Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery expedition changed the course of American history. Follow in their footsteps, exploring the route they took along the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
From killer whales in the waters around the San Juan Islands to bighorn sheep on the sheer rock faces of Hells Canyon, the wildlife and scenery of the Pacific Northwest are vastly varied.
The cooler West Coast cousin of the blue jay, this bold crested bird robs nests and can mimic a range of sounds. Get to know more about the Steller's jay.
The name “Salish Sea” is a relatively new term coined to describe the Pacific Northwest's most unique ecosystem. Read on to learn more, and then join us this fall to experience it for yourself.
The Pacific Northwest harbors a diversity of habitats ideal for birdlife like the rhinoceros auklet, Steller’s jay, and red-breasted sapsucker. These are just a few of the species to spot on expeditions in the region.
Through a special partnership with the Center for Whale Research, guests on Exploring British Columbia and the San Juan Islands have the rare chance to spot Southern Resident killer whales while in the company of top researchers.
In this episode of In Good Company, Food & Wine Executive Wine Editor Ray Isle shares more about how great wine is a “way to travel the world in a glass.”
In this episode of Expedition Spotlight, wine expert Eric Degerman gives travelers a taste of what’s in store on our immersive culinary journey along the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
There’s a specific window in springtime along the southern border of Washington State when green is no longer simply a color, it’s an entire species; shades so multifaceted that it feels like an injustice to lump them all under the same quick name. As National Geographic Sea Bird embarked on her final culinary river trip of the season, we ventured into Hells Canyon on just the right bluebird, cotton ball-cloud sky day, that we could have painted an entire landscape using variations of green. Throw in the bright yellow blossoms of arrow leaf balsamroot, brilliantly fuchsia Snake River phlox, a cream-bodied bighorn sheep taking advantage of the fresh spring shoots, and the silky, changing colors of the Snake River, and our eyes were feasting just as much as we were.
With an invigorating stretching session on the top deck, our day started. We went on a cultural excursion, visiting El Trapiche Farm to see how they process organic products. In the afternoon, we finished our lovely day by seeing giant tortoises in their natural habitat. It was amazing to walk among them as they roamed freely.
This morning National Geographic Endeavour II welcomed the dawn upon arriving at Fernandina Island, the youngest volcano of the archipelago and still in formation. We took a walk along the shoreline of Espinosa Point to see one of the largest colonies of marine iguanas in the Galapagos. We also encountered a couple of Galapagos snakes, flightless cormorants, sea lions and a Galapagos hawk. Afterwards, we had an amazing time snorkeling. We saw sea turtles as well as marine iguanas nibbling on the rocky bottom of the sea to feed on the algae. Then, our captain repositioned the ship at the southeastern side of the island where we enjoyed the impressive spectacle of incandescent lava reaching the ocean. Without a doubt, this is one of the highlights of our Galapagos experience this week!
We arrived early to the island of Tenerife to explore Anaga Rural Park, walking through the subtropical forest on a lovely morning by ourselves. The prehistoric laurel forests still survive in some areas of the Canaries and today we had a chance to enjoy it, as well as the great views of the island. After our hike we walked through La Laguna, a beautiful, colorful, and bursting with life UNESCO city. The mixture of the architecture, the culture, and even the famous native dragon trees were outstanding. Some of us went on a more historical journey, visiting the Pyramids of Guimar and Santa Cruz. We enjoyed an indulgent traditional Canary lunch with a variety of tapas including local cheeses, croquettes, mojo, and great salads. It was a beautiful day exploring the rich culture, history, and nature of Tenerife.
As this journey begins, National Geographic Endeavour II awakens at North Seymour Island, almost dead center in the archipelago. This low-lying, uplifted volcanic island does not appear to hold much, however it is brimming with wildlife as we land. Walking among great and magnificent frigatebirds, with males trying to attract mates, we encounter Galapagos land iguanas highly camouflaged against the rocky background with endemic lava lizards fleeting about. The bright cerulean color of the blue-footed boobies stands out as we explore this land before time. The afternoon brings us to Rabida Island and its incredible contrast with its deep red, oxidized volcanic landscape, the only such island in the Galapagos. Exploration along the coast with kayaking or snorkeling, we encounter the ocean busy with wildlife, including Galapagos sea lions, whitetip reef sharks, and colorful reef fish. A sunset walk along the red sand beach allows us to get close to the sea lions as the sun dips below the horizon.