Vancouver Island - Olympic Peninsula Hiker
Washington
USA
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Hike and Sea Kayak
the Pacific Northwest
An Inn-to-Inn Hiking and Sea Kayaking Adventure featuring the best of the
Pacific Northwest
Vancouver Island and the Olympic Peninsula
welcome you to a diverse and stunning land of rocky coastline with primitive
marine life, wave-manicured beaches, spectacular glacier-capped peaks, sparkling
lakes, lush meadows, and ancient rainforests teeming with wildlife. On foot, we
immerse ourselves in this place of serendipitous discovery. At day s end, escape
to the comforts of luxurious retreats and sample the region s finest cuisine.
With hiking options galore, this trip is ideal for all abilities.
This tour is designed for the fit first-time hikers as well as hiking
enthusiasts. Each day s hike is 4-8 miles in length with elevation gains of up
to 1500 feet. For those looking for a challenge, there are options to cover
more difficult terrain.
Our first two nights feature historic Lake Crescent Lodge, located on the shores of its deep-blue namesake. Then we relax in the comforts of the English Inn before settling into the Ocean Wilderness Inn with its mountain views, private beach, old-growth rain forest, and hot tub.
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Walking Tour
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Meeting:
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Seattle-Tacoma Marriott
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Airport:
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Seattle/Tacoma
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Transfer:
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Seattle-Tacoma Marriott
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
Max
16 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF) 
Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2012
Rates include:
Full day sea kayaking, all meals (lunch day 1-lunch day 6), all accommodations (double occupancy), T-shirt, water bottle, a visit to Sol Duc Hot Springs, support vehicle, ferry rides from Port Angeles to Victoria and from Victoria to Seattle.
Activities: hike (5 days), sea kayak (1 day), ferry (1/2-day)
| A | 2012 | 6 day trip, AP | 6d / 5n | $3098 |
Transfer Option:
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2012
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Transfers are included from the Seattle-Tacoma Marriott
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Gateway City Transfer: If you are a registered guest at the Seattle-Tacoma Marriott, there is a free shuttle from the airport that departs every 15 minutes. Other area hotels have free shuttle-service from the airport as well. Public transport is available between the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and downtown Seattle with Metro Transit on Bus 194 (after 8 p.m. ride Bus 174).
Meeting Time & Place: 9:00 a.m. at the Seattle-Tacoma Marriott
Trip Conclusion: Approximately 8:00 p.m. at the Seattle-Tacoma Marriott.
Rates do not include:
Airfare, personal insurance, hotel miscellaneous expenses (phone, fax, laundry, etc.), additional optional tours, services not specified in the tour itinerary, and guide gratuities (An appropriate gratuity to each trip leader is $75-$100 per guest).
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Day 1. Hike the Dungeness Spit, Port Townsend
After meeting in Seattle at 9:00 a.m., we enjoy a scenic shuttle around
Puget Sound to Port Townsend, located on the Olympic Peninsula. We arrive in
time for a full afternoon of hiking on the Dungeness Spit. The Spit is a
National Wildlife Refuge and one of Olympic Peninsula’s most remarkable natural
features. Almost seven miles long, it is the longest natural sand hook in the
world. The spit’s surrounding bay and estuary are home to a variety of
seabirds, seals, fish, crabs and clams. From the spit, the view of the Olympic
Mountains is spectacular! The historic Lake Crescent Lodge, our home away from
home for the next two evenings, is located along the shore of the jewel of the
Olympics.
• Dungeness Spit Trail [3-11 miles, time and energy permitting; negligible
elevation change]
Day 2. Hike the Grand Ridge Trail, Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park has received international recognition as both a
Biosphere Reserve and as a World Heritage Site. The park contains over 1,200
species of plants, 300 species of birds and 70 species of mammals, and is one of
the most pristine wilderness ecosystems in the contiguous United States. We
will hike to the broad summit of Elk Mountain, where we will be rewarded with
colorful blossoms of phlox and dwarf lupine, and grandstand views of the Olympic
Mountains, including the park’s highest peak, Mount Olympus. From the summit we
will descend through rolling tundra and into a pine forest at Deer Park.
• Grand Ridge Trail Hike [7.4 miles; 1260 feet of elevation gain, 2120
feet of elevation loss]
• Shorter hike to Hurricane Hill and back [3 miles; 800 feet of elevation
gain / loss]
Day 3. Hike the Sol Duc Valley, visit the Sol Duc Hot Springs
In the morning, we hike through the deep woods of the Sol Duc valley
(native words for “sparkling water”)past a majestic waterfall on a trail known
as Lover’s Lane. Our trail begins at Sol Duc hot springs and winds through
towering ferns and cedars along the Sol Duc river.
In the afternoon, we have a few hours of free-time to explore Port
Angeles before we embark on an unforgettable experience, a ferry ride across the
Strait of Juan de Fuca. Upon arrival in Victoria, we settle into our Bed &
Breakfast and then enjoy a gourmet meal at one of Victoria’s fine restaurants.
• Moderately Easy Option: Hike Lover's Lane [4 miles round trip;
elevation change negligible]
• Ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria [approximately 90 minutes]
Day 4. Sea Kayaking Becher Bay
Revered as one of the premier destinations for sea kayaking, the west
coast of Vancouver Island is a naturalist’s paradise. The bays and coves brim
with intertidal life, with bald eagles and sea birds flying overhead. After
learning the basics of sea kayaking from local guides, we explore the niches of
Becher Bay and a spectacular small island group. With luck we will see seals
and sea lions in their natural habitat and possibly an occasional passing gray
whale. Killer whales have also been known to frequent the area. Tonight’s
lodging is in the town of Sooke, a quaint sea-side community on the southern tip
of Vancouver Island. Sooke is “where the rainforest meets the sea”.
• Sea Kayaking Becher Bay [mileage variable, full day]
Day 5. Hiking the Juan de Fuca Trail
Today we hike the famed Juan de Fuca Trail from Parkinson Creek to
Botanical Beach. Hiking a mild portion of this otherwise rugged trail affords
us the beauty of both the beach and a wonderland of temperate rainforest. The
trail passes through lands that have been occupied by humans for perhaps 6,500
years. This area is home to the Pacheenaht First Nation, who traditionally
lived on the coast during summer. At low tide, we canmeander along the tidal
pools at Botanical Beach & look for anemones, sea stars, and sea urchins.
• Juan de Fuca Marine Trail [moderate section of 6 miles; approximately
4-5 hours, several short sections of up and downs]
Day 6. Hiking East Sooke Park
Today we hike along the jagged headlands that rise above the crashing
waves on the Coast trail of Vancouver Island’s East Sooke Park. Where
rainforest meets the sea, we will experience the lushness of mosses and ferns,
as well as the windswept coastline bluffs against emerald green water. Along the
Coast trail we will see evidence of the Coast Salish people in a few ancient
petroglyphs bruised into rock. At the end of the day, we return to Seattle via
the Victoria Clipper, a super-fast passenger ferry that travels across the Juan
de Fuca Strait and through Pugent Sound. Trip concludes at approximately 8:00
pm in Seattle.
• Hiking East Sooke Park’s Coast Trail [up to 7 miles; Moderately Easy ]
• Ferry from Vancouver Island to Seattle. [approximately 2 hours]
Meeting:
Seattle-Tacoma Marriott
Airport:
Seattle/Tacoma
Transfer:
Seattle-Tacoma Marriott
Gateway City Transfer: If you are a registered guest at the Seattle-Tacoma Marriott, there is a free shuttle from the airport that departs every 15 minutes. Other area hotels have free shuttle-service from the airport as well. Public transport is available between the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and downtown Seattle with Metro Transit on Bus 194 (after 8 p.m. ride Bus 174).
Meeting Time & Place: 9:00 a.m. at the Seattle-Tacoma Marriott
Trip Conclusion: Approximately 8:00 p.m. at the Seattle-Tacoma Marriott.
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Tack:
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Horses:
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Pace:
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Moderately Easy hike (5 days) sea kayak (1 day)
ferry
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Level:
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(2
to
2
out of 5)
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
16 riders
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Passport and Visa Requirements:
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the. more
Luggage Requirements: How to Pack
Due to the space constraints in our vehicles and custom trailers, we
ask that you pack reasonably, including limiting your luggage to ONE
MEDIUM-SIZED piece and a small daypack. Soft-sided luggage or a duffel
bag works great or a larger backpack if you are on a camping trip.
Please do not bring excessively large suitcases or hard-sided baggage.
Clearly mark each piece of luggage with your name for ease in
identification. Your daypack will be kept handy in the support vehicle
and used for extra clothing, camera or other miscellaneous gear that
you may need throughout the day.
We caution participants not to bring fragile or breakable items as the
luggage can get bounced around in our support vehicle. Also, due to the
type of roads and trails that we follow, it is not uncommon for baggage
to get quite dusty.
Clothing:
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A warm jacket,
sweater, or fleece top
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1
Long sleeved thermal shirts
that insulate well even when wet. These can be used for layering in the
morning when it is cool, and, also if the temperature drops later in the
day.
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Pair of non
cotton, thermal bottoms, cycling pants, or sweat pants
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Short sleeved
shirts (one for each day of your trip is recommended)
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Pairs of
shorts for hiking and around town. Bring 1 quick-drying pair if your tour
includes rafting.
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Multiple
pairs of wool or synthetic blend socks for hiking and biking.
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Pairs
of polypropylene or capilene liner socks for use while hiking. The number of
pairs may be altered depending upon the number of days that you will be
hiking.
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Pairs
of cotton socks for evenings
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A
Good waterproof rain jacket and pants. Items made from breathable
waterproof fabrics such Gore-Texä
are preferred. Do not bring plastic ponchos.
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Wool
or fleece hat
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Sun
hat or baseball cap
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Pair
of shoes that you can wear if your other shoes are wet
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A
Swimsuit (Bring a towel if your tour includes rafting.)
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Sets
of evening apparel (Casual dress and jeans are the norm.)
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Wind
shell jacket and pants (optional)
Hiking Equipment:
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Ankle-supportive
lightweight hiking boots or cross training shoes that are already broken in
are a necessity. Smooth bottomed tennis shoes are not recommended, as they
are not comfortable for extended hikes.
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Hiking daypack to
carry items such as a camera, sunscreen, lunch, snacks, and a jacket.
Exterior pockets are great for easy access to water bottles. The World
Outdoors can loan you a daypack at no additional cost. Just let us know
several weeks before your trip.
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At
least two, 1 liter, water bottles or a Camelback. Camelbacks carry 70
or 100 oz. water bladders and larger camelbacks may double as a daypack.
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Gaiters
are especially useful for early summer trips in mountainous regions.
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Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries and
bulbs
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Bandanna (optional, but quite handy)
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Handy-wipe towelettes
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Camp pillow, airplane pillow, or pillow
case/stuff sack in which you can throw soft items to rest your head
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Towel, wash cloth, and bio-degradable soap and
shampoo
Personal Items:
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Sunglasses with UV
protection and retainer leash (such as Croakiesä)
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Sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher)
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Lip balm with UV protection
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Insect repellent
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Toiletries: towels,
toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, hairbrush, etc…
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Hand lotion or skin
moisturizer
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Personal first aid kit:
aspirin, ibuprofen, Band-Aids, moleskin (for blisters), antihistamine
tablets, prescription medications clearly marked in their original
containers, eye drops, tampons, etc…
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Musical instrument (Please
let us know if you would like to bring a guitar.)
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Camera and film with extra
batteries for your camera.
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Watch with an alarm or a
personal alarm clock, as some of our inns do not provide wake up calls.
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Binoculars
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Earplugs (optional),
especially if you’re a light sleeper and will be matched with another
traveler
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Pocket knife (optional, but
sometimes handy)
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Journal and/or books
Evening Attire:
Casual dress is the standard in all our destinations.
As we will be on our feet each day,
it is extremely important that you take the necessary precautions in caring for
your feet. To prevent injury and discomfort, here are some guidelines:
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Wear comfortable, well fitting shoes.
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Always wear good hiking socks. In hotter regions, at least
one pair of synthetic athletic socks is advised.
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Keep your feet clean and dry
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If you start to notice irritation or start to feel pain or
a "hot spot" forming on your feet, this is usually an indication that a blister
is forming. It is best to treat a problem area before blisters form and
increased pain develops. Depending on the severity and type of irritation, you
can:
- Cover the entire irritated area with moleskin; make sure
the moleskin lies flat on your foot.
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Cut a doughnut out of the moleskin and place it around a
blister that is forming.
- Use a piece of second skin to cover the problem area.
Other things to consider
before leaving:
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Contact lenses: If you wear them, you may want to bring
prescription glasses as they may become more convenient to wear.
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Prescription glasses: If you wear them, bring an extra pair.
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Prescription medicines: Bring an adequate supply in the original
container.
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
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Lodgings are arranged at these inns:
Day 1 and 2: Lake Crescent Lodge
Day 3: The English Inn
Day 4 and 5: Ocean Wilderness Country Inn
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Tack:
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Horses:
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Pace:
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Moderately Easy hike (5 days) sea kayak (1 day)
ferry
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Level:
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(2
to
2
out of 5)
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
16 riders
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Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).
The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.
ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.
New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.
For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).
Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.
Applications to:
Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
N/A |
| Other EU |
Yes |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No/2 |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
N/A |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
N/A |
| Other EU |
Yes |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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