Alpine Touring, Snowshoeing & Wildlife Adventure (Spring Months)

Itinerary

• British Columbia

  British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty.  The Coast Mountains and the Inside Passage's many inlets provide some of British Columbia's renowned and spectacular scenery, which forms the backdrop and context for a growing outdoor adventure and ecotourism industry. Seventy-five percent of the province is mountainous (more than 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) above sea level); 60% is forested; and only about 5% is arable.  The Okanagan area is one of three wine-growing regions in Canada and also produces excellent ciders.  Given its varied mountainous terrain and its coasts, lakes, rivers, and forests, British Columbia has long been enjoyed for pursuits like hiking and camping, rock climbing and mountaineering, hunting and fishing and winter sprorts such as skiing, snowboarding, helihiking and telemarking.

• Bella Coola

  Bella Coola is a community of approximately 600 at the western extremity of the Bella Coola Valley. It is located some 800km north east of Vancouver. The surrounding environment is stunning. Rising above the valley floor are the majestic Coast Mountains, to the west is the largest fjord system in the Americas, and to the east the high Chilcotin Plateau. It is a bio-diverse and spectacular wilderness, home to the totemic wildlife of the Great Bear Rainforest.

• Vancouver

  Vancouver is a coastal city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is consistently ranked one of the most livable cities in the world, based on its warm climate, beautiful scenery, modern infrastructure, and social community. Vancouver is ethnically diverse, with 52% of city residents having a first language other than English. The economy has traditionally relied on forestry, mining, fishing and agriculture; although, tourism has grown rapidly as more people discover this gem on the Pacific Ocean.

• • Vancouver
  • Science World Vancouver
  • Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

  Day 1: Vancouver

  Enjoy a private transfer in a luxury vehicle with a professional guide who will meet you in the International Reception Lobby (IRL) located outside of customs.

  Enjoy a half day (6hr) private city tour of Vancouver as well as the North Shore in the company of a knowledgeable, Driver-Guide. Throughout the tour you will have the chance to visit B.C. Place, G.M. Place, Science World (Olympic Sites), Gastown - Historical area of Vancouver, Canada Place, Alaska Cruise ship terminal and home of the new convention centre as well as visiting Grouse Mountain Skyride in an enclosed gondola (admission included) and Cross Lion's Gate Bridge. At the end of the tour, you will be brought back to your hotel. (Hotel pick up is also included).

  Accommodation: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (4*)

  The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (4*) is nestled between the majestic coastal mountains of British Columbia and the tides of the Pacific Ocean in Vancouver, one of Canada’s most cosmopolitan metropolises. Sumptuously styled and fully equipped rooms are what await you at this spectacular hotel, designed to provide all the elegance and charm of an English castle. Among their commodities you will find first-class accommodations but also, amazing facilities and amenities. Griffins Restaurant is the most popular bistro in the city of Vancouver, with an extensive and plentiful buffet and dramatic décor, highlighted by arched windows which overlook the Vancouver Art Gallery. 900 West Lounge is Vancouver’s hottest address of the moment, with award-winning cocktails and sultry sounds of live jazz music. For your leisure moments, the hotel also provides a lovely indoor pool and the luxurious Absolute Spa, the perfect place to pamper yourself with some well deserved rest and relaxation.

• • Bella Coola Valley
  • Bella Coola Valley
  • Tweedsmuir Park Lodge

  Day 2: Vancouver - Bella Coola

  Transfer using a local taxi. Please note that this is not included in trip price and is payable locally.

  Fly from Vancouver to Bella Coola today. The flight time is approximately 1 hour and 10 mins. On a clear day the views are spectacular and can include Mt. Washington, the highest peak in BC. During July & August there are two flights daily and at other times there is a single flight daily.

  On your arrival in Bella Coola, you will be met at the airport and transported to the Tweedsmuir Park Lodge which is approximately 45 minutes away.

  Arrive at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge and experience a traditional welcome West Coast Salmon Barbecue featuring local ingredients.

  Settle into your new surroundings at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge.

  During your 5 night stay in the Bella Coola Valley you'll get to do a multitude of activities - from snowshoeing and ski-touring to guided nature walks, and drifting down the river in search of wildlife to cruising the fjord. Experience everything the great outdoors has to offer during your stay!

  All activities are hosted and led by qualified professionals with a wealth of local knowledge and stories. From trained naturalists, mountain guides, cheerful helicopter pilots, and salty boat captains, these people will make the day and terrain come alive with historical perspective and geographical context. The guides are all experts in mountaineering, snow safety and ski touring. They are all A.C.M.G. certified. The emphasis is on safety - snow conditions may limit the terrain chosen to ski - where you end up skiing is at the sole discretion of your guide.

  This evening, a Naturalist will lead you and other fellow lodge guests on a walk following the same steps leading into the Bella Coola valley that Sir Alexander Mackenzie trod in 1793.

  Accommodation: Tweedsmuir Park Lodge

  The historic Tweedsmuir Park Lodge is an inviting, family-style lodge nestled within Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, Bella Coola, BC. It is situated on 60 acres of pristine wilderness land with access to a variety of summer recreational opportunities. Originally built in 1929 as a hunting lodge, it was rebuilt in 1952 to accommodate those seeking out a more eco-friendly adventure. The lodge is well known for its friendly environment and the calming effect it has on those who visit. After a big day of outdoor activities, guests can relax in front of two huge fireplaces, enjoy the new spa facility, soak in the outdoor hot tub, or simply retire to the lodge deck for drinks before dinner. Enjoy the mountain views and keep your eyes open for the local wildlife, including Grizzlies and Black Bears which may lumber past on the lawn.

• • Heli-snowshoeing
  • Spa Facilities

  Day 3: Bella Coola

  Meals are an important part of your stay at the Tweedsmuir Park Lodge. Breakfast includes your choice of items from a buffet (with many locally made products) as well as a hot plate. Lunch includes a packed, picnic lunch which you can take with you in the morning before you go off on your activity. They typically include sandwiches, soup, energy bars and fresh fruit. If you prefer to return to the lodge for lunch this is an option also. Dinner is the main meal of the day at the lodge and the chef prepares something special each evening. All meals incorporate locally grown, fresh organic produce, and herbs from the kitchen garden add fresh daily accents to each plate served. Seafood is also supplied locally and is caught wild in the waters off Bella Coola.

  Heli-snowshoeing offers one the chance to really experience the remote wilderness and to escape. Enjoy the day with your mountain guide as you take a helicopter (be suitably awed by the fantastic scenery!) and head into the pristine Coast Range Mountains: Bella Coola's Coast Range mountains are some of the wildest, most remote and most rugged geography that Canada has to offer. Furthermore, the mountains are still very pristine and untouched by development as there are no roads or trails by which to access the alpine. With a helicopter it is possible to go to any number of magical locations and so, together with a mountain guide, you and your fellow lodge guests will decide on which heli snowshoe is most appropriate for your group's level of ability and stamina.

  After a big day in the outdoors, relax on the lodge deck to sip a beverage before dinner, book a therapeutic massage, or enjoy one of our many amenities. Raynor Deep Tissue Therapeutic Massage is available on site and the massage therapist can also be booked as a personal trainer. For kids there is lots of room to play and run on the central lawn, a fishing pond and a 10 hole Frisbee golf course in the woods. In addition, there are lots of both outdoor and indoor games available, including Foosball, table hockey, and billiards. Further Amenities include: - Spa facility with 12 person outdoor covered hot tub - Cork floored gym for stretching and yoga, includes weights and exer-cycles - Large living room / dining room with river rock fireplace - Sports bar with fireplace, Foosball, table hockey, billiards table, darts, games and satellite TV - Massage Rooms - Guest media room with computer access, fax/telephone service - Wireless computer access throughout the lodge, chalets and cabins - Retail shop - Large central lawn including games: Bocce Ball, Croquet, Volley Ball, and Frisbee - Kid's fishing pond - Frisbee Golf Course - Mountain Bikes - Walking trails through old growth forests leading to river lookouts - 600 metres of river frontage -

  Walking distance to world class fishing holes.

  Accommodation: Tweedsmuir Park Lodge
• • Downhill skiing in Bella Coola

  Day 4: Bella Coola

  HeliAssist is the perfect hybrid of Alpine Touring and Heliskiing which provides more exploration and freedom than touring, and less expense than traditional heliskiing. In a nutshell, HeliAssist consists of 1/4 Heliskiing and 3/4 Alpine Touring. Throughout the day, you will be learning and practicing backcountry and snow safety drills. As conditions allow we can tackle easy going ski-mountaineering objectives and traverses, all guaranteed to fill you with a sense of adventure and a wilderness ski experience that's unparalleled. We want to make it clear that these trips are not backbreaking expeditions. The emphasis is on fun and enjoyment - we carefully tailor our trips to the ability of the group.

  Accommodation: Tweedsmuir Park Lodge
• • Atnarko River Wildlife

  Day 5: Bella Coola

  Today you will get to drift along the Atnarko River in search of Wildlife. Take a slow drift down a meandering river between massive, snowcapped peaks. Relax and enjoy the scenery, but keep your eyes open for wildlife. Eagles, otters and bears, as well as five separate species of salmon call these waters home. For people keen on fishing it is a great opportunity to bring rods and try to catch your own dinner. In addition to the salmon there are several resident populations of trout. Later in the season, particularly in autumn, the Bella Coola Valley attracts the highest concentration of grizzly bears in North America. Spawning salmon are an easy and high calorie meal for the bears who, at this time of year, need to put on weight for the coming winter. Of course, grizzlies are unpredictable and we can never guarantee their appearance, but in late August, as well as September and October, there are so many, that we feel confident you will spot them.

  Accommodation: Tweedsmuir Park Lodge
• • Fjord Bella Coola Valley
  • View from Clayton Falls

  Day 6: Bella Coola

  Cruise the Fjord and enjoy the Bella Coola Valley this morning! The interlinking fjord is the most extensive of its kind in North America.

  Because there is so much to see and do in this beautiful area, you have the choice to customize this day to suit your interests. Options include:

  • Full day on the water exploring the fjords

  • Half day on the fjord combined with Bella Coola Valley exploration

  • Crab and prawn trapping

  • Fish for halibut

  • Dip in the hotsprings at Larso Bay

  • Giant Cedar Walk on Walker Island

  • Visit the Tallheo Cannery

  • Experience incredible views of the fjord from Harbour and Clayton Falls

  • Explore the Petroglyph Gardens with a guide from the Petroglyph Gallery

  in Bella Coola

  • Enjoy a stroll around the Bella Coola Town Centre.

  Accommodation: Tweedsmuir Park Lodge
• • Wildlife

  Day 7: Bella Coola - Vancouver

  Enjoy a wilderness walk in the upper Bella Coola valley this morning.

  At the end of your adventure, you will be transferred the 45 minute drive to Bella Coola airport.

  As your wilderness adventure comes to an end, take a flight from Bella Coola to Vancouver this afternoon.

  Consider taking a cruise along the harbour, a day trip to Victoria on Vancouver Island, an adventure filled day whale watching, a panoramic flight, or a day trip to Whistler crossing over the Capilano Suspension Bridge and forest canopy walkway. All of these options are available on a private or shared basis. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if any of these interest you.

  Accommodation: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (4*)

• Day 8: Vancouver

  Enjoy a private transfer in a luxury vehicle with professional driver. 

  Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)

Accommodation

• • Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
  • Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Room

  Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (4*)

  The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (4*) is nestled between the majestic coastal mountains of British Columbia and the tides of the Pacific Ocean in Vancouver, one of Canada’s most cosmopolitan metropolises. Sumptuously styled and fully equipped rooms are what await you at this spectacular hotel, designed to provide all the elegance and charm of an English castle. Among their commodities you will find first-class accommodations but also, amazing facilities and amenities. Griffins Restaurant is the most popular bistro in the city of Vancouver, with an extensive and plentiful buffet and dramatic décor, highlighted by arched windows which overlook the Vancouver Art Gallery. 900 West Lounge is Vancouver’s hottest address of the moment, with award-winning cocktails and sultry sounds of live jazz music. For your leisure moments, the hotel also provides a lovely indoor pool and the luxurious Absolute Spa, the perfect place to pamper yourself with some well deserved rest and relaxation.

  • More information
• • Tweedsmuir Park Lodge
  • Tweedsmuir Park Lodge - Room

  Tweedsmuir Park Lodge

  The historic Tweedsmuir Park Lodge is an inviting, family-style lodge nestled within Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, Bella Coola, BC. It is situated on 60 acres of pristine wilderness land with access to a variety of summer recreational opportunities. Originally built in 1929 as a hunting lodge, it was rebuilt in 1952 to accommodate those seeking out a more eco-friendly adventure. The lodge is well known for its friendly environment and the calming effect it has on those who visit. After a big day of outdoor activities, guests can relax in front of two huge fireplaces, enjoy the new spa facility, soak in the outdoor hot tub, or simply retire to the lodge deck for drinks before dinner. Enjoy the mountain views and keep your eyes open for the local wildlife, including Grizzlies and Black Bears which may lumber past on the lawn.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Services included during stay at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge: All meals, helicopter assisted sking, snowshoeing or touring, daily guided activities as per itinerary - Return flight Vancouver-Bella Coola as per itinerary - Use of snoeshoeing and ski touring equipment - Specialised and personalised services. PLEASE NOTE: Helicopter capacity is 6. A minimum of 3 guests is needed for each helicopter assisted activity.

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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