US
8, 15 August, 2019
Period 1 Aug 2018
- 30 Sep 2020
Adult from USD $3,499.00
Maximum 10 participants.
All transport described in the itinerary is included:
2 float plane flights, including a 40 minute scenic flight over the Monarch Ice Fields
Private boat charter Bella Coola Fjord Explorer Tour
Grade: D
To get the most out of the stunning landscapes and scenery on this trip, you should be an avid hiker, and enjoy good cardio workouts. The alpine hiking requires good balance and a sure footed hiker. There are very limited trails in the backcountry, it’s mostly wilderness hiking during the day hikes. The guides will of course guide you through the best sections, and there is a lot of valley walking, but to get up high requires a confident hiker to manoeuver over rocky sections, some boulders and uneven ground. There are also opportunities for the less strong hikers to stay back and enjoy the peaceful surroundings and light hiking around the cabin base.
The first 3 nights are in a backcountry log cabin. It's a rustic cabin with lots of Canadian charm and a big log fire. This is communal style living with a shared living space. The cabin has a loft upstairs with mattresses, and there are 2 sofa beds. Toilets are pit style, and there is an indoor solar shower.
The final 3 nights are a mix of lodges, chalets and private cabins.
All accommodation on this trip is Twin Share.
Back country hiking portion essentials:
Back packs may be hired. Sleeping bags are provided but please bring a sleeping bag liner. You may also bring your own sleeping bag if you prefer.
No cotton for hiking; bring merino or poly base layers.
For the remaining trip days:
All delicious gourmet meals are included: 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners plus snacks.
All meals are included on the trip, and are made home made with love by your guides.
Alcoholic Beverages are not included.
Meals include delicious local delicacies such as: Stews, fresh Salmon, Curries, fresh Salads, Muesli, Frittatas and succulent Canadian Steaks! And lots of veges!
A general rule for our meals, is that they are healthy! Guests love our cooking.
This trip is lead by 2 professional wilderness guides, who created the trip and who know the wilderness area in and out.
They've been leading these exclusive trips for over 7 years into this wilderness area, along with many years hiking in wilderness areas of New Zealand and Western Canada.
How long are the hikes in the wilderness (the Backcountry portion of the trip)?
Day hikes from our backcountry cabin base range from 4-8 hours per day, depending on the weather and fitness of the group.
What if I can't keep up with the group?
There are always 2 guides per trip. Most groups depart for the day's hike and then after lunch, those who feel more fit and up for a challenge can continue hiking with one of the guides, and the others who feel tired or who would like to just enjoy the scenery, can do so and eventually head back to the cabin base with the second guide.
What kind of hiking is it?
The backcountry hiking has no trails, therefore it is a true wilderness hiking experience, where your guides lead the way through alpine meadows and routes to mountain tops and ridge lines. It is considered more challenging hiking, with uneven ground and rough terrain, boulders and stream crossings. Not suited for beginner hikers.
Do I need to bring a backpack?
All the hiking on this trip is day hiking, however we ask that you bring a large 40L backpack into the backcountry in the event the float plane cannot land on the lake with the cabin base and we need to hike down to a lower elevation lake (4 hrs).
Is there wildlife we need to worry about while hiking?
Generally, during the time of year we operate these trips in the alpine & backcountry, most of the Grizzly Bears have moved down to lower elevations to feed in the rivers which are teeming with Salmon that time of year. However wildlife is always a risk when hiking in the backcountry. Guides will do a safety briefing of wildlife & bear safety.
Are we in the backcountry the whole time?
The trip is split into 2 parts, the first 4 days are in the backcountry wilderness of the Chilcotin Coast Mountains. The remaining 3 days are spent in a remote setting, but we drive to stunning locations and areas or hike from our accommodation.
What other activities are on offer?
Apart from hiking, we will do a Wildlife Grizzly Bear Viewing Tour, visit Native Art Galleries, experience a Coastal Fiord Tour in Bella Coola, fly in float planes and take in wildlife along the way!
How do I get to the start and end of this trip?
Due to the remoteness of this adventure, the area we journey into requires guests to purchase additional flights to the start location of the trip and from the end location. Pacific Coastal Airlines is a local airline that offers daily flights from Vancouver to the start and ending points of this adventure.
Trip Starts: Anahim Lake
Trip Ends: Bella Coola
All flights depart and return to Vancouver. Flights cost between CAD$100-250 one way.
Most flights with Pacific Coastal Airlines from Bella Coola to Vancouver, leave mid-morning or early afternoon. It's recommended that onward flights from Vancouver are arranged for after 4pm if flying domestically within Canada. If flying internationally from Vancouver, please allow 24 hours in between your return flight from Bella Coola, as bad weather can delay domestic flights back to Vancouver).
Booking
To book your trip please contact us and we will email you a personalised booking link.
A Medical Form and a Waiver Of Liability Form (which you will need to agree to and sign) will be forwarded to you once you have completed the booking form. It is essential that any health concerns be reported on the Medical Form. Failure to do so can result in severe consequences in the event of an emergency.
Deposits and Payments
For bookings 4 months or more in advance of the departure, a deposit of 50% of the full price per person can be paid with the remainder due 65 days prior to the trip start.
For bookings within 4 months of the departure, full payment is required.
Methods of Payment
You may request to pay for this tour in US or NZ dollars.
We accept bank deposits & credit card payments. Please note - credit card payments incur an additional 2% transaction fee.
If you wish to pay in US dollars, you may do so either by credit card (please phone us with credit card details) or directly into our US dollar account.
You can pay in NZ dollars by credit card or by direct transfer into our NZ dollar account.
Cancellation and Refund Policies
Should a trip be cancelled by the Operator, a full refund will be made. We will make the final decision to operate or cancel a trip anytime up to, but not later than, 2 weeks before the trip begins.
Should you cancel your booking for any reason the following fees apply:
If cancelling up to 8 weeks before the trip start, 75% of your deposit will be withheld.
For cancellations any time within 8 weeks before the trip begins the entire deposit is forfeited, as well as a sum depending on hotels costs that cannot be recouped with such short notice.
All cancellations incur a US$250 administration fee.
Cancellations must be received by email. Cancellations are only effective once your notification is received.
Waiver of Liability
There is a degree of hazard in all mountain activities. All participants must sign the Waiver of Liability prior to commencing any trip. Please read this document carefully and take the time to understand its contents, and then sign the waiver. This is required prior to any trip participation. You must follow the instructions of your guide at all times.
Changes to the Itinerary
Many of the activities presented are weather dependent and cannot be guaranteed. Wildlife viewing, scenic flights, certain hikes, activities etc, may be cancelled on short notice and the itinerary altered to suit the situation as it arises. There are no refunds offered or credits for cancelled activities or changes to a planned itinerary. The tour operator reserves the right to change or cancel any itinerary or service at any time due to insufficient enrolment, bad weather conditions or other reasons without penalty. The participation of any person on any trip is subject to the discretion of the trip leader and the operator.
We strongly recommend that you have comprehensive travel insurance. World Nomads Travel Insurance provides online quotes.
Medical Evacuations
In the unlikely event of an emergency, participants will be required to pay for any rescue or evacuation costs incurred on their behalf or as a result of their actions.
Notes
For more great pictures and insight information visit our Active Earth Adventures Pinterest or Facebook page.
This trip is run in conjunction with another operator.
© 2024 Active Earth and Hiking New Zealand Limited. All rights Reserved.
