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.
Arrival at our accommodation/meeting point at the park, in Williams Lake, or Quesnel. Pick-up can be made in the afternoon, at the Williams Lake Airport, by 3:00 pm, or at Quesnel Airport, by 4:30 pm. Flights must be arranged to meet this time. Trans...)
Arrival at our accommodation/meeting point at the park, in Williams Lake, or Quesnel. Pick-up can be made in the afternoon, at the Williams Lake Airport, by 3:00 pm, or at Quesnel Airport, by 4:30 pm. Flights must be arranged to meet this time. Transportation from Williams Lake or Quesnel to Bowron Lakes will be in our 15-passenger van. Pick-up in Williams Lake or Quesnel is at no extra cost to you. Our campsite or cabin on night 0 is at a local resort. We take care of accommodation costs for this night. We will use the evening to prepare for the next morning.
*We do suggest that you arrive in Williams Lake or Quesnel the day before in case of flight delays or lost luggage.
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 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 cooperate, we will have ti...)
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 cooperate, 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 h...)
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 the 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 that a...)
Our paddle on Lanezi Lake takes us past the 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 that 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 mid-afternoon. Our paddle will take us past Pavich Island, once named Deadman's Island, as it was believed that many Takullis died here f...)
This is our last day on the circuit. We will leave early in the morning in the hopes of completing our paddle by mid-afternoon. Our paddle will take us past Pavich Island, once named Deadman's Island, as it was believed that many Takullis died here from smallpox. At the end of Swan Lake, we will enter the Bowron River for 4 km. The Bowron River estuary is a prime bird area. There is an immense variety of bird life found here. The Bowron River empties into Bowron Lake and the last lake in the circuit. We hope that we will have sufficient time to visit Barkerville, the restored historical center of the Cariboo Gold Rush. Return to Quesnel or Williams Lake in time for an evening flight out.
*We do suggest that you stay overnight in either town and fly out the next day if possible in case of any delays getting back in time for your flight.
Deposit and Taxes
Pricing does not include: 5.00% GST.
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.
