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Peregrine Travel Centre

Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine, and History – 8 Day Cruise

Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine, and History – 8 Day Cruise

From AUD $10,564

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Description

Lindblad Expeditions and Food & Wine magazine combine their expertise to deliver an unforgettable Pacific Northwest experience. Delve into the history, harvests, and landscapes of the Columbia and Snake rivers while indulging in culinary splendors and world-class wines. Follow storied waterways traveled by explorers, settlers, and indigenous peoples as we tour museums, historic sites, and explore by foot, kayak, Zodiac, and jet boat. Expert naturalists will illuminate all we see, while local winemakers and an onboard expert guide you through the region’s terroirs with daily tastings.NEW IN 2025: Due to popular demand, a new 6-day voyage will launch Spring 2025—witness the beauty and bounty in less than a week, plus receive a $500 cabin credit per guest and solo traveler savings on select departures.

Trip Name
Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine, and History - 8 Day Cruise
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Comfortable Expedition Length: 52 metres Passenger Capacity: 62 (in twin cabins) Built: 1982 / Refurbished 2015 Nimble, reliable, and built for discovery, National Geographic Sea Lion and National Geographic Sea Bird are twin expedition ships expertly crafted to explore the wild and remote coastlines of North and Central America. Designed with shallow draughts and a compact size, these U.S.-flagged vessels can access places that larger ships simply cannot—slipping into narrow channels teeming with whales, anchoring in secluded bays ideal for snorkelling and kayaking, and edging close to waterfalls and rugged landscapes. With only 62 guests on board each ship and a warm, welcoming crew of 30, the atmosphere remains informal and intimate, fostering a close-knit sense of shared adventure. Both ships offer 31 outside cabins across three decks, along with inviting public spaces such as a lounge with a full-service bar, a library, and a partially covered sundeck with ample seating. Dining is enjoyed in a relaxed, single-seating arrangement with no assigned tables, and menus highlight sustainable and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. Guests can make use of a fleet of Zodiacs, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards for immersive exploration, while an “open bridge” policy allows them to interact with the Captain and crew, learning about navigation first-hand. Often described as reminiscent of Cousteau’s Calypso, these ships embody the spirit of true expedition cruising with modern comfort and deep engagement with the natural world.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1: Portland, Oregon / 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 ecofriendliness, 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)
Day 2 - DAY 2: Astoria
We begin our journey by navigating the Columbia to the mouth of the river at Astoria. At Cape Disappointment, where Meriwether Lewis saw the Pacific in November of 1805, explore the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, see Cape Disappointment Lighthouse and the north jetty of the Columbia River Bar. Visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum, which chronicles the history of river navigation and all aspects of maritime commerce in the region. Hear harrowing stories of crossing “The Bar” at the mouth of the Columbia, one of the most dangerous passages in the world. In the afternoon explore the Astoria area with several options to choose from. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - DAY 3-4: Columbia River Gorge / Hood River
Spend your morning visiting the stunning Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center in Stevenson, Washington, featuring 15,000 years of cultural and natural history of the Columbia Gorge with displays both inside and outside. Or trek up the iconic Beacon Rock, the 848-foot basalt column that once formed the core of an ancient volcano. Lewis and Clark camped here on their way west, and it was at Beacon Rock that they first noticed the tides affecting the water levels in the Columbia River, more than 120 miles from its mouth. Continue through the Gorge to Hood River, located in the shadows of majestic Mount Hood, where you will enjoy a farm-to-table orchard lunch overlooking the golden Hood River Valley. The valley is known for its fruit-growing orchards— including one of the world’s largest pear-growing areas. After lunch you’ll have the option to visit the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum and explore one of the largest collections of still-functioning antique cars and planes in the country, or trek through the Twin Mosier Tunnels on the old historic Columbia River Highway. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - DAY 5: Cruising
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)
Day 5 - DAY 6: Exploring the Palouse River
The still water of the Palouse River is the perfect mirror for the surrounding basalt cliffs as we set off cruising on our Zodiac and kayak adventures. Visit Palouse Falls, where cascading waters plunge 198 feet into the pool below. These falls and the canyon are an important feature of the channeled scablands created by the great Missoula Floods that swept periodically across the region. Afterward, sail up the Snake River, enjoying a taste of local specialties. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - 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. In the afternoon, join your fellow travelers in the lounge for songs and stories by a local Nez Percé storyteller. This evening, enjoy the company of a local winemaker onboard. Sip 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. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - 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)
Day 8 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
05-09-202612-09-2026AUD $12,059Category 01
05-09-202612-09-2026AUD $15,126Category 02
05-09-202612-09-2026AUD $17,440Category 03
12-09-202619-09-2026AUD $13,049Category 01
12-09-202619-09-2026AUD $16,371Category 02
12-09-202619-09-2026AUD $18,877Category 03
19-09-202626-09-2026AUD $11,167Category 01
19-09-202626-09-2026AUD $14,006Category 02
19-09-202626-09-2026AUD $16,150Category 03
26-09-202603-10-2026AUD $13,731Category 02
26-09-202603-10-2026AUD $15,833Category 03
26-09-202603-10-2026AUD $10,943Category 01
03-10-202610-10-2026AUD $12,500Category 01
03-10-202610-10-2026AUD $15,684Category 02
03-10-202610-10-2026AUD $18,080Category 03
10-10-202617-10-2026AUD $10,686Category 01
10-10-202617-10-2026AUD $13,407Category 02
10-10-202617-10-2026AUD $15,450Category 03
17-10-202624-10-2026AUD $10,564Category 01
17-10-202624-10-2026AUD $13,256Category 02
17-10-202624-10-2026AUD $15,277Category 03
24-10-202631-10-2026AUD $10,700Category 01
24-10-202631-10-2026AUD $13,429Category 02
24-10-202631-10-2026AUD $15,474Category 03

Inclusions

    • Sail in the wake of Lewis and Clark and their legendary Corps of Discovery expedition
    • Spend a day cruising through the spectacular Columbia River Gorge, taking in the views from the bow and perfecting your landscape photography skills
    • Taste the bounty of the region through their harvests and fresh, local, and delectable cuisine
    • Experience the region up close on water-level Zodiac and kayak forays on the Palouse River or by hiking monumental Beacon Rock
    • Transit a series of eight locks that lift the ship 700 feet—10 times the elevation of the Panama Canal

Map

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