OPTIONAL ADVENTURES IN CANADA
Take the famous Rocky Mountaineer train as it thunders through the Canadian Rockies and marvel at the spectacular scenery that is unrolling before your eyes. A trip to the Calgary Stampede is not to be missed and rightly claims to be ‘the worlds largest and greatest outdoor show’, with its parades, rodeos, chuck wagon racing and nightly musical extravaganzas. For the wildlife enthusiasts why not visit Knight Inlet Lodge for a Bear and Whale watching experience second to none. Bear viewing opportunities are also available at Bella Coola and also Whistler, only two hours from Vancouver. Experience the killer Orca whales that feed around Victoria from Mid May to late September or the Grey whales that spend their summer months in the Torfino/Ucluelet area. Call Ranch Rider for further details.
FULL DETAILS, DATES AND PRICES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
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CALGARY STAMPEDE |
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| In 1884 when Calgary was no more than a dot on the Bow River the Calgary Agricultural Society was formed. Two years later their first exhibition was held. This grew and by 1912 an experience that has since become known as the Calgary Stampede was fully functioning. Each year at the same time of the Stampede the city of Calgary, which during the rest of the year is the hub of the oil, ranching and farming business of Alberta, parties like no other city in the world. The Stampede, which claims to be the world’s largest and greatest outdoor show, is full of parades, rodeo and chuck wagon racing and nightly musical extravaganzas. The musical extravaganza culminates with a spectacular firwork display, which truly adds to the whole “Stampede” experience. And there is more The Stampede grounds also host a major agricultural show and a giant midway show (that’s american for fun fair) If you are interested in music, there is some great live music in the showground including Nashville North, that during the Stampede period hosts some of the top Country & Western artists from across America. |
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER |
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| The Rocky Mountaineer Railroad Company was formed to duplicate the service no longer operated by Via Rail. They took the opportunity to add some innovations and improvements to the existing rail journey. The service was re-timed and an overnight stay in Kamloops was built into the schedule. This ensured that no part of the journey was undertaken in the dark, thus allowing the opportunity to see wonderful and ever changing scenery along the route. For the early part of its journey the railroad hugs the Fraser River as it climbs from Vancouver to Kamloops. On the second day you enter the true Canadian Rocky Mountain grandeur and experience the majesty of the peaks, glaciers and rivers, which fulfil your view at every turn. Because the train is no stranger to wildlife, wildlife viewing from the train including bear, moose, wolves, coyotes, etc, all of which often congregate close to the railroad, is one of the features of this journey. The price includes comfortable accommodation on the train, transfers backwards and forwards from your hotel in Kamloops, hotel accommodation in Kamloops and breakfast and lunch served on the train each day. Our descriptions carefully define the differences between Gold Leaf and Red Leaf services. Upgrade to Gold Leaf Service The Gold Leaf Service has the advantage of exclusive use of the dome car throughout the journey, superior seating arrangements, a cooked breakfast and superior lunch served in the dining room and best available overnight accommodation and dinner in Kamloops. Often described as “Canada’s Orient Express”. |
BELLA COOLER - WILDLIFE VIEWING |
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| One of the best kept secrets with regards to wildlife viewing are the river floats in the Bella Coola area of British Columbia. You are always sure of a wide variety of local wildlife including the large resident populations of Grizzly and Black bears. As the nights begin to shorten and the leaves begin to turn colour, a unique opportunity occurs as the salmon start to swim up the Bella Coola Rive towards their spawning grounds. At that time the Grizzly Bears in particular come down to the river’s edge to fish for the salmon. In the company of native guides, you float down the Bella Coola River (it is about as wide as the River Thames in London) to observe the bears going about their aggressive feeding prior to hibernation. There are very limited places available on this trip and it is only sold in conjunction with a full package booked through this company. Bear sightings are exceptional and if you are a fisherman as well we can arrange spectacularly successful fishing trips in this area, again in the company of local guides. |
WHISTLER - BLACK BEAR WATCHING |
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| This 3 hour trip departs the base of Blackcomb mountain early in the morning at 6.00am or at 6.00pm in the afternoon. Rising above Whisler Village are the vast, coastal hemlock-cedar forests of the Whistler Blackcomb ski area. These forests interspersed with ski trails provide diverse food and shelter for some 50 black bears. Experience the pristine views of wildlife, glacial peaks and memorable sunsets in a 4x4 vehicle. Travel through deep old growth coastal hemlock-cedar forests, visit active bear dens, daybeds and feeding site. Witness evening play between a mother and her cubs. Your trip will show you the same bears that were recently shown on BBC’s Big Bear Week. Your local guides have been observing these bears for a long time and are experts in finding the bears for close, but safe viewing. |
KNIGHT INLET LODGE - BEAR & WHALE WATCHING |
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| We offer special packages to one of the most remote parts of British Columbia known as Knight Inlet. Accessible only by seaplane, the lodge accommodates a maximum of 30 people at one time, offering comfort, great food and an ideal base to see wildlife whatever the weather. There is a resident population of 50 grizzly bears in and around Glendale Cove. Bears can normally be seen every day whatever the season. From mid-August onwards the salmon return and the bears help themselves to the feast. Seals, sea lions, porpoise, dolphins and minke whales are all in the area. From mid-August the killer or orca whales arrive to add to the wealth of wildlife viewing. Bears and whales – what a combination. Our package includes the following: · Night of arrival accommodation in Campbell River, room only · Float plane trip from Campbell River to Knight Inlet Lodge · Specified number of days at Knight Inlet i.e. 3 day package is 1 night at Campbell River, 2 nights at Knight Inlet Lodge · All meals at Knight Inlet Lodge · Complimentary house wine with dinners · Wildlife viewing with guides · British Columbia Provincial Taxes, British Columbia Back Country permit fee and First Nations user fee · Goods and service tax Our Package does not include: Items of a personal nature, phones, laundry, alcoholic beverage at the Lodge, other than wine with meals and gratuities. |
VICTORIA - WHALE WATCHING |
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| In the greater Victoria area from mid May to late September over 100 killer Orca whales control the area’s feasting on the rich food source swept in from the Pacific Ocean. Three separate pods: J. L & L populate the waters and we are pleased to report that over the last two years the numbers have grown and new baby whales have been added to their numbers. This area is widely recognised as one of the best for sighting Orca whales with success rates during the peak season in excess of 95%. We highly recommend the three hour whale watching cruise aboard a fast comfortable 45ft boat. |
TOFINO - WHALE WATCHING |
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| Ea year from early February to late April in excess of 22,000 grey whales pass Tofino/Ucluelet on the way from their calving rounds to Baja, Mexico to the feeding grounds off Siberia. Fortunately for us, approxomately 100 or so whales spend their summer in the Barclay and Clayquot Sounds in the Tofino/Ucluelet area. These resident whales remain in their area until mid November when they head out to sea to join the main migration as it passes on its way southward again. During the intermediate period our 21/2 hour whale watching experience from Torfino sights these magnificent creatures, up to 40 tons in size, in over of 95% of all departures. In addition there is an opportunity to see many other forms of aquatic wildlife that populate this area. |
Call
Ranch Rider on 01509 618811 or fax on 01509
610585
Ranch
Rider, Devonshire House, Devonshire Lane, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11
3DF, England
