Ride into the Wild Heart of Chilko Country
Just an hour’s flight from Vancouver lands you at a family-owned mountain lodge on the wild Chilko River, where brilliant horses, cosy cabins and jaw-dropping alpine wilderness set the stage for seven nights of pulse-quickening adventures. With each season turning up its own brand of magic – wildflowers, salmon runs, grizzlies and all – every day brings a fresh hit of excitement, both in the saddle and out, from long canters to hot-tub soaks beneath glacier peaks.
Trip Highlights
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Summiting a mountain on your surefooted horse for a picnic lunch with 360-degree views
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Drifting downstream on Chilko Lake as shimmering salmon glide beneath your kayak
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Sinking into the hot tub after seven blissful hours in the saddle
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Being totally awestruck when you eyeball your first grizzly bear
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Loping along narrow mountain tracks with the heady smell of pine and horse sweat in the air
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Falling in love with the sweet-as-maple-syrup Canadian family who welcome you into their home
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Trotting through wide-open fields blooming with wildflowers
Details
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Riding levels
Suitable for intermediate to advanced riders. All riders should be comfortable to walk, trot, canter, and be able to mount and dismount their horse without assistance. Some downhill sections will require you to walk on foot.
Not sure what your riding ability is? See the definitions below.
- Type of tack
Western saddles.
- Horse breed
A mixture of many breeds (Quarter Horse, Paint, Arabian, Appaloosa, Thoroughbred and draft horse).
- Accommodation
Western-style lodge rooms.
A single supplement charge of 25% of the ride price is available for guests not wishing to twin share a room. However please note, this does not guarantee your own bathroom, you may still need to share one with guests of the same gender.
- Pace
Variable depending on the terrain, with opportunities to trot and canter.
- Weight limit
A maximum of 90kg / 200lbs.
It is VERY important that you provide your current weight accurately when booking. If your weight is not accurate, we cannot guarantee that your hosts will have a horse for you to ride.
- Group size
A minimum of 4 and a maximum of 10 guests.
- Minimum age
16 years of age
- Time in Saddle
Approximately 4 to 6 hours, with a 1 hour lunch. Lunch is packed each morning and carried in your saddlebag.
- When to go
June to October.
- Languages
Instructions spoken in English
What’s included (and what’s not)
Included
- A 2.5% GST tax and $77 USD (per person per week) room and MRDT tax
- Round trip private charter flight from Vancouver to/from the lodge
- All meals
- Wine with dinner
- Twin share accommodation
- All riding activities
- Use of canoes and kayaks
- One-day late trip by boat for hiking and sightseeing
Excluded
- International or domestic flights
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Staff tips (please budget for around $500 USD)
- Alcoholic beverages from the bar
- Fishing licenses
- Extra activities not outlined in the itinerary
Departure dates and prices
Instalment plans available
Lock in your ride with a 10% deposit and pay the rest over time – interest-free in 10 easy payments. Learn more.
Per person
2026
2026 Season
June 28 to October 4, 2026
Departs weekly, Sunday to Sunday.
Bear viewing season runs from late August to early October.
We'll email you — you'll be among the first to hear when new departure dates are released.
The fun bits
Payment details
- A fixed Booking Fee of $108 USD
- All bookings are charged in the local currency of the ride destination.
- Accepted payment method is by credit or debit card only.
Cancellation policy
We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel your ride, please let us know as soon as possible. Cancellation fees apply based on how close your departure date is, and deposits are non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your booking. Read our full cancellation policy.
International fees
If you're paying in a currency different from your own, your bank may charge a conversion or international transaction fee.
Please note
Paying the single supplement does not guarantee your own bathroom, you may still need to share one with guests of the same gender.
Itinerary
Please note, this is a suggested itinerary only and subject to change at the discretion of your guides due to weather and other influencing factors.
With so many trails and places to visit, it is impossible to list them all. This is just a sample itinerary of what it is possible to experience on this lodge riding vacation. There are many variations and possibilities.
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Day 1: Arrival
Approximately 2 hours in the saddleOn Sunday morning your adventure begins with a flight from Vancouver over the Coast Mountains and British Columbia. You’ll arrive at Chilko Lake and this exclusive lodge in time for a tasty lunch and a cold drink. Afterwards, you’ll gather on the deck to go over the week ahead. Your hosts, will show you your cabin, then lead you to the barn to meet your horse and receive safety tips for the trail, saddling techniques, and western riding instructions. After this, guests head out for an afternoon ride. This ride ensures that you, your horse and your saddle are a great fit for the week ahead. You’ll then return to the lodge in time for a cold drink and a delicious dinner.
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Day 2: Ts’yl-os Provincial Park
4 to 6 hours in the saddleAfter a filling breakfast – think bacon, eggs, potatoes, pancakes, fruit, cereals and yoghurt – you’ll head straight to the stables. Today is a full day’s ride out from the lodge to explore Ts’yl-os Provincial Park – roughly 233,000 hectares of rugged mountains, clear blue lakes, glaciers, alpine meadows and waterfalls! You’ll return to the lodge in time for another tasty communal dinner and a glass of wine as you wind down for the night.
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Day 3: Chilko River
4 to 6 hours in the saddleToday, after you emerge from your log cabin, soak up your spectacular surrounds and tuck into another hearty breakfast, you’ll head out for another unmistakably Canadian adventure. As you gain confidence in your horse and become more familiar with the terrain, the riding starts to speed up, with more canters along the open meadows and Chilko River.
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Day 4: Mount Tulin
4 to 6 hours in the saddleAnother beautiful day’s ride awaits today, as you journey to the summit of Mount Tulin. After the long climb, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views of the Coast Mountains and Chilcotin Plateau – and a picnic lunch! Photo opportunities abound, so be sure to pack your camera in your saddlebag. Returning from the mountain, you’ll have some time to relax in your cabin or wander around the grounds before regrouping with your fellow riders and guides to share stories, laughter and a hot meal.
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Day 5: Chilko Lake
Non-riding dayToday is a rest day for the horses after their long summit up Mount Tulin. It’s also an amazing opportunity to see Chilko Lake from the water! After breakfast you’ll hop aboard a boat to take a scenic tour up the lake, witnessing its untouched beauty up close. Chilko Lake is surrounded by magnificent mountain peaks, pristine forests and ice fields. It’s fed by dozens of pure, icy glacial streams, which give the lake its vibrant turquoise colour. A day on Chilko Lake is not to be missed!
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Day 6: Roller Coaster
4 to 6 hours in the saddleYou will be back in the saddle after breakfast this morning, enjoying long, winding canters through the pristine wilderness as you ride along one of the most memorable trails, the ‘Roller Coaster’. We don’t want to give away too much, but this is a ride that will give you a serious confidence boost AND a thrill to remember!
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Day 7: Chilko Valley
4 to 6 hours in the saddleOn day seven you’ll enjoy more long canters along the picturesque ridge of Chilko River, with spectacular views of Chilko Valley. At the end of the ride you’ll un-tack your horses on the banks of Chilko River and release them for a refreshing swim across the river back to the lodge. You’ll then be transferred back to the lodge by boat for your final farewell dinner with your riding companions.
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Day 8: Departure
Non-riding dayEnjoy one last hearty breakfast at the lodge, then pack your bags, bid a fond farewell to the lodge and horses, and board the flight back to Vancouver (departs around 9:00am and arrives around 1.00pm).
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Non-Riders
If you’re not riding, this lodge is a dream spot to spend your days on the water while your partner explores the mountains on horseback. The lodge offers fully guided fly-fishing on the pristine Chilko River and Chilko Lake, home to wild rainbow trout and bull trout, with expert guides, quality gear and a maximum of two anglers per guide. You can drift the river in jet sleds, wade quiet gravel shelves or head onto the lake when conditions are right, all against a backdrop of glacier-fed waters and soaring peaks. With a long season from June to October and superb dry-fly fishing through the height of summer, it’s an unforgettable way to experience this remarkable wilderness.
Please contact us for information on pricing.
Transfer information
We recommend arriving in Vancouver one to two days prior to your ride to recover from any jet lag and ensure you are on time for your private charter flight the morning of day 1 of the ride. The ride price includes a regional flight in and out of Chilko. This is booked by your host, and as such, tickets are not required as the airline will have guest names.
FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Address: IAS (Interdel Aviation Services) – Air Elite, 5360 Airport Road South, Richmond BC.
Vancouver to Chilko – Check in at 8:50am, plane starts loading at 9:00am, departure at 9:30am.
Chilko to Vancouver – Depart lodge at 8:30am, arrive in Vancouver by 1:00pm.
*Please book your connecting flights home from Vancouver after 3:30pm to account for any unexpected travel delays.
There is a vehicle transfer between the lodge and airport that takes approximately 1.5 hours, unless an alternate airport is needed due to bad weather, and then the transfer can take longer.
Please note
There is a strict luggage limit of 18kg/40lbs maximum per person on the regional flight to the lodge. Soft luggage only – no hard suitcases please.
Accommodation
This property offers warm, rustic lodge-style accommodation in hand-built log cabins and suite-style rooms, each with cosy fireplaces, private bathrooms and comfortable beds. The main lodge is the heart of the property, with a stone fireplace, river-view deck, hot tub and a welcoming bar where guests gather for family-style meals prepared by the in-house chef.
Reviews
Amanda S
Sarah B
Carrie E
Neil U
Maria E
An H
Clare T
Anne S
Emma T
Kyrsten O
Vicki N
Francie W
Ashley M
13 reviews
Amanda S
‘Everything about the Chilko Lake Ride was exemplary. The staff were warm, friendly, and knowledgeable, and they couldn’t do enough for us. The accommodation and food were excellent, and the cabin was ideal, containing everything we needed. The view from the windows was breathtaking; we saw bears in the river below, had deer and squirrels on the decking outside, and bald eagles above. The surroundings were awesome, and the horses were totally fabulous! I rode Hotshot, who was strong, sure-footed, bombproof, and forward-going. I loved him; he was very keen to go when asked but easy to rein in. Magdalena, our guide, was kind, knowledgeable, calm, adaptable, and inspiring. She matched us to horses that were perfect for our skill set and provided excellent tuition in the art of western riding, happily repeating or elaborating when required. We felt safe under her care! We loved every second of the experience.’
Sarah B
‘It was such a privilege to spend a week in this beautiful, remote area of crystal clear water with salmon leaping in the lake and river, snow topped mountains and forests turning to gold in the Fall season. The riding was amazing with lovely riding companions and each day offering new experiences that were so much fun. The lovely Arizona looked after me so well as did the two gorgeous dogs, Laurel and Hardy who came along on every ride, by the river, up the mountain and along the forest tracks. It was such a thrill to see so many bears, fishing, with their cubs, strolling along the water’s edge, in the Lodge garden and even on one occasion in the tack yard; a good reminder that we were really in their territory which they were allowing us to share.
Our day on the drift boat which took us 20 miles down the river was also so special with sightings of eagles, kingfishers and lots of bears. We were looked after by incredible guides who were able to tell us so much about this very special place. They were part of an amazing team of people who welcomed us as friends and provided everything we could need. The four riders on our trip stayed in a cosy, well-equipped four-bedroomed cabin with two bathrooms and a spectacular view of the lake and mountains. We had delicious breakfasts and dinners in the Lodge with a packed lunch to take on our daily adventures. I thought at the end of each day that it was going to be the best day but then the next day proved to be just as special. So it was a truely wonderful week of so many amazing experiences and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be there.’
Carrie E
‘If you’re looking to disconnect and slow down while immersing yourself in some of the most untouched, beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen, this ride is perfect for you. The horses are sweet and sure-footed, and have lovely soft mouths, yet they are ready for exhilarating canters when asked. Climbing up the mountain is breathtaking and truly unique. I visited during grizzly season, and it did not disappoint! The roller coaster, the airstrip, and the ridge canter were all so much fun! We spotted numerous grizzly bears, and the views were stunning. Watching the horses swim across the river at the end of a long day was such a treat!’
Neil U
‘The whole experience was great from the moment we landed and it just got better and better with each ride The guides were very friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and experienced. All of the food was amazing and the horses were unbelievable, I rode War, and he gave me the excitement I wanted from the ride I can’t wait to go again’
Maria E
‘I love love loooved this trip! Amazing views, people and horses I definitely would go again. All the trails were breathtakingly beautiful and lots of fun. If you’re up for ‘off the grid’ -time this place is definitely for you. I enjoyed my time canoeing, swimming and in the jacuzzi after the rides – what a perfect way to relax. All of the staff were amazing and I was lucky to get so many great people to share the solo trip with me. Hands down this trip is the best I’ve been! Br. This was my first globetrotting experience but not the last!’
An H
‘Such a transformative and breathtaking experience. The freedom and beauty of Chilko Lake are beyond compare. The staff go above and beyond. My horse, Hot Shot lit up my soul and we had an amazing connection. He was responsive, a little trooper who had such a good attitude. The final ridge ride was absolutely breathtaking. I’d say it’s the closest you can get to flying. I’ve never felt so free! Highly recommend this amazing ride!’
Clare T
‘If you’re seeking a Wild West adventure on horseback this is it! Exhilarating riding, crystal clear rivers and lakes, glacial mountains and clean air. The Chilko Lake experience has all this and more. Idyllic lodge with ridiculous views, wildlife on your doorstep, amazing bear viewing, crazy good hearty meals and a great crew ready to guide you through it all with patience and care. I had the week of my life and I hope to get back there someday.’
Anne S
‘Sublime scenery, outstanding riding and incredible hospitality! The Chilko Lake Ride is absolutely spectacular. I had no idea just how incredible it would be! I rode a stunning paint gelding through the pristine glacier-fed landscapes around Lake Chilko, and was lucky enough to witness the area’s wonderful wildlife. The Chinook salmon had returned to their birthplace to spawn, and the bears were making the most of it. Don’t even get me started on the long, sweeping canters along the mountain ridges! To top it off, every evening we came home to a hearty home-cooked meal, a warm fireplace and a cozy bed. I cannot believe I had the good fortune to see and experience all the incredible things this wonderful place has to offer.’
Emma T
‘Canada has been on my bucket list for years; I had such high expectations and yet it absolutely blew my mind. It was some of the best horse riding of my life, with a natural backdrop that took my breath away. The lodge was so welcoming and friendly – you felt like part of the family right away with Lauren, Gary in the kitchen making wholesome, hearty foods to give you energy for each day. Anna is one of the best horse guides I have ridden with. She was so kind and caring and really looked after us. The horses were fab – Sky was my favourite. The riding each day was so diverse and exciting! We rode hills overlooking the beautiful river Chilko, we scaled a 1000-metre mountain on horseback and we rode on the ‘Rollercoaster’, cantering up, down and around beautiful forest paths and ridge edge drops. Each day felt so different, from the scenery to the type of riding and where we went. It was such an incredible experience – my pictures don’t do it justice. Just wow.’
Kyrsten O
‘I was describing this trip once I got home as feeling like I was on a family vacation, but better, since my family doesn’t have a five star chef, or provide maid service! Karen and her team have created something truly special, with an incredible herd of horses (although surely some of them are part mountain goat, they are so surefooted!). The riding was exquisite, the food was unbelievable, the accommodations were smashing, the grizzly viewing was phenomenal. I would give this ride an off-the-charts rating, with my only point deduction being that I had to leave. It blew me away, every moment. Run don’t walk to this ride, folks!’
Vicki N
‘What can I say? The best two weeks!
Great horses, great guides, great food, great company, views to die for and wildflowers everywhere. I had the best horse and I must thank Dave, our guide, for letting me ride his trusty Levi.
The campsites were fantastic and I loved watching the sunrise over the mountain.
Everyone should add this to their riding wish list.
I will be back to do it again!’
Francie W
‘If you’re interested in spectacular scenery and the chance to see some amazing wildlife, the British Columbia ride is perfect. The climb up to the top of the mountain overlooking Chilko Lake is especially spectacular. Though this is mountainous terrain and much of the ride involves negotiating narrow trails at a walk, there are some fast canters that are not for the faint hearted!
The horses were great, fit and healthy. My horse, Koda, was delightful, very perky and forward-moving. I’d have to say, this is the friendliest herd of horses I’ve ever seen!
Our guide, Tasch, was a very knowledgeable horsewoman. Our cabin was great, with beautiful views of the river, and the lodge is also fantastic, with an awesome porch where you can relax before breakfast and at the end of the day. The food was plentiful and delicious, and I especially loved the snacks served during the cocktail hour – and the hot chocolate! One unique thing about this lodge, which we ended up really enjoying, was the opportunity to meet some fly fishermen… those guys were great! We met some really fun and fascinating people on this trip. Looking at our pictures, we’re missing it already!’
Ashley M
‘From cantering through snow covered fields, to seeing grizzly bears roaming, to eating the most amazing food and wandering through the one of the most beautiful parts of the world… this holiday was breathtaking!
I was blown away with all the horses – I have never seen trail horses so calm and responsive. I rode Austin and I absolutely loved him. On the long cantering stretches, it was amazing to see that the horses weren’t even interested in racing; it was easy to keep in a single file line and they didn’t get at all funny or fizzy. Our guide Louise certainly knew her stuff and she was amazing with horses.
The food!! OMG! Gary was amazing and made the most delicious meals. I was shocked that we could eat so well in the middle of nowhere.
My favourite experience of all was the rollercoaster track. Words cannot describe!’
What's my riding level?
Not sure what your riding level is? Watch our videos to see all our levels.
Beginner
Reasonably confident riding a horse at a walk, a rising trot, and learning to canter.
Intermediate
Confident and in control riding at all paces outside an arena, but not riding regularly. Comfortable and competent using aids {the language of your leg, seat and hands} to communicate with your horse.
Strong Intermediate
An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly outside of an arena and is fit enough to ride for at least six hours per day. Strong intermediate riders are comfortable and competent in all three gaits; able to post or sit to the trot; have an independent seat while cantering (don’t hold onto the saddle); and can pick up the correct canter lead. They can also navigate more complex terrain, including asking a horse to sidestep and jump over a small obstacle.
Advanced
A frequent rider who is very fit, comfortable in the saddle for at least six hours per day, and has an independent seat and soft hands. Advanced riders are confident on a forward-moving horse at all paces over rough and variable ground on open terrain. They can ride over small jumps and know the techniques used to collect a horse
Not sure? Contact our team to help you figure out your riding ability.
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