Packages and Options

Day 1. Hike the Dungeness Spit, Port Angeles, Lake Crescent Lodge
After meeting in Seattle at 9:00 a.m., we enjoy a scenic shuttle around Puget Sound to Port Angeles, located on the north shore of the Olympic Peninsula. We arrive in time for a full afternoon of hiking on the Dungeness Spit. The Spit is a National Wildlife Refuge and one of Olympic Peninsula’s most remarkable natural features. Almost seven miles long, it is the longest natural sand hook in the world. The spit’s surrounding bay and estuary are home to a variety of seabirds, seals, fish, crabs and clams. From the spit, the view of the Olympic Mountains is spectacular!
The historic Lake Crescent Lodge, our home away from home for the next two evenings, is located along the shore of the jewel of the Olympics.
• Dungeness Spit Beach Walk [3-11 miles, time and energy permitting; negligible elevation change]

Day 2. Mountain Bike Spruce Railroad Trail, Hike the Sol Duc Valley to Hot Springs, Olympic National Park, Lake Crescent Lodge
This morning we switch to our mountain bikes for a ride along the old Spruce Railroad Trail originally built to help move lumber for the construction of WWII airplanes. At this time, your guides will give an orientation on mountain biking technique. Helmets latched and gloves on, we pedal along the beautiful glacial waters of Lake Crescent, a perfect introduction to the great sport of mountain biking. In the afternoon, we hike through the deep woods of the Sol Duc valley (native words for "sparkling water") past a majestic waterfall on a trail known as Lover’s Lane. Our trail is an easy stroll that ends at the hot springs, located next to the rapids of the Sol Duc River.
• Mountain Bike the Spruce Railroad Trail [approximately 10 miles, elevation change negligible, 2.0 hours]
• Hike Lover’s Lane Trail [4 miles round trip, elevation change minimal, 3 hours, moderately easy]

Day 3. Rafting the Elwha River, The English Inn, Victoria
Our last morning on the Olympic Peninsula features a refreshing rafting trip on the scenic Elwha River. We pass through a heavily forested valley with breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and Carrie Glacier. Water levels vary throughout the season, but you’re sure to get a few splashes and plenty of smiles as we paddle through old growth firs and bounce over and around obstacles in the churning riverbed. In the afternoon, we embark on an unforgettable experience, a ferry ride across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Upon arrival in Victoria, we settle into our Bed & Breakfast and then enjoy a gourmet meal at one of Victoria’s fine restaurants.
• Rafting the Elwha river [Class II-II+]
• Ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria [approximately 90 minutes]

Day 4. Sea Kayaking Becher Bay, Ocean Wilderness Country Inn
Revered as one of the premier destinations for sea kayaking, the west coast of Vancouver Island is a naturalist’s paradise. The bays and coves brim with intertidal life, with bald eagles and sea birds flying overhead. After learning the basics of sea kayaking from local guides, we explore the niches of Becher or Sooke Bay. With luck we will see seals and sea lions in their natural habitat and possibly an occasional passing gray whale. Killer whales have also been known to frequent the area. Tonight’s lodging is west of the town of Sooke, a quaint sea-side community on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Sooke is "where the rainforest meets the sea".
• Sea Kayaking Becher Bay [mileage variable, full day]

Day 5. Hiking the Juan de Fuca Trail, Ocean Wilderness Country Inn
After welcoming the morning with a hearty home-made breakfast, we head for a day hike on the famed Juan de Fuca Trail from Parkinson Creek to Botanical Beach. Hiking a moderate portion of this otherwise rugged trail affords us the beauty of both the beach and a wonderland of temperate rainforest. The trail passes through lands that have been occupied by humans for perhaps 6,500 years. This area is home to the Pacheenaht First Nation, who traditionally lived on the coast during summer. This evening relax at the inn’s Japanese-style hot tub beneath the gazebo or take a stroll in the ocean-side gardens.
• Juan de Fuca Marine Trail [moderate section of 6 miles; approximately 3 hours, elevation negligible]

Day 6. Biking the Galloping Goose Trail, Return to Seattle
In the morning, we will cycle a scenic section of the Galloping Goose Trail, named for the historic gas locomotive which used to run along the same route. This easy to moderately easy ride will take us through forested areas over gently rolling terrain beside the Sooke River. At the end of the day, we return to Seattle via the Victoria Clipper, a super-fast passenger ferry that travels across the Juan de Fuca Strait and through Pugent Sound. Trip concludes at approximately 8:00 p.m. in Seattle.
• Mountain Bike Galloping Goose Trail [approximately 10 miles, 400 feet elevation gain/loss]
• Ferry from Vancouver Island to Seattle. [approximately 2 hours]

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel. Although these will be on a voluntary basis as of August 2008, it is expected they will become compulsory for all travellers from 12 January 2009. For more information, and to apply online please visit the following website at http://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.
Applications to:
Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.