Circle Oregon
From Mount Hood to Crater Lake National Park
Overview
Oregon is a mix of rugged coastlines and thick pine forests with deserts, volcanoes, and glaciers thrown in. Travel along the breathtaking coast dotted with historic lighthouses, sleepy fishing villages, and dramatic scenery. Discover a deep pure lake surrounded by sheer cliffs almost 2,000 feet high and behold a spectacular river canyon with impressive waterfalls that is the largest national scenic area in the United States.
Explore Portland, crisscrossed by rivers, mountains, and vineyards. Visit the International Rose Test Garden, the oldest testing site for new varieties of roses. Tour Timberline Lodge and enjoy lunch atop Mount Hood above the Hood River Valley, one of the largest fruit-growing regions in Oregon. Visit the city of Astoria, with its hillsides of stately Victorian mansions. See the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Travel along the mighty Columbia River Gorge, take a sand dune buggy ride, and walk along beaches on the Pacific Ocean. Spend two nights at the historic lodge in magnificent Crater Lake National Park, complete with a ranger-led tour and plenty of free time to explore the park at leisure.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE
- 2 nights at Crater Lake National Park
- Views of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
- Tour of Timberline Lodge and lunch atop Mt. Hood
- Columbia River Maritime Museum
- Explore the Oregon Coast Aquarium
- Visit Tillamook Creamery
- Dune buggy ride
- Park ranger led tour of Crater Lake National Park
- International Rose Test Garden in Portland
PACKAGE INCLUDES
- Roundtrip commercial air from Indianapolis to Portland, Oregon
- Escorted
- 7 nights accommodations
- Breakfast daily
- 3 lunches, 3 dinners
- Sightseeing and admissions per itinerary
- Ground transportation
- Hotel baggage handling
This itinerary includes activities where moderate walking, possibly on uneven terrain, is required. Some of the most unique sightseeing can be restrictive to motorcoaches, especially in historic areas.
This itinerary covers areas of higher altitudes.
Itinerary
Tue, July 8: Depart Indianapolis for Portland, Oregon. Enjoy a tour of Portland, the “City of Roses,” including the downtown financial section, trendy Nob Hill area, the Willamette River waterfront, the city square, Old Town, and Chinatown. Visit beautiful Washington Park with the International Rose Test Beds, one of only 27 in the world, and home to 10,000 blooms. Optional one hour jet boat tour full of adventure, exciting spins, and history behind the iconic bridges that earned Portland the famous nickname “Bridge City”. Check in to the Embassy Suites Portland Downtown for two nights.
Wed, July 9: Travel to Mount Hood to enjoy lunch at Timberline Lodge, a National Historic Landmark that sits at 5,960 feet. Tour the lodge with a national park ranger and learn the fascinating history of this magnificent structure. Depart Mount Hood for a scenic drive to Bonneville Dam to view the ladders for the fish to bypass the dam, then continue along the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area with breathtaking views. Stop at Multnomah Falls, which drops 620 feet from its origin on Larch Mountain. Fed by rainwater, an underground spring, and snow melt, Multnomah Falls does not dry up in the late summer like many of the famous falls in the Western U.S. Return to Portland for an evening at leisure. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Thu, July 10: Check out of the hotel and proceed to Astoria, the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. Visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum where an extensive collection of seafaring vessels, maritime artifacts, and fine art come to life. After lunch continue traveling along the coast to Cannon Beach and stroll the town to discover its unique shops, art galleries, and courtyards. The famous Haystack Rock, as featured in The Goonies, offers a great opportunity to take photos. Stop at a modern creamery, Tillamook, and learn about their farmer-made dairy products, a dairy lover’s paradise. In Newport, check in for two nights at the Elizabeth Oceanfront Suites, situated high on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The evening is at your leisure. (B,L)
Fri, July 11: Today see 500 species of animals in stunning indoor and outdoor exhibits at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, one of the nation’s top aquariums. Experience the ethereal magic of jellyfish and discover an undersea adventure featuring sharks, rays, and other creatures of the ocean. Take in the ocean views at the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, then enjoy the afternoon discovering Newport your way. Tonight, we will gather on the beach for a bonfire celebration. (B,L)
Sat, July 12: Check out of the hotel and depart for Florence to take a sand dune buggy ride on an impressive natural wonder of endless shifting sand. Enjoy lunch on your own and free time in Florence before continuing to Crater Lake National Park. Check in to Crater Lake Lodge for two nights and enjoy dinner in the lodge dining room. (B,D)
Sun, July 13: After breakfast, join a national park ranger for a tour along the rim of Crater Lake with multiple stops to take photos. No place else on earth combines a deep pure lake, sheer surrounding cliffs almost 2,000 feet high, a picturesque island, and a violent volcanic past. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure enjoying the park. (B,D)
Mon, July 14: Check out of the lodge and travel to Sisters for lunch on your own and free time to explore the quaint town. Proceed to Portland and the Embassy Suites Portland – Downtown for your final night in Oregon. This evening, enjoy a special Farewell Dinner! (B,D)
Tue, July 15: Check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)
Hotels
Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown. Located in the heart of downtown Portland, in close proximity to the Pearl District, and within walking distance to the Waterfront, Saturday Market, and Pioneer Place Shopping Center. This award-winning hotel is in the historic Multnomah Hotel building and strives to maintain some of the history that the building bears. Much of the existing architecture and accents date back 100 years. Highlights: in-room microwave and mini-refrigerator • restaurant and bar • fitness center • indoor swimming pool • full-service salon and spa.
Elizabeth Oceanfront Suites, Newport. Located high on a bluff, overlooking miles of the Oregon coast’s pristine beaches and the vast Pacific Ocean, the Elizabeth Oceanfront Suites is near distinctive dining, galleries and shopping of Nye Beach, a historic lighthouse, and miles of beautiful beach and interesting tide pools. Highlights: in-room coffee maker, refrigerator and microwave •complimentary high-speed and Wi-Fi Internet access • indoor pool • Jacuzzi spa • fitness center.
Crater Lake Lodge, Crater Lake National Park. Historic 71-room lodge located on the edge of the caldera overlooking Crater Lake. Immersed in authentic rustic northwest atmosphere reminiscent of the 1920’s, surrounded by history and natural beauty. Highlights: complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access • restaurant.
NOTE: as this is a historic lodge, televisions, radios and air conditioning are not available and cell phone service is somewhat unreliable in the park. Not all guestrooms come with a shower and tub, and many come with a tub only. Visitors should be prepared for any kind of weather during any time of the year.
Pricing
- Package with Air
- Double P/P – $4,999
- Single – $6,999
- Land Only
- Double P/P – $4,299
- Single – $6,299
*Subject to change due to fuel surcharge
Deposit Per Person: $300
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