This is true polar exploration—whether it’s attempting to penetrate the massive ice of east Greenland to reach Northeast Greenland National Park, marveling at the big ice of West Greenland, or cruising among the towering icebergs of UNESCO World Heritage-designated Ilulissat Icefjord. Each year in this incredibly remote region, our guests enjoy simply spectacular wildlife sightings, and cultural rewards as well.
And as the New York Times stated in a 2020 article listing Greenland as #4 among the Top 52 Places To Go In the World in 2020 (make that 2021 now, given the pandemic): “With that mile-thick ice sheet melting fast, and two new international airports slated to open in 2023, the time to explore an untrammeled, intact Greenland is now.”
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(7) Greenland 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.
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: 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
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
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
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
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
$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
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
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
$17,694
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
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
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
$21,056
Prices are per person
Highlights
Arctic
Iceland
Greenland
Svalbard, Iceland & Greenland's East Coast
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
$21,056
Top Highlights
Venture into little-known parts of the Arctic, using satellite imagery and the ice-strengthened hull of our ship to explore the ice—including Scoresbysund, the largest fjord system in the world
Focus on wildlife, with an itinerary driven by opportunities to observe walruses, whales, reindeer, and polar bears in their natural habitat
Glide between massive ice floes and encounter astonishing icebergs from water level while exploring by kayak and Zodiac
Explore the dramatic coastline of West Greenland by water and on foot, kayaking stunning fjords and hiking across the tundra while on the lookout for wildlife
Delve into Greenlandic culture and history at the outstanding museum of Sisimiut and meet with residents of Uummannaq Island to learn about everyday life
Hike the Sermermiut Valley to a promontory overlooking the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord and take in extraordinary views of the iceberg-choked bay
We venture high, deep, and far into both East and West Greenland lured by the chance to see mythic species: muskox, beluga whales, polar bears, killer whales, even the possibility of the elusive narwhal. And to log the exhilarating sightings of other iconic creatures—walrus, humpbacks, bearded and ringed seals—that our keen-eyed spotters reliably deliver each year.
It is a privilege to visit Greenland, and to this privilege, National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Resolution, and National Geographic Explorer add the luxury of comfort—a quality of shipboard life and a philosophy of wellness designed to relax and rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit.
You can thank Inuit hunters for kayaking. The "qajaq" or hunting boat is the predecessor to the modern kayak. Check out this video of qajaq rolling demonstration we experience in Greenland.
Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord
Icebergs dot the ocean in many parts of the Arctic, but from the walking trails that wind along the edge of the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in western Greenland, the icebergs are so concentrated that they fill the landscape.
As a fully-stabilized ice class Polar Code PC-5 vessel, the new be capable of safely exploring the most adventurous latitudes. On our East Greenland: Wild Shores of the High Arctic itinerary, National Geographic Endurance will land at one of the most remote national parks on Earth—a historic first for Lindblad. We break down this seldom-seen Arctic paradise by the numbers.
Emmett Clarkin, a marine ecologist based in the North West of Ireland and a naturalist and expedition diver with Lindblad, shares some of his top moments from these wild shores—and shows you how the region’s incredible facets keep this place etched on his memory.
Dr. Kathryn Sullivan Shares Her Stories About Space and the Arctic
Geologist, NOAA scientist, and NASA astronaut, Dr. Kathryn Sullivan has had a storied career that has taken her from the far reaches of outer space to the bottom of the world’s oceans. She was also a catalyst in the creation of Lindblad Expeditions’ unique undersea program.
At Brattahlid (“the steep slope”), Erik the Red’s estate in the Viking Eastern Settlement, Erik built the first Christian church on the North American continent. The first Greenlandic parliament was held here, and it is also where Leif Eriksson departed to go on to discover Newfoundland and Labrador.
I was fortunately able to share this experience with my wife, son (age 10) and daughter (age 13). It was one of those moments that will stick in our minds forever. My son’s love for photography started on this voyage, and my daughter wrote a beautiful essay about this trip that won an award at school.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Although space shuttles never fly directly over the Arctic, on a clear day we could see the lower 25% of Greenland with the fjords all cut in and incised and the stark white on blue of the ice sheet against the ocean. It was an oblique view, like a super-cool postcard picture of a place.
Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, Geologist, NOAA Scientist, and NASA Astronaut
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