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Arrive
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Day 1 Arrive in Portland
Vibrant Portland promises a great culinary scene, buzzing nightlife, tax free shopping and a host of world-class hotels. The perfect place to recover from your flight before starting your adventure.
Overnight: The Ritz Carlton Portland
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Day 2 Portland to Bend
Collect your hire car and head southeast on I-26, known as the sunset highway, for your three-hour drive to Bend. You might wish to make a detour to see Mt. Hood, an active stratovolcano and Oregon's highest mountain standing proud within the Cascade Range.
Overnight: Oxford Hotel Bend
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Day 3 Bend and the Painted Hills
Today you can enjoy all that Bend has to offer. Dip your paddle or tube downstream in the Deschutes River, or soak up the friendly atmosphere of downtown Bend with its shops, markets and Public House serving locally brewed Black Butte Porter and Jubelale. Don't miss a concert at Bend's own Hayden Homes outdoor amphitheatre, where big names in the world of country music come to play. If you are feeling like exploring further, just 90 minutes from Bend lie the Painted Hills, one of Oregon's Seven Wonders, and sitting inside the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The layered colours of the hills reveal millions of years of history, one colour at a time. This is a wonderful area for hiking and, of course, teasing your followers on Instagram.
Overnight: Oxford Hotel Bend
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Day 4 Bend to Merlin, via Crater Lake National Park
Departing Bend today, one of the highlights of your journey will be a visit to Crater Lake National Park, just under two hours away. The lake's deep blue water hides its lively volcanic past, and vistas of two picturesque islands surrounded by the Cascade Mountain range await to be enjoyed. Your journey continues on for just under two hours until you reach Merlin.
Overnight: Weasku Inn
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Day 5 Fishing, hiking or golfing in Merlin
Originally a fishing lodge, built in the 1920s, Weasku Inn occupies a stunning riverfront setting on the Rogue River. It is the ideal base to enjoy outdoor pursuits such as hiking, fishing or playing golf.
Overnight: Weasku Inn
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Day 6 - 7 Rafting the Rogue River
Today sees the start of your three day / two night group Rogue River rafting adventure. The river runs from Crater Lake to the Pacific Ocean, through the Siskiyou Mountain Pass, and promises white water rapids, short hikes to idyllic swimming holes, historic cabins and sandy banks for riverside camping. Your crew serves up a hearty breakfast each morning and sets up camp at the end of each day, with lunches on the river and dinner under the stars as you share stories of the day.
Option: Upgrade to a private rafting trip for the ultimate experience and have the boat, camp and crew to yourselves.
Overnight: Private camp
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Day 8 Final Rafting Day
More adventures on the river await today as part of your rafting adventure, and possibly even some Black Bear sightings. At the end of your rafting circuit you will reach the pull-out point where your car will be waiting, and it is then only an hour's drive to your peaceful riverside hotel where you will arrive in time for dinner.
Overnight: Tu Tu Tun Lodge
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Day 9 Riverside Relaxation
Tu Tu Tun Lodge is the perfect place to relax after your rafting adventure. The swimming pool has bar service and river views, or you will find Adirondack chairs dotted around the grounds; ideal for switching off with a good book to the sounds of fish rising in the river. Hiking trails start from the property along the Rogue River and the coast is only a 15-minute drive away. Food is a focus here and mouth-watering farm to table cuisine is served at dinner, with carefully considered seating plans created to ensure like-minded guests meet each other after the ice has already been broken during the pre-dinner cocktails and canapés. Guests feel they are staying with friends in a home-from-home atmosphere.
Overnight: Tu Tu Tun Lodge
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Day 10 Gold Beach to Newport
After a final breakfast at Tu Tu Tun, head north up the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway on the 4-hour journey to Newport. There are so many picturesque stops on the way, so take your time and make a day of it. Heceta Head Lighthouse is one of the most photographed beacons, and neighbours the natural cavern of Sea Lion Caves. Rent a dune buggy or sandboard at Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and then refuel with fresh seafood in one of the many seaside towns. Stop for an early supper before arriving in Newport's harbour and your lodgings for the next two nights in a newly renovated and highly atmospheric paddle steamer.
Overnight: Shared houseboat
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Day 11 Whale Watching from Depoe Bay
This morning head to Depoe Bay, a quaint fishing village with the smallest navigable harbour in the world, for a shared 90-minute whale watching trip. The bay is home to a resident pod of grey whales, and other whales also migrate along the coastal waters here, so sightings are common. Surfing in Newport is another big draw and lessons are available for all levels. Alternatively, slow the pace with some gentle kayaking in nearby Beaver Creek.
Overnight: Shared houseboat
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Day 12 Newport to Cannon Beach
Continue up the coast today for a 2.5 hour drive up to Cannon Beach. The Stephanie Inn commands an enviable beachfront position and provides the perfect base to relax for your final two nights.
Overnight: Central hotel
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Day 13 Relaxing on Cannon Beach
A final and full day at leisure on Cannon Beach today. The Inn provides binoculars to view the wide array of seabirds, or you can pop into the town of Cannon Beach, an artist's haven with its hidden gardens and galleries. Make sure you visit Tillamook Cheese Factory and take some of the delicious cheddar home!
Overnight: Central hotel
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Day 14 Depart
Your final leg of the journey is just 90 minutes to Portland, back on the I-26. Arrive at Portland airport in time to return your car and catch your flight home.
Overnight: Home
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Depart
