White Water Rafting in British Columbia

Chilko Chilcotin Fraser Rivers Rafting Adventure

This journey of discovery is one of the most ecologically diverse and personally satisfying expeditions found anywhere. We'll fly over the towering mountains and massive glaciers of the Coast Range in a chartered aircraft. After an evening at the beautiful wilderness of Chilko Lake, we'll float 130 miles through the crystal clear, turquoise water of this incredible desert river, dropping over 3000 vertical feet. The Chilko-Chilcotin-Fraser is considered a Class IV river system with a number of extended drops. On the last day of our expedition we'll fly back crossing over the 2000-foot canyons of the lower Fraser and the lakes and mountains of the southern Coast Range. Experiencing such a variety of phenomenal scenery has made guests claim that this seven-day trip has been the best of their lives.

The Terrain
Our trip begins at the north end of Ts'yl-os Provincial Park. Established in 1994, Ts'yl-os (pronounced sigh loss) is 233,240 hectares in the Chilcotin Ranges of the Coast Mountains. Although Chilko Lake is the centerpiece of the park, it is just one of many incredible natural features. Though there is much to explore in the region, it is rugged and un-serviced leaving its visitors up to their own devices. This is where we fit in.

The Chilcotin River flows near Nazko Lakes Provincial Park and Stum Lake Provincial Park. Both were recently expanded to protect wildlife habitat and BC's only colony of nesting white pelicans, respectively. Upstream from the confluence of the Chilcotin and Big Creek, lies the new 660 hectares of rolling grassy plateau protected in Big Creek Provincial Park.

As rafters drift the lower Chilcotin and Fraser, they will see stocky California bighorns peering down from the cliff tops. Junction Sheep Range Provincial Park was established to protect the world's largest non-migratory bighorn sheep herd. This is the heart of Chilcotin country, where steep escarpments rise from the river to horizontal plains, separated by vertical cliffs. These ancient lava beds were formed when massive flows of molten rock oozed from the earth, and spread and cooled, in step-like plateaus. Hoodoos, eroded by wind and rain, are the most prominent landforms. Our trip culminates at Churn Creek Canyon which is yet another new Provincial Park. Spanning more than 244 square kilometers, rare sagebrush and grasslands are preserved for our pleasure.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Chilko-Chilcotin-Fraser Sample Itinerary

Day One (Sunday):
We meet for our 11:00 AM flight to Chilko Lake.
Important Note for Those Arriving at Vancouver International Airport on Day One: It is essential to arrive a minimum of two hours before our 11:00AM flight. You need to allow enough time for possible flight delays, to clear customs, and to transfer from the Vancouver International Airport terminal to a private charter plane terminal. We will be meeting at either the Landmark Terminal or the Million Air Terminal. You will be notified 2 weeks prior to departure.

Please make sure your gear is packed in soft luggage (NO SUITCASES), as this will allow for easy storage and transfer into the chartered aircraft. As soon as everyone's gear is stowed, we will board our chartered plane for the incredible flight over the mountains and glaciers to Chilko Lake. Here at the headwaters, we will meet our guides to go over last-minute details and issue expedition equipment.

Day Two (Monday):
After a hearty breakfast, we will head to the boats, go through the safety procedures for the trip and teach any “would be” paddlers the basics. The swift currents and gentle rapids will carry more than 25 miles to our camp, located in a beautiful meadow along the riverbank and surrounded by lodge pole pines. Upon arrival we'll go through the camping procedures and then enjoy the first of many delightful meals in the wilderness. There will be plenty of time for a leisurely walk, fishing for rainbow trout and dolly varden, or simply watch the bald eagles from the river bank.

Day Three: After breakfast, it's on to the rafts. You will quickly notice that the pace of the river has increased. Today we descend through Lava Canyon and challenge the longest, continuous rapids of the trip. Heart stopping hydraulics and towering, standing waves cascade for more than 14 miles through deep and narrow lava gorges, makes for some non-stop excitement. It is no surprise Lava Canyon has become world famous among whitewater enthusiasts. Depending on the trip, we will choose a secluded riverside camp just above or below where the river doubles in size as the turquoise Taseko River joins the Chilko. At camp, a delightful evening under the stars and celebration is in order after a fun filled day of adventure.

Day Four:
After a leisurely breakfast, we run the "Gap"—a 20-foot wide chute that carries us into the Chilcotin River. The river valley opens as we emerge on the Chilcotin Plateau. Birdlife abounds and our casual float is a welcome reprieve after Day Three's excitement. This will be a great day for trying the oars and everyone will be encouraged to give it a try. Arriving relatively early into camp, there will be time for swimming or plain old loafing around. Try your hand at some fishing or sit and watch the sunset on the metamorphic rocks across the valley.

Day Five:
An early departure will set the stage for an action packed day. In the morning, we will enjoy some friendly Class II and III rapids before arriving at our lunch site at an ancient Indian fishing spot deep in the 1500 ft. canyons. This stop offers outstanding hiking, swimming and for the more adventurous, cliff jumping into the refreshing waters of the Chilcotin. After lunch we can ride the Goose Neck Rapids while golden eagles soar high above us. Tonight, we'll camp at the confluence of Big Creek. Here there will be plenty of time to hike up Dome Mountain for an incredible view or fish for rainbow in Big Creek. If you feel less active, you'll be able to wander with your camera through this beautiful valley or simply relax with a good book.

Day Six:
After a leisurely morning enjoying this spectacular camping area, we will break camp and immediately enter the Big Creek rapids. Lots of fun splashy rapids and accelerating current keep the pace up as we whirl past towering hoodoos and dramatic canyons. Today adventures are capped with a wild ride through Farwell Canyon as we eventually enter California bighorn sheep country. Tonight's camp features a sandy beach and plenty of space to spread out in the Chilcotin grasslands. Aptly named Sheep Camp, we can spot California Big Horns from the river's edge.

Day Seven (Saturday):
After another delicious breakfast, we will drift further down the Chilcotin and in short time challenge Big John Canyon. This stretch of the Chilcotin features countless massive wave trains that roller coaster for miles in a rushing chorus down deep desert canyons only to dissipate into the mighty volume of the Fraser River. In this country, there will be plenty of photo opportunities for the camera buff. The rolling badlands, the towering waves and the massive granite canyons provide a dramatic backdrop to the whitewater experience. After a peaceful float down the mighty Fraser, we'll arrive at the take-out point, historic Gang Ranch. Here we'll board our vehicles for the shuttle to meet up with our chartered plane for the spectacular ride back. The flight is incredible as we negotiate desert canyons and cut through the glacier capped mountains of the Coast Range, past Whistler Mountain, and eventually reaching the Pacific. Weather permitting, we plan to arrive back at the air terminal by 6:00 PM, but recommend participants plan to overnight in Vancouver.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Reservations and Deposits
An $800/person non-refundable deposit is required at the time of reservation. The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.

Cancellations and Refunds
If you find it necessary to cancel your trip, please notify us as soon as possible. All payments are non-refundable and we regret we cannot make exceptions for personal emergencies. For this reason, we strongly urge our participants to investigate trip insurance (see Insurance).

If you transfer from one trip to another within the same season, there is a $50/person charge up until 90 days before the trip. Transfers made after this time will be treated as cancellations.

Medical
Under most circumstances, if you are of an adventurous spirit and in reasonably good health, you should have no problem enjoying this trip. People with medical conditions, including pregnancy, should have a physician’s approval before taking an adventure travel trip.

Insurance
Although every effort is made to insure a safe trip for all, we require that you purchase medical evacuation insurance to participate in this expedition. Call Travel Insurance Services at 800-937-1387 or visit their website at http://www.travelinsure.com/what/imedhigh.htm?32635 for inexpensive options that cover this requirement. We also strongly recommend that you protect yourself, your belongings, and your vacation through the purchase of a short-term traveler’s policy. A trip cancellation policy covers your non-refundable payments in most cases, should you have to cancel your trip at the last minute due to illness or injury, as well as including the coverage required above. Trip participants should realize that in the event of illness or injury on a river trip, evacuation could be prolonged, difficult, and expensive. Personal belongings and cameras are carried entirely at the owner’s risk, and we accept no responsibility for lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen property.

Acknowledgement of Risk
Everyone is required to sign an Acknowledgement of Risk form before the trip, acknowledging awareness that some risks are associated with the trip. Safety is of the utmost concern on our trips. However, due to the nature of the activities, a condition of your participation is that you will sign this form and return it to our office before the trip begins. Anyone who refuses to sign the form will not be allowed to participate, and consistent with R.O.A.M. cancellation policy, there will be no refund of the trip fees at that time.