Arctic Expeditions

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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.

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.

Arctic

Europe & British Isles

Iceland

A Circumnavigation of Iceland

Duration

10 days

Jun
Jul
Aug

From

$11,172

Prices are per person

Highlights

Arctic

Europe & British Isles

Iceland

A Circumnavigation of Iceland

Duration

10 days

Jun
Jul
Aug

From

$11,172

Top Highlights

Circumnavigate the Island of Fire and Ice, from its wealth of wildlife and striking geological formations, to its cultural history steeped in saga and exploration history
Explore a variety of landscapes across the island from lava fields, seismic faults, geothermal springs, and thundering waterfalls
Hike up mountain trails, kayak in protected fjords, bike through remote villages, or take a Zodiac cruise around a seabird colony

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Arctic

Europe & British Isles

Iceland

Coastal Wonders of Norway, the Faroe Islands and Iceland

Duration

16 days

Jun

From

$20,062

Prices are per person

Highlights

Arctic

Europe & British Isles

Iceland

Coastal Wonders of Norway, the Faroe Islands and Iceland

Duration

16 days

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

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Arctic

Canada

Greenland

Fabled Lands Of The North: Greenland to Newfoundland

Duration

16 days

Aug

From

$18,969

Prices are per person

Highlights

Arctic

Canada

Greenland

Fabled Lands Of The North: Greenland to Newfoundland

Duration

16 days

Aug

From

$18,969

Top Highlights

Explore two UNESCO World Heritage sites: glide among soaring icebergs at the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord, and walk through 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

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Arctic

Canada

Greenland

Gateway to the Northwest Passage: Greenland & Canada

Duration

24 days

Aug

From

$43,895

Prices are per person

Highlights

Arctic

Canada

Greenland

Gateway to the Northwest Passage: Greenland & Canada

Duration

24 days

Aug

From

$43,895

Top Highlights

Venture into the dramatic high Arctic islands, up to the ice edge and learn dramatic stories of explorers and adventurers who sought this remarkable, 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

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Arctic

Iceland

Greenland

Iceland & Greenland: Edge of the Arctic

Duration

18 days

Jul
Aug

From

$21,024

Prices are per person

Highlights

Arctic

Iceland

Greenland

Iceland & Greenland: Edge of the Arctic

Duration

18 days

Jul
Aug

From

$21,024

Top Highlights

Hike the dramatic Dynjandi Waterfall in Iceland's remote Westfjords peninsula, and visit a farm that produces eiderdown
Delve into Greenlandic culture with visits to Uummannaq and Qilakitsoq to see the archaeological site of the 5,000-year-old mummies and visit the National Museum in Nuuk where they can be viewed
Cruise among the dazzling icebergs calved by the Ilulissat Icefjord and search for whales amid impressive tidewater glaciers in West Greenland

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Arctic

Iceland

Greenland

Iceland's Wild West Coast to East Greenland

Duration

12 days

Jul
Aug

From

$17,694

Prices are per person

Highlights

Arctic

Iceland

Greenland

Iceland's Wild West Coast to East Greenland

Duration

12 days

Jul
Aug

From

$17,694

Top Highlights

Discover the wild west coast of Iceland with its incredible geology, quiet coves, and majestic waterfalls
Hike to a remote waterfall, explore the fjords by kayak, or enjoy a Zodiac cruise alongside stunning scenery in the Westfjords of Iceland
Explore the largest national park in the world—Northeast Greenland National Park—and search for polar bears, musk oxen, whales, and more

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Arctic

Land Of The Ice Bears: An In-Depth Exploration Of Arctic Svalbard

Duration

10 days

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

May
Jun

From

$13,526

Top Highlights

Search for polar bears and walrus alongside our veteran spotters
Explore under the midnight sun and take advantage of spectacular photo ops with tips from a National Geographic Photography Expert
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

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Arctic

Canada

Northwest Passage: Greenland to Alaska

Duration

23 days

Jul

From

$45,000

Prices are per person

Highlights

Arctic

Canada

Northwest Passage: Greenland to Alaska

Duration

23 days

Jul

From

$45,000

Top Highlights

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

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Special Offers

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Arctic

Europe & British Isles

Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard

Duration

17 days

May

From

$23,400

Prices are per person

Highlights

Arctic

Europe & British Isles

Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard

Duration

17 days

May

From

$23,400

Top Highlights

Sail into Norway's spectacular fjords and discover the pristine beauty of secluded inlets and coves by kayak or Zodiac
Explore the northern fjords and ice-carved narrows, standing on the ship's bow as the captain noses up to towering glaciers and waterfalls
Hike, walk, and kayak through stunning scenery and coastal fishing villages

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Arctic

Norwegian Discovery: Svalbard and the Northern Fjords

Duration

13 days

Jun

From

$16,391

Prices are per person

Highlights

Arctic

Norwegian Discovery: Svalbard and the Northern Fjords

Duration

13 days

Jun

From

$16,391

Top Highlights

Sail to the high Arctic archipelago of Svalbard under the midnight sun in search of polar bears hunting along the pack ice
Zodiac cruise along the towering cliffs of Bear Island that rise straight from the sea and are home to tens of thousands of raucous seabirds
On Senja Island visit pristine Ånderdalen National Park to search for reindeer, elk, red foxes, and more
Explore the lovely fjords of Sørøya by Zodiac and kayak, and hike on shore

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Arctic

Greenland

South Greenland Exploration: Fjords, Waterfalls, and Fishing Villages

Duration

12 days

Aug

From

$13,815

Prices are per person

Highlights

Arctic

Greenland

South Greenland Exploration: Fjords, Waterfalls, and Fishing Villages

Duration

12 days

Aug

From

$13,815

Top Highlights

Experience the ice floes and deep fjords of southern Greenland by Zodiac, kayak, and hiking excursions
Navigate the spectacular majesty of Prins Christian Sund, flanked by soaring snow-topped mountains, rock-strewn cliffs, and icebergs
Discover the Western and Eastern Settlements of Erik the Red, the great Norse explorer credited with naming Greenland

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Arctic

New and Noteworthy

New Svalbard in Spring: Polar Bears, Arctic Light & Epic Ice

Duration

10 days

Apr
May

From

$14,133

Prices are per person

Highlights

Arctic

New and Noteworthy

New Svalbard in Spring: Polar Bears, Arctic Light & Epic Ice

Duration

10 days

Apr
May

From

$14,133

Top Highlights

Be among the few travelers to sail the region at this time of year, exploring aboard the supremely comfortable National Geographic Resolution, whose polar-class capabilities allow her to navigate these icy waters
Experience pristine snow and ice conditions during the early season in Svalbard
Search for adult male polar bears in their natural habitat, the sea ice

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Life On Board

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.

Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord

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.

Reindeer Games: Adaptation in Arctic Svalbard

Svalbard is known for its abundance of reindeer which can be found roaming among massive ice sheets, snow-capped mountains, and deep fjords.

Wild Personalities: Polar Bear

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.

Arctic Impressions with Actress & Activist Kate Walsh

Grey's Anatomy actress Kate Walsh traveled with Lindblad to the Svalbard archipelago—where she dove headfirst into adventure!

Discover

Discover the Arctic

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?

1.800.397.3348

1.800.397.3348

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.

Naturalists

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.

Undersea Specialist

Discover what lies beneath the waves with an 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.

National Geographic Photographer

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 Chronicler

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.

The cultural activities were wonderful and it seemed like we were warmly welcomed each time we stopped.

Bonnie R.

1.800.397.3348

Daily Expedition Reports

Daily Expedition Reports

10/5/2023

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National Geographic Endurance

At Sea

After an evening filled with aurora borealis we woke up well-rested, and the seas were relatively calm. The day at sea started with a presentation by our cultural representative of Iceland, Birna. She expanded on the “Armour of Iceland”: the Icelandic sweater. Later in the morning our resident scientists Conrad and Rosemary gave us insight to their current projects. The entire morning the ship was surrounded by fulmars, guillemots, and mainly glaucous gulls. The sun came through a few times as the seas picked up a little. In between presentations and the afternoon tea was a celebration to live music. Micky, one of our bar waiters, gave a fantastic piano concert while guests mingled with wine and cheese. National Geographic photographer Todd Gipstein gave an inspiring talk in the afternoon, followed by a Climate Panel led by Jonathan and Tani, among other staff. It was an opportunity to shed some light on a few facts we might have missed in the jungle of information we are exposed to. Most importantly, we had a healthy discussion about crucial issues that we are all faced with. This trip has been a wonder in scenery, experiences, and new meetings. It was rounded off with Captain Oliver’s farewell cocktails and another beautiful dinner, as we sailed past the northeastern shores of Iceland.

Daily Expedition Reports

10/4/2023

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National Geographic Endurance

Carlsberg Fjord

Today became one of those incredible experiences that will long stay with us. It was packed with beauty, layer upon layer, until we were surrounded by the ethereal beauty of the aurora borealis dancing in the clear night sky. This amazing day began with National Geographic Endurance making her way into Carlsberg Fjord. First light lit up the horizon with intense oranges and yellows; as these became brighter, we could see deep into the fjord and discern the steep mountains covered in a mantle of fresh snow. The reddish-brown bands on the mountains looked like a layer cake. As the ship entered deeper into the fjord, we entered into full expedition mode. The ship deployed her forward-looking sonar; we watched as the officers interpreted the monitors and the ship made steady progress toward a possible landing site. Along the way we spotted several musk ox, as well as a number of birds. Then the ship turned 90 degrees to port and headed to a glacier that had some sandy beaches before it. By this time the sun was sufficiently high in the sky to light up everything surrounding us in gorgeous Alpen pastel shades. Once the scout team were confident that there were no polar bears about, we headed ashore for our various hike options. For the next hour and a half we feasted our eyes on fresh Arctic fox and hare prints in the snow, ice-crystal patterns in sand ripples, and snow decorating the rocks and pebbles along the shores. Some of us climbed a moraine to view the glacier, which was still a way off beyond a small bay that was not visible from our approach. The glacier glistened in the light and reflected whites and many blues from the crevasse-etched surfaces. Words can’t even begin to describe all the beauty before us. As we returned, we stopped many times to try and capture some of these marvels with our cameras, particularly the reflections of the ship on the very still inland waters. Over lunch we tried to share some of the emotions we experienced with this sensory overload. The afternoon was punctuated with a very enjoyable briefing about our disembarkation arrangements, our wonderful AEL lacing all the information with her great sense of humor. This was followed with a very special tea down in the laundry room, and from there we were able to visit the engine room control center. We learned more about all that goes on in this remarkable ship and those who work here. After tea we attended a presentation by undersea specialist Tani Peelgrane, entitled “Bones That Will Blow Your Mind.&rdquo But the day was far from ended, for the Greenland coastline was ablaze with the warm colors from the setting sun; the mountains silhouetted, layer upon layer, in the evening haze. By this stage we were also surrounded by the sea ice which had worked its way south along the Denmark Strait. White pieces of glistening ice disappeared off into the distance. It was a magnificent scene. Suddenly dozens of northern fulmars, which had been feeding along the ice edge, flew past the ship, their feathers aglow in the lovely evening light. And slowly this wonderful day gave way to night. Today was our last recap, so it was extended to accommodate all that the naturalists wanted to share after such a special day. Just after dinner there was an announcement that the northern lights were appearing, and we were invited up to deck eight to enjoy this magnificent spectacle. Over the next hour or so we were enthralled with the lazy meanderings of this incredibly captivating phenomenon. What a day! What an end to the Arctic season for National Geographic Endurance . It was a true expedition day and one that will long remain with us.

Daily Expedition Reports

10/3/2023

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National Geographic Endurance

Kajser Franz Joseph Fjord, Northeast Greenland National Park

Today we explored Kajser Franz Joseph Fjord, one of the largest fjord systems in the Northeast Greenland National Park. We began the day at Blomsterbugten, hiking through a tight mountain pass to an overlook of an alpine lake. Along the way, we encountered a few Arctic hares, some muskoxen, and some very fresh polar bear tracks! Other guests opted out of the hike and took the opportunity to try out our kayaks instead. In the late afternoon, National Geographic Endurance settled in front of the Westerhausen Glacier, and Zodiacs were launched for a chance to view the glacier up close and personal. We spotted a number of very friendly ring seals from the Zodiacs. After a special Filipino dinner, everyone gathered in the Ice Lounge for the world famous “Shackletunes” crew show!

Daily Expedition Reports

10/2/2023

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National Geographic Endurance

Kap Maechel and Alpefjord

When we woke up, it was still dark outside. As we neared Kap Maechel toward the end of dawn, we could see the shores. We were scanning for muskoxen. And sure enough, there they were…a small herd of four, three adults and a young one, were grazing high up on the hillside. Most of us went ashore despite the very cold temperature and more wind than we had experienced earlier. We slowly moved up the low-grade tundra slope towards the herd. We tried to habituate the normally very skittish animals by walking slowly and occasionally stopping. We eventually got close enough to the animals that we all got great looks. As the herd moved up the slope, we broke into different groups and went for a walk before heading back to C Greens and 270, the ship’s restaurants, for hamburger day. The afternoon program took us further into Alpefjord. We went for a Zodiac cruise, and the stunning landscapes dwarfed National Geographic Endurance . Despite the cold and wind, we enjoyed a beautiful tour with gorgeous light on the large tidewater face of the Sefström Glacier. The afternoon was rounded off with music and a polar plunge. We had some really brave (or mad!) people who jumped into the near freezing water. Hats off to them! We enjoyed mind-blowing scenery throughout the evening as National Geographic Endurance slowly made its way through the fjord system. As usual, recap was followed by a delightful dinner in 270.

Daily Expedition Reports

10/1/2023

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National Geographic Endurance

Fleming Fjord and Antarctic Havn, East Greenland

After a restful night during which there was no sea ice to contend with and clouds obscured the aurora borealis, we awoke to calm and very cold conditions in the Northeast Greenland National Park. Summer has well and truly ended. Temperatures were several degrees below freezing, and a thin veil of snow laid over the land, accentuating the spectacular geology of the region. Our morning landing took us to Fleming Fjord, a large indentation in the northern shore of Jameson Land. The fjord is rimmed by mountains that were gradually lit up by sunrise, while the distant entrance to the bay lurked under dark, heavy clouds. All in all, dramatic light conditions and the snow made for a beautiful morning hike. As we repositioned over lunch towards the northwest, we transitioned from a Devonian and Triassic to a younger Jurassic landscape; the sedimentary strata became thinner, and the fossils within them changed. As we stepped ashore, the first thing that cultural specialist Lars Abelsen noticed was a tiny sea angel washed ashore. This half-inch-long zooplankton creature looked frozen and dead, and the undersea specialists brought it on board to show everyone at recap. On shore, we explored the layered history of Antarctic Havn and the ruins of Helge Ingstad’s hut which documents Norway’s presence and ambitions in this part of Greenland in the 1930s. Meanwhile, the hotel team – dressed up as Vikings under hotel director Patrick’s expert guidance – prepared a delicious barbeque on the beach! This was a welcome treat in the cold temperatures, especially once the sun sank behind the mountains. The evening recap held one more surprise – the sea angel had actually thawed and come back to life! We were able to admire it under the microscope and look forward to returning it to the ocean tomorrow.

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.

Sven-Olof Lindblad

1.800.397.3348

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Polar Discovery: Voyages to Antarctica & the Arctic 2023-25

Antarctica

Arctic

Polar Discovery: Voyages to Antarctica & the Arctic 2023-25

2023-2025 Voyages

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Arctic

Canada

Greenland

Iceland

Arctic 2024-25

2024-2025 Voyages

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