Sea Level to Alpine Ridges
Trip Type: Custom-Made Travel
Territory: North America
Region: Pacific Northwest
Trip Price: $4,590
Duration: 11 days/10 nights
Trip Begins/Ends: Seattle, WA / Seattle, WA
National Parklands: Olympic NP
All custom travel is tailored to the desires and interests of our traveling clients (see How Custom Travel Works tab). Trip pricing detailed is an estimate of the per person pricing for the sample itinerary detailed and includes all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences described. Actual pricing for the trip designed expressly for you and others traveling with you will depend on the features and elements developed during the trip planning process. Travel with Off the Beaten Path requires agreement to our standard Terms & Conditions.
No Sweat - 1-2 miles of walking or hiking per day, plus easy activities
Nice & Active – 3-6 miles of hiking or walking per day, plus physically active exploration
High Five! – 5-10 miles of hiking per day, plus possible peak bagging or other action-oriented fun
The Energy Index detailed above relates to the level of exertion associated with the sample trip detailed. This would be modified to fit the style and ability of your group as a part of the custom trip planning process
We’ve been tailoring custom journeys for clients since our very inception in the mid-1980s! The process is all about connecting the interests of the travelers with the best that a given destination has to offer. To achieve this, we rely upon good ol’ fashioned conversation! Our geographically focused travel designer love to meet new people and learn about their interests for travel. Understanding your goals informs the process immensely and serves as the foundation for the development of a bespoke travel experience for you and yours.
The trip detailed on this web page is a sample of something we’ve done for other clients over the years. In order to start the process of designing your own custom travel experience, just call us at (800) 445-2995 and ask to speak with one of our Travel Advisors. After a bit of time on the phone, you will then have the opportunity to connect with one of our travel designers.
The entire planning process is very personalized and works in an iterative fashion until a final, perfect trip has been created. We then secure all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences associated with your trip and send along abundant trip materials capturing these details – and much more about your travels!
Arrive in Seattle, pick up your rental car and head straight to Mount Rainier National Park.
A private, local guide leads you through your first two days of adventure in Rainier's old-growth forests, alpine meadows, lakes, and waterfalls. Learn about the geology behind the active volcano, watch for elk, bears, and other wildlife, and take in stunning mountain views and moments of solitude.
Feel yourself unwind as the miles tick by on your long drive around to the northern side of Olympic National Park.
You will meet a guide first thing in the morning and you're off to explore Olympic National Park. At the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, you get a front-row view of the snow-capped Olympic Mountains! Take a guided hiking tour or simply enjoy the beautiful views. Later in the day, you'll make your way to Marymere Falls for additional touring and a hike to a beautiful waterfall. Your second day in the park you'll be living the Northwest life by sea kayaking beautiful Freshwater Bay in the morning, followed by lunch, then exploring the forest while mountain biking in the afternoon. Spend your last lovely day in the park in the Hoh Rainforest and on the Pacific Coast. This is a fantastic day showcasing the beautiful lush green rainforest of the area, and also the rugged pacific coastal beaches.
You'll be on your own to explore today, but we will provide you with a variety of options to choose from. The park offers interpretive programs, ranger-led walks, visitor center talks, Junior Ranger Programs and Night time waterfall hikes. Mountain biking is another option, on routes that are as flat or as steep (or even steeper) as you want, with alpine terrain to dry farmland. On your last day here, you'll take a guided tour of Diablo Lake to experience parts of the lake that are hidden from view when traveling the highway or trails. After lunch, you'll make your way back to Seattle and enjoy a final evening at the Cedarbrook Lodge.
After breakfast, it's time to head to the airport for your departures home.
This charming inn is a quaint and lovely gem in the heart of Mt Rainier National Park. With a privileged location in the park among a whole slew of trailheads, it makes for the perfect, rustic base for your mountain adventure!
Historic Lake Crescent Lodge on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula is nestled among the giant fir and hemlock trees on beautiful Lake Crescent. Built in 1915, the charming resort features comfortable, spacious guest rooms. Enjoy the simple elegance of yesteryear as you unwind by the stone fireplace in the lobby or settle down in the cozy sun porch to catch a spectacular sunset over the lake.
River's Edge Resort is in an ideal location on the Chewuch River, just blocks from the main city center of Winthrop, which is a quaint small town thriving with local merchants, art galleries, restaurants, pubs and endless nearby recreational activities. This will be an excellent base to explore nearby North Cascades National Park!
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Cedarbrook Lodge is located within five minutes from SeaTac Airport, but feels a world away. Set on 18 acres of lush, restored wetlands, guests can enjoy a Northwest experience while being close to the airport. The lodge has 104 guest rooms and suites, each with floor-to-ceiling windows, original artwork, pillow-top beds, a television, telephone with voicemail, complimentary WiFi, a coffee maker, robes, hair dryer, iron, and ironing board. A complimentary continental Northwest breakfast is served each morning.On the premises, you can enjoy the Copperleaf Restaurant and Bar, serving farm-to-table regional cuisine, common living areas, a fitness center, walking trails, lawn games, a business center, laundry service, and a small market. Complimentary shuttles are offered to the airport, the Seattle Link Light Rail, and the Amtrak platform.
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