1 Day Thompson Sightseeing

Wildlife, a former stagecoach stop, and a ginseng farm all wait on this whirlwind one-day tour.

This full day tour provides an awesome overview of the diverse landscapes, history, and culture of the Thompson Okanagan region. Pioneer displays, indigenous wildlife, First Nations culture, a winery and even a ginseng farm - there's so much to discover, and you'll definitely be back for more.

Fraser Valley – Cache Creek – Kamloops (6 hours)
Vancouver – Cache Creek (4.0 hour drive)

• Depart Vancouver on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) for the sunny, scenic Thompson Okanagan. Past Hope, the highway winds through myriad tunnels and bridges high above the mighty Fraser River canyon. This is "Gold Rush Country" – back in the 1860s, miners and greenhorns alike made their way up the Fraser River valley to the Cariboo gold fields. Your first stop is Historic Hat Creek Ranch, located approximately five minutes north of Cache Creek. Interpreters in period clothing will take you on a guided tour of the 1860s roadhouse which catered to miners, pack-train operators, stagecoaches and wagon trains right up until 1916 when the automobile was first introduced to the Cariboo. Stroll through the beautiful heritage apple orchard, view the collection of antique agricultural equipment, and explore the recently restored ranch barns and outbuildings. A brief walk along beautiful Hat Creek will take you to the Shuswap Nation Native Village which commemorates local First Nations history, both past and present. This display includes an authentic kekuli, or pit house, a traditional winter built half above and half below ground. Afterwards, visit the gift shop or enjoy a home cooked meal in their restaurant.

Cache Creek – Kamloops (50 minutes)

• Heading farther east from Cache Creek, you'll come across hillsides where plants are flourishing underneath dark canopies of black plastic. These are ginseng farms, and the Thompson-Okanagan's hot, sunny days create the ideal growing conditions for this unique herb. The Sunmore Ginseng Factory is the largest in the area, and the company produces a vast array of ginseng-related medicinal products for both the Asian and North American market.
• In Kamloops, the Sunmore Ginseng Spa is the first spa in North America to introduce ginseng into its treatments. The $5 million operation reflects the healing philosophy and methods found in traditional Chinese medicine. Ginseng is effective for keeping stress out of one’s body, promoting cell regeneration by increasing oxygenation to the cells, revitalizing circulation, balancing and toning the skin, and detoxifying the whole body.  A tea room is the perfect place to stop and relax while traveling through this scenic region.
• In Kamloops, take a 'culture break' and stop by the Kamloops Art Gallery, (www.kag.bc.ca) the principal gallery for the visual arts in BC's southern interior. KAG organizes or hosts up to 25 exhibitions each year that investigate various aspects of contemporary social and cultural issues. The exhibitions include a variety of traditional and new media, such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, drawing, video, performance art, computer-based production, and internet projects. The Permanent Collection is developed to include contemporary Canadian art in all media and a small number of historic Canadian works to contextualize the contemporary focus and reflect the local area. The Kamloops Art Gallery is strongly committed to local and regional artists. 
• Located 15 kilometres east of Kamloops, you simply cannot get any closer to BC's renowned wildlife than BC Wildlife Park. See native species including grizzly bears, timber wolves, cougars, moose, mountain goats, birds of prey at this spacious 50 hectare park. Daily activities include wildlife encounters, interpretive talks, animal feedings, and even a wolf pack demonstration. The award- winning Discovery Centre includes the BC Eco-Discovery Gallery where guests explore the many habitats on which BC wildlife depend - rainforest, grasslands, mountains, the Interior plateau and the North. New for 2007, an outdoor amphitheater will host the BC Wildlife Encounters Festival.
• Overnight in Kamloops. Suggested hotels/lodges include:
  • Best Western Kamloops (www.bestwesternkamloops.com)
  • Hampton Inn (www.hamptoninnkamloops.com)
  • South Thompson Inn & Guest Ranch (www.stigr.com)

For additional accommodation listings, visit http://totabc.com/trellis/accommodations_all

For additional city information, go to:

• Kamloops

• Kamloops Art Gallery - Kamloops

• Kamloops Towne Lodge - Kamloops
• Hampton Inn by Hilton - Kamloops
• South Thompson Inn & Guest Ranch - Kamloops