Day 1 – Spokane, WA

• Fly into Spokane – Washington’s International Airport
• Spend some time exploring town

Night 1 – Stay in Spokane overnight

Day 2 – Newport, WA to Sandpoint, ID

Enter the Loop at Newport, WA and travel on Hwy 2 to Sandpoint, ID, following the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage Scenic Byway
Explore the twin towns of Newport, WA & Oldtown, ID

Discover Priest River and activities:

• Albeni Falls Dam & Interpretive Center
• Priest River Museum & Timber history

Spend some time getting to know the Sandpoint area:

• Lake Pend Oreille Tour (second largest lake in Western US)
• Winery Tour (won Idaho ‘s winery of the year award)
• Blue Cheese Factory Tour (only makers of kosher blue cheese in US)
• Bonner County Museum & Native Plant Arboretum
• Award winning Small Arts Town – great shopping
• Schweitzer Mountain Resort – year-round outdoor activities and major ski resort

Night 2 – Stay in Sandpoint (largest community on US side of tour)

Day 3 – Sandpoint, ID to Ainsworth Hot Springs, BC

Follow Hwy 95 north on the historic Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway

Enjoy the beautiful Bonners Ferry area:

• Kootenai Wildlife Refuge (auto-bus friendly tour route through refuge)
• Kootenai River Inn Casino & Health Spa

Cross the International Border at Porthill

Some Creston & Kootenay Lake East Shore possible activities:

• Columbia Brewery Tour (home to the Kokanee brand)
• Creston Valley Wildlife Mgmt. Area (guided canoe tours) and walking tours
• Artisan Tour in Creston Valley – pick up map at Visitor Centre
• Glass House Tour in Boswell
• Artisan Colony of Crawford Bay
• Ferry Crossing of Kootenay Lake (Free)

Night 3 – Relax at Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort

Day 4 – Ainsworth Hot Springs, BC to Nelson, BC

Traverse the unspoiled splendor along Hwy 31 north to Kaslo and the Slocan Valley – the “North Kootenay Lake & Silvery Slocan Super Side Trip” is ultra scenic all the way to Nelson, with highway pullouts for photo ops.

A few Kaslo area activities:

• Paddlewheeler Museum (S.S. Moyie)
• Award winning Small Arts Town – great shopping
• Sandon Ghost Town Tour – (learn about mining and life in early 1900’s) excellent

New Denver area activities:

• Japanese Internment Center Tour

Night 4 – Spend the night in Nelson (largest community on BC side of tour)

Day 5 – Nelson, BC to Rossland, BC

Explore the West Kootenays and Columbia River along Hwy 3A.

Discover Nelson downtown & area:

• Thriving shopping district – award winning small arts community
• Nelson Museum and Gallery
• Electric streetcar (restored from the 1920’s) ride along waterfront
• Guided tour of Historic Buildings with rich history of area.
• Whitewater Ski Resort – downhill & Nordic very close to Nelson

Historic Castlegar area activities:

• Doukhobor Village Tour – Restored Russian Village of the Doukhobor sect.

Visit Rossland, the village on the mountain:

• Historical Museum for the Hardrock Gold Mine – fascinating

Night 5 – Stay over in Rossland

Day 6 – Rossland, BC to Colville, WA

Discover Kootenay mining country on the Loop’s Rivers, Dams & Mines Super Side Trip.

Trail area activities:

• Teck Cominco Tour – industrial tour – processing of galena

Take in Salmo sights:

• Interesting stone murals on town buildings

Cross the International Border at Nelway, follow Hwy 31 south on the North Pend Oreille Scenic Byway.

Explore the Metaline Falls area:

• Gardner Caves Tour (reservation required) – 2nd largest sandstone caves in Washington
• Box Canyon Dam Tour
• Mill Pond Historic Site and Interpretive trail (2 mi. north of Metalline Falls)
• Cutter Theater and Museum, downtown
• Sweet Creek Falls trail and picnic area

Discover the treasures of Tiger and area:

• Stop at the restored historic Tiger Museum & Rest Stop
• Store, Museum and public restrooms – discover the history of this area
• Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge – 7 mi west of Colville on Hwy 20
• Numerous camping & hiking opportunities along the Little Pend Oreille Lakes chain

Night 6 – Spend the night in Colville

Day 7 – Colville, WA to Spokane, WA

Travel the Loop’s Flowery Trail & Little Pend Oreille Super Side Trip, returning to Spokane via Hwy 395.

Take in Colville area activities:

• Colville Museum Tour – excellent
• Explore downtown Colville, gateway to Lake Roosevelt
• Several excellent golf clubs in the area

Explore the community of Chewelah:

• Historical Museum
• Antique car Museum
• Casino
• 49 Degrees North Ski Resort and Summer Recreation Center on Flowery Trail Road east of town

Return to Spokane via Hwy 395

Fly out same day or add one more night in Spokane