Echo Valley Ranch Resort

Comments 1 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Usually if I’m in a location for more than a day I’ll separate my travel coverage into several posts (such as food, activities, history). However, since I took so many shots at Echo Valley, I thought bit of a photo essay format would be best this trip recap.

Sitting on almost 200 acres of forest and meadow lands in the Chilcotin Cariboo region of BC owners Norm and Nan built Echo Valley Ranch Resort – their home – for all to enjoy.

Echo Valley Ranch Resort

Horses

Living on the property along with about a dozen full-time seasonal staff, they have managed to bring together rustic Western comforts, luxurious Thai spa and wellness, outdoor adventure along with friendly and caring people. All of these elements fuse together into the simple harmony that is Echo Valley.

Echo Valley Ranch Resort

Baan Thai Building Baan Thai Building

Baan Thai Building

Baan Thai Building Baan Thai Building

Baan Thai Building Baan Thai Building

Baan Thai Building
Baan Thai Building

Aside from three square meals a day, there was no set schedule to follow – but there was no shortage of activity options. You can set your own activity level, trying out or honing your expert skills with fly fishing, horseback riding, gold panning, going on a 4×4 safari, or bird watching.

Horses at Echo Valley

Horses Horses

Horses at Echo Valley Horses at Echo Valley

Echo Valley Ranch Resort

Trail guide showing us lichen, old man's beard, witch's hair Hike

Norm and Nan, on our hike

I should have been more inclined to sit on my balcony at the Dove Lodge and do some writing, looking out over the rolling hills that were spotted with black bears nibbling on berries in the distance.

Bears on the hill

The truth of the matter is that between horseback riding, hiking, and the Thai spa, the rest of our group’s time was spent reading in the lodge, feeding apples to the horses, petting the kittens in the barn, or playing fetch with one of the ranch’s eight border collies.

Some of the residents of Echo Valley Ranch

Aside from all of these components – the activities, the unique landscape, the food, and the people – Echo Valley is fully committed to sustainable practices. The buildings are powered by geothermal sources or zero-emission propane, and they offer carbon offsets for their guests’ travel.

Dove Lodge

Dove Lodge Dining Room

Echo Valley Ranch Resort
Dove Lodge & View

One of the cabins
Inside one of the cabins

Echo Valley Ranch Resort
Lookout Lodge

The kitchen is zero-waste, and they prepare ranch-raised beef, pork, turkey and chicken for organic meats and dairy products.

Breakfast

Dinner Dinner

The family-style breakfast, lunches and dinners were complete with fresh fruit, vegetables, grains, and cheeses. We also enjoyed one of the best traditional Thai meals I’ve had to date.

Thai lunch

Thai lunch Thai lunch

There are several options when booking a trip to Echo Valley, whether you’re attending for a family reunion (kids are welcome), wedding, a girls or boys weekend, or a romantic getaway with your partner. There’s also a pool, sauna, and hot tub on premises along with a big cookout BBQ and campfire pit.

Horses

You can drive up to the ranch or do the “Rail to Ranch” trip like we did through Rocky Mountaineer. The ranch also has its own runway for charter flights and Norm’s plane.

Runway, Norm's Plane

Rates for various stays and packages are available on their website and are comparable to other luxury all-inclusive vacation packages (including all meals, deluxe accommodation, and all activities in a spectacular setting).

Sunset

You can view the rest of my photos from the trip in my set on Flickr. Follow @EVRanch on Twitter, Facebook, or Flickr for news, updates, and photos.

Disclosure: cmp.ly/2 No publication, individual, or business has paid me to write this post.

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1 Comment  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. Henry LeeSaturday, May 21st, 2011 — 4:11pm PDT

    Rebecca : great review, beautiful location, and lovely photographs.

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