Compare In the Wake of Lewis & Clark by Smithsonian Journeys vs Hawaii: Ocean and Islands Adventure by Discover Corps
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
3 | Average
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 4,300 | $ 4,595 |
| Price Per Day | $ 614 | $ 656 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | River cruise | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
6 Breakfast, 5 Lunch, 6 Dinner |
6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches and 3 Dinners |
| Description |
Enjoy autumn colors and clear blue skies while exploring one of America’s great waterways along the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Follow the route of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery expedition, which carved a pathway to the West, accompanied by our team of experts, including a historian, expedition leader, naturalist/geologist, and photo instructor. Enjoy active adventures featuring kayaks, expedition landing crafts, and biking as you focus on the region's natural history; visit sites such as the campsites used by the Corps of Discovery and the eclectic Maryhill Museum with its collection of Native American basketry and beadwork. And all along the way, you'll discover the region's culinary delights, aboard ship as we’re underway, and at a family farm and winery. Our expedition ship is perfectly suited to river travel and fosters an incredible spirit of shared adventure. You'll also pass through the series of eight locks that raise or lower the ship over 700 feet—a monumental triumph of engineering that deserves to be observed up close. |
From towering volcanoes to some of the world’s best beaches, Hawaii is defined by its stunning natural beauty. On these islands, everything is more extreme - the ocean is bluer, the rainforests are greener and the warmth of the locals is exemplified by the Aloha state of mind. But if you dig deeper below the surface, you’ll quickly see that the ancient Hawaiian people have left a legacy of indigenous wisdom and sustainability that can serve as a model for many of today’s pressing issues. From tackling climate change to protecting biodiversity, innovative practices are being pioneered on these remote Pacific Islands. |
Day 1 : Portland, Oregon, Embark
Meals: Dinner
Board the ship and cruise the center of Portland on the Willamette River before reaching the Columbia River.
Day 2: Astoria
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We begin our journey by navigating the Columbia to the mouth of the river at Astoria. At Fort Clatsop, where explorers hunkered down for the wet winter of 1805-1806, we walk through the full-scale reconstructed fort. Visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum, which chronicles the history of river navigation and this port town. In the afternoon, you can choose to visit Cape Disappointment or expedition landing craft and kayak in the Lewis and Clark Wildlife Refuge, conditions permitting.
Day 3: Columbia River Gorge/Hood River
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we begin our orientation to the Gorge. You’ll get a fresh perspective on such highlights as Bonneville Lock and Dam, Beacon Rock, and Multnomah Falls. Continue through the Gorge to Hood River, where you’ll enjoy fresh fruit from a family farm and taste award-winning wines at a local vineyard.
Day 4: The Dalles/Maryhill Museum, Oregon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center to learn about the region’s natural history. Walk or take bicycles along the beautiful river trail. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Maryhill Museum and view its extensive and eclectic collection of baskets woven by Native Americans, Rodin sculptures, and other fascinating exhibits.
Day 5 :Exploring the Palouse River, Washington
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The still water of the Palouse River is the perfect mirror for the surrounding basalt cliffs as we set off on our expedition landing craft cruises and kayak adventures. Visit Palouse Falls where cascading waters plunge into the pool below. Afterwards, continue up the Snake River, enjoying a taste of local specialties.
Day 6 : Clarkston
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
At Clarkston, we find ourselves at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, more than 450 miles from the sea. Today, travel by comfortable jet boat up the Snake River into one of North America’s most scenic spots, spectacular Hells Canyon. Or you may opt to follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark along the Clearwater River, visiting several of their actual campsites.
Day 7: Clarkston, Washington, Disembark
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer through Lewiston, Idaho or Spokane, Washington for connecting flights home.
Day 1: Arrive in Honolulu and Meet the Group
Meals: Dinner
Upon arrival in Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu, you’ll be be met at the airport and taken to your hotel just steps from the world famous Waikiki beaches. After a relaxing welcome dinner together, we’ll get to know one another and discuss the schedule for the week ahead.
Day 2: Journey to Oahu’s North Shore & Experience the Aloha Spirit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, we’ll set out for Hawaii’s iconic North Shore, famous for its big waves and stunning landscapes. Spend the morning in the historic Waimea Valley with a local organization helping to preserve the valley’s cultural heritage and rainforests. Assist with a reforestation initiative, swim in waterfalls, and see why the ancient Hawaiians deemed the valley sacred centuries ago. In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Na Mea Kupono, an eco-farm that is home to Hawaii’s staple crop, taro. We’ll be hosted by this local family for a Hawaiin-style paina, or gathering, for our dinner as we learn more about their role in farming on the island.
Day 3: Climb Diamond Head & Sail out to Sea on a Catamaran
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Hawaii’s South Shore is crowned by the now extinct Diamond Head volcano. We’ll take a hike this morning to the top of the rim to get a panoramic view of Waikiki from above. For those who opt not to hike, we’ll have the option to visit the Bishop Museum, home of the royal Kamehameha family and now housing an array of artifacts covering Hawaii’s vast Polynesian heritage. After lunch in Waikiki, we’ll hit the sea on a catamaran ride over the turquoise Pacific waters.
Day 4: Fly to Maui & Explore the Tropical‘Iao Valley State Park
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Enjoy a free morning to explore Waikiki. Head to the beach for a surf lesson with the Waikiki beach boys, check out the area’s cafes and shops or simply relax on white sand beaches only steps from your hotel. We’ll take a short mid-day flight across the Hawaiian archipelago to the Valley Isle of Maui. After landing, we’ll head over to the towering emerald peaks of the ‘Iao Valley on Central Maui for a guided hike of the state park. A location revered by the ancient Hawaiians, the valley also served as the site of one of Hawaii’s most important battles as King Kamehameha I tried to unite the islands in the 1700’s. Later in the evening, unwind at our Kaanapali beachfront hotel.
Day 5: Snorkel off Lana’i & Lend a Hand Protecting Sea Turtles
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
We’ll have an early breakfast before cruising to the scenic coastline of Lana'i island with the Pacific Whale Foundation. Spend the morning with breakfast on the boat (expect large boat with other travelers) and then 1.5 hours of snorkeling. Scout for wild dolphins, including acrobatic spinner dolphins, friendly bottlenose dolphins, and curious spotted dolphins. Conservationists from the Foundation will narrate your journey and take about everything from whale migration to plastics in the ocean to reef health.
We’ll return to Maui and, after lunch, spend our first afternoon volunteering alongside the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. Home to one of Hawaii’s largest sea turtle rescues and land based coral nurseries, we’ll join their staff on beach and marine debris cleanu , specifically collecting coral fragments. Take these pieces of coral back to the research center and aid in cutting them into smaller pieces to be grown at the center for a period of 8 months - something that would take the reef 20 years to regenerate! This coral is eventually placed back into the reef to bring back areas that are dead or dying.
Day 6: Maui Ocean Center Volunteering & Farewell Luau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, we’ll spend another morning helping the conservation team at the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. On Maui and other Hawaiian islands, sea turtles are being threatened as their habitat is increasingly depleted. Green turtle populations are being impacted by events such as the 2018 hurricane that washed out the most important nesting beach for this species in the entire archipelago. We’ll continue to lend a hand on our projects while learning about some of the initiatives in place to preserve the fragile ecosystem both on land and underwater, including going out with the team to find turtles and tag them for research purposes.
Later in the afternoon, we’ll head back to the hotel where you’ll have some free time to enjoy the beach, swim in the ocean or venture into the coastal town of Lahaina. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner together along with a traditional island luau.
Day 7: Depart Maui or Continue on for the Post-Trip Extension
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check-out of your rooms. The rest of the day is free to relax at the beach or explore nearby Lahaina until your flight home, or continue on to our optional post-trip extension along the gorgeous road to Hana.
