DETAILS
Delve into the history, harvests, and landscapes of the Columbia and Snake Rivers, while indulging in the culinary splendors and world-class wines of the region. Travel as early explorers did—by waterways that stretch far inland from the Pacific Ocean. Aboard our intimate ship, enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams. Tour museums and historic sites, taste local produce, and meet celebrated winemakers. We’ll be joined by naturalists, a historian, and a geologist as well as a food and wine expert who’ll guide us through the region’s bounty.
- Pricing from
- $5,643
- Trip Type
- Closer to Home, Group Travel Tour
- Departure Dates
-
Oct 17, 2026 - Oct 24, 2026
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SEA BIRD & SEA LION
CAPACITY: 31 outside cabins accommodating 62 guests.
OVERALL LENGTH: 152 feet. REGISTRY: United States.
PUBLIC AREAS: The ship features a library; global market; lounge with full-service bar and facilities for films, slide shows, and presentations; observation deck; partially covered sun deck with chairs and tables; and LEXspa. An open Bridge provides guests an opportunity to meet the officers and captain and learn about navigation.
MEALS: Served in single seatings with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere.
Menu emphasizes local fare.
CABINS: All cabins face outside with windows, private bathroom, and climate controls. Cabins are equipped with Wi-Fi and multiple electrical and USB outlets. Botanically inspired shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and lotion are all available in cabin bathrooms, as well as an Expedition Essentials Kit. Hair dryers, complimentary insulated water bottles, and a National Geographic Atlas are available in each cabin.
EXPEDITION EQUIPMENT: Zodiacs, kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling equipment, bow camera, hydrophone, splash-cam, underwater video camera, and video microscope.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Guest internet access, certified photo instructor.
WELLNESS: The vessel is staffed by a wellness specialist and features exercise equipment, LEXspa, and outdoor stretching area.
PRE- AND POST-VOYAGE EXTENSIONS
Portland & Willamette Wine Country Experience: Enjoy a guided exploration of the city’s must-see highlights, neighborhoods, and lush parks along with a visit to a few of the region’s most acclaimed boutique wineries. Hotel stay included.
Lewiston Two-Day History & Wine Extension: Venture into the U.S.’s newest-designated wine growing region to try award-winning vintages on a historic and culinary adventure. Hotel stay included.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Number of Days Prior to Expedition Start Per Person Cancellation Fee
120 or more days – No penalty: Advance Payment will be credited toward your next expedition**
119-90 days 50% of trip cost***
89-0 days 100% of trip cost***
**Advance payments will be credited in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate, valid for 12 months from the date of cancellation, and which may only be applied towards final payment on any future booking.
***Trip cost is total price paid including extensions, airfare, and other additional services. We strongly recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan
TOUR MAP
ITINERARY
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day 1
Portland, Oregon / Embark Ship
Arrive in the early afternoon in Portland, located in the shadow of snow-capped Mount Hood. Embark in early evening and enjoy wine and champagne as the ship sails along the Willamette River under eight of Portland’s 12 eclectic bridges.
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day 2
Astoria
Begin your journey by navigating the Columbia to the mouth of the river at Astoria. At Cape Disappointment, take in the dramatic scenery where Meriwether Lewis saw the Pacific for the first time in 1805. Walk or enjoy a scenic hike to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center to learn more. In the afternoon, there are several options to explore Astoria—visit the maritime museum to learn about this estuary’s navigational hazards and history of shipwrecks, take a shuttle to the Astoria Column or explore the shops and restaurants on your own.
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day 3
Cruising / The Dalles / Hood River
Immerse yourself in natural and man-made marvels as you explore the scenic Columbia and pass through Bonneville Lock and Dam. Take a steaming cup of coffee to the bow where your naturalists offer honest perspectives on the controversial history of dams along the river. In the afternoon, make a stop at neck-craning Multnomah Falls before an optional hike of iconic Beacon Rock, a basalt column towering 848 feet above the Columbia River. Later, enjoy a private event with Syncline Winery at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center. Savor canapes and Syncline’s distinctive wines as you take in 15,000 years of cultural history, including indigenous art and a massive working steam engine.
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day 4
Cruising the Gorge
Spend the day cruising through some of the most scenic and geologically interesting stretches of the Columbia River and the Columbia Plateau. Your geologists provide fascinating insight on the glacial floods that sculpted the landscape 13,000 years ago, as your food and wine expert illustrates the expression of such unique terrain through its tastes and tannins. Relive the historic tales of the Corps of Discovery through the eyes of a historian as you sail by important landmarks. Or unwind with a massage in preparation for an exciting day ahead.
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day 5
Walla Walla, Washington
Drive through some of the most fertile agricultural areas in the nation, with bright, rolling green and purple fields of sprouting wheat, asparagus and famous Walla Walla sweet onions. In the morning, discover the thriving art scene on a guided tour, or choose to visit the Whitman Mission, a standout National Historic Site where friction between Native Americans and white missionaries erupted into an event that continues to reverberate in American culture. After lunch at a local winery, explore charming downtown Walla Walla at your leisure, perusing local galleries, sampling sweets at the country’s #1 candy store or popping into cozy tasting rooms.
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day 6
Palouse River
The still water of the Palouse River is the perfect mirror for the surrounding basalt cliffs as you set off on your Zodiac and kayak adventures. Visit Palouse Falls, where waters plunge 200 feet into a churning pool. These falls and the surrounding canyon with its towering cliffs, cavernous holes in the earth and winding water routes are part of geologically unique channeled scablands created by ancient floods. Afterwards, sail up the Snake River, enjoying a taste of local specialties.
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day 7
Clarkston
Today, explore the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers, more than 450 miles from the sea. Travel by comfortable jet boat into spectacular, 125-mile Hells Canyon, North America’s deepest river gorge, mostly inaccessible by road. Observe remnants of the Nez Perce tribe, including ancestral horsetrails along the hillsides and petroglyphs on rock formations, while keeping an eye out for the stately and nimble Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. In the evening, you’ll be joined by a Nez Perce storyteller, and a local winemaker hosts your final tasting as you toast an unforgettable journey before a special final dinner.
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day 8
Clarkston
After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)
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