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Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine, and History
Oct. 18 - 25, 2025
Join the interest list for this trip by emailing travel@unc.edu.
  • Overview
  • Itinerary and Map
  • Pricing Details
  • Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Resources

Delve deep into the history, harvests and landscapes of the Columbia and Snake rivers, while indulging your senses with culinary splendors and world-class wines of the region, curated by the Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine magazine. Travel as early explorers, settlers and indigenous peoples did — by waterways that stretch far inland from the Pacific Ocean.

Enjoy spectacular scenery including views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams. Tour museums and historic sites, taste local produce and meet celebrated winemakers, and actively explore by foot, kayak, Zodiac and jet boat. Our top team — including naturalists, a historian and a geologist — will illuminate all you see, and a food and wine expert will guide participants through the region’s bounty. Take it all in from the unmatched perspective of a nimble, intimately scaled, small ship.

Day 1 - Arrive Clarkston, WA | Embark National Geographic Sea LionColumbia and Snake Map
Day 2 - Clarkston
Day 3 - Palouse River

Day 4 - Walla Walla
Day 5 - Cruising the Gorge

Day 6 - Cruising | The Dalles | Hood River
Day 7 - Astoria
Day 8 - Portland | Disembark | Depart for home city

Base Price: from $5,191 per person, based on double occupancy

    • $7,787- Solo category 1, limited availability
    • $9,242- Solo category 2, limited availability
    • Airfare additional

Inclusions:

    • 7 nights aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion
    • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners, including Welcome and Farewell Receptions; beer, wine, cocktails and spirits (with certain super premium wines and liquors available for purchase).
    • See brochure for full details.

  • Tar Heel Travel is a member exclusive perk.
  • There must be one Carolina Alumni member in a room.  Membership is open to anyone.  Learn more.
  • By reserving on this tour, you agree to the terms and conditions specific to this tour which are set by the tour operator. This information can be found in the tour brochure.
  • The Carolina Alumni Travel Office and tour operator reserve the right to to decline or accept a reservation should a person's health, mental condition, physical infirmity or attitude jeopardize the operation of the tour or the rights, welfare, or enjoyment of other participants.  Refunds will be made in accordance with the cancellation policy listed in the tour brochure.
  • Please contact us if you have questions about this trip or group travel. We're happy to help in any way we can.
  • Phone: (877) 962-3980 (If we are unable to answer your call, please leave a detailed message with your name, phone number and email.)
  • Email: travel@unc.edu
  • All inquiries and room requests are answered in the order in which they are received. 
  • If you are ready to request a reservation, please submit your reservation request form.
  • If you wish us to hold a room for 2 business days, please send us the passenger's names, address, phone number and email.  This information must be provided in order to hold a room.