Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine, and History 6-Day
5 nights
National Geographic Sea Lion
19 Sep '26Cruise overview
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.
Itinerary
Portland, Oregon
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
Portland, Oregon’s largest city is located at the merging of the Williamette and Columbia Rivers. Two groups of indigenous Chinook peoples inhabited this area long before American pioneers started arriving in the 1800’s. Once the Oregon Trail, a 2,170 mile historic east–west, large-wheeled wagon route connecting Oregon to the Missouri River, opened in the 1830’s, large numbers of settlers started arriving. Portland’s original name was “Stumptown” because so many trees had been cut down to allow for development. Two men owned the land – Asa Lovejoy of Boston, Massachusetts and Francis W. Pettygrove of Portland, Maine. They decided to rename it, but disagreed about the new name. They wanted to name it after their respective hometowns, so they settled this disagreement with a coin toss, which Pettygrove won. Today, Portland is ranked the 26th most populous city in the United States, and is especially known for all its bridges, many of which are historic landmarks.
Read More
The Dalles, Oregon
Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
Walla Walla, Washington
Cruising the Palouse River
Clarkston, Washington
Category 1 - Main Deck
#300-305: Conveniently located between the dining room and lounge, these cabins feature two single beds and a large window. All cabins feature a closet, two nightstands, and a sink/vanity with a large mirror outside the bathroom. Note: Solo occupancy cabins are available in categories 1 and 2 only. Shared accommodation can be arranged at the double occupancy rate in categories 1 and 2 only.
Amenities
- Twin
- Vanity Area
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Telephone
- Desk
Ship features
A classic Lindblad expedition vessel offering close-up exploration, expert guiding and an inviting small-ship atmosphere.
- Carries just 62 guests for a personal, small-group feel
- Purpose-built for coastal exploration and wildlife access
- Fleet of Zodiacs, kayaks and paddleboards for daily excursions
- Spacious observation decks ideal for photography and wildlife watching
- Open-bridge policy welcoming guests to chat with officers
- Comfortable outside-facing cabins with large windows
- Casual dining showcasing fresh regional cuisine
- Warm, community-style lounge for recaps and presentations
- Dedicated expedition equipment, including snorkelling gear and wetsuits
- Operates year-round in Alaska, British Columbia and Baja California
