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A mythic land under the midnight sun
Stretching across the top of the globe and touching eight countries, the Arctic is rife with opportunity for every type of explorer, whether you seek iconic wildlife, epic icescapes, or enriching encounters with cultures of the far North. Here are some highlights from the areas we explore to help you decide which Arctic expedition is the best fit for your interests.
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Norway: Under the midnight sun, photograph epic wildlife such as polar bears, reindeer, walruses, seals, whales, and myriad birds. Cruise and kayak beneath soaring cliffs and tumbling cascades along the Norwegian fjords.
Iceland: Take a Zodiac cruise through a basalt cave, hike the base of a fjord to a thundering waterfall, or stroll sea cliffs aflutter with gannets and puffins. Encounter local culture, tradition, and music.
Greenland: Greenland’s icescapes glitter in a dazzling tableau of iridescent icebergs and calving glaciers that we explore by kayak, Zodiac, and on foot. Go beyond the country’s icy surface to experience cultural encounters in thriving Inuit communities.
Canada: For the explorer who seeks seldom-seen lands, as well as elusive muskoxen, polar bears, walruses, belugas, and narwhals. Further south, along the rocky coasts of the maritime regions, we see a different side of Arctic exploration: traces of the peoples who settled these shorelines. Discover Viking villages, a Moravian mission, and other historical relics in a once-popular landing spot for westward voyagers.
(16) Arctic Itineraries
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NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged. More details.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jul
Aug
From
$11,172
Prices are per person
Highlights
Arctic
Iceland
A Circumnavigation of Iceland
Duration
10 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jul
Aug
From
$11,172
Top Highlights
Experience all of Iceland’s geological manifestations: glaciers, geysers, thundering waterfalls, immense cliffs, geothermal springs, boiling mud pots, and lava-scapes of unearthly beauty
Meet local Icelandic experts ranging from economists to filmmakers and enjoy exclusive music performances.
Explore Iceland’s wild western coast; Siglufjörður in the north; the rarely visited rugged east coast; and the Westman islands in the south, among the planet’s youngest archipelagos
Actively explore by taking Zodiacs into fjords and serene bays
Customize your experience by taking an expedition extension
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jun
From
$20,062
Prices are per person
Highlights
Arctic
Iceland
Coastal Wonders of Norway, the Faroe Islands and Iceland
Duration
16 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jun
From
$20,062
Top Highlights
Sail into Norway’s spectacular fjords and explore secluded inlets and coves by kayak or Zodiac
Encounter the Bronze Age ruins and Viking longhouses of Jarlshof, a prehistoric settlement in the Shetlands
Discover the unique culture of the Faroe Islands, where residents cling proudly to their Viking heritage
Observe nesting seabirds amid the towering peaks of the Lofoten islands
Sail past the dramatic sea cliffs of the Faroes to see cliff-nesting puffins, gannets, and northern fulmars
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Aug
From
$18,969
Prices are per person
Highlights
Arctic
Canada
Greenland
Fabled Lands Of The North: Greenland to Newfoundland
Duration
16 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Aug
From
$18,969
Top Highlights
Explore two UNESCO World Heritage sites alongside a team of experts: glide among soaring icebergs at the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord; and ponder the remains of the 11th-century Viking village at L’Anse aux Meadows
Meet Inuit artisans on Baffin Island and learn about their carving and weaving traditions
Join our naturalists to search for polar bears, caribou, arctic foxes, humpback and minke whales, walruses, and more in their natural habitat
Explore the untamed coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador, discovering spectacular fjords and cliffs on foot and by kayak and Zodiac
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Aug
From
$43,895
Prices are per person
Highlights
Arctic
Canada
Greenland
New
Gateway to the Northwest Passage: Greenland & Canada
Duration
24 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Aug
From
$43,895
Top Highlights
Travel well above 80º north into the fabled Northwest Passage and learn dramatic stories of the explorers and adventurers who sought this magnificent, icy frontier
Glide between soaring icebergs at the mouth of Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Explore Ellesmere Island with binoculars at the ready to spot polar bears, walruses, ringed seals, belugas, bowhead whales, and the elusive narwhal
Visit the “Jewel of the North,” Pond Inlet, a small Inuit community known for its friendly community and world-renowned soapstone carvings
Marvel at the unique volcanic black sand beaches, hot springs, and waterfalls of Disko Island, a Greenlandic island often compared to Iceland
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jul
From
$21,024
Prices are per person
Highlights
Arctic
Iceland
Greenland
Iceland & Greenland: Edge of the Arctic
Duration
18 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jul
From
$21,024
Top Highlights
Hike the dramatic Dynjandi Waterfall in Iceland's remote Westfjords peninsula, and visit a farm that produces eiderdown
Explore Hvalsey and Brattahlíð, 10th-century Viking settlements founded by Eric the Red and his family in Greenland, and see the incredible Qilakitsoq mummies, preserved by freezing temperatures for some 500 years
Cruise among the dazzling icebergs calved by the Ilulissat Icefjord and encounter impressive tidewater glaciers in West Greenland
Experience local culture through visits to fishing villages and longhouses, folk performances, and tasting tours of traditional Greenlandic and Icelandic foods
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jul
Sep
From
$11,355
Prices are per person
Highlights
Arctic
Iceland
Greenland
Iceland's Wild West Coast to East Greenland
Duration
12 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jul
Sep
From
$11,355
Top Highlights
Discover the wild west coast of Iceland with its incredible geology, quiet coves, and majestic waterfalls
Explore the largest national park in the world—Northeast Greenland National Park—and search for polar bears, musk oxen, whales, and more
Sail into Scoresbysund, ice permitting, the world’s largest and longest fjord system and home to a remote Inuit community
Learn how to capture northern lights displays, conditions permitting, with our National Geographic photographer by your side
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
May
Jun
From
$13,526
Prices are per person
Highlights
Arctic
Land Of The Ice Bears: An In-Depth Exploration Of Arctic Svalbard
Duration
10 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
May
Jun
From
$13,526
Top Highlights
Search for polar bears and walrus alongside our skilled veteran spotters
Explore under the midnight sun—and take advantage of spectacular photo ops with tips from a National Geographic photographer
Sail up to rock-wall rookeries teeming with thousands of birds, see pelagic birds from the ship’s rail when we’re underway, and Zodiac cruise near a cloud of feeding arctic terns
Actively explore––kayak, Zodiac cruise, hike, and walk
Even discover the seldom-seen undersea via video shot by an ROV
Sail aboard our new, state-of-the-art polar ship to the northernmost coastlines of the planet, where few have explored before
Venture into the fabled Northwest Passage and learn dramatic stories of explorers and adventurers who sought this magnificent, icy frontier
Glide between soaring icebergs at the mouth of Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Visit one of Canada’s “jewels of the north": Pond Inlet, a small Inuit community known for soapstone carvings
Observe polar bears, walrus, ringed seals, belugas, and bowhead whales
Meander through the remains of historic dwellings on Herschel Island; a scattered mixture from the Inuvialuit people and the once-booming whaling industry
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jun
Jul
From
$23,400
Prices are per person
Highlights
Arctic
Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard
Duration
17 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jun
Jul
From
$23,400
Top Highlights
Sail into Norway’s spectacular fjords and explore secluded inlets and coves by kayak or Zodiac
Explore the rare northern fjords, threading the ice-carved narrows and standing on the bow as the captain noses up to glacier termini
Actively explore: hike, walk, and kayak through stunning scenery
Make for the wilds of Svalbard to see ice, bears, and Arctic wildlife
Enjoy superlative photo ops and onboard photo assistance
It is a privilege to visit the Arctic, one of the planet’s most interesting places, and to this privilege, National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Explorer, and National Geographic Resolution add the luxury of comfort—a quality of shipboard life and a philosophy of wellness designed to relax and rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit.
Iceland's Volcano: Eruption Updates with Geologist Ralph Lee Hopkins
Director of Expedition Photography Ralph Lee Hopkins spent two weeks obsessively devoted to capturing the mood swings of the world’s newest and most active volcano.
In the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in western Greenland, the icebergs are so concentrated that they fill the landscape. It’s a stunning combination of ancient and ever-changing: the ice that forms those bergs might be 250,000 years old, but your view will transform every hour as they shift, roll, and jostle towards the ocean.
With enhanced hunting abilities, seemingly white fur (it’s actually clear, but some cool optical tricks make it look white) to camouflage them in their icy environment, and black skin to soak in the sun’s rays, polar bears are the Arctic’s apex predator.
See, do, and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades. Go with an expedition leader, naturalists, undersea specialist, National Geographic photographer, and more.
Expedition Leader
Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, the experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Explore the Arctic with a team of naturalists—many of them polar veterans—with a variety of specialties: zoology, biology, ornithology, geology, polar history, and more. Our guests consistently cite the expertise and engaging company of our staff as key reasons to repeatedly travel with us.
Discover what lies beneath the waves withan undersea specialist aboard who can dive into the cold waters to shoot video of what lies beneath the waves or deploy an ROV to depths of 1,000 feet to explore never-before-seen regions.
Travel and photograph with a bona fide National Geographic photographer. These top pros are at your side and at your service—providing advice, tips, and slideshows. Access to photographers of this caliber will help you improve your skills and ensure you’ll go home with incredible photos.
Certified Photo Instructor
Every Arctic expedition also offers an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to help you become a better, more confident photographer—and to help you understand the movements of wildlife so you can create top shots.
Video chroniclers accompany every expedition and shoot vivid HD footage—with no recycled footage ever—to provide you with a professionally edited and completely authentic memento of your expedition. Working during the day and editing into the night, they have your DVD ready for preview prior to—and available to purchase at—disembarkation.
Just ten minutes before the anticipated wakeup call at 0700 from expedition leader Russ, a call came over the PA that we had been waiting for! Polar bears! The bridge team had spotted three animals on the way into Antarctica Haven on Scoresby Land. We are still in the Northeast National Park, our destination this morning. A mother and two cubs were walking across Knivodden on the south side of the bay. The family went in the water and started swimming along the shoreline. National Geographic Endurance followed the bears at a respectful distance so all on board could have a look. We spent a good half an hour looking through binoculars and spotting scopes as the bears continued swimming. Polar bears are incredible swimmers. They kept a good pace, and eventually, we continued back into the bay for our morning excursion. The geography of Antarctica Haven includes two huge, glacially carved valleys with alluvial fans reaching the shoreline. After the scouting team deemed the landing site clear, we all headed ashore for hikes and walks. One hike went straight up the mountain into a steep valley. As the hikers disappeared from sight, most of us wandered along the frozen water’s edge for a better look up the main valley. Since we had already seen polar bears this morning, it was not a big surprise to find polar bear tracks along the walk. We also spotted muskox tracks and a few fox tracks. Evidence of wildlife can be as exciting as the wildlife itself! Beautiful weather, no wind, and amazing scenery made for a very special morning. After a lunch with spectacular views, we barely had time to put down our napkins before Russ announced three more polar bears. We had caught up with the bears spotted earlier in the day. This time, we were offered nice views as they walked onshore. We marveled at the speed of the bears as we measured the distance they had covered since we saw them last. After some time watching the polar bears, we continued to our intended site. On our way, we passed a beautiful island consisting of columnar basalt that contrasted beautifully with the red background. We were given the options of a Zodiac cruise or a hike since we arrived at Fleming Fjord a little later than planned. We hiked up into the alluvial fan and suddenly we got a call from Russ. He had spotted a large white bird that turned out to be a white-morphed gyrfalcon! It was definitely a highlight of the afternoon. Those of us who went on the medium hike got a pleasant surprise; it was harder and more vertical than the long hike in the morning, but we persevered! The Zodiac cruise was a delight, allowing guests to admire the Greenlandic landscape. Again, we had the feeling of being dwarfed by the scale of it all. We enjoyed our time and spent the whole evening outside with only a brief ten minutes in the Ice Lounge for Russ to share plans about tomorrow’s activities and the possibility of the aurora borealis tonight. Last night, we observed the best auroras yet. Fingers crossed for tonight!
It was a surprise to wake up this morning to Russ’s wakeup call. It might have elicited a shout of joy as it dawned on us that it was not a call for the northern lights in the middle of the night! Thus refreshed, we bounced out of bed to a glorious morning as the ship gently sailed through the glassy waters of Segelsällskapet Fjord towards our morning destination, Kap Mæchel, situated at the mouth of Alpefjord. The landscape all around us was breathtaking. When skies are clear, gentle and pastel shades are typical here at sunrise. During breakfast a careful plan was relayed over the public address system that stirred anticipation and excitement amongst us all. Sufficiently fed and full of caffeine, we headed to prepare for our Zodiac ride ashore to Kap Mæchel, where a small herd of muskoxen was sighted. Once ashore, we made our way to a trapper’s cabin. After checking it out, we headed to observe the muskoxen. A good number of us chose to leave behind our trusty muck boots and wear walking shoes. The terrain was in our favor, and gently rising slopes gave way to flat areas before heading up to the next rise. Soon enough and with cameras raised, we caught our first glimpses of these magnificent mammals. The animals were unperturbed, and we gingerly moved closer. A second barrage of photos was launched. Satisfied that we had captured a few decent images, we could now afford to look through our binoculars and just enjoy this privileged encounter. There was a yearling among this small herd. Suddenly, they headed off at a steady run for higher ground. We split into smaller groups, each with different objectives, and headed off to enjoy the countryside, plants, lichens, shed feathers, old bones, frozen patches of water, fox traps, and whatever else we encountered along the way. It was an extraordinary morning, and we enjoyed a wonderful and delicious sushi lunch to replenish the tank. Comfortably seated, we chatted away about the morning’s experience. In the meantime, the ship set sail down Alpefjord for our afternoon destination, which was a Zodiac cruise along a glacier front. As we approached the impressive Sefstrøm Gletscher, we sighted two flocks of ducks, long-tailed ducks and common eiders. In the background, the seracs jutted up into the sky and glistened under the bright sunshine. The Zodiac cruises were marvelous. We slowly cruised from one end of the glacier face with several caves. We passed lots of colorful ice, including pieces etched with cracked surfaces. All about us, we heard the crackle and pop as the pressure from the trapped air bubbles burst free from their icy captivity to return to the atmosphere from whence they came a long time ago. We continued to travel along the face of the glacier, taking a sharp right turn where the highest part of the face was situated. At the end of the glacier face, we were taken aback by a snaky moraine that came down the slope before making a big and lovely sweep to where the moraine meets sea water. During this portion of the cruise, we were in deep shadow, and with that, there was a sharp drop in temperature. We returned happy, content, and with full stomachs. Along the way, we came across a group of exceedingly friendly Vikings who invited us to enjoy beverages and barbecued sausages. Once we returned to the ship, we warmed up with a sauna or a good old cup of tea before heading for cocktails and recap. The evening light was as marvelous as it was at the start of the day. Many of us interrupted our dinner to capture one more memorable image from this great day in East Greenland.
What an amazing day in the world’s largest national park. We sailed deep into Franz Joseph Fjord, beginning with an incredible sunrise (at a very civilized hour now that it’s fall) over the giant icebergs in the fjord. The mountains were lit up pink as we sailed into our anchorage for the morning, and it was a quick Zodiac ride to shore for one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve done in Greenland. After an elevation gain, we finished at a red lake with perfect views of the snowcapped mountains in the background. We spotted muskoxen as we sailed even deeper into the fjord to find the source of all the icebergs: Waltershausen Glacier. Six miles wide and seventy miles long, she was incredible to behold. Surrounded by harp and ringed seals, ivory gulls, and giant icebergs, it was a glorious day.
In true expedition mode, we changed our intended plan to visit a place new to us, the Terranova National Park. In the morning, guests enjoyed presentations by naturalist Madalena Patacho about the fishing industry and by National Geographic photographers Jen Hayes and David Doubilet. In the afternoon, guests went for different hikes in the National Park to take in the landscapes and wildlife.
We woke up around 0700 local time to the sight of East Greenland’s lovely icebergs and a mountain on the horizon. A visiting Portuguese scientist shared a presentation on the correlation between climate change and the health of kelp around the world. At 1045, I gave a presentation about the different cultures that make up the cultural landscape of the Artic. After the presentation, we had lunch and prepared for a landing at Dodemandsbugten. We disembarked at around 1400 and were greeted with evidence of the Thule culture, including remnants of old munitions cartridges and kitchen utensils from the Second World War. Around thirty guests took a medium hike tour of Dodemandsbugten with Eva and Eduardo. We saw multiple peat houses. Eva and Eduardo talked about the general plant life and geography of the area, while I talked about the Thule culture’s peat houses and customs. We continued uphill, where we spotted artic hares and some summer tent rings, probably from the Thule culture. On the way back to the landing site, we spotted cairns that seem to be graves from the Thule culture, and we talked about burial customs of the Thule people. We continued hiking with a group of guests who wanted to spot wildlife footprints. It was a lovely afternoon in Dodemandsbugten.
The Arctic is clearly a place we should seek to better understand and appreciate—for its own sake and for the sake of the world at large.
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