Cultural tours in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast trace the experiences of gold rush miners and pioneers, as well as the region's Aboriginal people.
Guided tours offer comprehensive information about gold rush history and the daily life of those who traversed this vast region more than 150 years ago. Learn about Barkerville Historic Town's buildings and characters, or travel the 1861 Gold Rush Pack Trail with Whitegold Adventures. Aboriginal culture tours are also available and cover traditional food preparation, song and dance, and thousand-year old petroglyphs in Bella Coola.
Prefer self-guided tours? Then wander through heritage buildings, museums and art galleries, or follow a driving route along the original gold rush route and pass ghost towns, abandoned mines and ranches.
Heritage Tours
Many museums and heritage sites offer guided tours by request. Find out how pioneers lived and worked in rugged 19th century BC at places like 108 Heritage Site (near 100 Mile House) and the Cottonwood Heritage House (near Quesnel). Each showcases original homes, buildings and artifacts from gold rush days.
Learn about cowboy, rodeo and ranch culture at the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin in Williams Lake or, at the Quesnel and District Museum and Archives, join a guide to wander a pioneer cemetery.
Guided Tours of Barkerville
Discover Barkerville Historic Town through fascinating tours about gold rush life. Explore more than 100 heritage buildings, the largest collection of pre-railway Chinese buildings in North America and three national historic sites. Join costumed interpreters for town, Chinatown or cemetery tours to learn about the colourful characters and culture of a booming gold rush town.
Guided Hike on the 1861 Gold Rush Pack Trail
Step back in time on the original gold rush route with Whitegold Adventures in Wells. Follow in the steps of prospectors and miners on a multi-day hike of the 1861 Gold Rush Pack Trail. Learn fascinating history from guides and pass crumbling roadhouses, deserted townsites and the ruins of a horse racetrack. The journey ends on the main street of Barkerville, so hikers can feel the excitement that miners of the 1800s would have felt after completing a similar journey.
Self-Guided Heritage Tours
Uncover the intriguing pasts of towns on self-guided heritage walking tours. In Bella Coola, glimpse into the lives of European settlers at a Norwegian heritage house, cross the long wooden truss footbridge in Quesnel, meander artsy Wells’ colourful streets or explore Clinton’s historic cemetery.
Lillooet’s Golden Mile of History walking tour highlights the town’s role as Mile 0 on the Cariboo Wagon Road – uncover the story behind the “Bridge of the 23 Camels” or visit the notorious Hangman’s Tree. Self-guided walking tour brochures are usually available at local Visitor Centres or museums.
Aboriginal Tours
Aboriginal guides offer insight into Aboriginal culture and history, plus the opportunity to experience traditions first-hand. Climb into a sweat lodge or winter pit house at Xat’sull Heritage Village (near Williams Lake) or sample fish prepared using a traditional wind-drying method with X’wisten Experiences (near Lillooet). Arrange a tour at the Petroglyph Gallery in Bella Coola to view rock petroglyphs carved more than a thousand years ago and listen to First Nations guides weave stories and history – some tours even include drumming and singing.
Driving Routes and Circle Tours
For a cultural and historic driving route in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, travel the Clinton Historic Route. This route highlights ghost towns, museums, and ranches. Or drive the Gold Rush Trail Route to trace the route of the Cariboo Wagon Road.
Practical Points
- High season for most attractions is usually May to September and tours often run daily. During low season, tours can run infrequently. Most self-guided tours can be done year-round.
- Some tours may require a minimum number of participants or advance booking. It’s best to call ahead to check for schedules and availability.
- Visit local Visitor Centres or museums for walking tour brochures, maps and information on tour operators and help with trip planning.
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