Olympic National Park and the Pacific Northwest

Begin your Pacific Northwest adventure in Seattle, Washington, the vibrant gateway to the region’s most breathtaking national parks and scenic landscapes. Upon arrival at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, transfer to your comfortable hotel and settle in for the evening. The rest of the day is yours to relax, explore at your own pace, or join an optional guided downtown Seattle city tour. Discover iconic attractions such as the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and the historic waterfront while soaking in views of Puget Sound and the surrounding Cascade Mountains.

This flexible arrival day allows you to unwind after travel while setting the stage for an unforgettable journey through Washington State’s natural wonders. Whether you choose to explore the Emerald City’s renowned food scene, coffee culture, and waterfront parks, or simply prepare for the adventures ahead, your Seattle arrival experience offers the perfect blend of comfort and exploration.

Lodging: DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport

Experience one of the most awe-inspiring days of your Pacific Northwest journey with a guided adventure into Mount Rainier National Park. As you approach the park entrance, sweeping views of the Cascade Range and the snow-capped summit of Mount Rainier set the stage for an unforgettable alpine experience.

Your exploration begins at the Sunrise Visitor Center, the highest point accessible by vehicle in the park. From here, enjoy a spectacular hike above the tree line through expansive heather meadows and rocky alpine tundra on Mount Rainier’s north side. Whitebark pine and mountain hemlock rise from wildflower-filled fields in summer, creating a landscape that feels both rugged and serene.

At Glacier Overlook, witness the immense Emmons Glacier—nearly 4.5 square miles of ice and the largest glacier in the contiguous United States. Continue to Second Burroughs Mountain, where Mount Rainier towers dramatically overhead, offering panoramic views of Grand Park, Berkeley Park, and the distant Cascade peaks. On clear days, you may even glimpse Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, the Salish Sea, and the Olympic Mountains. Keep watch for wildlife, including mountain goats and black bears roaming the meadows.

After your hike, journey to the park’s iconic south side and settle into the historic Paradise Lodge. Relax in rustic comfort, savor Pacific Northwest-inspired cuisine, and enjoy a spectacular sunset behind the Cascades—an unforgettable highlight of your Mount Rainier National Park tour.

Lodging: Paradise Inn

Meals: B, L, D

Wake to breakfast with unforgettable views of Mount Rainier before stepping directly from the historic Paradise Inn onto one of the park’s most iconic alpine routes. Today’s guided hike climbs the flanks of this massive stratovolcano toward Camp Muir, offering an immersive experience in the heart of Mount Rainier National Park.

As you ascend, the scenery transforms with the seasons—vibrant wildflower meadows in summer, ripe berry patches in late season, and brilliant fall colors painting the landscape in autumn. Enjoy elevated views of the Nisqually Glacier, its icy crevasses carving through the mountainside, while the jagged peaks of the Tatoosh Range rise dramatically in the distance.

Along the trail, pause on sun-warmed rocks as marmots scurry across alpine meadows and young wildlife play nearby. The immense scale of Mount Rainier becomes strikingly clear as you look toward its summit soaring nearly 10,000 feet above your vantage point. Your expert guide will share insight into the region’s unique ecosystems, highlighting native plants and wildlife such as northern flying squirrels and spotted owls that inhabit these ancient forests. Waterfalls cascade into glacial rivers below, adding to the park’s breathtaking natural beauty.

Return this evening to Paradise Inn for your final night surrounded by the awe-inspiring scenery of Mount Rainier—an unforgettable highlight of your Washington State adventure.

Lodging: Paradise Inn

Meals: B, L

Lake Quinault | NPS 

After breakfast, continue your Pacific Northwest adventure with a scenic journey from Mount Rainier National Park to the diverse landscapes of Olympic National Park and the breathtaking Olympic Peninsula. Traveling through the heart of the Cascade Range, you’ll witness dramatic shifts in terrain—from volcanic peaks to temperate rainforest and rugged coastline—all in a single day.

Your first stop is the peaceful Lake Quinault region, one of Olympic National Park’s most serene and least visited areas. This lush rainforest environment is home to towering old-growth trees—some of the largest in the world—along with moss-draped branches, fern-lined trails, and tranquil lakeside views. Explore this enchanting ecosystem while learning about the unique biodiversity that makes Olympic a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Continuing west, the landscape opens to reveal the wild beauty of the Pacific Ocean along Washington State’s remote coastline. Windswept beaches framed by twisted spruce and shore pines create a striking contrast to the inland forests.

Settle into your oceanfront accommodations for a two-night stay, where every room features sweeping coastal views. Enjoy a leisurely beach walk, listen to waves rolling onto shore, and savor dinner overlooking the Pacific—an unforgettable highlight of your Olympic National Park tour experience.

Lodging: Kalaloch Lodge at Olympic National Park

Meals: B, D

Discover one of the most extraordinary ecosystems in the United States with a guided visit to the legendary Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park—often described as one of the quietest places on Earth and a true Pacific Northwest bucket-list destination. The name “Hoh,” meaning whitewater, reflects the glacial-fed river that winds through this ancient temperate rainforest, born from the icy slopes of Mount Olympus.

Begin at the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center before walking the iconic Hall of Mosses Nature Trail, where towering Sitka spruce and western hemlock rise above a forest floor draped in lush green mosses and ferns. Continue along the Hoh River Trail, enjoying a peaceful riverside lunch surrounded by cathedral-like groves of old-growth trees. Keep watch for Roosevelt elk moving quietly through the meadows. With more biomass per acre than almost anywhere else on Earth, this vibrant rainforest immerses you in countless shades of green from canopy to forest floor.

Later, experience the dramatic coastal beauty of Ruby Beach, famous for its sea stacks, tide pools, and windswept Pacific shoreline. Return to your oceanfront lodge to unwind, listening to waves crash along the coast—an unforgettable highlight of your Olympic National Park tour.

Lodging: Kalaloch Lodge at Olympic National Park

Meals: B, L

Begin your day with a scenic drive north to Lake Crescent, one of the clearest and deepest lakes in the United States and a crown jewel of Olympic National Park. Surrounded by steep forested slopes and steeped in regional legend, Lake Crescent offers both stunning beauty and fascinating history. Learn about Mount Storm King and the geological forces that shaped this glacially carved basin. Enjoy a peaceful forest walk to a secluded waterfall, where moss-covered trees and fern-lined paths showcase the lush diversity of the Olympic Peninsula.

Continue to the Elwha River, a powerful symbol of ecological restoration. Here, witness the remarkable transformation following one of the largest dam removal projects in U.S. history, allowing salmon runs and native ecosystems to thrive once again.

After lunch, ascend to Hurricane Ridge, the highest point of your Olympic adventure. Known for intense winds and heavy winter snowfall, this alpine environment features sweeping meadows, rugged peaks, and panoramic vistas. Watch for black-tailed deer, mountain goats, and the rare Olympic marmot, found only in these mountains. From Hurricane Hill, take in breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and even Vancouver Island.

Conclude the day with an overnight stay in Sequim, where you can enjoy dinner on your own and reflect on another unforgettable day exploring Olympic National Park.

Lodging: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sequim by IHG

Meals: B, L

Set out this morning for an unforgettable San Juan Islands whale-watching tour, one of the premier wildlife experiences in the Pacific Northwest. Cruise through the pristine waters of the Salish Sea in search of orca whales, humpback whales, and minke whales, along with bald eagles, porpoises, harbor seals, and sea lions. This nutrient-rich marine ecosystem is one of the best places in the United States for whale watching, offering exceptional opportunities for up-close encounters in their natural habitat.

As you navigate the scenic channels and forested shorelines of the San Juan archipelago, your expert captain shares fascinating insights into the region’s maritime history, complex geology, and thriving marine life.

Enjoy a two-hour stop in Friday Harbor, the charming seaside village on San Juan Island, where you’ll have time to explore local shops and enjoy lunch at your leisure. Later, return to Port Townsend for a festive farewell dinner, celebrating the unforgettable experiences of your Olympic and Pacific Northwest adventure.

This evening, travel back to Seattle, bidding farewell to the Emerald City as your journey through Washington State’s national parks and coastal wonders comes to a memorable close.

Lodging: DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport

Meals: B, D

Depart Seattle at your leisure today, taking advantage of the convenient hotel shuttle transfer to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. As your Pacific Northwest journey comes to a close, reflect on the unforgettable experiences that defined your adventure—from the glaciers of Mount Rainier National Park and the lush landscapes of Olympic National Park to whale watching in the San Juan Islands and exploring the vibrant city of Seattle.

Leave with lasting memories of breathtaking scenery, remarkable wildlife encounters, and immersive guided experiences that showcased the very best of Washington State. Your national park and Pacific Northwest tour may be ending, but the landscapes, stories, and connections made along the way will travel home with you.

Meals: B