All aboard for natural paradise as we set off for the San Juan archipelago! Today we’ll be touring the shining waterways with our knowledgeable Captain, learning the history of these wild and beautiful islands, and keeping an eye out for majestic marine mammals and diverse birdlife. 

As we skim through the dark green and blue waters, we’ll navigate via points of interest such as Iceberg Point, Deadman’s Island, and Cattle Pass. We’ll spend the night in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island - an enchanting harbor town, buzzing with restaurants, shops, galleries, and home to the only museum devoted to Orca whales. Get better acquainted with delicious Pacific Northwest cuisine this evening at Downriggers Restaurant, overlooking the twinkling lights of the marina. Afterward, take a stroll in the fresh sea air and gaze at the pretty shop windows as you make your way back to the hotel for a deep, relaxing sleep after a day on the water. 

Note: the cruise portion will have passengers on board that are outside of our small-group.

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: The Friday Harbor Suites, or similar

After breakfast at your hotel, stroll down to the dock for boarding. This morning’s scenic cruising weaves us through narrow sea passages and craggy green islands as we circumnavigate Fidalgo Island en route to the picturesque charms of historic waterfront town, La Conner. Here, we’ll stretch our legs and explore the attractive boardwalk, dip in and out of little boutiques, artist studios, galleries and peruse classic bookstores. Picture perfect La Conner is also home to various local microbreweries, and there’s always time to sip a cold one!

After La Conner, we travel on to the Hole In The Wall, a natural opening in Skagit Bay’s forested cliffs on our way to Deception Pass - known for its treacherous tidal flow, rugged natural scenery, and impressive, stomach-dropping bridge, you’ll soon realize why it’s one of the most photographed places in Washington State. 

For lunch, munch on a San Juan Cruises tradition, Old Fashioned Cracked Crab, with the sun stroking your face and the sea breeze in your hair. As we enjoy our lunch, we’ll be on the watch for a gloriously diverse range of wildlife - Orca Whales, Humpback Whales, Minke Whales, Bald Eagles, Harbor Seals, Harbor Porpoise, sea birds, and other magnificent creatures that call this marine slice of rugged paradise, home. 

Returning to the warm glow of Friday Harbor, you can enjoy the evening on your own, dining wherever you choose and enjoying everything this walkable hub has to offer. 

Note: the cruise portion will have passengers on board that are outside of our small-group.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, be prepared to release your inner explorer! After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll board the motorcoach for a guided tour, showing you the serene, untamed beauty, natural variety, and wild appeal of San Juan Island. 

Visit some of the most extraordinary spots on the island with your knowledgeable driver as your guide, filling you in on the history of the islands and details of its people. Prepare to be awed by the unspoiled beauty of places like the rugged Lime Kiln state park, Whale Watch Park, the Alpaca Ranch, English Camp – San Juan Island National Historical Park, Roche Harbor Resort, and Westcott Bay Sculpture Park. You’ll likely see pods of whales breaching off the rocky bluffs and admire stunning views of the whole island, truly appreciating nature at its most wild and free. 

Back in the small-town delights of Friday Harbor, with its collection of excellent restaurants, we’ll have time for lunch on our own before our return voyage to Bellingham. In the early afternoon, we’ll step aboard a scenic cruise, as eagles soar overhead and porpoise splash alongside, we’ll journey through channels and past islands not yet explored on our trip, before arriving in Bellingham in the late afternoon. 

After transferring to the hotel, you can relax, shake off your sea legs and prepare for tomorrow and our day in the mountains.

Note: the cruise portion will have passengers on board that are outside of our small group.

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we’ll be heading for the hills! Swapping the fresh sea breeze for crystal clear mountain air. The North Cascades and Mt. Baker- Snoqualmie National Forest is where you'll find some of North America’s most remote and rugged vistas, the kind of jaw-dropping scenery you’ve seen in glossy nature magazines. 

We wind through staggering mountain peaks, steep valleys, and ancient old-growth forests following the sparkling Nooksack River towards Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan. With names like Picture Lake, Artist Point, and Fire and Ice Trail, you’ll be in a constant state of awe at these mind-blowing views. Spend a full day basking in these scenic jewels, a picnic lunch, and accessible trails.* This evening, we’ll savor our last dinner exploring Bellingham’s highly decorated craft beer scene with a beer and food pairing dinner.

*National Forest may be substituted depending on seasonal snowpack and road accessibility.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

No trip to Bellingham is complete without enjoying a stroll around the timeless appeal of its Victorian era, Fairhaven Historic District. Coffee lovers and bookworms will revel in the cute cafes and bookstores, and photo opportunities abound along the attractive, waterfront trails. 

From Bellingham, we head towards the unbridled beauty of the Cascades Mountains, over the famous Stevens Pass to the traditional Bavarian Mountain hamlet of Leavenworth. Here, you’ll find rustic charm in the timber-framed buildings, strolling downtown, and delight in some traditional German fare at a local beer garden. 

Afterward, we journey through the thrilling vistas of the dramatic Columbia River Basin, the mighty river itself providing a startling backdrop, with the green orchards and fertile vineyards of Washington rolling gently in the foreground. 

We will return to Walla Walla to say our farewells in the afternoon.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch