WELLS GRAY EXTRAVAGANZA

8 days/ 7 nights

CDN $ 1,875.00 / person



An Adventure Medley exploring the white wilderness of Wells Gray Park and area. Wells Gray Park, a vast, untamed and primitive wilderness exceeding 520,000 hectares in area offers an infinite variety of superb scenery. The Park is located 384 kilometers northeast of Vancouver in the Cariboo Mountains. In winter tremendous snowfalls and moderate temperatures create a fantastic winter wonderland and Helmcken Falls, the third highest waterfall in Canada, forms an enormous ice cone - an area well worth to visit. This multi activity package offers to our guests the major outdoor winter activities in Wells Gray Provincial Park and surrounding areas: dogsledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing & wildlife viewing.

For the seven nights of accommodation we have chosen the Blue Grouse Country Inn (www.bluegrousecountryinn.com) located in the beautiful Upper Clearwater Valley and surrounded by the wilderness of Wells Gray Park. Here meals are provided starting with dinner the first day and ending with breakfast on departure day. Lunch usually consists of a packed lunch which we will enjoy on the trail. From the Inn we will start our adventure excursions daily into the surrounding winter wonderland. The Blue Grouse Country Inn is a brand new cozy B&B, where a jacuzzi and a sauna are the perfect end to a winter day of activity!

Program:

Day 1
Arrival, dinner and overnight for the following seven nights at the Blue Grouse Country Inn.

Day 2 & 3
After breakfast you will visit the dog kennel and help loading the dogs into our special dog trailer. After driving to the trailhead (20 minutes) you will receive extensive instructions in mushing your own dog team and learn how to handle the Canadian Eskimo  dogs. Having gained some confidence we will be heading into Raft Valley the first day and up on to the foothills of the Trophy Mountain Range the next day. You and a partner will be taking turns either standing on the back of the sled mushing the dog team or sitting wrapped in comfortable blankets in the sled bag. En-route we will enjoy a packed lunch. While enjoying the quiet winter landscape and fantastic scenery the only thing you hear is the panting of the dogs pulling you along the snowy winter trail.

Day 4 & 5
In the morning we will load our snowmobiles on to trailers pulled by 4x4 trucks. After an approx. 30 minute drive to the trailhead we have to unload and then go over all safety aspects and various procedures and tricks about how to operate one of our SKI-DOO 500 machines. The rest of the day we will spend snowmobiling on the endless trails of Grizzly Mountain Plateau for one day and the fascinating alpine areas of Foghorn and Granite Mountain for the other day.

Day 6 & 7
These two days are spent snowshoeing and exploring more of Wells Gray Park. You will see the famous ice-cone of Helmcken Falls and the frozen waters of Dawson Falls. The Flatiron Trail as well as the Pyramid Mountain area should give you another ample of photographic opportunities for wildlife such as moose, deer, wolves and coyotes.

Day 8
Departure after breakfast.

 

DEPARTURE DATES 2005

Every Saturday starting January 04th to March 19th, 2005

 

RATES 2005

Based on twin/double occupancy, shared dogsled and single snowmobile (double if desired) 
CDN $ 1875.00 per person
Single Room Surcharge CDN $ 175.00 
Single Dogsled Surcharge CDN $ 120.00

Rates are subject to 7% GST.

 

SPECIAL NOTES

  • Minimum number of guests is two, maximum six.
  • Minimum age to participate is 8 years. Children between 8 years and 14 years can ride with a parent and will get a 10% reduction on the double/twin rate.
  • Minimum age for own dog team is 14 years, for own snowmobile is 16 years. Any child between 14 and 19 years of age must be accompanied by a guardian. 
  • All guests are required to sign a waiver of liability prior to departure.
  • There is no collision damage insurance included. This means that the driver is responsible for any body damage to the snowmobile. Additional Insurance with a deductible of $ 1,000.00 is available at CDN $ 20.00 per day
  • Each guest should be in good physical fitness and willing to get along in a group.
  • For safety reasons during the dog sledding activity your guide will be with the group on a snowmobile to be able to assist quickly if there is a problem. We usually drive ahead for quite a distance to avoid the noise around you and your team, turn off the snowmobile and wait for you to catch up. At the same time we are grooming the trail for you. If you need our assistance you simply use the supplied walkie talkie to call us.
  • For safety reasons during the snowmobiling activity you will have to follow your guide at the speed he is setting in single file on the trail. Sometimes you will be stopping in so called “play areas”, where your guide will allow you to ride freely and try out the possibilities of your machine in powder snow.
  • The sequence of the itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to the logistics of coordinating with other programs or if the majority of group prefers a different sequence due to weather conditions etc. ( only if logistically possible)

 

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

  • Dog sledding based on shared sled
  • All meals starting with dinner on first day ending with breakfast on last day 
  • Snowmobiling on 500cc Skidoo single snowmobiles (double if desired)
  • Gasoline and Snowmobile Helmet
  • Accommodation at Blue Grouse Country Inn (based on double occupancy)
  • Transportation from accommodation to trailheads and back

 

NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICE

  • Personal expenses
  • Insurance for snowmobile with CAN$ 1000.00 deductible (available at a charge of CAN$ 20.00 per day)
  • Spa Package at Blue Grouse Country Inn
  • 7% GST

 

WHAT TO BRING (Rentals see below)

  • Toque or hat preferably with ear muffs.
  • Snow goggles and sun glasses.
  • Scarf.
  • Water resistant mittens for snowmobiling and warm gloves for the other activities.
  • Windproof and warm jacket and pants (appropriate ski suit will do).
  • Layers of clothes like warm under wear (long johns), fleece shirt, pullover etc.
  • Efficient socks and, if you do have blood circulation problems in your feet, bring some kind of boot warmer like electric socks etc.
  • Warm shoes preferably high Sorrels or other type of snow boots.
  • Camera with enough film and batteries.
  • Flashlight, preferably head lamp (you will experience darkness as early as 04.00 p.m.).
  • Personal medication.
  • Sunscreen lotion.
  • Some small water resistant bag (like a belt bag) to carry personal necessities.

 

CLOTHES RENTALS

  • Snow suits ( Coverall or jacket and pants) per day $ 10.00
  • Boots (Sorel or similar) per day $ 5.00
  • Complete outfit (snowsuit, boots, scarf, goggles, toque, gloves or mittens) per day $ 20.00
  • Subject to 7,5 % PST and 7 % GST

 

HOW TO GET THERE

Turn off Highway # 5 in Clearwater (122 km north of Kamloops, B.C.) at the Tourist Information Centre and follow the road to Wells Gray Park for 22 km and then turn left at the sign "Blue Grouse Country Inn". We gladly pick up guests arriving in Kamloops or Clearwater by public transportation for an additional charge. (Kamloops $ 75.00 pp/one-way, minimum 2, Clearwater $ 15.00 pp/one-way)


TERMS AND CONDITIONS

TOP