Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Please click here to go to our general FAQ, which has essential information that applies to all of our programs.  

Resources to Learn & Teach about Northwestern USA

Visit our recommended reading page to see the list of books GEEO recommends reading before your program (this is not required reading). We also have lesson plans and Pinterest boards that may be useful for you as you learn about your destination and prepare to bring lessons back to your classroom.  

Terms and Conditions

It is very important for you to visit our Terms and Conditions page before signing up for this program.

Cancellation policy

All cancellations must be submitted to GEEO in written form by emailing your request for cancellation to travel@geeo.org. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your written cancellation request, please call us at 1-877-600-0105. Verbal cancellation requests will not be honored.

• If you cancel 60 days or more prior to departure, all your program fee payments will be refunded besides your $350 deposit which is kept on file for future use
• If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to departure, you will receive a 50% refund and your deposit is kept on file for future use
• If you cancel within 30 days of departure, you will receive no refund, but your deposit is kept on file for future use

Trip Notes

1. WALKS AND HIKES: All walks and hikes proposed by your tour leader will be easy to moderate level. You may choose to participate or not, but exploring our national parks on foot is part of our way of traveling. It’s a healthy way to discover North America’s beauty and landscape. In order to cover the vast distance in North America to be able to visit several different parks and cities along our trip, we will have a couple of long driving days.
2. TRAVEL DAYS: In order to cover the vast distance in North America to be able to visit several different parks and cities along our trip, we will have a couple of long driving days.

Group Leader Description

All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure's group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. Our itineraries often have plenty of free time to explore on your own. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.  

Fitness Level

This trip includes light walking and hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels.  

Single Travelers

Half of the people that travel with GEEO are traveling by themselves, so please don’t worry if you have no one who can join you on your trip. Our pricing is based on double occupancy or, in other words, two people to a room. You never have to pay for a single room unless you want one. GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender. Most of our trips have a "My Own Room" option, also known as a "Single Supplement," which is an extra fee that will allow you to have a room to yourself. If you want to room alone, please email travel@geeo.org. To see the price for the "My Own Room" option, please click here where you can look up your trip in the extra services spreadsheet. Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single accommodation for all night stops, with the following exception: Day 2  

About Accommodation

This trip uses 2-3 star hotels and motels in cities and near park entrances. Our chosen hotels vary in size, character, and amenities, but are of a good standard, and the rooms are double occupancy, almost all with en suite bathroom. There is also four nights of camping on this trip where staying somewhere closer to nature will definitely enhance the experience.  

Joining Instructions

Day 1 is an arrival day, and no activities have been planned. Upon arrival to the city on Day 1, or earlier if you have booked pre-accommodation with us, please make your way to the joining hotel. Please note: Check-in time will be in the afternoon. Once you arrive at the hotel, look for a note at reception from your tour leader. This note will give the details of your Welcome Meeting on Day 1, usually between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., at which you will get a chance to meet your tour leader and other travelers, as well as learn more about how the tour will run. If you don’t see a note, please ask reception for details! If you miss the Welcome Meeting, your tour leader will leave a note at reception for you with any information you may need and with instructions for the next morning. Upon arrival at Sea-Tac airport, you can use the following transportation methods to get to our hotel: TAXI Yellow Cabs are available on the third-floor parking garage. A cab from Sea-Tac airport to downtown Seattle ranges from $50-55 USD. Rideshare Apps After requesting a ride, follow the parking garage signs and meet your driver at the Rideshare/TNC pickup zone on the 3rd floor of the Sea-Tac Airport parking garage. Fare estimates are $40-$45. LINK LIGHT RAIL Upon arrival, follow the signs to Link Light Rail by way of the fourth floor of the parking garage (and not Public Transit). Take the Link: University Of Washington Station to University Street Station. Transfer to the E Line: Aurora Village Transit Center and take it 4 stops to Aurora Ave N & Denny Way. Your hotel is a 5-minute walk from here. The fare is about $5 USD. Link is a separate entity from Metro transit that serves downtown Seattle. If you buy a ticket for the train and you wish to transfer to a city bus that would be another fare. You can buy an Orca card from the ticket machine that does allow for transfers. This will cost $5 and you can 'load' it with any amount of money that you wish. SHUTTLE EXPRESS The Shuttle Express is a shared van service that can be pre-booked online (www.shuttleexpress.com). The fare is $40 USD per person in a shared van and goes from the airport to most downtown hotels.  

Emergency Contacts

Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local G Adventures office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. G Adventures Local Representative (Las Vegas) From outside the USA: 1-412-423-8143 From within the USA: 412-423-8143 If you are unable for any reason to contact the local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with the 24 hour Sales team, who will happily assist you. Toll-free, from calls within North America only: 1 888 800 4100

Packing List

Please read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and downstairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. No XXL bags please! A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person plus a daypack per person. It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a light jacket. A set of smart casual clothes is also advisable. NOTE: Mountains in Rockies could have unpredictable weather with snow and heavy rain even in Summertime. Springtime could be snowy (until the end of June) and the fall season could start as soon as mid-August. Make sure you have equipment and clothing for all conditions!

 Suggested Checklist

• Long-sleeved shirts or sweater
• Warm gloves and hat
• Sleeping bag and liner, 3 season
• Warm layers
• Travel pillow
• Raincoat and/or umbrella
• Personal clothing for hot to cool weather
• Sturdy walking or hiking shoes – running shoes are fine too
• Daypack
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Water bottle
• Watch or alarm clock
• Toiletries – Important: some hotels do not give you soap and shampoo
• Camera
• First-aid kit, including lip salve, Aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking

Optional Checklist

• Money belt
• Phone/Tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
• Chargers for electronics
• Packing cubes
• Earplugs
• Snacks – packing a few granola bars is a good idea; you can buy snacks when you get there too, so don't go crazy here
• Ziplock bags
• Reading/writing material
• Hand sanitizer/baby wipes

Document Checklist

• Passport (with photocopies)
• Travel insurance (with photocopies)
• Airline tickets (with photocopies)
• EUR/USD cash
• Credit or debit card
• G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information, and dossier
• Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
• GEEO Classroom action plans for your group – this is sent 10-30 days before departure

Laundry

Laundry can be done at least once a week while on tour. Some hotels and most cities have laundromats where you can buy soap and wash your laundry in coin-operated machines. Your tour leader will advise you along the trip where you will be able to do your laundry.

Passports and Visas

All GEEO trips require that the participant have a valid passport or alternative travel documents for Americans.  Please see our general FAQ for information on obtaining a passport.

Tipping

It is customary in North America to tip service providers such as waiters, bartenders, and taxi drivers, at approximately 18-20%, depending on the service. Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are times during the trip where there is an opportunity to tip any local guides used. Recommendations for tipping local guides would range from $2-8 USD per activity depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip, if you felt your G Adventures Tour Leader did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however, as a guideline $5-10 USD per person, per day can be used as a guide. If your tour leader exceeded your expectations, feel free to tip more.

Flights

We often find the best prices for purchasing flights is 60 days before departure, but of course, this varies greatly from route to route and year to year. You must wait until this trip is confirmed with the minimum number of required participants before you book your flights. Typically, we reach the minimum number needed at least 90 days before departure. GEEO and G Adventures bear no responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed. You can find out whether this trip has been confirmed here. Your trip begins and ends in Seattle. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Seattle. You can arrive at any time of the day you choose, but we strongly urge you to arrive by 6:00 p.m. on Day 1 for the group meeting. You can depart from Seattle any time on the final day of the trip.

Expectations