By: Mary Alys Foutz, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent
When you hear Iceland and Greenland, you probably think “bucket list” and you’re not wrong! My family recently sailed aboard the National Geographic Explorer on an eight-day Iceland and Greenland expedition cruise with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions to visit the Arctic Edges: Iceland Westfjords to East Greenland. This itinerary offered us the chance to visit some of the most remote and rarely visited places in the world, and I cannot wait to share it with you!
When we arrived in Reykjavik, Iceland, we were excited to board the National Geographic Explorer. After we got settled into our rooms and went over safety briefings, we met our National Geographic Lindblad team. One of the first things we learned was that our itinerary was shifting from the original plan of Iceland to Greenland and changing to Greenland followed by Iceland. Why you may ask? Weather!
One of the unique (and wonderful) features of a National Geographic Lindblad Expedition is that it is truly tailored to the current conditions. So instead of exploring the Westfjords of Iceland first, we crossed the Denmark Strait to reach East Greenland. Because of this shift in plans, we had the most gorgeous day at sea in Greenland where we got to take out the zodiacs for the first time. It was truly magically being among the sea ice and icebergs on such a sunny, calm day.
Not to be overlooked, the puffins of Drangey Island were also a special highlight of the week! Thanks to good weather and midnight sun, we were able to venture onto this uninhabited, 600-foot volcanic island for a midnight hike. Only accessible by boat, arriving at Dragney Island is surreal, like something out of Jurassic Park! Drangey is a haven for seabirds— puffins, guillemots, and fulmars. There were thousands of nests all around us and we couldn’t take one step without a bird sighting! The top of the island is a beautiful plateau where you can literally get a birds eye view of the ocean and bluffs beneath you. Though the hike was strenuous and scary at times, my family felt so accomplished to make it to the top and we all agreed that it was totally worth it!
Below I’ve listed our full itinerary in the order we took it. I won’t go into every detail of every location or expedition because there is simply too much to share, but I will tell you that not one experience disappointed us.
Day 1: Reykjavik, Iceland
Day 2: Day at Sea crossing the Denmark Strait
Day 3: Day at Sea, East Greenland
Day 4: Skagafjörður, Iceland
Day 5: Djúpavík, Iceland
Day 6: Ísafjarðardjúp, Iceland
Day 7: Bíldudalur, Iceland
Day 8: Reykjavik, Iceland
At the core of all National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions are the expeditions. They are the adventures, hikes, and tours that await at every stop. The neat part about your itinerary is that most of it is vague when you book it. That is intentional. Each expedition is curated to the current weather conditions. Even day-to-day on the ship, we knew where we were going but some parts of the day were left as surprises. The team did a great job of building anticipation, and in doing so did not over promise nor under-deliver.
Take a look at some of our adventures:
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions also offer a unique opportunity to encounter wildlife. The whole ship really gets involved whenever an animal is spotted! During our weeklong expedition, we saw:
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions venture far beyond the typical tourist paths-- they dive deep into the culture, history, landscapes, and wildlife that make each place so special. These expeditions provide opportunities that very few people ever get to experience.
If you’re wondering if a National Geographic-Lindblad Expedition to Iceland and Greenland (or anywhere else for that matter) is a good fit for you, consider what’s important to you. It’s for you if you love…
Photographers in particular will absolutely love this type of travel. One of the coolest parts of sailing with National Geographic-Lindblad is having photography experts onboard. They don't just give presentations; they're out on excursions with you, offering tips, answering questions, and helping you capture the best shots. They truly want to make sure you capture the memories you want to take home with you, no matter your level of skill.
Overall the National Geographic-Lindblad Expedition for the Arctic Edges: Iceland Westfjords to East Greenland is an incredible experience. It’s ideal for adventure seekers, nature lovers, photographers, and families with older children who enjoy active travel and want to experience destinations in a deeper, more meaningful way. I would sail this itinerary again in a heartbeat!
Want to learn if an expedition cruise is right for you? Contact Marvelous Mouse Travels and let’s start planning your next adventure.
