Bucket List-Worthy Experiences in BC's Cariboo & Chilcotin

Multi-day horse-packing trip

Imagine: An exhilarating day of horseback riding to a camp at almost 2,000 metres in elevation, where you settle in over a crackling fire and immerse yourself in the natural world around you. After a deep rest, you embark on the next day’s journey. Enjoy views of jagged peaks and ancient glaciers, meadows, and grasslands, stop to smell the alpine wildflowers, and get to know your equestrian companion as well as diverse wildlife along the way.

Take a multi-day guided horse-packing trip with Tsylos Park Lodge and get off the grid, put away your phone, and grab the reins. You’ll meet your guide and prep for the adventure that lies ahead; low-experience riders may even take a horseback lesson before they embark on one of the trip options offered by the lodge. Small groups mean you’ll receive the care and attention you need, so you can dig deep with peace of mind. Relish the tranquility of great open spaces and connect with a wilder side of yourself, whether cantering across sweeping plateaus, riding along lake shores, or sleeping soundly under the stars.

Paddle a canoe circuit

There’s nothing quite like experiencing the dramatic landscapes of the Cariboo from a canoe.

Gear up and paddle your way through diverse topography—from rounded hilltops of the Quesnel Highlands to the imposing Cariboo Mountains toward the south and east. A must-do for any BC adventurer, the Bowron Lake Provincial Park canoe circuit encompasses a 116-kilometre (72-mile) chain of lakes, waterways, and connecting portages that takes anywhere from six to 10 days to complete. And come prepared—the climate is as diverse as the terrain, with placid blue lakes and sunny days quickly turning to torrential rains and challenging waters, which makes the completion of the circuit all the more rewarding. Before you travel, make sure to check with BC Parks about any closures in effect.

Those who don’t have wilderness canoe experience—or who want to take the stress out of planning—can opt for a guided trip with Pathways Canada Tours, who will make all the campsite bookings and fill you with hearty gourmet meals.

Looking for a shorter option? Consider paddling just the west side of the Bowron Lake circuit, which takes two to four days to complete, or try the more leisurely Moose Valley Canoe Route, a two-day round trip.

Take on the mighty rivers of BC

For a more heart-pumping pace, consider a rafting expedition and battle the rushing waters of some of BC’s most powerful waterways.

A river rafting tour with BCOA-accredited outfitter ROAM Adventures offers incredible diversity with both exhilarating whitewater (up to Class IV rapids) and peaceful stretches that meander through lush alpine forests and narrow canyons peppered with oddly shaped sandstone spires (hoodoos).

See upcoming tour dates (from Williams Lake, with flights from Vancouver) and add the longest stretch of commercially navigable whitewater in North America to your bucket list this summer. It’s a perfect trip for families or small groups wanting to get up close and personal with BC’s nature. With the recent landslide in the Farwell Canyon (Nagwentled) area, the Province of BC is currently asking everyone to avoid the Fraser River from the Chilcotin confluence to Hope. 

Experience the reward of a thrilling wildlife ecotour

See the forest with new eyes and experience the thrill of guided encounters with BC’s big wildlife in its natural habitat.

Book a package with Ecotours-BC in historic Likely, and a stay at their wilderness lodge on the deepest fjord lake on earth (Quesnel Lake), home to a variety of wildlife, including bears, caribou, and moose. Go on a guided tour, and if you time it right, you may see a grizzly feeding right on the river. Alternatively, stay in a safari-style tent at Bear Camp and learn about the unique ecology and wildlife (and yes, view bears!) around Chilko Lake, the largest alpine lake in Canada.

You can also join the ultimate challenge and try to animals in the wild with Wilderness Trails. Join a hands on ranch-based wildlife tracking trip to learn the habits of Canada’s wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, mountain goats and more.

Whichever stay you choose, expect to have one of the most memorable experiences of your life.