TWEEDSMUIR PARK & BELLA COOLA

TWEEDSMUIR PARK FLIGHTS ON AUGUST 13: We board chartered float planes to explore Tweedsmuir Park. There are 2 flight options today. At the time of booking, please choose the one best suited to your mobility. Note that you must be able to climb 3 ladder-like steps (with assistance) to get into the planes. Both flights see the awesome Hunlen Falls which plunges 400 metres and is Canada's highest waterfall, measured as a continuous drop. In the valley below is Lonesome Lake and the remote abandoned homestead of the famous pioneer, Ralph Edwards, about whom three books have been written, including Crusoe of Lonesome Lake. Then we fly into the Talchako Range where dozens of tumbling glaciers cling to sheer cliffs, icebergs float around glacial lakes, and the vast Monarch Icefields stretch to the horizon. The next spectacle is the Rainbow Range where eruptions eight million years ago created a huge shield volcano and lava flows with brilliant colours. Flight #1 (Hunlen Falls landing, Monarch Icefields, Rainbow Range) – Your plane lands at Turner Lake, then you walk on a hiking trail with rocks and roots for about 45 mins to the view of Hunlen Falls (at least 1½ hours round trip walking). The last 15 mins of walking is uphill to the falls viewpoint. Walking poles are recommended. This hike is self-guided and a map is provided, so you must be confident in your abilities. After stopping for 2½ hours, you get back on the plane and fly over the Monarch Icefields and Rainbow Range. Total trip time is roughly 4 hours. This flight option is rated as “Activity Level 3” due to the Hunlen Falls walk (the rest of the tour is Level 2). Please add $100 to the tour fare for this option. Flight #2 (Hunlen Falls flyover, Monarch Icefields, Rainbow Range) – Your plane flies over and circles Hunlen Falls, but does not land. You get good views of the falls from either side of the plane. Afterwards, you fly over the Monarch Icefields and the Rainbow Range. Total trip time is about 1¼ hours, all in the plane. This flight is included in the tour fare. Option #3 (no flight) – If you prefer not to fly, there is a fare reduction of $325 per person.

Why doesn’t this tour stay in Bella Coola?: After many years of running this tour using the ferry from Port Hardy to Bella Coola, we had to make a major change in 2024. Accommodation is very limited in Bella Coola. The only hotel is rundown and does not meet Wells Gray standards. Two small lodges are fully-booked with long-term guests. Since the ferry arrives about 6 pm, it is necessary to stay in Bella Coola, otherwise it is a 2-hour drive to the nearest accommodation. So Wells Gray planners have rearranged this itinerary to drive both ways on Highway #20 from Williams Lake and we are staying 3 nights at Nimpo Lake. A day trip on August 12 with a local guide visits most of the attractions of the Bella Coola Valley. This is a long day with dinner in Hagensborg, but the extended stay at Nimpo Lake makes it seem leisurely.

Food Allergies:: You must notify us no later than at final payment if you have a food allergy. Nimpo Lake and Bella Coola are very remote and restaurants probably cannot 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.

ACCOMMODATION: At Nimpo Lake, rooms are booked at two places – Stewart’s Lodge and Waterfront Motel. Do not expect luxurious lodgings as Nimpo Lake is remote and typically hosts travellers looking for a backcountry experience. You do not need to make any choices here as Wells Gray Tours will assign your accommodation based on how early you booked and whether you are travelling double, twin or single. Stewart’s Lodge has log cabins with views of Nimpo Lake. One large log cabin has 3 private bedrooms suitable for 3 singles, large living room, deck overlooking the lake, and shared bathroom. Another log cabin has 2 private bedrooms suitable for 2 singles, living room, deck overlooking the lake, and shared bathroom. Waterfront Motel has 3 log cabins and 3 motel rooms beside the lake. Transportation is provided to Stewart’s for your flight and RAR Restaurant for all meals. Meals for everybody are served at the RAR Restaurant on the highway. Single travellers – Your fare includes a single room at the Coast Fraser Inn in Williams Lake. At Stewart’s Lodge, singles share the large log cabins, so you have your own private bedroom, and you share the bathroom, living room, and deck overlooking the lake. Only 7 single seats are available on this tour, so early booking is recommended if you prefer to travel single.

Payments: A deposit of $300 per person is requested at the time of booking and balance is due June 17, 2026. By paying the deposit, you agree to the Terms & Conditions, Activity Level 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: Receive a $150 discount on the first 8 seats and $75 on the next 4 seats for booking early with deposit. The discount is not offered after June 17, 2026.

Cancellation Policy: Up to May 14, 2026, the cancellation charge is $50 per person. From May 15 to June 17, the cancellation charge is $150 per person. From June 18 to July 9, the cancellation charge is 60% of the tour fare. After July 9, 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: A 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 Pat (Wells Gray Group in 2024, View of Nimpo Lake), Roland Neave (Hunlen Falls, Bella Coola River), Sylvia Nicholson (Floatplane on Nimpo Lake), and BC Parks (Rainbow Range).

Experience Points or E-points: This tour earns 79 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 June 17, 2026.

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