While most travelers to the United States focus on the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas, the North-West has slowly been attracting those who want to feel less like tourists yet still offers beautiful scenery, amazing, natural landscapes, and a very laid back American culture. This tour starts in Seattle making its way south through the states of Washington, Oregon and ending in bohemian San Francisco in California. Taste some world-class wines, learn about Native American culture, and hike through the natural wonders of the Cascade Mountain Range, Mt. St Helens, Olympic Park, and Crater Lake. Stroll along sandy beaches, wander among giant Redwood trees and explore unique volcanic treasures while spending the nights in comfortable, well-located hotels and lodges. This part of the country will leave you feeling relaxed, charmed and re-energised.

Seattle - Welcome to Seattle! Our tour group will meet in the hotel lobby at 5:00pm and walk to nearby famous Pike Market Place and reserve a group dinner (not included, but an appetizer and drink offered) at a restaurant. You will be greeted by your Tour Leader and Driver who will share with you some important information about your upcoming adventure. They will hand out tour documentation with daily programs and other helpful information. If you arrive early at the hotel and your room is not yet ready you can store your luggage at the hotel reception. Seattle is the largest city of the Northwest, and was named the Most Livable City thanks to its environmental initiatives. We recommend you arrive one or two days prior to the start of the tour to fully appreciate all that the city has to offer. Please speak to your Kumuka consultant or travel agent with regard to arranging pre-tour accommodation.

Olympic National Park – Sol Duc Hot Springs - Rialto Beach – Hoh Rain Forest - Aberdeen - We spend a day in Olympic National Park. We drive to Sol Duc Hot Springs for a relaxing swim in mineral hot springs and freshwater pools. Then we’ll stop at scenic Rialto Beach for picnic lunch and later explore the area on an easy self-guided walk within the Hoh Rain Forest. Trails lead through enchanted, moss covered temperate rain forest. Night in Aberdeen at the southern edge of the Olympic Peninsula.

Portland - Columbia River Gorge - Mt. Hood - The city of Portland is rated to be one of the most liveable cities in the United States, with its laid-back attitude, numerous inner-city parks, and beautiful setting on the shores of the Willamette River. A walk in Portland’s Rose Gardens shows off why Portland is also referred to as the "City of Roses". Take this day off for a city tour on your own or join us for a day trip to Mt. Hood (3,429 metres, 11,249 ft), a huge snow-capped, dormant volcano with very impressive natural surroundings. The journey begins along another one of America's most scenic routes, the Historic Columbia River Highway, with its fascinating history and splendid views of the mighty Columbia River. We stop at impressive Multnomah Falls and proceed to drive up the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway to an elevation of 1,820 metres (5,960 ft). We enjoy Mt. Hood National Forest hiking around Trillium Lake and visit the historic Timberline Lodge, showplace of many famous movies. Then back to Portland for our second night.

Yachats - Yaquina Head Lighthouse - Oregon Coast Aquarium - Newport - Today’s highlights include Yaquina Head Outstanding National Area exploring a working lighthouse. Later, we’ll have a picnic lunch at a beachside State Park and take a walk along the sandy beaches. Then we head to the incredible Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport. Take a stroll through Newport’s old town and harbour amongst its unique galleries and great seafood restaurants. An optional whale watching tour can be arranged with advanced reservation.

High Desert Museum – Newberry Volcano National Monument – La Pine - In the morning we visit the famous High Desert Museum with indoor and outdoor displays highlighting Oregon's unique high desert topography, wildlife and culture. In the afternoon we explore Newberry Volcano National Monument with its fascinating volcanic glass or Obsidian areas. We picnic and hike at Paulina Lake. Relax tonight at the hotel swimming pool in La Pine, a small Oregon timber community.

Jacksonville – Ashland - Today, you have some free time to explore pedestrian friendly Jacksonville and Ashland. We drive through scenic valleys in the heart of Oregon's wine country, which is fast establishing itself as one of the best producers of Pinot Noir in the world. Judge for yourself during our stop for wine tasting. There is a fantastic half day optional white water rafting excursion down the Rogue River (arranged with pre-reservation). In the evening attend an optional theatre play or cabaret at Ashland’s famous Shakespeare festival with pre-ordered tickets, or stroll through the many boutiques and galleries.

Redwoods – Fort Bragg – Golden Gate Bridge – San Francisco - Leaving Redwoods, a short drive will bring us to Fort Bragg where we stroll through the Mendocino Botanical Gardens with its 47 acres of ocean front gardens and a trail along thunderous waves. Next stop will be in Mendocino with its art community and galleries. Driving south we visit Bodega Bay where Alfred Hitchcock filmed "The Birds" in 1963. We visit Sausalito on the Bay of San Francisco where we stay for dinner with a beautiful view of the skyline of San Francisco. We do a photo stop at a view point of the Golden Gate Bridge and then arrive in San Francisco downtown for our last night.

The Opal

1050 Van Ness Avenue

San Francisco

California 94109

Tel: +1-415-673-4711

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office.

Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your North America trip. The Kumuka website www.kumuka.com provides visa information, yet entry regulations can change without notice.  Further consultation with your Travel Agent or nearest Embassy is recommended.

Each client is solely responsible for obtaining all necessary visas and entry requirements before joining a tour. Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.

Important: If your travels involve entry into the United States, please read the following:

Beginning 1st August 2008, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be accessible via the internet for citizens and eligible nationals of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to apply for advance authorization to travel to the United States under the VWP.  The ESTA system becomes effective on 12th January 2009.  All VWP travellers will be required to obtain an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the United States under the VWP.  Full details are available at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov 

Because of limited luggage space on transport, we must limit each passenger to one main backpack or suitcase, and one day bag. A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles. A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, water, etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions.

In North America tipping is a way of life and very much expected, as well as appreciated. For many, receiving tips is a means of supplementing their salary which is usually based on minimum wage. The standard amount in restaurants and bars is 15% of the total bill (please note that sales and service taxes are automatically imposed in some restaurants and bars).  Chambermaids usually receive $1 or $2 per night in a hotel, simply left on the bedside table.

It is also customary in North America to show appreciation of your Tour Leader by tipping him/her at the end of the tour.

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.