7 Night Columbia and Snake Rivers Journey Cruise from Clarkston

Choose to fly into nearby Lewiston, Idaho, or fly into Spokane, Washington, located two hours away, by 1 PM, and travel though the picturesque landscapes of the Palouse to Clarkston to board the ship.

At Clarkston, we find ourselves at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers, more than 450 miles from the sea. The name Clarkston is in reference to William Clark; it's located directly across the river from Lewiston, Idaho, which is named for Meriwether Lewis. Travel by comfortable jet boat into one of North America's most scenic spots, spectacular Hells Canyon. The 125-mile-long canyon was carved by the waters of the Snake River and at 7,993 feet is North America's deepest river gorge-most of it inaccessible by road. The earliest known settlers in the canyon were the Nez Perce tribe and, as we travel up the river, look to the hillsides and see remnants of their ancestral horse trails along with pictographs and petroglyphs on the rock formations. This evening, a local winemaker joins us for a wine tasting and an informative discussion about the unique terroir of the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA, the newest Viticultural Area in the United States.

The still water of the Palouse River is the perfect mirror for the surrounding basalt cliffs as we set off cruising on our Zodiac and kayak adventures. Visit Palouse Falls, where cascading waters plunge nearly 200 feet into the pool below. In spring, the falls are at their peak, fueled by melting snows nearby. These falls and the canyon are important features of the channeled scablands created by the great Missoula Floods that swept periodically across the region. Afterwards, sail the Snake River, enjoying a taste of local specialties.

Drive through some of the most fertile agricultural areas in the nation, with bright, rolling green fields of sprouting wheat, asparagus, and famous Walla Walla sweet onions. Vineyards are also bringing this area worldwide recognition. Early pioneer history and the friction between Cayuse and missionaries take the spotlight at the Whitman Mission, a National Historic Site. Enjoy lunch and tasting at a local winery.

Today, we will spend the day cruising through some of the most scenic and geologically interesting stretches of the Columbia River and the Columbia Plateau. Our onboard geologist and naturalists will discuss the Columbian Basalt Flows and the Missoula Floods that sculpted the landscape 13,000 years ago. Relive the historic tales of the Corps of Discovery through the eyes of our historian as we sail by landmarks from their epic journey. This is also a great day to unwind with a massage.

Over two days immerse yourself in natural and man-made marvels. Explore the Columbia River Gorge with a stop at neck-craning Multnomah Falls and the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum. Take in, or hike, iconic Beacon Rock, the 848-foot basalt column where Lewis and Clark first noticed the tides affecting the water levels in the Columbia River, more than 120 miles from its mouth. Reflect on Lewis and Clark's enduring spirit of discovery on a visit to the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum, home to one of the largest collections of still-functioning antique cars and planes in the country, or on a trek through the Mosier Twin Tunnels on the historic Columbia River Highway. Experience engineering at a colossal scale as we pass through Bonneville Lock and Dam. Taste the bounty of the region in the golden Hood River Valley, located in the shadows of Mount Hood. The valley is known for its fruit-growing orchards-including one of the world's largest pear-growing areas. We'll tour its famous "fruit loop", dropping in at a local farm to learn about organic farming and meet their charming farm animals.

Arrive in Portland, located on the Columbia and Willamette rivers, in the shadow of snow-capped Mt. Hood. The city is known for its ecofriendliness, microbreweries, and coffeehouses. After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to the airport for return flights home. Breakfast is included today.