Ultimate British Columbia

Trip Summary

Join this jam-packed adventure in Canada's beautiful Cascade and Coast Mountains and hit all the most epic highlights! Begin with a backpacking trip through Garibaldi Park, whose stunning landscapes are filled with turquoise lakes, iconic snow-capped peaks, and colorful alpine meadows. Then rope up for a splashy descent down cascading waterfalls on a canyoneering adventure in the Sea to Sky corridor. The famous Whistler via ferrata awaits, with metal rungs built into the granite so you can ascend high above the fjords below, with 360-degree views all around. No Adventure Treks trip is complete without whitewater rafting, and we'll hit BC's two best rivers: the Chilliwack and the Elaho. This adventure-packed camp is the ultimate way to explore British Columbia.

Itinerary

Garibaldi Provincial Park in British Columbia is downright epic. Think endless snow-capped mountain views, bright turquoise lakes, and meadows bursting with colorful wildflowers like lupine, avalanche lilies, and Indian paintbrush. Along the trails, we might spot mountain goats, marmots, pikas, deer, or even a bear (from a safe distance, of course). And then there’s the Black Tusk—a wild, jet-black rock tower left behind by a volcano thousands of years ago. Hiking in Garibaldi leads to jaw-dropping scenery, cool wildlife, and one of the most iconic landmarks in all of BC.

Canyoning in British Columbia is like jumping right into a natural adventure park. Hidden in the Sea to Sky corridor is a canyon packed with cascading falls, natural rock slides, mossy cliffs, and sparkling swimming holes. One minute you're rappelling down a cliff, laughing while being splashed a waterfall, and the next you're leaping into a crystal-clear pool with your friends! Surrounded by lush rainforest, canyoning is one of the coolest ways to experience BC's wilderness.

First, take the Guinness World Record–holding gondola to a headwall that looks out over the rugged jagged peaks of the Coast Mountains. Then clip in and navigate steel rungs, bridges, and cables built right into the granite, all with unbeatable views of glacier-carved valleys below, the famous Black Tusk, and colorful wildflower meadows dotting the hillsides.

Let's get ready to earn some of our best views yet. This trail in Garibaldi is an all-day push through forest, boulder fields, and alpine ridges, but the payoff is unreal: sweeping views of glaciers, Coast Mountains, and Fraser Valley—it feels like you’re standing on top of British Columbia itself.

The mighty Elaho River will feel perfect after your backpacking trip through Garibaldi. Paddle hard through continuous rapids and experience moments of wild splashing, balanced out with stretches of calm where you can breathe in the mountain air and soak up the view. Then to wrap your trip up with the Chilliwack River; halfway through this rafting day, we'll hop out of the boats and hike up to Butterfly Falls, where we'll get the chance to walk under this thundering cascade!

Trip Details

Arrival/Departure

Seattle, WA (SEA)

Grades

9th, 10th, 11th

Length

13 days

Dates

6/25 - 7/77/12 - 7/247/29 - 8/10

Tuition

$5,595

Activities

​Backpacking
Canyoning
Mountain summit
Via ferrata
Whitewater rafting

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Included in tuition:
  • All meals
  • Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack, and all group gear
  • Guided activities
Not included in tuition:
  • Airfare to and from Seattle, WA (SEA)
  • Travel protection (more info here)
  • Personal clothing and items (packing lists available for enrolled families)
Travel information
  • Students need a passport that is valid for at least six months past the travel date to attend the British Columbia trip.
  • Arrive in SEA on opening day between 9 am and 12:30 pm
  • Depart from SEA on closing day between 6 am and 11 am
  • We drive across the border as a group
  • Find more travel information here
Camping

Most of our nights are spent at "frontcountry" campsites, where we'll generally have a more developed campsite with running water, toilets, and sometimes cell phone service. This may be a public or private campground. We often stay at the same frontcountry site a few days in a row.

The other nights will be spent "backcountry" camping, referring to wilderness locations where we are most likely out of cell phone service and away from our vehicles, electricity, and other amenities. Multi-day activities like backpacking take place in the backcountry.

Challenge/fitness level

No experience necessary; all skill levels welcome! We'll teach students everything they need to know to be successful.

Fitness and physical challenge are subjective, so Adventure Treks does not "rate" its trips based on challenge. However, because we’ll be engaged in different outdoor activities throughout each trip, our students have the responsibility to be physically fit. We know physical fitness looks different for everyone, but it’s important to come prepared so that you and your fellow students can succeed. One student not coming prepared with physical fitness will negatively impact the entire group. In the months leading up to their trip, students should develop a routine that emphasizes stamina and sustaining a moderate level of exertion for many hours, several days in a row. Running, swimming, bicycling, aerobics classes, and team sports are all beneficial and will help improve cardiovascular fitness in preparation for a student’s trip.

Group size

This trip will have a maximum of 12 students.

Why choose Adventure Treks?

Adventure Treks stands out for its intentional, close-knit communities where experienced instructors create a welcoming, supportive environment that helps teens build lasting friendships and grow into capable, happy young adults. We have the highest staff-to-student ratios in the industry and include necessary gear so every student feels prepared. Our programs emphasizes real growth—confidence, independence, resilience, and leadership—through meaningful outdoor challenges, with a thoughtful risk management mindset woven into every trip. Trusted by families for more than three decades, the experience often becomes a turning point during a critical age that leaves a lasting impression for life.

Parent testimonials

"The communal, positive vibe was wonderful. It was a good group of kids selected and equal boys and girls who were all considerate. Lots of adventure and loved the communication and photos (for parents) while kids (gratefully) were without phones. My daughter was happy to have a new circle of friends to keep in touch with. They built a close bond." – Tiffany Edwards, New York, NY

"Every aspect of the pre/during/post trip was well informed and professional. I knew that AT had Cooper's best interests in mind, and they went above and beyond to make the trip an excellent experience for him and his teammates. We really wanted Cooper to have the opportunity to stand on his own before heading off to boarding school this school year. Having the chance to do this outside of his regular routine and friend group gave him the chance to see how much he grown and matured and is ready for the next school year challenge." – Cathy Berkley, Statesville, NC

"Excellent overall, end-to-end experience for Avery. She came home after two weeks traveling with no phone and immediately wanted to go back. To me this speaks volumes. Arissa [the trip leader] did a great job!" – Matt Coleman, Richfield, OH

"Nick said the kids were awesome, the instructors were awesome, and he was always on the go. I wanted Nick to get more confidence in hiking and gear, become acquainted with a demanding outdoor schedule, practice independence from parents and modern-day pleasantries, get a sense of himself beyond his peer group, and see another part of the world. All achieved!" – Katy Sledge, Austin, TX

"To see the newfound confidence and smile on my son's face tells me this trip is one he will remember for years to come. Kareem made new friends, found that he did more than he believed or imagined he could, and had a chance to be himself and completely independent. He achieved everything and more!" – Shabbir Suterwala, Stevenson Ranch, CA

Student testimonials

"I'll remember the challenging summit and the rewarding feeling afterward. It was the hardest I did, and I was so proud of my positive mindset throughout. I am able to thrive in a more challenging environment without my mind holding me back anymore. AT has been a great experience the last two summers. I love this company and all of the traditions and systems we have! I can't wait for next summer!" – Maddy from FL

"I loved how our instructors genuinely and personally tried to connect with us." – Dyllinger from IN

"I discovered that I can do hard things. What made me most proud was standing at the top of the summit, knowing I pushed through." – Hattie from TN

"Before the trip, I was nervous about making friends. By the end, I was really sad to leave everyone. The whole trip was amazing! All of the instructors and students were great." – Cooper from NC

Read more parent and student testimonials here.

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