Chilko Lake Ride, BC | Horse Riding Holidays in Canada | Globetrotting

Chilko Lake Ride, BC, Canada

7 NightsStrong Intermediate to AdvancedFrom $5,195 USD?Tour costs $5,195 USD which is approximately $8,225 AUD

Canada and cowboys go together like maple syrup and bacon. It’s easy to fall in love with this happy-go-lucky country, and to explore it from the back of a horse is the icing on the pancakes.

Guests take a one hour flight north from Vancouver to reach this exclusive mountain lodge situated beside the wild Chilko River, the life force of this remote part of British Columbia. You will feel instantly at home at the family-owned lodge thanks to your sweet-as-maple-syrup hosts and guides, cosy log cabins, intelligent horses and breathtaking surrounds. On the seven night lodge riding package, no two days are the same, with thousands upon thousands of acres of pristine alpine forest to explore. Every day brings a new adventure from the back of your horse.

Each season has its own X-factor, from spring, when blossoming wildflowers carpet the mountains and river flats, to autumn, when the trees turn bright amber and the wild salmon run. Not to mention the grizzly bears that roam these parts – they’re a tourist attraction in their own right!

Throughout the week, the rides get progressively longer to challenge guests and fulfill their need for speed. Not only is the riding first class, when you’re are out of the saddle you’ll have the option to perch at the bar and sample some Canadian lager, kayak up the river for some grizzly bear spotting, soak in the hot tub on the deck or try your hand at fly fishing.

The photo opportunities are some of the best in the world, with rugged glaciers, mountain meadows, alpine flowers, crystal clear lakes, streams, and wildlife. The vistas and settings are too beautiful to put into words. This is a sacred part of the world that MUST go on your Globetrotting bucket list.

Fast Facts

  • Horse Breed:A mixture of many breeds (Quarter Horse, Paint, Arabian, Appaloosa, Thoroughbred and draft horse).
  • 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 you are dishonest about your weight, we cannot guarantee the availability of a suitable horse.
  • Type of tack:Western saddles.
  • Seasons:Spring (June), summer (July, August), autumn (September, October).
  • Group size:A minimum of 4 and a maximum of 10 guests.
  • Time in Saddle:Approximately 4 to 6 hours, with a 1 hour lunch. Lunch is packed each morning and carried in your saddlebag. Some downhill sections will require you to walk on foot.
  • Riding Ability:Suitable for strong intermediate to advanced riders. Not sure what your riding ability is? Watch THIS video to find out.
  • Accommodation:Log cabins or suites. Each unit is set up for 2 people and offers a bathroom, comfy beds with Egyptian cotton sheets and duvets, a gas fireplace or a wood burning stove, your own deck and seating areas. Daily maid services keep you supplied with fresh towels.
  • Ride Length:7 nights.
  • Inclusions:

    The price includes a 2.5% GST tax and $77 (per person per week) room and MRDT tax, a round-trip regional flight from Vancouver to the lodge, all meals (wine with dinner), twin share accommodation, all riding activities, use of canoes and kayaks, and a one-day lake trip by boat for hiking and sightseeing.

  • Exclusions:

    The price excludes international flights, travel insurance (compulsory), staff tips (please budget for at least 10-20% of the ride price), beverages from the bar, fishing licenses and extra activities not outlined within the itinerary.

 

DEPARTURE DATES & RATES

NEW! Secure your saddle seat NOW with a 10% deposit - as part of our 10x 10% interest-free payment plan!
Departing FinishingTotal
June 29, 2025July 6, 2025
From: $5,195 USD ?Tour costs $5,195 USD which is approximately $8,225 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

July 6, 2025July 13, 2025
From: $5,195 USD ?Tour costs $5,195 USD which is approximately $8,225 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

July 13, 2025July 20, 2025
From: $5,195 USD ?Tour costs $5,195 USD which is approximately $8,225 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

July 20, 2025July 27, 2025
From: $5,195 USD ?Tour costs $5,195 USD which is approximately $8,225 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

July 27, 2025August 3, 2025
From: $5,195 USD ?Tour costs $5,195 USD which is approximately $8,225 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

August 3, 2025August 10, 2025
From: $5,195 USD ?Tour costs $5,195 USD which is approximately $8,225 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

August 10, 2025August 17, 2025
From: $5,195 USD ?Tour costs $5,195 USD which is approximately $8,225 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

August 17, 2025August 24, 2025
From: $5,195 USD ?Tour costs $5,195 USD which is approximately $8,225 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

August 24, 2025August 31, 2025
From: $5,195 USD ?Tour costs $5,195 USD which is approximately $8,225 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

August 31, 2025September 7, 2025
From: $5,195 USD ?Tour costs $5,195 USD which is approximately $8,225 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

September 7, 2025September 14, 2025
From: $5,195 USD ?Tour costs $5,195 USD which is approximately $8,225 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

September 14, 2025September 21, 2025
From: $5,195 USD ?Tour costs $5,195 USD which is approximately $8,225 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

September 21, 2025September 28, 2025
From: $5,195 USD ?Tour costs $5,195 USD which is approximately $8,225 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

September 28, 2025October 5, 2025
From: $5,195 USD ?Tour costs $5,195 USD which is approximately $8,225 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

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.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE RIDE PRICE?
The price includes a 2.5% GST tax and $77 (per person per week) room and MRDT tax, a round-trip regional flight from Vancouver to the lodge, all meals (wine with dinner), twin share accommodation, all riding activities, use of canoes and kayaks, and a one-day lake trip by boat for hiking and sightseeing.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RIDE PRICE?
The price excludes international flights, travel insurance (compulsory), staff tips (please budget for at least 10-20% of the ride price), beverages from the bar, fishing licenses and extra activities not outlined within the itinerary.

Accepted payment is by credit or debit card only. Depending on the ride you choose to book and your country of residence, there will be a 1.2% to 2.9% surcharge.

Click HERE to read more about our fees and charges.
Click HERE to read our recommendations on which cards are best to use to avoid international transaction fees.
WHY IS THE PRICE QUOTED IN USD?
With our riding destinations, the currency is dictated by our ride partner in that country. Therefore due to fluctuating exchange rates we have to quote in the same currency.

Itinerary

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*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.

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  • Day 1

    On 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, the McLean family, 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.

  • Day 2

    After 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.

  • Day 3

    Today, 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.

  • Day 4

    Another 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.

  • Day 5

    Today 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!

  • Day 6

    You 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!

  • Day 7

    On 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.

  • Day 8

    Enjoy 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).

    **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.

  • Transfer Information

    We recommend arriving in Vancouver one to two days prior to your ride to recover from any jet lag. The ride price includes a regional flight in and out of Chilko.

    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.

    LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS: 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.

What our valued Globetrotters say about the British Columbia Ride

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!’

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’

The Chilko Late Ride, Canada, Globetrotting Horse Riding Holidays

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!’

The Chilko Lake Ride, Canada, Globetrotting Horse Riding Holidays

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.’

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.’

Jenny P.

‘I loved the Chilko Lake Ride! It was so much fun that we barely stopped smiling and laughing. Every time we moved outside, shouting out ‘Hey Bear’ was hilarious. Although, if we had actually got close to one of the grizzlies that frequented the homestead, that might have been a little scary. The food was great, and the horses were sure-footed, kind, and fabulous. The staff were lovely, the scenery was spectacular, and the wildlife was beyond amazing.’

Chilko Lake, Canada, Globetrotting Horse Riding Holidays

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.’

Chilko Lake Ride, BC, Canada, Globetrotting Horse Riding Holidays

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!’

The Chilko Lake Ride, Canada - Globetrotting horse riding holidays

Anne Sheen

‘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.’

STORIES FROM THE SADDLE

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