Hut to hut in British Columbia

In the mood for a travel experience that's a little out of the ordinary?

Wells Gray Provincial Park, nestled in the province's Cariboo Mountains, offers more than a riot of alpine wildflowers in summer months. Think cool blue lakes, mountainous peaks, a rush of rivers and local residents a little on the wild side. In all, sights best seen hut to hut with the outdoor crew at Wells Gray Adventures.

And with 1.4 million acres of lush countryside, Wells Gray, north of Kamloops, provides the perfect playground for multi-day excursions.

Each outing begins with a simple plan: equipped with a small pack, adventurists hike from remote cabin to remote cabin (in all, three are linked along the trail), during sustainable, low-impact tours. Days are fêted out-of-doors; al fresco menus, insight into local plant and animal wildlife courtesy of nature-loving guides, and occasions ideal for snapping scrapbook-worthy shots fill days.

Alpine evenings are spent snug in rustic cabins - each mindfully constructed to allow ecologically sound access to the region's sensitive high country.

Looking to shorten the trek? Grab the gals for a weekend escape to Trophy Mountain Chalet for a splash in cold mountain lakes and hikes within high peaks. Or grab an oar, ready the canoes, and lap it up with one- to 14-day dips in either cool Clearwater or oh-so-blue Azure Lake. Whichever adventure suits, you're sure to experience the ultimate in out-of-doors exploration. Hut to hut.

Travel: British Columbia

In British Columbia, an ocean of kayaking adventures awaits, with more than a few shores perfect for launch. Synonymous with adventure, the Broken Group Islands, situated off the west coast of Vancouver Island, is simply a kayaker’s dream; here you’ll find an archipelago of more than a hundred islands and islets in Barkley Sound.

More after the jump.


From April through October, Majestic Ocean Kayaking mans the paddles during half-day, full-day and multi-day glides through quiet coves and sheltered bays; hands-on instruction mingles with the promise of eagle, sea lion and even whale sightings. With a base in Ucluelet, just south of the Broken Group Islands, Majestic Ocean Kayaking supplies gourmet lunch on a sandy shore, treks into an old growth forest and cosy beach-front camp accommodations ideal for multi-day excursions. In the province’s Haida Gwaii, or Queen Charlotte Islands, July marks the beginning of ocean kayak adventures which blend wilderness terrain, a distinctive ecosystem and a storied First Nations heritage. Set amid the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site in Northern BC, Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures promises eight to 15-day sea kayak expeditions, all within an area hailed as Canada’s Galapagos (this archipelago is a hotbed for uniquely evolved flora and fauna). And with opportunities to visit remote Haida villages and cultural sites sheltering the remains of long houses and a handful of still-standing mortuary and memorial poles, you’re assured adventure, complete with a deeply defined sense of wonder. Time to test the waters.