Frequently Asked Questions
Planning: Tour Offerings | Making a Reservation | Tour Minimums
Preparing: Guide Gratuities | Tour Duration | How early to arrive | What to bring
Transportation: Our Vans | Car Seats | Accessibility
Safety: Current Health & Safety Protocols | Weather
Wanderlust Tours Office: Local Goods | Gift Cards | Donations | Parking Passes
Planning
What tours do you offer?
We offer a diverse set of tours and special events year-round!
How early should I make a reservation?
We recommend making reservations as soon as you know your plans are firm. Online bookings can be made up to 48 hours in advance but you are always welcome to call our office and make a reservation – even a few hours before if we still have space!
Are there tour minimums?
Yes. Our tours typically require at least 4 people. If you have fewer than 4 in your party, you may still reserve any tour and we will attempt to combine other people with your tour to reach the minimum. If your tour has not reached the minimum, you will receive a call 48 hours in advance. Please see our Cancellation Policy for more information.
Can our little ones come in a backpack?
The Volcano Tour and Canoe Tour are the best options for families with small children. They can ride in a backpack during the hiking portion of the volcano, and enjoy views and water play from the middle of the canoe or even from a parent’s lap. Please be sure to bring your own car seat or boosters and arrive 15-20 minutes early to set it up in the van with your guide. We do provide PFDs for children – just be sure to let us know ages.
Do you rent your canoes, kayaks or snowshoes?
We don’t! All of our gear is accompanied by our Naturalist Guides.
If you’re looking to adventure on your own - check out Visit Bend for rental options.
Do you do rafting?
We don't! Please visit our friends at Ouzel Outfitters or Sun Country Tours for awesome rafting trips.
If you want to commune with nature and learn lots about Bend’s natural and cultural history, try our amazing flat-water canoeing or kayaking tours with our professional naturalist guides! You won’t be disappointed.
Can dogs come on tour?
We love pups! Unfortunately, we cannot allow dogs on our tours. Please reach out to Ponderosa Paws for your dog-sitting needs!
Preparing
Can I tip my guide?
Absolutely! We feel that our Naturalist Guides are part of what make a Wanderlust Tour so unique! Guide gratuities are not included in the cost of your tour. Please extend the customary gratuity, when warranted, on a voluntary basis.
How long is each tour?
From start to finish, most of our half-day tours are about 4 hours door to door, meaning if we depart our office at 9am, we’ll have you back at our office around 1pm. Lava Tube Cave Tours are typically 3 hours.
How early should we arrive to our tour?
Please arrive to our office 10-15 minutes early.
Your tour will depart our office exactly at the scheduled time. Please plan ahead for a timely arrival.
What do I need to bring?
Wanderlust Tours will provide a naturalist guide, transportation from our office, and any equipment necessary for the tour. Please bring a water bottle, extra layer for warmth, sunscreen or hat, and appropriate shoes/boots for the tour. A camera is also great to have! For snowshoeing tours, please see recommended footwear here. We have snow boots and snow pants available to rent for $10 an item. We also have dry bags for purchase at our office to help keep your gear secure on the water.
What should I wear on the tour?
For all tours, dress comfortably and bring layers. The weather changes frequently and it's best to be prepared for many situations.
Local Pour Tours: Your photo ID, Close-toed shoes
Paddling Tours: Wear sandals or closed-toe shoes, and bring layers along as well as sunscreen.
Cave Tours: The caves are 45 degrees year round! Always wear closed-toe shoes. We recommend you wear pants/ jeans and bring a jacket.
Snowshoe Tours: Warm jacket, gloves, hats, snow pants, Sun protection, Snow boots
What kind of sunscreen should I bring?
Let's keep our lakes and waterways clean! Did you know most sunscreens contain chemicals that are not only harmful to humans, but to our water systems as well?
When you recreate on water, please be especially careful to NOT use sunscreens that contain these ingredients.:
Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Avobenzone, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), Parabens, Triclosan
Badger Balm Sunscreen (SPF 40) is available for purchase in our office.
Do you provide WATERPROOF bags?
We sell NRS dry bags in our office, but we do not provide any for the tours. While we don't anticipate anything getting soaked, we always recommend placing electronics in a plastic bag or waterproof case. (Or leave them locked in your car and enjoy a few hours unplugged!)
Do you provide snacks?
We have scheduled our tours to depart and return outside of regular meal times to give you a chance to eat before or after. Unless indicated, we do not provide snacks on our tours. We always recommend bringing your own bottle of water.
Our office sells Nalgene bottles if you forget yours.
Transportation
Do you Provide Transportation?
Our 14-passenger vans are equipped with the standard amenities. We can accommodate both small and large groups in our vans. Providing transportation is one way we limit impact. Also, the vans are setup with a microphone so guests can experience interpretation from our Naturalist Guides along the way!
Can you pick us up at our hotel?
All tours depart from our office located in Bend, just south of downtown and the Old Mill District. We offer transportation to and from your hotel or residence for the Local Pour Tours only. We can also arrange pickup for some custom or private tours.
What about Car Seats for young children?
Our vans are compatible with most car seats. For any young children that require a car seat, please bring the car seat with you and we can install it in our van prior to departing for the tour.
Are your vans Wheelchair Accessibile?
If you are interested in joining us on tour and require wheelchair accessibility, please call our office 541-389-8359 and we can discuss available options.
Are we able to drive ourselves and meet you there?
In almost all cases, no. The transportation to and from our destination is a valuable part of the tour where the guide can impart some knowledge about the area and your tour, as well as answer any questions you have. Alongside the interpretation aspect, parking in these areas is often very difficult due to crowds, requires permits, or is simply not an option for a public vehicle. Lastly, our goal is to operate in the most sustainable manner possible and driving to our location together is the most environmentally friendly option!
Safety
What are your health & safety protocols for current tours?
Wanderlust Tours has been engaged with statewide entities such as the Governor’s office, City of Bend, Deschutes County Commissioners, Visit Bend, and statewide outfitters and guides to conduct our business as safely as possible. Our operation plan has been prepared with government recommendations.
Please see WanderlustTours.com/safety-protocols for how to prepare for your tour.
Do you cancel tours due to weather?
All of our tours will run rain or shine. We are fortunate to be on the ‘dry side’ of the Cascade Mountains, which yields ~300 days of sunshine!
However, if the weather ever poses a risk to guest safety our guides will monitor and cancel accordingly. Our office will work to credit you for a future tour or provide a refund.
Best resources for Checking the weather
The weather in Central Oregon can vary greatly. To the west of Bend, we have the Cascade mountains that receive roughly 400 inches of snow each winter and in Bend, we get 300+ days of sunshine and clear skies per year. There are many days during the winter months where it can be snowing in the mountains but sunny and beautiful in Bend and there will be summer days where its creeps into the 90s but drops into the 60s once the sun goes down. Below are the best resources for checking the weather based on our different tours!
Snowshoeing & Bonfire Tours
Cascade Lakes Canoeing & Kayaking Tours
Spring & Fall Paddling Tours
Cave Tours
Volcano & Hiking Tours
Cancellation Policy
STANDARD HALF-DAY TOURS
All guests have until 48 hours prior to departure to cancel or change their tour date. Prior to 48 hours, cancellations will be refunded all but a 10% processing fee. Cancellations, decreased numbers, or change of date for any reason within this 48 hour period will result in a FULL forfeiture of the tour cost. No-shows forfeit full tour cost. There will be no exceptions. This includes cancellations due to covid-related illness.
Full day tours, SPECIAL EVENTS, PRIVATE & CUSTOM TOURS
Cancellations prior to TWO WEEKS are subject to a 10% cancellation fee. Cancellation/decrease in numbers/change of date for any reason within the cancellation period prior to the tour will result in a FULL forfeiture of your tour cost. No-shows forfeit full tour cost. There will be no exceptions. This includes cancellations due to covid-related illness.
You can find our full cancellation policy details here
Wanderlust Tours - Office
Where Can I find local goods?
We have locally-made goods like hats, t-shirts, water bottles, soaps, candles, mugs, postcards, books from local authors, & more!
Do you sell Gift Cards?
We absolutely do! You can either purchase online: wanderlusttours.com/gift-cards
Or swing by our Office!
Do you donate Gift Certificates?
Each year, Wanderlust Tours donates to over 200 organizations in the Pacific Northwest. We are committed to helping local organizations raise funds for these causes:
children
animals
environmental
If you would like to request a tour donation from Wanderlust Tours, please complete the form here: wanderlusttours.com/donation-requests
Do you sell NW Forest pass or Sno-Park passes?
Unfortunately we do not sell any of these types of passes. Our friends at Powder House sells sno-park passes and REI in the Old Mill sells NW Forest Passes.
