(C) Seattle & the San Juan Islands
With Mount Rainier National Park
On sunny days the Pacific Northwest seems to sparkle as evergreen-clad mountains dip to meet crystal-clean waters. Join us as we explore Seattle and Washington State's San Juan Islands. We'll spend a day at majestic Mount Rainier National Park and then head north to the San Juans to explore by foot and by water. Famous for its marine life, including resident pods of orcas and sea lions, the San Juan Islands offer a unique ecosystem and visitors have been known to return home, sell everything and move there. We finish our adventure in Seattle with visits to the Space Needle, Chihuly Gardens and Pike Place Market to see the iconic vendors tossing salmon about.
(C) Seattle & the San Juan Islands
July 26 - August 1, 2020Highlights
- Visit Mount Rainier
- Whale watch en route to the San Juans
- Spot orcas while kayaking
- Gaze out from the Space Needle
- Visit a garden of glass at Chihuly Gardens
- Time to explore personal interests
- Suggestions for additional things to see
- Small group no larger than 14
- And More... See itinerary for details
Itinerary
Sunday, 26 July 2020: 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 depart for a light Welcome Dinner. Should you arrive earlier in the day, enjoy exploring. Overnight Seattle area - 2 nights
Monday, 27 July 2020: Mount Rainier National Park (B,L)
After breakfast we depart for a day trip to Mount Rainier National Park. Ascending to 14,410 feet, Mount Rainier is the tallest peak in the Cascade Range and dominates the skyline for hundreds of miles. We drive through picturesque alpine valleys on our our way to the park where we'll see old-growth forests, wildflower-filled meadows and thundering waterfalls. There are multiple hikes, ranging from leisurely to more adventurous, but all promise outstanding mountain views and perhaps a chance to play in the snow. Visit the interpretive center to learn even more about the massive mountain. We return to our hotel this evening.
Tuesday, 28 July 2020: Cruise to San Juan Islands; Free Time (B,L)
We have an early departure this morning for Bellingham to board the boat for a narrated tour to Washington's San Juan islands, situated between Canada’s Vancouver Island and the Washington State mainland. These islands lie in the rain shadow of the Olympic mountains and average 240 days of sunshine. You'll want to keep an eye out for whales and orcas. After checking in to our hotel, we'll enjoy a group lunch. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to explore this charming harbor town. Overnight Friday Harbor - 2 nights
Wednesday, 29 July 2020: Half-Day Kayaking; Island Tour (B)
Today we take to the water on stable, two-person sea kayaks. Anyone who is comfortable around water can readily take part in this incredible experience. The San Juan Islands have been a sea kayak tour destination for years and there are boundless opportunities to observe and learn more about the fascinating marine life that call this area home. Then this afternoon, we'll travel across the island to Roche Harbor, to see a different part of the island.
Thursday, 30 July 2020: Morning at Leisure; Return to Seattle (B,L)
This morning is at leisure. Sleep late, go further exploring, or just enjoy the sights and sounds of the harbor. We will return to Bellingham by boat, enjoying a wild salmon and BBQ chicken lunch on board. You won't find a more scenic lunch spot than this! Overnight Seattle - 2 nights
Friday, 31 July 2020: Space Needle; Chihuly Garden; Pike Place; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
We begin today with a trip to the top of the Space Needle for unparalleled views of downtown Seattle, Mount Rainier, and the Puget Sound. Right next to the Space Needle, we'll visit a world where curiosity, creativity and color come to life, Chihuly Garden and Glass. We'll finish up at Pike Place Market, the oldest continuously operating market in the nation and the heart and soul of downtown. 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. We will have dinner together tonight and recall our highlights of the trip.
Saturday, 01 August 2020: Return Home from Seattle (B)
Sadly, our time in the Evergreen State has come to an end. Based on the departure time you provide WTT, your Tour Leader will organize travelers into small groups so you can ride-share to the airport if you wish.
(C) Seattle & the San Juan Islands
July 26 - August 1, 2020Pricing
Room Share
$2,622.00Single Room
$3,607.00 (Sold Out)Non-Members
ADD $50.00Status of this Tour
Do not Display to the Web
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 (except on San Juan Island)
- 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
These Payment and Cancellation Penalty Dates apply to Seattle & the San Juan Islands, Jul 26 - Aug 1, 2020:
At Space Reservation: Initial Deposit is due.
Tuesday, 28 Jan 2020: Initial deposit cannot be parked and is forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Thursday, 30 Apr 2020: Payment in full. 50% cancellation penalty after this date.
Thursday, 11 Jun 2020: 100% forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Please review our Terms and Conditions before making your reservation. You will be required to confirm you have read and agree to WTT's terms & conditions before our website will allow you to submit the Reservation FORM.
By submitting the Reservation Form you are providing your electronic signature that you are authorizing WTT to charge your credit card the required amount due for the tour at this time, and to charge your credit card in a separate transaction for the membership length selected, if applicable.
Travel Insurance: It is your responsibility to purchase the amount of travel insurance you determine is appropriate to protect you from the risk of financial loss should you have to cancel your tour, or should unforeseen events, due to no fault of WTT, prevent the tour from operating in whole or in part as originally scheduled.
WTT does not sell travel insurance. As a convenience, we will email you information from 2 reliable travel insurance providers at the time we confirm your reservation, however you can purchase insurance from any provider you choose.
You can review the insurance information from TravelGuard to get an idea of rates.
(C) Seattle & the San Juan Islands
July 26 - August 1, 2020Flights, 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: Sunday, July 26th. 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: Saturday, August 1st. Depart at your convenience.
Departure Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi service. WTT Tour Leader will assist in coordinating ride sharing.
Lodging / Hotels
Renton: Springhill Suites by Marriott, Seattle South-Renton
Friday Harbor: Friday Harbor Suites
Seattle: Hilton Garden Inn Downtown
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)
- Breakfast the following morning
- Optional activity suggestions prior to tour
$120.00 Roomshare $238.00 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.
(C) Seattle & the San Juan Islands
July 26 - August 1, 2020Destination 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?
Because of this requirement, WTT tours are not suitable for anyone who is physically challenged, walking impaired, or is a slow walker that cannot keep up with the pace of the group.
The activities on this tour are rated as follows:
- 70% Easy
- 30% Moderate (kayaking)
If you are in doubt as to your ability to meet the physical activity requirements, you should not sign up for this trip.
Read more about Activity Levels
What meals are included and how are dietary restrictions accommodated?
- Breakfast daily
- 3 Lunches
- 2 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?
In general this time of year, daytime temperatures are in the low to mid-70s, dropping to low 60s at night. Nighttime temperatures may be a bit cooler in Friday Harbor. Rain drizzle and overcast skies are common for the Pacific Northwest.
For This Trip You'll Need--
- Lightweight but warm fleece jacket for cool mornings and evenings
- Inexpensive rain poncho or lightweight waterproof jacket
For Kayaking in Friday Harbor--
- Avoid cotton; bring quick-drying materials such as nylon or other synthetic fabric.
- Shoes with good traction that can get wet, such as Keens or Tevas; no flip-flops
- Brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Pacific Northwest weather is notoriously fickle. If it is warm, shorts and a short-sleeve shirt will be fine. Dress according to the weather and for water. Bring extra layers (fleece works well) in case you get wet or cold. These can be stored in your kayak in vendor-provided dry bags.
- In addition to the dry bags for gear, the kayaking outfitter will also provide water/wind resistant paddling jacket and paddling pants for your comfort while on the water.
You May Also Want--
- Lightweight gloves, scarf and hat for potential cooler temperatures on Mt. Rainier.
- Swimsuit
- One smart-casual outfit if you'd like to dress up a bit for dinners.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- As part of this tour, we will be using ferry transport to the San Juan Islands. You must be able to take your luggage on and off the ferry without assistance.
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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