British Columbia - Tsylos Lodge
Tsylos (pronounced sigh-loss) Park Lodge is located at the north end of Chilko Lake, the gateway to Ts’il-os Provincial Park. With rugged mountains, clear blue lakes, glaciers, alpine meadows and waterfalls, the area is stunningly beautiful due to its blue-green hues and dramatic mountain backdrops. Seldom visited and largely untouched, the Park is a rare gem. Few people have discovered it, but once discovered, it is rarely forgotten.
Days are spent out on your horses exploring the wilderness. The riding trails are varied, both relaxing and exhilarating. Ride along the river and from the lake into the mountains; let the horses eat wild salt grasses and enjoy lunch where there is a view or spot of interest. Wildlife abounds in the area. You might spot black and grizzly bear, mule deer and foxes; bald eagles and osprey; leaping salmon and trout.
At the end of the day you return to the welcoming lodge in time for icy cold drinks, a wonderful evening meal, time to chill out on the deck, or a relaxing soak in the hot tub viewing a million stars.
You should be at least an intermediate rider; happy at walk, trot and canter. At times it is necessary get off and lead the horses on foot. Riders are expected to care for their horse (catching, grooming and tacking up) but help is always on hand should you need it.
The rides will start off slowly, but once the wranglers are happy that everyone is comfortable with their horses you will be able to enjoy some faster riding.
The Tsylos herd is made up of Quarter Horses, Arabs, Appaloosas, Paints, Draft and Thoroughbred horses, ranging from 14hh to 16hh.
The tack and riding is Western style.
The beautiful lodge is the main gathering area at Tsylos and offers a warm cosy and relaxing atmosphere. It portrays the perfect wilderness log lodge with a big stone fireplace, large log beams, and decks overlooking the Chilko River valley.
The lodge hosts the dining area, the great room with the fireplace, a fully stocked bar, Jacuzzi, barbecue area and big decks.
Meals are served family style at the lodge. Breakfast is a blend of the Canadian hot breakfast (bacon and eggs, fresh potatoes, pancakes) as well as an assortment of fresh fruits, cereals, and yoghurts. A saddlebag lunch is enjoyed alongside a stream, on top of a mountain, or wherever your wanderings have taken you. Dinner is a special time of day. Everyone gathers for a relaxing dinner and mouth-watering meals; fresh salads, meats, breads, pastas, as well as tasty deserts. Wine is included with dinner.
The bar is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine or cocktail while you sample tasty appetizers made by the in-house chef.
Accommodation at Tsylos is in log cabins. Each unit is set up for two persons and offers private bathrooms, comfy beds, gas fireplaces or a wood burning stove. Some have private decks and seating areas but most guests choose to gather and relax in the main lodge. Daily maid services keep you supplied with fresh towels.
Single rooms are subject to availability and may share a bathroom.
Set arrival and departure dates arriving Sunday.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
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| Lodge Horseback Riding | 18 Jun 2023 - 25 Jun 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $4,395.44 |
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| Lodge Horseback Riding | 25 Jun 2023 - 2 Jul 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $4,395.44 |
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| Lodge Horseback Riding | 2 Jul 2023 - 9 Jul 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $4,395.44 |
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| Lodge Horseback Riding | 9 Jul 2023 - 16 Jul 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $4,395.44 |
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| Lodge Horseback Riding | 16 Jul 2023 - 23 Jul 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $4,395.44 |
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| Lodge Horseback Riding | 23 Jul 2023 - 30 Jul 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $4,395.44 |
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| Lodge Horseback Riding | 30 Jul 2023 - 6 Aug 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $4,395.44 |
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| Lodge Horseback Riding | 6 Aug 2023 - 13 Aug 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $4,395.44 |
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| Lodge Horseback Riding | 13 Aug 2023 - 20 Aug 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $4,395.44 |
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| Lodge Horseback Riding | 20 Aug 2023 - 27 Aug 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $4,395.44 |
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| Lodge Horseback Riding | 27 Aug 2023 - 3 Sep 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $4,395.44 |
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| Lodge Horseback Riding | 3 Sep 2023 - 10 Sep 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $4,395.44 |
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| Lodge Horseback Riding | 10 Sep 2023 - 17 Sep 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $4,395.44 |
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| Lodge Horseback Riding | 17 Sep 2023 - 24 Sep 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $4,395.44 |
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| Lodge Horseback Riding | 24 Sep 2023 - 1 Oct 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $4,395.44 |
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| Lodge Horseback Riding | 1 Oct 2023 - 8 Oct 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $4,395.44 |
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The above prices do not include 2.5% GST Tax ($92.10 per person sharing) and Room & MRDT Tax ($77.00 per person). These taxes are payable in advance and will be added to your invoice at the time of booking.
INCLUDES Seven nights accommodation; meals and wine with dinner; riding; use of canoes and kayaks; hiking (unguided); lake trip activities on one day; return transfers by light aircraft from Vancouver; Reservation fees.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $1,098.75 is payable if you are in a single room (plus 2.5% GST Tax $114.08).
PAYABLE LOCALLY Drinks; river and lake fishing (including guides or licences and subject to availability); tips.
NEAREST AIRPORT Vancouver.
TRANSFERS included from Vancouver.
Return air charter transfers from Vancouver to Tsylos are included in the price and we will arrange these for you. The flights depart from the Air Elite Building, 5360 Airport Road South, Richmond BC (adjacent to Vancouver International Airport).
Check in for the flight to Tsylos is by 08:50 and the plane will start to board at 09:00. It departs Vancouver at c.09:30 and we recommend you overnight in Vancouver prior to your holiday.
Onward flights should depart Vancouver after 15:30.
The Lodge is in British Columbia, 180 miles due north of Vancouver at the northern end of Chilko Lake. Rates include transfer by light aircraft from Vancouver.
Spring is usually May and June. The sunflowers, wild roses and aspen buds are coming out. The weather can be both warm and cool, it is a fresh and wonderful time to ride in the Chilko Valley. The snow is still visible in the alpine at this time of year; ideal for riding.
The mountain wildflowers usually come out in the middle of July and around the middle of August the berries start to ripen, the Sockeye Salmon run starts, and the bears and eagles can start to wander into the valley; great summer weather.
The Indian summer is always beautiful, and the riding is outstanding. Autumn colours usually start in late September.
At either end of the season it is usually warm during the daytime but cool in the evenings. In July and August it can get hot during the day, but temperatures vary significantly with altitude. Overall rainfall is low but showers are possible throughout the year.
The riding more than met my expectations, the guides were great, they really catered to our riding abilities, lots of long canters and even a few jumps! I can't think of anything I really couldn’t be happier with the experience. The riding was great, with fantastic scenery. We had a lovely lodge with spectacular views and the chef was amazing. What really surprised me, was the amount of wildlife we saw. We came across black bears, grizzly bears, moose, foxes and deer.
Laura ,Somerset
Overall rating: 5/5
Don't forget your binoculars. This is home to black and grizzly bear, bald eagle and osprey, so there is some great wildlife viewing.
In The Saddle says
Great fun riding in stunning scenery. The Mountain Ride provides one of the most spectacular lunch spots ever!