Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to our most frequently asked questions below. If you have any other queries please send us a message on our Contact page.

COVID 19

For all our guests traveling on multi-day tours, we  follow the guidelines as presented by the CDC.  Some public areas we visit may require masks, and our guests are required to do the same.  

Should you or another guest on the tour test positive during the trip, that person will be asked to isolate away from the tour.  For cases such as isolation, we are not able to provide refunds for the unused portion of the tour, which is why we highly suggest purchasing trip protection with trip interruption to protect your investment

Booking & Payment

See our Terms & Conditions page for Terms & Conditions and Cancellation Policies.

Yes! If the trip you wish to attend is marked as Sold Out, click the “Join Waitlist” button to be notified if a spot opens up.

This depends on your specific situation and how far in advance you are able to make your changes. Please review our Terms & Conditions page for specific details and before making a booking. As always, we highly recommend the purchase of Travel Insurance in the case of any unforeseen events which may impact your booking. Visit our partner page for more information on Allianz Travel Insurance.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and check payments. Payments made by check or cashiers check will be the listed price while credit card payments made online will incur additional expenses for processing.

When you book a escorted tour, you are sent a “Confirmation” email outlining the tour’s start time and location, and other pre-trip details. Final tour documentation with meeting times, hotel names and the trip itinerary will be sent to the email on file one week prior to the departure date. If you will be taking an Alaska Cruise or have other commitments pre/post tour, please let us know details upon booking. 

Yes, we do offer special pricing for groups of 10 or more. Our inclusive packages and escorted group tours are perfect for family reunions, employee incentive trips, corportate retreats, or a ladies getaway. Please give us a call at 1-888-477-4787 for more details. (Outside of the US call +1-503-703-8506).

Our prices are per person based on two people sharing a room. Guests who wish to have their own room will be charged a Single Supplement fee.

General

Physical Rating: 1 – Leisurely
Relaxed pace, with little walking or physical activity.

Physical Rating: 2 – Light
Light walking or hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Physical Rating: 3 – Average
Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

Physical Rating: 4 – Demanding
More strenuous activities, including high-altitude hiking, but accessible to most healthy travelers.

Physical Rating: 5 – Challenging
Serious heavy exercise. Come prepared to sweat.

Pacific Northwest tours are for any season. We operate Washington tours and Oregon tours all year to take advantage of the charm and attractions available throughout each season. Late spring through early fall generally offers clear skies, warm, even hot temperatures, and amazing views. This also happens to be the busiest and most visited time of the year and early reservations are necessary as tours fill up quickly. When you join us during the off-season, we usually have a special event or theme for the trip. As all of our trips can be customized or operated for your private group, we aim to complete your Northwest experience!

Comfort and convenience are critical. As our tours are mostly 2, 3 or 4 nights, we encourage you not to over pack, but rather to bring outfits that can be mixed and matched for style – and layered or removed for changes in temperature. Above all, bring shoes that are supportive and comfortably broken in for walking, preferably with a non-slip sole. Check out fitmyfoot.com!

We recommend checking the weather forecast to help aid you in your packing.

Always remember to keep critical items with you such as medication, ID, money, glasses, sunscreen, etc.

As a general rule, we encourage you not to overpack. Instead, bring casual outfits that can be mixed, matched, and layered and utilize a carry-on (up to 2 per person).

If your tour includes the train via Amtrak, 2 carry-on’s are consistent with their policy. Please, always keep your essentials with you, such as ID, money, prescriptions, water bottle, glasses, etc.

If you are touring with us as a part of a greater trip and have larger suitcases, you can leave your luggage at the Amtrak train station. Upon your return to Seattle or Portland, we will bring you to the train station so you can collect your bags. Additionally, most hotels will store luggage if you are a confirmed guest either pre or post tour.

Always. As much as Eastern Washington is known for the sunshine, there may be occasional rain showers. We wish we could control the weather; we are working on it! Please bring a light wind/waterproof jacket just in case.

We offer private group and custom tour options available year round. For our pre-scheduled departure dates, the tours accomodate less than 12 people. If you have a larger group, please contact us directly so we can ensure we can meet your groups needs.

Our scheduled, custom and private tours are enjoyed by people of all ages who are interested in escorted group tours and spectacular sightseeing, fine food and world-class Washington wines and Oregon wine, deluxe accommodations, and learning about the history of the region while having everything taken care of. While the majority of our guests are 60 and above, we’ve hosted many people in their 30’s and 40’s. As the tours pair nicely with an Alaska cruise, we find similar demographics to those who enjoy cruising or just appreciate the ease of inclusive packages.

It is our belief that gratuities are a direct reflection of the level and quality of service received. It is customary to extend gratuities as a sign of your appreciation on the last day. The following is a recommended industry standard for private and small group tours: $10-$15 per person per day for the driver/guide. 

It all depends on the size of the group. Whether via a SUV, a Sprinter or a Van, each is equipped with air conditioning and we will make several stops for bio-breaks. There will be room for everyone’s comfort.

Yes! Travel agents, please give us a call and ask about our 2022 booking incentives  at 1-888-477-4787.  

If you do not have a travel agent, you may make a reservation directly with us at 1-888-477-4787. Located outside of the US? You can call +1-503-358-9462.

We are also known as a “receptive operator”. Should you seek these services please reach out to the contact information above.

Yes! Please contact us directly. All of our itineraries are customizable to you and your companions needs. We welcome your travel pod, Washington Wine enthusiasts (or those curious), friends and family, corporate retreats, employee incentive trips, ladies getaways and all others interested in the ease of inclusive packages with our escorted and group tours.

To protect your investment, we highly recommend trip protection. It is possible that you may have coverage from other sources that provide you with similar benefits, so please compare the terms of any travel protection policy with your existing life, health, home, and automobile
insurance policies.

While we do not sell travel protection directly, we suggest recommend either Travel Safe or Faye.  We also highly recommend  MedJet Horizon. MedJet offers short-term and long-term medical and emergency coverage for when you are 150 miles away from your home. As with any policy, be sure to read the coverage carefully to ensure it aligns with your personal needs and risk tolerance.

We encourage you to make your reservation just as early as possible – especially if you are limited to the time in which you can travel. Train journeys are popular and tend to fill quickly.

Reservation Center hours – North America Pacific Time Zone (Seattle time):

Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday: 9:00 AM – noon

We will always select the best available accommodations in great locations. We select hotels for their central location, ambiance, service, and value; most are conveniently located, close to key historic, downtown walkability and cultural sights, and reflect the character of the town in which we overnight.

Yes. Room accommodations for three or four are typically two beds and a roll-a-way.

Within Eastern Washington, wheelchairs and certain types of motorized scooters can be accommodated, if we know far in advance to plan with our transportation partners. Please note, InquisiTours cannot provide wheelchairs to guests or wheelchair assistance during the tour. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion.

Generally, wheelchairs and motorized scooters are not accepted for our international destinations. The international community does not adhere to the same accessibility standards that hotels, restaurants and public buildings do in the United States.

Food Related

Breakfast: Hot and cold breakfast, served at the hotel.

Lunch: Lunchtime may find us at a scenic winery with full lunch service, a gourmet picnic or charcuturie board, or even a food truck.

Dinner: On the train, a gourmet picnic meal or dinner on the train from the departure city will be arranged. The dinners in Walla Walla are unique and venues and caterers will vary based on the tour, though all with a focus on locally sourced quality cuisine. You will not walk away hungry.

*Reception: A glass of wine or beer and appetizers.

*Upon booking, please advise us if you have any food restrictions, allergies or requests. We can accommodate a wide variety of needs when given enough notice.

Breakfasts will be held at the hotel and you will be given times for operation so you can choose the best time for you and your party. Lunches that are included during touring days are often held in a group setting, and the Walla Walla dinner is held as a group function.

Train Related
Our belief is that a large part of the train tour experience is the enjoyment of the scenery along the train route. Given that the train schedules depart in the late afternoon, wintertime hours do not provide the daylight needed to fully take in the scenery. However, our Northwest tours which utilize van or motor coach have the flexibility to leave earlier in the day, therefore are scheduled in Fall, Winter, and early Spring. If you are seeking a receptive tour operator we are happy to consult on the perfect seasonal itineraries.
We will pick up in a central downtown locations in both Seattle and Portland. The location will be communicated to you a week before departure. If you will be embarking a cruise ship in Seattle on the return day, please let us know and we will plan to take you to the cruise ship terminal. Likewise, if you are disembarking an Alaska Cruise, please let us know.
Seattle: We suggest you utilize light rail, King County Metro, a car service, or have someone drop you off. There is no long-term parking at the station and the parking garages nearby are quite costly. If you require your car nearby, check this site with parking garages and prices near King Street Station. Portland: We suggest you utilize Max light rail, Tri-Met, a car service, or have someone drop you off. There is no long-term parking at the station and the parking garages nearby are quite costly. If you require your car nearby, check this site listing parking garages and prices near Union Street Station.