River Voyage of DiscoveryFollow the epic journey of the Lewis & Clark Expedition and retrace nearly 1,000 miles of their route along the Columbia & Snake Rivers. See scenic riverways punctuated by orchards, evergreens, and elegant waterfalls. Throughout your cruise, the Pacific Northwest's pioneer history is brought to life with a special series of excursions, guest speakers, and narration and presentations by your onboard Exploration Leaders. Early Booking Savings: Save up to $700 per cabin when you book and pay in full by March 27, 2009. For September and October 2009 departures. Call us now at 1-888-851-8133. |
Columbia & Snake Rivers OverviewVideo Gallery FAQ Select a Cruise River Voyage of DiscoveryTaste of the Pacific Northwest Northwest Passage |
| Sail From Portland On arrival in Portland, you will transfer to our hospitality area downtown. After boarding, slowly cruise the Willamette River to view the downtown skyline. This 240-mile tributary of the Columbia River is crossed by 19 bridges and 3 ferries. D | |
| Cruising The World-Renowned Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area The timing of navigation of the Columbia & Snake Rivers is influenced by river traffic and lock availability. The plan is to transit through the locks of Bonneville Dam at the entrance to the Columbia River Gorge in the early morning. Since 1938, this historic landmark has supplied hydroelectric power, fish and wildlife protection and recreation. We encourage you to come out on deck as daylight sweeps out the shadows of the deep green, misty Cascade Mountains. Beacon Rock stands sentinel as an ancient plug of a shield volcano. The monolith is one of the largest basalt formations of its kind at 846 feet.
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| Cruising The Snake River Over the course of the day, cruise from the Columbia River into the Snake, with several lock passages. The Snake River twists and turns 1,100 miles from west of the Continental Divide through narrow canyons, mountain ranges, forested hills, sagebrush-covered deserts and plateaus, lava plains and broad irrigated valleys. Explore the rugged cliffs and buttes along the shores. McNary Dam was completed in 1953 and created Lake Wallula. Ice Harbor Dam near the confluence of the two rivers was completed in 1961, and includes a fish ladder. It creates Lake Sacajawea.
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| Hells Canyon After breakfast, learn about a moment in history with a Nez Perce guest speaker who will talk about the Nez Perce way of life. Board jet boats for an exhilarating excursion deep into Hells Canyon. The Hells Canyon jet boat takes you through the deepest river gorge on earth with a maximum depth of 7,900 feet. This is an exhilarating sightseeing trip, 65 miles through the canyon on boats that are large, covered overhead and heated if necessary.
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| Walla Walla Today, relive history at the Fort Walla Walla Museum, housing a collection of over 35,000 catalogued pioneer artifacts, dioramas and a pioneer-type village. See such unique exhibits as a sidehill combine being pulled by a team of 33 life-sized mules.
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| The Dalles And Maryhill Museum The Maryhill Museum is your morning treat, a historic mansion sitting in solitary splendor on a bluff over the Columbia River. You'll discover an eclectic collection of Native arts, European paintings, and the Queen of Romania's personal effects. Outside, the view from this site is absolutely stunning as you look across the Columbia River to the Oregon plateau and Mount Hood, Oregon's tallest volcanic mountain at 11,240 feet. From the museum, descend a narrow road to Biggs Junction, where various branches of the Oregon Trail came down to the river and joined as one. Travel past the Deschutes River and through the outskirts of the city of The Dalles to the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County Historical Museum. Enjoy the spectacular dioramas and displays of the region's geography and history. Lunch is included in this impressive setting. Then walk along the nature trails and see plants like Lewis & Clark saw. Return to the ship by way of Rowena Crest, one of America's Scenic Byways. Completed in 1915 this highway has many scenic pullouts, masonry walls, bridges and tunnels with arched openings. The surrounding Tom McCall Preserve contains 230 acres protected by the Nature Conservancy for 340 species of plants and wildflowers. BLD | |
| Astoria And Fort Clatsop Stand in Lewis & Clark's footsteps at Fort Clatsop National Historic Park, the site of Lewis & Clark's fort. See the fascinating Columbia River Maritime Museum, considered one of the best museums of its kind on the West Coast. Unique artifacts of the various aspects of the maritime industry and amazing stories highlight this visit at the mouth of one of the only rivers in the United States that requires a pilot to navigate across the bar. Later, you can see the best of downtown Astoria on your own, equipped with a city map and recommendations from the crew. You're free to discover the hidden treasures of this charming Victorian seaport. BLD | |
| Back To Portland Return to Portland's attractive riverfront where your week-long voyage into history ends. A transfer is included to the Portland Airport. B |
