Pacific Northwest Expeditions

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September 28, 2021

Multnomah Falls, Oregon

45.576° S -122.116° E

Dave Katz, Video Chronicler

Book August 14 - September 29, 2023. Save 25% on the cabin fare when booking any Category 1 cabin, including solo cabins, or Category SU on National Geographic Islander II, for departures in 2023 when you pay in full at time of booking. Valid for new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking, cannot be combined with other offers, and is not applicable on airfare or extensions. To qualify for the discount, non-refundable payment in full is due at the time of booking. Call for details.

We're a winner of Conde Nast Traveler's 2022 Readers Choice Awards

Autumn Adventures in the Pacific Northwest

With wild hillsides ablaze in golds and reds, autumn in the Pacific Northwest is a sight to behold. This closer-to-home destination offers geologically diverse landscapes and fascinating history. Sail in the wake of Lewis and Clark or explore remote channels teeming with sea life. Visit picturesque coastal towns. Hike meadows and lush forest trails. Along the way, our culinary program brings you the bounty of the region using some of the freshest local ingredients.

JUST ANNOUNCED! In 2024, Lindblad Expeditions and Food & Wine magazine will be combining their expertise to deliver the most stimulating and satiating experience of the Pacific Northwest possible. Find out more about the new 2024 Columbia & Snake Rivers Journey itinerary presented by Food & Wine.

Pacific Northwest

Columbia & Snake Rivers Journey

Duration

8 days

Apr
Sep
Oct

From

$4,410

Prices are per person

Highlights

Pacific Northwest

Columbia & Snake Rivers Journey

Duration

8 days

Apr
Sep
Oct

From

$4,410

Top Highlights

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

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Special Offers

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Pacific Northwest

Canada

Exploring British Columbia and the San Juan Islands

Duration

8 days

Sep
Oct

From

$4,170

Prices are per person

Highlights

Pacific Northwest

Canada

Exploring British Columbia and the San Juan Islands

Duration

8 days

Sep
Oct

From

$4,170

Top Highlights

Sail among remote islands to kayak or hike where sea lions, river otters, bald eagles, and white-sided dolphins can be found
Go through Desolation Sound, on the north end of British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, a mecca for kayakers with its calm, sheltered waters and outstanding natural beauty
In Alert Bay visit the U'Mista Cultural Center to see a stunning collection of potlatch masks created by the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples
Search for humpbacks and orcas, visit the Whale Museum, and learn about local populations from a researcher for the Center for Whale Research
In lovely Victoria tour private gardens, take a bike ride, and enjoy a private evening event at the Robert Bateman Centre

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Special Offers

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Expedition Highlights

Hike island forest trails in search of wildlife, kayak verdant shorelines, and bike the waterfront of a scenic city—or cruise by Zodiac and visit a mixture of quaint and world-class museums. Options abound for indulging your interests in the Pacific Northwest. Hear the legends and learn the traditions of Native Americans and First Nations through their art or moving performances. Taste the bounty of the region. Dine on salmon straight from local waters, foraged wild mushrooms picked within 50 miles, and provisions delivered directly from farmers along our route.

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Life On Board

Relax and settle in to life aboard as you cruise the waters of the Pacific Northwest. Your expedition ship offers the absolute best way to access all the sites, culture, and history along the river—without ever having to change hotels or wheel luggage around. We add to that the luxury of comfort with a quality of shipboard life and a philosophy of wellness designed to relax and rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit as you cruise the Pacific Northwest.

Expedition Dining—Then & Now

The Pacific Northwest is known for its incredible bounty and some of the freshest ingredients around. You can look forward to meals that celebrate the region’s world-famous flavors, like a vibrantly pink coho salmon filet, bright green coils of fiddlehead ferns, and a bottle of terroir-rich pinot noir.

Hells Canyon

There's no other way (not even a hike) to get up close with Hells Canyon besides a jet boat ride.

Wildlife & Natural Wonders in the Pacific Northwest

From killer whales to bighorn sheep, the wildlife and scenery of the Pacific Northwest are vastly varied.

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?

1.800.397.3348

1.800.397.3348

Discover

Discover the Pacific Northwest

Expedition Leader

Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, the experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.

Naturalist

Our naturalists, passionate about the geographies they explore (and return to regularly), illuminate each facet through their enthusiasm and knowledge. Our guests consistently cite the expertise and engaging company of our staff as key reasons to repeatedly travel with us.

Certified Photo Instructor

Every expedition aboard a ship in our National Geographic-flagged fleet offers an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to offer assistance with camera settings and the basics of composition and to help you become a better, more confident photographer.

Historian

On the Columbia River, enjoy the company and perspective of a historian who can quote extensively from the journals of Lewis and Clark. And on expeditions that sail along the coast, go with a cultural interpreter or an anthropologist who has lived among the Coast Salish peoples of the San Juan Islands.

Video Chronicler

Video chroniclers accompany every expedition and shoot vivid HD footage—with no recycled footage ever—to provide you with a professionally edited and completely authentic memento of your expedition. Working during the day and editing into the night, they have your video ready for preview prior to—and available to purchase at—disembarkation.

Wellness

Our wellness program embodies the belief that nature is vitalizing and that wildness, as Thoreau famously said, supplies a tonic. Wellness Specialists are fully accredited and experienced licensed massage therapists and are aboard every ship in the National Geographic-flagged fleet. They lead morning stretch class on the deck, aerobic walks ashore, kayak outings, and more.

Doesn't get better, a brilliant staff.

Stephanie O.

Making a Difference

Lindblad Expeditions supports stewardship efforts in the places we explore, and one way we do that is through the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic (LEX-NG) Fund. Traveler contributions to the LEX-NG Fund in the Pacific Northwest currently support the National Geographic Society’s Early Career Grants, which promote future leaders with novel and exploratory projects that span the fields of conservation, education, research, storytelling, and technology.

1.800.397.3348

Daily Expedition Reports

Daily Expedition Reports

4/29/2023

Read

National Geographic Sea Bird

Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

In the morning, passengers aboard National Geographic Sea Bird visited the beautiful Multnomah Falls and the Bonneville Fish Hatchery. The falls, located on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge, provided a stunning backdrop for the excursion. Guests were thrilled to see the waterfall in person. It is considered one of the most beautiful and popular natural attractions in the region. The falls were particularly breathtaking due to recent rainfall in the area, which created a misty, ethereal atmosphere around the waterfall. Perhaps the most unbelievable part of the morning was the weather; many of us wore shorts as we admired the snowcapped peaks beneath warm, bluebird skies. After the falls, we navigated downhill toward the Bonneville Fish Hatchery. Named for the adventurous Benjamin Bonneville, the hatchery’s most famous inhabitant is a guy of adventure himself. Herman the Sturgeon is over 80 years old, and he has survived the construction of a dam, pollution, a kidnapping attempt, a stabbing, and even an explosion. Despite his age and hardships, Herman remains a beloved icon of the region, and efforts continue to protect and conserve his species. After a delicious lunch, we hiked the Mosier tunnels, where guests were excited to go birdwatching and learn about the rich history of the tunnels. Much like Herman the Sturgeon, those trapped in the tunnels during the blizzard of 1921 endured great hardships, but they, too, have become regional symbols. Soon after, the ship cruised toward Portland for disembarkation. As we made our way along the river, passengers were treated to stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including the iconic Portland skyline. Naturalists Jesse Humbert and Larry Prussin provided commentary on the history and culture of the region, pointing out landmarks and answering questions from the passengers. As the ship drew closer to Portland and our expedition draws closer to its finale, the memories made on this final day are sure to stick with us for years to come.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/28/2023

Read

National Geographic Sea Lion

Hood River and Multnomah Falls

We departed Hood River under brilliant blue skies which provided stunning views of Mount Hood, a thick blanket of spring snow extending to its base. We passed the historic 1904 Columbia Gorge Hotel, and noted Mitchell Point where the Tunnel of Many Vistas is being resurrected as a walking path. Our vantage point on the Oregon side of the Columbia River provided us with great view of the bare cliffs of Hamilton Mountain, Table Mountain, and Greenleaf Peak. These cliffs are a noted part of the Bonneville Landslide Complex, a result of the January 12, 1700, earthquake of the De Fuca Plate. The venerable Bridge of the Gods, built in 1926, was unofficially christened by Charles Lindberg while he was piloting the Spirit of St. Louis as it flew under the bridge in September 1927. Bonneville Dam came into view next, with its iconic powerhouse that was critical to the industrialization of the Pacific Northwest. We toured the Bonneville Fish Hatchery and the salmon gathering pens, plus ponds of rainbow trout and sturgeon including the star attraction, Herman the Sturgeon, an 11 foot long specimen that is over 80 years old. Having a great view of 848-foot Beacon Rock enhanced our trip as we headed west. Multnomah Falls was spectacular, and we were in awe of the 611-foot drop and heavy spring water flow, which made for an impressive and mesmerizing experience. From Multnomah Falls we went to the Columbia Gorge Interpretative Center in Stevenson, Washington. We were provided with a demonstration of the Corliss steam engine, and also the large fishwheel replica. The varied displays also provided a well-rounded experience. After our return to Hood River, we cruised the Columbia River Gorge, transited the lock at Bonneville Lock and Dam, and departed the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. We then continued down the Columbia and Willamette Rivers to downtown Portland where we will disembark, a fitting end to a week full of superlatives and memories.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/28/2023

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National Geographic Sea Bird

The Dalles and Hood River, Oregon

“Les Dalles de la Columbia” was named by nineteenth-century French fur traders to describe the rocky substrate that helped create the rapids on this section of the Columbia River. Long before the French, The Dalles was an important salmon fishing area and a vibrant trading center for native people from far and wide. Lewis and Clark stopped here to trade and to consider the best strategy to make their way through the rapids. The rapids are long gone now, silenced by The Dalles dam, which was completed in 1957. Today, a Google data center is on the outskirts of the city, taking advantage of the abundant water and cheap electricity provided by the turbines at The Dalles dam. The long local history continues to evolve. Our explorations began with a ride along the Historic Columbia River Highway to Rowena Crest, where we enjoyed an expansive scenic overlook of the Columbia, “The Great River of the West.” Bright yellow arrowleaf balsamroot stood out among the variety of wildflowers. A short ride took us to the exceptional Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum. In addition to museum exhibits, the native plant trail and the raptor presentation were highlights. After lunch, we departed for Draper Girls’ Farm and WAAAM (Western Antique, Aeroplane, & Automobile Museum). Teresa Draper is the third generation of her family to run the farm. Set in the shadow of Mount Hood, this family farm is a pleasure to visit. Among the draws are the goats and a cider tasting. WAAAM is another unexpected treasure. The museum has one of the largest collections of still-flying antique airplanes and still-driving antique automobiles in the country. The collection is housed in buildings covering more than two acres. At the end of the afternoon, we returned to our floating home, National Geographic Sea Bird . After scores of visits to this area, I can say that today’s scenery was the most spectacular. Huge, scenic swaths of apple and pear trees in bloom covered the hillsides. Snowclad Mounts Adams and Hood were in full view, standing tall over the landscape.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/27/2023

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National Geographic Sea Lion

The Dalles and Hood River

Spring has arrived in the Pacific Northwest. The open meadows are spattered yellow with arrowleaf balsam root, the hillsides are verdant green, and the magnificent leaves of big leaf maple are not so big right now, as they unfurl fresh and delicate from their protective buds. We took advantage of this magnificent spring day and walked amongst the wildflowers at Rowena Crest and again at the Mosier Tunnels. The flowers were a feast for eyes and cameras and the air was filled with bird song. The Draper Girls Farm was a stunning foreground element for the viewing of Mount Hood. Clear skies and balmy temperatures made for a memorable day exploring the Hood River Valley.

Daily Expedition Reports

4/27/2023

Read

National Geographic Sea Bird

Crow Butte Island

National Geographic Sea Bird passed through the lock at McNary Dam on a bright and beautiful morning. In the early hours, we departed the confluence of the Snake River and the Great River of the West, the Columbia. We were bound for Crow Butte State Park. Dropping the anchor near Crow Butte Island, we launched Zodiacs and headed to shore for hikes in sagebrush steppe country. Big sagebrush, rabbit brush, and Russian thistles (or tumbleweeds), lined much of our path. The warm afternoon air through and around the sagebrush became more aromatic as the temperature rose. Meadowlarks sang their flute-like songs and it felt good to walk the landscape we had been seeing by ship.

Exploring the Pacific Northwest reveals great natural beauty, and yet it features modern incredible feats of human engineering—an imposing system of locks and large-span bridges. To explore it by ship offers a chance to marvel at both.

Sven-Olof Lindblad

1.800.397.3348

1.800.397.3348

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