On a Cariboo Chilcotin Coast sightseeing tour, explore vast wilderness, attractions and historic sites by train, plane or boat.
For a sightseeing tour unique to the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, ride the Kaoham Shuttle – a small train that traverses near-vertical cliffs between Lillooet and Seton Portage.
In summer, sail with BC Ferries along the Discovery Coast Passage Route to see BC's lush coastline. Join a sightseeing boat tour to learn about Aboriginal culture and history – and maybe spot a Kermode (Spirit) bear. Or take a flightseeing tour for a bird's-eye view of Mount Waddington, the Monarch Icefield or Hunlen Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in BC.
Kaoham Shuttle
Ride the rails on the Kaoham Shuttle, a two-car train that runs daily between Lillooet and Seton Portage. The one-hour journey provides awe-inspiring views of mountains and Seton Lake, and includes both the sharpest curve and third longest tunnel (1,220m/4,000ft) on the CN Rail line. Sights along the route include an Aboriginal cemetery, Bridge River Hydroelectric Development and the Miyazaki Heritage House. Look for wildlife such as California bighorn sheep, bears and deer along the route.
Flightseeing Tours
Head to Nimpo Lake for helicopter and floatplane tours; some consider Nimpo Lake the “Floatplane Capital of British Columbia”. Flightseeing tour views can include Mount Waddington, the Monarch Icefield in the heavily glaciated Coast Mountain Range, and tall Hunlen Falls. Want a closer look? Choose a flight with a stopover and walk to the Hunlen Falls lookout.
From Lillooet, flightseeing tours soar over Spruce Lake, the South Chilcotin Mountains and the Lillooet Ice Field while watching for moose, bighorn sheep and grizzly bears. A highlight of many trips is seeing glacial ice floating in the icy, turquoise water that surrounds Bridge Glacier.
Find additional flightseeing tours in Bella Coola, Quesnel and Williams Lake.
Boat Tours
Head to the Great Bear Rainforest by boat for sightseeing tours and wildlife viewing opportunities, including the chance to see grizzlies, black bears, the rare Kermode (Spirit) bear, whales and dolphins. As part of a boat tour, learn about Aboriginal culture and history with guided walks, visits to longhouses, modern villages, and traditional dancing and drumming.
BC Ferries cruises the Discovery Coast Passage route (Port Hardy to Bella Coola) during the summer months. Soak up the sun (or pitch a tent on the deck for overnight sailings) and take in the awe-inspiring scenery.
Other ways to take in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast's sights by boat include additional cruises, whale watching tours and bear watching tours.
Walking Tours
Self-guided sightseeing walking tours are available in many communities, and maps can be picked up at most Visitor Centres.
Relive the gold rush era on a stroll through Barkerville Historic Town (near Wells) on your own or on a tour with a costumed interpreter. Lillooet’s Golden Mile of History self-guided walking tour also covers gold rush history; highlights include the Lillooet Museum and Miyazaki Heritage House. Quesnel has two self-guided walking tours: the Historic Walking Tour of Quesnel and Quesnel’s Little People tour, which showcases 20 artfully painted fire hydrants.
Driving Routes
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast driving routes offer vast stretches of open road, parks and attractions. Take the Coast Cariboo Circle Route to travel through Tweedsmuir Provincial Park and visit the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin in Williams Lake. For a shorter route, try the Lillooet Pavilion Mountain Loop and visit Historic Hat Creek Ranch and Marble Canyon Provincial Park, a popular fishing and bird watching spot.
Practical Points
- The peak season for sightseeing is from April to September although some tours and most self-guided trips can be done year-round.
- Most guided sightseeing tours require reservations, but some can be booked on the spot.
- Sightseeing tours may require a minimum number of people. Check with the sightseeing tour operator to ensure tours are running.
- Visit local Visitor Centres for information on tour operators, and help with trip planning and transportation.
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