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
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.