Expedition Overview
Expedition Overview
SPECIAL OFFERS
- Air Credit on Select 2023 & 2024 Expedition Cruise Departures
Book by April 30, 2023 to receive a $500 per person air credit on select departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability. Call for details.
Available Departures- Apr 15-22, 2023
- Apr 16-23, 2023
- Apr 22-29, 2023
- Apr 23-30, 2023
- Oct 22-29, 2023
- Oct 29-Nov 5, 2023
- Special Offer for Solo Travelers
Book by April 30, 2023 and we will waive the solo premium on solo cabins on select departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability. Call for details.
- Retrace the path of Lewis and Clark’s trailblazing expedition through the Pacific Northwest.
- Cruise through the towering canyons of the Columbia River Gorge, and explore the shoreline by kayak or expedition landing craft.
- Board jet boats for a thrilling ride on the Snake River into Hells Canyon, North America’s deepest gorge.
- Enjoy delicious meals made with fresh ingredients sourced from providers located along the path of our journey.
- NEW! Enjoy complimentary beer and wine while aboard the ship.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Retrace the Pacific Northwest portion of Lewis and Clark’s epic 19th-century expedition aboard either the National Geographic Sea Bird, or National Geographic Quest. Cruise through the towering canyons of the Columbia River Gorge, past golden plateaus along the Palouse River, and into the historical lands of the Native American tribes first encountered by the intrepid explorers Lewis and Clark. Savor the bounty of this lush agricultural region as you explore historic cities and spectacular landscapes in Oregon and Washington.
This trip is operated in collaboration with Lindblad Expeditions.
After boarding our ship, cruise the lower reaches of the Willamette River through downtown Portland, passing under the city’s 12 eclectic bridges that have earned it the nickname Bridge City.
Sail to the mouth of the Columbia River at Astoria, Oregon. Explore the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment, where the explorers first sighted the Pacific in 1805. Enjoy views of the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse and the north jetty at the mouth of the Columbia River. At the Columbia River Maritime Museum, learn about the history of navigation on the river. Venture into downtown Astoria and explore this historic city, the first permanent United States settlement on the Pacific coast.
Please Note: Instead of visiting Astoria, April departures will visit Walla Walla, Washington, where we will drive through bright, rolling green fields of sprouting wheat, asparagus, and the famous Walla Walla sweet onions. Enjoy a special lunch and tasting at one of the city’s celebrated wineries.
Continue east on the Columbia River, which forms the border between Washington and Oregon. Deepening canyons signify the beginning of the 100-mile stretch known as the Columbia River Gorge. Learn about the region’s natural and cultural history at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center in Stevenson, Washington. Hike up the towering monolith of Beacon Rock, where Lewis and Clark camped on their way west and first noted the effect of the ocean’s tides on the river. Continue through the gorge to the city of Hood River, situated at the foot of majestic Mount Hood. Enjoy the fruits of the valley’s orchards at a farm-to-table lunch (fall only), then choose to visit the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum (WAAAM), home to one of the largest collections of still-functioning antique cars and planes in the country, or explore the hiking through the historic Twin Mosier Tunnels where the trail is bordered by desert parsley, balsamroot, and colorful maples.
Today we cruise past some of the most scenic and geologically interesting stretches of the Columbia River, including the Columbia Plateau. Our onboard geologist and naturalists will illuminate the natural phenomena of the Columbian Basalt lava flows and the Missoula Floods, which sculpted the landscape between 13,000 and 15,000 years ago. We then sail up the Snake River, the Columbia River’s largest tributary, which is over a thousand miles long.
Explore the still waters of the Palouse River—a tributary of the Snake River—by Zodiac or kayak. Disembark to get up close to the steep basalt cliffs and the 200-foot cascade of Palouse Falls. The surrounding canyon is part of the Channeled Scablands, geographical features carved by the periodic Missoula Floods that once swept across the region. Relive heroic tales of the Corps of Discovery during informative talks, photograph stunning landscapes from the top deck, or unwind with a massage from our wellness specialist.
Cruise past the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers at Clarkston, Washington. Named for William Clark, the city is located directly across the river from Lewiston, Idaho—named for Meriwether Lewis. Travel by jet boat into spectacular Hells Canyon, North America’s deepest river gorge. As you zip across eddies and rapids, your knowledgeable driver will point out pictographs and petroglyphs created by the gorge’s first inhabitants, the Nez Percé tribe. Later, gather in the ship’s lounge to hear songs and stories performed by a local Nez Percé storyteller. In the evening, welcome a winemaker onboard and sip local vintages while learning about the characteristics of the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA, the newest American Viticultural Area (eastbound departures only).
Disembark in Clarkston and transfer to Lewiston, Idaho or Spokane, Washington for your flight home.
Optional Extensions
Optional Extensions
- Portland Extension
- Lewiston Post-Voyage Extension
Pre or Post-Voyage
Stroll through green parks and fragrant rose gardens, savor farm-to-table cuisine and world-class wines, and delve into the rich pioneer history of Portland, Oregon during a stay in this welcoming city. Choose to set out on a half day tour of Portland’s historic districts and trendy neighborhoods with a local guide. Or venture into the lush hills of the Willamette Valley to visit three renowned wineries that are experimenting with new approaches to an ancient craft. Or make a full day of it and enjoy both excursions—the choice is yours.
Please call an Expedition Specialist to inquire about any of these options for pre- or post-trip experiences.
Portland’s rich cultural heritage is evident in its many epithets, from the City of Roses to Bridgetown, Beertown, and the Greenest City in America. Explore the city’s colorful history on a half-day tour alongside our local guide. Begin with a panoramic view of Portland’s skyline and distant Mount Hood from the exquisite Pittock Mansion, which overlooks the city from the wooded West Hills. Then venture into the neighborhoods of Portland’s five quadrants to experience each area’s unique atmosphere. Discover innovative art galleries and stylishly renovated warehouses in the Pearl District, and marvel at 19th-century architecture in the central old town. Later, learn about Portland’s abundant flora and fauna while exploring scenic sections of the city’s 10,000 acres of public parks.
South of Portland, nestled along the verdant banks of the Willamette River and bounded by soaring mountain ranges on three sides, lies Oregon’s “promised land”: the Willamette Valley. Pioneers by the thousands traveled along the famed Oregon Trail to set down roots in the valley’s rich farmlands. Today, the Willamette Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) wine grape-growing region contains six sub-appellations comprising over 500 wineries, particularly well-known for pinot noir. Set out on a private tour of three award-winning wineries. With our expert guide, learn about exciting developments in the local industry, from biodynamic to single block wines, sourced from a single distinct section of a vineyard. Enjoy a series of wine tastings, followed by a locally sourced picnic lunch. Return to Portland and enjoy the evening on your own to explore one of the country’s most celebrated restaurant scenes.