Photo Safari in Olympic & Rainier
Tour Description
The high peaks, lush rainforests, and isolated beaches of Olympic National Park make for spectacular views and prime photography settings. Fill your contact sheet with shots from the largest single-peak glacier system in the lower forty-eight, its subalpine meadows and snowy ridgelines, at Mount Rainier National Park. Enjoy park interpretation from your naturalist guides and photography instruction from Ian Shive, a professional photographer with strong connections to NPCA and our national parks.
ParkScapes Highlights
Olympic & Mount Rainier National Parks
The Olympic Peninsula, with its dramatic mountains and a wild seashore, is home to one of the last remaining temperate rain forests in the continental United States and a huge diversity of wildlife – from bald eagles and black brant to otters and orcas. Majestic Mount Rainier dominates the view and offers a unique geologic story as the most heavily glaciated peak in the lower 48 states.
Park Information Center & Gallery
The NPCA Northwest Regional Office is located in Seattle, Washington. The Northwest regional team work on issues for national parks throughout the Pacific Northwest; the office is also home to NPCA’s Parks Information Center and Gallery in historic Pioneer Square. You’ll have time to explore the gallery on tour.
Professional Photographer
Receive personal instruction from professional photographer Ian Shive. Ian Shive is a not-to-be-missed talent whose images have appeared in numerous prestigious publications spanning the globe, including National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, and Outside magazine.
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Tour Map
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Daily Itinerary
September 13: Arrival in Seattle, Washington
Individual arrivals in Seattle, Washington. Start the tour with a visit to NPCA’s Visitor Information Center and photo gallery on Pioneer Square. Then ferry across Puget Sound, enjoying views of Mount Rainier if the weather is clear. Take a short walk along the magnificent Dungeness Spit in Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge. Seven miles long, the spit and surrounding bay and estuary teem with seals and seabirds, and tidal pools are rich with marine life. Settle into accommodations at our waterfront hotel. Orientation and welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Port Angeles Red Lion (B,L,D)
September 14: Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park
Spend most of the day exploring the high country of Olympic National Park starting at Hurricane Ridge. Surrounded on three sides by water and crowned by glaciers, this craggy landscape is home to several plants and animals that are unique to the Olympic Peninsula. Spot spectacular views of high peaks and active glaciers through your camera lens and with luck, maybe even a mountain goat. Meet with park staff to discuss current challenges within the park, including the Elwa River restoration. Port Angeles Red Lion (B,L,D)
September 15: Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park
Today, our destination is the Hoh Rain Forest on the western side of the park, a lush primeval valley with towering trees and rich carpets of moss and ferns. The temperate rain forests protect marvelous examples of the Sitka spruce community, a unique ecosystem and ideal photography subject that extends along the coast from Oregon to Alaska. Check into our simple accommodations perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. When the tide is out the beach is very wide and creates a prime sunset photo opportunity along the cliff-lined coast. Kalaloch Lodge (B,L,D)
September 16: Pacific Coast, Olympic National Park
Awaken to unspoiled views of the Pacific Ocean and set out to explore the diverse biological community of the Olympic Coast. This National Marine Sanctuary protects splendid, isolated beaches and offshore habitat for sea lions, seals, and sea and shore birds such as sandpipers and black oystercatchers. Walk along these marvelous windswept beaches while naturalist guides unlock the mysteries of tide pools and identify footprints of shore birds, bear, deer, raccoons, and river otters in the sand. Kalaloch Lodge (B,L,D)
September 17: Volcanoes, Mount Rainier National Park
This morning, drive south around the southern reaches of Puget Sound and on to Mount Rainier National Park, the largest single-peak glacier system in the lower forty-eight. Mount Rainier is a dormant volcano with 25 named glaciers and several smaller unnamed ones within the park’s borders. Spend the afternoon in search of wildlife—including mountain goats, black-tailed deer, elk, black bear, mountain lions, bobcats, and a variety of small mammals and birds. Paradise Inn (B,L,D)
September 18: Alpine Meadows, Mount Rainier National Park
Meet with park staff to learn of management issues with this popular hiking and climbing park. A variety of walks/hikes will be offered. Marvel at the grandeur and beauty of Mount Rainier while walking on trails that lead through the peacefulness of the old-growth forest of the river valleys and the subalpine meadows of the high ridges. Paradise Inn (B,L,D)
September 19: Mount Rainier National Park to Seattle Departure
Transfer to the Seattle Tacoma Airport for afternoon flights home. (B)
Note: Participants are advised to bring their own photography equipment, including digital camera, lenses, tripod, and laptop. The itinerary field activities may vary based on weather conditions and wildlife behavior. Western Washington weather in September can be unpredictable; therefore, you should be prepared for comfortable warm weather as well as potential rain showers.
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Tour Details
NPCA Member Price
$2,695 per person double occupancy; $650 single supplement.
Price Includes
Airport transfers, transportation during the journey, all accommodations, meals as noted (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner), ground transportation, entrance fees, professional guide services, park and other entrance fees, and photography instruction.
Price Does Not Include
Roundtrip airfare to and from destination, gratuities for naturalist guides, alcoholic beverages, or personal expenses.
Payments/Cancellations
Space is confirmed by calling the NPCA at 800.628.7275. A $500 per person deposit is due at registration. Final payment will be invoiced separately and is due 90 days prior to departure. Cancellation notice must be submitted in writing and is effective upon date of receipt. Cancellations up to 90 days prior receive a refund, less the $250 per person handling fee. Cancellations 90-61 days prior to departure, 25% of the tour cost is forfeited; 60-31 days prior to departure, 50% of the tour cost is forfeited; 30 days or fewer prior to departure result in the loss of 100% of your total cost.
Travel Insurance
To protect yourself from the loss of deposit and cancellation fees, you are encouraged to purchase travel insurance.
Arrive/Depart
Seattle, Washington
Length of tour
7 days/6 nights
Pace
Easy to moderately active, offering a choice of activities each day to suit different activity levels and interests. Be prepared for several early morning sessions in the field.
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