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Colin and Eugene Hiking in Greenland

Svalbard, Iceland & Greenland's East Coast

Example 16 Day Cruise aboard National Geographic Explorer
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Explore the Svalbard archipelago on this 16-day Arctic expedition cruise. See the majestic setting that the lordly polar bear freely roams. Follow in the wake of fearless explorers and colonists to discover the dramatic landscapes and rich traditions of Greenland and Iceland - in particular, Iceland’s untrammeled western coast – and visit Greenland's fascinating Viking sites and settlements. 
Walrus and her pupLooking for polar bears in the zodiacArctic Birds resting on the rock faceWalruses relaxing on the iceColin and Eugene Hiking in Greenland
Highlights
  • See polar bears in their natural habitat, the sea ice
  • Follow in the wake of the 10th-century Viking explorers along the ice shelf
  • Discover the dramatic landscapes and rich traditions of Greenland
  • Actively explore the Westfjord region; walk on lava fields and ice sheets
  • Meet the intriguing people able to thrive in their Arctic homelands
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Oslo, Norway

Check into the SAS Radisson Blu Airport Hotel. This afternoon explore this charming city. Stroll amid Oslo’s famed Vigeland sculptures—hundreds of life-size human figures set in parkland. Visit the Fram Museum, dedicated to the wooden ship sailed by Norwegian polar explorers Nansen and Amundsen. The evening is at leisure. 

Day 2: Oslo | Longyearbyen | Embark

Depart Oslo on a charter flight, and enjoy breathtaking vistas en route to Longyearbyen. Embark National Geographic Explorer.

Day 3-15: Exploring Svalbard, Greenland & Iceland

Your day-by-day itinerary, in keeping with the nature of an expedition, will be a thoughtfully considered framework based on our long experience in this dynamic arctic region. We’ll take full advantage of our ‘human resources’—our experienced Captain, expedition leader and naturalists—as well as our technological resources. Armed with the latest satellite imagery, we’ll chart where the ice is impenetrable, and where there are leads guiding you to exciting discoveries. We have an ice-strengthened hull and forward-searching sonar, plus agile Zodiacs and kayaks, allowing us to make forays among the icebergs. The Undersea Specialist will deploy the ROV, bringing back imagery few, if any, have ever seen.  And with unforgettable days in the ice and two photographers on board, you’ll have assistance to get your best photos ever.

You begin in Svalbard, Norway—a place of deep fjords, snowcapped mountains, and massive ice sheets. Nowhere can the polar bear be seen more reliably in its natural environment than here. Venture to the foot of vast tidewater glaciers, kayak among sparkling icebergs, hike the tundra, and explore fjords that split the coastline.

Svalbard’s wonders are a prelude to days ahead of discoveries on unknown shores, following the ice’s edge. Your quest is to discover the Arctic’s grand wilderness. Be on deck as your captain navigates between icebergs that drift from the calving glaciers. And if the ice yields, you’ll aim for Scoresbysund, on the east coast of Greenland, still awakening from winter’s long icy grip. If the ice is unrelenting, you’ll head to Iceland.
 
The finale of your journey is the west coast of Iceland: Isafjördur, a picture postcard of Icelandic life; the immense Látrabjarg cliffs, home to a huge population of razorbills; and Flatey Island, a former trading post. 

Day 16: Reykjavík | Disembark | Home

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Your grand adventure takes you to Iceland’s lively capital city, Reykjavík. Have a guided overview of the old town, and visit the famous Blue Lagoon thermal baths, prior to your flight home. 

Ship/Hotel

National Geographic Explorer

Guests returning back to the ship National Geographic Explorer by zodiac, Spitsbergen, Arctic Ocean
Navigation technology on the bridge of the ship National Geographic Explorer

Oslo - Hotels

Dates & Prices

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This itinerary is no longer available. For other trip ideas, please visit Arctic Cruises & Tours.
Category 1
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Cat 1
Main Deck with one or two portholes. #301-308
Category 2
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Cat 2
Main Deck with window. #317-320, 335-336
Category 3
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Cat 3
Main Deck with Window #313-316, 321-328, 337-340, 342, 344-350 Main Deck L-shaped Suite #341 & 343
Category 4
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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.
Category 5
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Cat 5
Upper Deck with Balcony. #209, 211, 214, 216, 218, 220-222, 224.
Category 6
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Cat 6
Upper Deck Suite 213 has a balcony, 290 sq ft. Veranda Deck Suites 101 and 102 are 355 sq ft without balcony
Category 7
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Cat 7
Upper Deck Suite with Balcony. #215, 219, 230
Category A Solo
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Cat SA
C Deck Solo - Cabins 309-312, 329-334. Single cabins with window
Category B Solo
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Cat SB
Upper and Veranda Decks with Window. #105-106, 203, 208

Notes

Travelers under the age of 18 save $500 per person.
Included
  • 15 Breakfasts, 16 Lunches, 15 Dinners
  • 15 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
  • Access to the OM System Photo Gear Locker with the latest gear to try out on loan (aboard Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet) 
  • Beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits are available aboard the ship. Additionally, a selection of super premium wines and liquors is offered 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 
  • Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • 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)

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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