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Canoe the Bowron Lakes in central British Columbia. The 116 km route, through the ruggedly scenic Cariboo Mountains, is comprised of 6 major lakes and a series of connecting streams, rivers and portages.
The portages of the Bowron Lakes are made easier through the use of specially designed carts which allow canoes and equipment to be wheeled between lakes. We complement our canoeing with some short hikes to view the Isaac River cascades and the impressive Cariboo Falls.
Besides its natural beauty, the Bowron Lakes is a wildlife sanctuary. Paddlers may see beavers, bears, otters, and moose feeding by the waterways. The Bowron River estuary is a birdwatcher's paradise with an immense variety of bird life, including coots, mergansers, widgeon, mallards and Canadian geese. Campsites along the Bowron Lakes, set aside for our sole use, ensure the solitude so necessary for a meaningful wilderness experience.
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Find out more details about the tour and its highlights
Guide information: All tours meet or exceed the industry standard for guides to client ratios. Tours with 5 or more guests will have two guides. Tours with fewer guests will typically have a single guide and may have a second guide. All guides are certified in wilderness first aid and guiding experience and certifications relative to the tour type.
Restrictions: A moderate level of fitness is recommended. Novice paddlers are welcome. Easy flat water lake paddling.
Transportation: Trips originate and end in Wells, British Columbia. Shuttle transportation to and from Williams Lake or Quesnel can be arranged.
Weather: Average summer temperatures are between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius, with temperatures in the fall usually in the 5 to 15 degrees Celsius range.
Transportation: Starting in Vancouver, your guides transport you to the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit along some of BC's most scenic highways before immersing you in the rich nature of the Caribou Region in Bowron Lakes Provincial Park. You are in cabins the first night before heading onto the lakes. When we take off for the lake chain, we look to stop in Barkerville on our way to a good sleep in Quesnel or Williams Lake, before the final scenic drive back to Vancouver.
Day 1 - We pick up from three hotels near the Vancouver International Airport around 6:00 am the Sandman Hotel Vancouver Airport, the Accent Inn Vancouver Airport, and Holiday Inn Vancouver Airport. We pick up early in the morning for our scenic driv...)
Day 1 - We pick up from three hotels near the Vancouver International Airport around 6:00 am the Sandman Hotel Vancouver Airport, the Accent Inn Vancouver Airport, and Holiday Inn Vancouver Airport. We pick up early in the morning for our scenic drive to eastern British Columbia, passing along one of two routes to Cache Creek and then into the Caribou Region of BC. We will stop for dinner in Quesnel, with various lunch and rest stops along the way. Our final destination is either Bear River Mercantile or Becker's Lodge.
We have our orientation for the park as a large group, then set off after packing our gear. You'll be wondering whether this is indeed a canoeing expedition as the two longest portages along the circuit are today. The portages are made easier by the ...)
We have our orientation for the park as a large group, then set off after packing our gear. You'll be wondering whether this is indeed a canoeing expedition as the two longest portages along the circuit are today. The portages are made easier by the use of specially designed carts which allow canoes and a some equipment to be wheeled between lakes. The first portage is to Kibbee Lake. Kibbee Lake is a short lake, only 2.4 km long. Just the ideal length to begin to work on technique and acclimatizing muscles. Our second portage (2 km) will take us to Indianpoint Lake. A short paddle will bring us to our campsite at Kruger Bay.
From Kruger Bay, Indianpoint Lake narrows and our route wanders through a small marsh. Beaver dams and lodges dot the area. The Isaac Lake portage (1.6 km) brings us to Isaac Lake, the longest lake on the circuit. Some of the most breathtaking alpine...)
From Kruger Bay, Indianpoint Lake narrows and our route wanders through a small marsh. Beaver dams and lodges dot the area. The Isaac Lake portage (1.6 km) brings us to Isaac Lake, the longest lake on the circuit. Some of the most breathtaking alpine scenery is located along Isaac and Lanezi lakes. Our campsite is Wolverine Bay.
Isaac Lake is notorious for its winds and sudden squalls. We will get an early start to take advantage of the morning calm. This will be a day to enjoy the surrounding grandeur and absence of any portages. We will stop to see the cabin at Moxley Cree...)
Isaac Lake is notorious for its winds and sudden squalls. We will get an early start to take advantage of the morning calm. This will be a day to enjoy the surrounding grandeur and absence of any portages. We will stop to see the cabin at Moxley Creek and take in some of the earlier "artwork" of circuit paddlers. We will camp along Isaac.
Once again we will get an early start to take advantage of the calm. Our paddle continues amidst the surrounding peaks and ridges to our destination at the end of Isaac Lake. This will be a short day. Weather and conditions cooperating, we will have ...)
Once again we will get an early start to take advantage of the calm. Our paddle continues amidst the surrounding peaks and ridges to our destination at the end of Isaac Lake. This will be a short day. Weather and conditions cooperating, we will have time to play in the fast water of Isaac River.
It's portage time again. The Isaac River connects Isaac Lake with McLeary Lake. After about a 1.6 km portage we will put in on Isaac River and cross over to the other side and continue portaging (1.2 km) to McLeary Lake. Along this stretch we will hi...)
It's portage time again. The Isaac River connects Isaac Lake with McLeary Lake. After about a 1.6 km portage we will put in on Isaac River and cross over to the other side and continue portaging (1.2 km) to McLeary Lake. Along this stretch we will hike off the path to view Isaac Falls. McLeary Lake is but a backwater formed by the confluence of the Isaac and Cariboo rivers. Having paddled McLeary we will enter the Cariboo River for a winding (5.2 km) ride into Lanezi Lake. Our campsite is at Turner Creek.
Our paddle on Lanezi Lake takes us past imposing Ishpa Mountain (2530 m). We enter a short section of the Cariboo River at the end of Lanezi. This 1.2 km stretch of river brings us to Sandy Lake. Just before Sandy Lake are mineral deposits which attr...)
Our paddle on Lanezi Lake takes us past imposing Ishpa Mountain (2530 m). We enter a short section of the Cariboo River at the end of Lanezi. This 1.2 km stretch of river brings us to Sandy Lake. Just before Sandy Lake are mineral deposits which attract animals. Sandy Lake is as the name implies. Shallow water and sandy beaches make it an ideal spot to take a dip. At the end of Sandy Lake we once again enter the Cariboo River for 4 km. Our campsite is Unna Lake. The vegetation is unique here, as it lies in a rain-shadow area, and as a result, is much drier than surrounding areas. After setting up camp, we will paddle to the south end of the lake and then hike 1.5 km to spectacular Cariboo Falls.
You will have become aware of the change from the high mountains and ridges of Isaac and Lanezi to a more undulating topography. We have to portage our canoes to Babcock Lake. Babcock Lake is an ideal location to observe moose, who enjoy the lush veg...)
You will have become aware of the change from the high mountains and ridges of Isaac and Lanezi to a more undulating topography. We have to portage our canoes to Babcock Lake. Babcock Lake is an ideal location to observe moose, who enjoy the lush vegetation along its shoreline. A short (very) portage (400 m) will bring us to Skoi Lake. No sooner do we put in, than we begin another short (very) and final portage (400 m) to Spectacle Lake. Our campsite is Pat Point.
This is our last day on the circuit. We will leave early in the morning in the hopes of completing our paddle by early afternoon. Our paddle will take us past Pavich Island, once named Deadman's Island, as it was believed that many Takullis died here...)
This is our last day on the circuit. We will leave early in the morning in the hopes of completing our paddle by early afternoon. Our paddle will take us past Pavich Island, once named Deadman's Island, as it was believed that many Takullis died here from small pox. At the end of Swan Lake, we will enter the Bowron River for 4 km. The Bowron River estuary is a prime bird area. Our paddling itinerary is completed when we finish at the end of the circuit at the local resort/campground, after we have unpacked and sorted our gear. Our hope is that we will have sufficient time left in the day to visit Barkerville, the restored historical center of the Cariboo Gold Rush. From there, we will travel to Quesnel or Williams Lake for dinner and a night's sleep before returning to Vancouver.
We will leave after an early breakfast to drive back to Vancouver and drop off. Stopping along the way for rest stops at sites of interest, we plan on being back in Vancouver for early evening.)
We will leave after an early breakfast to drive back to Vancouver and drop off. Stopping along the way for rest stops at sites of interest, we plan on being back in Vancouver for early evening.
Deposit and Taxes
Pricing does not include: 5.00% GST and 3% booking fee.
A 30% deposit is required to hold your reservation.
Balance of payment is due 75 days before trip commencement.
CANCELLATION POLICY & DETAILS
The 30% deposit on your tour holds your tour space and guarantees your spot on the tour. Your deposit is non-refundable in most circumstances. If you pay the balance before the 75-day due date, the balance, less the non-refundable deposit, is refundable except under circumstances outlined in the Cancellation Policy (provided upon booking). Your final balance payment is due 75 days before departure, and becomes non-refundable 60 days before departure. If you fail to pay the balance by the 75-day due date, you forfeit your deposit and lose your reservation. If you cancel within 60 days before the tour departure date, you forfeit your entire trip cost. This is necessary to guarantee that tours run when there are insufficient bookings after cancellations, and to cover the significant costs and commitments to run a tour.
