ICELAND’S WILD WEST COAST TO EAST GREENLAND
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12 DAYS
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Reykjavik, Iceland | Explore this beautiful city before embarking |
| Day 2 | Látrabjarg & Flatey Island, Iceland | See the Látrabjarg cliffs and charming Flatey Island |
| Day 3 | Exploring the Westfjords | Explore this remote region backed by majestic cliffs |
| Day 4 | Crossing the Denmark Strait | This strait is where the cold east Greenland current carries ice south |
| Days 5 - 11 | Scoresbysund and North East Greenland | Filled with wildlife and beautiful scenery |
| Day 12 | Reykjavik, Iceland | Disembark in Reykjavik |
SHIP OFFERING THIS ITINERARY
National Geographic Endurance
Launching in 2020, the National Geographic Endurance is a next-generation expedition ship, purpose built for polar navigation. The Category A vessel is a fully stabilized, highly strengthened ship designed to navigate polar-passages and uncharted waters all year round. Designed to provide an extremely smooth ride in even the most adverse of conditions, reduced spray on deck and wave-splicing action making for superior observation.
Day 1 Reykjavik, Iceland
Welcome to Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland and starting point of your expedition. After arriving feel free to explore this fascinating city at your leisure. Reykjavík is home to a wealth of cultural institutions including museums, galleries, and the Hallgrímskirkja church. Embark on the National Geographic Endurance in the afternoon.
Day 2 Látrabjarg and Flatey Island
Explore Iceland’s wild western frontier. See the immense Látrabjarg cliffs, with a huge population of razorbills. Visit charming Flatey Island, a trading post for centuries, for walks around the 19th-century hamlet. Zodiac cruise the coast and see where Erik the Red sailed from in the year 982 A.D. bound for Greenland.
Day 3 Westfjords
Just south of the Arctic Circle, the Westfjords region is a remote area backed by majestic cliffs. Hike with the on board botanist or birder through a wildflower-filled meadow, kayak quiet coves, or hop aboard a Zodiac. Join a photo hike with a National Geographic photographer and soak up the legendary scenery.
Day 4 Crossing the Denmark Strait
Cross the Denmark Strait, where the cold east Greenland current carries the ice south. Enjoy presentations and searching for seabirds including fulmars, kittiwakes, and terns—and possibly seals and humpback whales. The attentive staff will be on the lookout for northern lights displays at this time of year.
Days 5-11 Scoresbysund and North East Greenland
Roughly 80% of the surface of Greenland, the Greenland ice sheet is the second largest body of ice in the world. Weather and ice will dictate your exact route, but expect to explore well north of Scoresbysund, in the largest national park in the world –Northeast Greenland National Park. Being the end of summer, the ice will have retreated as far as it ever does, allowing you to explore the fjords, bays, nooks and crannies of this stunning coastline. We hope to see the iconic arctic wildlife: polar bears, seals and whales. And the northern lights will be on show every night, conditions permitting. The ship will set a course for Scoresbysund, the largest and longest fjord system on earth, with a native village at its entrance.
Day 12 Reykjavik, Iceland
Disembark where you began your journey and enjoy all that Reykjavik has to offer. Soak in the Blue Lagoon’s geothermal waters before you head off to your next adventure.