Best of Washington State

10 days / 9 nights

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The western edge of Washington, home of the Olympic National Park and the expansive waterways and islands of the Puget Sound, provide a rejuvenating respite for intrepid travelers looking to unplug and immerse themselves in nature. This fully guided 10-day trip pairs outdoor adventures, wildlife viewing, cultural and culinary experiences for a true taste of the Pacific Northwest.

Key sights to see

Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest. A gateway to Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush, Seattle today is the home of major corporations, iconic landmarks like the Space Needle and the Pike Place Market, artistic treasures like the Chihuly Gardens, a hip cultural scene, fresh seafood restaurants, and several nature trails.
San Juan Islands, Washington
San Juan Islands, Washington
An archipelago with more than 172 islands and reefs, the San Juan Islands are a short ferry ride away from Seattle or Port Townsend. The three main islands of San Juan, Orcas and Lopez Island offer several activities including hiking, biking, boating, whale watching, fishing, zip-lining, and visits to local farms.
Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend, Washington
Located to the north of Olympic National Park, Port Townsend is a charming village by the sea with Native American roots and a maritime legacy. The village has several Victorian-era cottages, sprawling gardens, miles of beaches and trails, world-class restaurants, and robust art and cultural experiences.
Olympic National Park, Washington
Olympic National Park, Washington
Encompassing nearly a million acres, Olympic National Park, located to the west of Seattle, protects a vast wilderness area with several different ecosystems including glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline. The park is a 2 hour drive from Seattle.

Exciting and memorable things to do

Private Seattle City Tour
Private Seattle City Tour
Spend the day visiting the key sights in Seattle including the Waterfront, Seattle Great Wheel, Pike Place Market, Seattle Central Library, Lake Washington Floating Bridge, Lake Union Park, Chihuly Garden and Glass museum, and finally the iconic Space Needle, in time for a spectacular view of the sunset and the lights coming up over Seattle.
Day trip to Mount Rainier National Park (option)
Day trip to Mount Rainier National Park (option)
Enjoy a scenic, narrated journey past lakes, waterfalls and historic towns to Mt Rainier National Park. Watch an introduction slideshow to the park at the visitor center, then take in spectacular views from Christine Falls, Narada Falls, and the aptly named Paradise, at 5,400 feet above sea level, among others.
Tour of San Juan Island
Tour of San Juan Island
Enjoy a private guided tour of the most scenic viewpoints and points of interest on San Juan Island from Friday Harbor. Optional activities on this tour include a farm visit, oyster shucking, or kayaking. Lunch is included.
Orca Whale Watching, San Juan Islands
Orca Whale Watching, San Juan Islands
Tour the waterways surrounding the San Juan Islands, considered to be the best place in the world to observe Orca (Killer) Whales in the wild. Your naturalist guide will focus not only on showing our guests Orca Whales, but also Dalls Porpoise, Harbor Porpoise, Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Bald Eagles, and more.
Orcas Island Tour, San Juan Islands
Orcas Island Tour, San Juan Islands
Spend a half day enjoying a private driving tour of Orcas island with your naturalist guide. Highlights will include Moran State Park and a hike on Mount Constitution and other optional activities such as a hot springs soak at Doe Bay Resort or a visit to a local oyster farm. Lunch is included.
Tour of Olympic National Park
Tour of Olympic National Park
Spend a full day with your professional naturalist guide reveling in the majestic beauty of Olympic National Park. Explore trails leading to panoramic views at Hurricane Ridge, followed by a lakeside lunch at Lake Crescent Lodge. Then take in the mountain mist during an afternoon hike to Merymere Falls.
Guided Hiking in Olympic National Park
Guided Hiking in Olympic National Park
Meet your nature guide and select from a variety of hiking experiences including coastal beach hikes through old growth rainforest near Ruby beach, or the Hoh rainforest, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, or Enchanted Valley, a temperate rain forest with 4,000 foot high glacially-carved valley walls.
Hood Canal Kayaking & Oyster Tour
Hood Canal Kayaking & Oyster Tour
Learn about Hood Canal with your nature guide, while we paddle around the waters to a secluded beach. View bald eagles, harbor seals, river otters, great blue herons, and occasionally, a pod of orcas. Enjoy lunch on the beach, shuck oysters, and take a swim in the warm waters of Hood Canal (in summer).
Hood Canal Foraging Tour
Hood Canal Foraging Tour
Join your nature guide for an educational foraging tour around the Hood Canal. Set out on a 2 hour nature hike in search of edible & medicinal plants and mushrooms as you make your way through meadow, wetland, forest, and riparian habitats. Then, enjoy a picnic lunch, followed by crabbing in a kayak.

Great places to stay

The Inn at the Market, Seattle
The Inn at the Market, Seattle

The Inn at the Market is the only downtown Seattle hotel located directly in the famous Pike Place Market. From the Inn’s 79 rooms, and rooftop deck, guests can savor views of downtown, Pike Place Market, the waterfront, Puget Sound, Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. The Space Needle is just a mile away.

Friday Harbor House, San Juan Islands
Friday Harbor House, San Juan Islands

Located in the island community of Friday Harbor, this intimate boutique hotel perfectly complements the charm and serenity of the San Juan Islands. Watch the ferries come and go while sipping coffee in your cozy room, complete with a gas fireplace and an oversized jetted tub, or enjoy brunch on the expansive outdoor deck.

Roche Harbor Resort, San Juan Island
Roche Harbor Resort, San Juan Island

Roche Harbor is a historic seaside resort located on San Juan Island, Washington. Accommodations range from luxurious village homes, rooms and cottages. Three renowned restaurants offer waterfront dining. Other amenities include a full-service spa, boat and kayak rentals, and extensive hiking trails.

Ravenscroft Inn, Port Townsend
Ravenscroft Inn, Port Townsend

This quaint bed and breakfast is tucked in a quiet neighborhood just blocks from the upscale and casual eateries, shops, and live music venues in downtown Port Townsend. Rooms offer sweeping views of Townsend Bay and the neighboring mountains which make for spectacular sunrise and sunset views from the B&B veranda.

Lake Quinalt Lodge, Olympic National Park
Lake Quinalt Lodge, Olympic National Park

Listed on the National Register of Historic places, this classic rustic lodge is set in one of three temperate rainforests in the world, surrounded by giant Sitka spruce, Douglas fir and Western Red Cedar trees, and pristine lakes and rivers. Visitors can relish in the amazing views and fantastic food and service.

Roam Beyond, Olympic National Park
Roam Beyond, Olympic National Park

A thoughtfully curated and responsible glamping experience, Roam Beyond has several oceanfront mobile dwellings with direct access to the beach and wooded forests, each featuring a queen bed (plus a twin bed or bunks for families), a toilet, hot water and shower, cooking facilities, and power.

Alderbrook Resort, Olympic National Park
Alderbrook Resort, Olympic National Park

For more than 100 years, Alderbrook Resort & Spa has offered a reprieve from everyday life. Spend the day on the fairways, dig for clams for dinner and spend the evening watching the sunset over the Olympic Mountains, or get a treatment at the in-house spa and explore the grounds’ many hiking trails.

What’s Included
  • Private airport transfers
  • Luxury Mercedes Sprinter or SUV transportation
  • Professional naturalist driver/guide
  • Ferry tickets and entrance fees to national parks
  • Accommodations similar to those described
  • Some meals and beverages
What’s Not Included
  • Flights
  • Additional meals & beverages
  • Other personal expenses (e.g., gratuities)
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