Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine, and History 6-Day
Experience the bounty of the Pacific Northwest in less than a week with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions and wines curated by Food & Wine Executive Wine Editor Ray Isle. Delve deep into the history, harvests, and landscapes of the Columbia and Snake rivers, while indulging your senses with the region’s culinary splendors and world-class wines. Actively explore the region on hikes, kayaking excursions, and visits to museums and wineries. Our nimble, intimately scaled ship offers an unmatched vantage for taking in the rolling valleys and soaring canyons, and a top team of naturalists—including experts on history, geology, and wine—illuminates all we see and savor.
Highlights
Indulge in gourmet, seasonal menus featuring sustainable ingredients primarily sourced from the Pacific Northwest region we explore
Join nightly tastings of the region’s best wines, personally selected by Food & Wine magazine’s Executive Wine Editor Ray Isle
Explore art galleries, sweets shops, and tasting rooms in delightful downtown Walla Walla
Witness the region’s geological wonders—from Multnomah Falls to the Palouse River—and explore up close by foot, kayak, and Zodiac
Gain exclusive access including a private reception at the Columbia Gorge Museum, as well as private tours and tastings with local winemakers
Enjoy cocktails, canapes, and spectacular scenery while transiting towering locks in the evening
From
$4,061
/ per person
Was $4,778Save $717
Does not include any flights
50% REDUCED DEPOSIT
From
$4,061
/ per person
Was $4,778Save $717
50% REDUCED DEPOSIT
Itinerary
Multiple routes available
Some departures follow a modified itinerary. Please refer to departure dates for exact routing of your departure.
6-Day Eastbound
Download ItineraryStarts atPortland, OregonEnds atClarkston, Washington
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 1
Portland, Oregon / Embark ShipArrive 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 2
The Dalles / Hood RiverImmerse 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 3
Cruising the GorgeToday, 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 4
Walla Walla, WashingtonDrive 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 5
Palouse RiverThe 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
Day 6
Clarkston / Disembark ShipArrive 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
Video
In Good Company - Food, Wine & History with Ray Isle
- Nov 2023
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions and Food & Wine have collaborated to deliver an immersive small-ship journey along the Columbia and Snake Rivers, a fertile region known for its exceptional culinary scene. Ray Isle, Food & Wine's Executive Wine Editor, has handpicked more than 40 local wines for guests to taste throughout the voyage. In this episode of In Good Company, Isle shares more about his wine selections and how great wine is a “way to travel the world in a glass.
Ships
National Geographic Sea Lion
GUESTS 62
CABINS 31
DECKS 3
National Geographic Sea Lion accommodates just 62 guests in 31 outside cabins. With a shallow draft and small size, she can easily reach places inaccessible to larger ships.
Expedition Team
Our captains, crew, staff and guides make up the most experienced team in the industry—committed to making every voyage unforgettable. Veteran captains, with decades at sea, are experts at navigating in all conditions, while seasoned naturalists bring advanced knowledge in fields such as geology, wildlife biology and climate science. Many of these professionals have been with us for decades, and their insights bring each destination to life in ways that profoundly enrich your journey. Their expertise is the foundation for the meaningful and transformative experiences we offer in the world’s most extraordinary places.
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