British Columbia's Wilderness Experience
7 days - Vancouver to Vancouver
This is the ultimate Pack Ride! Ride into the backcountry of British Columbia like an explorer with packhorses in tow. Travel the mountains in nomadic style. Follow game trails, cross rivers, and enjoy open-air lunches with the world's best views. There are sweeping vistas, turquoise green glaciers, snow caves, and abundant wildlife including mountain goats, Bighorn sheep, Mule deer, moose, wolf, Grizzly and Black bear. Travel mountain-top passes and experience wide U-shaped valleys with their mosaic of wildflowers, wild hay meadows and big-game mineral licks.On this ride you can chose from 3 grades, depending on your riding ability and fitness level. Ideally you should have some camping experience. The following are "rules of thumb" on a "sliding scale" that will help you choose the right grade to suit your abilities.
- Grade One, Novice and Intermediate with camping experience. May not have experience on uneven terrain or ride on a regular basis. Once in camp, expect rides of 3-4 hours covering 6-10 km mostly on defined trails, and elevation changes of less than 1,000m.
- Grade Two, Intermediate and Experienced Intermediate with camping experience. Has experience on uneven terrain. Rides regularly and is in good physical condition and wants a demanding adventure. Includes challenging terrain and undefined trails. Once in camp, expect rides of 4-6 hours that cover 7-12 km, and elevation changes up to 1,000m.
- Grade Three, Experienced Intermediate and Professional with wilderness camping experience. Has experience on uneven and steep terrain. Rides frequently, is in good physical condition and wants to be challenged. Includes challenging and steep terrain, and undefined trails. Once in camp, expect rides of 6-9 hours that cover 12-20 km, and elevation changes that exceed 1,000m.
- Day 1 (B,L,D)
- An early morning transfer takes you on a scenic drive to Chilcotin Ranch where you spend the night. There is a lot to do on the first day. Care is taken to match you with your Cayuse horse and saddle. All the "kinks" are worked out during your extensive orientation to western mountain riding that includes a Gymkhana and River Ride. That evening, maps and itineraries, and what to pack in your personal duffel bag are reviewed.
- Day 2 to Day 5 (B,L,D)
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Access in and out of camp vary between 3-9 hours and 5-20 km depending on the grade chosen, and includes elevation changes up to 1,000m over uneven terrain. The daily itinerary will also vary on the grade chosen. Grade One riders will ride along well-defined horse trails once used by explorers, pioneers and gold miners. Based from camp, you will ride through flowering alpine meadows and past pristine mountain lakes. Wildlife will greet you along the trail. Loons call to you from the lake. The jingle of horse bells at night, the star-studded skies and the campfire will round out your horseback camping experience
Grade 2 riders will venture deeper into the wilderness through unexplored alpine meadows to lofty mountain ridges for 360 degree views. They will have an opportunity to experience the wilderness and get involved in taking the horses out to the meadows at night to stake and hobble and learn some basic wrangler skills.Those choosing a Grade 3 ride will travel even further into the mountains. Each valley holds new wildlife to view, new meadows to graze the horses, and a new base camp to call home. You will be able to witness some of the marvels of the Chilcotin Mountains, such as a sow Grizzly with four cubs, the vibrant turquoise blue colour of a glacier lakes and marvel at the amazing abilities of your horse as he negotiates the mountain game trails.
- Day 6 (B,L,D)
- A final morning ride before returning with the packhorses to Chilcotin Ranch for the night.
- Day 7 (B,L)
- During the last morning at the ranch, participate in one of the activity options. There is target practice, horse logging, bareback lessons and more to choose from. Midday transfer back to Vancouver.
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Cost per person:
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Ride Only:
£1,120 - Includes: Transfers from Vancouver to the ranch, accommodation and meals as indicated (excluding accommodation in Vancouver), non-alcoholic drinks and all riding.
- All Inclusive: From £2,060 depending on the season.
- Includes: Flights, taxes, transfers, 2 nights accommodation (before and after the ride) at the Sheraton Guildford Hotel in Vancouver, accommodation and meals as indicated on the ride, non-alcoholic drinks and all riding.
- Single Supplement: £80 for Vancouver. Please note you must be prepared to share on the ride.
- Departure Dates: Sundays, May to October. Departures from UK are one day earlier.
- The Accommodation: Accommodation in Vancouver is at the Sheraton Guildford Hotel. All rooms are en-suite and the hotel has a heated swimming pool and health club. The first and last night of the ride is spent at the Chilcotin Ranch. This provides 8 guest bedrooms with a variety of sleeping arrangements (such as queen, twin, single, and queen with bunk), along with 4 shared bathrooms. The atmosphere is similar to that of a large family home. In the mountains the camps vary between fully equipped permanent base camps and seasonal camps. The permanent camps include different combinations of log cabins and/or tent cabins for eating and sleeping. Tent cabins consist of 10 x 12 'walk about' structures with raised floors. Some of the permanent camps are more developed, with gravity-fed showers, solar lighting and heaters in the tent cabins.
- Food & Drink: Legendary western fare, with unlimited fresh fruit and vegetables, lots of home made baking, and delicious and hearty main courses. Some favourites include candied salmon, barbecued ribs, tomato salad with balsamic and olive oil dressing, chick pea and spinach salad, oatmeal cookies and butter tart squares. All non-alcoholic drinks are included.
- Laundry: Laundry is available at the Ranch (payment must be made locally).
- Children: Are welcome from 8 years upwards, depending on their riding and camping experience. They must be accompanied by an experienced adult rider.
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Non-Riders: Non-riders can choose to stay at the Ranch and hike, go mountain biking or grizzly watching. Please ask for further details and an itinerary tailored to suit your non-riding companion's requirements.
