Day 1 Board the Safari Explorer

Welcome! You will be met at the airport this afternoon and transferred to the Safari Explorer . The crew greets you with champagne and smiles, and we’ll enjoy a short dinner cruise along the canyons of the Snake and Clearwater rivers. This evening a local historian joins us in the salon for an informative presentation on the area.

Day 2 Hells Canyon by Jet Boat
After breakfast this morning we’ll transfer to a jet boat for an invigorating ride into Hells Canyon. Vertical cliffs carved by the river now hem in the rushing waters that we travel upon, and we’ll watch some of the most dramatic scenery unfold as we jet upriver. We’ll watch for big horn sheep and hawks throughout the day. After our excursion we’ll cruise the Snake River, passing through our first lock and dam called Lower Granite. After dinner our Expedition Leader will provide a brief orientation to the journey.

Day 3 The Palouse Canyon

We’ll pass through the Little Goose lock and dam first thing this morning then anchor at the mouth of the Palouse River. The kayaks and skiff will be lowered for an up-close exploration of the pristine and lovely Palouse canyon. Watch for hundreds of cliff swallows that nest on the canyon walls, and for Northern harriers and osprey hovering above the still waters as they hunt.

Day 4 Birding, Rivers and Historical Confluence
Today we’ll transit through the McNary Dam locks. The McNary Dam encompasses an impressive wildlife region. Keep your eyes peeled and binoculars in hand to see some of the 212 species of migratory birds that rest here en route through the Pacific Fly-way: snow geese, tundra swans, canvasbacks, ring-necked ducks, redheads and many others. Later we pass by Sacajawea State Park and learn about the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s travails and triumphs through this river confluence area.

Day 5 The Washington Wine Country
The fastest wine-growing region in the U.S. is in eastern Washington, and today we’ll see why. With North Star and L’Ecole No. 41 on our itinerary, our “taste of Washington” will be most enjoyable. We’ll return to the yacht after our tours and tastings, and have time to relax onboard before dinner.

Day 6 Cruising the Columbia River
The vast eastern plains give way to the flanks of the Cascade Mountain Range as we cruise west today. Watch as the banks of the river go from gentle and low-lying to cliffs rising hundreds of feet high beside us. The wind and weather shifts from arid to temperate as we come closer to the Pacific Ocean. We’ll stop in Hood River (the windsurfing capital of the world) this afternoon where we’ll have time to browse the boutique shops or tour the local brew pub. We’ll stay dockside here tonight, so take your time and enjoy the town.

Day 7 Columbia Gorge and Bonneville Dam
This morning we’ll cruise through the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. The outside decks provide the best views of this beautiful passage. At Bradford Island we’ll step ashore for a guided tour of Bonneville Lock and Dam, the final lock on our journey. We’ll visit the power station and fish ladders, learning more about how this engineering marvel fits into the local environment and community. This evening we’ll enjoy a festive Farewell Dinner as we drop anchor in a quiet channel for the night.

Day 8 A Fond Farewell

Your crew serves another excellent breakfast this morning before bidding you “adieu.” At 9:00 am you’ll be transferred to the Portland airport for connections home.

Day 1 Arrive in Portland, boarding

Welcome to Portland! Meet your shuttle driver in baggage claim for a transfer to the yacht. Board the Safari Explorer where your Captain and crew greet you with smiles and appetizers. After dinner you will be provided a brief orientation to your journey.

Day 2 Columbia Gorge and Bonneville Dam
Join your Expedition Leader on deck this morning as we enter the striking Columbia River Gorge. This spectacular canyon cuts the only sea-level route through the Cascade Mountain Range and is a designated National Scenic Area. We’ll spend the day exploring the Bonneville Dam, Hood River and the full 80-mile stretch of the Gorge. After dinner a guest speaker will join us for an informative presentation on the local history, and we’ll stay dockside in Hood River for the night.

Day 3 Cruising the Columbia River
We’ll pass through two locks and dams as we cruise east today. The story of the dams along the Columbia and Snake rivers is of great significance to the entire west coast as power for millions of people is generated from them. We’ll have a first-hand look at how these dams have impacted both the natural world and cultural history of the west in the last 75 years.

Day 4 The Washington Wine Country
Enjoy a delicious breakfast before we set off by land for Walla Walla, Washington. We’ll travel to North Star and L’Ecole No. 41 for exclusive tours and tastings. Later, we’ll cruise to Richland, Washington and welcome a guest speaker who will present the cultural history of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Tonight we’ll stay dockside in Richland, so enjoy an evening stroll along the riverfront before turning in.

Day 5 Birding, Rivers, and Historical Confluence
Today we’ll transit through the McNary Dam locks. The McNary Dam encompasses an impressive wildlife region. Keep your eyes peeled and binoculars in hand to see some of the 212 species of migratory birds that rest here en route through the Pacific Fly-way: snow geese, tundra swans, canvasbacks, ring-necked ducks, redheads and many others. We then pass by Sacajawea State Park and learn about the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s travails and triumphs through this river confluence area. Later we’ll enter the Snake River where the vast western landscape rolls away toward the horizon.

Day 6 The Palouse Canyon
Enjoy breakfast onboard the Safari Explorer, as we cruise the cliff-lined Snake River. We’ll pass through three of the four Snake River dams: Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite. We’ll be on deck with our Expedition Leader as we “lock through,” watching the mechanics of these massive structures. We’ll also anchor in the Palouse River and set off by kayak and skiff for a look at a magnificent canyon formed by Ice Age floods.

Day 7 Hells Canyon by Jet Boat
We’ll join our Jet Boat Captain this morning for an invigorating excursion into Hells Canyon. Protected as a National Recreation Area since 1975, Hell’s Canyon preserves a world of fascinating natural and cultural elements. Lunch will be included in our excursion, and this afternoon we’ll reboard the Safari Explorer where a festive Farewell Dinner awaits.

Day 8 A Fond Farewell
Your crew serves another excellent breakfast this morning before bidding you “adieu.” At 9:00 am you’ll be transferred to the Lewiston, Idaho, airport for connections home.

Allow us to introduce you to Portland, “The City of Roses.” We offer complete sightseeing packages of Portland and surrounding areas including the Oregon Coast, Mt. Hood, Tillamook Aviation Museum and the Columbia River Gorge. Our tours can be combined the your Northwest cruise vacation or booked as a stand-alone vacation. Below please find our city tours featuring the best of Portland.

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Portland 3-day Tour Package!

Dates:   Year Round

Start Time:  9:00 am

Pricing:  $250.00 per person

Tour package include:

Portland City Tour (daily)

Wine Tasting Tour (wed & sat)

Oregon Coast Tour (wed & sat)

Mt. Hood Loop Tour (tue & thu & sun)

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Itinerary

Day 1

Portland City Tour

Join us for morning sightseeing and touring of Portland. See different areas of the city while enjoying views of Mt. Hood, Mt. St Helen and more.  Starting at the waterfront near OSMI, travel to Pittock Mansion, Portland International Rose Garden and a variety of art galleries. The Portland art scene is widely recognized for talented artists, magnificient galleries, and historic contributions to non-profit organizations.

Portland Wine Tasting Excursion

From its first plantings in 1965 by winemaker David Lett, this sub-appellation in the Willamette valley has slowly established itself as a premium wine growing region. Oregon is home to some of the most scenic vineyards in the world. The heart of these vineyards is located in the Willamette Valley on gentle hills that give way to amazing views of the vines and valley below. Join us on our Oregon Wine Tour and experience wine tasting at some of this area’s best wineries and most unique tasting rooms.

Day 2

Mt. Hood Loop Tour 

Stand above the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States! Drive along the Columbia River Gorge Historic Highway and see waterfalls, viewpoints, lush green forests, and wildlife. Learn, from a geology perspective,how the Columbia River Gorge was formed. Waterfalls may include stops at Horsetail Falls,  Multnomah Falls, Latourell Falls, Crown Point Vista House, Hood River and the amazing  Mt.  Hood Lodge.

Day 3

Oregon Coastal Tour

Your tour of the coast will begin in Cannon Beach where you will have time to explore the many wonders of this world reowned coastal city.  At Cannon Beach enjoy a short hike along cliffs, walking along the sandy beach, viewing lighthouses and shopping. Also, Cannon Beach boasts of many scenic views including beautiful shorelines, cliffs, and an up-close view of the famous Haystack Rock.

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Group Rates: Group rates for 6 or more people available for most tours.

Customized and Private Tours: All tours can be customized and/or made private. Please contact us for details and pricing.

Tour Departure/Pick Up: Complimentary pick up from select area hotels. Please call for other arrangements and corresponding fees. Customers will be notified prior to any cancellation 24-hours in advance when possible. Departure times may vary.

Tour Price Includes: Van, tour guide and gas. All applicable fees, unless otherwise stated. Lunch and Gratuity NOT included.

Requirements: Tours require 4 person minimum for confirmation. Please contact us for current status of tour.

Payment: Please call our professional Pacific Northwest tour experts to make your reservations. Payment will be processed immediately to secure your reservation. Payment on day of pick up will not guarantee your reservation.

Solo travelers, looking to meet visitors from around the world? Contact us

Allow us to introduce you to Portland, “The City of Roses.” We offer complete sightseeing packages of Portland and surrounding areas including the Oregon Coast, Mt. Hood, Tillamook Aviation Museum and the Columbia River Gorge.  Our tours can be combined the your Northwest cruise vacation or booked as a stand-alone vacation.

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Tillamook Aviation Museum & Oregon Coastal Tour

This tour is available year round.

Days of week: Customized for Groups

Duration: 9:00am until 6:00pm

Retail Pricing: $120 per person

Special Offering: $100.00 per person

Oregon’s coastline is graced with unforgettable vistas: dramatic cliffs, offshore rocks and lively sea lions; wide sandy beaches; majestic capes; historic lighthouses; enchanted forests and lovely small beach towns which artists and artisans make their homes. We will take you to Cannon Beach, a story book beach town with many scenic views including beautiful shorelines and Haystack Rock.

You cannot leave the Northwest without having visited our breathtakingly beautiful Pacific Coast.

Itinerary

8:30 am: Hotel pick up with a brief introduction to our Coastal Tour Itinerary

9:00 am:  Depart hotel discuss some current events and history of the area.

10:30am –11:00am   Tillamook Aviation Museum

As we enter Tillamook off to your right you can’t miss the huge hanger, with AIR MUSEUM, painted on the side then the jet perched on a pedestal along the. Built in 1943, the wooden hangar was originally constructed for the U.S. Navy for the home base for blimps to be used in anti-submarine missions along the Pacific coast. On display in the main hangar are more than 30 aircraft, from World War 1 to an F-14 Tomcat from the modern jet age. No better way to start an excursion than a sneak peak of America’s history.

11:15 am – 11:45am

Next stop in Tillamook is The Blue Heron French Cheese Company. They offer cheese and wine tasting, complimentary samples of Northwest gourmet foods, an award-winning deli, a petting farm and outdoor picnic area for the whole family to enjoy.

12:30 pm-         Lunch

A short drive through Manzanita; cozy little coastal communities that strives to remain sheltered from coastal tourism. Optional stop to take a quick stroll to the ocean and snap some photos of the great Neahkahnie Mountain

1:45 pm                        View Point Stops

1. View Point #1: A great vantage point from Neahkahnie Mountain, one of the largest peaks in the Coast range. Look south to Manzanita and the Nehalem River.
2. View Point #2: More great views of the Pacific Ocean
3. View Point #3: Enjoy great views north of Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock

3:00 pm            Haystack Rock & Cannon Beach

En route to Cannon Beach, we will stop at the world renowned Historic Haystack Rock, a large basalt monolith.  Wind-swept trees, dramatic cliffs, historic light-house, bird sanctuaries and of course the majestic Pacific Ocean.

3:30pm             Cannon Beach

We will take you to Cannon Beach, a story book beach town with many scenic views including beautiful shorelines and Haystack Rock. Enjoy the many boutique shops and a stroll along the beach while you view the Haystack lighthouse from a different view point.

5:00 pm            Return to Portland

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Group Rates: Group rates for 6 or more people available for most tours.
Customized and Private Tours:  All tours can be customized and/or made private. Please contact us for details and pricing.

Tour Departure/Pick Up:  Complimentary pick up from select area hotels. Please call for other arrangements and corresponding fees. Customers will be notified prior to any cancellation 24-hours in advance when possible. Departure times may vary.
Tour Price Includes: Van, tour guide and gas. All applicable fees, unless otherwise stated.  Lunch and Gratuity NOT included.
Requirements: Tours require 4 person minimum for confirmation. Please contact us for current status of tour.
Payment: Please call our professional Pacific Northwest tour experts to make your reservations. Payment will be processed immediately to secure your reservation. Payment on day of pick up will not guarantee your reservation.