General Tour Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to Oregon: Birds and the Shakespeare Festival. Its sole purpose is to give readers a sense of what might be involved if they took this tour. Although we do our best to make sure that what follows here is completely accurate, it should not be used as a replacement for the formal document which will be sent to all tour registrants, and whose contents supersedes any information contained here.
ENTERING THE UNITED STATES: Non-U.S. citizens will need a valid passport and may need a tourist visa. You can locate the nearest U.S.Embassy or Consulate here. Canadian citizens should carry proof of citizenship in the form of a passport or birth certificate.
HEALTH: Oregon presents no real hazards to the visiting birdwatcher, but certain factors must be considered. The sun can be intense at high altitudes, making a broad-brimmed hat, proper clothing, and a strong sunblock lotion essential.
Some of our birding is at elevations of 5,000 to 7,000 feet, and while we do not schedule anything even faintly strenuous at these altitudes, anyone with a history of cardiovascular or respiratory problems should be aware of the altitudinal stress. Please consult your physician.
We actively look for reptiles, but rattlesnakes are very seldom seen. Insects are rarely bothersome, and we will generally be too early for the main mosquito hatch. We recommend sturdy boots of at least ankle height as a safeguard against twisted ankles when walking over uneven terrain.
PACE OF THE TOUR: There are no particularly long or strenuous walks or hikes on this tour. The longest walks are only moderate in length, and do not climb any substantial heights. Most walking is done on roads and trails, although there will be some over uneven ground and possibly in marshy/dewy grass. When looking for Great Gray Owl, we may have to walk through a forest with much fallen wood, requiring good balance and agility; one can opt to wait in the van during this short walk. We may also have to walk on sloping terrain through open burns to look for woodpeckers. Most mornings will start moderately early, around 6:00 am, but on almost every day we will try to schedule an hour or two of free time in the afternoon for rest and relaxation. On some days this will be followed by a play in the evening or afternoon; the walk from our hotel to the theater complex is short.
CLIMATE: Since we will be ranging from sea level on the humid coast to more than 6,000 feet in the very dry rain shadow of the Cascades, we will experience a wide range of weather conditions. It can be quite cold at night high in the mountains, cool on the outer coast, and rather warm in the inland valleys: we may experience temperatures ranging from 45° to 100° F on the tour, with averages ranging from 45° to 85°F. Rain (usually quite light) is likely on some days, but hazardous weather is very rare.
ACCOMMODATIONS: We’ll be staying at standard, comfortable motels and/or lodges throughout the tour. Our cabins at Fort Klamath are very nice but slightly more rustic.
DRESS: Informal throughout
TRANSPORT: Depending on group size, we’ll be traveling by 12- or 15-passenger window van or minivan. Participants should be able to ride in any seat in tour vehicles.
SMOKING: Smoking is prohibited in the vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists, etc. If you are sharing a room with a non-smoker, please do not smoke in the room. If you smoke in the field, we ask that you do so well away and downwind from the group.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS OF WINGS TOURS: Please take a moment to read the General Information and Conditions here. This section contains important information about how we conduct tours, e.g., what is included in the tour price, refund and cancellation policies, pace of the tours, and other information that will help you prepare for the tour.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A more complete General Information for Tours to Oregon will be sent to each registrant on receipt of booking. Final information with instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses, etc., will be mailed about three weeks before trip departure. Other news will be communicated as necessary. If you have any questions, please let us know.
Updated: September 2008