Oregon's Coast, Lakes & Lodges

Day 1 – Welcome to Oregon!

Optional transfers from our departure points will have us at LAX this morning for a flight arriving in Portland, Oregon this afternoon. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule to coordinate a flight arrival time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the hotel. Upon arrival, we’ll board a deluxe motorcoach and continue to the upscale Skamania Lodge and begin a two-night stay amongst the tranquility of this peaceful retreat.

Day 2 – Columbia River Gorge

This morning we’ll join a local guide for a comprehensive tour of the Columbia River Gorge, traveling along the Historic Columbia River Highway at the base of sheer cliffs that reach 2,000 feet high! The first of four “7 Wonders of Oregon” that we’ll visit on this journey, the Columbia River Gorge is an awe-inspiring canyon that was carved by the Columbia River – the fourth largest river in the U.S. We’ll take in the stunning views of the gorge and the historic Vista House from the Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint. We’ll visit the magnificent Multnomah Falls – the second highest year-round waterfall in the U.S. – it cascades 611 feet down the sheer face of Larch Mountain. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure for browsing and lunch on your own at Hood River. Hood River’s Downtown Historic District features historic buildings, boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, and more than 30 restaurants. Later we’ll stop at the visitor center at Bonneville Dam to learn about this national historic landmark built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1938 to improve navigation on the Columbia River and provide hydropower to the Pacific Northwest. Exhibits detail construction of the dam, fundamentals of electricity and the life cycles of salmon. Peak inside the innerworkings of the dam and peer down into a fish ladder to see how salmon make their way upriver past the dam. We return to the lodge with the balance of the evening at leisure. (Breakfast)

Day 3 – Mt. Hood's Timberline Lodge, Bend

This morning we’ll travel south to Mt. Hood, the highest point in Oregon and another one of the “7 Wonders of Oregon.” A spectacular 6-mile scenic drive along Mt. Hood’s south slope brings us to the Timberline Lodge, situated at 6,000’ elevation. This national historic landmark is a stone and wood edifice that was built in the 1930s almost entirely by hand. Enjoy time at your leisure for lunch on your own and exploration of the lodge. We continue south this afternoon to Bend, Oregon’s largest city east of the Cascades. We’ll stay overnight at a hotel located in the heart of Bend’s Old Mill District on the Deschutes River. Enjoy the balance of the evening at leisure to explore this vibrant riverfront complex that offers galleries, restaurants and Bend’s renowned craft beers. (Breakfast)

Day 4 – Crater Lake National Park

This morning we’ll travel south to Crater Lake National Park, another of the“7 Wonders of Oregon.” We’ll learn about Crater Lake’s violent volcanic past and stop at several scenic overlooks during a breathtaking trip on Crater Lake’s majestic Rim Drive. The deepest lake in the United States, Crater Lake has a deep pure blue color that no words can properly describe. It is surrounded by cliffs almost two thousand feet high and features two picturesque islands. We’ll stop at the visitor center and enjoy an included picnic lunch during our exploration in the Park. Late this afternoon we’ll arrive at the iconic Crater Lake Lodge for an overnight stay in a lakeview room. This classic, 71-room national park lodge that opened in 1915 is located on the edge of the caldera overlooking Crater Lake. Enjoy an included dinner in the Crater Lake Lodge Dining Room, featuring spectacular views and Northwest cuisine made with choice Oregon-grown ingredients. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5 – Crater Lake to Willamette Valley

Staying at Crater Lake Lodge provides the unique opportunity to wake early and enjoy morning coffee as you watch the sun rise over Crater Lake. This morning we’ll make the scenic drive from Crater Lake to Oregon’s picturesque Willamette Valley, making several sightseeing stops and enjoying an included picnic lunch enroute. Late this afternoon we’ll arrive in Eugene to begin a two-night stay at a resort-style hotel situated along the quiet banks of the Willamette River. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6 – Willamette Valley, Oregon Coast

This morning we’ll travel west over the Coast Range to Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area on the Oregon Coast, the fourth of the “7 Wonders of Oregon” we’ll visit. This natural wonder of endless shifting sand and unique tree islands is the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America. We’ll board a four-wheel drive giant dune buggy driven by an experienced driver-guide for an exhilarating ride up and down these expansive tracts of sand that are almost 300 feet high! We’ll enjoy time at leisure for lunch on own and exploration in Historic Old Town Florence, a charming and walkable area with quaint and authentic shops, galleries, and restaurants along the scenic Siuslaw River. This afternoon we’ll return to the Willamette Valley, often compared with the wine-producing region of Burgundy, France because of its similar latitudinal, soil and climatic conditions. We’ll top off a memorable day with wine tasting at an award-winning winery. (Breakfast)

Day 7 – Portland, Journey Home

This morning we’ll travel north to Portland and step aboard the Portland Spirit for a 2-hour lunch cruise on the Willamette River. A delicious three-course lunch featuring Northwest cuisine, live piano music and beautiful river views will provide the perfect ingredients for an afternoon to remember. We’ll continue to the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park and enjoy time at leisure to stroll amongst more than 10,000 individual rose bushes and take in the spectacular views of downtown Portland and Mount Hood. The oldest official continuously operated public rose test garden in the U.S, it was conceived in 1915 as a safe haven for hybrid roses that were grown in Europe during World War I. This afternoon we’ll arrive at Portland International Airport for our return flight to Los Angeles. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule to coordinate a flight departure time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the airport. Back in Los Angeles, those guests with pre-arranged transfers will be returned to their respective drop-off points. (Breakfast, Lunch)

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary.