Sonora & Clayoquot Wilderness Discovery

Enjoy complimentary VIP airport lounge access, before you board your day flight to Vancouver. On arrival, check in to your luxury accommodation, the Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver, with its enviable harbour location and easy access to the likes of Stanley Park and historic Gastown. With elegantly designed rooms offering spectacular floor-to-ceiling-views across the harbour, mountains or city skyline, this hotel brings together the traditions of the Fairmont brand and the luxury amenities you’d expect in a cosmopolitan city like Vancouver.

The next day, you’ll have plenty of free time to explore the city at your own pace. Or, perhaps embark on a guided tour to discover the acclaimed culinary scene of Granville Island, the chance to spot humpbacks and orcas in Howe Sound aboard a zodiac or discover the mountainous landscape from a new perspective high up on a suspension bridge at Capilano.

This morning after breakfast, take your included seaplane or helicopter flight to the secluded Sonora Resort. Part of the coveted Relais & Chateau branch, this luxurious resort hides in the stunning wooded archipelago along the pristine shores of Sonora Island. Only accessible by small aircraft or water taxi, the resort and its idyllic location allows you to connect with the surrounding nature in an intimate way. Enjoy an all-inclusive dining experience with fresh local seafood and gourmet meals, all perfectly paired with delicious wines from the nearby regions. As the evening sets in, head back to your waterfront suite to enjoy inlet views and the wild beauty of the island or head up to top floor balcony hot tub – a relaxing place to watch the sunset.

Over the next two days, a whole host of activities will be available, allowing you to discover this serene island and its many hidden gems. Kayak the small inlets and coves to better explore the rainforest shores, search for grizzly bears, black bears and eagles on an eco-boat excursion or fly-fish untouched streams only reachable by helicopter - all led by expert local guides. And, after an adventurous day outside, head to the resort’s spa to take a dip in the mineral pools and hot tubs, an idyllic place to reflect and unwind.

This morning enjoy a short 30-minute scenic flight over Vancouver island, by private seaplane, as you make your way to Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge on the Bedwell River. After disembarking, you'll transfer by horse and cart, the most fitting way to arrive at this lodge, for a four night stay. This ultra-luxury tented lodge nestled among the old-growth rainforest and pristine inlet waters is a fully curated and inclusive experience, where each evening your host will sit down with you and design your adventures for the following day. Each of the luxury tents features a day bed with water’s edge or rainforest views, en-suite, an indoor and outdoor shower, wood stove and all styled with elegant touches and natural woods – an intimate and secluded experience in the heart of nature. 

Specialising in remote wilderness experiences, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge offers an array of personalised activities, all led with local experienced guides. You may wish to ride the temperate rainforest by horseback, walk among the 1,000 year old cedar trees, kayak the breathtaking estuaries in search of whales and bears or experience a day-long hike along the Wild Side trail with a First Nationals guide – each offering a unique perspective of the surrounding wilderness.

Each evening as you settle back into camp, you’ll be treated to an all-inclusive gourmet experience in the intimate dining tent. Dine on expertly prepared Clayoquot Salmon, pea-crusted Peace River lamb rack, smoked Yarrow duck breast and freshly-caught Dungeness crab, alongside an extensive wine list. And, on your final evening you’ll enjoy a tasting menu of wild gastronomic flavours, all paired with award-winning wines.

Unfortunately the time will come to say goodbye to the spectacular beauty of the British Columbia coast and head back to Vancouver by seaplane where you’ll be transferred to the airport for your overnight flight home.