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Peregrine Travel Centre

Canada’s Okanagan Valley

Canada’s Okanagan Valley

From $ 3,105 AUD

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Description

Welcome to the Okanagan, where wine and wild scenery go hand in hand. On a round-trip from Vancouver, spend five days uncovering the best of the Okanagan Valley with a local leader and group of likeminded travellers. Explore the last section of the endangered Great American Desert with a guide from the Osoyoos Indian Band, dine in a local restaurant celebrating indigenous recipes and hike to McIntyre Bluff for a sight you won’t soon forget. Sip your way around some of Canada’s best wineries while learning about their regenerative and sustainable practices, and drink in some picturesque views while you’re at it.

Trip Name
Canada’s Okanagan Valley
Last Updated
2022-09-21
Days
5
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Explore the arid landscapes of one of Canada’s most endangered places – the last remaining section of the Great American Desert.
  • Join a First Nations guide from the Osoyoos Indian Band for a walk through the desert to learn about their culture, history and the environment.
  • Take a dive into Canada’s most revered wine region during tastings at several scenic wineries, including a regenerative organic farm and vineyard.
  • Experience the beauty of the Okanagan Valley from an unbeatable vantage point as you hike up to the magnificent McIntyre Bluff.
  • Get a real taste of First Nations cuisine when you dine at a restaurant that celebrates indigenous ingredients and recipes with a modern twist.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested in the Group Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Vancouver to Osoyoos
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.
Day 2 - Osoyoos
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.
Day 3 - Osoyoos to Kelowna
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.
Day 4 - Kelowna
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.
Day 5 - Kelowna
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.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
11-06-202315-06-2023AUD $ 3,105-
25-06-202329-06-2023AUD $ 3,230-
09-07-202313-07-2023AUD $ 3,230-
23-07-202327-07-2023AUD $ 3,105-
06-08-202310-08-2023AUD $ 3,105-
20-08-202324-08-2023AUD $ 3,230-
03-09-202307-09-2023AUD $ 3,230-
17-09-202321-09-2023AUD $ 3,105-

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle

Map

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