Have an adventure of Olympic proportions

Before all eyes turn to China for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, book a trip with TrekAmerica this summer to experience the outdoor pursuits at America’s own Olympic attraction. Olympic National Park in Washington State was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt 70 years ago this month, on 29th June 1938. Despite being one of the lesser-known national parks in America, it is also one of only ten that are designated World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

The park is often referred to as ‘three parks in one’ since it encompasses three distinct eco-systems – rugged, glacier-capped mountains; over 60 miles of Pacific coast and beaches; and old-growth and temperate rainforest. Around 95 per cent of Olympic National Park is designated wilderness.

Both TrekAmerica and its sister company Footloose offer small group adventure tours stopping in the Olympic National Park (Olympic NP). Groups will camp for two nights in the park, giving them plenty of time to hike the trails and experience the majestic and diverse scenery.

Book one of these trips now to visit Olympic NP in its anniversary year:

Olympic NP offers a final blast of fresh air adventure on TrekAmerica’s Pacific Coast trip, which travels up the west coast of America combining the vibrant cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle with the breathtaking Yosemite, Redwood, Mount Saint Helens, Mount Rainier and Olympic national parks.

There is still availability on the 14-day trip for departure dates in June, July and August 2008 with prices starting from £614 per person. This tour is aimed at travellers aged 18-38.

For full trip details, see Trekamerica.co.uk.

Footloose’s Best of the Rockies tour is aimed at purists seeking the true wilderness experience. The 21-day camping trip travels to the northwest of the USA and Canada, spanning two mountain ranges and visiting seven national parks including Olympic. In Jasper National Park, travellers can ride horses, canoe a high mountain lake, mountain bike or hike; whilst Glacier NP is a great place to watch out for wildlife including Grizzly bear, moose, elk, mountain goats, marmots and birds.

The tour also takes in rural Montana, magical Yellowstone, cowboy country in Wyoming and the active volcanic landscape of Craters of the Moon NP. Footloose tours are open-aged. Departures in July and August 2008 are still available from £1,099 per person. For full trip details, see footloose.com.