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Dude Ranch Vacation
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At a Glance
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| HIGHLIGHTS | |
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| Famous For: | A world-class wilderness hideaway for people who seek the finer things in life. Freedom to ride 80,000 acres with or without a guide, superb fishing, many more nature-based activities, spectacular scenery & outstanding service. Children welcome in summer. |
| Capacity: | 16 |
| Open: | June through September |
| Altitude: | 3,500 feet above sea level |
| Location: | 5.5 hour drive north-east of Vancouver, 20 miles east of 70 Mile House in the heart of the Cariboo region - British Columbia's cowboy country. |
| Reservations: | (250) 395-6541 The ranch uses a cellular telephone system and we occasionally experience poor reception - if you haven't heard back within 24 hours, please call again. |
| Rates: |
Adults: Full riding packages start at $455 USD per night per person double occupancy including luxury accommodation in our very private and exclusive lodge or separate log cabin, fine dining, 6 hours of guided activities per day including unlimited riding with a guide or on your own all day every day, eco-adventures, fishing, biking, hiking, wilderness survival, guided nature walks and much more!
Children: We love kids. Children are very welcome throughout July and August, and on long weekend holidays. At other times, they are welcome as well when the ranch is booked exclusively by a private family group. Family rates start at $1,790.00 USD per night, maximum 2 adults and 3 children. Our excellent, daily Children's Program is available throughout July and August and is complimentary upon request. |
| Minimum Stay: | Arrive/depart any day |
| Deposit: | 40 percent to confirm reservation - refundable less 10% admin fee, provided we can re-book the space, becoming non-refundable regardless of circumstances 90 days prior to the trip, but will be credited to a new booking within a year of the original one. |
| Payment: | Cash, Visa, or Mastercard |
| Closest Airports: | Kamloops or Williams Lake Regional airports for commercial flights - 2.5 hour drive to ranch; Vancouver International Airport - 5 hour drive from ranch. |
| Transportation: | Float plane and luxury, private, chauffeur service available from anywhere in B.C. If you're driving to the ranch, we suggest a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Please ask us - we're happy to help. |
| Travel Agents: | YES |
| Guest Reviews: | Read reviews from travelers who have visited this ranch. |
| FEATURED AMENITIES | |||
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 Adults OrientedAdult Weeks Airstrip on PropertyAll InclusiveBed-and-BreakfastAlways Big/Heavy Riders200-250 lbs. 250-300 lbs. BirdingBuffaloCamps for KidsDude Ranch with Kids Camp Cattle Drives1 or Part Day Cattle RanchesDude Ranches with Cattle Children's ProgramsBaby Sitting Children's Dining (kids eat together) Extensive Counselor Program - All Day or Camplike Program Moderate - Half Day Nannies Encouraged Young Buckaroo's (6-12) Children's Trail Riding7 yrs old and over Cigar FriendlyComputer/Email ServicesConference ServicesA/V Computer/Email Services Secretarial Services Separate Conference Center Corporate Groups, MeetingsSmall (under 50) Cross-Country SkiingCuisineGourmet International Ranch/Western Spa Cuisine/Health Oriented Vegetarian |
Culinary Trained ChefsDog SleddingDude/Guest RanchesEmail AccessFishing Fly Fishing Equipment Available Exclusive Fly Fishing Ranch Fish on Your Own Float Planes Helicopter Excursions Kids Fly Fishing Program Lake Fishing on Property Professional Guides & Instruction Type of Fish Trout Spin Fishing Equipment Available Instruction Available Lake Fishing on Property GolfNear (within 30 miles) HandicappedWheelchair Friendly Helicopter ServiceHikingGuided On Your Own Historic - National Historic SiteHoneymoon PackagesHorseback RidingHorsemanshipHorsesAppaloosa Arabian Draft Paint Ponies (for kids) Quarter Tennessee Walking Thoroughbred Hunting RanchesWingshooting/Birds Grouse International RidingLanguages SpokenEnglish French Laundry Service |
Liquor Available Luxury RanchesMassageMountain BikingNaturalist GuidesOrganic FoodsPrivate Home RentalRaftingNearby (within 30 miles) Remote LocationAccessible by Helicopter Accessible by Small Plane Generates Own Power/Electricity Ride on Your OwnSometimes Available Usually Available Room ServiceSeminarsHorsemanship Seminars - Fall Horsemanship Seminars - Spring Short Stays (1-4 days)Always Smoking PermittedSnomobilingOn Site Sporting ClaysTeam BuildingTelephone in Room |
Train ServiceWomen Weeks WorkshopsArt Nature Photography |
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| LODGING |
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| The ranch is currently rated as a 4.5 Star property through the prestigious Canada Select accommodation awards program and is a very eco-friendly destination, located off-grid and powered by the sun's energy. With our 14 guest capacity, we offer you a very exclusive western adventure - perfect for a sophisticated adult getaway, or upscale family vacation. The 7,000 square foot lodge is set at the edge of a meadow on a knoll overlooking Siwash Lake. It features laid back western-style luxury - old-fashioned country charm and the rustic flavor of frontier living, finished with elegant touches reminiscent of the Victorian era. The cathedral ceiling living room, with its western decor, overstuffed furniture, vintage fabrics, and antiques, makes for a relaxed and comfortable haven at day's end, when there's always a crackling fire burning in the 30-foot high river rock fireplace. Guest rooms are romantically furnished with country antiques, eiderdown duvets, oversized bath towels, and many personal touches for your comfort and enjoyment. Most feature queen or king size beds, and all have en-suite bathrooms. Premium category rooms have deep soaking tubs, French doors opening onto private balconies, and gorgeous lake views. |
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| RECREATION |
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| Year-round. We have one of the most unique horseback riding programs in North America. After some introductory riding with the owners, you have the freedom to ride on your own or with a guide. You may ride all day from 10:00am-4:30pm if you wish. There is very little scheduling here and no rigidly structured "nose-to-tail" trail riding - we strive to provide a personalized riding experience that's catered to your needs and abilities, with a focus on natural western horsemanship. Whether you're a first-time beginner or a very advanced rider, you'll be delighted with the selection of horses in our wonderful herd. Roam our 80,000 acres of pristine rangeland as you wish. We encourage guests to become comfortable at all gaits - walking, trotting and loping(cantering). Guests are assigned a horse each for the duration of their stay and are welcome to saddle and groom their horses. For non-riders, world-class fishing is featured at numerous wilderness lakes and a river, all within close vicinity of the ranch. We offer the services of our professional angling guide and provide all gear. Summer activities: Horseback riding, fishing, river and lake swimming, hiking trails, mountain bikes, wilderness survival, bird watching, wildlife viewing, canoeing, guided interpretive nature walks, sightseeing safaris, sustainability workshops, and outdoor games. Winter activities: Horseback riding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, skating on Siwash Lake, and tobogganing. |
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| FOR CHILDREN |
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| Your hosts have two children, ages 12 and 14. We love kids, and have an excellent childcare program that is complimentary. With ranch critters and a wild flower meadow... welcome to nature's play ground. As an alternative to riding the trails, our children's counselor will look after your young ones, and we know your child will enjoy a Huckleberry Finn/ Becky Thatcher experience. Our program revolves quite simply around life on a ranch, featuring a balance of free play, educational, and artistic content. Typical activities include horse care, animal tracking, orienteering, scavenger hunts, nature walks, fort building, arts and crafts, or outdoor games, depending on the weather, group dynamics, and ages of the children involved. Children ages 7 and older who demonstrate an ability to safely control their own horse are welcome to ride the trails with their parents. If under 12 years of age, participation in an unescorted group will be at the discretion of the wrangler, based on the child's riding ability and maturity. Those needing more practice can be led around the barn area and home meadow, when the opportunity arises. Otherwise, parents may enjoy riding time while their kids are happily playing back at the ranch, under the close supervision of our children's counselor. Childcare is provided between 9:30am and 4:30pm. Due to our wilderness environment, children should remain under the supervision of their parents at all other times. |
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| FOOD/LIQUOR |
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| At mealtimes, you'll be delighted with fine cuisine and great fellowship in our cozy 20-seat dining room. Hand hewn log walls, a rich fir plank floor, and casually elegant country furniture make guests feel as though they've just stepped into the dining area of a grand "old west" estate.Tables vary from large group and family size, to intimate window settings for two. The ranch offers savory, gourmet cuisine, prepared from the freshest of seasonal ingredients and served with casual Siwash-style flare. Whenever possible, we incorporate wholesome, organic food produced on the ranch - mouthwatering beef and pork, free-range eggs, and baby greens for your salads, picked right from our garden. Wild salmon, trout and venison are a Siwash specialty. We embellish your meals with edible flowers, fresh herbs and berries harvested from the woods. Our chef is pleased to accommodate special diets when notified in advance. Your day begins with first class service. In the early morning, a wake-up tray will be placed by your door, brimming with home baked muffins and your choice of freshly brewed tea or coffee. Breakfasts in the dining room are hearty, and lunches, served outside whenever possible, feature nourishing homemade soups, salads, and breads. Later in the day, enjoy chef's daily hors d'oeuvre, presented on the sun deck or fireside. Dinners are sumptuous, culinary delights infused with international flavors. Most often, an appetizer, main course, and dessert are served in the main dining room, but this can sometimes differ according to the menu. Variations may include an outdoor barbeque or fireside fondue. Romantic in-suite and alfresco meadow dining is also available. The ranch is fully licensed and we feature premium wines and beer from world-class BC wineries |
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| BUSINESS/MEETINGS |
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| The ranch is perfect for a very private and beautiful, family reunion or corporate retreat. Packages can be customized to meet specific requirements, and the ranch house can accommodate 2 or 3 families, or 6 executives along with their spouses, or 10 traveling as singles. |
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| MEMBERSHIPS |
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| Rated 4.5 Stars with Canada Select; Five Green Key Eco-Rating (the highest) with the Hotel Association of Canada's Green Hotels Program; Tourism British Columbia Approved Accommodation; BC Guest Ranchers' Association; B.C. Wilderness Tourism Association; Cariboo Tourism Association |
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| REGION/CUSTOMS |
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| Located along the historic gold rush trail, Siwash Lake Ranch is tucked away in a semi-remote region of the Cariboo, B.C. The word Siwash is pronounced "Sigh wash", and comes from the Chinook Jargon -- a bridge language that evolved between Native, French and English pioneers at the turn of the 19th century. To go Siwashing is to go into the wilds. The place is a working ranch surrounded by 80,000 acres of pristine wilderness, home to an abundance of wildlife that thrives on its bounty of grassland, forest, lakes, and rivers. The ranch has many ecologically friendly systems in place, including a solar power system, water conservation, and wildlife preservation. |
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| ITINERARY |
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| Arrival Day: Check in anytime between 3pm and 6pm, get settled in your accommodations, have an orientation chat with your hosts, a walk around, go see the horses, play a game like badminton, bocce, go for a swim in our private lake, dinner, then perhaps a game like meadow soccer with the other guests Day Two: Wake up tray to your room at 8am, breakfast at 9am, then down to the barn for the horse program - meet your personal horses, learn ground work, horse care, how to saddle up, riding skills, and then head out for a short intro ride that morning. Lunch at the lodge. Long afternoon ride (from 2-5pm if you wish). Quick swim after riding then hors d'ouevres at 5:30pm on the deck, and dinner at 6:30pm. Campfire at 8pm Day Three: Wake up tray to your room at 8am, breakfast at 9am, then off in the ranch 4x4 with your guide for a full day fishing safari. Picnic lunch. Another option for this day is to do a morning trip to Crater Lake with our son as your guide (he's a modern day Huckleberry Fin, having grown up in the wilderness). It's a 10min. drive from the ranch to the trail head then short scenic hike and play in the waterfalls, do some spin cast fishing - especially fun for kids - back to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon you could go for a bike ride, or horseback ride. Kids can try gymkhana (games on horseback) with our daughter as their coach (she's an accomplished rider - rodeo barrel racer). Swim before hors d'oeuvers and dinner. Canoeing on the lake after dinner. Day Four: Wake up tray to your room at 8am, breakfast at 9am, down to the barn for a full day of riding (lunch at the lodge or on the trail, possible swim in a river or lake on the range if you wish). Day Five:Wake up tray to your room at 8am, breakfast at 9am, at 10am head off with a guide on an Interpretive Nature Walk around Siwash Lake, then lunch at the lodge, and spend the afternoon with a guide learning wilderness survival skills - shelter building, how to find food and water in the wilds, light a campfire and more fun! Swim or bike ride before dinner, family friendly card game or board game with the other guests and ranch hosts afterwards. Departure Day:Wake up tray to your room at 8am, breakfast at 9am, quick bike ride, hike, canoe or swim, tearful goodbye to the horses and other ranch critters. This is just an example. We are open to your suggestions and we are pleased to tailor the trip to your wishes. You can shorten to three or four nights if you're pinched for time, but we highly recommend the five to seven night stay, which is what most of our guests choose. |
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