Take the guesswork out of touring and leave the organizing up to the experts. We have some inventive ways to tour the Similkameen Valley with professionals who are happy to do the planning, driving and flying – leaving you to enjoy the ride! Guided tours include private vehicle, helicopter or ATV. Refer to the list of offerings at the bottom of this page.
Types of Tours in the Similkameen Valley
- Discover our storied past in museums, gardens, heritage sites and trails, and a ghost town
- Taste the Similkameen Terroir through world-class wines, craft spirits, ciders and fruit sodas, visit tasting rooms, on your own, with a tour, at a restaurant, or at your orchard, vineyard, or distillery stay
- Indulge in a private, guided tour of Similkameen wineries, swirling and sipping the whole day
- Rent a bike and have your guide plan your route with Similkameen Sip & Cycle
- Soar above the peaks and then touch down in a vineyard or by the river, for an exclusive tasting, helicoptering in from nearby destinations
- Spend the day on a tour of the Old Grist Mill and Gardens and stay for lunch
- Discover bird watching via self-directed tours, or book a guided photography tour
- Spot birds and animals in the wild and learn about our diverse eco-systems at the Swan Lake Nature Reserve
- Walk the Bronze Sculpture tour through Princeton town centre, known as Bronze Statue Capital of Canada. Enhance your experience by downloading your virtual guide from the “On this Spot” app.
- Take a virtual tour at the Princeton Visitor Centre with the Virtual Reality Room experience with a 360-degree view of kayaking the Similkameen River with a spectacular river view of the Red Ochre.
- Explore the outdoors with an ATV guide with Princeton ATV Tours
Wine, Cider, & Distillery Tours – Land Or Air
Self-directed tours are always an option, but you could let a guide show you the way. Book a wine, cider, or distillery tour and enjoy the scenery as you explore the region. Tour on a pedal or e-bike available for rent in the area. Treat yourself to a wine tour with lunch or charter a helicopter flight and see the valley from above. Several of our wineries have helipads for that bird’s eye view!
Curious about the buzz surrounding Similkameen wines? We have several wine tour operators who are happy to escort you, share their insider stories, introduce you to our winemakers and their favourite libations.
For a full list of tours, review the list at the bottom of this page or visit the business directory Guided Tours.
Flights of Wine
Don’t have time to make the drive over the pass? Both Grape Escapes and Valhalla Helicopter tours would be more than happy to give you a lift! Enjoy the thrill of a lifetime soaring through the Cathedral range spying sapphire blue lakes and wildflower meadows, then touch down at Seven Stones Winery for a private tasting and lunch. Then you’re off again to Forbidden Fruit Winery, where you’ll touch down on the banks of the river. Several other area wineries are also available to visit on a helicopter tour. Tours originate in the Osoyoos, Kelowna and Vernon regions.
Visit the Hedley Heritage Museum & Tea Room
Visit the Hedley Museum for a glimpse into the valley’s gold mining past, with archival photography and exhibits that bring to life the stories of miners and the historic Mascot Mine perched high above the town. While guided tours of the Mascot Mine were once offered, they are not currently available, though visitors can still explore the museum’s collections and learn about Hedley’s rich mining history. The on-site tea room adds a relaxed stop for refreshments in a heritage setting before or after your visit.
