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Views of Mt. Katahdin, Maine's highest peak

Exploring the Hudson River: Fall Colors, Conservation & Creativity

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard National Geographic Sea Lion
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Celebrate the serene natural beauty, inspiring conservation efforts, and beautiful fall colors of the Hudson Valley aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion. This excursion to "America's First River" reveals breathtaking scenery that has inspired artists from the Hudson River School to modern craftspeople. Paddle across riverfront marshes in search of bald eagles, wood ducks, and muskrats. Meet devoted caretakers in the area who have written stories, and go to Sleepy Hollow to hear Washington Irving's classic story told again.
Visit PortsmouthAerial view of New York City at duskAdmire the stunning Maine coastEnjoy the landscape view of CatskillBear Mountain Bridge over the Hudson RiverViews of Mt. Katahdin, Maine's highest peak
Highlights
  • Experience the magic of autumn’s transitional beauty
  • Visit Storm King Mountain Art Center
  • Photograph many iconic lighthouses and bridges along your journey
  • Encounter fall wildlife while kayaking Constitution Marsh
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: New York City | Embark

This evening, you embark on National Geographic Sea Lion and sail out of New York Harbor north into the Hudson River.

Day 2: Cruising the Hudson River | Constitution Marsh | Bannerman Castle

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
With the dawn, you awake to the beauty of the Hudson River Valley. The place to be is on deck as you spend the early hours of the day cruising with the river unfolding before you.

You cruise slowly by West Point Military Academy before arriving at Constitution Marsh, where you launch kayaks to explore the protected riverside wetland. Watch for birds: belted kingfishers sitting quietly or darting up a slough sounding their rattling call, or hawks like northern harriers quartering over the marshland. Or, simply stop for a moment and relish the stillness of the wetland. The island protecting the marsh was presented to the nation on behalf of early American authors, Anna and Susan Warner, to be forever preserved as a historic and natural landmark.

Next, you make the short trip north for a cruise around Bannerman Castle on Pollepel Island. This abandoned military storage facility with a storied history dates back to the early 1900s. Onshore, take in a special musical performance as your first evening on the Hudson fades tonight.

Day 3: Catskill | Rogers Island | Hudson

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning, you call at the village of Catskill. Visit the home of renowned landscape painter Thomas Cole, now a National Historic Landmark Site. Passionate about American wilderness, Cole is recognized as the founder of the Hudson River art movement. Later, as your ship is anchored near the picturesque Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, opt to join a kayak excursion through the waterways of Rogers Island Wildlife Management Area or choose to visit the quiet town of Hudson.

Day 4: Kingston

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning, you are at Kingston, where the Rondout Lighthouse marks the entrance to the creek with the town a short distance from the river. At Kingston, you learn the story of the sloop Clearwater and the organization, founded in part by legendary American folk musician Pete Seeger and dedicated not only to the care of the vessel but to many conservation and environmental projects in the area. Conditions permitting, you embark on the sloop and sail out of the harbor for a unique experience on the Hudson. Later, you stop by the Hudson River Maritime Museum, featuring exhibits on a variety of subjects, especially focused on the conservation of this great waterway.

Day 5: Esopus Island | Esopus Meadows Lighthouse | Cruising the Hudson

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today, you are off exploring the Hudson in the Esopus area. By kayak and Zodiac, you cruise Esopus Island, now a quiet less-visited mid-river islet. Over the years, this skinny little island—not even a mile long and mere yards wide—has seen its share of intriguing visitors from Native Americans’ gatherings to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s parties. Even the legendary and notorious Aleister Crowley camped for 40 days and nights in solitude on Esopus Island in the summer of 1918 during the waning days of the First World War. Your day of exploration takes you to Esopus Meadows Lighthouse, considered one of the most scenic on the Hudson. Later, meandering slowly along the great riverway, the splendor of the river surrounds you.

Day 6: Storm King Mountain

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The mountain, called “Butter Hill” in earlier days, later became known as Storm King, encouraged in part by writer Nathaniel Parker Willis, who wrote, “The tallest mountain is ... looked upon as the surest foreteller of a storm. When the white cloud-beard descends upon his breast in the morning ... there is sure to be a rainstorm before night.” Storm King was a regular subject of Hudson River School painters, as they depicted the natural splendor of the mountain while wrestling with the approaching industrialization and commercialization of the Hudson, a contentious duality to this day. Art is alive on the western flanks of the mountain. The 500-acre Storm King Art Center seeks to bring art, nature, and people together in the open air of the sculpture park. Later, ascend to the higher reaches of the mountain itself to take in the magnificent views back down towards the river and beyond.

Day 7: Bear Mountain Bridge | Popolopen Creek at Fort Montgomery | Sleepy Hollow

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
You awake insight of Bear Mountain Bridge, the morning’s golden hour offering the opportunity to photograph the bridge against the backdrop of the Hudson fall. If conditions look good, you set out for a morning kayak exploration where Popolopen Creek meets the Hudson at Fort Montgomery. On your way south, you pass Iona Island, part of the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve. Soon, you arrive at Sleepy Hollow. “A drowsy, dreamy influence seems to hang over the land, and to pervade the very atmosphere,” wrote Washington Irving about the town. Disembark and hear a re-telling of Irving’s tale before a walk along the 13 Bridges Trail. In the late afternoon, stop at the Sleepy Hollow cemetery as the sun sets on your Hudson River adventure.

Day 8: New York | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
This morning, disembark in New York Harbor to begin your homeward journeys.

Ship/Hotel

National Geographic Sea Lion

Dining Room

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
Sea Bird & Sea Lion's Category 1 and Category 1 Single Cabin.
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Cat 1
Main Deck Cabins #300-305. Conveniently positioned between the dining room and lounge, these cabins feature two lower single beds, a writing desk and a large window.
Sea Bird & Sea Lion's Category 1 and Category 1 Single Cabin.
Select a Date
Cat 1 Single
Main Deck Cabins #300-305. Conveniently positioned between the dining room and lounge, these cabins feature two lower single beds, a writing desk and a large window.
Sea Bird & Sea Lion's Category 2 and Category 2 Single Cabin.
Select a Date
Cat 2
Bridge Deck cabins #100-104 and Upper Deck cabins #200-212, 215. These well-located cabins include two lower single beds, outside access and a window.
Sea Bird & Sea Lion's Category 2 and Category 2 Single Cabins.
Select a Date
Cat 2 Single
Bridge Deck cabins #100-104 and Upper Deck cabins #200-212, 215. These well-located cabins include two lower single beds, outside access and a window.
Sea Bird & Sea Lion's Category 3 Cabins.
Select a Date
Cat 3
Bridge Deck cabins #105, 106 and Upper Deck cabins #214, 216, 217, 219. These cabins feature a seating unit with table, outside access and two large windows. Upper Deck cabins include two lower single beds which can convert to a double bed and a pull-out

Notes

Single supplement varies by itinerary. A solo traveler matching program may be available but is subject to availability.
Kids under age 18 save $500 per person

Rubber boots are not included on your cruise; please supply your own. Rubber, waterproof boots that are mid-calf or higher, with a strong, ridged non-skid sole (essential for wet landings) are highly recommended. Click  here for information about rubber boots rental.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
  • All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Use of snorkeling equipment, wet suits, and kayaks (where available)
  • Services of the expert expedition team and guest speakers
  • Shore excursions, sightseeing, entrance fees, and special access permits
  • Taxes, service charges, and tips (except for ship’s crew, at guests’ discretion)
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Additional Hotel Nights 
  • Private Transfers
  • Expedition Extensions 
  • Laundry 
  • Air transportation (except when indicated in the itinerary, as included)
  • Passport, visa, and immigration fees
  • Special and unique excursions such as scuba diving, flightseeing, etc. (where offered)
  • Alcoholic beverages (alcohol is included on select ships)
  • Items of personal nature
  • Phone and Internet Service
  • Gratuity for ship’s crew, at guests’ discretion (crew tips are included on select ships
  • We strongly recommend our guests to take Travel Protection Plan. A Plan with comprehensive coverage to protect you from cancellation fees, costs incurred due to trip delays/interruption, damaged or lost baggage, medical assistance, and evacuation during your travels

Map

When to Go

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Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
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