Aspire Canada Tours Offering First-of-Its-Kind
Same-Day Grizzly Bear Expedition from Vancouver on July 4
New charter experience gives travellers rare opportunity
to visit the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary and
be back in Vancouver by evening
This summer, wildlife and nature enthusiasts will have the opportunity to experience one of British Columbia’s most extraordinary wildlife destinations in a single day. For one day only, on Saturday, July 4, Aspire Canada Tours will host a same-day return grizzly bear viewing tour from Vancouver to the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary in Northern British Columbia.
The special one-day experience offers guests access to the edge of the Great Bear Rainforest without the need for overnight travel or managing complex logistics, combining private jet charter travel with a guided marine wildlife expedition through one of Canada’s most ecologically significant protected areas. Guests will depart Vancouver in the morning, fly to Prince Rupert, and board a catamaran for a professionally guided seven-hour cruise through the sanctuary’s tidal waterways, framed by dramatic coastal mountains, old-growth rainforest, and quiet inlets where grizzly bears forage at the water’s edge.
“This tour reflects exactly what Aspire Canada Tours was built to do, which is make exceptional Canadian travel experiences more accessible without compromising the quality of the experience,” said Ross Brown, Co-founder of Aspire Canada Tours. “This one-day adventure allows guests to witness one of the country’s most remarkable places in a way that feels seamless, comfortable, and inherently memorable. To be able to leave Vancouver in the morning, spend the day in a grizzly bear habitat, and return to the city by evening is something very special.”
Timed to coincide with a low tide cycle, the July 4 excursion offers strong wildlife viewing conditions, with bears more likely to emerge to feed on clams and other shoreline marine life. Along the route, guests may also encounter humpback whales, bald eagles, seals, and other awe-inspiring coastal wildlife. The journey was designed to maximize viewing potential while maintaining a responsible, low-impact approach to wildlife observation.
The marine expedition is operated in partnership with Prince Rupert Adventure Tours. Guests remain aboard the catamaran throughout the sanctuary experience while onboard naturalist guides provide commentary and interpretation informed by extensive training in marine wildlife education, ecology, conservation, and responsible bear viewing practices.
The tour takes place during the FIFA World Cup period in Vancouver, giving visitors a unique non-match day experience, pairing world-class wildlife viewing throughout the day with the convenience of returning to Vancouver the same evening.
The Grizzly Bear Tour: Vancouver to the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary
Same-Day Return: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Tour Details:
• Early morning check-in at Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
• Private charter jet departure (6:25 am) from Vancouver to Prince Rupert Airport (YPR) with breakfast served on-board
• Transfer to a 72-foot catamaran (100-passenger capacity) for a seven-hour guided wildlife expedition through Chatham Sound and into the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary
• On-the-water wildlife viewing with opportunities to spot grizzly bears, humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, bald eagles, and other coastal species
• Wildlife commentary and interpretation provided by Prince Rupert Adventure Tours’ experienced onboard crew
• Lunch served during the marine expedition
• Return transfer to Prince Rupert Airport (YPR)
• Evening private charter flight back to Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
• Dinner served on-board and return to Vancouver (approximately 7:00 pm)
Pricing:
The experience includes round-trip private charter flights, all transfers, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with Aspire Canada Tours’ coordination, hosting and narration throughout the day.
• Introductory Rate: CAD $1,470 per person (including GST) through June 15, 2026
• Regular Rate: CAD $1,575 per person (including GST)
• Great Bear Group Rate: Save CAD $50 per person for groups of six or more booked under one reservation
The one-day Grizzly Bear Tour on Saturday, July 4 can be booked online via Aspire Canada Tours: aspirecanadatours.com/
About the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary
Khutzeymateen Park [a.k.a. Khutzeymateen/K’tzim-a-deen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary] is a protected wilderness area located approximately 45 kilometres northeast of Prince Rupert in northern British Columbia. Established in 1994 as Canada’s first grizzly bear sanctuary, the park was created to protect coastal grizzly bears and the rich ecosystems they depend on within the Great Bear Rainforest. Spanning approximately 45,000 hectares of remote fjords, temperate rainforest, estuaries, and coastal mountains, the sanctuary supports a remarkable concentration of grizzly bears along with wolves, eagles, seals, and other iconic West Coast wildlife. Marine wildlife such as whales is most commonly observed in Chatham Sound during the journey to and from the sanctuary. The park is collaboratively managed by BC Parks, the Coast Tsimshian First Nations, and the Gitsi’is Tribe, combining conservation, Indigenous stewardship, and carefully managed eco-tourism. Access to the park is strictly controlled to help preserve its sensitive environment.
About Aspire Canada Tours
Aspire Canada Tours is a Canadian tour operator focused on making exceptional travel experiences more accessible through thoughtfully designed journeys that maximize both value and time. Built on the belief that exploring Canada’s most remarkable natural and cultural destinations should not require extensive planning or unnecessary complexity, they offer curated travel experiences for discerning travellers seeking meaningful access to the country’s remote and iconic landscapes. A Kelowna, BC-based business, Aspire Canada Tours delivers carefully crafted adventures and tour offerings built on clear itineraries, thoughtful pacing, practical guest information, and a “no grumps” approach to group travel. aspirecanadatours.com
Land acknowledgement: Our journeys take place on the traditional territories of many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Canada. We travel with respect for the land, cultures, and communities, and we follow local guidance wherever we go.