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 Pyna-tee-ah Lodge in the heart of the Cariboo Mountains the place where your dreams come true. 

Commune with nature, expand your birding knowledge, see native wildlife in the natural habitat,  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. 

Winter is the perfect time to follow your own special “call of the wild”.  The solitude, peace and beauty of winter in this mountain wilderness fills your senses as you hike or swish silently through the snowfilled forests on snowshoes or by dogsled in search of wildlife.  Lean about wildlife behavior, habitat and their amazing adaptability to the often harsh conditions of winter. 

As the snow deepens in the high country the animals move to wintering grounds in lower elevations and valley bottoms.  Animals you can see in winter include moose, mountain caribou, deer, wolves, lynx, cougar, furbearers such as marten, ermine and perhaps a rare glimpse of a wolverine.  Birds abound in this winter wonderland - jays, woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, owls and eagles soar along the rivers and in the forests.

Located on the Pacific Flyway, British Columbia is a birding paradise so bring your camera and your curiosity and visit us in central British Columbia where over 200 species of birds make their homes in the Cariboo Mountains.  Birding comes naturally when there are huge populations of raptors, migratory and mountain birds in this widespread mountain wilderness area. 

Some birds are truly unique within this area of the Cariboo -  the Chestnut-backed Chickadee which favours the Cedar Hemlock forests, the Varied Thrush which breeds extensively in the Cariboo Mountains down to lake level and the Tennessee Warbler and Magnolia Warbler which are primarily found in this region. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned birder this is a unique and rare experience – a very special way of getting out and enjoying the spectacular beauty of the seasons. 

Anchored by huge Quesnel Lake, deepest fjord lake in the world, with habitat ranging from wetlands to alpine, it provides habitat for many varied bird species.  It is also one of the largest migratory staging areas in BC.   Hiking through the marshlands and interior rainforest to the alpine you will meet many feathered friends, large and small, and have exceptional photo opportunities.  Birds include eagles, owls, osprey, migratory birds – ducks, swans, geese, blue herons, sandhill cranes. Traveling the rivers by boat eagles and belted king fishers keep us company along with a plethora of other birds that call the rivers home like the elegant common loon. 

Observe the "cycle of life" as the clear glacial waters of the Mitchell River run red with the returning sockeye salmon. One of the life's blood rivers of the Quesnel Lake watershed and one of the major salmon producing rivers in the province, the habitat it provides is shared by the resident trout and the salmon. The salmon return from the Pacific Ocean through the Fraser River system and the Quesnel River into the watershed. They make their way to the Mitchell River where they spawn and complete their life cycle.

As the salmon return the Grizzly bears also return to the river. This adventure provides exceptional grizzly bear watching and photography opportunities as the bears feast on salmon and ready themselves for their winter hibernation. Along with the grizzlies the river is lined with eagles, bald and golden, also feasting on the salmon carcasses. This exquisite river ecosystem provides a unique study opportunity for naturalists and photographers.

  As you watch the cycle of the salmon and the antics of the native wildlife you are likely to see many species of birds including ducks, geese, blue herons, trumpeter swans, water ouesels, whiskey jacks (gray jays), sapsuckers, woodpeckers, grouse and many more. Native wildlife in the area includes the mountain grizzlies, mountain goats, mountain caribou, mule deer, moose, black bears, and a host of smaller furbearers such as otters, beavers, pine martens, chipmunks, squirrels and more. Don't miss this natural history adventure. This is one of the few places on earth where this cycle of life remains in tact in the wild - untamed and undisturbed.

The Mitchell River lies in the lower reaches of the Cariboo Mountains Park. We access it by jetboat from Quesnel Lake. For over 20 years we have studied the bears and other wildlife in the ecosystem. We have learned their habits and body language qualifying us to safely guide you on what can only be called "the adventure of a lifetime" on the Mitchell River. Season - mid-August to October. Minimum two guests per trip.

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Exploring the rich Mitchell River wetlands where plant and animal life abounds in this rare temperate interior rain forest that exists nowhere else on earth is like taking a walk back in history. Stand beside 1000 year old Western Red Cedar and get an insight into the great diversity of an old growth forest.

See it through the 'eyes of the forest'. Understand the importance of maintaining these ancient forests. Old growth forest is all that is left of the natural evolution of the earth. The wetlands provide habitat for numerous bird species. They are also one of the significant waterfowl staging areas in British Columbia. You may well see a variety of ducks, geese, trumpeter swans, blue herons, water ouesels, eagles and many more along with foraging moose, grizzly bears and other animal life.

One of the life's blood rivers of Quesnel Lake, the Mitchell River and it's tributary streams provide spawning, rearing and foraging habitat for the legendary wild trout. The river also provides one of the major spawning areas for sockeye salmon. View the "Lady of the Lake", a unique natural feature on the shores of Quesnel Lake, the deepest fjord lake on earth. Season - June to October.

Minimum two guests.

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Go from extraordinary wetlands, through ancient forests with thousand year old trees to the majestic alpine of the Cariboo Mountains all in one adventure. Visit the rich wetlands of the Mitchell River and observe the waterfowl and wildlife in this unique ecosystem and riparian area. Study thousand year old Western Red Cedars, ancient lichens that only grow in forests that have reached an age of 250 years or more.

Learn about the great diversity of the old growth forest and why we must maintain these ancient forests. Observe the life styles and antics of mountain grizzly, mountain goats, caribou, mule deer, wolf and black bear, birds, and small animals. Visit a 10,000 year old glacier from the last ice age.

From spring late fall the abundance and diversity of the ever changing plant life is a rewarding study. From early spring lady slippers, solomon's seals, monkey flowers, the wild blueberries of summer and the last scarlet clusters of highbush cranberries in the autumn woodlands are fascinating. The sheer enjoyment of learning about the native flora and fauna is a memorable experience bringing you closer to the wild side of nature and life.

One thing is certain - the closer you look the more 'll see the beauty and intricacies of these plants from the thousand year old western red cedars in the old growth forest to the shrubs, mosses, liverworts, lichens, flowers and tiniest of plants. They all co-exist as part of this rare and unique interior ecosystem. Season - June through October. Minimum two guests.

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The withdrawal of summer heralds the coming of autumn with its crisp cool mornings and warm sunlit days. Picture yourself on the shore of a secluded lake with the sun rising over the snowcapped mountain peaks to illuminate the brilliantly colored yellows, oranges and reds mixed in with the shades of green of the surrounding forests.

The crisp, lightly frosted morning comes alive with the sounds of nature and woodland life. The smells of the damp forest fill your senses and your soul with its freshness, peaceful feelings and the simplicity of life far removed from the hectic pace of cities. Ecotours-BC has many scenes like this.

Hike in the alpine amid the tan and gold grasses, and through ancient forests where the changing of the season showers the earth with brilliant colors. Visit the mountain valleys ablaze with the splendor and beauty of the fall colors and tumbling waterfalls. Watch and photograph native wildlife - including grizzly bears, moose, mountain goats, mountain caribou, and black bears.

Take a tour by jetboat into the wetlands where the bright crimson wild cranberries dressing the riverbanks exude the pungent aroma of fall. Watch the migratory birds - geese, swans, ducks, arctic terns and more - as they rest on their journey south to warmer winter climates. The fall sockeye salmon with their green heads are symbolic of fall. They have traveled many hundreds of miles from the ocean back to their birthplace in the Quesnel Lake watershed to start the next generation's cycle of life as they dig their redds, lay their eggs, then die when their mission is completed.

Enjoy exploring 80 mile long Quesnel Lake, the deepest fjord lake on earth. It is surrounded by magnificent snowcapped mountains, old growth forests with trees over 1000 years old, wildlife, birds, unique eco-systems, and outstanding beauty. Don't miss this outdoor experience of a lifetime!

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Natural history adventures in pristine and remote Mitchell Lake in Cariboo Mountains Park is what memories are made of. A flight of approximately one hour by floatplane takes you to a remote world where nature is untamed, unbroken and peaceful. 15 mile long Mitchell lake lies like an exquisite jewel in the heart of Cariboo Mountains Park.

Get in touch with nature as you explore this rare temperate rainforest that exists nowhere else on earth, surrounded by old growth forests - truly ancient forests - with the majest peaks of the Cariboo Mountains and the Lunn Glacier towering overhead.

Canoe the Mitchell lake circuit, enjoy the wildlife, nature and discover some truly wonderful plants and rare lichens found only in ancient forests. Hike through the ancient forests and up into Engelmann Spruce uplands and marvel at the diversity of nature's landscape, plants and animals. Season - mid-June to October. Minimum - 3 guests per trip. 

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Packages Include: Accommodations, meals, guides, necessary motorized equipment (boats, motors, vehicles), orientation and interpretive information, ground transport from/to Williams Lake. Depending on the trip chosen guests need to bring camera (preferably with a good telephoto lens), film, a good pair of binoculars, proper footwear, backpack, day pack sack, hat, rain gear, clothing that can be layered - fleece is best, personal toiletries, sleeping bag (Mitchell Lake trip only).

Not Included: International airfares, Canadian Goods and Services Tax (5%), Wilderness Tourism Habitat Conservation Fund (1%), staff appreciation gratuities, liquor.

Payment & Cancellation Policy: Bookings are confirmed with a 50% deposit with the balance due 60 days prior to arrival. In the event of cancellation 60 days prior to your scheduled arrival, and your reserved space can be rebooked, the deposit can be applied for an alternative date in the same season or the following season. All payments are final and nonrefundable. Payments may be made by bank draft, bank transfer or cheque. Prices are subject to change without notice. Bookings confirmed with a deposit are guaranteed.

Custom Packages – Ecotours-BC is pleased to offer packages of longer or shorter duration.  The tours can be a day trip or 7 days or more which could include a wider variety of activities.  Please inquire for pricing for custom packages.

Note: Ecotours – BC reserves the right to cancel or modify services as weather and local conditions warrant without notification in the interest of safety of all concerned. Guests are required to sign a waiver of liability.