Arctic tundra of red, orange, gold & bright green under a misty blue sky, seen during the Iceland & Greenland: Edge of the Arctic Cruise.
Lindblad Expeditions guests standing at Dynjandi waterfall, also known as Fjallfoss, Westfjords of Iceland.
A guest takes photographs at Sunrise from the ship National Geographic Endurance, Northeast Greenland National Park, Greenland
Black Zodiac boat with Greenland travelers in colorful jackets cruises past a large iceberg with a circle cut out.
Town of Sisimut, Greenland, on a clear day, with light blue church with red roof, steeple & white trim, beside a red & green building.
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Polar Regions Arctic Cruise

Iceland & Greenland: Edge of the Arctic Cruise

Trace the rugged coast of the world’s largest island. Follow the route of the legendary Viking Erik the Red, from Iceland’s magnificent Westfjords peninsula across the Denmark Strait to the ice-sculpted shores of Greenland. Search for walrus, whales and caribou, and use the ship’s exploration tools to discover the undersea. Visit archaeological sites of Viking and Thule settlements and learn about everyday life near the Arctic Circle in charming coastal villages from Flatey Island to Nuuk. 

Highlights are many on this Iceland & Greenland cruise. Hike the dramatic Dynjandi Waterfall in Iceland’s remote Westfjords peninsula, and visit a farm that produces eiderdown. Explore Hvalsey and Brattahlíð, 10th-century Viking settlements founded by Erik the Red and his family in Greenland, and see the incredible Qilakitsoq mummies, preserved by freezing temperatures for some 500 years. Cruise among the dazzling icebergs calved by the Ilulissat Icefjord and encounter impressive tidewater glaciers in West Greenland. And experience local culture through visits to fishing villages and longhouses, folk performances, and tasting tours of traditional Greenlandic and Icelandic foods.

The 138-guest National Geographic Resolution is a technologically advanced, fully stabilized ship equipped with a well-rounded set of exploration tools including an ROV and enough kayaks and Zodiacs to send all guests out exploring at the same time.

Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Arctic cruises, Arctic trips, Greenland cruises and Iceland cruises.



Itinerary

Iceland & Greenland: Edge of the Arctic Itinerary

This 18-day round-trip Reykjavik itinerary cruises along Iceland’s less-visited Westfjords before crossing to explore south and west Greenland. Complete the trip with a charter flight from Nuuk, Greenland back to Reykjavik for one final night.

Route map of Iceland & Greenland: Edge of the Arctic Cruise sailing Baffin Bay from Reykjavik, Iceland to Nuuk, Greenland, ending with a flight back to Reykjavik.
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Day 1
Arrive Reykjavik, Explore & Embark

Arrive in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, which lies just below the Arctic Circle. Transfer from the airport and enjoy a panoramic overview of the Old Town, including Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral with its 210-foot tower, before embarking the ship in the afternoon.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

lunch, dinner

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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 and hike across hiking trails that trace the path past seasonal puffin population on the cliffs.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 3 - 4
Westfjords

Explore the beautiful and peaceful Westfjords region of Iceland. Enjoy a hike to a remote waterfall, a Zodiac cruise alongside stunning scenery, or bike along the coast of the Westfjords. Enter Ísafjarðardjúp and land at Vigur Island to visit the eider farm and learn about the down cleaning process. Get to know the capital of the Westfjords, Isafjordur, through a walking tour complete with local sights, sounds and tastes.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 5
Crossing the Denmark Strait

Sail away from the Westfjords of Iceland and across the Denmark Strait, which connects the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean. The Strait is home to the world’s largest waterfall, caused by powerful currents and glaciers. Listen to talks by onboard experts, relax with a book in the lounge or the observation deck, and keep an eye out for wildlife as you sail across the continental shelf.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 6
Exploring East Greenland

The coast of the world’s largest island is etched with thousands of fjords, some of which reach back to the Greenlandic ice sheet. Spend the day exploring these stunning inlets of the eastern coast, using the ship’s underwater cameras and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to discover marine life and fascinating underwater geology. Ice permitting, sail deep into Skjoldungen fjord and soak in your arrival to Greenland on a Zodiac cruise or in a kayak among the icebergs.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 7
Prins Christian Sund & Tasermiut Fjord

Sail into Prins Christian Sund, which cuts into the southern tip of Greenland, passing between soaring pinnacles and glaciers, allowing your ship to sail through the sheltered waters of this dramatic landscape. As you round the southern coast of Greenland, enter Tasermiut Fjord, known as Arctic Patagonia for its sheer granite rock faces and dramatic valley filled with glaciers or their moraines. Spend time exploring by foot, kayak, or Zodiac along its shores.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 8 - 9
Qaqortoq & Tunuliarflik Fjord

Qaqortoq and Tunulliarflik Fjord provide 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 captial 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 1700s. 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 and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 10
Nuuk

Perched on the seaside in the shadow of ice-capped Sermitsiaq Mountain, Nuuk is the world’s smallest capital city by population, with some 18,000 inhabitants. Watch for harp seals as we enter the harbor and take a walking tour with local residents to learn how the community has changed over the generations. At the National Museum, examine the extraordinary 15th-century Qilakitsoq mummies found near Uummannaq—a discovery that was featured in a National Geographic magazine cover story in 1985. The Arctic ice preserved these mummies so well that researchers have been able to study their tattoos, their medical conditions and even what they ate.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 11
Evighed Fjord

In the early morning, the ship enters Evighed Fjord, which winds picturesquely past steep mountains and stunning tidewater glaciers. Take a Zodiac cruise along the face of one of the many glaciers or hike over glacial moraines to a waterfall. In the afternoon, visit the small fishing community of Kangaamiut. Climb the small mountain behind the village to take in the views or walk through the village and photograph the colorful houses clustered on the seaside slope.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 12
Sisimut

Upon arrival to Sisimiut, a former whaling port, enjoy your choice of guided walks through the sights and sounds of the village, including a meeting with the caretakers of the Greenlandic Dog Project, or hiking part of the Arctic Circle trail. In your free time, enjoy a local food tasting, visit the open-air museum, or explore the local artisan workshops.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 13 - 14
Ilulissat & Disko Bay

Sail into Qeqertarsuup Tunua, also known as Disko Bay, and be welcomed by floating icebergs calved off the world’s most active glacier, Sermeq Kujalleq. Enjoy an extraordinary cruise aboard local boats among towering icebergs of the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Ilulissat Icefjord. Visit the town of Ilulissat and hike into the Sermermiut Valley, once an Inuit settlement and now home to a peaceful boardwalk overlooking the Icefjord. As you make your way north through Disko Bay, if ice conditions permit, follow the inside passage of Disko Island and trace the shores of the Nuussuaq Peninsula as you keep watch for a glimpse of the Greenlandic Ice Sheet.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 15
Uummannaq & Qilakitsoq

The village of Uummannaq sits on a tiny, yet dramatic island in the Uummannaq Fjord, dominated by a massive peak rising at its center. Visit the town’s excellent community museum to see traditional clothing and tools along with scenes of everyday life on these islands and enjoy a stroll through the streets of this northern outpost.

In the afternoon, with special village permissions, cross the fjord to the site of Qilakitsoq, an important archaeological site for Greenlanders, where eight mummies, dating back to 1475, were discovered in 1972. These eight individuals, all extraordinarily well-preserved women and children, were Thule people, the ancestors of the modern Inuit and were featured on the cover of the February 1985 issue of National Geographic magazine. For the adventurous hikers, make your own respectful journey up to the final resting place of these ancestors.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 16
Exploring Greenland's Fjords

Sail along Greenland’s fjords and look for Arctic foxes, whales, and—with luck—caribou. Paddle a kayak along the steep sides of the fjord or ride a Zodiac to see the glacially carved landscape up close.

Accommodations

National Geographic Resolution

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 17 - 18
Disembark Nuuk, Greenland, Fly to Reykjavik, Iceland, Overnight & Depart

Arrive in the capital city of Greenland, Nuuk. Disembark and take a charter flight back to Iceland, and check into the group hotel near the airport for an included overnight stay. In the morning, transfer to the airport for flights home.

Accommodations

Hotel TBA (day 17); n/a (day 18)

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner (day 17); n/a (day 18)

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Expedition parka to keep; all accommodations; meals as indicated; beer, wine & full bar; excursions; services of expedition leader, naturalist staff and expert guides; use of kayaks; entrance fees; all port charges and service taxes; basic WiFi (enhanced and premium packages available for purchase). Gratuities for all departures of National Geographic Explorer, Orion, Endurance, Resolution, Sea Cloud, Jahan and Lord of the Glens.

Exclusions

One-way charter flight from Nuuk, Greenland, to Reykjavik, Iceland (your Adventure Specialist can confirm pricing); passport; visa; immigration fees; air transportation; extensions; meals not indicated; reserve wines & premium spirits; gratuities for all departures of Delfin II, Endeavour II, Islander II, Venture, Quest, Sea Bird and Sea Lion;; personal items such as emails, laundry, voyage DVD, etc.; and insurance of any kind.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 15% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 120 days before the departure date. Special payment terms apply for groups of 8 or more; inquire for details. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
120 or more days – 100% of deposit**
119 to 90 days – 50% of total trip cost
89 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost
**Advance payments will be credited in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate, valid for 12 months from the date of cancellation, and which may only be applied towards final payment on any future booking.

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The Iceland & Greenland: Edge of the Arctic cruise begins and ends in Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF). Plan flights to arrive to Reykjavik by 10:00am on Day 1 of the itinerary. Disembarkation in Nuuk, Greenland, is after breakfast on Day 17 of the outlined itinerary, followed by a charter flight to Reykjavik, Iceland. Plan flights to depart Reykjavik anytime on the final day. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Internal Flights

A group charter flight between Nuuk, Greenland, and Reykjavik, Iceland, is required on this trip’s itinerary; see this trip’s Exclusions. There is a strict luggage limit of two checked bags weighing up to 57 lbs (25 kg) combined, and one carry-on bag weighing up to 17 lbs (8 kg) plus a personal item that can be stowed under the seat.

Activities

Activities included aboard this expedition include Zodiac cruises, hiking and kayaking. Other activities may include yoga and stretching, land treks, photography, glacier viewing and wildlife observation.

Room Configuration

In addition to listed Solo cabin rates, select double-occupancy cabins may be available for single occupancy with a single supplement fee. If you would like to share accommodations with another guest of the same gender, we will be happy to try to accommodate you in select cabin categories. This program allows you to pay the per person double-occupancy rate whether or not a roommate is found. Contact AdventureSmith for further details and availability.

Families & Children

Children under the age of 18 are eligible for $500 off the double occupancy rate. Skilled staff members trained with National Geographic Education organize activities that inspire curiosity in young people of all ages. Programming for kids may include activities like photo workshops, journaling, scavenger hunts, Zodiac-driving lessons, hands-on nature and science programming and kid-friendly menu options.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditionswildlife encountered and the captain’s discretion. Flexibility is the key to the success of any Arctic expedition.

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

Rates are variable per remaining availability and are subject to change.

Jul 20 - Aug 06, 2025
National Geographic Resolution • 18 days
From $21237USD
Per Person
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Jul 14 - Jul 31, 2026
National Geographic Resolution • 18 days
From $21444USD
Per Person
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Accommodation

Learn About the Small Ship on Your Itinerary

Expedition Ship
National Geographic Resolution

The 138-guest National Geographic Resolution is one of the newest additions to the National Geographic fleet. This expedition ship is specifically designed for stability, efficiency, scholarship and long-range exploration in the polar regions.

Deals

Current Deals on This Trip

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Expert Review

Ship Reviews From Our Experts So You Know What To Expect

Todd Smith • June 17th, 2022
Expert Aboard: National Geographic Resolution & Endurance Ship Review

AdventureSmith's founder writes this firsthand review of the National Geographic Resolution & Endurance. Learn what makes these the best-in-class, next-generation expedition ships, from X-Bow design to on-deck igloos.

Book with the confidence that comes from experience.

100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip.

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Iceland & Greenland: Edge of the Arctic Cruise