Seattle & Olympic National Park
Snowcapped peaks and rain forests
Strikingly different from the east coast, the Pacific Northwest sparkles in the setting sun and is lushly green as far as the eye can see. Join us as we explore Seattle and Olympic National Park. We begin in the Emerald City of Seattle with city tour and a visit to the famed Pike Place Market to see vendors tossing salmon. Then it's off to Olympic National Park to experience all the Pacific Northwest has to offer: from waves crashing on driftwood-scattered beaches to the peace and crispness of the high mountain air to the comfort of the dense, lush temperate rainforest. Come join us!
Seattle & Olympic National Park
July 18 - July 24, 2019Highlights
- Tour Seattle and Pike Place Market
- Stay at Olympic National Park lodges
- Hike a rainforest and a driftwood-strewn beach
- Time to explore personal interests
- Suggestions for additional things to see
- Small group no larger than 14
- And More... See itinerary for details
Itinerary
Thursday, 18 July 2019: Arrive Seattle; Welcome Dinner (D)
Arrive no later than 4:00pm. Take local transportation to the hotel. Your tour begins at 6:00pm in the hotel lobby where we will make introductions and then have our Welcome Dinner to get better acquainted. Should you arrive earlier in the day, relax or go exploring. Overnight Seattle - 2 nights
Friday, 19 July 2019: City Tour and Pike Place Market; Afternoon Free Time (B)
We begin the day with a tour of the Emerald City concluding at Pike Place Market, the oldest continuously operating market in the nation and the heart and soul of downtown. Seattle's public market offers a multi-sensory experience of sights, sounds, tastes, aromas and textures. Here you can grab lunch and perhaps eat outside at Waterfront Park soaking in the gorgeous views of Puget Sound and watching the ferries ply the water. This afternoon is free to spend as you wish. It's a great time to head over to Seattle Center and take in the Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden & Glass or the Experience Music Project.
Saturday, 20 July 2019: Drive to Olympic National Park; Afternoon Hiking (B)
After breakfast we depart for the scenic drive to Olympic National Park and begin to see clearly why Washington is called the "Evergreen State." Covering nearly one million acres, Olympic National Park provides three distinct ecosystems—glaciated mountains, rugged Pacific coastline, and lush temperate forests. Over 95% of the park is designated wilderness, protecting one of the largest wilderness areas in the lower 48. We'll stop at the Visitor Center at Hurricane Ridge for 360-degree views of the snow-capped Olympic mountains and the sparkling waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. On a clear day, you can even see to Canada. We'll then continue on to historic Lake Crescent Lodge, built in 1915 on the shore of crystal-clear Lake Crescent. Hiking is a natural way to explore the Olympic Peninsula. Short or long, leisurely or invigorating, you'll find a great variety of hikes here that reward you with breath-taking vistas. Overnight Lake Crescent Lodge - 2 nights
Sunday, 21 July 2019: Sol Duc Hot Springs; Relax at Lake Crescent (B,D)
After breakfast, we'll drive to the Sol Duc Valley and walk along the trail through old growth forest until we reach the very pretty Sol Duc Falls. If you'd like to take a longer hike, we'd suggest the 6-mile Lover's Lane Loop, one of the most popular hiking trails in the Sol Duc area. For those interested, we'll make time to soak in the mineral waters of the Hot Springs (price not included in the tour). Later this afternoon, we'll return to Lake Crescent Lodge and spend time enjoying this area. Perhaps you'll want to hike to Marymere Falls...the trailhead is just minutes from the lodge. Or you might be interested in getting out on the lake itself; there are kayaks, canoes and paddleboards available to rent at the dock. This evening, we'll enjoy dinner together in this wonderful setting.
Monday, 22 July 2019: Hoh Rain Forest; Ruby Beach (B,L)
Today we pack up and head to west side of the park to visit the moss-drenched Hoh Rain Forest, one of the finest remaining examples of temperate rainforest in the US and one of the park's most popular destinations. The Hoh receives as much as 170 inches of rain every year (that's 14 feet!), plus condensed mist and fog contribute another 30 inches. We'll walk the gentle Hall of Mosses path and the Spruce Nature Trail for photo ops that are other-worldly. It's then on to the Pacific Ocean, with a stop at Ruby Beach. Olympic beaches are unlike any other; a tremendous amount of enormous driftwood piles up on shore and large sea stacks (rock islands) stand sentinel just off the coast. At low-tide, these areas offer up intriguing tide pools to explore. When we're ready to call it a day, we'll head to our new accommodations for the night, Lake Quinault Lodge, a grand and rustic lodge built in 1926 on the shores of shimmering Lake Quinault. After checking in, choose to hike some of the 8 miles of inter-connected trails around the lodge or simply relax in the lodge's sauna and heated pool. After dinner, you may want to take in a sunset lake tour, a spectacular way to end the day.
Tuesday, 23 July 2019: Free Morning; Return to Seattle; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
The morning is free to relax or explore further the area around Lake Quinault. We complete the Olympic loop and return to Seattle this afternoon. After checking in and time to freshen up, we'll gather for our Farewell Dinner. For convenience sake, we'll stay near the airport. Overnight Seattle Airport Hotel - 1 night
Wednesday, 24 July 2019: Return Home from Seattle (B)
Sadly, it's time to say goodbye to the lovely Pacific Northwest. Based on the departure time you provide WTT, your Tour Leader can assist with organizing travelers into small groups so you can ride-share to the airport if you wish.
Seattle & Olympic National Park
July 18 - July 24, 2019Pricing
Room Share
$2,474.00Single Room
$3,511.00Non-Members
ADD $50.00Status of this Tour
Trip Full and Closed
Tour Pricing Includes
- All meals and activities expressly listed in the itinerary, PLUS...
- All tipping of local guides
- WTT Tour Leader to enhance the individual & group experience
- Transportation in WTT's own Mercedes mini-coach
- Arranged room sharing with another solo traveler
- Travel Dollar credits (a benefit of WTT membership) toward future travel with WTT
Not Included In The Price
- Airfare or other transportation to and from the tour
- Airport transfers
- Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
- Any personal expenses or expenditures
- Any pre- or post- tour arrangements
- Any gratuities for the WTT tour leader
- Travel Insurance
Payment Dates -and- Cancellation Terms for This Tour
At Space Reservation: Initial Deposit is due.
Saturday, 19 Jan 2019: Initial deposit cannot be parked and is forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Friday, 19 Apr 2019: Payment in full. 50% cancellation penalty after this date.
Monday, 3 Jun 2019: 100% forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Please review our travel and cancellation policies before making your reservation. You will be asked to confirm you have read and understood WTT's travel polices before we will accept your reservation.
Travel Insurance: We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect you in the event you need to cancel your tour. WTT will mail you information from 2 reliable travel insurance providers at the time we confirm your reservation.
You can review the insurance information from TravelGuard to get an idea of rates.
Seattle & Olympic National Park
July 18 - July 24, 2019Flights, Transfers & Lodging
Arrival & Departure Information
Travelers will make their own air arrangements as follows:
Arrival Airport: SEA - Seattle, WA (Seattle Tacoma Int'l Airport)
Arrival Date: Thursday, July 18th. Arrive no later than 4:00pm.
Arrival Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi service. Details provided in Final Travel Instructions.
Departure Airport: SEA - Seattle, WA (Seattle Tacoma Int'l Airport)
Departure Date: Wednesday, July 24th. Depart at your convenience.
Departure Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi service. WTT Tour Leader will assist in coordinating ride sharing.
Lodging / Hotels
Seattle: Hilton Garden Inn Downtown
Lake Crescent: Lake Crescent Lodge
Quinault Valley: Lake Quinault Lodge
Seattle: Crown Plaza Seattle Airport
National Park lodges tend to be rustic, motel-style buildings.
In the unlikely event WTT is unable to provide the hotel accommodation(s) listed, for whatever reason, WTT will substitute similar quality accommodation(s) at no additional cost to the traveler.
Want to Arrive a Day Early?
Worried about possible flight delays? Consider arriving one day before the official tour state date. Many of our travelers choose this optional service. Your pre-tour package includes:
- The room (standard check-in times apply)
- Optional activity suggestions prior to tour
$198.00 Roomshare $377.00 Single
The pre-tour package is an optional service. Rates are established at time of tour posting. Early check-in is solely at the discretion of the hotel and cannot be arranged in advance.
Additional Reminders About This Tour
This tour uses a 15-passenger Mini-Coach for transportation while on tour. Learn more about The WTT North American Travel Experience by downloading/opening the pdf.
Seattle & Olympic National Park
July 18 - July 24, 2019Destination Information
What do others say about this tour and traveling with WTT?
How Does Room Sharing Work?
- If you wish to share with another solo traveler, select this option on the Reservation Form and your tour price will automatically be based on the room share price.
- Or, you may select a single room, when available, on the Reservation Form and your tour price will be automatically based on the single room price.
- These choices are clearly stated on the Reservation Form.
- All shared rooms have 2 beds
- All shared rooms are non-smoking
- No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
- Most solo travelers elect to share a room
- See "Frequently Asked Questions" TAB for more details
How Active is this Tour?
In addition to the minimum requirements, the specific activities on this tour are rated as follows:
- 70% Easy
- 30% Moderate (hiking over uneven terrain)
Read more about Activity Levels
What meals are included and how are dietary restrictions accommodated?
- Breakfast daily
- 1 Lunch
- 3 Dinners
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary requests can be accommodated on this tour with limited selections.
What clothing and items should I pack for this trip?
Temperatures on this tour will likely vary from the low 60s to the low 80s during the day. Nights will be chillier in Olympic National Park. Pacific Northwest weather is notoriously fickle; be prepared for a range of conditions, including rain.
For This Trip You Will Need—
- Lightweight warm fleece jacket for cool mornings and evenings or the unusually brisk day.
- Inexpensive rain poncho or lightweight waterproof jacket
- Refillable water bottle
You May Also Want—
- One smart-casual outfit if you'd like to dress up a bit for dinners.
- Swimsuit— the Hampton Inn Seattle, Lake Quinault Lodge and the Hilton Garden Inn in Renton have pools
- Hiking shoes or shoes with good tread.
- Bring what you need to get a good night's sleep, such as ear plugs, white noise generator, sleeping pills, etc. Unfamiliar noises of all types can disrupt your rest.
Good Packing Habits—
- Pack a limited amount of comfortable, casual clothing that layer and coordinate. Your fellow travelers will not mind or even notice – seeing you in the same clothing.
- Bring only two pairs of everyday shoes: one pair of well-broken-in walking shoes, and a second pair that could do double-duty as a walking shoe or a slightly dressy shoe.
- Pare down your beauty regimen to the bare minimum and always pack travel-sized toiletries.
- Pack medication in your carry-on and pack only as much as needed for the duration of your tour plus a few extra days as a precaution.
What are the luggage restrictions for this tour?
On every WTT tour, our policies regarding luggage restrictions are driven by the physical space limitations of the vehicles we use and the requirement that all travelers be able to manage their own belongings without assistance.
- It is best to travel as lightly as possible. Most travelers regret when they have packed too much.
- You may bring one suitcase plus small shoulder bag/day pack/purse.
- Maximum suitcase size: 25-inches in height as measured from the FLOOR to the top of the retracted handle. The small or medium-size in a 3-piece luggage set easily meets this requirement and will be plenty roomy for this length of trip.
- Suitcases larger than 25" in height will not fit in the WTT coach; don't bring them.
- The maximum weight of your suitcase should not exceed 30 pounds, as you will need to lift it into the coach luggage compartment.
- You are responsible for managing your own belongings. We expect you to take your belongings from the coach to your room and to bring it back to the coach on days we change hotels. We do not provide luggage pulls; they are not safe and are inconvenient. The possibility of steps exist at most hotel entrances.
How much money should I bring on this tour?
Only you can determine the optimum amount of cash to take on tour. When budgeting for out-of-pocket expenses, there are several aspects to consider: the number of meals you are responsible for, the amount of money you like to have on-hand for snacks and drinks, and your individual shopping interests and habits.
- Notify your credit card issuer that you will be traveling and provide dates of travel.
- ATMs are typically the best way of obtaining cash; you must know your PIN number for your debit and credit cards in order to use the ATMs.
What are the tipping guidelines for this tour?
All tips to local guides during your tour have already been paid on your behalf.
- You are responsible for tipping wait-staff, porters or other individuals who provide a service to you at the hotel, or other public locations.
- You may want to tip your WTT Tour Leader for an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference. If you'd like a guideline, consider $8-$10 per day.
What other Additional Information do I need to know?
This tour uses a 15-passenger Mini-Coach for transportation while on tour. Learn more about The WTT North American Travel Experience by downloading/opening the pdf.
Can I transfer my deposit to another tour?
To get off this tour and register for another tour, you must follow these steps - in the order shown:
2) WAIT before submitting your new reservation! You must receive the Cancellation Confirmation email before submitting your new reservation. This can take up to 2 business days. The Cancellation Confirmation email will list the amount of parked credits from this tour that are now available to use on a new reservation.
3) COMPLETE the new Reservation Form and USE the parked credits towards your deposit on the new tour.
Note: If you used Parked Credits to pay the deposit on this tour, these credits cannot be used a second time and are not eligible to be transferred.
What happens if I need to cancel this tour?

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