Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine, and History - Sea Lion
Relish exquisite wines, explore scenic landscapes, and enjoy adventures from hikes to kayaking with expert naturalists, as you explore the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
SPECIAL OFFER
9.2*
ECO SCORE
62
PASSENGERS
6
DAYS
3/5
ACTIVITY LEVEL
North America: Drink It In
Welcome Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Lion
Experience the bounty of the Pacific Northwest in less than a week with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic 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.
- • Witness the region’s geological wonders—from Multnomah Falls to the Palouse River—and explore up close by foot, kayak, and Zodiac.
• 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.
Travel Curator’s Insights:
Trip Sustainability Awards
Food
Sources all food and seafood sustainably and locally
Waste
100% free of single-use plastics!
Carbon
Offsets 100% of operations and is carbon neutral
Itinerary
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 we sail under eight of Portland’s 12 eclectic bridges along the Willamette River.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: The Dalles / Hood River
Immerse yourself in natural and man-made marvels as we explore the scenic Columbia and pass through Bonneville Lock and Dam. Take a steaming cup of coffee to the bow where our 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 we spend the day cruising through some of the most scenic and geologically interesting stretches of the Columbia River and the Columbia Plateau. Our geologists provide fascinating insight on the glacial floods that sculpted the landscape 13,000 years ago, as our 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 reverberates in our culture today. 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 we set off on our 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’ll raise our 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.
Meals Included: Breakfast
National Geographic Sea Lion
Before they built the National Geographic Venture and National Geographic Quest, U.S. shipbuilder Nichols Brothers built the twin ships National Geographic Sea Lion and National Geographic Sea Bird. Nimble, reliable, and intimately scaled, they both continue to sail the waters of the west coast of North America and Central America.
National Geographic Sea Lion accommodates just 62 guests in 31 outside cabins. Her inviting public spaces foster a sense of shipboard life where everyone is integral to the adventure, engendering a rewarding sense of community and esprit de corps. National Geographic writer Andrew Evans called National Geographic Sea Lion the “closest thing to Cousteau’s Calypso” he’s ever had the pleasure to be on.
With a shallow draft and small size, she can easily reach places inaccessible to larger ships. She can venture into fast-moving channels where whales come to feed, transit a series of locks in the Pacific Northwest, nose up to waterfalls in secluded coves, and sail into protected anchorages in small bays perfect for snorkeling and kayaking.
ACHIEVEMENTS
2023 ”Best Cruise Ships in the World" Conde Nast Traveler Gold List
2023 "Best Expedition Ships" Conde Nast Traveler Reader's Choice Awards
2022 "World's Best Cruise Line" World Cruise Awards
2022 "GOLD: Best Expedition Line" Reader's Choice Awards, Recommend Magazine
"The National Geographic Sea Lion is perfect for exploring North America's beauty. Its smaller size allows easy navigation of rivers and locks, offering an intimate experience larger cruises can't match. Cabins are simple yet comfortable, and the informal but inviting public spaces encourage camaraderie among passengers. Paired with a world-class crew, the Sea Lion is an exceptional choice for a fun, informative, and intimate West Coast adventure!"
Wild Nectar
Life On Board
Deck Plan
Click to enlarge
Questions?
Rates
This expedition is close to our hearts as Wild Nectar is based in Portland, Oregon. We invite you to experience the breathtaking forests and vast landscapes of our home with these world class experts. Add a Food and Wine Magazine focus and you’re in for a delicious and nourishing river voyage to remember forever!
Joy Martinello, Founder
Questions?
What’s Included & Cancellation Policy:
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Excursions, hotels, and airport transfers, as indicated in itinerary; Kayaks, Zodiac cruises, stand-up paddleboards, full complement of snorkeling gear, glass-bottom boat rides, where relevant; Guidance and expertise of expedition staff; All meals as indicated in itinerary; Beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, hors d’oeuvres, and snacks; Cocktails and spirits on select ships; Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes; 24-hour access to shared spaces, such as the lounges and fitness centers; Complimentary WiFi.
NOT INCLUDED
Airfare (except flights when indicated as included), expedition extensions, additional hotel nights, and private transfers; Travel protection plan, passport, visa, and immigration fees; Laundry, spa treatments, scuba diving and phone services (except when indicated as included).
