Columbia and Snake Rivers

Arrive independently in the afternoon in Portland, located in the shadow of snow-capped Mount Hood. Embark our ship in the early evening and enjoy a toast and welcome dinner as the ship sails along the Willamette River under eight of Portland’s 12 eclectic bridges.

Immerse yourself in natural and man-made marvels as we explore the scenic Columbia River 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 on 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 we take in 15,000 years of cultural history, including indigenous art and a massive working steam engine.

Today, spend the day cruising through some of the most scenic and geologically interesting stretches of the Columbia River and the Columbia Plateau. Enjoy lectures by our faculty leader and hear from our onboard geologists who explain how glacial floods sculpted the landscape 13,000 years ago. During tastings and meals, our food and wine expert illustrates the expression of such unique terrain through its tastes and tannins.

Drive through some of the most fertile agricultural areas in the nation, with rolling green and purple fields of sprouting wheat, asparagus, and famous Walla Walla sweet onions. Discover Walla Walla's 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.

The still water of the Palouse River is the perfect mirror for its surrounding basalt cliffs as we 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, we raise our glasses to an unforgettable adventure.

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.