Self-Drive Volcanic Peaks to Sparkling Shores

Day 1
Arrive in Portland.

Landing into Portland, you’ll be greeted by its vibrant downtown district and stunning natural surroundings. Here you will pick up your vehicle and explore the area at leisure. Discover the delicious culinary scene from its famous food carts around every corner, to its expansive menu of locally sourced seafood and home to the legendary Voodoo Doughnuts. Check out the energetic Portland Saturday Market with its live music and handmade crafts. View more than 10,000 roses at the International Rose Test Garden – a particularly special scene in May and June during the Portland Rose Festival.

Day 2
Astoria. Driving Distance: 100mi / 160km

Travel to Astoria where the famous Lewis and Clark explorers voyaged through the country which ended in the Pacific Northwest. Here you can experience their expedition at the Lewis and Clark National Park and encounter 12 sites along the Columbia River and Pacific Coast.

Day 3
Olympic National Park. Driving Distance: 273mi / 439km

Journey onwards to the Olympic National Park – a park for lovers of the outdoors as it checks all the boxes for activities such as skiing, climbing, hiking and sightseeing. Throughout the park you will also find its extensive eco-system, age old rainforests and shores of the Lake Crescent and the Pacific Ocean and the pyramidal peaks of the Olympic Mountains.

Day 4
Seattle. Driving Distance: 100mi / 160km

Enjoy a laid-back drive as you take in the stunning views of Seattle’s coastline; watch evergreen forests come into view, contrasting with mountains and gleaming waters. Visiting Pike Place Market is a must do with an abundance of eateries, locally sourced produce (watch the famous fishmongers tossing fresh catches to their customers!) and explore handmade items in the Crafts Market. Wander over to Seattle’s Chinatown to savour the flavoursome Asian cuisine. Enjoy panoramic views at the iconic Space Needle as you spot the glass sculptures at Chihuly. Observe the backdrop of the city on a leisurely harbour cruise to take it all in.

Day 5
Mount Rainer. 89mi / 143km

Today you leave Seattle and travel towards Mount Rainer National Park. An active volcano with a summit of 14,400 feet above sea level, the prominent trait of the national park is the frozen peak of Mount Rainer. The base of the volcano with its rich earth encourages a vast variety of wildlife that can be see across its valleys, meadows and rivers.

Day 6
Mount Hood. Driving Distance: 203mi/ 326km

Travelling towards Mount St. Helens National Historical Monument and Mount St. Helens, known for its ash explosions and pyroclastic flows. It’s the most active volcano in the Cascade Range with its last eruption in 1980. Drive along the Pacific Crest Scenic Trail towards Mount Hood, a potentially active stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc. Home to all-year-round snow-covered peaks and its 12 glaciers; Mount Hood is enveloped by glistening lakes, wildflower meadows and six ski resorts nestled amongst the forests.

Day 7
Crater Lake. Driving Distance: 230mi/ 370km

Reaching the end of Oregon’s Pacific Crest Scenic Trail is Crater Lake National Park. The awe-inspiring, majestic Crater Lake is the highlight of today; formed by a volcanic eruption and the collapse of the volcano over 7000 years ago makes it one of the deepest in the world. With its great depth and clarity, the imposing blue hues makes it an unforgettable visit.

Day 8
Coos Bay. Driving Distance: 200mi / 321km

Swapping lakes for caves you’ll head the towards Siskiyou Mountains and Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, where you’ll discover the caves, titled as “Marble Halls of Oregon”. Formed by the rainwater making its way through the rocks made of calcite along with its chilly interiors. Learn about the geology and impressive formations as your work your way through the caves returning to the breath-taking Oregon Coast and the Pacific Ocean.

Day 9
Portland. Driving Distance: 223mi / 358km

As you make your way back up to Portland stop by Willamette Valley, considered Oregon’s Wine Country its 150-mile long valley and home to over 300 wineries it’s renowned worldwide for its delicious pinot noir. Taste some of the delectable produce paired with a long list of excellent fine dining restaurants.

Day 10
Portland
Drop off your vehicle as you fly home from Portland International airport.