Wildlife of British Columbia: Whales, Grizzlies and Ancient Forests

After you enroll, we’ll ask you to provide or update your personal information and preferences, which includes your health information, lodging and meal preferences for your program.

As part of the program, all participants are required to complete a waiver for Tide Rip Tours, the organization providing the bear viewing activity. The waiver will need to be signed on-site prior to the activity. For your reference, a sample of the waiver will be included in the preparatory materials sent after enrolment, we encourage you to review it carefully before participating.

A passport is required for this program. It must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

This information about travel documents pertains to participants holding U.S. passports. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

United States citizens don’t need a visa for any of the countries you’ll be visiting. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

If Road Scholar is arranging your air travel to and from the program, and you travel on the scheduled start and end dates, you’ll receive free round-trip transfers from the airport to the hotel.

Arrival day is on September 1, 2025

Meet the group at Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia

Start of Trip:  3:00 p.m. hotel check-in; 4:00 p.m. Program Registration; 6:00 p.m. Welcome Dinner; 7:15 p.m. Orientation.

Getting to the site: If you purchase airfare through Road Scholar, you'll receive a free arrival transfer to get you to you from the Airport to your hotel. This offer is only available if you travel within two days of the scheduled start of the program. You will receive a letter with detailed information regarding the transfer approximately three weeks prior to the program start date via US Mail. In general, transfers are either via a designated taxi service or a shared shuttle. Vouchers may be required, and, if they are, these will be included in the detailed instructions that you receive prior to the start date of the program. If a voucher is not required, that will be clearly noted in the letter you receive.

Your trip ends on: Monday, September 8, 2025 in Nanaimo, British Columbia at Coast Bastion

End of Trip: 12:00 Noon upon arrival at Vancouver International Airport.

Getting to the airport: This program includes a complimentary group transfer by ferry & coach from Vancouver Island back to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) at the conclusion of the program. Approximate arrival at the airport will be 12:00 noon. This transfer is available to ALL enrolled participants at no extra charge. No reservations are required. Your registration in the program guarantees your seat on the group transfer. The transfer is only available on the scheduled end date.

Information if you are purchasing your own airfare: Participants who have not purchased airfare through Road Scholar are responsible for making their own transfer arrangements to the first site at the beginning of the program. The Information Packet Road Scholar sends in advance of the program includes details needed to make your transfer arrangements. If you wish to purchase airfare through Road Scholar, please call (800) 241-1404. Please Note: In the unlikely event Road Scholar must make changes to the program's arrival or departure details, we will notify all participants as soon as possible. Participants who have purchased Road Scholar airfare are protected against airline change fees; however, anyone who has not purchased Road Scholar airfare will be required to make their own adjustments and may incur fees imposed by the airline.