Day 1: Discover Mount Rainier National Park 

Your Pre-Program begins with an overnight stay at a hotel in downtown Seattle. If you have time, it’s well worth exploring this beautifully scenic city. Head to the nine-acre Olympic Sculpture Park for incredible views of Puget Sound and the surrounding mountains, or visit the lively Pike Place Market for a feast of the senses. 

Day 2: Departure from Seattle 

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll travel to Mount Rainier National Park. With lush evergreen forest, raging rivers, rugged peaks and a 14,410-ft ice-clad volcano, this national park is truly spectacular. You’ll have a full day to explore this spine-tingling setting with the help of your knowledgeable guide.  

Your exact route will be chosen on the day depending on the conditions, and the abilities and interests of the group. No two tours are ever the same. Perhaps we’ll head to Longmire, the park’s former headquarters, or the Paradise area of the park, where wildflowers abound. Maybe we’ll head to the Twin Firs trail to wander through towering Douglas fir trees, or meander along the Trail of Shadows to the see the fabled springs. You may even hike on the mighty Mount Rainier itself. We may also head to one of the many enrapturing waterfalls, such as Myrtle Falls, one of the most majestic in the park. 

At lunchtime, you’ll enjoy a locally sourced meal.  

Your Pre-Program ends back at the hotel in Seattle. The following overnight stay is part of your expedition cruise. 

Please note that we sometimes visit sites in a different order.