Mt. Rainier Full-Day Small Group Tour from Seattle

Highlights

  • Learn Mt. Rainier’s natural history on 4-6 guided nature walks.

  • Door-to-door transport from all downtown Seattle & Sea-Tac hotels.

  • Leave the crowds behind with a small group of 10 guests or less.

  • Gourmet picnic lunch amidst the mountain’s splendor.

  • Explore the best photo spots for any season or weather.

  • A knowledgeable, certified guide at your side to inform and entertain.

Summary

Join a naturalist guide on a door-to-door adventure from Seattle to Mt. Rainier National Park--Washington's most stunning alpine landscape. Learn the mountain's story on 4-6 guided nature walks, discover the best photo spots, and indulge in a delicious picnic lunch.

Tour info

Duration
10 hours
Group Size
Pricing (From)
Adult: (18-64 years)
$189.00
Commentary
English
Meeting Point
Dropoff location

Why take this tour?

With a charming naturalist as your companion, stretch your legs through an old growth forest surrounded by 800-year old trees towering above you.  Feel the cool mist blowing off glacier fed waterfalls carving through an ancient canyon.  Refuel your energy with a chef-prepared picnic in the wilderness.  Encounter the largest glaciers in the lower 48 as you stroll through alpine meadows above 5,000' while looking for wildlife.  With your guide's help, spot mountaineers heading for the summit--a human drama unfolding before your eyes.


Journey to Mt. Rainier
Board our spacious passenger van from your downtown Seattle hotel doorstep and relax as you watch the scenery transition to rustic farmland and forests on the 1.5-hour journey to the Park.  On clear days, Mt. Rainier gets larger in the windows as we approach.  En route, we'll stop to stretch our legs, and to enjoy a coffee and snack.    

Exploring Mt. Rainier National Park
Once inside the park, dense old growth forests and rushing rivers surround us.  As we gain elevation, you'll get your first panoramic views of Mt. Rainier's glacier clad flanks and 14,410 ft. summit.  Your guide will bring you on a series of 4 to 6 nature walks.  Each walk is designed to give you opportunities to learn about a different aspect of the mountain’s natural history all while taking in stunning surroundings.  

Some walks are short--only 1/4 mile and others are longer, up to 2 miles round trip.  Your guide will also bring you to the best photo spots in the park and help you find wildlife.  In the summer and fall, it’s common for us to spot herds of elk, mountain goats, marmots and black bears along the mountain’s slopes.

Early spring tours will see the mountain’s alpine areas still in the midst of winter with thick blankets of snow still covering the upper 2/3 of the mountain.  Tours in July and August will be able to walk through Mt. Rainier's world famous wildflower meadows and come face to face with some of the mountain's 25 major glaciers.  You'll learn about seasonal cycles, how glaciers transform the landscape, and about the powerful volcanic forces that created the mountain.  On clear days, you may also get glimpses of neighboring volcanic peaks: Mt. Adams, Mt. Baker, Glacier Peak, and maybe even Mt. St. Helens.  Your guide will explain how all of these peaks are tied together by unimaginably strong pressures churning within the Earth’s mantle.  We promise that you’ll never look at these peaks the same way! 

Gourmet Lunch
Your guide will serve you a delicious catered lunch in the park. No cold, dry sandwiches and bag of chips here!  Lunch typically includes a choice of steak, salmon, or chicken with sides of vegetables, a fresh green salad, and dessert along with a selection of hot and cold beverages.  You’ll be able to place your order in advance according to your preferences.  Vegetarian, gluten free, and vegan options are available with advance request.

Return to Seattle
After about 6 hours in the park, it will be time for us turn toward Seattle.   We aim to return to Seattle by about 6:30pm, depending on traffic and on the pace of the group.  Once in Seattle, your guide will drop you off at your pick-up location or any preferred spot in downtown Seattle.

Show more

What’s included?

  • Door-to-door transport from all downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac hotels

  • Chef-prepared lunch with choice of entree, green salad, vegetables, and dessert

  • National Park entrance fees

  • Charming and knowledgeable full-time guide to provide commentary

  • 4-6 nature walks through Mt. Rainier’s ecosystems with a certified guide

  • Hot tea, coffee, bottled water

  • Snacks throughout the day

  • Use of Trekking Poles, Spotting Scope & Binoculars

  • Gratuity (not required but always appreciated for good service—typically 15-20% of your tour price)

Things to know

Before you book

Before you go

  • After completing a booking, please contact the tour operator to confirm your pick-up location.

  • Please notify us a minimum of 72 hours in advance if you have particular dietary requirements (allergies, vegan, vegetarian etc.)

  • Guests not staying near downtown Seattle should plan to meet the group at the Hyatt Regency (808 Howell St).

  • Not suitable for children ages 7 and under.

  • This tour operates rain or shine, please come dressed prepared to stay comfortable outdoors in the elements.

  • This tour includes a modest amount of walking and hiking on marked trails, but over uneven surfaces as well as up and down hill. The total number of miles hiked each day varies, but is typically not more than 4-5 miles of cumulative walking.

  • This tour's route is not wheelchair accessible.

  • All guests must complete a waiver and acknowledgement of risk form before the start of the tour

  • Child booster seats are available to kids under 57"

Cancellation Policy

    Up to 3 days before the tour date: receive a full refund or reschedule your tour to another date, subject to availability. Less than 3 days before the tour date, or if you are a no-show: no refund

Redemption information

    Thank you for reserving our Mt. Rainier National Park Full Day Small Group Tour! We look forward to sharing the majesty of Washington's highest mountain with you! Please read the following tour notes carefully and don't hesitate to contact us either via e-mail at [email protected] or via phone at 888-365-9488 if you have any questions regarding you upcoming tour!

    Pick Up
    Your tour includes door-to-door service from any hotel located in downtown Seattle. Hotel pick-up service usually begins at about 7:30am and concludes before 8:00am. We will contact you at least 1 day before your scheduled tour date to confirm your specific pick-up time and location. As we often make multiple pick-ups on a single morning, we will confirm your pick-up time once we have scheduled all of the pick-ups on your tour date. If you're not staying within the downtown Seattle pick-up area, please meet us at the Hyatt Regency Seattle (808 Howell St.) at the the appointed pick-up time.

    As a courtesy to other guests, please be prepared to depart at your designated pick-up time and place.

    Drop Off
    We will depart the Mt. Rainier area at approximately 4:00pm and will make our first drop-off in Seattle at about 6:00pm. Drop-offs are made in an order that makes for the most efficient travel route. If you require drop-off in an area other than in downtown Seattle, please contact us to discuss the options. We will do our best to accommodate you.

    Reminders
    Clothing
    Weather in the mountains changes very quickly and is variable throughout the year. If the sun is out and we are walking, it can quickly get warm and a t-shirt is comfortable. If the sun goes behind a cloud and a wind picks up, it can get very chilly. Spring (May-June) and Fall (September-October) temperatures are often in the 40s-50s but can be as high as the 60s and 70s. Summer temperatures (July-August) are generally warm in the 70s-80s, but daily temperature fluctuation is common with early mornings in the 50s and late afternoons warming up to the mid 80s.

    At a minimum, we recommend preparing 3 layers: a quick drying t-shirt, an insulating layer (wool sweater, hoodie, etc.), and a waterproof layer (wind breaker, soft shell jacket). While we won’t be doing any intense hikes, please wear shoes that are comfortable to walk over uneven ground on and provide ankle support. Sunglasses, a hat, sunblock bug repellent (in summer) and a small bag to carry water or snacks is also a good idea. Guests on early and late season tours (May to June or September to October) are advised to bring an additional insulating layer. A generally good rule of thumb is to bring one more layer than you think is necessary.

    Shoes
    Shoes that are comfortable to walk in, have a non-stick sole to give traction on rocks and potentially muddy trails are ideal. While hiking boots are not required, if you need additional ankle support when you hike, boots may be a good idea.

    Gratuity/Tips
    Please note that gratuity/tips are not included in your tour package. While tip is not required, most guests typically tip about 15-20% of their total tour package price.

    Any Questions?
    Give us a call any time at 888-365-9488 or e-mail us at [email protected] if you have any questions about your upcoming trip.

    Thank you!
    Nature Nuts Adventure Travel Team
    Your voucher will be collected or scanned on redemption
Operator Website

Operated by:

About operator:

Nature Nuts Adventure Travel is a family-owned tour company in Seattle. As travelers, we found endless adventures in natural landscapes near the city. We operate small group tours and private tours to the best outdoor destinations within reach of Seattle. We promise an adventure of a lifetime in a single day.

Show more