Day 1 PORTLAND
Arrive in Portland and take some time to explore the "City of Roses." Despite its humble beginnings as a lumbering center in 1845, the city has developed into a sophisticated metropolis. Visit the International Test Rose Gardens with its 400 varieties of roses on 4 acres of land and great views of the city. Sample haute couture and hot cuisine in Portland’s Pearl District. Walk around town and take in the atmosphere.
Day 2 PORTLAND – OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK – PORT ANGELES
(306 mi / 489 km)
Travel north on scenic US Highway 101 into one of the wettest places in North America, the Olympic Peninsula. The abundance of rain provides for an unbelievably green environment of old growth hemlocks, firs and spruce. Olympic National Park provides a striking background to the Port Angeles skyline. The drive partially follows the perimeter of Olympic National Park. Stop at Quinault for a short walk in the Park or from Port Angeles, take the Hurricane Ridge drive into the park.
Day 3 PORT ANGELES – RAIN FOREST / OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK – SEATTLE
(177 mi / 285 km)
Take time to explore the rainforests of Olympic National Park in more detail this morning. Then cross the peninsula east via Olympia, the state's quaint capital, to Seattle. Washington's largest city is also known as the "Emerald city," due to its frequent rains and mist. Seattle's "Space Needle," the most visible landmark, was built as the centerpiece for the 1962 World's Fare.
Day 4 SEATTLE
Spend this day visiting Seattle's many sights. Take a scenic cruise along the downtown waterfront past shipyards with the glittering city skyline as backdrop. The Pioneer Square restored Historic District offers entertainment, restaurants and many sights to see. A visit to Pike Street market on the waterfront provides a rare look at local lifestyles. The city offers an abundance of art galleries, culture and popular nightlife.
Day 5 SEATTLE – VANCOUVER
(140 mi / 224 km)
This morning travel north to Vancouver, the crown jewel and largest city in western Canada. The city is considered Canada's gateway to the Orient as is very evident on a visit to Chinatown. Idyllic Vancouver is surrounded by the ragged peaks of the Blue Coast Range and sparkling Pacific waters.
Day 6 VANCOUVER
Today is at leisure to explore Vancouver. Take a day excursion across to Vancouver Island for an afternoon at Butchart Gardens or remain in the city to visit Stanley Park, which is one of the finest natural parks on the continent and offers many different activities. Visit Gastown for shopping and see the old steam-powered clock, which 'blows' the time every 15 minutes.
Day 7 VANCOUVER – OKANAGAN VALLEY – SHUSWAP LAKE
(256 mi / 411 km)
Travel northeast through British Columbia and into the Canadian Rockies, going through the dramatic Frasier and Thompson Okanagan Valleys. The Thompson River is a favorite with whitewater river runners. Fishing is also one of the most popular pastimes on the area's lakes. En route, visit the magnificent scenery of Fraser River Valley. Shuswap Lake, with its calm blue waters, is a favorite area for swimming, parasailing, water skiing or just relaxing.
Day 8 SHUSWAP LAKE – GLACIER NATIONAL PARK – BANFF NATIONAL PARK
CANMORE (283 mi / 455 km)
Today travel east on a scenic route to pass through Glacier National Park, one of Canada's most scenic parks. The mountain peaks, glaciers and ice fields make this one of the world's most unique natural formations. Return to Canmore, just outside of Banff.
Day 9 BANFF NATIONAL PARK / CANMORE – LAKE LOUISE – JASPER NATIONAL PARK –CANMORE
(430 mi / 688 km -including JASPER NATIONAL PARK)
Banff National Park is Canada's oldest National Park, with peaks and valleys formed 75 million years ago. A visit to Banff Springs Hotel brings back the golden era of the Canadian Railway. Visit Lake Louise with its turquoise waters. One can plan the time to continue north through scenic Canadian wilderness to reach Jasper National Park. It is possible to view the magnificence of this park via the Jasper Tramway.
Day 10 BANFF NATIONAL PARK / CANMORE – KOOTNAY NATIONAL PARK – GLACIER NATIONAL PARK –
KALISPELL (319 mi / 513 km)
Travel south through Kootnay National Park in Canada and Glacier National Park in Montana. In Glacier National Park, follow the fifty mile long “Going to the Sun Road,” a national historic landmark originally opened for traffic in 1933. It travels deep into the wilderness and has an elevation of 6,646 ft (2,026 m) at its highest point. Continue on to Kalispell.
Day 11 KALISPELL – MISSOULA – CLARKSTON / LEWISTON
(336 mi / 541 km)
Leave the spectacular Rockies region behind today and visit Flathead Lake. Tucked into the northwest corner of Montana, the Flathead Valley lies next to the rugged grandeur of Glacier National Park and the western edge of several million acres of designated wilderness. The centerpiece is Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. Pass through Missoula, home to the "smoke jumpers" forest firemen school and end the day at the Snake River.
Day 12 CLARKSTON / LEWISTON – HELLS CANYON – BAKER CITY
(227 mi / 365 km)
This will be an inspiring day of adventure touching three states: Idaho, Washington and Oregon. Start the day traveling along the Snake River and then through the Wallowa National Forest and into the Hells Canyon Recreation Area. The day can be spent visiting and enjoying the various viewpoints of one of the most remarkable sites in North America: Hells Canyon. Plan a picnic lunch overlooking the 8043-foot (2980 m) gorge considered the deepest on the continent. Baker City with over 100 Victorian era buildings is today's destination.
Day 13 BAKER CITY – OREGON TRAIL – PORTLAND
(304 mi / 489 km)
Travel down another spectacular drive along the Columbian River Gorge on the return to the lush forests of Western Oregon. Make sure to plan a stop at the Gorge, a popular area for wind surfing. The historic Oregon Trail will take you past Grande Ronde Valley, a great green bowl surrounded by mountains. Continue on to Portland for your departure.
