Day 1 – Vancouver to Prince George
Your river adventure starts in the beautiful city of Vancouver with a 60 minute jet flight to the central interior of British Columbia and the bustling industrial city of Prince George. Take some time to feel the beat of this hard working city, known for its highly productive lumber and pulp and paper operations. Explore some of the local museums or take a chance at the local casino.
Moderate – Overnight Coast Inn of the North (or similar)
Day 2 – Hubble Homestead to Fort George
Today marks the official start of the Rivermania celebrations on the Fraser River. Over 200 years ago, a brigade of fur traders led by Simon Fraser left this area and embarked on a historic journey down the river to establish a trade route to the Pacific Ocean and solidify England’s claim to the British colony of the same name. Your journey today will be exciting and comfortable in a modern ten-passenger jetboat. (Lunch & Dinner)
Moderate – Overnight Coast Inn of the North (or similar)
Day 3 – Jetboating - Blackwater River
Today marks the first day of your river adventure as you ride your jetboat to the spectacular Blackwater River. A beautiful campsite on the bank of the river has been chosen for your first night of camping. All camping gear including tents, sleeping bags and air mattress, pillow, portable hot shower and towels are included. On the river you will he outfitted with a whitewater Class 3-5 life jacket. This afternoon try your hand at fly-fishing on the river. Tonight chow down to a hearty western-style dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Moderate – Overnight Camping (camping equipment included)
Day 4 – Jetboating - Blackwater River
This morning leave the Blackwater River and Jet Boat to Quesnel, often referred to as Gold Pan City. Along the way, stop at the Cottonwood Canyon to explore Hard Rock Tunnels and gold mining excavations. This is a historic site where the Sternwheelers had to be pulled through the canyon with Steam winches in the 1860’s. Today the rapids provide an opportunity for your jetboat to provide you with some thrills and lots of spray in your faces. From Quesnel you will be transported to the beautiful Cariboo Rivers Lodge for dinner and overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Moderate – Overnight Cariboo Rivers Lodge
Day 5 – Jetboating – Quesnel River
Today embark on an exciting Jet Boat trip 25 miles up the Quesnel River, following the real Gold Rush Trail to the preserved Historic gold rush town of Quesnel Forks. The town was established in the 1840’s and was the starting point as the miners made their way over the Snow show plateau in the dead of winter to stake claims in the newly found Golf Fields. View the largest shovel and wheel barrow tailing piles along the river where over 5000 miners lived and toiled in the hungry 30’s. The Sockeye salmon will be running and the eagles will be everywhere. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Moderate – Overnight Cariboo Rivers Lodge
Day 6 – North Caribou Area / Blackwater River Float Trip
This morning you’ll be driven 80km west to Nazko, stopping for coffee at the Nazko Valley Lodge where your will meet some of the interesting Cariboo characters. An enjoyable 5 mile float down the Blackwater River will run along side the “Old Grease Trail” which was used perhaps thousands of years ago by the First Nations People as they traded ouligan oil for cooking oil and oil lamps. The trail was followed by Alexander Mackenzie as he made the first crossing of North America in 1793. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
OPTION:
Helicopter Circle Tour - A full day of touring by private helicopter. Fly to Quesnel Forks for a visit of this Historic Gold Rush Town, continue along the deep Fjords of Quesnel Lake and land on a mountain top that overlooks the Mitchell River and the wetlands of Cariboo Mountains Park. In September and October this area has one of the largest concentrations of Grizzly bears. See spectacular view of glaciers, the world famous Bowren Chain of Lakes and land in historic Barkerville for a live theatre show in the Historic Gold Rush town.
Moderate – Overnight Cariboo Rivers Lodge
Day 7 – Jetboating - Quesnel to Xats’ull Village
Leaving the Lodge at 10:00 am from your river front gazebo you will jet boat down the river following the route used by the Stern Wheelers in the 1800’s to bring the miners to the Gold Fields. View the towering Pinnacle formations, old tailing piles left along the river and watch for wildlife along the shore. Later you will arrive at Soda Creek, the starting point for hundreds of Stern Wheelers during the Gold Rush. Another 2 kilometers down the river you will reach the beautiful Xats’ull First Nations village site. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Moderate – Overnight Cariboo Rivers Lodge
Day 8 – Xats’ull Village – Likely, Bullion Pit
There are no formal river activities planned for the day. You will be driven down to the Xats’ull Village and on the rural community of Likely located on the West end of Quesnel Lake where the Quesnel River begins. The second largest Sockeye Salmon runs on the Fraser River pass under the Likely River on their way to The Horsefly and Mitchell rivers. Along the way a stop will be made at Bullion Pit to view the old Hydraulic Gold mine. Travel back to the lodge for a good nights rest. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Moderate – Overnight Cariboo Rivers Lodge
Day 9 – Xats’ull Village to Williams Lake
A fun-filled morning is planned to take in all the Rivermania celebrations at the Xats’ull Village. Then it’s on to Williams Lake for a mini-rodeo, a First Nations Pow Wow and lots of western celebrations. Tonight your soft bed at the Lodge welcomes you for the last time. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Moderate – Overnight Cariboo Rivers Lodge
Day 10 – Jetboating – Chilcotin River
Leaving the Xats’ull Village you will move into canyonlands and faster moving water. You’ll pass under the Rudy Johnson Bridge and then the massive Russian Rock in the middle of the river. Next you pass under the Bridge at Sheep Creek Hill and Highway 20 which takes adventurers into the Chilcotin region of BC. Now you are in the largest concentration of California Big horn Sheep in North America. You will pass many old, well preserved deserted cabins along the way to your riverside campsite for the night. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Moderate – Overnight Camping (camping equipment included)
Day 11 – Jetboating - Last Day on the River
This morning you will leave your Chilcotin River Campsite and head down the river viewing wildlife and enjoying the ever-changing scenery. You will float past the world famous Gang Ranch on your way to the towering Cathedrals. This was the largest cattle ranch in North America for many years complete with its own post office and air strip. Tonight is your last night on the river, time to enjoy another night of camping, great food and new friends. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Moderate – Overnight Camping (camping equipment included)
Day 12 – Return to Vancouver
Today marks the end of your Rivermania Adventure. This morning you will be transported back to Vancouver. Today marks the end of your Rivermania adventure with your return flight from Williams Lake to Vancouver. (Breakfast)
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 8 nights accommodation, room tax and any mandatory services charges
- 3 nights camping including tents, sleeping bags and air mattress, pillow, portable hot shower and towels
- 10 dinners, 10 lunches and 10 breakfasts
- Airfare between Vancouver & Prince George and Williams Lake & Vancouver
- River transportation in a modern Jet Boat
- Fishing gear and floatation devices
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals not listed as included
- Activities not listed as included
- Optional activities
- Gratuities for guides and river pilot
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)