route to Campbell River where you will stay for three nights at Painters Lodge or April Point, both stunning properties in a secluded setting. Campbell River is known as the Salmon Capital of the World. With a river full of five different species of salmon, it s no surprise that bear as well as kingfishers and eagles frequent this area. Fishing takes precedence here, but there are also some great boutique shops, art galleries and farmers markets for you to enjoy. Day 7: Orford River Orford Bay is the original village of the Homalco First Nations People and today is a popular stop to see some of British Columbia s finest wildlife in its natural habitat. You ll take a boat excursion to the Orford River, one of the last pristine watersheds in the Bute Inlet where you ll find the largest concentration of Grizzly Bears in BC. You will visit a viewing platform from which to spot Grizzlies, and on the journey to and from here you may see Black Bear, whales and other marine life too. From August to October it s not uncommon to spot many bears within a small area, sometimes with cubs in tow, due to the abundance of spawning salmon. Even though the bears are the main attraction here, the surrounding scenery is spectacular so make sure you have your camera ready at all times! Day 8: Quadra Island Board the ferry for a quick 10 minute ride to Quadra Island to spend the day exploring the island trails and beaches on foot. Alternatively, you can choose to hit the water for an optional kayaking trip with marine life observation guides. Quadra Island is part of a group of small islands, named the Discovery Islands, which are located along the Inside Passage between Island and mainland British Columbia. With stunning beaches and incredible wildlife, there will never be a dull moment however you choose to spend the day. Optional Activities: Sea kayaking at Quadra Island CAD$77 Day 9-10: Victoria and With some sadness it s now time to leave this beautiful place behind and head to Victoria to board the ferry back to. As you cross the Strait of Georgia you ll be rewarded with some superb views of the city skyline. Once you are back on dry land you may want to visit Stanley Park, s first and most beloved urban park. Here you ll find miles of walking trails and the famous totem poles just waiting to be discovered. It s great place for you to end this incredible tour. Accommodation: Hotel included (x1) Meals: Paid locally All details are provided in good faith. Due to the nature of travel, this information can change and should therefore be taken as an indication only and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Grand American Adventures. If you have any questions, please contact us.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES There are only a handful of opportunities for optional activities during your tour. Your tour leader will organise these on your behalf and you will pay locally in cash. You ll find the main optional activities listed above under each itinerary day description, along with guideline prices. It may not be possible to do all optional activities listed on each tour. PHYSICAL RATING/PREPARATION This wildlife tour is suitable for people with all levels of experience and fitness. This tour has a more relaxed pace with an emphasis on getting close to nature, wildlife spotting, enjoying beautiful surroundings and visiting main attractions. As a lot of our time will be spent outdoors a degree of fitness and a sense of adventure is required. GUARANTEED DEPARTURES All departure dates for this trip are 100% guaranteed, so once you ve booked and paid your deposit you re going. Please check our website for our latest range of departure dates for this trip. TOUR ITINERARIES We have the opportunity to explore some of the incredible natural history, scenery and wildlife of Island on this itinerary. Inevitably some time will be spent travelling as there is a fair distance to cover, however, we have kept this to a minimum and the longest journey of four hours will be broken up with stops. Although each tour follows an itinerary, there is a certain amount of flexibility and from time to time our tour leader may suggest changes. This may be due to road conditions, weather or a visit to a special attraction or event that happens to be in progress. Flexibility is key and often a side diversion will be a highlight of the tour. Hikes and optional activities cannot be guaranteed and may vary depending on ability, group interest, local weather conditions and time of year. All details are provided in good faith. Due to the nature of travel, this information can change and should therefore be taken as an indication only and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Grand American Adventures. If you have any questions, please contact us. Please ensure that you download an up-to-date copy of this dossier before you depart to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. Our itineraries are occasionally amended in response to customer feedback or for operational reasons. This dossier is valid for all tours departing in 2017. Itineraries may be subject to change with the publication of our 2018/19 brochure in Autumn 2017, at which point revised 2018 dossiers will be made available. BEFORE YOU DEPART FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS For anyone leaving from the UK we would be pleased to book your flight in conjunction with your tour. Please contact us for competitive prices on flights departing from most UK airports. If you are booking your own flights, you are free to arrive at any time on day one but it is advisable that you arrive in plenty of time to reach your joining hotel and attend your welcome meeting. The tour finishes on the morning of day 10 and you are free to depart after this. Please note that we cannot be held responsible for any delays, cancellations, changes to your flights, or any missed flights. We are unable to delay a tour, or finish a tour early due to your flight times. TRAVEL INSURANCE It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must be insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue service). You will be asked to provide details of your insurance policy, including insurer, policy number and phone number before embarking on the trip. We offer an insurance policy that is designed specifically to cover the potential risks on our tours - particularly the many optional activities offered. If you do not take our policy, you must ensure that the policy you do take offers an equivalent level of protection and covers you for the activities involved - be aware that some policies do not include, or restrict, coverage for this type of travel. There may be cheaper policies available, but this does not mean it may be better value - we strongly advise you check fully what will and won t be covered. Any claims concerning matters for which you are insured must be directed to your insurers. Please note: We can only offer cover for passengers residing within the European Union. For those outside the EU we recommend Journeyman Services who have a tailored policy for Grand American Adventures clients. Visit www.journeyman-services.com. PASSPORTS AND VISAS It is important that you apply for each of the necessary visas while in your home country. For specific visa information, please consult the relevant embassies. Please note: it is your responsibility to ensure you have valid passport and the correct visas for your tour. The Government of Canada has introduced a new entry requirement, known as an Electronic Travel Authorization (eta), for some international travellers flying into Canada. Citizens from countries other than the US who do not require a visa to enter Canada will be required to obtain an eta before entering the country. Eligible travellers will need to go online to apply for their eta. To apply for your eta you will need your passport, credit or debit card and an email address. At the time of publication there is a CAD$7 fee to process your eta. Your eta will be valid for a period of five years, or until your passport expires. We recommend you carry a print out of your eta approval when you travel. Please visit www.canada.ca/eta to apply. If you have not applied for and received authorisation via an eta prior to travel you may be denied boarding, experience a delayed processing or be denied admission at the Canadian point of entry. However, neither possession of a visa nor meeting the basic requirements for travelling visafree on the eta, guarantees admission to Canada. As with most countries, the final determination of admissibility is made by immigration officials at the point of entry.

Please note: If you are arriving into Canada overland you do not need to apply for an eta. HEALTH REQUIREMENTS If you have any medical conditions, take prescribed medicines, or have a condition that will affect your participation in the tour, you must inform Grand American Adventures or your travel agent at the time of booking. Please be aware we may require a doctor s note prior to travel for some conditions. This information is essential in case of emergency. All of our vehicles carry a basic first-aid kit, but for everyday use you should bring your own medical supplies, such as pain relievers, antibiotic cream and upset stomach relievers, in addition to sunscreen and insect repellent. TIPPING Tipping is a way of life in North America and, while obviously not compulsory, it is expected. If you feel that your leader has performed well over the course of your trip, you may want to show your appreciation of their services. The sum you choose to give is entirely personal, but as a reasonable starting point, we suggest a contribution of around CAD$60-70 per person for your leader. Smaller groups may wish to give a little more per person. LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE One suitcase, soft holdall or rucksack (23kg maximum) per person. A small daypack and camera can also be carried in the van. Before you travel, please check the baggage allowance with the airline you re flying with as this may be less than 23kg. We are unable to offer luggage storage facilities however, some of our pre and post tour hotels will provide this service although there may be a charge. Please contact the hotels directly for further information. TEMPERATURE With a latitude and maritime situation much like the UK, temperatures in the coastal region average 22ºC on Island, but can reach as high as 30ºC in the low lying interior. June and September are usually a bit cooler, and the coast can get rain at anytime. The mountains have typical mountain weather, and sun, cloud, rain and even snow can all be experienced in a day. HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES IN CELSIUS (ºC) WHAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR TOUR SPENDING MONEY The national currency of Canada is the Canadian Dollar (CAD), with an exchange rate of 1.82 to the UK and 1.28 to the US$. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. You should bring most of your funds in CAD$, but can withdraw money at cash machines enroute. If relying on cash machines, please advise your bank of your travel plans prior to departure to help reduce the chance of your card being blocked. JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC HIGH 6 8 11 12 16 19 21 21 18 13 9 6 LOW 0 1 3 4 8 10 12 13 10 6 3 1 Horn Lake HIGH 4 7 10 14 17 20 24 25 21 14 8 5 Caves PP LOW -1 0 1 2 5 8 10 10 7 5 2 0 Tofino HIGH 7 8 9 11 14 16 18 18 17 13 9 7 LOW 1 2 2 3 6 8 10 11 9 6 3 1 Quadra HIGH 7 6 8 12 18 21 23 23 20 13 7 6 Island LOW 2-1 2 5 8 11 13 11 10 6 2 3 Victoria HIGH 6 8 10 13 16 19 22 22 19 14 9 7 LOW 1 1 2 3 6 9 11 11 8 5 2 1 C / F Conversions: -10ºC = 14ºF 0ºC = 32ºF 10ºC = 50ºF 20ºC = 68ºF 30ºC = 86ºF 40ºC = 104ºF It is a good idea to allow approximately CAD$50-$60 a day for food on average. In Canada, sales tax (of approx. 5%) and tips (of between 15-20%) should be added to the menu cost. ATM availability/credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques ATMs are widely available in Canada, although this trip visits some remote areas so it s good to ensure you always have enough on you to last a few days ahead. Credit cards are widely accepted in shops and restaurants. PRE-PAID CURRENCY CARDS It is personal preference as to how you take your money and it s recommended to take some cash with you for arrival. Grand American Adventures recommend FairFX prepaid credit cards, as these can be a cost effective and safe way to take funds overseas. Please ask one of our sales consultants or visit www.fairfx.com/grandamericanadventures to find out how to receive a FREE currency card, worth a retail value of 9.95.

PACKING TIPS CLOTHING Please keep in mind that our dress tends to be informal. It is advised that you take a practical selection of clothes for both warm and cool climates to suit the season. Please see the temperature guide showing the highs and lows that can be expected in key locations that your tour visits. However please remember that this is just a guide and you may encounter a wide variety of temperatures en route due to altitude and unforeseen weather conditions - so it s best to be prepared! Most useful will be clothing that can be worn in layers; i.e. jeans, shorts, light shirts and sweatshirts or jumpers. If you have a choice, a fleece jumper and waterproof jacket are much better than bulky sweaters and jackets. It will be cold in the evenings in September, whilst it can be surprisingly warm during the day. Other items to take: a warm jacket, waterproofs, strong shoes or walking boots, daysack, swimwear. Sunglasses Sunhat Sunscreen Waterproof poncho or waterproofs Warm sweater Short trousers Swimming gear Camera Binoculars Flashlight Small daypack for walks Universal sink plug Insect repellent Sandals or flip-flops Camera / binoculars Small flashlight / torch Travel power adaptor (optional) Toiletries / personal medicine 2 x 1 litre water bottles (ideally metal or reusable Nalgene due to trail restrictions) A lightweight quick-drying towel A small sewing kit with safety pins Cold water detergent or laundry soap (biodegradable) Personal music player / books etc. for the drives Please note airlines have various rules on what can be carried in your luggage - if in doubt check with your airline before travelling. FOOTWEAR We recommend walking shoes/boots, as comfortable shoes with good ankle support will make all walking more enjoyable. If you do not own a pair, then sports trainers will suffice although this is very much a personal choice. CLOTHES WASHING You will have the opportunity to wash your clothes whilst you are on tour, and this can often be done at the hotel or in a local town. Ask your tour leader for local information. BATTERY CHARGING Many of our travellers bring mobile phones, music devices and cameras that require frequent battery charging during a tour. Your hotel rooms will have an electrical outlet (just remember your international adaptor!). JOINING YOUR TOUR TOUR AND ACCOMMODATION VOUCHERS A tour voucher will be emailed to you once your balance has been paid in full. Vouchers for any hotel nights you have booked before or after your tour as well as any additional day tours will also be sent to you. You can print off the PDF vouchers or download to your smartphone. For those without email access your vouchers will be posted. Please make sure that these vouchers are correct. PRE/POST TOUR HOTELS Grand American Adventures tours begin and end at our gateway hotels, which are conveniently located in the departure and arrival cities. We offer you the option to book additional hotel nights before or after your tour however, they should be booked prior to departure with our reservations team. See below for joining and end hotel details. There will be a meeting on the evening of day one so please see the welcome note in the hotel lobby for the meeting time. Please note some hotels may take a debit or credit card as a deposit at check in. They may also take an amount to cover incidentals. Funds can be held until check out at which time the amount actually incurred will be charged. Please clarify with the hotel when you check out that all deposits will be refunded as promptly as possible. JOINING POINT Executive Hotel Vintage Park 1379 Howe Street British Columbia V6Z 2R5 Canada Tel: +1 604-688-7678 Transfer: If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight - please check the group flight details two weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense. The cost of a taxi is likely to be about CAD$40 should you decide to make your way independently. As there is only a welcome meeting on the evening of day one, this tour officially starts on day two. Make sure you have your bags packed, have eaten breakfast and have checked out of your room before meeting your tour leader in the hotel lobby. You will spend a few minutes filling out paperwork and meeting your fellow travellers before departing the hotel. ARRIVAL COMPLICATIONS Sometimes the unexpected can happen; your plane may be delayed or you may even miss it! If you have missed your tour departure, first check with the hotel to see if your tour leader has left you a message. If not, call the relevant emergency number and speak to our staff who will be happy to help you catch up with the group. Please note that you are responsible for any extra travelling expenses incurred due to you missing your tour s departure, so please be on time.

FINISHING POINT Executive Hotel Vintage Park 1379 Howe Street British Columbia V6Z 2R5 Canada Tel: +1 604-688-7678 The cost of a taxi is likely to be about CAD$40. EMERGENCY OUT OF HOURS ASSISTANCE In the event of an emergency or if you wish to report a problem on tour please do not hesitate to call our toll free* 24-hour emergency contact number. Remember, if we don t know about it we won t be able to do anything about it. Phone number for family to contact you in case of emergency: Tel: +44 844 326 7041 ABOUT OUR TOURS TRANSPORTATION Transport is by 15 seater minibus, ferry and Zodiac. Most of the roads are in very good condition. The longest driving day will be about four hours when we travel from Tofino to Campbell River. We have tried to keep travelling to a minimum on this trip, although most days involve some driving due to the distances covered. ACCOMMODATION There are eight nights in comfortable hotels and one night in a standard hotel, all rooms en suite. At we stay at the Executive Hotel Vintage Park, a centrally located hotel with good access to the city and its attractions, such as Stanley Park and Granville Island. At Ucluelet we stay at the Canadian Princess, a traditional fishing resort overlooking a pretty harbour. Our comfortable, spacious hotel rooms are located in the on-shore part of the resort and have en suite facilities. At Campbell River we have a three night stay at the Painters Lodge in garden view rooms overlooking the grounds. For the 17th and 20th September 2017 departures we stay at the April Point Resort instead, well located for our activities on Quadra Island. MEALS No meals are included on this trip. The leader may suggest organising a kitty at the start of the trip to cover picnic lunches. If everyone is in agreement, a set amount will be collected (in the region of CAD70-85) and the leader will coordinate and top up the purchase of supplies for lunch. This enables lunch to be taken in some wonderful beauty spots, making the most of Canada s great outdoors! For breakfast and dinner, the leader will recommend various options in convenient locations, usually booking restaurants and eating with the group. On this tour, we are able to provide the option of pre-booking a guaranteed single room for every night of the tour. Please note that the number of single rooms we can offer per tour is limited, so it s best to book early if you would like this option. Please see our website or call us for the for the Solo Sleeper option cost. SECURITY No matter where you find yourself in the world, you need to look after your valuables. In general, the safest place for items such as passports, flight tickets and cash is on your person or in a hotel safe where available, and do not leave valuables in the vehicle. When in doubt consult your tour leader. We would like to remind you that you are ultimately responsible for your safety and well-being. Whether you are taking public transport, going for a hike or taking part in an optional activity, we request that you carry yourself in a mature and responsible manner - not only for your own personal safety, but for that of the group and other travellers. YOUR TOUR LEADER Your tour leader will take care of all the planning and organisation throughout your tour, they will drive the van taking you from A to B and make sure everything runs smoothly. Your tour leader is there to make sure you get the most out of your tour; organising activities, providing information and answering any questions you may have as well as sorting out any queries or problems you may encounter. If you have any particular interests or things you would like to do on your tour, then please let your tour leader know at the beginning of the tour and they will do their best to help you. We will also use specialist tour guides in certain locations, to provide in depth information. THE GROUP The maximum group size is 12 passengers. Passengers come from a range of countries worldwide (average of four nationalities per group) and many will be solo travellers. You will find you have many things in common with your fellow travellers, including a passion for discovery and a strong interest in exploring the National Parks. Grand American Adventures tours are designed for adults over 18 years old. While most passengers are aged 25-55, every year we get many people both above and below this age range. All travellers over the age of 70 will be requested to complete a self-declaration of fitness form prior to travel. Our tours are a unique holiday experience and much of your enjoyment will come from the team spirit of your group and the fun you ll have together, as well as from the local setting. We cannot stress strongly enough the importance of bringing a positive attitude with you on tour; a sure guarantee to enjoying each and every moment, even in the adversity of the odd rainstorm! OPTIONAL SOLO SLEEPER The accommodation on our tours is based on twin-share, so if you re travelling on your own, you ll share a room with a fellow passenger of the same sex. However, if you would prefer your own space we offer a Solo Sleeper option where you can have your own room for an additional fee.

RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL We are committed to offering low impact tours that benefit the places and communities we visit as well as our travellers. It is important for us all to be aware of the delicate balance that exists in the variety of natural wonders you will visit. National parks and monuments, archaeological sites and other sensitive areas should and must be treated with respect. We have created a Travellers Code of Conduct to help prepare and inform our groups of the various positive or negative effects they could have on a destination. This code includes following the Leave No Trace ethic; this is an international campaign that is designed to help us minimise the impact on the national parks and other wilderness areas that we visit. Our tour leaders will explain this code of conduct during the first night s orientation talk and encourage you to follow it throughout the tour. Grand American Adventures also host fundraising events throughout the year to raise money in support of BAWT. AFTER YOUR TOUR FEEDBACK AND REVIEWS We want to hear about your experience and stories from the road, so please feel free to e-mail us any comments, feedback or reviews whilst you are on tour or when you return home to: comments@grandamericanadventures.com. We value your feedback and tour reviews, which help us in developing and improving our programme. Input and suggestions from travellers like you has helped make Grand American Adventures what it is today. We are proud supporters of Bay Area Wilderness Training (www.bawt.org) a charity based in Oakland California which works to connect disadvantaged children in the local urban area with the great outdoors. Their work helps to provide these young people with life changing experiences which they can apply to everyday life. Everyone booking with Grand American Adventures has the option to donate 1/$1/ 1 to support this well-deserved charity and we will match this donation. Whenever possible, we use local accommodation and activity providers. We also shop locally for groceries, eat in small family-run restaurants and visit local shops whenever possible. This all brings economic benefit to the local communities that we visit. We also support conservation of the wilderness areas visited by employing specialist local guides in the fields of geology, wilderness and wildlife to accompany us at different stages of the trek. This channels money back into the local economy and at the same time increases our understanding of the environment that we are visiting and its local flora and fauna. With a small group size of 12, we hope to reduce the environmental impacts of visiting remote areas. WE WANT YOUR PHOTOS! We can always use your holiday snaps and short videos to better depict and promote all the fascinating places we visit. Whether its stunning scenery or spotting some amazing wildlife there s no better way to share your Grand American Adventure. So if you want to send over a couple of your best shots (max 10MB) please e-mail them to comments@grandamericanadventures.com. You know what they say, a picture s worth a thousand words! Responsible Tourism on the Whales and Bears of British Columbia... Wildlife sightings are a highlight of this trip and we are careful to respect the species that we encounter. A specialist guide will accompany our whale observation excursion to educate us on their behaviour and we travel in small Zodiacs which is a non-intrusive way to approach wildlife. When visiting national parks we stick to marked trails to reduce our impact on the local environment and we pay entrance fees which go towards supporting conservation efforts in the area. Throughout the trip we employ a leave no trace policy in regard to litter - everything taken into the parks is taken out to preserve the local environment. We recycle wherever possible and all leaders are trained in responsible tourism to enable them to follow best practice. HOW TO BOOK Contact us by telephone, email or via our website to check availability for the tour you are interested in. We can normally hold a seat on option for up to three days to allow you time to finalise your travel arrangements. In order to secure your place we require a deposit (full payment within eight weeks of travel) and an agreement from you to our terms and conditions. Check availability early to avoid disappointment: FURTHER QUESTIONS Please contact our UK Sales team on: Tel: +44 (0)208 682 8921 Fax: +44 (0)208 675 0551 Enquiries: info@grandamericanadventures.com This dossier was last updated 18/01/2017