Imagine drifting down an untamed Canadian wilderness river - a river where the salmon have returned annually for eons, surrounded by nature, wildlife and the inspirational simplicity of mountain beauty. The early morning mist is just lifting off and a large grizzly appears out of the mist in front of you. His quest - catching a wild sockeye salmon for breakfast. A pure and intimate experience with nature!

Meet the Cariboo Mountains “bear whisperer”. Gary Zorn has a passion for grizzly bears, the signature species of the Canadian wilderness. He has devoted his life to studying the habits, habitat and nature of grizzlies and has many humorous bear stories along with a great respect for them.

Discovery is part of human nature. At Ecotours-BC we focus on the discovery of nature combined with the delivery of quality in diverse recreation experiences and genuine Canadian hospitality. This makes Ecotours-BC’s Lodge in the heart of the Cariboo Mountains the place where your dreams come true. Commune with nature, see a grizzly bear, expand your birding knowledge and much more. It is a place of renewal that creates desire to become part of the natural world or create a new family tradition. You can count on Ecotours-BC to build your connection to nature through our diverse wildlife and nature experiences. This is what Ecotours-BC is all about! This is what Canada and British Columbia is all about! Authentic experiences. Lifetime memories. Life changing moments in nature. Come and experience it!

Adventure in the wilds of British Columbia! - untamed, wild and remote: rare ancient forests, glaciers, alpine, wildlife, mountain grizzly bears, eagles, and salmon - all surrounding the deepest fjord lake on earth.

Deep in the heart of British Columbia, in the Cariboo Mountains is the rare temperate rain forest, found nowhere else on earth. In the Quesnel Lake watershed, which drains some 12,000 sq km of land, lies this ancient forest, with trees over 1000 years old. Water is the essence of the sustainability for the vibrant and abundant life forms found here. Through spring and summer the high alpine explodes in a kaleidoscope of color as the wild flowers burst into full bloom - asters, glacier lilies, solomon’s seal, monkey flower, indian paint brush and an abundance of others.

The rich ecosystems of the lush valley bottoms provide food and shelter for a myriad of species including water fowl, fur bearers, ungulates, bears, butterflies, and a whole other plant world. In the rivers of these valley bottoms, the bull trout, rainbow trout and dolly varden share their habitat with the salmon - sockeye, pinks, coho and chinook. This natural place - remote, wild and endlessly green - refreshes your soul.

Ecotours - BC is situated in the heart of this unique and one of the most diverse areas on earth. The Quesnel Lake watershed, on the western slopes of the Cariboo Mountains, is a unique microclimatic zone. Experience it first-hand with our knowledgeable guides. We are often joined by local experts, people recognized nationally in their fields of expertise, whether it be entomology, botany, biology, lichenology or bryology. Whether you come for the sheer joy of observing life in this unique ecosystem, are a novice, amateur naturalist or a research expert, you will find much to challenge your interests.

The Quesnel Lake watershed area includes a unique cross section of biogeoclimatic zones which make it a rare and interesting nature study. The region runs the gamut from old growth interior cedar (hemlock to Engelmann spruce) subalpine forests; and includes northern spruce, willow and birch of the subalpine zone and alpine tundra of the high mountains. The resulting climate ranges from cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers to long, cold winters and short, cool, growing seasons. This diversity of climate creates an unusually productive area for plant and animal life and makes the wetlands a particularly rich staging area and home habitat for a varied and numerous bird population.

"Thank you for putting my heart and brain in touch with nature. You will see me next year."

Press Release
Ecotours–BC To Pilot British Columbia's New Wildlife Television Series
(Click to view, right-click to download)

Ecotours-BC staff have a comprehensive knowledge of the geography, natural history, flora and fauna of the area. We have developed a strong sense of stewardship of the waters and lands we utilize for our outdoor adventure activities. This directs our primary goal of combining the management of our area and operations with the enhancement and conservation of the eco-systems and the life they sustain in the Quesnel Lake watershed. While guests enjoy outstanding beauty, fresh mountain air and the serenity of the great outdoors, our knowledge and experience also provides them with an opportunity to get to know and understand the area - a well-rounded wilderness experience.