Trekking holiday in British Columbia
| country: | Canada |
| location: | British Columbia |
| trip type: | Moderate wilderness trekking holidays |
| departures: | 2009: 18 Jul, 8 Aug, 22 Aug |
| price: | From £1325 - £1495 (12 days) excluding flights |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Our flagship wilderness trek is a genuine Wild West adventure in pristine wilderness with fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities. This trek is supported by packhorse and explores the remote Coastal Mountains following ancient Indian trading routes and the route of the first explorer to reach the Pacific Ocean overland.
Starting in Vancouver trekking holiday begins in Vancouver where your guides will meet you before heading north overland into the Coastal Mountains of British Columbia, the remotest and least explored in North America. The area offers some of the best wildlife viewing in North America. It is typical to see a mix of grizzly and black bear, caribou, marmots, eagles and even wolves. There are also visits to salmon spawning areas where you will see grizzlies fishing for salmon.
After exploring the remote Coastal Mountain wilderness you will be driven down the infamous 'hill' over Heckman's Pass into the Bella Coola Valley, gateway to the 'Great Bear Rainforest'. This is one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet with a high density of both grizzly and black bears. Once in the Bella Coola valley relax on a river drift with a fisheries biologist to see grizzly bears feeding on the spawning salmon and take a cultural tour with local Native Indians.
Starting in Vancouver trekking holiday begins in Vancouver where your guides will meet you before heading north overland into the Coastal Mountains of British Columbia, the remotest and least explored in North America. The area offers some of the best wildlife viewing in North America. It is typical to see a mix of grizzly and black bear, caribou, marmots, eagles and even wolves. There are also visits to salmon spawning areas where you will see grizzlies fishing for salmon.
After exploring the remote Coastal Mountain wilderness you will be driven down the infamous 'hill' over Heckman's Pass into the Bella Coola Valley, gateway to the 'Great Bear Rainforest'. This is one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet with a high density of both grizzly and black bears. Once in the Bella Coola valley relax on a river drift with a fisheries biologist to see grizzly bears feeding on the spawning salmon and take a cultural tour with local Native Indians.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Jericho Beach in West Vancouver |
| Day 2: | Overland along the Gold Rush Heritage Trail through the Fraser Canyon and spectacular mountain scenery |
| Day 3: | Trek from Rainbow Trailhead to first camp |
| Day 4: | Trek circular route from first base camp to ridge walk and peak |
| Day 5: | Trek into the wild and remote Mackenzie Valley to the second camp |
| Day 6: | Trek into the alpine through forest and meadows and option to go to the top of Mount Mackenzie. |
| Day 7: | Wildlife viewing day in the valley from the base camp. |
| Day 8: | Trek along the Tweedsmuir Trail through forest and up onto the plateau of alpine meadows with stunning vistas. |
| Day 9: | Trek along the Octopus Lake Trail to the trailhead and transport into Bella Coola Valley |
| 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
 This trip is an active and interpretive wilderness experiences. This small group (4-10 person) trekking 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’. 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. The trek is a joint venture with local horse outfitters, utilizing their resources and camping at their traditional hunting camp grounds. It also means that our guests get an insight into their lifestyle and culture and learn something of the history of the area. Our affiliation means combining modern guiding standards and eco responsibility with old style horse guiding. After the trek 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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