COLUMBIA GORGE HARVEST FESTIVAL SMALL GROUP EXCURSION
Introduction
Daily Itinerary / October 8-12, 2027
COLUMBIA GORGE HARVEST FESTIVAL SMALL GROUP EXCURSION
Experience the beauty of autumn in the Columbia River Gorge, traveling through orchards, vineyards, and historic sites. Enjoy scenic train rides, wine tastings, local festivals, and the grandeur of Mt. Hood and Timberline Lodge. This journey blends natural splendor, regional flavors, and cultural highlights in Oregon and Washington.
Pricing:
Double Occupancy: $3175
Single Occupancy: $3875
$500 deposit due at booking
Final Payment due July 8, 2027
Trip Insurance is Highly Recommended
Autumn Adventure Overview
At a glance
Friday, October 8, 2027
Saturday, October 9, 2027
Sunday, October 10, 2027
Monday, October 11, 2027
Tuesday, October 12, 2027
Friday, October 8, 2027
Day 1 - Through the Gorge to Hood River
Journey Through Columbia Gorge to Hood River
Private Van Pickup and Transfer to Columbia River Gorge
DepartureFriday, Oct 8, 2027
Destination
Columbia River Gorge
Our journey begins with pickups in the Willamette Valley. We travel east into the Columbia River Gorge, where our first stop is the Bonneville Fish Hatchery.
Bonneville Fish Hatchery Visit
October is spawning season, and we meet the salmon on their way home along with Herman, the hatchery’s famous white sturgeon.
Mount Hood Railroad Ride
In Hood River we board the Mount Hood Railroad in Premium class for a leisurely ride up the valley through orchards heavy with the autumn harvest, with Mt. Hood rising ahead. A boxed lunch is served on board, and a layover at Pine Grove offers time to browse a fruit company store and small museum before we roll back into town.
Boxed Lunch on Mount Hood Railroad
A boxed lunch is served on board the Mount Hood Railroad.
Phelps Creek Vineyards Wine Tasting
We continue to Phelps Creek Vineyards for a seated tasting of estate wines grown in the shadow of Mt. Hood.
Hampton Inn & Suites Hood River
Hood River, Oregon
We check in to our hotel for three nights, with time to settle in and rest.
Welcome Dinner in Downtown Hood River
We gather for a welcome dinner together in downtown Hood River, the perfect start to our shared adventure.
Saturday, October 9, 2027
Day 2 - Harvest Fest & The Fruit Loop
Harvest Fest, Fruit Loop, and Local Wineries
Breakfast at Hotel
After breakfast we visit the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum on its monthly Second Saturday, when many of the vintage cars and aircraft are brought out of the hangars.
Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum Visit
After breakfast we visit the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum on its monthly Second Saturday, when many of the vintage cars and aircraft are brought out of the hangars. The collection is one of the largest of its kind in the country, and there are benches throughout for those who wish to sit and watch.
Hood River Valley Harvest Fest
We head to the waterfront for the Hood River Valley Harvest Fest, with local produce, crafts, music and the best of the valley’s autumn bounty. Lunch is on your own among the festival vendors.
Fruit Loop Family Farm Bakery Visit
We then drive into the orchards of the Fruit Loop for a stop at a family farm bakery known for its pies and apples.
Stave & Stone Winery Tasting
Finish the afternoon with a tasting at Stave & Stone Winery, set among the vines with views of Mt. Hood.
Dinner Overlooking the Columbia River
After time to freshen up, we enjoy dinner together overlooking the Columbia River.
Hampton Inn & Suites Hood River
Hood River, Oregon
Overnight: Hampton Inn & Suites Hood River, Hood River, Oregon
Sunday, October 10, 2027
Day 3 - Rowena Crest and Maryhill
Art, Wine, and Scenic Gorge Views
Travel to Rowena Crest
We travel east along the Historic Columbia River Highway to Rowena Crest, where the road loops above the river and the Gorge opens into dry, golden hills.
Maryhill Museum of Art Visit
Crossing into Washington, we arrive at the Maryhill Museum of Art, a grand mansion on a bluff above the Columbia with an extraordinary collection that includes Rodin sculpture and the museum’s beloved antique chess sets.
Lunch at Maryhill Museum
Lunch is served at the museum before we continue to Maryhill Winery for a tasting on its terrace overlooking the river.
Maryhill Winery Tasting
We continue to Maryhill Winery for a tasting on its terrace overlooking the river.
Return to Hood River
We return to Hood River along the Washington shore with time to rest before dinner.
Dinner in Downtown Hood River
We enjoy dinner together in downtown Hood River, a celebration of Pacific Northwest flavors.
Hampton Inn & Suites Hood River
Hood River, Oregon
Overnight: Hampton Inn & Suites Hood River, Hood River, Oregon
Monday, October 11, 2027
Day 4 - Around Mt. Hood to Timberline Lodge
Mt. Hood Orchards and Timberline Lodge Tour
Breakfast at Lodge
After breakfast we follow the Fruit Loop south, pausing at Panorama Point for a sweeping view of the valley’s orchards with Mt. Hood beyond, and visiting a family orchard in Parkdale known for more than one hundred varieties of apples. We then climb around the shoulder of the mountain to historic Timberline Lodge.
Panorama Point and Parkdale Orchard Visit
Pause at Panorama Point for a sweeping view of the valley’s orchards with Mt. Hood beyond, and visit a family orchard in Parkdale known for more than one hundred varieties of apples.
Travel to Timberline Lodge
Climb around the shoulder of Mt. Hood to historic Timberline Lodge.
Lunch at Timberline Lodge
Lunch is served at the lodge, followed by a guided tour of Timberline, built by hand in the 1930s with remarkable ironwork, carved wood and woven textiles.
Guided Tour of Timberline Lodge
A guided tour of Timberline, built by hand in the 1930s with remarkable ironwork, carved wood and woven textiles.
Relax at Timberline Lodge
The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax by the great stone fireplace or take in the view of the summit.
Farewell Dinner at Timberline Lodge
We gather for a farewell dinner in the lodge’s historic dining room, sharing stories and memories from our journey together.
Timberline Lodge
Timberline, Oregon
Overnight: Timberline Lodge, Timberline, Oregon
Tuesday, October 12, 2027
Day 5 - Timberline Morning & Home
Leisurely Morning at Timberline and Return Home
Breakfast at Timberline Lodge
We enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge, followed by a free morning to savor the mountain air, browse the gift shop or enjoy one last cup of coffee by the fire.
Free Morning at Timberline Lodge
A free morning to savor the mountain air, browse the gift shop or enjoy one last cup of coffee by the fire.
Departure from Timberline Lodge to Home
Departure
Timberline Lodge
Destination
Tualatin, Woodburn, Salem, Albany
We depart Timberline and travel down the mountain toward home, with estimated drop-offs at Tualatin, Woodburn, Salem, and Albany.
Four nights of hotel accommodations: three nights in Hood River and one night at historic Timberline Lodge. Eleven meals: four breakfasts, three lunches and four dinners. Transportation throughout in our private van. The services of an OregonWest Tour Director, who travels with the group and drives. Mount Hood Railroad in Premium class with a boxed lunch. Admission to Harvest Fest, the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum and the Maryhill Museum of Art. Wine tastings at Phelps Creek Vineyards, Stave & Stone Winery and Maryhill Winery. A guided tour of Timberline Lodge. Gratuities for the Tour Director. Luggage handling, one bag per person. All taxes and fees on included services.
Saturday lunch at Harvest Fest and any meals or beverages not listed as included. Gratuities for local guides, train hosts, restaurant servers and hotel staff. Travel insurance and trip protection. Optional activities. Items of a personal nature. Anything not specifically listed as included.