Flatey Island, Iceland © David Vargas

Arctic Odyssey: Iceland, Greenland, and Canada - 15 Days

Onboard  National Geographic Explorer – 148 passengers

Sail in the wake of early Viking explorers on a compelling journey that mixes Arctic wildlife and landscapes with a riveting history that comes alive in well-preserved ruins and local communities continuing to thrive on the edge of the Arctic. Start your adventure in Iceland’s remote Westfjords before charting a course for southern Greenland, where you’ll glide into dramatic fjords flanked by towering, jagged mountains; and visit colorful Qaqortoq, the unofficial capital of the region. In Canada, trace wild coastlines, keeping an eye out for polar bears, whales, and migrating birdlife.

Highlights

  • Take in picturesque views as we sail through dramatic fjords and past glaciers and ice floes in southern Greenland
  • Hike in Iceland’s remote Westfjords to observe migrating seabird colonies
  • Step back in time at Viking ruins, like Erik the Red’s farm in Greenland and the 11th-century village at L’Anse aux Meadows, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Canada
  • Navigate across the Denmark Strait, home to the world’s largest underwater waterfall, and the Labrador Sea, known for its nutrient rich cold water currents
  • Keep watch on the open Bridge for polar bears, falcons, whales, and other wildlife along the stunning coast of Labrador

Tour Dates

Itinerary

Day 1: Reykjavík, Iceland / Embark Ship
Arrive in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, which lies just below the Arctic Circle. Transfer from the airport and visit the Old Town, including Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral with its 210-foot tower, before embarking the ship in the afternoon. Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Flatey Island
Explore Iceland’s western frontier, visiting Flatey Island, a trading post for many centuries, turned sleepy summer islet. Walk around the charming little hamlet that has survived, and hike across trails that trace the cliffs past a seasonal puffin population. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Crossing the Denmark Strait
Sail away from the Westfjords of Iceland and across the Denmark Strait. Connecting the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, the strait is home to the world’s largest waterfall, caused by powerful currents underneath the surface. Listen to talks by our experts, relax with a book in the lounge or on the observation deck, and keep an eye out for wildlife as we sail across the continental shelf. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Prins Christian Sund, Greenland
Sail into Prins Christian Sund, which cuts into the southern tip of Greenland, passing between soaring pinnacles and glaciers, allowing our ship to sail through the sheltered waters of this dramatic landscape. Glimpse hanging glaciers through the fjords that stretch back to the Greenlandic Ice Sheet and keep an eye out for marine and bird life in these sheltered waters. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 5-6: Southern Greenland Fjords
Home to some of the best preserved ruins of the Viking era in Greenland, Qaqortoq and Tunulliarflik Fjord provide us with two days of insight, culture, and local interactions. Walk through the ruins of Bratthlid, Erik the Red’s farm, visiting replicas of the church and the family’s longhouse. Explore the same shores from which their son, Leif Eriksson, launched the first voyages to North America—500 years before Columbus.

Visit the unofficial capital of southern Greenland at Qaqortoq, with just over 3,200 residents. The colonial influence is visible throughout the town, with houses painted in primary colors and architecture dating back to the 1700’s. Stroll through the town square and visit the museum, where Greenlandic kayaks, hunting equipment, and local art and handicrafts are on display. Finally, walk through the walls of Hvalsey church, located in the fjords behind Qaqortoq, the best preserved Norse ruins in all of Greenland. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 7-8: At Sea / Crossing the Davis Strait
Spend time on the bow of the ship watching for whales, polar bears, and other wildlife; enjoy the ship’s amenities; edit your photos alongside our professional photographers; and attend expert-led talks about the Arctic as we navigate the massive icebergs of Davis Strait on the way to Baffin Island. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 9-12: Exploring the Labrador Coast, Canada
Spend three days tracing the beautiful, wild coast of Labrador, exploring on foot and by kayak and Zodiac. Weaving our way through the Lower Savage islands, keeping a watchful eye for the polar bears that call these islands home, we will use our Zodiacs as safe havens to experience their environment firsthand. Watch for peregrine falcons and other birds soaring over the rocky shorelines of the spectacularly narrow Mugford Tickle and take in the impressive sight of the 4,000-foot-high Kaumajet Mountains. Continue to scenic Battle Harbour to discover the reconstructed 19th-century buildings and legacy of this historic fishing village. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: L’Anse aux Meadows
In the 1960s, the remains of a Viking village established in the 11th century were excavated at L’Anse aux Meadows, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk among the Norse ruins and reconstructed sod huts and learn the saga of the Vikings in North America, who arrived here nearly 500 years before the explorations of Columbus. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Northern Newfoundland
Cliffs, fjords, and beaches grace the northwestern tip of Newfoundland. Hike, kayak, or explore by Zodiac with our experts amid this stunning scenery and keep an eye out for migrating birds and whales. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: St. John’s, Newfoundland / Disembark Ship
Today, disembark in St. John’s and transfer to the airport for your flight home. Meals Included: Breakfast

Route Map

Trips and Rates

Please note, rates are Per Person in USD
Category 1
$18,571
 
Category 2
$20,146
 
Category 3
$20,972
 
Category 4
$22,358
 
Category 5
$26,670
 
Category 6
$30,520
Limited
Category 7
$35,882
Limited
Category A Solo
$25,046
 
Category B Solo
$26,138
 

Single Travelers

  • Can book a dedicated solo cabin in Category A Solo or Category B Solo at the prices listed above
  • Share cabins may be available in select cabin categories, please enquire for more details
  • If booking Cat 1 – 7 at solo occupancy, the rate is 2x the per person share price

Adventure Options

  • Paddling – included in the voyage cost. Guests may have the chance to paddle once, conditions permitting.

Mandatory Charter Flights are an additional cost and not included in the cabin pricing. See neon green box in pricing grid for the cost of the charter flights.

  • Charter flights for Antarctica Direct Itineraries are between Puerto Natales, Chile and King George Island, Antarctica
  • Charter fights for Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands departures are between Buenos Aires & Ushuaia

Single Travelers

  • Can book a dedicated solo cabin in Category A Solo or Category B Solo at the prices listed above
  • Share cabins may be available in select cabin categories, please enquire for more details
  • If booking Cat 1 – 7 at solo occupancy, the rate is 2x the per person share price

Adventure Options

  • Paddling – included in the voyage cost. Guests may have the chance to paddle once, conditions permitting.

Availability & prices are subject to change at anytime. Please contact us for the real time availability & prices.

Cabin Descriptions

Category 7

#215, 219, 230 — Newly renovated in May 2023, each large suite has a private balcony, two single beds that can be converted into a queen, and a sofa bed that can be converted into a triple. There is a seating area with a writing desk, coffee table with sitting chair, and a small table. Suites feature a double closet, TV, mini bar, and espresso maker. Bathrooms are generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall.

Category 6

Veranda Deck, #101-102 — Newly renovated in May 2023, each spacious suite has two single beds that can be converted into a queen, a sofa-bed that can be converted into a triple, a writing desk, double closet, chairs, three large windows, TV, mini bar, and espresso maker. Bathrooms are generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall. Upper Deck, #213 — Newly renovated in May 2023, this spacious suite has a private balcony with glass doors, two single beds that can be converted into a queen, a writing desk, double closet, armchairs, TV, mini bar, and espresso maker. Bathrooms are generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall. Guests receive a welcome amenity, complimentary laundry, and priority access to one spa appointment per departure.

Category 5

#209, 211, 214, 216, 218, 220-222, 224 — Cabins feature a balcony with sliding glass doors, one queen-sized bed, writing desk, floor length mirror, reading lamps, private bathrooms with a glass-wall shower, and a TV. (Cabin 221 has two single beds that can convert to a queen.)

Category 4

Veranda Deck #103-104, 107-108 — Cabins feature two single beds than can convert into a queen. They have a writing desk, floor length mirror, reading lamps, sitting chair, private bathrooms with a glass-wall shower, and a TV. Upper Deck #201-202, 204-207, 210, 212, 217, 226, 228 — Cabins feature two single beds than can convert into a queen (cabins 217, 226 & 228 have a queen bed only). They have a writing desk, floor length mirror, reading lamps, sitting chair, private bathrooms with a glass-wall shower, and a TV.

Category 3

#313-316, 321-328, 337-340, 342, 344-350 — Cabins feature two single beds (can be converted to a queen-sized bed), one large window, a sitting chair, a small table, ample storage, writing desk with chair, floor length mirror, reading lamps, TV, and well-appointed bathrooms with a roomy glass-wall shower. #341 & 343 — newly renovated in May 2023, each L-shaped suite also has a sofa-bed that can be converted into a triple, double closet, espresso maker, and generously sized bathrooms.

Category 2

#317-320, 335-336 — Cabins feature two single beds (some can convert to a queen-sized bed), and one large window. They offer a writing desk, floor length mirror, reading lamps, sitting chair, well-appointed bathrooms with a roomy glass-wall shower, and a TV.

Category 1

#301-308 — Cabins feature one or two portholes. Cabins #301, 302, and 307 have two twin beds. Cabins #304-306 feature one queen-sized bed. Cabin #308 features two twin beds that can be converted to a queen. All cabins feature a writing desk, floor length mirror, reading lamps, well-appointed bathrooms with a roomy glass-wall shower, and a TV.

Category A Solo

#309-311, 329-334 — These cabins feature one single bed and a large window, a writing desk, reading lamp, bathroom with a roomy glass-wall shower stall, and a TV.

Category B Solo

Veranda Deck: #105-106; Upper Deck: #203, 208 — These cabins feature one single bed and a large window, a writing desk, reading lamp, bathroom with a roomy glass-walled shower stall, and a TV.

Deck Plan

National Geographic Explorer deck plan

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions: 

  • All accommodations aboard ship or in hotels per itinerary
  • All meals as indicated in the itinerary, both aboard and onshore
  • Beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits aboard the ship (except certain super premium brands which are available for purchase)
  • Hors d’oeuvres, 24-hour access to snacks, premium coffees and teas, non-alcoholic beverages, and filtered water
  • Excursions and airport transfers to and from recommended flights, as indicated in the itinerary
  • Crew gratuities
  • Exploration tools curated to destination, such as Zodiacs, kayaks, snowshoes and cross-country skis
  • Guidance and company of our leading expedition staff
  • Assistance by the National Geographic Photography Expert and Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor
  • Access to the OM System Photo Gear Locker
  • Presentations by expedition staff and expert guest speakers.
  • Complimentary reusable water bottle
  • Services of a physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or paramedic
  • Morning stretch classes and 24-hour access to exercise equipment
  • 24-hour access to lounges, observation decks, library, and other shared spaces
  • Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes. Unused services or items included in our programs are non-refundable
 

Exclusions: 

  • Airfare (except flights when indicated as included)
  • Pre- and post-expedition extensions
  • Additional hotel nights (except when indicated as included)
  • Private transfers
  • Laundry, spa treatments, Wi-Fi, and phone services (except when indicated as included)
  • Travel protection plans
  • Passport, visa, and immigration fees