Pacific Northwest Tours & Holidays

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid’s COVID-19 policy

Affectionately referred to as the "Upper Left" of North America, the Pacific Northwest encompasses the northwesternmost states in the United States: Washington and Oregon. Depending on who you ask, the PNW can also extend to Idaho, parts of Northern California and British Columbia.

Flying into the Pacific Northwest is easy, with three centralised international airports to choose from: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Portland International Airport (PDX) in the US, and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in Canada. Exploring the region in a car is your best bet; From Seattle, both Portland and Vancouver are a quick 3-hour drive (or 1-hour flight).

Each of the PNW's major cities has many different options for public transportation. In Seattle, locals can travel on land, rail and sea, by utilising public buses, streetcars, a light rail and a robust ferry system. Portland has public buses and streetcars but also has been rated one of America's most bike-friendly cities, offering protected bike lanes and numerous biking trails, so renting a bike is a great option. 

If you're looking to get into the great outdoors and explore the region's National Parks, you'll need to rent a car, as public transportation doesn't reach these areas. From Seattle, Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park are both a 3-hour drive. From Portland, Crater Lake National Park is a 4-hour drive.

Although the region has a reputation for being gloomy and rainy, the PNW actually has mild, temperate weather overall. In fact, Seattle and Portland don't even rank in the top 10 rainiest cities in the US! Seattle couldn't live up to its nickname "the Emerald City" without a little rain, however, and the winter months (December to March) tend to be drizzly and damp, leaving the surrounding forests green year-round. By June, the Pacific Northwest enters its dry season, with bright blue skies and long sunny days that last until September.

What to pack for the Pacific Northwest depends on what time of year you're travelling and what you're planning on doing. Comfortable walking shoes are a must for all destinations, and layers are always a good idea (even in the summertime) as the weather can change quickly in all seasons.

Hiking trips require proper trekking gear: a mixture of lightweight, quick-drying clothing, properly fitting hiking boots and sun protection. To avoid buying plastic, a water bottle or bladder/hose system to refill along the way is a must.

Before travelling, it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information for the tour you’re interested in, especially if you're joining a walking, hiking or trekking trip.

Read more about Intrepid's Ultimate Packing List

We're committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.