Okanagan Valley

Travel Guide: Okanagan Valley

Located at the easternmost province of Canada, British Colombia is a scenic wonderland. Surrounded by numerous valleys, this vast natural habitat attracts tourists all year round. The Okanagan Valley is one such picturesque valley that makes up British Colombia. The valley is home to some of the best landscapes found in the province. The main occupants of the valley are the Salish people, primitive natives of Canada. The valley constitutes some breathtaking orchards, vineyards, mountains, valleys, lakes, highlands, ski slopes, and trails, all combining in making this place a Tourist Havana.

Visitors: Okanagan attracts close to a million visitors all year round. British Colombia being close to US border, most tourists are from the States. The world class Skiing resorts here are the practice grounds for some of the elite American athletes. Other than Americans, Europeans too, take a plunge in the vast wilderness of the Okanagan valley. The valley offers rich mountains with amazing wildlife. Trekking and mountaineering, being the preferred choice of the Europeans, it provides ideal opportunities to practice their trades.

Mountain biking: The valley offers some the best mountain Biking trails seen anywhere on the planet. The winding roads greet you with beautiful mountains and picturesque waterfalls that surround the valley. The trail starts from Vernon in the north and ends at Keremeos near the US border.

Wildlife: If you are a nature lover then this place will greet you with open arms. The valley is home to some of the best wildlife sanctuaries in the whole of Northern hemisphere. The Vaseux Lake Provincial Park, situated 15 miles south of Penticton is home to the Vaseux Wildlife Centre. Here you will find different varieties of migrating birds. Close to the Vaseux Wildlife sanctuary is the Waterfowl sanctuary. Home to trumpeter swans, widgeons, Canada geese, wood ducks, and blue-winged teal, this habitat mainly constitutes of the local animals of British Colombia. In the winter, the frozen lake offer excellent conditions for Ice fishing. Kelowna, another wildlife park provides the opportunity to watch Kokanee salmon spawning from mid-September to mid-October. If you are planning to take the Springfield road then you might just pay a visit to the BC Wildlife migratory bird-viewing site at Bertram Creek Regional Park.

Golfing: Some of the best Golf courses within Canada are here in Okanagan valley. Kelowna is home to 15 of 37 golf courses found from Osoyoos to Vernon. The courses are surrounded by the vivid mountains that look you into the eye. Opening in the middle of March, Golf is played until the end of November. The Kelowna Springs Golf Course is the most famous of them all; it is enclosed by seven natural spring-fed lakes surrounded by close to thousand apple trees.

Diving: Paul's Tomb in the Knox Mountain Nature Park in Kelowna provides the perfect setting for divers. Divers can see to depths of up to 8metres. Scuba diving enthusiast will feel home at Otter Bay in Ellison Provincial Park in Vernon. It is also a Snorkeling park. Various objects have been sunk into the lake in order to attract fishes and other creatures.

The Okanagan valley provides the ideal backdrop to nature lovers and tourist alike. Take a dip into the vast wilderness of the Okanagan valley and discover the true beauty of Canada.