Compare Northwest Lifestyle Northbound by InquisiTours vs Hike New Hampshire's Appalachian Trail and Presidential Peaks by Intrepid Travel
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 4 days | 4 days |
| Price From | $ 2,399 | $ 1,895 |
| Price Per Day | $ 600 | $ 474 |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Basic |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Description |
The Salish Sea and the Cascade Mountains define the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The NW lifestyle, infused with outdoor adventure and an abundance of farmed, fished or foraged cuisine, shines in the cities Bellingham and Seattle. Bellingham, truly Northwest as the last major city in the contiguous U.S., where the coastline meets the Canadian border. In the shadows of Mt. Baker and the North Cascades National Park, Bellingham is known for its bookstores, highly decorated beer scene, and a great variety of outdoor recreation. Seattle, surrounded by water, mountains, and evergreen forests is home to tech giants, such as Amazon and Microsoft, and filled with iconic Northwest sights and experiences such as the Space Needle and the Pike Place Market. |
Spend an incredible 4 days hiking the highest mountains in New Hampshire, the Presidential Range, including the highest point in the Northeastern United States – the summit of Mount Washington. Discover ecologically diverse forests encompassing the White Mountains, high alpine ridges, and peaks where expansive views will take your breath away. Your leader will take you along the Appalachian Trail and across multiple iconic summits including Mounts Monroe, Mount Eisenhower, Mount Franklin, and Mount Pierce. This is your chance hike deep into the wilderness with an expert leader while spending your nights in authentic backcountry huts with all meals provided. |
Day 1: Seattle
Check into your downtown Seattle hotel and meet your InquisiTours host. Visit the iconic Space Needle and Chihuly Garden of Glass. Built for the 1962 World's Fair, today, the Space Needle features glass floors that give the feel of floating over the city. The Chihuly Garden & Glass showcases a world-class collection of glass art set in both indoor galleries and outdoor gardens. This evening we explore Washington's premier wine culture with a food and wine pairing dinner. (D)
Meals: Lunch
Day 2: Seattle to Bellingham
After breakfast, we head north through the Skagit Valley to the city of Bellingham, Washington, and the Historic Fairhaven District. You will have time to stroll the district's shops, cafes, and bookstores. In the afternoon, we travel to Lummi Island and the shores of Salish Sea for a kayaking tour. Enjoy the vistas and search wildlife, as we paddle the scenic coastal waterways. After checking into your hotel, meet your host for happy hour who will also provide you with suggestions for a night on your own. (B,R)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Bellingham to Mt Baker & the North Cascades
Meals: Breakfast
The mountains are calling! The North Cascades and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest offers some of North America's most remote and rugged landscapes. We follow the Nooksack River through steep valleys towards Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan. With names like Picture Lake, Artist Point, and Fire and Ice Trail, spend a full day enjoying the vistas, a picnic lunch, and accessible trails.* This evening, experience Bellingham's highly decorated beer scene with a beer and food pairing dinner. (B,L,D) *National Forest may be substituted depending on seasonal snowpack and road accessibility.
Day 4: Bellingham to Seattle
Meals: Lunch
After a leisurely morning, we will travel south on iconic Chuckanut Drive to Larabee State Park. After a short hike in the park we head to Samish Bay for Oysters. Indulge in these Northwest treats; they don't get much fresher than this. After lunch, we return to Seattle for your trip home
Day 1 Appalachian Mountain Club Highland Center
Meet your guide at the Appalachian Mountain Club Highland Center, located in the impressive Crawford Notch, at 5pm for a Welcome Meeting. If you would like to arrive a day or two earlier, we suggest to pre book additional pre-trip accommodation directly with the hotel. Get to know your group over a family-style dinner where your leader will chat about trip logistics and hand out some lightweight gear to make your hiking experience even more comfortable. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting this morning as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or Intrepid know.
Day 2 White Mountains
After a hearty buffet-style breakfast, catch a shuttle to the trailhead where our hike begins with stunning views of the Ammonoosuc River before some exciting rock scrambling (sometimes using both hands) among beautiful waterfalls and mountain views. It’ll be hard work, but we’ll take a long lunch break at Lake of the Clouds hut, perched above the trees near spectacular alpine lakes and with phenomenal views. From here, we will hike to the summit of Mount Washington, weather and fitness permitting. The trails are rugged, rocky, and steep but the breathtaking views from the top are well worth it. Tonight, enjoy a relaxing evening at your accommodation.
Day 3 White Mountains
After breakfast, we have the option to traverse some of the most famous Presidential Peaks, including Mount Monroe and Mount Eisenhower, and walk a section of the Appalachian Trail, the oldest maintained footpath in the United States. Depending on the fitness of the group, we can tackle the steep and rugged yet rewarding trails if we choose to summit the Presidential Mountains or opt for smoother and more level trails by traversing the ridgeline around the summits. Regardless, we’ll have a steep, scrambling, and exciting final kilometre as we descend into the trees to end our day at tonight’s hut – Mizpah Springs – where we will settle in for the evening and enjoy a meal prepared by the friendly staff.
Day 4 White Mountains
After a final delicious breakfast together at our hut, we’ll hike along the trail toward the Appalachian Mountain Club Highland Center, a gradual descent that takes us through lush old-growth forest. After our final hike, your guide will prepare a delicious lunch back at the Appalachian Mountain Club Highland Center. After lunch, your trip will come to an end.
