If George Vanderbilt, founder of the Biltmore Estate, and John Muir, America’s leading naturalist who inspired the US national park system, collaborated to build the ultimate luxury/nature experience for their friends and family, it would be the Chilko Experience. A private seven home $10M luxury estate built in the pristine British Columbia wilderness for the use of friends & family. It has recently opened to the public for the first time. It is best of breed because of what it’s not, another lodge. They offer an estate experience. Their strengths are three. World class architecture. They have homes not cabins. A better than world class location in southern British Columbia on a 5M pristine wilderness tract. Lastly, great adventures in the middle of this setting that allows friends to connect with nature at the highest level possible. John Muir would approve.
Highlights
Relax in your wilderness hideaway with chef prepared meals and guided tours
Cruise the Chilko River by jet boat to view wildlife and sightsee
Explore 500 miles of backwoods trails by ATV
Horseback ride to find secret mountain top fossil beds
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive Williams Lake, British Columbia, and make your way* to the Chilko Experience Wilderness Resort (approx. 3-hour drive), your home away from home. Once at the lodge meet your hosts and enjoy a beverage of your choice. Tour the 25 acres of grounds, visit all the homes, and learn about log and timber frame architecture unique to North America. Then it’s back to the main lodge for appetizers and drinks before a chef-prepared dinner. After dinner, enjoy a pleasant evening at the lodge, around the fire pit, or journey to your cabin for the evening.
*There are several options for arriving to the Chilko Experience Wilderness Lodge via commercial flights and car rental, direct charter flight, or a scenic drive from Vancouver, BC. Please inquire and we can help you figure out the best option!
After a hearty breakfast, choose from a variety of activity options based on time of year and weather conditions. There is 'no size fits all' doctrine at Chilko. Click here to see more details about the activities such as: Touring the 50 mile long Chilko Lake by cabin cruiser, stop for a picnic lunch and a bit of fishing; horseback ride to find a secret mountain top fossil bed; explore 500 miles of backwoods trails by ATV; cruise the Chilko river by jet boat to look for wildlife; explore the surrounding forest on miles of hiking trails; or enjoy various water sports on the lake like kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and swimming; try your hand at Chilcotin Darts where Viking-style axes are hurled at wooden targets. In the fall, the river teems with Sockeye salmon where grizzly bears coming to dine. Everyday choose from as much or as little activity as you desire.
Day 5: Fly home
1 Breakfast
After a hearty breakfast or even a good lunch, depending on departure schedule, return to Williams Lake for your journey home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$6,0092-3 travelers
Notes
Select a Date
Rate based on 5 day trip (3 full days at the lodge). Tour price from $2550- $6950 depending on length of trip and season.
Initial deposit is 10% (minimum $400), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Kassandra prepared an organized agenda that was well designed based on our interests and feedback. She spent ample time discussing the agenda and answering any questions.
Loren Kimura
2 days ago
Really enjoyed Thatch Caye. The staff was great. Really liked our guide Raffi. And snorkeling at night was wonderful.
Cheryl Brenton
6 days ago
The persons I spoke with knew the material. I wont know until I actually take the trip if it was all correct but at this point they were helpful in finding a trip that met my criteria
SS
1 week ago
Creating a checklist was very beneficial and meeting objectives on certain dates helped as well (to keep my trip organized). The Adventure Travel personnel helped keep me on track which is why my trip was so successful. Communication from both travel agencies (AT/MT) was vital.
Iziah Carthens
1 week ago
This is an amazing company to work with. I generally do not use tour companies as I am more of an independent traveller so I was slightly reticent. They were fantastic from the start - 10/10 - from lining up a phone call to discuss requirements, then their ongoing communication in the lead up to the tour and during it (thank you, Franny and Phen). They also explored cost-effective options (eg group transfers). The tour was in Patagonia so Adventure Life organised a pickup from the El Calafate airport to the El Chalten accommodation, two day hikes with a private guide and then to the El Calafate accommodation. A tour coordinator came to the hotel to explain, using the maps, what was involved in each day tour and what should be expected, and patiently answered all questions. The tour guide Marcos was excellent - very professional, knowledgable, communicative and at all times felt very safe with his navigational skills (important in the Patagonian wilderness). On the second day I forgot to take hiking poles so Marcos kindly gave me his. I honestly wouldn't have changed a thing and would happily recommend and book through them again.
