Te Tompson Okanagan truly has everything needed in a British Columbian paradise. In the Okanagan Valley, the southern half of the region, hot, sunny valleys, warm lakes with sandy beaches and lush, fruit laden orchards make it a vacation hot spot. In the Tompson Valley, the northern half of the region, the untamed wilderness of the soaring Rocky Mountains and imposing waterfalls of Wells Gray Provincial Park give way to forests, lakes and rangeland in a region equally suited for summer and winter outdoor adventurers. Wine enthusiasts come to sample Okanagan and Similkameen award-winning wines, paired with locally-grown foods and prepared by renowned chefs. Others venture here to boat, fish, swim, golf championship courses, hike historic trails or enjoy being pampered and rejuvenated at a spa or wellness centre. When warm weather activities are not in season, the region’s mountains become some of the province’s best snow-sport resorts. Festivals and events, historic sites, plus numerous craſt boutiques and galleries provide a glimpse into the region’s culture. With so much to offer, you can be sure of a vacation that is either adventurous or relaxed - but never boring!


Valley Vineyard Route The Valley Vineyard Route is 185 km (115 mi) on Highway 97 and can take between two and seven days, depending on the number of vineyards and other attractions you visit. The entire Okanagan Valley is home to more than 150 wineries, from the small, farm gate wineries to those internationally renowned. Just follow the wine route signs and you’re bound to find exactly what you’re looking for. Each winery offers a unique product, often accompanied by a tour of the vineyard, homegrown food, fine wine, and alluring countryside.


Thompson Valley Explorer Route The Thompson Valley Route is 340 km (268 mi) on Highway 5 and can take between three and seven days depending on your interests. In the north, Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies located near Valemount, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation for the provincial park. Kamloops, located at the junctions of Highway 5, Highway 1 and Highway 97, anchors the South Thompson region offering urban amenities, First Nations culture, top-rated golf courses and just a short drive from a wide variety of activities at Sun Peaks Mountain Resort. Driving south, geocaching and western heritage are key experiences not to be missed in Merritt and the Gold Country region. Small towns, hundreds of kilometers of often secluded shoreline along Shuswap Lake, round out the northern half of the region with networks of highland trails making this route ideal for family vacations and winter sports.


Explore the Kettle Valley Railway and the Valleys of the South Okanagan Route The Kettle Valley Railway hangs on to the side of mountains and straddles deep valleys providing the traveller with amazing scenery and spectacular views. Considered an engineering marvel, this historic railway, built in the early 1900s, has long been out of service, but it still draws visitors eager to explore the southern part of the Okanagan. Over the years parts of the railway bed have been converted to trails that are highly popular with both cyclists and hikers. Visitors can access these trails from the towns of Tulameen, Coalmont, Princeton, Summerland, Penticton, Naramata, Beaverdell, Rock Creek, Midway, Greenwood and Grand Forks. This tour can be driven in one day but we suggest you take two to three days to enjoy the amazing countryside that winds 360 km (216 mi) through cool mountain forests, over rivers, along stunning valleys and into Canada’s only true desert.


More Information: www.travel-british-columbia.com/travel-resources/tours-drives/


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Super Camping - Thompson Okanagan


Lake Osoyoos


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