DETAILS
Journey through the Pacific Northwest on the Columbia River, where soaring basalt cliffs, fertile valleys and historic river towns reveal the rich natural and cultural history of one of North America’s most iconic waterways. Sail through landscapes shaped by glacial floods and volcanic forces alongside experts in geology and history, tracing the route of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery between the Columbia Gorge and the Pacific coast. This voyage also offers immersive culinary experiences that celebrate the flavors of the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy private tastings with local winemakers, savor seasonal cuisine inspired by the region’s agricultural bounty, and explore the distinctive terroirs of the Pacific Northwest through an onboard wine list curated by Food & Wine Executive Wine Editor Ray Isle.
- Pricing from
- $5,843
- Trip Type
- Closer to Home
- Departure Dates
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Oct 11, 2027 - Oct 18, 2027
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 the early evening and enjoy wine and champagne as the ship sails along the Willamette River under eight of Portland’s 12 eclectic bridges.
Arrival Time: Arrive by 3:00 p.m. local time.
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day 2
Cruising the Columbia Gorge
Witness natural and man-made marvels as you navigate the scenic Columbia River Gorge and pass through the Bonneville Lock and Dam. Enjoy a fresh-brewed coffee on the bow, where your naturalists offer insightful perspectives on the controversial history of dams along the river. Later, enjoy an onboard tasting with your wine specialist while learning about the local terroirs.
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day 3
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. This morning, discover the city’s 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 today. After lunch at a local winery, explore charming downtown Walla Walla at your leisure, perusing local galleries, sampling sweets at one of the country’s best candy stores or stopping in cozy wine-tasting rooms.
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day 4
Cruising the Columbia Gorge
Spend the day cruising through some of the most picturesque and geologically significant stretches of the Columbia River and the Columbia Plateau. Your geologists will provide insight on the glacial floods that sculpted the landscape 13,000 years ago, as your food and wine expert highlights the tastes and tannins of this unique terrain. Relive the historic tales of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery through the eyes of a historian as you sail by key landmarks.
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day 5
The Dalles or Hood River, Oregon
Make a stop at the towering Multnomah Falls before an optional hike to the 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 6
Astoria
In the morning, navigate the Columbia River to its mouth in Astoria. Later, choose to explore Cape Disappointment and take in the dramatic scenery where Meriwether Lewis first glimpsed the Pacific Ocean in 1805. Alternatively, enjoy a scenic hike to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center or embark on a culinary heritage walk.
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day 7
Astoria
This morning, choose to visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum and learn about the estuary’s navigational hazards and history of shipwrecks. Alternatively, take a shuttle to the Astoria Column—a monument to the natural riches of the Pacific Northwest—or explore Astoria’s shops and restaurants at your own pace. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic cruise accompanied by local wine tastings on board.
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day 8
Portland / Disembark Ship
Disembark in Portland after breakfast and transfer to the airport for flights home.
Everything you need to know about the tour
Save this information for later by downloading the full tour brochure.
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National Geographic Venture follows the seasons from Alaska, along the coast of British Columbia, through California’s Channel Islands National Park, and along the Baja California coast and into Mexico’s Gulf of California. Her design innovations were informed by 50+ years of expedition expertise to ensure extraordinary discoveries
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Larger than her sibling twin ships, National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion, National Geographic Venture has the same shallow draft, enabling her to nimbly navigate the same inner reaches and provide the same intimate, ‘insider’ experiences of the charismatic regions we explore.
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
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