Climb aboard a small yacht for a perfect Indian summer dates to enjoy the turning fall colors and majestic rivers of Oregon, Washington and Idaho aboard a luxury yacht.  See the remote areas that Lewis and Clark saw themselves.  Yacht travels from Lewiston, Idaho to Portland, Oregon (or opposite).  You can join the yacht in Lewiston, Idaho or begin with a lovely stay on Lake Coeur d’Alene and then join the yacht (or opposite).

Trip Overview

• Enjoy a 12 passenger safari yacht with private guest facilities and amenities
• 8 Days/7 nights aboard a luxury yacht with all meals and tours
• Kayaking in quiet, hidden channels on the Lower Columbia, Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge
• Jet boat ride into Hells Canyon
• Private wine tours and tastings of the Pacific Northwest’s great wineries and cellars
• Priced from $5,995 per person

Location
Pacific Northwest between Oregon, Washington and Idaho

Sail in the wake of the Lewis and Clark Expedition on a luxury yacht cruise that encompasses human and natural history, and even time itself.

Experience the rivers completely by jet boat, kayak, inflatable skiff and by transiting through eight mammoth dams from the comforts of a luxury yacht. Meet wine makers and taste wine from the barrel in Washington's wine country. Converse with local historians as they relate tales of the epic Lewis and Clark Expedition.
No other North American or US river expedition will take you this far into the breadth and depth of the wilderness, history and culture of the American West.

This 8-day, 7 night winery cruise tour down the Columbia and Snake Rivers of Oregon, Washington and Idaho aboard a yacht is spectacular.  Become modern-day explorers, discovering America's extraordinary and "secret" wine regions in the spectacular setting of the Columbia River Gorge. We will introduce exclusive wine and culinary yacht cruise adventures. Sample award-winning wine and cruise through history, witnessing the natural beauty and taste of the Pacific Northwest. Celebrate a milestone wedding anniversary, birthday or just enjoy your passion for highly-rated fine wines amidst one of the USA's most scenic backgrounds. Relax in the comfort of a luxury yacht without the worries of driving.

An exclusive, sublime yet exciting, cruise/tour through Washington's ideal wine grape growing regions is available for individual staterooms and private charter. Visit the wineries of Dunham Cellars, Hedges Family Estate, Northstar, Maryhill Winery, Estate and Museum and the Terra Blanca Winery.

Become modern-day explorers, discovering America's extraordinary and "secret" wine regions in the spectacular setting of the Columbia River Gorge. American Safari Cruises introduces exclusive wine and culinary yacht cruise adventures. Sample award-winning wine and cruise through history, witnessing the natural beauty and taste of the Pacific Northwest.

Our 12 passenger yacht features warm, rich cherry woods which add elegance to the casual atmosphere onboard. She provides a welcome sense of luxury without insisting on stuffiness.  It is equipped with an on-deck hot tub and fitness equipment, guests can also use the casually elegant salon to recap the day's activities, relax, read or watch a movie from our extensive video library on the wide flat screen TV.
The yacht is well-stocked with a complimentary selection of fine wines, premium liquors, and bottled microbrews. Fine cuisine, prepared by the yacht's executive chef, is served in the dining room at one sitting. Guests wear casual clothing to all meals.

Where does the trip take place?
The trip begins in Lewiston, Idaho.  You can fly into Lewiston or into Spokane, Washington (2.5 hour drive).  The trip ends in Portland, Oregon. At the beginning of the tour you can fly into Spokane, Washington and enjoy lovely stay on Lake Coeur d’Alene in Idaho.  The extension includes all transfers from the airport and to meet the yacht.  The tour extension starts at $329 per person.

2011 Pricing:

Commander Cabin:  $5,995 per person
Captain’s Cabin:  $6,695 per person
Admiral Stateroom:  $7,495 per person
Single’s in a private cabin pay 175% of the cruise fare
All Meals and Beverages included
12 Person Max Capacity

Yacht is also available for charter

Extensions are available to the wild Oregon Coast or our beautiful diamond, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  A 2-night extension to the Coeur d’Alene Resort on Lake Coeur d’Alene is $329 per person including transfers from the airport and to your yacht.

Day 1 Arrive In Lewiston Idaho- Embark 

Day 2 Hells Canyon by Jet Boat

Day 3 The Palouse Canyon

Day 4 Birding Rivers & Historical Confluence

Day 5 The Washington Wine Country

Day 6 Cruising the Columbia River

Day 7 Columbia Gorge & Bonneville Dam

Day 8 A Fond Farewell

Day 1

Arrive In Lewiston Idaho- Embark
Welcome! You will be met at the airport this afternoon and transferred to the yacht. The crew greets you with champagne and smiles, and we’ll enjoy a short dinner cruise along the canyons of the Snake and Clearwater rivers. This evening a local historian joins us in the salon for an informative presentation on the area.

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Day 2

Hells Canyon by Jet Boat
After breakfast this morning we’ll transfer to a jet boat for an invigorating ride into Hells Canyon. Vertical cliffs carved by the river now hem in the rushing waters that we travel upon, and we’ll watch some of the most dramatic scenery unfold as we jet upriver. We’ll watch for big horn sheep and hawks throughout the day. After our excursion we’ll cruise the Snake River, passing through our first lock and dam called Lower Granite. After dinner our Expedition Leader will provide a brief orientation to the journey.

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Day 3

The Palouse Canyon
We’ll pass through the Little Goose lock and dam first thing this morning then anchor at the mouth of the Palouse River. The kayaks and skiff will be lowered for an up-close exploration of the pristine and lovely Palouse canyon. Watch for hundreds of cliff swallows that nest on the canyon walls, and for Northern harriers and osprey hovering above the still waters as they hunt.

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Day 4

Birding Rivers & Historical Confluence
Today we'll transit through the McNary Dam locks. The McNary Dam encompasses an impressive wildlife region. Keep your eyes peeled and binoculars in hand to see some of the 212 species of migratory birds that rest here en route through the Pacific Fly-way: snow geese, tundra swans, canvasbacks, ring-necked ducks, redheads and many others. Later we pass by Sacajawea State Park and learn about the Lewis and Clark Expedition's travails and triumphs through this river confluence area.

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Day 5

The Washington Wine Country
The fastest wine-growing region in the U.S. is in eastern Washington, and today we’ll see why. With North Star and L'Ecole No. 41 on our itinerary, our “taste of Washington” will be most enjoyable. We’ll return to the yacht after our tours and tastings, and have time to relax onboard before dinner.

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Day 6

Cruising the Columbia River
The vast eastern plains give way to the flanks of the Cascade Mountain Range as we cruise west today. Watch as the banks of the river go from gentle and low-lying to cliffs rising hundreds of feet high beside us. The wind and weather shifts from arid to temperate as we come closer to the Pacific Ocean. We’ll stop in Hood River (the windsurfing capital of the world) this afternoon where we’ll have time to browse the boutique shops or tour the local brew pub. We’ll stay dockside here tonight, so take your time and enjoy the town.

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Day 7

Columbia Gorge & Bonneville Dam
This morning we’ll cruise through the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. The outside decks provide the best views of this beautiful passage. At Bradford Island we’ll step ashore for a guided tour of Bonneville Lock and Dam, the final lock on our journey. We’ll visit the power station and fish ladders, learning more about how this engineering marvel fits into the local environment and community. This evening we’ll enjoy a festive Farewell Dinner as we drop anchor in a quiet channel for the night.

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Day 8

A Fond Farewell
Your crew serves another excellent breakfast this morning before bidding you “adieu.” At 9:00 am you’ll be transferred to the Portland airport for connections home.

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