Tour Type

Canadian Tours

DEPARTURE INFORMATION

Lower Mainland

September 7, 2026 – 11 Days

Vancouver Island

September 7, 2026 – 11 Days

BC Interior

September 8, 2026 – 10 Days

Activity Level 3

Activity Level 3

GROUP SIZE

Group Size 3
20

TOUR SUMMARY

Includes a helicopter ride to the source and 2 boat trips on the “Mighty Fraser”!

The Fraser is truly British Columbia’s great river. Flowing entirely within the province, it starts from a spring 50 km south of Yellowhead Pass and ends, 1,390 km later, in the Strait of Georgia near Vancouver. Along the Fraser’s tortuous route, it races past Mount Robson, highest in the Canadian Rockies; it tumbles over Rearguard Falls where salmon can swim no further; it meanders for 250 km through the broad Rocky Mountain Trench; it flows past old homesteads like the Huble Farm and under historic crossings such as the Lillooet and Alexandra Suspension Bridges; it passes industrial cities like Prince George and Quesnel; it plunges through the awesome Fraser Canyon and squeezes through Hell’s Gate. At the end of its journey, the Fraser spreads out into multiple channels and flows quietly into the ocean at Steveston. On this tour, you see all this as well as fly by helicopter to see the dripping spring that is the Fraser’s birthplace. Come with Wells Gray Tours because we pioneered this remarkable journey in 2001!

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Meals

    • I
      20 meals

      7 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 4 dinners

    • V
      L
      20 meals

      8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 4 dinners

  • Transportation

    • V
      L
      Transfers between the Vancouver or Victoria Airport from the Greater Vancouver or Greater Victoria Areas
    • V
      L
      Flights from Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, or Comox to Kelowna
    • V
      L
      Current air taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
    • Coach transportation for 10 days
  • Accommodation

    • I
      9 nights of accommodation & hotel taxes
    • V
      L
      10 nights of accommodation & hotel taxes
    • Luggage handling at most hotels
  • Guides & Gratuities

    • Gratuities for local guides, museum docents, raft guides, & boat crew
  • Knowledgeable Wells Gray tour director

  • Tour Highlights (Included)

    • Helicopter to the source of the Fraser River
    • Fraser River raft float trip
    • Ancient Forest boardwalk
    • Huble Homestead tour
    • Farwell Canyon with guide from Tsilihqot’in Nation (if open/available)
    • Cariboo Chilcotin Museum
    • Hat Creek Ranch & historic roadhouse tour
    • Talk by a jade expert
    • Lillooet Museum
    • Ashcroft Manor
    • Hell’s Gate Airtram
    • St. John the Divine Church in Yale
    • Harrison Hot Springs pools
    • Copper Room entertainment with band music
    • Harrison Lake boat excursion
    • Kilby Store Historic Site
    • Victorian Secrets show at Kilby
    • Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site
    • MV Gikumi cruise from Steveston to the mouth of the Fraser River
    • Attractions are subject to change. Please see Tour Policies for more information.

TOUR FARES

Departure Point Fares per Person
I
BC Interior
$5,975

double/twin

$6,875

single

$5,740

triple

V
Vancouver Island
$6,550

double/twin

$7,550

single

$6,360

triple

L
Lower Mainland
$6,475

double/twin

$7,475

single

$6,285

triple

  • Please add 5% GST
  • There is an additional cost to fly to Nanaimo/Comox at the end of this tour.
  • There is an additional cost to fly from Abbotsford Airport to join this tour.
  • Earn 138 Experience Points

Early Booking Bonus!

$300 on first 6 seats; $150 on next 4.

DEPARTURE POINTS & DATES

I

BC Interior

September 8 – 17, 2026 (10 Days)

We depart on Tuesday, September 8 and drive to Valemount. We drive home from New Westminster on Thursday, September 17. Transportation is provided from your pickup location on the day of departure and back when we return.


V

Vancouver Island

September 7 – 17, 2026 (11 Days)

We depart on Monday, September 7 and fly from Victoria, Nanaimo, or Comox to Kelowna where we overnight. The BC Interior coach picks us up the following morning. We return from New Westminster on Thursday, September 17 via the ferry.

Departure from Victoria: Depending on the number of people booked and coach size, home pickups may be offered in the Greater Victoria Area. The decision is made about 2 weeks before departure and you will be contacted about your pickup point and time.

Departure from Up-island: There is an additional cost to fly back to Nanaimo or Comox at the end of this tour. Flights to Kelowna at the beginning of the tour are included. Transportation to or from Nanaimo or Comox Airport is not provided. While we always prioritize convenient connections for our clients, sometimes it is not possible given the airline schedule and availability. You will be contacted regarding your schedule after final payment. Please request departure from Nanaimo or Comox Airport at the time of booking.


L

Lower Mainland

September 7 – 17, 2026 (11 Days)

We depart on Monday, September 7 and fly from Vancouver to Kelowna where we overnight. The BC Interior coach picks us up the following morning. We return on Thursday, September 17, after staying in New Westminster.

Departure from Vancouver: Home pickup for clients in the Greater Vancouver Area may be arranged at the time of booking.

Departure from Langley, Abbotsford, or Chilliwack: No transportation is provided to Vancouver Airport. Flights may be available from Abbotsford to Kelowna for an additional cost. Please inquire about departure from Abbotsford Airport at the time of booking. Drop off at the end of the tour is by the BC Interior coach.

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Level

Level

High Activity: You are an active traveller who wants to explore wherever you go. You don’t mind a mix of full days, early morning starts, and some late nights. This is a unique tour with lots of activity and time outdoors while you experience many aspects of the Fraser River. The trip to the source of the Fraser requires getting in and out of a helicopter, and walking about ½ km in an alpine meadow at 2,000 metres altitude. On other days, you are boarding a large raft and two boats. Walks include the Ancient Forest and Othello Tunnels. You can climb three flights of stairs easily and unassisted, and can handle your own luggage at hotels where luggage handling is not available.

This tour is not appropriate for people with canes, walkers, wheelchairs, or other mobility assistance devices. Walking poles are recommended. Additionally, this tour is not appropriate for those who have cognitive impairments such as memory loss or confusion, difficulty expressing thoughts, repeating questions, or getting lost. The tour director and driver have many responsibilities, so please do not expect them, or your fellow travellers, to provide ongoing assistance. If you are not capable of keeping up with the group or require frequent assistance, the tour director may stop you from participating in some activities or some days of the tour. In extreme situations, you may be required to leave the tour and travel home at your own expense; travel insurance will probably not cover you.

Please note: Prior to accepting your booking, you will be required to sign a declaration that you are capable of travelling on an Activity Level 3 tour.

Tour Size

Group Size Unknown
20

This tour is limited to 20 participants, making it a more intimate travel experience.

TOUR NOTES & POLICIES

  • Accommodation: Some nights of this tour are “off the beaten track” so please do not expect luxury hotels in Valemount and Cache Creek. Although Lillooet would be a logical overnight stop beside the Fraser River, there are no accommodations that meet Wells Gray standards.

  • Helicopter: Most people have never flown in a helicopter and it is an exhilarating experience. The flight to the Fraser River source is arranged with Yellowhead Helicopters in Valemount and flights depart from their base. A safety briefing is provided. We will not know the size of the helicopter until early September, probably 4-6 passengers. If summer 2026 is bad for forest fires, it is possible that all helicopters will be fighting those fires and one will not be available for this flight. Inclement weather could also cancel this flight. That means the source of the Fraser River cannot be visited, obviously a disappointment, and a refund for the unused helicopter trip will be provided.

  • Food Allergies: You must notify us no later than at final payment if you have a food allergy. This tour goes to some remote places where restaurants may not be able to satisfy all food allergies. An allergy causes medical distress, a preference does not. For some allergies, please consider bringing your own snacks or food items so you are not dependent on what restaurants are able to serve.

  • Payments: deposit of $300 per person is requested at the time of booking and balance is due July 21, 2026. By paying the deposit, you agree to the Terms & Conditions, Activity Level 3 Declaration, and Cancellation Policy outlined. Payments can be made by online banking or cheque (3% discount on tour fare), or by Visa or Mastercard.

  • Early Booking Bonus: Early bookers receive a $300 discount on the first 6 seats and $150 on the next 4 seats for booking early with deposit. The discount is not offered after July 21, 2026.

  • Cancellation Policy: Up to June 19, 2026, the cancellation charge is $100 per person. From June 20 to July 21, the cancellation charge is $200 per person. From July 22 to August 4, the cancellation charge is 50% of the tour fare. After August 4, there is no refund.

  • Itinerary and Fare Changes: Our many suppliers may notify us about changes to the itinerary prior to departure and sometimes during the tour. We do our best to substitute a similar service if something cancels, but occasionally the only alternative is to provide a refund for the missed activity. Please note that if we are forced to cancel a tour component due to an issue beyond our control, the current penalties still apply if you choose to cancel the entire tour. Fuel surcharges and changes to taxes or other tour costs can occur at any time, therefore Wells Gray Tours reserves the right to increase fares due to such changes up to departure.

  • Flight delays or cancellations (Vancouver Island & Lower Mainland): In the event flights are delayed or cancelled by airlines due to weather or other reasons, there may be additional costs to you. Wells Gray Tours will not pay for hotel rooms and meals during the delay. Most travel insurance policies cover expenses incurred for flight delays.

  • Travel Insurance: Comprehensive Insurance policy is available through Wells Gray Tours and coverage is provided by Travel Guard. Policies purchased at deposit include a waiver of the pre-existing condition clause for medical and cancellation claims, otherwise policies can be purchased no later than at final payment. This tour stays in British Columbia. While your BC Services Card may cover you for a medical issue that arises during the tour, you will probably benefit from trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage in case of illness or a mishap before or during the tour. Many other benefits such as luggage insurance are included. Medical questionnaire is not needed. Please contact us for details. If you have your own travel insurance, please read the policy carefully to be sure that you are adequately covered for cancellation, interruption, and luggage.

  • Photo Credits: Tour director Marion.

  • Experience Points or E-points: This tour earns 138 e-points. Each time you travel on a Wells Gray tour, you earn e-points that are added to your account after the tour returns. One e-point equals $1. Redeem your earned points on select tours or accumulate enough points to earn a free tour! Redemptions offered until July 21, 2026.

  • Consumer Protection BC Licences: Kamloops 178, Vernon 655, Kelowna 588, Penticton 924, Victoria 65842

TESTIMONIALS & STORIES

Early Booking Bonus!

$300 on first 6 seats; $150 on next 4.

REQUEST BOOKING

VIEW FULL ITINERARY