Join this 23-day voyage on the National Geographic Explorer and journey deep into the far reaches of the Arctic, a land where polar bears roam and hardy Inuit communities maintain their traditional way of life. Canada’s Ellesmere Island stretches farther north than any other land in the world, save for Greenland—explore both on this epic Arctic expedition. This is a region of ancient ice, where tidewater glaciers of exceptional beauty dominate the landscape. Few humans have ever been here. It is home to hunting polar bears, muskox, and extremely rare wildlife, including narwhal. Glide between soaring icebergs at the mouth of Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Trace the coast into parts largely unknown, where the only assurance is great wonder, beauty, and genuine exploration.
Highlights
Venture to new frontiers, Zodiac cruise, kayak, and hike the tundra
Trace fjords of rarely-explored northwest Greenland to the massive ice cap
Encounter the legacy of the ancient Inuit, Thule, and Dorset cultures
Explore the geologic phenomena of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík
Follow in the wake of legendary explorers and hear their dramatic stories
Observe polar bears, arctic foxes, caribou, seals, and humpback whales
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Transfer from Keflavík to Reykjavík, located just south of the Arctic Circle. Check-in to the Grand Hotel. Take a guided overview of the old town, including Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral. Or choose to explore the Blue Lagoon and soak in the geothermal waters.
Day 2: Reykjavík | Kangerlussuaq, Greenland | Embark
Fly by chartered aircraft to Greenland. Embark National Geographic Explorer at the head of Kangerlussuaq Fjord, a picturesque waterway that stretches 100 miles.
Dozens of deep fjords carve into Greenland’s west coast, many with glaciers fed by the ice cap that covers 80% of the country. In the morning, you will trace this ragged coastline, and search for humpback and minke whales. Later, at Sisimiut, a former whaling port, you can visit the museum and wander amid a jumble of wooden 18th-century buildings.
You begin your exploration of the Canadian High Arctic with a visit to the small Inuit community of Pond Inlet, Nunavut. You will explore some of the beautiful bays and inlets along Baffin Island's northern coast and Lancaster Sound. You can search for ringed seals, arctic foxes, and polar bears, as well as beluga whales. Perhaps even see the elusive narwhal, known for the long, spiraling tooth that projects up to ten feet. Possible stops to explore Beechey Island and the remains of the Franklin expedition’s winter quarters and Lancaster Sound for polar bears on ice. At the entrance to the Northwest Passage, we encounter Devon Island. Walk with our ship's archaeologist to learn about the Thule people that once inhabited this region and were the ancestors of all modern Inuit. At Dundas Harbor, you will hike the tundra and search for wildlife, perhaps including musk oxen.
Heading ever northward, you will make your way up the beautiful and remote east coast of Ellesmere Island, where the Explorer first ventured a few seasons ago. Cruise along scenic Smith Bay (a.k.a. Skog Inlet) bordered by a steep wall of mountains, with a glacial ice tongue which pours down the mountains on either side. Be up on the bridge as you search for a patch of "polar bear ice," the mixture of first-year and multi-year sea ice that is the preferred habitat of the ice bears. Your binoculars will seek out any small ivory-colored dot on an otherwise white ice surface. You will strain to see the dot move. Yes, it is a bear, spotted at a considerable distance. You will approach, ever so slowly, stalking the polar bear much as the bear stalks seals on the ice. At the end of the bay you will go ashore to hike or kayak in picturesque surroundings. Ice is always present here.
Your flexible itinerary stops may include a stop at any number of inlets along the southeastern coastline, or you might go for a Zodiac cruise in Makinson Inlet, where tidewater glaciers tumble down to the sea.
On these two days you will explore to 80ºN and hopefully beyond, if the ice allows. You can take full advantage of your “human resources”—our experienced captain, expedition leader and naturalists—as well as our technological resources. You can chart where the ice is impenetrable and where there are leads guiding us to exciting discoveries.
Explorer will be in true expedition mode every turn of the way. Take a Zodiac cruise among grounded icebergs, explore vast colonies of sea birds and walk ashore, perhaps stopping at Cape York to see beautiful, pink feldspar hills and the distant, granite monument memorializing Robert Peary.
Today you are back in familiar waters, stopping at Qilakitsoq, where a collection of mummies dating to 1475 was discovered in 1972 and featured on the cover of National Geographic magazine’s February 1985 issue.
Sail into Disko Bay and set out to explore a tongue of the Greenland ice cap. Take an extraordinary cruise among towering icebergs of the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Ilulissat Icefjord. Visit the town of Ilulissat and walk to the archaeological site in the Sermermiut Valley.
Your final day aboard will be spent in the beautifully scenic fjords. Take a Zodiac cruise, kayak, or hike across the tundra. Our undersea specialist may launch the ROV to see the marine life inhabiting the fjord floor.
Day 22: Kangerlussuaq | Disembark | Reykjavík, Iceland
Disembark in Kangerlussuaq in the morning followed by a tour and lunch. Fly by private charter to Reykjavík, where you check in to the Grand Hotel.
Day 23: Reykjavík | Keflavík | Home
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Your grand adventure takes you to Iceland’s lively capital city, Reykjavík. Have a guided tour of Reykjanes Peninsula, followed by lunch. Transfer to Keflavík for your flight home. Or you may wish to extend your stay in Iceland for further adventures.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Cat 1
Main Deck with one or two portholes. #301-308
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Cat 2
Main Deck with window. #317-320, 335-336.
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Cat 3
Main Deck with Window #313-316, 321-328, 337-340,342, 344, 346, 348, 350.
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Cat 4
Upper and Veranda Decks with Window. # 103-104, 107-108, 201-202, 204-207, 210, 212, 217, 226, 228.
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
22 Breakfasts, 21 Lunches, 21 Dinners
22 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Assistance by the onboard National Geographic Photography Expert
Beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits aboard the ship. We are also pleased to offer a selection of super premium wines and liquors that are available for purchase.
Crew gratuities
Complimentary Starlink-enabled Wi-Fi internet is available to all guests aboard Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet, enabling email, messaging, and social media.
Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes
Excursions, hotels, and airport transfers, as indicated in the itinerary
Selection of exploration tools curated to your destination, such as Zodiacs and glass-bottom boats, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling equipment (including wetsuits, masks, and fins), and other state-of-the-art gear
Guidance and company of leading expedition staff
All meals as indicated in the itinerary, both aboard and onshore. Meals are inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible
Hors d’oeuvres inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible
24-hour access to snacks, premium coffees and teas, non-alcoholic beverages, and filtered water
Presentations on your destination by expedition staff and expert guest speakers
Complimentary reusable water bottle to fill at onboard water refill stations
The services of a physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or paramedic where available
Morning stretch classes and 24-hour access to exercise equipment where available
24-hour access to lounges, observation decks, library stocked with regionally relevant literature, and other shared spaces
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Laundry, spa treatments, scuba diving, Wi-Fi and phone services (except when indicated as included)
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
Airfare (except flights when indicated as included), pre- and post-expedition extensions, additional hotel nights, and private transfers (except when indicated as included)
Travel protection plans and passport, visa, and immigration fees
Enhanced and premium Wi-Fi plans, which may enable video chat, web browsing, and streaming (connectivity permitting)
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
8 hours ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
