Day 1
SALT LAKE CITY • GREAT SALT LAKE • POCATELLO, IDAHO:
This morning we are transported to the Charlotte airport for our flight to Salt Lake City. Once we collect our luggage and board the motorcoach we head north to Idaho. Just outside the city we stop to view the Great Salt Lake. Next we cross into Idaho and Pocatello, our home for the night.
Day 2
CRATER OF THE MOON • PERRINE MEMORIAL BRIDGE • SHOSHONE FALLS • EVIL KNIEVEL JUMP SITE • BOISE:
We travel to Craters of the Moon
National Monument. Huge lava spatter cones, lava tubes and natural bridges combine to form a strange other-worldly
landscape. A bag lunch is provided today. We stop at Twin Falls Visitors Center to view the Perrine Memorial Bridge. The Perrine Bridge spans the
majestic Snake River Canyon on the
northern edge of Twin Falls. The bridge, 1,500 feet long, offers pedestrian walkways with views of the river, lakes, and waterfalls. The Snake River echoes with the thundering crash of Shoshone Falls, the “Niagara of the West.” White water plunges over 200 feet, bathing the area in a cool rainbow mist. Next, we
visit the Snake River, where Evil Knievel
jumped a rocket-powered motorcycle across the Snake River Canyon in 1974. We check into our hotel in Boise for a two night stay. (L)
Day 3
BOISE SIGHTSEEING:
This morning
we begin an interesting tour of Boise, seeing what makes the city wonderful and unique. We visit the Old
Idaho Penitentiary, which contains 19th-century prison cells and gallows. While
we're here we'll take time to walk through
the Idaho Botanical Gardens. We'll spend time at the Capital City Market; a
haven for shoppers and great for people
watching. This afternoon we visit JUMP to see the collection of vintage steam engines and tractors dating as far back as 1885. One of our last stops today will be the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial. Dinner is included this evening. Get a good nights rest as our next two days are full of adventure. (D)
Day 4
WHITEWATER RAFTING • LEWISTON:
Excitement begins as we travel to Riggins for our half-day whitewater rafting adventure. We stop in
McCall for lunch. Here, we view Payette Lake, a 5,330 acre expanse of clean, glacial water sitting at an elevation of
about 5,000 feet in the mountains of
Idaho. The adventure beings as we experience the rich culture of the Nimiipuu people and their life on the
Salmon River. The river is the longest stretch of free flowing water in the lower
48 states. The scenery is spectacular. This is your chance to catch a glimpse of wildlife visiting the riverbeds. You will
be acquainted with the beautiful canyons
of the Salmon River. We disembark the River and travel to Lewiston, for a two night stay.
Day 5
LEWIS & CLARK DISCOVERY
CENTER • HELLS CANYON JET BOAT • LUNCH:
Today we visit Lewis &
Clark Discovery Center, an outdoor interpretive plaza along the banks of the Snake River. The center includes educational displays, a gift shop and an
original documentary film. Our adventure
continues today! Be prepared for that occasional spray from the Snake River white water rapids as we explore Hells Canyon by jet boat. This is one of the most famous sections of any river in America. Our adventure features the canyon's history, geology, flora and fauna in addition to its beauty. Hells
Canyon is North America's deepest
gorge with walls and spires reaching
heights of 9,393 feet that surpass even
the Grand Canyon! Enjoy a picturesque
lunch and stops along the shores during
today's excursion. (L)
Day 6
OLD MISSION STATE PARK •
WALLACE • JAMESON HOTEL •
SIERRA SILVER MINE • COEUR D'ALENE:
Traveling toward Coeur D' Alene we
visit Old Mission State Park. The park
is home to Mission of the Sacred Heart,
one of the oldest buildings in Idaho. We
continue to the mining town of Wallace,
the world's largest silver producer and
richest mining town in existence. The
town is listed on the National Register
of Historic Places. Next, you'll have
time to explore the town with its quaint,
eclectic shopping. Next we tour the
Sierra Silver Mine where you experience
rock mining in the richest silver district
on earth. We check into our hotel for
the evening. (D)
Day 7
SPOKANE • GLOVER MANSION •
LUNCH:
We depart Coeur D'Alene
and travel to Arbor Crest Estate, a
crown jewel of the Inland Northwest,
the winery offers stunning views and
park-like grounds. We meet our stepon
guide and stop at the Willow Pond
Pottery and Herbs for a stroll through
the fragrant gardens with the owners.
In their century old barn, shop for
handmade stoneware pottery and
specialty teas made from their own
herbs. Next, we visit Beck's Harvest
House and Country Store. You may
venture into the orchards, view the
peach trees and try a “bend-over” peach.
We arrive in Spokane and see beautiful
mansions built by those who made their
fortunes in silver. We enjoy our final
lunch in the Glover Mansion. This classic
home was built in 1888 for the Father of
Spokane, James Glover. This afternoon
we visit the majestic Saint John's
Cathedral, said to be one of the most
beautiful cathedrals in the Pacific
Northwest. Discover Manito Park with
its formal French Renaissance gardens.
Perennial Gardens. Rose Gardens,
authentic Japanese Gardens, and
flower-filled Conservatory. We stop at
Bing Crosby's childhood home to see
the largest public collection of Crosby's
memorabilia in the U.S. In beautiful
Riverfront Park we take the SkyRide,
offering spectacular views of Spokane
Falls. We also ride on the historic Looff
Carousel before our day comes to an
end. (L)
Day 8
FLIGHT HOME:
What an amazing
adventure we've had through the
beautiful state of Idaho. We transfer to
the Spokane airport for our flight home.