Guided Tour in the Cariboo Chilcotin Led by Local Experts
Trip length: 9 days / 8 nights
Start: Williams Lake, B.C.
End: Bella Coola, B.C.
Type: Guided
Group size: 4-8 people
Price: $6,995 per person
From Williams Lake to Bella Coola, this trip is an adventure that spans the heart of British Columbia.
On this West Chilcotin small group tour, we venture through ranch country and the scenic Chilcotin Plateau to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park and the Great Bear Rainforest.
If you would like more information about this awe-inspiring journey to the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
And for even more travel inspiration in British Columbia, check out our full range of guided tours in BC.
HIGHLIGHTS
West Chilcotin Guided Tour
-
Embrace the rural ranching culture of the Chilcotin Plateau with a stay at a Guest Ranch and horseback riding.
-
Hike to the top of the sand dunes overlooking Farwell Canyon, and be on the lookout for bighorn sheep.
-
Embark on a float plane tour over the expansive ice fields, glaciers and alpine lakes of the Coast Mountain Range.
-
Learn about the Indigenous culture of the region, from the desert-like landscapes of Xat'sull Heritage Village to the coastal rainforest of Bella Coola.
-
Visit the iconic Hunlen Falls, dropping 260m from the Turner Lakes chain above, where you'll spend the afternoon hiking to various scenic viewpoints.
-
Enjoy a walking tour with a guide from the Nuxalk First Nation into a sacred forest to learn about Bella Coola history and marvel at the impressive petroglyphs.
-
Immerse in grizzly bear country with an afternoon gently rafting down the Atnarko River.
-
Journey into the Great Bear Rainforest on a marine tour of the glacial fjords west of Bella Coola, including a stop at the serene natural hot springs.
-
Experience homestyle cooking and hospitality at locally-owned lodges and B&Bs.
Activities On This Trip
Light
Hiking
Grizzly
Viewing
Horseback
Riding
Cultural
Activities
Flight-seeing
Boat
Tour
Accommodation Style
B&B, Guest Ranch + Lodge
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
The following itinerary is meant as a guide, and is subject to change. Factors such as weather, availability, and closures due to COVID-19 may impact certain activities. Contact us for more details.
DAY 1: Meet in Williams Lake mid-morning | Visit Xat'sull Indigenous Heritage Village for tour and lunch | Drive up the Chilcotin Plateau | Dinner and free time to relax at historic B&B | Overnight in Riske Creek. Accommodation: B&B | Meals included: Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 2: Visit the scenic Farwell Canyon, a taste of the desert | Hike along the sand dunes | Lunch by the river | Free afternoon in Riske Creek, hiking and relaxing | Overnight in Riske Creek. Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast | Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 3: Travel day along HWY 20 | Stop in Redstone for lunch on a farm | Hike along the Chilcotin river at Bull Canyon Provincial Park | Arrive at your guest ranch for a classic Canadian ranch experience | Overnight near Kleena Kleene. Accommodation: Guest Ranch | Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 4: Settle into ranching culture and the relaxed pace of life on the Plateau | Morning horseback ride | Side-by-side through the forest to a scenic lookout | Free afternoon to canoe on the lake, go for a hike, or relax on the grounds | Overnight near Kleena Kleene. Accommodation: Guest Ranch | Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 5: Board a float plane from Nimpo Lake for a scenic tour over the Coast Mountains and Monarch Icefields | Disembark on Turner Lake to visit the iconic Hunlen Falls | Spend the afternoon hiking around the remote park | Continue your scenic float plane tour over the Rainbow Range | Overnight near Kleena Kleene. Accommodation: Guest Ranch | Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 6: Continue along HWY 20 down 'the hill' into the lush Bella Coola valley | Lunch by the ocean and estuary | Walking tour with local Indigenous guide to view sacred petroglyphs | Overnight in Bella Coola. Accommodation: Lodge | Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 7: Grizzly bear viewing tour down the Atnarko River in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park | Free afternoon to enjoy Bella Coola and hike in the local parks | Overnight in Bella Coola. Accommodation: Lodge | Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 8: Full day boat tour cruising the glacial fjords from Bella Coola | Take a dip in the natural hot springs | Catch a glimpse of grizzlies, black bears, whales and dolphins | Overnight in Bella Coola. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 9: Morning hike through old-growth cedar forest | Transfer to Bella Coola airport | Optional add-on packages available in Bella Coola or via ferry to Vancouver Island | Tour ends. Meals included: Breakfast.
This trip is designed for...
Adults and youth age 12+ with interests in outdoor adventure, wildlife, and Indigenous culture and history. Basic mobility and moderate fitness level is recommended. Must be comfortable walking/hiking on light trails for 1-2 hours and riding on a horse for 1-2 hours. Some excursions require sitting for extended periods while driving on uneven roads, and on potentially wavy ocean. Guests must be comfortable spending full days outdoors in potentially inclement weather - we promise it'll be worth it!
Discover More About our West Chilcotin Small Group Tours
Read our latest Travel Journal about the adventures of the West Chilcotin
DATES + PRICES
GUIDED TOURS
August 23 - 31, 2023
Per person: $6,995
Private groups: from $6,395/person for groups of 8
Single supplement: $900
Looking for a private tour? We offer private tours for groups of 4 or more travellers between June and September, based on availability. Itineraries can be customized based on the group's interests and budget.
All prices in Canadian dollars. GST tax (5%) not included.
INCLUSIONS
9 days / 8 nights
All accommodation for 8 nights, including 2 nights at a Bed & Breakfast in Riske Creek, 3 nights at a Guest Ranch near Kleena Kleene, and 3 nights at a lodge in Bella Coola.
All meals, from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 9.
All activities listed in the itinerary, including guided hikes, horseback riding, floatplane tour to Hunlen Falls, cultural activities, boat tours, and more.
All transportation from Williams Lake to Bella Coola in a comfortable passenger van.
Mosaic Earth guide(s) for the duration of the trip.
Not Included:
-
Personal expenses such as alcoholic beverages, medications, snacks, and souvenirs
-
Flights to/from B.C., to Williams Lake, and from Bella Coola
-
Pre-trip hotel in Williams Lake (recommended)
-
Travel insurance
-
A voluntary gratuity at the end of your trip for Mosaic Earth guides
GETTING AROUND
Guided West Chilcotin Tour
This Cariboo Chilcotin Coast trip commences on the morning of Day 1 from Williams Lake.
Mosaic Earth guides meet the group at a central location with our 15-passenger van, or we can pick up directly from the airport or local hotels.
If travelling via air into BC, we recommend booking a connecting flight from Vancouver International Airport to Williams Lake via Pacific Coastal Airlines.
We also advise arriving one night prior to the trip start date. We can provide recommendations for reputable hotels in Williams Lake.
This West Chilcotin small group tour concludes in Bella Coola on the morning of Day 9. We recommend booking a flight from Bella Coola to Vancouver International Airport via Pacific Coastal Airlines.
If guests wish to continue their journey in the region, there are vehicle rentals in Bella Coola, or you may wish to take the scenic full-day ferry route to Port Hardy.
Mosaic Earth Travel also offers guided and self-guided tours of northern Vancouver Island.
Our team is more than happy to provide suggestions for pre- and post-tour adventures based on preferences.
Reach out to our team for more information and to start planning your trip.
Email: info@mosaicearth.ca
Phone: (778) 400-5299