Natural Wonders of Washington | Rainforests, Coasts & Volcanoes

Days 1-3

Seattle

Your non-stop flight from London will get you into Seattle in good time to settle into your downtown hotel and find one of the excellent restaurants for dinner.

Explore attractions of Seattle. Be sure to visit Pike Place Market and find Starbuck’s original coffee shop amongst a myriad of wonderful stores. To get a bird’s eye view of this lovely city, take a seaplane ride over Seattle or perhaps take a ferry to one of the islands. You might like to have dinner while cruising the off-shore islands or perhaps at the top of the Space Needle. You can also join a gourmet tour around the best bars and eateries or head out to Snoqualmie Falls which gained international fame when it featured in Twin Peaks.

You can also take a day tour to the Boeing Factory, the Native American Village at Tillicum in Blake Island State Park or perhaps join a wine tasting tour to Woodinville, one of the Pacific Northwest’s most abundant wine areas.

TIP Buy a City Pass which gives access to many of Seattle’s top attractions including the Space Needle and the Science Centre.

3 nights in Seattle

Days 4-5

Seattle to Port Angeles

Collect your car this morning and depart on Washington State Ferry to Bainbridge Island and the start of your journey on the Olympic Peninsula.  En route to Port Angeles, we would suggest you visit the Suquamish Museum and Cultural Centre on the Kitsap Peninsula, Port Townsend, Port Ludlow and Hurricane Ridge which will introduce you to the stunning views you will come to expect to see on the Olympic Peninsula. (There can be snow on the ground as late as June!)

Your final destination today will be in the region of Port Angeles where your choice of accommodation could include Lake Crescent Lodge, the Olympic Lodge, George Washington Inn or the delightful Colette’s b&b.

2 nights in Port Angeles

Days 6-7

Port Angeles to Kalaloch

About two hour’s drive takes you to Kalaloch on the west coast but we would strongly recommend you stop en-route in the Hoh Rainforest and Sol Duc Hot springs (where you can also spend a night), Forks, known to most teenagers as the home of the Twilight Saga and Ruby Beach, said to be the most beautiful in Washington State. The Quinault Indians first called this coastal land “Kalaloch” or “good place to land.” Their ancient and native culture is still a strong presence. The Pacific Ocean breaks upon miles of driftwood-lined beaches backed by the soaring evergreen forest. Your days will be spent beachcombing, hiking, fishing, bird watching or whale watching. Be sure to be near the beach at sunset as the colours can be absolutely stunning.

2 nights Kalaloch Lodge

Days 8-9

Kalaloch to Lake Quinault

A very short drive today (or you could stay an extra night in Kalaloch and visit Lake Quinault) away from the coast and into the hills.  The Quinault Rainforest is one of only three temperate rainforests in the Western hemisphere. You will find the largest Sitka Spruce tree in the world, along with Hemlock, Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar trees. We would recommend that you take the Quinault Rainforest Loop, a 30-mile road that takes you around Lake Quinault. This is a very pretty drive and you might well see Roosevelt Elk, Black Tail Deer, Cougars, Bald Eagles, Bobcats, and even Black Bears.

2 nights Lake Quinault Lodge

Days 10-11

Quinault Lake to Long Beach

Today you will rejoin the Highway 101 south towards Long Beach, Washington. Not only does the beach live up to its name, but it was the end of the road for Lewis & Clark, the intrepid pair who in 1806 reached the West Coast from St Louis as directed by President Jefferson.  You will have time to explore the Lewis & Clark Interpretative Centre, the 28 miles of sandy beaches, Cape Disappointment, lighthouses and the seaside communities of Long Beach, Seaview and Oysterville as well as the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge.

2 nights in Long Beach 

Days 12-13

Long Beach to Castle Rock

Today you will cross the vast Columbia River twice as you drive towards Castle Rock which is the closest community to Mount St. Helen. There is a lot to do and see along the way including the Lewis & Clark Historical Park, the Astoria Column and the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria.

Getting to Mount St. Helens is part of the fun as you will drive the Sprit Mountain highway for 54 winding miles from Castle Rock to the Johnston Ridge Observatory Along the way do stop to see the big screen presentation of the eruption in the Mount St. Helen’s Visitor Centre, (from where you can take a helicopter ride over Mt. St. Helens), Hoffstadt Bluffs Visitor Centre. Coldwater Lake is another good stop especially if you want to stretch your legs as there are some good marked trails here.

2 nights at Castle Rock

Day 14

Castle Rock to Mount Rainier

Drive to Mount Rainier, a massive stratovolcano, the highest peak in Washington and one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world!  You will have seen it many times on your travels and it seems fitting that staying here will be the last night of your holiday.

You can stay at the Paradise Inn, near Ashford close to the entrance to the park.

1 night near Mount Rainier

Day 15

Mount Rainier to Seattle

It is only two hours from Mount Rainer to Seattle airport, so there is plenty of time to catch your overnight flight back to London.