DETAILS
Exploring the Columbia and Snake Rivers by ship is a study in contrasts. It’s at once relaxing and mentally stimulating. It reveals great natural beauty, and yet it features modern marvels of human engineering such as an imposing system of locks and dams. We’ll visit the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum, enjoy a farm-to-table lunch in the Hood River Valley, visit important landmarks of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and board kayaks, Zodiacs, and local jet boats for a unique perspective. Our culinary program focuses on locality and sustainability, allowing you to taste the region’s bounty. Throughout our journey, our superb expedition team will put everything into context.
- Pricing from
- $6,430
Book by June 30, 2023 and receive a $600 air credit per person & NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
- Trip Type
- Closer to Home, Group Travel Tour
- Departure Dates
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Sep 25, 2023 - Oct 2, 2023
Apr 7, 2024 - Apr 14, 2024
Oct 5, 2024 - Oct 12, 2024
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.
RESPONSIBILITY AND OTHER TERMS & CONDITIONS: Certain other provisions concerning, among other things, limitations of Lindblad Expeditions’ and National Geographic Expeditions’ (a division of National Geographic Partners, LLC) liability for loss of property, injury, illness, or death during the voyage will be provided to all guests on the ship’s ticket sent prior to departure or upon request. By registering for a trip, the guest agrees to all such terms and conditions.
NOTE: Itinerary and prices listed in this brochure are as of publication date and are subject to change. Under normal conditions the total expedition price is guaranteed at the time of booking. However, the expedition pricing is determined far in advance of initial departure on the basis of then-existing projections of fuel and other costs. not limited to increases in the price of fuel, currency fluctuations, increases in government taxes or levies, or increased security costs, the right is reserved to adjust the price of your expedition or add a surcharge to cover such unexpected increases. We will always provide an explanation of the reason for increase in costs.
PHOTO CREDITS: Alamy, Ralph Lee Hopkins, iStock, Rich Kirchner, Jeff Litton, Montana Historical Society, Emily Mount, Michael S. Nolan, R. Aaron Raymond, Rich Reid, Marco Ricca, Shutterstock, David Vargas.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Number of Days Prior to Expedition Start / Per Person Cancellation Fee
120 or more days = $350
119-90 days = Advance payment cost
89-60 days = 25% of trip cost
59-45 days = 50% of trip cost
44-0 days = No refund
This policy applies to the voyage only. We strongly recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan.
TOUR MAP
ITINERARY
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day 1
Portland, OR/Embark Ship
Arrive in Portland, located on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers in the shadow of snow-capped Mt. Hood. The city is known for its eco-friendliness, microbreweries, and coffeehouses. This afternoon board our ship and discover why Portland is nicknamed “Bridgetown” as we sail under eight of the city’s 12 eclectic bridges along the Willamette River, the first of five rivers you will encounter on this voyage. (D)
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days 2-3
Columbia River Gorge / Hood River
Gain a fresh perspective on such highlights as Bonneville Lock and Dam, Multnomah Falls, and Beacon Rock (perhaps even hike it if you are inclined). Bonneville is first in the series of eight locks that will lift or lower the ship some 700 feet above sea level—nearly 10 times that of the Panama Canal. Continue through the Gorge to Hood River, located in the shadows of majestic Mount Hood where you will have the option to see the spring bloom in the Hood River Valley. The valley is known for its fruit growing orchards—including one of the world’s largest pear growing areas. Visit the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum and explore one of the largest collections of still functioning antique cars and planes or choose to do something more active in the area, like river rafting on the White Salmon river. (B,L,D)
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day 4
CRUISING THE COLUMBIA
Today we will spend the day cruising through some of the most scenic and geologically interesting stretches of the Columbia River and the Columbia Plateau. Our onboard geologist and naturalists will talk with you about the Columbian Basalt Flows and the Missoula Floods that sculpted the landscape 13,000 years ago. Relive the historic tales of the Corps of Discovery through the eyes of the historian as you sail by landmarks from their epic journey. Or unwind with a massage from the wellness specialist. (B,L,D)
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day 5
Walla Walla
Drive through some of the most fertile agricultural areas in the nation, with bright, rolling green fields of sprouting wheat, asparagus, the famous Walla Walla Sweet Onions, and now the vineyards that bring Walla Walla world-wide recognition. Enjoy historic Walla Walla with a visit to the Whitman Mission, a National Historic Site, and the location of the 1847 attack on missionaries Marcus and Narcissa Whitman and 12 members of their household by a group of Cayuse seeking retribution for the spread of measles among their people and the inability of Whitman to heal the sick. Enjoy lunch and a tasting at a local winery. (B,L,D)
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day 6
Exploring the Palouse River
Exploring the Palouse River The still water of the Palouse River is the perfect mirror for the surrounding basalt cliffs as we set off on our Zodiac and kayak adventures (if conditions allow). Visit Palouse Falls, where cascading waters plunge 198 feet into the pool below. In spring, the falls are at their peak, fueled by melting snows nearby. These falls and the canyon are an important feature of the channeled scablands created by the great Missoula Floods that swept periodically across he region. Afterwards, sail up the Snake River, enjoying a taste of local specialties. (B,L,D)
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day 7
Clarkston, Washington
At Clarkston, we find ourselves at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers, more than 450 miles from the sea. The name Clarkston is in reference to William Clark and is located directly across the river from Lewiston, Idaho, which is named for Meriwether Lewis, though neither of them ever traveled to the Clarkston side of the river. Travel by comfortable jet boat into one of North America’s most scenic spots, spectacular Hells Canyon. The 125-mile long canyon was carved by the waters of the Snake River and at 7,993 feet is North America’s deepest river gorge—most of it inaccessible by road. The earliest known settlers in the canyon were the Nez Percé tribe and, as you travel up the river, look to the hillsides and see remnants of their ancestral horse trails along with pictographs and petroglyphs on the rock formations. This evening, enjoy the company of a local winemaker onboard and sip of their wines while you hear about how the geology of the area surrounding the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA, the newest Viticultural Area in the United States, affects the flavors of their wines. (Winemaker onboard Eastbound itin only.) (B,L,D)
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day 8
Clarkston / Disembark
After breakfast this morning transfer to the airport for your connecting flights home. Choose to fly from nearby Lewiston, Idaho, or travel though the picturesque landscapes of the Palouse to Spokane, Washington, located two hours away. (B)
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