4-Day Sightseeing Tour - Boundry - Okanagan - Shuswap

Summary
Itinerary
What's Included
Accommodations

4-Day Sightseeing Tour - Boundry - Okanagan - Shuswap

From bottom to top, you'll see a diversity of sights unlike anything else in Canada!

Day 1 – Arrive from the Kootenay Rockies region in Boundary Country via Highway #3

  • You will enter our region at Christina Lake known as one of the best family holiday destinations in Canada.  One of Christina Lake’s natural treasures, which visitors shouldn’t miss, is Cascade Falls, located on the Kettle River, approximately 3 km south of Christina Lake and a short walk from the highway. It is in the spring and early summer that the falls are most impressive. Their power explains the constantly renewed “driftwood forest” located some 30 feet above the falls at low water, and the potholes or “kettles” formed over countless years of the falls pounding the rocks of the river.
  • Only 20 minutes west, you’ll soon feel the sunshine coming from the valley of Grand Forks, where opportunities are limitless.  Located at the confluence of the Kettle and Granby Rivers, Grand Forks is where history is told and adventures unfold. Relive the rich and colourful history by visiting the Boundary Museum, the Flour Mill, or the Pioneer Garden.  Step back in time while taking the “History Comes Alive” Walking, Talking Tour through the historic downtown core.  Be sure to taste the legendary Doukhobor cuisine Grand Forks has come to be well known for. Sample the fresh local products of this agriculture haven. 
  • An hour west you will arrive in Greenwood - Canada’s smallest city.  Once the hub of gold and copper mining, its Victorian era heritage buildings and industrial ruins still form part of local culture.  The mining and Japanese heritage of the area can be seen at exhibits in the Greenwood Museum and Visitor Information Centre.  Greenwood boasts some of the most well preserved heritage buildings in BC. Of special note, City Hall is one of the ‘all wood’ heritage structures that can transport you back to the days when the formal and stately Courthouse was in use as the BC Supreme Court and the jail in the basement housed those who had gone astray. In 1998 the Courthouse was used as a setting for the movie “Snow Falling on Cedars” starring Ethan Hawke and Max von Sidow. 
  • When you arrive in the Okanagan Valley, your first stop is in Osoyoos at the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre (www.nkmipdesert.com). This state-of-the-art venue celebrates thousands of years of Okanagan First Nations habitation on desert lands. The Nk’Mip Desert lands are one of Canada’s three most endangered ecosystems and are home to many endangered plant and animal species. The Centre provides on-site cultural tours, interpretive programs and interactive displays. For the wine enthusiast, make sure to visit Nk’Mip Cellars (www.nkmipcellars.com) next door – it is Canada’s first aboriginal winery. 
  • Overnight in Osoyoos.  Suggested accommodation:

Day 2 – Osoyoos to Kelowna via Highway 97

  • Before departing Osoyoos and the south Okanagan we suggest taking a tour with Great Horned Owl Eco–Tours (www.okanaganecotours.com).  Great Horned Owl offers outdoor enthusiasts of all ages a variety of unique educational excursions and learning opportunities of endangered ecosystems, gold mining or rare bird species. You are led in small groups by friendly and informative guides to better allow you to explore rare ecosystems in and around Canada’s only desert. 
  • Travelling north to Penticton and Kelowna, take time to tour one of the many wineries along the Golden Mile. Participate in a winery tour at Inniskillin Winery (www.inniskillin.com). You may also want to stop for lunch at Burrowing Owl Winery and get a taste of the Okanagan in the fabulous Sonora Restaurant overlooking their 125 acre vineyard.
  • Continue along Hwy 97 north to Kelowna. For the rest of the afternoon, enjoy a piece of Okanagan heritage. Kelowna Land & Orchard Company (KLO) (www.k-l-o.com), a 61-hectare working apple orchard offers a comprehensive look at what the Okanagan has always been famous for. Take in a wagon ride and taste apple juice so fresh it’s like eating an apple from the tree! 
  • Across the valley, you can witness an entirely different produce crop being grown. Welcome to Falcon Ridge Farms, home to more than 400,000 Echinacea plants that produce a variety of products including tea, honey, jams, jellies, throat sprays, herbal mouthwash and beeswax candles. Group tours are available year round.
  • Not far away across the orchard bench lands, your last stop of the day is Summerhill Pyramid Winery (www.summerhill.bc.ca). Here you’ll take in the magnificent view of the valley from the deck of the Okanagan’s busiest winery and stay for a late afternoon dinner. 
  • Overnight in Kelowna.  Suggested Accommodation:

Day 3 – Kelowna to Sicamous via Highways 97

  • Continue to north along Hwy 97 to Vernon. Visit the Allan Brooks Nature Centre. The breathtaking view surrounding this ridge top location is a perfect introduction to the diverse nature of the North Okanagan. Wander through the nature scape gardens or take a stroll on the grasslands trail. This is the perfect place to see yellow-bellied marmots and birds of prey!
  • Just outside of Vernon awaits Historic O’Keefe Ranch (www.okeeferanch.ca). This is an ideal stop for lunch in the Cattlemen’s Restaurant. Take a step back in time and experience ranch life as the pioneers of the North Okanagan once did. Take the time to walk through the O’Keefe Mansion and St. Anne’s Church and have a look in the General Store and Blacksmith Shop. 
  • Travel north on Highway 97 to Sicamous, the “Houseboat Capital of Canada” and overnight.  Make sure you take an evening stroll along the waterfront in Sicamous to see the many vacation houseboats. The largest and most experienced operator, Twin Anchors Houseboats (www.twinanchors.com) can provide unforgettable holidays aboard luxury houseboats for families, large and small groups, corporate retreats and any other clients who wish to spend their holiday surrounded by thousands of miles of waterfront, sunshine and scenery.
  • Overnight in Sicamous.  Suggested accommodation:

Day 4 – Sicamous to Banff via Highway 1 Trans Canada Highway

  • Your trip eastward to Banff on Highway #1will take you along the Trans Canada Highway to Craigellachie - the sight of the last spike driven to complete the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885. It was an ordinary sliver of iron, one of countless millions hammered in over 4 years of construction, yet the single spike instantly became an historic symbol in the building of a nation. A visit to “the last spike” on the Trans Canada Highway offers road side displays and memorabilia of a nation that was unified by the trans-continental railway.
  • As a suggested stop as you leave our region, we recommend a visit to Crazy Creek Waterfalls. Nothing could be further from the truth as Crazy Creek is more like a raging river as it emerges with beautiful colours from 100 kilometres of mountain wilderness to a waterfall setting not far from the highway. Here you can experience the sensation of an 80 metre suspension bridge dangling above the rapids filled gorge below.

For additional accommodation listings, visit www.totabc.com/travel_trade

For Bed & Breakfast accommodation listings, go to:  www.bcsbestbnbs.com

For additional city information, go to:
Boundary Country: www.grandforkschamber.com/visitorinfo.htm   
Osoyoos: www.destinationosoyoos.com
Kelowna: www.tourismkelowna.com  
Vernon: www.tourismvernon.com  
Sicamous/Shuswap: www.shuswap.bc.ca