Mt. Rainier Photo Workshop
- 6 Days
From $4,495 - Interests
- Landscape, Night Sky
- Activity Level
- Moderate
- Group Size
- Max 8
Wildflower season at one of America’s oldest national parks
Of all the fire-mountains which, like beacons, once blazed along the Pacific Coast, Mount Rainier is the noblest. — John Muir
On a visit to Western Washington, you’re sure to see Mt. Rainier. Its snow and glacier-capped peak dominates the skyline at 14,410 feet above sea level. Mt. Rainier is the fifth National Park in the US, established in 1899. Native tribes know the volcano as Tahoma, but local residents call it “The Mountain.” When the clouds break during dreary winter weather and the dramatic peak appears, exclaiming “The Mountain is out” will have you sounding like a local.
Summer is the ideal time to visit and photograph Mt. Rainier. Mid-summer weather is typically warm and dry. By the end of July, snow has finally melted off the trails at lower elevations, and spectacular wildflower meadows bloom.
Akari Photo Tours is an authorized permittee of the National Park Service.
Highlights
- Photograph wildflower meadows, alpine lakes, and grand vistas around the Paradise and Sunrise areas of the park.
- Visit spectacular old-growth forests and lovely waterfalls.
- We’ll wake early for sunrise and stay out late for sunset. If the clouds cooperate, we’ll venture out at night for stars and the Milky Way over the iconic mountain.
Your Guides
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Kevin Lisota
Jul 28–Aug 2, 2024Jul 27–Aug 1, 2025
Activity Level
You must be able to hike up to two miles on uneven and sometimes steep ground with moderate elevation gain. You must be able to carry your pack while navigating the uneven terrain.
This tour has an activity level of Moderate. Read more about the Activity Levels for our trips.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Seattle to Mt. Rainier
Arrive at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) before 11:00 AM on this day. Airport transfer is included on arrival.
We will pick you up either at SeaTac airport or at your hotel. We will then drive to Mt. Rainier National Park with lunch along the way. After checking in to Paradise Inn, we’ll have dinner, then head out for our first sunset shoot on the trails in Paradise.
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Day 2: Paradise
We’ll wake early for sunrise at Reflection Lake, followed by breakfast at the Paradise Inn. During the day, we’ll visit trails and waterfalls around Paradise based on weather conditions. Dinner at Paradise Inn, followed by a sunset shoot at Ricksecker Point.
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Day 3: Paradise
Early sunrise shoot along the trails in Paradise, followed by breakfast at the Paradise Inn. We’ll photograph wildflowers around Paradise during the day, have dinner, and photograph the stars at Reflection Lake at night.
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Day 4: Sunrise
After a late night, we’ll have a leisurely breakfast at Paradise Inn. We will then check out of our hotel and drive to lodging at Crystal Mountain Ski Resort to be closer to the Sunrise area of the park. We’ll take a gondola ride at the ski resort for epic views of Mt. Rainier and to have lunch. After dinner, we will photograph the sunset and the Milky Way from one of our favorite spots in the Sunrise area.
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Day 5: Sunrise
We’ll wake early for a sunrise shoot around the Sunrise area, then return to our hotel for breakfast and an image review. During the day, we’ll photograph old-growth forests and a waterfall along the Ohanapecosh River. In the evening, we’ll do another sunset shoot.
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Day 6: Return to Seattle
We’ll wake up early again on our last morning for a sunrise shoot. Following sunrise, we’ll have breakfast and check out of our hotel. We’ll drive back to Seattle for flights home.
Book your departing flight no earlier than 3:00 PM on this day. Airport transfer is included on departure.
Accommodations
Lodging around Mt. Rainier is sparse and expensive. For photographers, staying close to the photo spots is critical to avoiding long drives before sunrise and after sunset. For this workshop, we’ve included the optimal accommodations at Paradise and the Crystal Mountain Ski Resort so that you can focus on photography.
Because the rooms at these two locations are quite small, we provide single-occupancy accommodations at the Paradise Inn and Crystal Mountain.
Let us know if you are staying in Seattle before or after this workshop. We have recommendations for hotels and activities, including photography, in our home city.
Why Travel With Us
Our small-group trips are designed for photographers, with guides who know the best locations and offer instruction to help improve your photography. Read more about why you should travel with us.
Dates & Prices
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Jul 28–Aug 2, 2024$4,495 USD Per PersonSingle OccupancyGuides: Kevin LisotaPayment Terms: Deposit: $2,000 USDRemainder Due: Mar 30, 2024
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Jul 27–Aug 1, 2025$4,495 USD Per PersonSingle OccupancyGuides: Kevin LisotaPayment Terms: Deposit: $2,000 USDRemainder Due: Mar 29, 2025
All of our standard Terms & Conditions apply. Be sure to read our Cancellation Policy.
What's Included
- Single occupancy lodging.
- All transportation during the tour.
- Airport transfers at arrival/departure.
- All meals, soft drinks, water, and snacks during the tour.
- All permits and entry fees.
- Instruction, guidance, and image reviews from our expert photography guides.
- Personal pre-trip phone consultation.
What's Not Included
- Airfare to and from destination, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Passport and visa fees, if applicable.
- Travel medical & evacuation insurance (required).
- Trip cancellation insurance (optional but recommended).
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Any accommodations or meals before or after the tour dates.
- Items of a personal nature.