Greenland’s eastern coast is flanked by thousands of icebergs calved from the country’s massive ice sheet. Here, we venture into the largest national park in the world—Greenland National Park—to spot polar bears, musk oxen, arctic hare and more. In this remote Arctic paradise where animals outnumber humans, go hiking with naturalists on the vast tundra, glide in akayak through pristine fjords, and take in dramatic mountain views at every turn. We will also be on the lookout for the Northern Lights along Greenland and Iceland at this time of year.
Ice-sculpted shores of Greenland & spectacular fjords of Norway
Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, seals, whales, and birdlife
Norway's most dramatic fjords - Trollfjorden
Lofoten Islands and their picturesque villages
Itinerary in Brief:
Day 1: Oslo, Norway
Day 2: Oslo - Tromso
Day 3: Tysfjorden
Day 4: Nordfjord - Svartisen
Day 5: Lofoten Islands
Day 6-8: At Sea & Jan Mayen, Norway
Day 9-13: Exploring Northeast Greenland National Park
Day 14-16: East Greenland - Scoresbysund
Day 17: Northwest Iceland
Day 18: Flatey Island - Latrabjarg
Day 19: Reykjavik
Day 1: Oslo, Norway
Upon arrival, check into the Clarion Hotel The Hub. In the afternoon, explore this charming city. Stroll among the famed Vigeland sculptures—hundreds of life-size human figures set in terraced Frogner Park. Visit the Fram Museum, dedicated to the wooden ship sailed by Norwegian explorers Nansen and Amundsen. The evening is at leisure.
Day 2: Oslo - Tromsø & Embarkation
Depart Oslo on a chartered flight to Tromsø and embark National Geographic Endurance.
Day 3: Tysfjorden
Explore the dramatic, glacier-carved Norwegian coastline of Tysfjorden, where the fjord’s almost-vertical walls surround the ship. By Zodiac and kayak, get closer views of the birch forests, tumbling waterfalls, and small villages on the rocky shore. Nearby, the U-shaped valley of Hellmobotn cuts nearly to Sweden and has a trail to hike almost to the border.
Day 4: Nordfjord - Svartisen
Svartisen National Park consists of a large ice field of the central Norwegian coast. We enter the park on a beautiful fjord called Nordfjord. As we cross the park boundary, the sheer walls of the fjord tower above the ship. The Captain actors the ship near the mouth of a glacier fed river flowing down from a hanging glacier off the main ice field of Svartisen. Our morning will be spent gasping at the scenery taking walks ashore in the birch meadows and possibly kayaking in the protected waters. Zodiac cruising along the shores is always popular to view the numerous waterfalls cascading down the rock walls. Be on deck as we cruise into one of the most famous fjords in Norway, the short yet dramatic Trollfjord, and search the cliffs for Norway’s mythical beings: trolls.
Day 5: Lofoten Islands
The Lofoten Archipelago is an enchanting region of picturesque seaside villages backed by jagged peaks. Our morning will be spent walking ashore in a small village along the coast. The area is still quite important as a cod fishing center. Drying racks scattered on the exposed coastal shores provide evidence of the thriving industry of the archipelago. Later, we go ashore on the island of Vaeroy at the site of an abandon historic village now with a few modern summer homes for locals from the nearby modern community. Walk ashore along the old wagon track which was the only way villagers could get to the main community and to church. By Zodiac, we view nesting seabirds: Atlantic puffins, razorbills, and guillemots.
Day 6-8: At Sea & Jan Mayen, Norway
Norway’s Jan Mayen, a remote volcanic island used as a weather station, sits in the middle of the north Atlantic more than 500 miles from anywhere. We head ashore in Zodiacs to explore the black sand beaches, glaciers, hot springs, and endemic flora and fauna—walrus, puffins, and whales in the surrounding waters. Days at sea allow time for relaxation. Attend staff presentations on the wildlife and geology of the region, watch for whales from the bridge, or enjoy a rigorous workout in the fitness center with its “million-dollar views.”
Day 9-13: Exploring Northeast Greenland National Park
Northeast Greenland National Park, the largest national park in the world, is a pristine swath of Arctic wilderness in the northeast corner of Greenland. There, you’ll find towering mountains, glacial lagoons, and tremendous wildlife—polar bears, musk oxen and walrus. National Geographic Endurance, with its PC 5 ice class makes it possible to navigate the region’s dense pack ice and explore up close the coastline and inlets of the park.
Day 14-16: Exploring East Greenland & Scoresbysund
With flexibility and exploration as our priorities, we head just south of the national park to Scoresbysund, the largest fjord in the world, where we may see the elusive narwhal, Atlantic walrus, and beluga whales. On the nearby shore sits the brightly colored Ittoqqortoormiit, the most isolated town in Greenland. The town is blocked by sea ice for most of the year, and its inhabitants—fewer than 500 of them—survive by hunting and fishing the surrounding waters. This is also the time of year where it is possible to view the Northern Lights and our staff will be scanning for optimal timing and available to help you photograph the experience.
Day 17: Northwest Iceland
Explore the beautiful and peaceful Westfjords region of Iceland. Perhaps take a hike to a remote waterfall or a Zodiac cruise alongside stunning scenery. Enter Ísafjarðardjúp and land at Vigur Island to visit the Eider Farm and view the down cleaning process.
Day 18: Flatey Island - Látrabjarg
Explore Iceland’s western frontier. Visit Flatey Island, a trading post for many centuries, to walk around the charming little hamlet and take a Zodiac cruise along the coast. Sail past the immense Látrabjarg cliffs, the westernmost point of Iceland and home to a huge population of razorbills.
Day 19: Reykjavik
Disembark in Reykjavík with options to visit either the famous Blue Lagoon thermal baths or hot springs, a geothermal power plant, and a horse farm, prior to the flight home.
