Chilcotin Holidays

A true experience in the wilderness, original nature, reliable horses and nice people. Just wonderful! I'll be back - definitely.
8 years ago (21-04-2017)

I volunteered at Chilcotin Holidays in July 2015 and previously signed up for a wilderness guide training for August 2015. I very much looked forward to it, convinced by their website and papers received, and prepared myself for this adventure. However, things changed soon after I arrived at the ranch. Following a difference of opinions with the owner (in which I and other girls were accused of doing things we have not and for having a poor working attitude even though we worked more than 8 hours a day against board and lodge - simply because we left the ranch during our free time which we were apparently not to), I decided to cancel my pre-booked volunteer work and guide training. The reason for doing so was that I did not want to work under such uncomfortable conditions (I love to volunteer, but I am not a slave). We talked about it and I then finally informed them by email and asked for a fair partial repayment of the amount already paid (for the wilderness guide training) on 05.08.2015, 09.08.2015, 16.08.2015, 21.08.2015 and 06.09.2015 (GMT+2) taking the specific situation into account. Until today, however, I have not received any reply to my emails. And this is what annoys me most! Having volunteered at the ranch, I do know that they check emails daily and that the email address I used is correct. Dear Chilcotin Holidays: Is this your common business practice? You yell at your people, accuse them of things which happened to you in the past, you forbid them to leave the ranch (to be always on call?!) and if people like me finally leave your ranch because they cannot bear such circumstances, you simply do not care and keep their money? If so, I believe future volunteers, students and customers should know. (I do understand the contract I signed; however, I do not think that such behavior is what one can expect when signing the contract. And a short "I am sorry" after the outburst of fury does not restore the atmosphere.) We have never been personally insulted and humiliated like this - and now not even being worth a reply is on top of everything. In summary, I do not recommend this place for volunteer work or study internships. The internet presence of Chilcotin Holidays is highly professional, but it reflects not the reality. Also, accommodation (tents), washrooms and other facilities for interns are old, dirty and even moldy - be prepared! Furthermore, I can only advise future customers NOT to make any advance payments whatsoever. If something comes in-between (you get sick, your mother dies etc.) and you cannot make it, you will never see your money again and chances are you do not even get a reply as described in my case. All in all, a very disappointing experience.
10 years ago (13-12-2015)

I came there as a ESL student and stayed afterward for internship and wilderness guide training. It was very intense and very rewarding time, I've learned many things I wouldn't learn in any other place about life in the mountains with horses and wildlife around as also about myself, my limits and potential.
10 years ago (28-01-2016)

Best vacation ever!
8 years ago (03-07-2017)