Description
Bella Coola is a remote coastal community on the west coast of British Columbia, accessible by the steep and narrow Heckman Pass, also known as “The Hill.”
The region is part of a temperate rainforest dominated by Western Red Cedar trees. One of the best places to observe grizzly bears is Tweedsmuir Provincial Park along the Atnarko River. During the fall salmon run, grizzly bears gather near the rivers to feed.
Archaeological evidence suggests the valley has been inhabited for approximately 10,000 years. The first Indigenous inhabitants, known historically as the Bella Coola or Nuxalkmc people, lived in villages along the rivers and coastline. Today, the Nation is commonly known as the Nuxalk Nation.
A major cultural attraction in the region is the petroglyph site at Thorsen Creek Petroglyphs. Archaeologists estimate the carvings date from 3,000 to 10,000 years ago. The site is considered sacred and can only be visited with a guide.
Itinerary
Friday, August 21
Kamloops – Williams Lake – Tweedsmuir Provincial Park – Bella Coola
Saturday, August 22
Bella Coola
Sunday, August 23
Bella Coola
Monday, August 24
Bella Coola -Tweedsmuir Provincial Park – Williams Lake – Kamloops
Trip Includes:
- 4 Days / 3 Nights accommodation
- Wildlife viewing & photography
- Clayton Falls
- Salmon Fishing Experience from Shore (fishing license required)
- Boat trip to Tallheo Hot Springs on the edge of the fjord
- Petroglyphs
- Valley of the Grizzlies
- Indigenous Cultural Experience
Trip price is per person
Image: https://www.hotspringsofbc.ca/tallheo-hot-springs/
Accommodation
Clean, spacious, modern, comfortable riverside cabins, each with two queen beds.
Single Occupancy – Your own room.
Double Occupancy – Share with a travel companion. If you are travelling solo, we can pair you up with another traveler to share a room.
Triple Occupancy – Share with two travel companions. If you are travelling solo, we can match you up with other travelers. The third person can share a queen bed, or use the pull-out sofa bed.
In the event that we book up all of the cabins, additional accommodation will be at the Bella Coola Valley Inn. This will be clearly communicated.
Tour Leader and Nature Guide – Tom Beeke
Tom Beeke is a birding enthusiast, photographer, educator, and author based in Kamloops.
He is best known for:
- Authoring the book Birds of Kamloops and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, a
400+ page photographic guide documenting approximately 300 bird species found in the
region. The project took about 10 years to complete and contains more than 1,000
photographs. - Working as the Activities Teacher for the Kamloops-Thompson International Student
Program, where he helps organize activities and experiences for international students. - Being active in local bird conservation, bird surveys, and birding education throughout
the Thompson-Nicola region. He has contributed to bird counts, rare bird discoveries,
owl conservation efforts, and public birding events. - Sharing birding knowledge through local media, tourism articles, and community
organizations.
