Canoeing holidays in British Columbia
| country: | Canada |
| location: | British Columbia |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 2008: 4 Sep 2009: 4 Jul, 18 Jul, 8 Aug, 22 Aug, 5 Sep |
| price: | From £1300 - £1395 (12 days) excluding flights |
the amazing things you'll be doing
This is a unique canoeing adventure in Tweedsmuir Park, the largest and wildest in British Columbia. It is a rare opportunity to paddle and explore remote alpine wilderness. A float plane will fly you into a chain of lakes set high in the Coastal Mountains. The snow-capped, glaciated peaks and granite faces of the Coastal Mountains dominate the Pacific coast of British Columbia, some of the highest and least explored in North America.
You will also visit Hunlen Falls, with a single drop of 260 metres it is the third highest in Canada. After a few days paddling the adventure continues by following old Native Indian trails into the valley of the Atnarko River and the spawning grounds of salmon and steelhead. The old packhorse road then leads into the Bella Coola valley and the gateway, Great Bear Rainforest.
The temperate rainforest covering the lower slopes and valleys is one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. Once in the Bella Coola valley: relax on a river drift down the Bella Coola River; take a cultural tour with local Native Indians; explore some of the ancient forest trails; and discover the unique community of Bella Coola.
You will also visit Hunlen Falls, with a single drop of 260 metres it is the third highest in Canada. After a few days paddling the adventure continues by following old Native Indian trails into the valley of the Atnarko River and the spawning grounds of salmon and steelhead. The old packhorse road then leads into the Bella Coola valley and the gateway, Great Bear Rainforest.
The temperate rainforest covering the lower slopes and valleys is one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. Once in the Bella Coola valley: relax on a river drift down the Bella Coola River; take a cultural tour with local Native Indians; explore some of the ancient forest trails; and discover the unique community of Bella Coola.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Jericho Beach, West Vancouver |
| Day 2: | Overland Gold Rush Heritage Trail through the Coastal Mountains of British Columbia into the wild west of the Chilcotin Plateau |
| Day 3: | Float plane into Tweedsmuir Park lake chain and visit the 3rd highest waterfall in Canada |
| Day 4-8: | Canoe the chain of lakes through alpine forests, camping on wild beaches and exploring adjacent trails surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. |
| Day 9: | Hike down along old trails into the valley of the Atnarko river teeming with salmon spawning and a variety of wildlife. |
| Day 10: | Salmon Drift and Estuary Tour |
| Day 11: | Native Indian Rock Carving Tour/Forest Trails |
| Day 12: | Overland back to Vancouver. Optional add on – Discovery Coast ferry to Vancouver Island. Fly direct to Vancouver |
how this holiday makes a difference
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This trip is an active and interpretive wilderness experiences. This small group (4-10 person) adventure holiday incorporates adventure with wildlife viewing, natural history and native culture to create an eco-adventure that promotes awareness and respect for the environment through exposure to this wild place. The small group sizes minimize the impact on the trails and campsites. All waste is packed out and we have an environmental policy for backcountry travel which ensures that we ‘leave no trace’.
In order to access the remote lakes we work with a local outfitter. This local business provides the transport and back-up that we need to maximize safety. Our financial contribution to this local outfitter means that they are able to maintain the backcountry trails and camp sites ensuring that visitors are able to enjoy the remote location with minimum impact. Our trips in this area were developed because we have a close connection to the local community. This relationship has enabled us to create unique adventures that give a real insight into the local people, using local resources that benefit the meager local economy. After the canoeing phase of the trip we use a local guesthouse run by two working fisheries biologists that adhere to a strict environmental policy, including a very comprehensive recycling system. We also employ these biologists to provide an interpretive salmon river drift and a chance of seeing and learning about this fragile ecosystem. The continental breakfasts at the guesthouse are provided by a local small bakery business.  We take a tour to ancient indigenous rock carvings and learn about the culture and history of the First Nation people from a Native Indian teacher. We actively promote the indigenous artists visiting local carving workshops and galleries enabling our guests to support the artists by purchasing a carving or other souvenir which directly supports local families. By joining this trip you will not only enjoy exposure to a remote and pristine wilderness but the people who live and work on the land. You will be learning about and integrating with the local community, their local environment and benefiting the local economy. |
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