Expedition Details
Trace the path of Lewis and Clark's historic expedition along the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Sail past the forested mountains, snowcapped volcanoes, and desert canyons first surveyed by these pioneers. From Astoria, Oregon to Clarkston, Washington, navigate spectacular waterways on board the comfortable National Geographic Sea Bird.
Itinerary - 7 Days
Day 1 — Portland, Oregon
Embark the ship and cruise the lower reaches of the Willamette River through downtown
Portland. Then follow the Columbia River as it cuts between the forested western slopes of the Cascade Mountains.
National Geographic Sea Bird (D)
Day 2 — Eastern Washington's Wine Country
Awaken in the stunning plateaus of eastern Washington's acclaimed wine country. Spend the
day enjoying the river's changing landscapes as you sail through several locks into the
desert canyons of the Snake River.
(B,L,D)
Day 3 — Clarkston and Hells Canyon
At Clarkston, take a jet boat ride up the Snake River over rapids, through dramatic gorges,
and past abandoned homesteads and gold mines to Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in North
America. Or trace the steps of Lewis and Clark along the Clearwater River, stopping at
several of the sites where they set up camp more than 200 years ago.
(B,L,D)
Day 4 — Palouse River
This tributary of the Snake River empties out from a remote, narrow canyon, ideal for
exploring with the ship's Zodiacs or kayaks. You may also choose to hike around scenic
Palouse Falls. If conditions permit, the crew will set up a barbecue on deck while we
cruise down the Snake River in the afternoon.
(B,L,D)
Day 5 — Columbia River Gorge
Visit the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, where exhibits depict the cataclysmic geologic
origins of the gorge; the region's diverse ecology and natural history; and its rich,
10,000-year-old human history. Continue sailing through the striking Columbia River Gorge,
and pass through the locks of the Bonneville Dam.
(B,L,D)
Day 6 — Astoria
Today, we reach the mouth of the Columbia River at Astoria. At Fort Clatsop, visit a
reconstruction of Lewis and Clark's winter headquarters. See the fascinating Columbia River
Maritime Museum, which chronicles the history of river navigation; and explore this port
town, the epicenter of the fur-trading empire in the early 1800s.
(B,L,D)
Day 7 — Portland
Arrive in Portland and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
(B)
Expedition Team
Accompanying each expedition is a diverse team of experts — from naturalists to regional specialists — who will share their knowledge and insights on the wildlife, landscapes, and local culture. See one of the members of our extraordinary team below.
Junius Rochester
Junius Rochester, a native of the Pacific Northwest, has traveled and studied the Columbia Gorge, the Snake River, Alaska and surrounding country for over 40 years. Author of six books and numerous articles, he is former regional history commentator at KUOW-FM, the National Public Radio affiliate in Seattle.
Besides the Pacific Northwest Historians Guild, Junius is a member of the Washington State Historical Society, the Oregon Historical Society, the Alaska Historical Society, the Pioneer Association of the State of Washington (board member), Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Inc., and the Fort Clatsop Historical Association. In 2006, Junius, the only recipient from Washington State, received the Award of Merit from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) Leadership in History Awards for educating the public about local history through newspaper columns, books, radio narratives, and presentations.
Junius will join the following departures:
Sep 18 - 24, 2010 Sep 24 - 30, 2010Sep 30 - Oct 06, 2010 Oct 24 - 30, 2010
Oct 30 - Nov 05, 2010

This trip is offered in association with Lindblad Expeditions.
Expedition Dates 
Expedition Costs
Airfare from/to your home city is not included in the expedition cost.
Third person rates are available in a limited number of Category 3 cabins at one half the double occupancy rate.
- September 18 - 24, 2010
National Geographic Sea Bird - September 24 - 30, 2010
National Geographic Sea Bird - September 30 - October 06, 2010
National Geographic Sea Bird - October 06 - 12, 2010
National Geographic Sea Bird
(waitlist only) - October 12 - 18, 2010
National Geographic Sea Bird
(waitlist only) - October 18 - 24, 2010
National Geographic Sea Bird
(waitlist only) - October 24 - 30, 2010
National Geographic Sea Bird - October 30 - November 05, 2010
National Geographic Sea Bird
