Canada's Okanagan Valley

Welcome to Canada! Your adventure begins in Vancouver – a welcome meeting will take place here at 8. 30 this morning where you will meet your local guide and the other travellers joining you on your journey. After the meeting, it’s time to get on the road and drive to Hope (approximately 2 hours). Your leader will guide you on a walk through the region’s history as you explore the Othello Tunnels, a series of old railway tunnels and bridges carved out in the early 1900s (don’t worry – the tunnels are no longer used so you won’t meet any trains on your journey!). Learn about the challenges of buildings the tunnels in this granite environment as you complete the 1-hour loop. Stop off in Hope to take a look around the town and perhaps grab some lunch, then continue on to Osoyoos (approximately 3 hours), a desert town in the Okanagan Valley. The town sits on the banks of the Osoyoos Lake, famed for its delightfully warm waters. Settle into your hotel, then regroup for dinner at a fantastic local restaurant that takes inspiration from the First Nations stories of the region. (D)

Today begins with a visit to the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre. Covering over 1600 acres, the centre was founded by the Osoyoos Indian Band and focuses on conserving the last remaining section of the Great American Desert, one of Canada’s most endangered landscapes. The centre also aims to preserve and celebrate the culture of the Okanagan First Nations people. Join a First Nations guide for an enlightening walk through the desert to learn about the uniquely arid landscape and its connection to the Okanagan First Nations people. After your walk, head back to the centre and experience a different side of local culture during a delicious wine tasting. Vineyards were first planted here by Oblate priests in the 1850s, and thanks to its dry, hot summers, the Okanagan Valley is one of the premier wine growing regions in the country. Return to Osoyoos and enjoy an evening at leisure. (B/L)

Get ready to get moving this morning – the day kicks off with a scenic 10km walk to McIntyre Bluff, taking around 2-3 hours. Your walk up to this dramatic cliff will reward you with unbeatable views of the surrounding landscape, including vineyards, orchards and desert. Then you’re in for a well-earned treat as you pay a visit to Covert Farms, a family-run estate specialising in organic and regenerative produce and wine. Head to the farm’s wine lounge to sample some of their organic wines paired with a charcuterie board made with fresh ingredients from the farm. After lunch, hit the road and drive on to Kelowna (approximately 2 hours), watching quintessential Canadian scenery pass by the window. The Okanagan’s biggest city, Kelowna sits on the tranquil shores of Okanagan Lake and will be your base for the next two evenings. (B/L)

Enjoy a morning for your own discoveries of Kelowna, then regroup and head out for another fabulous wine tasting at one of Canada’s top wineries. The family who run the winery employ sustainable, low-impact production methods, and the wonderful location on the slopes above Okanagan Lake means you’ll not only be drinking in some world-class wine, but some awe-inspiring views too. Lunch today is at a local Indigenous cuisine restaurant, serving up a creative menu of aboriginal ingredients with a modern twist (be sure to try the Bannock, it’s their specialty!). Then it’s on to the Okanagan herb and lavender farm where you’ll learn about their sustainable practices and stunning biodiversity, then pay a visit to a final winery where you’ll enjoy a tasting while toasting to the magnificent mountain views. (B/L)

After breakfast this morning it’s time to say goodbye to the Okanagan and make the journey back to Vancouver (approximately 4.5 hours, excluding stops). Take a break to stretch your legs and make the short walk to Bridal Veil Falls, a spectacular tiered cascade. You can expect to arrive back to Vancouver at around 4pm, at which point your adventure will come to an end. (B)