At a glance
- Duration:
- 6 Days
- Start/End:
- Portland, Oregon to Clarkston, Washington
- From:
- $3,675
- Time of Year:
- March - April, September - October
Embark on an extraordinary 6-day small-ship voyage through the verdant heart of the Pacific Northwest, where dramatic landscapes meet some of America’s most exciting gastronomic and viticultural traditions. Aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion, this thoughtfully designed expedition blends immersive cultural discovery with refined epicurean experiences that will delight discerning travelers.
From the moment you set sail beneath Portland’s iconic bridges with a flute of champagne in hand, you’ll be immersed in the region’s character, an elegant fusion of rugged natural beauty and cultivated sophistication. Every detail of this journey celebrates place-based excellence: gourmet menus sourced from local sustainable producers, curated nightly wine tastings featuring the Pacific Northwest’s finest varietals, and exclusive access to private tastings and events with esteemed winemakers.
Throughout your voyage, expert guides, from renowned historians to geologists and sommeliers, will illuminate the stories behind the landscapes and flavors that define this enchanting region. Traverse the majestic Columbia Gorge, behold towering waterfalls, and witness the geological majesty of the Palouse. In charming Walla Walla, stroll boutique galleries and intimate tasting rooms; in Astoria, absorb coastal history where Lewis and Clark first glimpsed the Pacific.
Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine and History Highlights
- Indulge in gourmet, seasonal menus featuring sustainable ingredients sourced primarily from the surrounding Pacific Northwest region
- Enjoy nightly tastings of the region’s best wines, personally selected by Food & Wine magazine’s Executive Wine Editor, Ray Isle
- Witness the region’s geological wonders—from Beacon Rock to Multnomah and Palouse Falls, and explore up close and at water level aboard kayaks and Zodiacs
- Explore art galleries, sweets shops and tasting rooms in delightful downtown Walla Walla
- Gain exclusive access, including a private reception at the Columbia Gorge Museum as well as private tours and tastings with local winemakers
- In Astoria, visit scenic Cape Disappointment where Lewis and Clark first saw the Pacific Ocean (8-day itinerary only)
Whether you choose serene kayak excursions on mirrored waterways, enlightening hikes through basalt canyons, or curated cultural immersions ashore, this expedition invites you to experience the Pacific Northwest with all the depth, luxury, and sensory richness befitting a truly unforgettable journey.
Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine and History (6-Day) Details
Day-to-Day Itinerary
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 under eight of Portland’s 12 eclectic bridges along the Willamette River.
Arrival Time: Arrive by 3:00 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Portland, OR
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: 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, or a visit to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery. 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.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Cruising the Gorge
Today, 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.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: 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.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Palouse River
The still water of the Palouse River is the perfect mirror for the surrounding basalt cliffs as you set off on Zodiac and kayak adventures. Later, 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. Before a special final dinner, raise your glasses to an unforgettable adventure through the food, wine and history of the Pacific Northwest.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Clarkston / Disembark Ship
Arrive in Clarkston this morning and enjoy breakfast on board before transferring to the airport for connecting flights home. Choose to fly from nearby Lewiston, Idaho, or from Spokane, Washington, two hours away.
Departure Time: After 12:00 p.m., local time.
Departure City: Lewiston, ID or Spokane, WA
Meals Included: Breakfast
