Have questions? We're here.
Midnight sun over Lofoten

East Greenland: Wild Shores of the High Arctic

Example 19 Day Cruise aboard National Geographic Endurance
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal Greenland trip. Call 1.406.541.2677
Start Planning My Trip
Talk with an expert
Board the National Geographic Endurance on this 19-day cruise exploring the wild shores of Greenland. Flanked by thousands of icebergs calved from the country’s massive ice sheet, venture into Greenland National Park to spot polar bears, musk oxen, arctic hare and more. In this remote Arctic paradise where animals outnumber humans, hike with naturalists on the vast tundra, glide in a kayak through pristine fjords, and take in dramatic mountain views at every turn. Cruise from Norway's far north to sail down Greenland's rugged eastern coast. 
Reflection of colorful houses in GreenlandOne of Greenland's many glaciersBig blue icebergs at glacier lagoon on IcelandWalruses huddled together on the iceNarwhal sighting in the ArcticExploring GreenlandPolar bear and cubMidnight sun over Lofoten
Highlights
  • Explore the dramatic glacier-carved coastlines
  • Visit the charming villages of the Lofoten archipelago
  • Cruise the vast, scenic Scoresbysund
  • Look for elusive marine mammals like narwhals, walruses, and beluga whales
Activities
Places Visited
Trip Type:
  • Small Ship
Activity Level: Relaxed
0

Full Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Oslo, Norway

Fly overnight to Oslo. Upon arrival, check into the Hotel Bristol. 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 | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Depart Oslo on a chartered flight to Tromsø and embark on National Geographic Endurance.

Day 3: Tysfjorden

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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 4-5: Nordfjord | Svartisen

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
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 anchors 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 compact yet dramatic Trollfjord, and search the cliffs for Norway’s mythical beings: trolls.

Day 6: Lofoten Islands

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start your day on deck as we glide into Trollfjorden, one of Norway’s most dramatic fjords. The Lofoten archipelago boasts an  enchanting landscape of picturesque villages framed by jagged, granite peaks that rise straight from the sea. Explore the many islets, and go ashore at Værøy to hike and kayak. Seek out Atlantic puffins, razorbills, and guillemots on a Zodiac cruise.

Day 7-8: At Sea | Jan Mayen, Norway

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Spend the next day at sea, enjoying the ship’s amenities as we cruise toward Jan Mayen mainland. Listen to talks given by our naturalists, head to the bridge to watch for whales, or relax in the sauna or library. The following day, take the extremely rare opportunity to visit Jan Mayen, a remote Norwegian island with a small military and weather station that holds the settlement’s only residents. The seldom visited isle is presided over by the ice-capped crater of Beerenberg, the world’s northernmost active above-ground volcano.

Day 9-11: East Greenland, Scoresbysund | Exploring

  • Ship
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
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 available to help you photograph the experience.

Day 12-15: Exploring Northeast Greenland National Park

  • Ship
  • 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
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 16: Northwest Iceland

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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 17: Flatey Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Explore Iceland’s western frontier. Visit Flatey Island, a trading post for many centuries, to walk around the charming little hamlet, and opportunities to see and photograph numerous species of birds. Zodiac cruise the coast and see where Erik the Red sailed from in the year 982 A.D., bound for Greenland.

Day 18: Westman Islands

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The Westman Islands were formed by undersea volcanoes between 5,000 and 10,000 years ago and are among the youngest of the world’s archipelagos. In 1963, the world witnessed on film the birth of its newest island, Surtsey — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — which we see as we cruise past the coast. In 1973, Heimaey was threatened by lava flows that nearly closed off its harbor. We visit the crater, where the earth is still hot, and have amazing views of areas that had been engulfed by lava.

Day 19: Reykjavik | Disembark | Home

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
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.

Ship/Hotel

National Geographic Endurance

National Geographic Endurance
National Geographic Endurance
National Geographic Endurance, a purpose-built cruise ship capable of year-round operations in the arctic regions, with the highest ice class rating (PC5 Category A) ever achieved by a cruise ship of its size (126 guests). The sloping X-bow is designed to decrease movement in the roughest of seas and also results in higher fuel efficiency and lower emissions for less environmental impact.
Bar
Dining Room
Reception area

Oslo - Hotels

Radisson Blu Oslo Airport Hotel
Linked to the Oslo Airport, Gardermoen (OSL) terminal by a covered walkway, the Radisson Blu Airport Hotel is just steps from bus and train stations. You can reach the vibrant city center in about 20 minutes via Flytoget, the Airport Express train. The soundproof rooms and suites include amenities such as minibars and free high-speed Internet.

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Deals

Special Savings
Complimentary Parka: Receive a free parka or jacket with both your Antarctica and Arctic departures.

Complimentary Bar Tab & Crew Gratuities: on all National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, and National Geographic Resolution voyage, we will cover your crew gratuities and bar tab (Except certain super-premium brands of alcohol).

Please contact us for details on specific savings for your departure and vessel.
Applies to all departures
Per person starting at
$25,740
Cabin
Select a Date
Category 1
Located on the Fore Deck. 183 square ft room with two large windows, Alcove seating, Relax chair, private bathroom, tv, Wi-Fi and hair dryers
Cabin
Select a Date
Category 2
Located on the Fore Deck. 205 square ft. room with two large windows, Alcove seating, Relax chair, private bathroom, tv, Wi-Fi and hair dryers.
Cabin
Select a Date
Category 3
Located on the Main Deck. 205 square ft. suite with balcony, sofa, private bathroom, tv, Wi-Fi and hair dryers
Cabin
Select a Date
Category 4
Located on the Lounge Deck. 205 square ft. suite with balcony, sofa, private bathroom, tv, Wi-Fi and hair dryers
Cabin
Select a Date
Category 5
Located on the Bridge Deck. 205 square ft. suite with balcony, sofa, private bathroom, tv, Wi-Fi and hair dryers
Cabin
Select a Date
Category 6
Located on the Bridge Deck. 344 square ft suite with large balcony, sofa bed, private bathroom, tv, Wi-Fi and hair dryers
Cabin
Select a Date
Category 7
Located on the Bridge Deck. 430 square ft. suite with large balcony, sofa bed, bathtub, walk-in closet, private bathroom, tv, Wi-Fi and hair dryers
Cabin
Select a Date
Category A Solo
Located on the Main Deck. 140 square ft. suite with balcony, sofa, private bathroom, tv, Wi-Fi and hair dryers
Cabin
Select a Date
Category B Solo
Located on the Lounge Deck. 140 square ft. suite with balcony, sofa, private bathroom, tv, Wi-Fi and hair dryers

Notes

Inclusions:
  • All meals and non-alcoholic beverages*
  • Cappuccinos, lattes & filtered water
  • 24-hour coffee, tea & soda on demand 
  • Hors d’oeuvres & snacks during Recap
  • Fitness center or exercise equipment, depending on the ship
  • Fully stocked library, and other gracious public spaces
  • The guidance and company of your expedition staff
  • The services of a physician on certain ships/destinations
  • Hotels ashore as indicated in the itinerary
  • Meals on land, as indicated in the itinerary
  • Sightseeing & entrance fees
  • Special access permits, park fees, port taxes
  • Transfers to and from group flights
  • The expertise of our expedition staff
  • All excursions
  • Zodiac & kayak explorations
  • Snorkeling, including wetsuits, masks, fins & snorkel where relevant
  • Presentations and guest speakers in the lounge
  • Your bar tab and all crew gratuities are included in the voyage price on all National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Resolution, and National Geographic Orion voyages. Please call for details.
Exclusions: 
  • International and internal airfare
  • Additional hotel nights
  • Private transfers
  • Travel Protection Plan
  • Passport, visa, and immigration fees
  • Expedition extensions
  • Gratuities
  • Spa treatments
  • Scuba diving
  • Laundry
  • Internet and phone
  • Gift shop items and any other items of personal nature

Map

Inquire

Travel Agents
Maggie McClanahan employee headshot
Maggie M

We Love to Talk Travel

Call 1.800.344.6118
or
Chat Now
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Karen Snider
More Reasons

Why Travel With Adventure Life

All News

Recognized By

Maggie McClanahan employee headshot
Maggie M
Plan My Trip
We love travel, talk with an expert 1.800.344.6118