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INTRODUCTION
This high-quality holiday is designed for the discerning traveller who appreciates excellent accommodation and is interested in experiencing the amazing natural landscapes and geological curiosities of Central Oregon - known as High Desert Country.
We stay in luxurious private houses at Sunriver Resort near Bend. The programme includes guided walks in and around dormant volcanoes and volcanic caldera in Oregon's Cascade Mountain Range, and the magnificent serenity of Crater Lake National Park. We will be introduced to the culture, history and geology of the American West including The Oregon Trail, Settlers, Native Americans and old Western frontier towns.
In addition to the walks, other activities include canoeing on pristine mountain lakes and visits to High Desert Museum and the historic frontier town of Sisters. Time has also been allowed to enjoy the many delights of Sunriver Resort. Guides for walks and activities are provided by Wanderlust Tours, who will show us the wonders of their native Oregon and introduce us to amazing wilderness areas of outstanding natural beauty - areas that include the Cascade Mountains, Crater Lake National Park, National Monuments, State Parks and the Deschutes National Forest.
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The walks are at an altitude of between 3,000 and 9,000 feet (Sunriver is at 4,100ft) and are suitable for anyone who is reasonably fit. Travel in connection with the walks and visits to places of interest is by private mini-buses. You are free to join in some or all of the walks and activities, or you may be tempted to spend more time relaxing at Sunriver Resort to enjoy their superb leisure amenities.
We fly from UK to Redmond, Central Oregon, followed by a one hour drive to Sunriver Resort. For the duration of the holiday we rent luxurious private homes located in a small exclusive and quiet community called Freemont Crossing. The 5-star Sunriver Resort enjoys spectacular mountain views and boasts over 3,000 acres of recreational paradise, with 30 miles of paved cycle paths, fishing, canoeing horse-riding, tennis, lovely swimming pools, country club and two championship 18-hole golf courses, along with many other sporting and leisure facilities. It has its own village and shopping complex with boutiques, coffee houses, restaurants and much more.
Late summer is an ideal time for a visit to Oregon's High Desert country. The weather should be warm and sunny during the day, probably in the mid 70ºF, cooler at night. But like all mountainous regions, be prepared for sudden changes.
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| Dates: |
2 - 17 September 2012 |
| Price excl. flights: |
£2450 |
| Price incl. flights: |
£3250 |
| Single supplement: |
£250 |
| Supplement for Manchester flights: |
£100 |
| Grade: |
Moderate [M] More info |
| Availability: |
Places available |
| Book this holiday now |
View map (right) in a larger window
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HIGHLIGHTS
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Accommodation at Sunriver Resort
Each house has a spacious lounge/dining room, well equipped kitchen, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, TV in most rooms, stereo, large sun deck (balcony), barbeque, hot tub, washer/dryer, open-plan gardens and all the facilities that you would expect in a high quality property.
Generous provisions are included for your breakfast in the comfort of your lodge, and there are picnic lunches for the walking programme. A particular feature of the holiday will be evening dinner parties in different restaurants in the area, enabling us to enjoy the culinary delights of Oregon. On some evenings we enjoy home cooked barbeques, which have proved to be a particular hit with our guests on previous visits.
We have included a night at historic Crater Lake Lodge, dramatically located on the rim of Crater Lake National Park. First opened to the public in 1915, the Lodge surrounds you with rustic elegance and a special experience will be to see the sun setting or rising over the lake.
HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
- Luxurious accommodation in private houses at Sunriver Resort
- Introduction to the geology, history and culture of the American West
- Evening dinner parties
- Guided walks in and around dormant volcanoes
- Volcanic caldera of Oregon's Cascade Mountain Range
- Walks and activities in conjunction with the very best guiding company in Oregon - Wanderlust Tours
- One night at Crater Lake Lodge
- Canoeing on pristine mountain lakes and rivers
- Full use of the Sunriver Resort amenities - indoor and outdoor swimming pools, spas, tennis, fishing, golf, cycling, horse riding, canoeing etc
- Membership of Sage Spring Country Club and Spa
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ITINERARY
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Day 1 - Sunday 2 nd September 2012 - Depart UK
Fly United Airlines from UK to Redmond, Central Oregon, or make your own travel arrangements.
A cold buffet will be provided in your lodge on arrival. Alternatively, you may choose to have dinner under your own arrangements at a local restaurant. D
Day 2 - Monday 3rd September 2012 - Introduction to Sunriver & Free Time
Attend a welcome reception at 10:00 at Sunriver Lodge. This will include a briefing by Dave Nissen of Wanderlust Tours who will introduce you to Oregon and set the scene for our programme of walks and visits for the following two weeks. Dave, along with one of his colleagues, will be with us throughout the tour as our guides. You may then wish to join an orientation tour of Sunriver Resort. These activities should take about two hours. Optional lunch followed by free time to explore and relax at Sunriver.
Welcome drinks from 18:30. Courtesy transport will collect the group at 19:30 for dinner at The Meadows Restaurant for dinner at 20:00. BD
Day 3 - Tuesday 4th September 2012 - Smith Rock State Park
Depart at 08:00 for Smith Rock State Park where the geologic qualities of this place will strike you. We'll begin our hike along the spectacular Crooked River Canyon, winding our way to the Monkey Face. Up the mountain we'll climb until we're staring the monkey in the mouth. From this spot we can enjoy spectacular views of the entire Cascade Range that fill one's sights. Roundtrip hike is only four miles but we have rated it Moderate due to some scrambling, exposure and steep ascent. Return in time for optional lunch. Elevation gain 700ft. 4 hours. Grade Moderate.
Courtesy transport will collect you from your lodge at 19:15 for The Grille at Crosswater for dinner at 20:00. BD
Day 4 - Wednesday 5th September 2012 - Fort Rock and Crack in the Ground
We'll leave the pine-covered forest of Sunriver at 08:00 for a day's journey into an environment of sagebrush and raptors. Fort Rock's pinnacles rise above an ancient ocean bed, created by erosion, and now inhabited by many birds of this desert region. Our next jaunt is to Crack in the Ground, which provides a great opportunity to walk inside a fault line, where water-loving plants thrive in this desert ecozone. The environment spectacular today. Packed lunch. Minimum elevation gain. 3 hours. Grade Easy. Tonight we have a dinner reservation at Marcello's at 20.00. BLD
Day 5 - Thursday 6th September 2012 - Lava Lands, High Desert Museum and Bend
Today we take a short drive and head for nearby Lava Lands at 09:00 to journey to the top of a volcano, which sits within a 10-square-mile lava field. Be prepared for spectacular views from the top of the crater. Our guides provide a fascinating interpretation of the geology of the area.
We then head off to the nationally acclaimed High Desert Museum, where we can enjoy a conducted tour of the Spirit of the West - a "walk-through-time" exhibit of High Desert history. After the conducted tour you will probably wish to spend some further time visiting the many exhibits, call at the shop and take refreshments in the cafe. This tour should set the stage for the rest of your visit to Oregon.
Next, we'll head for Bend to visit Drake Park and Downtown followed by a walk along the Deschutes River to the Old Mill District. Browse around this delightful area before returning to Sunriver for optional lunch followed by free time to relax. In the evening we wnjoy a home cooked barbeque.
(Housekeeping will clean and refresh all houses, including towels and sheets) BD
Day 6 - Friday 7th September 2012 - Tumalo Falls
Depart at 09:00. This pretty hike begins at the base of the 100 foot Tumalo Falls. The six-mile round trip takes us up along the North Fork of Tumalo Falls, where one waterfall after another drops into deep pools carved into the forest floor. Basalt, wildflowers and chilly water abound, while the silence of the forest reigns. This is a moderate hike with some non-challenging elevation gain and loss. Packed lunch. Elevation gain 300ft. 6 hours. Grade Moderate.
Courtesy transport will collect you from your lodge at 19:30 for dinner at 20:00 at South Bend Bistro. BLD
Day 7 - Saturday 8th September 2012 - Crater Lake National Park
Be ready to leave at 08:00 and pack whatever you need for a night at Crater Lake Lodge as we head south on Highway 97 for Crater Lake National Park. Our morning drive will take us up the east slope of the Cascade Range. We'll ascend the north flank of old Mount Mazama and arrive on the rim for incredible views down to Crater Lake. Our next stop on the rim will be the trailhead leading us to Mount Scott, the highest point in the National Park at just under 9,000 feet. This is a moderate hike with about 2,000 feet of elevation. Packed lunch. Elevation gain 1900ft. 4 hours.
After the hike, check in at Crater Lake Lodge and relax before witnessing the sunset over the lake, which should be a memorable experience from the Lodge terrace. Dinner at Crater Lake Lodge - reservations at 20:00. BLD
Day 8 - Sunday 9th September 2012 - Crater Lake National Park
After breakfast at the Lodge we drive to the opposite side of the lake and take the one-mile trail down to the water's edge for an incredible two-hour boat journey around the lake, passing Wizard and Phantom Islands. Elevation gain 1000ft. 3 hours. Drive back to Sunriver, stopping en-route for an optional lunch.
Dinner reservations tonight at Marcello's at 20:00. BD
Day 9 - Monday 10th September 2012 - Free day
Free time to relax and enjoy the amenities of Sunriver Resort. Dinner under your own arrangements. B
Day 10 - Tuesday 11th September 2012 - Canoe the High Cascade Lakes
After breakfast we take to our canoes to paddle the glassy waters of a pristine mountain lake. We explore the basaltic lava shores, which spilled over Mt. Bachelor's 9,000-foot slopes, spewing steam as it collided with frigid mountain melt-off from the Three Sisters. There is the opportunity for a swim for the hearty from the sandy shores of the lake.
No previous experience is needed for the canoing and our guides and instructors ensure that we have a memorable and safe day on the water. Mountain vistas provide the backdrop scenery for this unique experience. Picnic lunch. Return to Sunriver in the afternoon. Dinner reservation at South Bend Bistro at 20:00. BLD
Day 11 - Wednesday 12th September 2012 - McKenzie River
Today's relatively easy hike courses its way along the spectacular McKenzie River. We pass enormous waterfalls, encounter the river's disappearance underground only to witness it springing forth again at Tamolitch Pool - amazingly it takes seven years for it to pass through this vast underground reservoir. Bring extra socks - yours will be knocked off on this journey! Packed lunch. Elevation gain - 500ft. 6 hours.Grade Moderate.
Dinner reservations tonight at The Trouthouse 19:30 for dinner at 20:00. BLD
Day 12 - Thursday 13th September 2012 - Black Butte Hike
This hike takes us up relatively docile Black Butte, where your sight will be filled with the areas we have roamed for the last several days. The Oregon Cascades will be stretched out before you. Below us lies the Metolius River, bursting from the earth, which we plan to visit before our return to Sunriver. Grade easy. Packed lunch.
Tonight's meal is another delicious home cooked barbeque. Housekeeping will again clean and refresh all houses including sheets and towels. BLD
Day 13 - Friday 14th September 2012 - Optional Hike to Broken Top or Free Time
The most scenic mountain in Central Oregon awaits our visit. The high alpine country is our destination for the day. Ascending some 2,000 feet through forest, pumice flats and blown out volcanic debris, we'll crest a rocky moraine setting our sights on No Name Lake. Tucked onto the side of Broken Top, No Name offers some pretty incredible views of the Three Sisters mountains. 4 hours. Grade Moderate.
Please note that the walk today is into a Wilderness Area where numbers in a group of hikers is restricted. Depending on numbers, you can decide to join in or enjoy free time today. Dinner tonight is at the South Bend Bistro BD
Day 14 - Saturday 15th November 2011 - Canoe or Raft Trip down the Deschutes River
We have included a leisurely canoe or raft trip down the scenic Deschutes River as a fun thing to do on the last day. This flat-water float is six miles long and lasts about two hours. It starts at the Sunriver Marina and, at the end, a shuttle bus takes you back to the Marina.
Free time in the afternoon. Courtesy transport has been booked for 19:30 for dinner at The Trouthouse at 20:00. BD
Day 15 - Sunday 16th November 2011 - Travel
After our last breakfast of the trip, we transfer by private coach provided by Sunriver Resort to Redmond Airport for the return flight to the UK.
B & inflight meals
Day 16 - Monday 17th November 2011 - Arrive back in UK
B = breakfast L = lunch D = dinner
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FLIGHTS
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Please note that the following flight times, flight numbers and routings are the latest known and are subject to change and confirmation by the airlines. All times are local.
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Outbound - Sunday 2nd September 2012
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Depart Manchester (T3)
Arrive Heathrow (T1)
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UA4865 (BMI)
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0635
0745
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Depart Heathrow (T3)
Arrive San Francisco International
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UA955
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1005
1255 (10hrs 50mins)
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Depart San Francisco (T3)
Arrive Redmond
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UA5792 (Skywest))
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1440
1633 (1hr 53mins)
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Inbound - Sunday 16th September 2012
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Depart Redmond
Arrive San Francisco (T3)
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UA5729 (Skywest)
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1245
1450 (2hrs 5mins)
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Depart San Francisco International
Arrive Heathrow (T3) |
UA954 |
1923 (10hrs 25mins)
1330 (17 Sept) |
Depart Heathrow (T1)
Arrive Manchester (T3) |
BD590 (BMI) |
1700
1805 |
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PRICE
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| Price per person, sharing a twin or double room excluding flights |
£2450 |
| Price per person, sharing a twin or double room including flights |
£3250 |
| Supplement for departure from Manchester |
£100 |
| Supplement for a single person occupying a double room |
£250 |
WHAT THE FULL PRICE INCLUDES
- Return scheduled flight from UK to Redmond, Central Oregon, USA
- Private coach transfer between Redmond Airport and Sunriver Resort and return
- 17% US government tax & Oregon State Tax
- Accommodation in privately-owned houses at the Sunriver Resort with private bathroom facilities
- Welcome reception
- Weekly cleaning service and clean towels
- One night with dinner and breakfast at Crater Lake Lodge
- Meals include breakfast in the homes, some packed lunches, dinner in local restaurants and barbecues
- Accompanying Tour Leader throughout
- Services of Wanderlust Tours and a professional guide for the walking programme
- Full programme of walks and visits to places of interest
- Complimentary on-site bus service at the Sunriver resort
- Private coach travel with driver for the walking programme and visits to places of interest
- National and State Parks and other places of interest, including the High Desert Museum
- High mountain canoe experience
- Gratuities for the guides
- Membership of Sage Springs Country Club and Spa
- Full use of the facilities at the Sunriver Resort
- Canoe or rafting on the Deschutes River
- Airport departure tax and security charges
- Services of our Agents in Oregon
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Holiday/Travel Insurance
- Beverages
- Gratuities (other than for the Guides), which are optional
- Any Government taxes or compulsory charges that may be introduced after the publication of this web page
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Please Note:
For reasons of safety, weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary to make changes to the programme without advance notice. Every effort will be made to avoid this if at all possible.
Recommended Reading:
Frontier Doctor by Urling C Coe. MD
Lewis & Clark - An Illustrated History by Dayton Duncan & Ken Burns
Undaunted Courage by Steven E Ambrose
E&OE
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