Arctic 2017 by Lindblad Expeditions

NORTH IS THE COMPASS SETTING: HEREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WHY

ABOARD NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER & NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION | 2017

Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic have joined forces to further inspire the world through expedition travel. Our collaboration in exploration, research, technology and conservation will provide extraordinary travel experiences and disseminate geographic knowledge around the globe.

DEAR TRAVELER, In my opinion the most interesting places in the world from May through September are in the North latitudes. The Arctic and the sub-Arctic explode with summer life, shaking off the harshness of winter for a time of renewal. The birds, the bears, the flowers and the people are all in full bloom, so to speak, taking advantage of this brief, intense time of bounty. Like other great ecosystems—the Serengeti, the Antarctic, Yellowstone—the Arctic is dynamic with constant movement and change. The driving force in the north is ice—where it forms, how much there is, how thick it is. Ice rules and dictates the tempo of dynamism. Ice is also unpredictable, more so these days than ever, so a deep understanding of its relevance is absolutely critical for taking full advantage of the wonders this region offers. Fortunately, we have decades of experience with ice. Our teams on both the National Geographic Explorer and Orion know, love and respect the ice and its creatures. Our ships move with the season, navigating their way from the south through Norway up to Svalbard, the Norwegian Arctic. Then, on to Iceland and later in the season to Greenland, the Canadian Arctic and finally to Newfoundland and Labrador. There is nothing random about this migration; it’s purposeful and mindful of the elements and the myriad opportunities for discovery that come from being in the right place at the right time. So, for the wildlife enthusiast, the photographer, the lover of serenity and wild landscapes, even the anthropologist, in you, there is much to consider in the North. I hope we will have the pleasure of bringing you to this grand part of our world. All the best,

Sven-Olof Lindblad Cover: Polar bear on ice, Svalbard. This page: National Geographic Explorer in the pack ice, Baffin Island, Canada. © Ralph Lee Hopkins.

2017 ARCTIC ITINERARIES

LLE

SL EI

Land of the Ice Bears: An In-Depth Exploration of Arctic Svalbard............................................... 24 Norway’s Fjords and Arctic Svalbard..................................... 26

80° NORTH

Svalbard, Iceland & Greenland’s East Coast......................... 28 A Circumnavigation of Iceland............................................... 32 Iceland’s Wild West Coast to East Greenland ....................... 34 Nordic Passages: Shetlands, Orkney, Faroes, and Iceland... 36

Qaanaaq

Iceland & Greenland: Viking Legends and Wild Fjords......... 40 Epic 80°N: Exploring Greenland, Baffin & Ellsemere Islands.... 44 Exploring Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic............. 46

Baffin Bay

DEVON ISLAND

The Canadian Maritimes........................................................50 Lancaster Sound

Our route in the Arctic is flexible and completely ice and weather dependent.

Bylot Island

Pond Inlet

Qilakitsoq

ISL

Ilulissat

Kangerlussuaq

Qikiqtarjuaq ARCTIC CIRCLE

Sisimiut

NUNAVUT

ds Iqaluit on St r a it

Davis Strait

H Pe all nin s

Nuuk

ula

Qaqortoq Brattahild

W NE D

L’Anse aux Meadows

CANADA

Labrador Sea

OR AD

NOVA SCOTIA

Gros Morne National Park Îles de la Madeleine Baddeck

St. John’s St.–Pierre and Miquelon (Fr.)

Louisbourg

Nordaustlandet

Spitsbergen

Svalbard Longyearbyen

GREENLAND (KALAALLIT NUNAAT)

Greenland Sea

Edgeøya

Barents Sea Bear Island

North Cape

Scoresbysund

Tromsø

Reykjavík Skjoldungen Fjord

Prins Christian Sund Nanortalik

Atlantic Ocean

ICELAND

Surtsey Island

Langanes Peninsula Lake Mývatn

Djúpivogur Heimaey Island

nds

Húsavík

jor dla

Grímsey Akureyri Ísafjördur Flatey Is.

Nordfjord

Faroe Islands Bergen

NO RW AY SW ED EN

kS tra

Lofoten Islands

Oslo

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WHY THE ARCTIC? The Arctic is one of the coolest places on the planet to explore, and by that we mean interesting, not chilly. From about 46ºN to 80ºN, the diverse latitudes in Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Svalbard are profoundly beautiful, meaningful regions of the planet. We find these latitudes so compelling that, like the Arctic Tern, innumerable seabirds, and whales, we migrate north each summer. National Geographic Explorer is based there full-time in peak season, and National Geographic Orion is dedicated to exploring Iceland from June to August. The following pages showcase the facets of the Arctic—the landscape, the wildlife, the people—that make it so compelling. As you browse it, looking for the latitudes that speak to you, consider this: we have the decades of expedition experience here that ensure you a superb experience. Seeing the Arctic is the key to understanding the Arctic and the important information about climate change it holds for us. And being there, in the peak season in which we explore, is about as fine a way to be cool in summer as any citizen explorer could want. IN MAY 2016 EXPEDITION LEADER LISA KELLEY ATTENDED THE ARCTIC CIRCLE FORUM AS THE OFFICIAL LINDBLAD DELEGATE. FIND HER REPORT ON THIS IMPORTANT ORGANIZATION AND HER ROLE AS A FORUM PARTICIPANT ON PAGE 17.

Clockwise from left: The magic light of twilight extends for hours as the sun nears the horizon but never sets; a humpback whale feeding off Newfoundland and Labrador; polar bears are the region’s apex predators with nothing to fear, which is why they’ll sometimes approach our ship out of curiosity. 5 WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM 5

WHAT WE COME NORTH FOR

Curious polar bear, Svalbard.

TO SEE THE MOST STUNNING LANDSCAPES ON EARTH From Greenland’s massive ice sheet to the sylvan splendors of Gros Morne National Park, the topographies of the north are supremely rewarding. Experience the wonder of macro photography on a tundra blooming with miniature wildflowers. Hike the rounded ridges of windscoured rock in Svalbard, or stand on the bow as our ship pauses to receive the curious advances of a polar bear. Exult at the scale and wonder of ‘big ice,’ or observe a flotilla of calved bergs on their magisterial drift south. And feel a connection with Vikings who roamed and explored, only to find home and a life of farming, in the Arctic.

Near constant daylight causes a short, robust growing season.

TO LEARN ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE

Abraham Kunnuck from Pond Inlet.

There are four million people who call the Arctic home, and their understanding of the land is irreplaceable. Up north, you may find wisdom, adventure, family or community, and you will certainly find diversity. Arctic people are hunters, herders, miners, farmers, entrepreneurs, travelers and everything in between. The stories here will challenge your expectations. Change is upon all of us, and that change feels even more present up north. In that sense, northerners are leaders on the path to the future. Listen and learn.

TO SEE THE SURGE OF WILDLIFE IN THE COMET-LIKE ARCTIC SUMMER We go to find polar bears, seals, caribou, walruses, narwhals, musk oxen, puffins, and countless other bird species—and we are always rewarded with remarkable sightings. And we go for something else—even more evanescent, as Barry Lopez describes in Arctic Dreams. “The animals in the Arctic…come north in staggering numbers, travel hundreds even thousands of miles to be here during those few weeks when life swirls in the water and on the tundra and in the balmy air…you can feel the land filling up, feel something physical rising in it under the influence of the light, an embrace or exultation.”

Kitiwakes in flight, Svalbard.

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CELEBRATE OUR 50TH: RECEIVE

E A COMPLIMENTARY COPY

Book any Arctic voyage with us this season, and you’ll receive a complimentary copy of our new book by Sven Lindblad, published by Rizzoli. Featuring photos from many of the world’s finest nature photographers, THE ARCTIC is a beautifully designed book, and a handsome addition to any library. It celebrates the region’s beauty, while simultaneously inspiring readers to save this distant world that affects us in countless ways. To further whet your appetite for your Arctic adventures ahead, we’ll ship your copy to you prior to departure.

When Lars-Eric Lindblad took the first group of citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966 he invented the category of expedition travel. This pioneering voyage, plus his commitment to introducing curious, intelligent travelers to the planet’s wondrous places, and seeking to preserve them, is our legacy. We’re celebrating our 50th aboard every ship in the Lindblad-National Geographic fleet this season, and hope you’ll join us.

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MEET THE NORTH— ONE Jennifer Kingsley (above) is an award-winning writer, radio producer and naturalist. She is the author of Paddlenorth: Adventure, Resilience, and Renewal in the Arctic Wild, which won the National Outdoor Book Award in 2015. Her audio documentaries have aired around the world. The Arctic is making headlines. Most often, those headlines tell us about climate change or resource development or sovereignty. We read the news, and we learn the issues, yet we know the headlines are only part of the story. I wanted to see what else I could find. At the beginning of 2015, Lindblad ExpeditionsNational Geographic brought me in as their Field Correspondent. By including a journalist in our

community of curious, engaged travelers, we could broaden our participation in global conversations about place, culture and conservation. My job was to explore the world’s geography through stories, starting at the top of the world. I created a project called Meet the North, which is about getting past the headlines and sharing stories from some of the four million people who call the Arctic home. The method is simple: I arrive in Iceland, Svalbard, Greenland, or beyond, and I invite each person I meet to introduce me to someone else. These leads help me learn about the social fabric of each new place; it’s life in the Arctic, one introduction at a time, and it gives me one of travel’s most powerful gifts: the unexpected. I embarked on this expedition alone, but I wasn’t alone for long. Locals in Svalbard brought me in from the cold to find music at the heart of the community. In Iceland, I drove past glaciers and thermal pools to spend time with dairy farmers. New friends

Top row above, left to right: Alfreð Þoroffson and his wife, Dalvík, Iceland; the community of Pond Inlet, Nunavut welcomes the Stanley Cup; Joanna Innualuk-Kunnuk at the community hall in Pond Inlet, Nunavut; Guðbjörg Finnbogadóttir shows off the canyon in her backyard, southwestern Iceland. Below: Thomas Panipakoocho plays in the snow.

LIFE IN THE ARCTIC, INTRODUCTION AT A TIME in Greenland fed me both dried capelin and Danish pastries at a special birthday party.

to it ever since (square dance, sheep farm, tea time, hockey fans).

I’ve made some of these journeys with Eric Guth, a Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor, whose images showcase the beauty and diversity of northern culture. This spring, we spent five weeks living with a family in Pond Inlet, a Canadian Inuit community at 72 degrees north. We traveled by skidoo onto the sea ice, learned about hunting, and listened to stories about the land. But we also hung out at the coffee shop, helped out at the flea market, and skated at the hockey rink.

Meet the North has been a journey from what is the Arctic to who is the Arctic. It’s about following one true thread around the north and inviting others to do the same. Lindblad’s support demonstrates their understanding that exploration takes many forms. There are many ways to inspire people about the planet, and there is always a next chapter.

I began with one vocabulary of the north (Inuit, iceberg, polar bear, tundra), and I’ve been adding

Meet the North through our field correspondent Jennifer Kingsley. Read stories at meetthenorth.org, on Instagram @meeththenorth, and find additional stories by Jennifer at ArcticDeeply.org. Plus TRAVEL WITH HER ON SELECT ARCTIC EXPEDITIONS IN 2017.

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21ST CENTURY EXPLORATION AT ITS FINEST It’s not simply where National Geographic Explorer and Orion go that makes traveling aboard so rewarding, it’s how they voyage— with a fleet of Zodiacs, kayaks and other exploration tools that enable you to actively, personally explore. Whether she roves the higher latitudes (Explorer), or racks focus on a region (Orion) our expedition ships bring you deeper inside geographies, where there is no infrastructure but much wonder. Aboard National Geographic Explorer and Orion, no one is a sightseer; every individual is herself or himself an explorer, actively engaged in discovering the world for the very first time.

Clockwise from upper left: The staff quickly deploys Zodiacs to get you out exploring at a moment’s notice; our proprietary kayak launching platform makes it easy to climb in and start paddling—no experience necessary; hikes are offered at a variety of activity levels to accommodate all guests; National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Orion are equipped with an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) capable of exploring depths up to 1,000 feet, providing footage to view in the dry warmth and comfort of the lounge; guests exploring by Zodiac don’t have to worry about getting wet with this floating bridge.

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ENJOY AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK AT THE ARCTIC UNDERSEA National Geographic Explorer and Orion are uniquely equipped with an undersea specialist/diver, undersea video technology and ROVs capable of exploring depths of up to 1,000 feet, to provide you with an unparalleled opportunity to peer beneath the polar surface. Our undersea specialists have recorded polar species top marine biologists have never seen before. As a result, you’re able to see a complex geography like the Arctic in a more holistic way. In addition, both Explorer’s and Orion’s interiors feature inspirational “Ocean” photo and video displays by top National Geographic photographers—to reinforce our vital connection to the world’s ocean, even as you travel among the inspiring places it connects.

This page: Its image mirrored in icy water, a polar bear swims submerged, Svalbard. Opposite page: Our ROV explores regions never before seen by humans.

SHARE THE ADVENTURE WITH ENGAGING EXPERTS Our expedition leaders, known as ELs to staff and guests alike, are outstanding individuals, leaders who attract and inspire the naturalists, marine biologists, geologists, glaciologists, historians, and undersea specialists who return each year, like migratory species, to their respective geographies on NG Explorer’s and NG Orion’s routes. They help us spot polar bears in the vast whiteness of the Arctic pack ice to deliver unprecedented observations, and experience the thrill of genuine discovery. Their commitment and passion will engage you, and their knowledge will illuminate the facets of all you’ll see and do during your expedition.

Clockwise from upper left: Certified photo instructor Eric Guth; naturalist Carl-Erik Kilander; expedition leader Lisa Kelley; naturalists Ian Strachan and Bud Lenhausen; certified photo instructor Michael S. Nolan.

THESE STAFF MEMBERS ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF OUR EXPEDITION TEAM. SEE WHICH EXPERT STAFF MEMBERS ARE ASSIGNED TO EACH EXPEDITION AT EXPEDITIONS.COM/EXPERTBIOS

ARCTIC CIRCLE UPDATE The non-profit, non-partisan Arctic Circle Assembly is designed to increase participation in Arctic dialogue and strengthen the international focus on the future of the Arctic. The annual Arctic Circle Assembly has become the largest international gathering on the Arctic, attended by more than 2,000 participants from 50 countries. The Assembly is held every October at the Harpa Conference Center and Conference Hall in Reykjavík, Iceland. In addition, the Arctic Circle organizes smaller forums on specific subjects. The May 2016 forum was held in Nuuk, Greenland. Our expedition leader, Lisa Kelley (at right) attended as the official Lindblad representative, and provided this report. Sven Lindblad is a member of the Arctic Council. The focus of the May Arctic Forum was on empowering the Inuit across the Arctic. The main questions asked were: How can we empower the Inuit to be more involved with the economic advancement of their communities? What can stakeholders (any one from governmental organizations to associated businesses) do to assist in this process? What do the different Inuit cultures feel/have to say? High North cultures from all the Arctic Nations attended. Forums were held over three days; I was in the tourism forum, and spoke on a broad topic—taking the ambassadorship route. Because many of the stakeholders, businesses especially, focused so much on their direct contacts, shipping agents and distributors, I took it upon myself to remind these stakeholders that tourism is part of all of their processes. Our company deals with shippers, suppliers, bunkering agents, airlines, and group logistics, as well as with the communities. It is so important to look at tourism as part of the entire process which happens in the Arctic, not just a side-piece. This definitely got some folks

thinking and nods from the audience. I prefaced my remarks by talking about climate change, and how the changes in the Arctic (and the Antarctic) filter down to the rest of the world: in Sven’s words “What happens in the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctic.” This may lead some people to conclude that we should stop going to the Arctic, but that will not change what is happening. And enabling intelligent people to understand what is happening is a vital part of the process. However, as regards travel, we do need to create a strategic plan involving all stakeholders, revolving around future sustainability and collaboration. We need to tread lightly while helping to build up the high north infrastructure by meeting basic needs: better housing, health care, education, and incentive for education—essential to the well-being of any community. Among the recommendations that came out of the forum were: hire Inuits for new jobs; establish education, as well as training and advancement programs; use local goods as much as possible. These issues need to be addressed in the Official Arctic Council setting. But everything is a small step, and raising awareness is key, and that was accomplished at this Forum. –LISA KELLEY

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AND BENEFIT FROM EXTRA INSIGHTS Our Global Perspectives guest speaker program pairs engaging and knowledgeable experts with fascinating Arctic geographies to enrich your experience, and add extra levels of insight to our expedition team’s expertise. Join us aboard National Geographic Explorer this season to adventure with:

PREMIER EVA AARIAK

DR. JOE MCCONNELL

Premier Eva Qamaniq Aariak is a Canadian politician and was the second Premier of Nunavut. Her background as Languages Commissioner in Nunavut provides connection and insight into the local language and culture. She is aboard Epic 80ºN Aug. 3, 2017.

Dr. Joe McConnell is an environmental and climate researcher at Nevada’s Desert Research Institute where he is Director of the Ultra-Trace Ice Core Chemistry Laboratory. He studies ancient air trapped in ice to map human climate impact. He is aboard Land of the Ice Bears Jun. 19, 2017.

PATRICIA SUTHERLAND

DR. JOE MACINNIS

Patricia Sutherland has explored the Aboriginal occupations of Arctic Canada, the art of the Dorset PalaeoEskimos, and the archaeology of 19th-century British Arctic exploration over more than three decades of archaeological research and fieldwork. She is aboard Epic 80ºN Aug. 3, 2017.

Deep sea pioneer and poet, he was the first person to explore the ocean under the North Pole and among the first to dive to the Titanic. He is aboard Svalbard, Iceland & Greenland’s East Coast Jun. 26, 2017.

TIM SEVERIN

FRANCES A. ULMER

Tim Severin has been testing early migration theories for over 20 years. His adventures include sailing a leather boat across the North Atlantic in the wake of St. Brendan and captaining an Arab sailing ship from Muscat to China to examine the origins of Sinbad the Sailor. He is aboard Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fjords May 16, 2017.

Frances A. Ulmer is the Chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, appointed by President Obama in 2011. In 2014, Secretary Kerry asked Ms. Ulmer to serve as a Special Advisor on Arctic Science and Policy. She has served as Chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage and was the mayor of Juneau for 18 years. She is aboard Land of the Ice Bears May 29, 2017.

ROBERT SIEGEL With 40 years of experience working in radio news, Robert Siegel is senior host of NPRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award-winning evening newsmagazine All Things Considered, reporting on stories all over the globe. He is aboard Canadian Maritimes Sep. 14, 2017.

National Geographic Explorer framed by iceberg, Greenland.

TAKE AN ARCTIC EXPEDITION & YOUR BEST PHOTOS EVER There is a top National Geographic photographer aboard every Arctic departure—glean tips, advice and more from top pros with significant careers. And get camera or smartphone assistance, and instruction in the basics from our Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor, too—our exclusive Expedition Photography puts these experts at your side and at your service. So, whether you think of yourself as a photographer or simply want to capture the moments, you’ll have a remarkably good time making and sharing images, and go home with great photos. LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM/PHOTO AND FIND BIOS FOR ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS AT WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM/NGPS

Guests photographing polar bears in Lancaster Sound, Nunavut.

A sample of National Geographic photographers that will be joining you: (left to right): Rich Reid, Tommy Heinrich, Jay Dickman, Erika Larsen, Michael Melford and Jim Richardson.

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POLAR BEARS: ICON OF THE ARCTIC The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, with its deep fjords, snowy mountains and vast tidewater glaciers, is one of the best places on Earth to see polar bears—wild, majestic and charismatic creatures with expressive eyes, massive bodies and improbably graceful movements among ice sheets and floes. Spotting a polar bear in the wild, a life-list item for many, is a chance for guests of all ages to experience, on a visceral level, the magnitude and singularity of the Arctic. To see frolicking cubs, or an adult stalking a seal or eyeing our ship with its trademark curiosity, makes an indelible impression, and provides an emotional context to the real fact that Arctic sea ice, the polar bear’s very lifeblood, is diminishing at an alarming rate. Over our three decades of Arctic exploration, we have learned an enormous amount about where to best find polar bears (as well as walruses, seals, reindeer and arctic foxes). Our ace spotters know how to approach the animals for optimum sightings, while maintaining both their comfort and our guests’ safety. Add Norway’s green fjord-carved coast to the ice of Svalbard for a perfect balance between the charmingly scenic and the spectacularly wild. Eager to venture beyond Svalbard into Iceland and Greenland, as well? Prepare to see wildlife on all three iconic Arctic islands, along with stunning geography, and a bit of enduring Arctic culture. Hike, kayak and Zodiac cruise along Iceland’s dramatic west coast. And travel confidently along the ice shelf of Greenland’s epic east coast aboard National Geographic Explorer, the ultimate ice ship. We’ll follow in the wake of 10th-century Viking explorers, as we watch for creatures of the ice, including white-tailed eagles and some 60 species of birds. All three itineraries provide unparalleled experiences of the authentic Arctic.

This page: A polar bear hunting on the pack ice of Svalbard. Inset: A curious polar bear approaches our ship.

LAND OF THE ICE BEARS: AN IN-DEPTH EXPLORATION OF ARCTIC SVALBARD 11 DAYS/9 NIGHTS—ABOARD NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER PRICES FROM: $10,220 to $18,890 (See pages 58-59 for complete prices.)

high Arctic archipelago situated between Norway and the North Pole, Svalbard is a place of deep fjords, snowcapped mountains, massive sheets of ice, and magnificent polar bears. Travel under the midnight sun aboard National Geographic Explorer, and experience nature in its purest form.

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS ▶▶ Search for the very symbol of the Arctic—polar bears—and observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, on the sea ice. ▶▶ Take naturalist-led walks, and cruise among beautiful icebergs in a Zodiac or a kayak. ▶▶ Experience the legendary midnight sun: the ethereal light of the northern summer, when the sun never sets. ▶▶ Watch for walruses, bearded and ringed seals, arctic foxes, and reindeer.

A mother polar bear with her two cubs. 24

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES GUEST SPEAKERS Frances A. Ulmer The Chair of the US Arctic Research Commission and a Special Advisor on Arctic Science and Policy. She has served as Chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage and was the mayor of Juneau for 18 years. She is aboard May 29, 2017. Dr. Joe McConnell An environmental and climate researcher at Nevada’s Desert Research Institute where he is Director of the Ultra-Trace Ice Core Chemistry Laboratory. He studies ancient air trapped in ice to map human climate impact. He is aboard Jun. 19, 2017.

DAYS 1 AND 2: U.S./OSLO, NORWAY Depart on an overnight flight to Oslo. Upon arrival, check into the Thon Hotel Bristol (or similar). Explore this charming city, stroll among the famed Vigeland sculptures—hundreds of life-size human figures set in terraced parkland. Visit the Fram Museum, dedicated to the wooden ship sailed by Norwegian explorers Nansen and Amundsen.

kayak among sparkling icebergs, and explore fjords that split the coastline. Hike through miniature gardens blooming on the tundra; and search the edge of the pack ice for polar bears, walruses, seals, reindeer, and arctic foxes. Svalbard is one of the best places on the planet to observe majestic polar bears in their natural habitat. (B,L,D)

SVALBARD Barents Sea

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DAY 3: OSLO/LONGYEARBYEN/ EMBARK Depart Oslo on a charter flight, and enjoy breathtaking vistas en route to Longyearbyen. Embark National Geographic Explorer, your base for the next six days. (B,L,D) DAYS 4–9: EXPLORING SVALBARD This voyage is undertaken in the spirit of discovery, and our travel in the archipelago is exploratory by design. In a region ruled not by humans but by polar bears, we let nature guide our course. Svalbard lies north of the Arctic Circle, where the summer midnight sun never sets. With our fully stabilized ice-class expedition ship, we are able to probe the ice in search of wildlife; our exact day-to-day itinerary remains flexible, depending on local ice and weather conditions. Zodiacs and kayaks take us closer to experience the region’s geologic features and the wildlife that flourishes during the summer months. With our National Geographic photographer and a seasoned naturalist staff, venture to the foot of vast tidewater glaciers,

Longyearbyen

slo mO Fro To/

ARCTIC

Norway

EXPEDITION DETAILS DATES: 2017 May 29; Jun. 5, 12, 19 OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS Add a five-day pre-voyage extension to Norway’s Fjords, or a four-day post-voyage extension to Iceland’s Natural Wonders. See page 52.

A reindeer lopes along the tundra. DAY 10: LONGYEARBYEN/ DISEMBARK/OSLO In Longyearbyen, the largest settlement in Svalbard, disembark and enjoy time to explore. Founded by an American coal executive in 1906, this is one of the northernmost human settlements on Earth. Fly back to Oslo and overnight at the SAS Radisson Blu Airport Hotel. (B,L) DAY 11: OSLO/U.S. (B)

SPECIAL OFFER: Travel on this voyage and we will cover your bar tab and tips for the crew. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHERS Join Massimo Bassano Jun. 5 & 12, 2017. Massimo has photographed for National Geographic Traveler magazine and taught numerous photography workshops. Travel with Pulitzer Prizewinning photographer Jay Dickman, May 29, 2017 and climbing legend Tommy Heinrich Jun. 19, 2017. Learn more at expeditions.com/photo

Kayakers off Svalbard’s pristine coast.

Walrus close-up.

LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM/BEAR

NORWAY’S FJORDS AND ARCTIC SVALBARD 17 DAYS/15 NIGHTS—ABOARD NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES GUEST SPEAKER

PRICES FROM: $16,570 TO $30,300 (See pages 58-59 for complete pricing)

Tim Severin An explorer and author who has retraced the routes of migration from Jason and the Argonauts to the descendants of Genghis Khan. He has written about Norse culture in VIKING, Odinn’s Child. He is aboard in 2017.

eander along Norway’s fjord-carved coast, from the Hanseatic town of Bergen, north of the North Cape to the ice and wildlife of the Svalbard Archipelago, only 600 miles from the North Pole. Visit tiny fishing hamlets, kayak narrow inlets between towering peaks, and hike wildflower-strewn islands. Then search for the polar bears of Svalbard and other arctic wildlife.

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS ▶▶ Follow the bucket-list-worthy fjord-carved coast and see its small islets and island communities. ▶▶ Explore the High Arctic of Svalbard, and watch for polar bears, walruses, reindeers, whales and rich birdlife. ▶▶ Actively explore: hike, walk, Zodiac-cruise and kayak amid stunning fjord scenery and soaring icebergs. ▶▶ Enjoy superlative photo ops and on-board photo assistance.

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National Geographic Explorer in Trollfjord, Norway.

NORWAY AND ARCTIC SVALBARD

MAY 16 AND 17: U.S./BERGEN, NORWAY (VIA COPENHAGEN)/EMBARK Fly overnight to the Hanseatic town of Bergen, the gateway to the fjordlands. Stroll Bryggens Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before embarkation. (May 17: L,D) MAY 18: NORDFJORD Today we enter the “gateway to the glaciers,” Nordfjord where we are transported via coach along Loen Valley’s jagged mountains and turquoise-colored lake. Hike groomed trails to Briksdal Glacier. (B,L,D)

MAY 23: TYSFJORDEN Enter the long Tysfjorden, where only a few small villages cling to rocky shores. Explore the u-shaped valley of Hellemobotn by Zodiac, kayak or on foot. (B,L,D) MAY 24: TROMSØ Tromsø is known as the “gateway to the Arctic” because so many Arctic expeditions originated here. Visit the Polar Museum and the Arctic Cathedral, where the unique architecture evokes icebergs. (B,L,D)

Nordaustlandet Spitsbergen Edgeøya SVALBARD

Longyearbyen Barents Sea

Bear Island North Cape

MAY 25: BEAR ISLAND Zodiac around mist-shrouded Bear Island, populated by thousands of fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots and gulls. (B,L,D)

Photographing wildflowers. MAY 19: SMØLA After over 30 years of exploring this extraordinary coastline, we still find new and exciting places to visit. Explore the scenic little island of Smøla, where we have been specially invited by the local residents. (B,L,D) MAY 20 AND 21: EXPLORING THE FJORDS OF NORWAY Amid the rugged, mountainous islands and steep-walled fjords we explore a variety of landings: Zodiac along vertical rock faces, paddle a kayak in a deep fjord surrounded by cascading waterfalls, or hike with our naturalists. Over the years, we’ve discovered special places, including Melfjord, a narrow channel surrounded by high granite cliffs. (B,L,D) MAY 22: LOFOTEN ISLANDS The Lofoten Archipelago is an enchanting area of picturesque villages by the sea, backed with jagged peaks. By Zodiac, view Atlantic puffins, razorbills and guillemots. Go ashore at the island of Værøy, and be on deck as we cruise into dramatic Trollfjord, one of Norway’s most famous fjords. (B,L,D)

Lofoten Islands

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Arctic Circle

Fjo

MAY 26-30: EXPLORING SVALBARD Arctic Svalbard is a place of deep fjords, snowcapped mountains, and massive ice sheets. Our focus is the search for walruses, seals, reindeer, arctic foxes and polar bears. Svalbard is one of the best places on the planet to observe majestic polar bears in their natural habitat. With our stabilized, ice-class ship, a flexible itinerary, and years of experience here, we are able to venture to the foot of vast tidewater glaciers, kayak among sparkling icebergs, hike the tundra, and explore fjords that split the coastline. (B,L,D)

Tromsø

Smøla SWEDEN

Nordfjord

Bergen

NORWAY

Oslo

EXPEDITION DETAILS DATE: 2017 May 16 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHER Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Jay Dickman joins this departure. Learn more at expeditions.com/photo

SPECIAL OFFER: Travel on this voyage and we will cover your bar tab and tips for the crew.

Polar bear. MAY 31: LONGYEARBYEN/DISEMBARK/ OSLO Disembark in Longyearbyen and visit the Svalbard Art Gallery and Museum before boarding our charter flight to Oslo. Check in to the SAS Radisson Blu Airport Hotel. (B,L) JUN. 1: OSLO/U.S. (B)

Guests enjoy kayaking in Nordfjord, Norway.

LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM/CAPE

SVALBARD, ICELAND & GREENLAND’S EAST COAST 17 DAYS/15 NIGHTS—ABOARD NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER PRICES FROM: $14,950 to $27,280 (See pages 58-59 for complete prices.)

xplore three iconic and stunningly beautiful Arctic regions: the Svalbard Archipelago of Norway, and the countries of Iceland and Greenland. Go aboard the world’s ultimate expedition ship, and rely on the planet’s best ice team as you probe the ice edge to search for wildlife, including polar bears, walrus, reindeer, and arctic foxes. This is an authentic expedition aboard National Geographic Explorer, a ship perfectly suited to the ever-changing ice. Like the brave sailors of the golden age of exploration who set out with no set itinerary—seeking adventure, knowledge, and the unknown—we are completely dependent on ice, wildlife, and weather conditions, allowing nature to guide us to her wonderful surprises.

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS ▶▶ Explore Arctic Svalbard, one of the best places on the planet to observe majestic polar bears in their natural habitat, on the sea ice. ▶▶ Navigate the arctic wilderness of the Greenland Sea to Iceland’s wild western coast, with expert naturalists and a fully equipped expedition ship— making multiple stops en route completely dependent on ice, wildlife, and weather conditions. ▶▶ Watch for huge walrus, whales, and reindeer, and spot rich birdlife. ▶▶ Glide between ice floes, exploring via ship, Zodiac, and kayak.

A walrus flicks his huge tusks.

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES GUEST SPEAKER Dr. Joe MacInnis Physician, journalist, diver and explorer, he is the first person to explore the ocean beneath the North Pole. He has researched and written extensively about leadership in dangerous environments. He is aboard in 2017.

JUN. 26 AND 27: U.S./OSLO, NORWAY Fly overnight to Oslo. On arrival, check into the Thon Hotel Bristol (or similar) and explore this charming city. Stroll amid Oslo’s famed Vigeland sculptures—hundreds of life-size human figures set in parkland. Visit the Fram Museum, dedicated to the wooden ship sailed by Norwegian polar explorers Nansen and Amundsen.

JUN. 29-JUL. 11: EXPLORING SVALBARD, GREENLAND & ICELAND Our itinerary, in keeping with the nature of an expedition, will be a thoughtfully considered framework based on our experience in this dynamic arctic region. We’ll take advantage of our ‘human resources’—our experienced captain, expedition leader and naturalists—as well as our technological resources. Armed with the latest satellite imagery, we’ll chart where the ice is impenetrable, and where there are leads guiding us to exciting discoveries. We have an ice-strengthened hull and forward-searching sonar, plus agile Zodiacs and kayaks, allowing us to make forays among the ice. The undersea specialist will deploy the ROV, Polar bear and cub.

bringing back imagery few, if any, have ever seen. And with unforgettable days in the ice, and two professional photographers on board, you’ll get your best photos ever. Svalbard Norway is a place of deep fjords, snowcapped mountains, and massive ice sheets. Nowhere can the polar bear be seen more reliably in its

Edgeøya

PACK ICE

SVALBARD

Longyearbyen

Gr ee nla nd Se a

JUN. 28: OSLO/LONGYEARBYEN/ EMBARK Depart Oslo on a charter flight, and enjoy breathtaking vistas en route to Longyearbyen. Embark National Geographic Explorer. (B,L,D)

Nordaustlandet Spitsbergen

GREENLAND (KALAALLIT NUNAAT)

Barents Sea

Scoresbysund

�

From Oslo

SVALBARD, ICELAND, GREENLAND

Dependent on ice conditions

trait ark S Denm

Ísafjördur Flatey Is. ARCTIC CIRCLE

ICELAND Reykjavík

SWEDEN NORWAY

natural environment than here. Venture to the foot of vast tidewater glaciers, kayak among sparkling icebergs, hike the tundra, and explore fjords that split the coastline. Svalbard’s wonders are a prelude to discoveries on unknown shores, following the ice’s edge. Our quest is to discover the Arctic’s grand wilderness. Be on deck as our captain navigates between icebergs that drift from the calving glaciers. And if the ice yields, we’ll aim for Scoresbysund, on the east coast of Greenland, awakening from winter’s icy grip. If the ice is unrelenting, we’ll explore a bit further south, where there are spectacular fjords generally ice-free at this time of year. And if the ice is completely unrelenting, we will head to Iceland. Our journey ends on the west coast of Iceland: Ísafjördur, a picture postcard of Icelandic life; the immense Látrabjarg cliffs, home to a huge population of razorbills; and Flatey Island, a former trading post. (B,L,D) JUL. 12: REYKJAVÍK/DISEMBARK/U.S. We’ll see Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, for a guided overview of the old town, visit the famous Blue Lagoon thermal baths, and have lunch prior to our flight home. (B,L)

EXPEDITION DETAILS DATE: 2017 Jun. 26

SPECIAL OFFERS: Book by December 31, 2016 to receive complimentary charter airfare (one-way Oslo/Longyearbyen). Also we will cover your bar tab and tips for the crew. OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS Take a five-day pre-voyage extension to the Norwegian Fjords, a four-day postvoyage to Iceland, or a one-day post-voyage extension to Reykjavík’s Golden Circle & Blue Lagoon. See pages 52-53. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHER Travel with photography and climbing legend Tommy Heinrich on this departure. Learn more at expeditions.com/photo

Zodiacs amongst grounded icebergs, Scoresbysund, Greenland.

LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM/SVALBARD

360º OF ICELAND Iceland is located on both the Iceland hotspot and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge—which means it is highly geologically active with many volcanoes—hundreds of them, in fact. You may recall the volcano Eyjafjallajökull, which famously erupted in 2010, disrupting global air travel for days, and serving as a reminder that geology is far more than fossils and ancient history. Iceland’s geology in all its manifestations—immense glaciers, thundering waterfalls, soaring cliffs, geothermal springs, boiling mudpots, and rock and lava-scapes of unearthly beauty—is world-class. This season, we’re offering three unique ways to experience Iceland: a circumnavigation that gives Iceland-avid travelers the “full Monty”— a complete 360º of breathtaking geology and wonders. The second itinerary combines Icelandic culture and natural history, and adds the adventurous wildness of East Greenland and Scoresbysund, the planet’s largest fjord system. Our Nordic Passages itinerary puts Iceland in the context of its Arctic neighbors: some of the wooliest, most remote and fascinating island cultures on earth. On all, you’ll walk, hike, kayak and meet locals.

Clockwise from left: Guests exploring Langanes Peninsula; Iceland’s roiling geology is evident in bubbling mudpots and boiling springs like those in Hverarond, Namaskard; see charming Atlantic puffins and other seabirds in great abundance.

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A CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF ICELAND 10 DAYS/8 NIGHTS—ABOARD NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION

EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

PRICES FROM: $9,130 to $18,980 (See pages 62-63 for complete prices.)

A circumnavigation is a rare and wonderful opportunity, in this case abetted by our EXPEDITION veteran team: an expedition leader, naturalists, several with geology expertise, and an undersea specialist. To help you capture the experience: a National Geographic photographer, Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor, and our video chronicler. Rely on our wellness specialist to help you start and end your active days well.

xperience an enchanting land of geological extremes on a circumnavigation of Iceland. Encounter vast volcanic landscapes and one of the world’s youngest islands, walk on lava fields and ice sheets, and feel the power of gushing hot springs and cascading waterfalls. Cruise among magnificent icebergs in Jökulsárlón, and spend a day on the Arctic Circle spotting rich birdlife. Kayak into fjords and serene bays, and go hiking on magnificent and remote stretches of the coast. Cap off the adventure with a soak in the famous Blue Lagoon.

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TEAM

Visit our website to read staff and guest speaker bios for this expedition.

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS ▶▶ Explore Europe’s second largest icecap, and discover the lava-sculpted landscapes of the Westman Islands. ▶▶ Sail into dramatic fjords; see a volcanic island that formed in 1963; marvel at the thundering Goðafoss Waterfall. ▶▶ Spot birdlife on the shores of Iceland and its surrounding isles.

Guests take in the power and beauty of Goðafoss waterfall.

ICELAND

DAYS 1 AND 2: U.S./REYKJAVÍK, ICELAND/EMBARK Arrive in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital. Have a guided overview of the Old Town, including Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral with its 210-foot tower, and visit the National Museum, home to Viking treasures and artifacts, and unusual whalebone carvings. Embark National Geographic Orion. (Day 2: L,D) DAY 3: EXPLORE THE WEST COAST OF ICELAND Explore Iceland’s western frontier, sailing past Flatey Island, a charming hamlet, and perhaps take a Zodiac cruise along the coast. Continue to Látrabjarg cliffs at the westernmost point of Iceland, home to a huge population of razorbills. The cliffs are an area once famous for egg collecting where men tied to ropes lowered themselves onto the ledges. (B,L,D) DAY 4: ÍSAFJÖRDUR Located in the Western Fjords, Ísafjördur is renowned for its eiderdown production. It is a picture postcard of traditional Icelandic life and a great place for hiking and spotting eider ducks. (B,L,D)

tiny island of Grimsey on the Arctic Circle and celebrate being officially in the Arctic. (B,L,D) DAY 7: EXPLORING NORTHEAST ICELAND Today explore Iceland’s rugged east coast. Join naturalists for a hike or a Zodiac cruise and a view of the stacks at the end of the peninsula. (B,L,D) DAY 8: DJÚPIVOGUR, ICELAND Dock in Djúpivogur to explore the vast Vatnajokull icecap. Via small boat, get up-close and personal with the deep blue icebergs of the large ice lagoon of Jökulsárlón. Photo lovers may set off together with the National Geographic photographer. (B,L,D) DAY 9: ISLANDS OF HEIMAEY & SURTSEY, WESTMAN ISLANDS 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. Visit the crater, where the earth is still hot, and have amazing views of areas that had been engulfed by lava. (B,L,D) DAY 10: REYKJAVÍK/DISEMBARK/U.S. Today we disembark in Reykjavík and visit the famous Blue Lagoon thermal baths, prior to our flight home. (B,L)

Ísafjördur

Langanes Peninsula

Grímsey Siglufjordur

Latrabjarg Flatey Is.

Húsavík

Akureyri

Lake Mývatn

ICELAND

Djúpivogur

Reykjavík Atlantic Ocean Surtsey Island

Heimaey Island

EXPEDITION DETAILS DATES: 2017 Jul. 4, 12, 20, 28 OPTIONAL EXTENSION Add a one-day pre-voyage extension to see Reykjavík’s Golden Circle & Blue Lagoon. See page 53, or visit our website. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHER A National Geographic photographer travels on every departure of National Geographic Orion. Learn more at expeditions.com/photo

SPECIAL OFFER Travel on any of these voyages and we will cover your bar tab and tips for the crew.

Maritime Museum, Siglufjordur, Iceland. DAY 5: SIGLUFJORDUR AND AKUREYRI At Siglufjordur, once the center of Iceland’s once-thriving herring industry, visit the Herring Museum for a talk and a tasting. At picturesque Akureyri explore the old town, with its beautifully maintained period houses, or visit the botanical garden. (B,L,D) DAY 6: LAKE MÝVATN AND HÚSAVÍK Drive to Mývatn, the most geologically active area in Iceland. See the boiling mud pools at Hverarönd, and at the Krafla geothermal area see the explosion crater at Viti. Continue to an unforgettable sight: Goðafoss, the waterfall of the gods. Meet the ship in Húsavík, and watch for whales as we sail north to the land of the midnight sun. Take Zodiacs ashore to the

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM/ICELAND

ICELAND’S WILD WEST COAST TO EAST GREENLAND 10 DAYS/8 NIGHTS—ABOARD NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION

EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

PRICES FROM: $9,130 to $18,980 (See pages 62-63 for complete prices.)

This voyage is a rare and wonderful opportunity, in this case abetted by our EXPEDITION veteran team: an expedition leader, naturalists, several with geology expertise, and an undersea specialist. To help you capture the experience: a National Geographic photographer, Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor, and our video chronicler. Rely on our wellness specialist to help you start and end your active days well.

ail the route of early Viking explorers and discover a region of epic ice home to the Arctic’s iconic creatures: polar bears, whales, and vast seabird colonies. Actively explore Iceland’s Westfjord region: hike through valleys awash in wild orchids, mountain aven, wild thyme, and woolly willow; make your way over layers of basalt visibly cracked and carved in the last ice age; feel the spray of thundering waterfalls. Venture into the largest fjord system in the world to cruise among magnificent icebergs and visit the welcoming communities where people live close to their ancestral traditions. Follow in the wake of the 10th-century Viking explorers along the ice cap learning of their bold, history-making expeditions.

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TEAM

Visit our website to read staff and guest speaker bios for this expedition.

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS ▶▶ Explore the wild west coast of Iceland with its towering bird cliffs, meadows carpeted in wildflowers, quiet coves, and majestic waterfalls. ▶▶ Discover Greenland’s east coast’s ever-changing ice edge and search for polar bears, plus blue, finback, and pilot whales, and perhaps the elusive narwhal. ▶▶ Sail into Scoresbysund, ice permitting, the world’s largest and longest fjord system and home to arctic foxes, reindeer, puffins & more. ▶▶ Be welcomed into remote communities and hunting villages to learn about their ways of life in the high Arctic.

Guests explore the ice via Zodiac, Northeast Greenland.

ICELAND AND GREENLAND

AUG. 5 AND 6: U.S./REYKJAVÍK, ICELAND/EMBARK Fly overnight to Reykjavík. Explore its Old Town, including Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral and the National Museum with its Viking treasures. Embark National Geographic Orion. (Aug. 6: L,D)

cliffs. Hike with our botanist or birder through a wildflower-filled meadow, kayak quiet coves, or hop aboard a Zodiac. Join a photo hike with our National Geographic photographer and soak up the legendary scenery. (B,L,D) AUG. 9: 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. (B,L,D)

Razorbills. AUG. 7: LÁTRABJARG & 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. (B,L,D) AUG. 8: EXPLORING THE WESTFJORDS Just south of the Arctic Circle, the Westfjords region is a remote area backed by majestic

AUG. 10-13: SCORESBYSUND, GREENLAND/AT SEA The Greenland ice sheet, roughly 80% of the surface of Greenland, is the second largest ice body in the world. Weather permitting, enter Scoresbysund (the planet’s largest and longest fjord system), or continue south to the dramatic east Greenland coast where mountains rise straight from the sea and glistening glaciers calve massive chunks of ice. Sail back across the Denmark Strait to Reykjavík. (B,L,D) AUG. 14: REYKJAVÍK, ICELAND/ DISEMBARK/U.S. Disembark in Reykjavík. Soak in the Blue Lagoon’s geothermal waters. Transfer to the airport for flights home. (B,L)

PACK ICE

GREENLAND (KALAALLIT NUNAAT)

Scoresbysund rait ark St Denm

Látrabjarg

Westfjords Flatey Is.

ARCTIC

CIRCLE

ICELAND Reykjavík

EXPEDITION DETAILS DATE: 2017 Aug. 5 OPTIONAL EXTENSION Take a one-day post-voyage extension to Reykjavík’s Golden Circle or a three-day pre-voyage extension to Iceland’s Natural Wonders. See pages 52-53 or our website for details. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHER Travel with a National Geographic photographer on this departure. Learn more at expeditions.com/photo

SPECIAL OFFER Travel on this voyage and we will cover your bar tab and tips for the crew.

Látrabjarg cliffs.

LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM/ICELAND_GREENLAND

NORDIC PASSAGES: SHETLANDS, ORKNEY, FAROES, AND ICELAND 14 DAYS/12 NIGHTS—ABOARD NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION

EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

PRICES FROM: $13,690 to $28,470 (See pages 62-63 for complete prices.)

Our unparalleled expedition team is key to an in-depth experience, and our generous EXPEDITION expedition staff-to-guest ratio of 1:12 means more choice in activities, and more diverse personalities and interests you can gravitate to. An expedition leader, naturalists/historians, a National Geographic photographer, a Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor, an undersea specialist, a video chronicler, and a wellness specialist all contribute to your experience of the region’s wonders.

ail beneath the midnight sun, over seas steeped in Norse mythology, and along the route of the boldest Vikings who ventured west. Meet the welcoming islanders who call the scenic Faroes home—Danes by nationality and Viking by blood—see the graves of their Viking ancestors and explore their tiny villages with turf-roofed homes. On Scotland’s outlying isles you’ll discover a 5,000-year-old village and see the mysterious standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar. And in the west, on a near circumnavigation of Iceland, see this geologically roiling land just as the Vikings must have, from thundering waterfalls and boiling springs, to islands so young the earth still steams.

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS ▶▶ See Iceland’s vast Vatnajökull icecap, third largest in the world, a seldom-seen sight to behold that is the focus of so much media attention. ▶▶ Sail under the towering bird cliffs of Noss that teem with murres and kittiwakes, and visit a colony of thousands of charismatic puffins in the Faroes. ▶▶ Discover a land of living geology: from boiling mud pools to spectacular waterfalls to the world’s youngest island. ▶▶ Meet welcoming locals—modern day Vikings—who make their lives in the spectacularly remote and beautiful lands.

Mykines, Faroe Islands.

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TEAM

Visit our website to read staff and guest speaker bios for this expedition.

NORWAY, SCOTLAND, THE FAROES, ICELAND

DAYS 1 AND 2: U.S./BERGEN, NORWAY/EMBARK Fly overnight to Bergen and explore its Hanseatic League history. Embark NG Orion. (Day 2: L,D) DAY 3: AT SEA/ORKNEY, SCOTLAND See the Ring of Brodgar and stone-slab village of Skara Brae—5,000 years old! Visit the red sandstone cathedral of St. Magnus, built by the Vikings in 1137. (B,L,D)

Grímsey

Ísafjördur

Húsavík Lake Mývatn

Latrabjarg Flatey Is.

ICELAND

Djúpivogur

Reykjavík Surtsey Island

Heimaey Island Vestmanna Mykines Faroe Islands Tórshavn

Bergen Shetland

DAY 4: SHETLAND Sail past the raucous bird cliffs of Noss to see murres and kittiwakes. See Shetland ponies and the 4,000-year-old Jarlshof archaeological site. Weather permitting, see an Iron Age broch (fortified stone tower) on Mousa Island. (B,L,D)

Orkney SCOTLAND

EXPEDITION DETAILS DATES: 2017 Jun. 22, Aug. 13* *This departure travels from Reykjavík to Bergen.

DAY 5: VESTMANNA, FAROE ISLANDS, DENMARK Sail between the towering coasts of Streymoy and Vágar to Vestmanna. Explore northern Streymoy, with its historic settlements and Viking graves. (B,L,D) DAY 6: TÓRSHAVN, FAROE ISLANDS Explore this tiny capital where wooden boats bob in the harbor, and mingle with the modern-day Vikings. Visit the natural history museum, 12th-century St. Olav’s Church, and the Kirkjubøur archaeological site. (B,L,D) DAY 7: MYKINES, FAROE ISLANDS Photograph the puffin colony of Mykines, and continue to the tiny lighthouse, tethered down with steel cords. Stroll the tiny village with its turf-roofed houses and turf-roofed church. (B,L,D) DAY 8: DJÚPIVOGUR Explore Iceland’s vast Vatnajökull icecap, third largest in the world. For a closer look at the ice, we take a boat ride through Jökulsárlón, a lagoon strewn with large, sculpted icebergs. (B,L,D) DAY 9: AT SEA/GRIMSEY ISLAND Visit Grimsey, which lies on the Arctic Circle. Celebrate being officially in the Arctic among the island’s nesting arctic terns and puffins. (B,L,D) DAY 10: HÚSAVÍK AND LAKE MÝVATN Search for whales near Húsavík. Explore geologically active Mývatn. See the bubbling mud pools at Hverarönd, the Krafla geothermal

NORWAY

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHER Every departure travels with a National Geographic photographer to give advice, inspire guests and help them get their best shots ever. Learn more at expeditions.com/photo Goðafoss waterfall. area, the explosion crater at Viti, and the massive Goðafoss waterfall. (B,L,D) DAY 11: ÍSAFJÖRDUR Hike Ísafjördur and visit an eiderdown farm to see how the feathers are collected. Gain insight into life on this isolated peninsula. (B,L,D) DAY 12: EXPLORE THE WEST COAST OF ICELAND Sail past the immense Látrabjarg cliffs, home to a huge population of razorbills. Stroll the charming hamlet of Flatey Island, a trading post that’s evolved for centuries. (B,L,D)

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS Take a one-day pre- or post-voyage extension to Reykjavík’s Golden Circle, or a five-day preor post-voyage extension to Norway’s Fjords. See pages 52-53 or our website for details.

SPECIAL OFFER Travel on any of these voyages and we will cover your bar tab and tips for the crew.

DAY 13: ISLANDS OF SURTSEY & HEIMAEY, WESTMAN ISLANDS Explore the Westman Islands, formed by undersea volcanoes 5,000-10,000 years ago. Sail past Surtsey, which rose above the waves in 1963. Visit Heimaey, which nearly had its harbor closed by lava in 1973 and the earth is still hot. (B,L,D) DAY 14: REYKJAVÍK/U.S. Complete a near circumnavigation of Iceland. Visit Reykjavík’s old town and Blue Lagoon. (B,L)

Icelandic traditional home.

LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM/FAROES

MYSTERY YIELDS TO HISTORY ON THE VIKING TRAIL Into the mystic, we could say, given the allure Greenland has held for explorers, from Brendan the Navigator and Erik the Red, to Lars-Eric Lindblad and the guests and staff of National Geographic Explorer in our adventurous return to the region these past seasons. On our 2017 voyage we’ll mix an experience of Greenland’s ice with a pinch of Icelandic wildness, as we head off from the civilized confines of Reykjavík, to explore the rugged landscapes of Iceland’s wild west. The immense Látrabjarg cliffs, the westernmost point in Iceland and its equally immense colony of razorbills will herald our entry into wildness. And the trading post on Flatey Island will wake us to the centuries of human history and ancient traditions of the region, before we cross the Denmark Strait. In Greenland waters we’ll range from East Greenland’s epic ice sheet and jaw-dropping fjords, to the most famous sites on the Viking trail—a settlement made by one of Erik the Red’s cousins no less—along with other notable Norse sites that display evidence of the little-known ‘settler’ aspect of Viking life. We’ll conclude our adventure amid the ice and its creatures—plus any number of whale species, and more—of Greenland’s wild west coast.

Clockwise from above: Guests explore by Zodiac and don’t have to worry about getting wet with our floating bridge; Erik the Red’s reconstructed estate at Brattahlid, likely the site of the New World’s first church: about 70% of the world’s razorbill population breeds in Iceland.

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ICELAND & GREENLAND: VIKING LEGENDS AND WILD FJORDS 16 DAYS/14 NIGHTS—ABOARD NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER

EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

PRICES FROM: $15,390 to $28,480 (See pages 58-59 for complete prices.)

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS

Our unparalleled expedition team is key to an in-depth experience, and our generous expedition staff-to-guest ratio EXPERIENCE of 1:10 means more choice in activities, more diverse personalities and more interests to which you can gravitate. Our undersea specialist will reveal the deep, and the National Geographic photographer and Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor aboard will see to it that you get your shots, while the video chronicler creates a lasting record of your voyage. A Global Perspectives guest speaker also enhances your experience aboard National Geographic Explorer.

▶▶ Search for polar bears on the sea ice as we explore eastern Greenland, and glide in a Zodiac or kayak amid a wonderland of glistening glaciers and icebergs.

Visit our website to read staff and guest speaker bios for this expedition.

ollow the route of Erik the Red from Iceland’s beautiful western coast across the Denmark Strait to the rugged, ice-sculpted shores of eastern Greenland. Trace the coast northwards to seek out the big ice—from towering tidewater glaciers to huge icebergs calved from Greenland’s ice sheet—and venture into magnificent fjords to search for polar bears, whales, and other wildlife. Continue our epic journey around Greenland’s southern tip and encounter the vestiges of Viking settlements from the 15th century. In brightly painted coastal villages from Flatey Island to Nuuk, learn about everyday life on the Arctic Circle.

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▶▶ Spot razorbills among the towering cliffs of Látrabjarg, on Iceland’s western coast, and watch for blue whales as we cross the Denmark Strait. ▶▶ Trace the saga of Erik the Red at his former homestead, and explore ancient Norse culture among remarkable ruins on Greenland’s southwestern shores.

Guest photographs Hvalsey ruins, Greenland.

JUL. 11 AND 12: U.S./REYKJAVÍK, ICELAND/EMBARK Fly overnight to Reykjavík. Visit Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral in the old town and delve into Viking history at the National Museum before embarking. (Jul. 12: L,D) JUL. 13: THE WEST COAST OF ICELAND National Geographic Explorer navigates Iceland’s wild western frontier. Arrive at Flatey Island, a trading post for centuries, for walks in the village and Zodiac explorations. Then sail past the immense Látrabjarg cliffs, the westernmost point of Iceland and home to a huge population of razorbills. (B,L,D) JUL. 14: SCORESBYSUND, GREENLAND We cross the Denmark Strait and arrive at the mouth of Scoresbysund (one of the planet’s most remote fjord systems) in the afternoon. This area is marked by mountains that rise straight out of the sea, glistening tidewater glaciers and is also a major area to capture the ice calving off from the east side of the Greenland ice cap and, depending on ice conditions, we’ll explore the area by hiking, Zodiac while an eye out for whales and other marine life. (B,L,D)

Zodiac among grounded icebergs. JUL. 15 AND 16: KING OSCAR FJORD Ice permitting, we explore north over the next two days using our tools for exploration to the fullest, taking Zodiac or kayak forays among the icebergs, deploying our ROV and setting out on foot to hike. Our ace spotters will help us search for polar bears. If ice conditions are unrelenting, we will explore further south, where there are spectacular fjords that are generally ice-free at this time of year. (B,L,D) JUL. 17 AND 18: AT SEA National Geographic Explorer heads south to follow in the wake of Erik the Red and Brendan the Navigator. Watch for whales and birdlife. (B,L,D)

King Oscar Fjord GREENLAND (KALAALLIT NUNAAT) Scoresbysund

Davis Strait

Kangerlussuaq

LE ARCTIC CIRC Flatey Is.

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Skjoldungen Fjord Atlantic Ocean Brattahlid

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JUL. 19: SKJOLDUNGEN FJORD The Greenland Ice Sheet is the second largest ice body in the world, after the Antarctic ice sheet, roughly 80% of the surface of Greenland. The high arctic-like climate is dominated by ice floes. Explore by Zodiac, kayak or enjoy a variety of hikes. (B,L,D) JUL. 20: PRINS CHRISTIAN SUND & NANORTALIK Prins Christian Sund is a fjord on the southern coast of Greenland. Surrounded by mountain pinnacles and glaciers, the decks are perfect for viewing this landscape. Anchor off Nanortalik, Greenland’s most southerly town. Go ashore to the picturesque town. (B,L,D) JUL. 21: HVALSEY RUINS (QAQORTUKULOOQ) & QAQORTOQ Today you’ll explore a remarkable site on the Viking Trail. Qaqortukulooq was settled by one of Erik the Red’s cousins in 986 A.D. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is the most extensive Norse site in Greenland. Continue to Qaqortoq. Inhabited since Norse times, the Scandinavian influence is still apparent in the colorful wooden buildings and town museum, displaying Greenlandic kayaks, hunting equipment, art, and crafts. (B,L,D) JUL. 22: BRATTAHLID/ERIKSFJORD Eriksfjord is the area that Erik the Red chose for his farm when he settled here in 982 A.D. You’ll explore Brattahlid, site of the first Christian church in the western hemisphere, built by Erik’s wife, Tjodhilde. This region is also the starting point of the first voyages to North America by his son, Leif Eriksson, 500 years before Columbus. (B,L,D)

JUL. 23: NUUK Nuuk is the world’s smallest capital city with 15,000 inhabitants. Visit the National Museum with its famous 15th-century Qilakitsoq mummies, found near Uummannaq and the subject of a National Geographic cover story. (B,L,D) JUL. 24: GREENLAND’S WEST COAST Today is for exploration. Take a Zodiac cruise, kayak, or hike across the tundra. Our undersea specialist may launch the ROV to see the marine life inhabiting the fjord floor. (B,L,D) JUL. 25: KANGERLUSSUAQ/ DISEMBARK/REYKJAVÍK, ICELAND Disembark in Kangerlussuaq. After a tour of the city, fly by charter to Reykjavík and check in to the Natura Hotel or the Hilton Nordica. (B,L,D) JUL. 26: REYKJAVÍK/KEFLAVÍK/U.S. Have a guided tour of Reykjanes Peninsula. Transfer to Keflavík for flights home. (B,L)

EXPEDITION DETAILS DATE: 2017 Jul. 11

SPECIAL OFFER: Book by Dec. 31, 2016 to receive complimentary charter airfare (Kangerlussuaq to Reykjavík). Also we will cover your bar tab and tips for the crew. OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS Add a 3-day pre-voyage extension Iceland’s Wonders, or a 1-day pre-voyage extension to see Reykjavík’s Golden Circle & Blue Lagoon. See pages 52-53.

LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM/VIKINGLEGENDS

HIGH & WILD— THE ESSENTIAL FAR NORTH The Northwest Passage has been the Grail quest of exploration for centuries. It even figures in our own history. In 1984 Lars-Eric Lindblad led the first voyage by a tourist ship through the Northwest Passage from Newfoundland to Yokohama, Japan via the Bering Strait. The voyage took 40 days and involved a distance of 8,920 nautical miles, an adventure so novel, it was covered by most news media in North America and Europe. In the decades since, attempts have been alternately thwarted and successful due to dynamic ice conditions. On our Exploring Greenland & The Canadian High Arctic expedition, we’ll venture deep into the land where polar bears roam, walrus loll, and the Inuit maintain their traditional lifestyles—to navigate the mouth of the fabled Northwest Passage. On Epic 80ºN we’ll go beyond—to trace the gorgeous coast of far north Ellesmere Island and head as far north as the ice allows. This is expedition adventure at its finest, filled with spontaneity and flexibility—watching wind, wave, ice and weather, and “braking” for all the marvels that occur along the way.

Clockwise from left: Zodiac cruising near big ice near Nunavut; over four million people live in the Arctic, meet some and learn their stories; walrus hauled out on rocky shore.

WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM 43

EPIC 80ºN: EXPLORING GREENLAND, BAFFIN & ELLESMERE ISLANDS 24 DAYS/22 NIGHTS—ABOARD NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER PRICES FROM: 25,990 TO $49,640 (See pages 58-59 for complete prices.)

dventure and the unexpected star on this epic voyage to vast and wild shores. Our recent extraordinary experiences aboard Explorer at remote Ellesmere Island made us excited to return. We’ll explore familiar and new parts of Baffin Island and Lancaster Sound, then make our way up the beautiful coast of Ellesmere Island, which reaches farther north than any other land, except for Greenland, and we allow time to go as far north as the ice allows. We then trace the rarely explored coast of northwest Greenland, going places we’ve never been—where tidewater glaciers of extreme beauty dominate.

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS ▶▶ Experience unbridled 21st-century exploration, as we venture deep into the far reaches of the ice to Zodiac cruise, kayak, and hike the tundra.

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES GUEST SPEAKERS Eva Aariak Premier Eva Qamaniq Aariak is the second Premier of Nunavut. She is returning to Explorer for the second year, and her background as Languages Commissioner in Nunavut provides connection and great insight into the local language and culture. She is aboard in 2017. Patricia Sutherland She has explored the Aboriginal occupations of Arctic Canada, the art of the Dorset Palaeo-Eskimos, and the archaeology of 19thcentury British Arctic exploration over more than three decades of archaeological research and fieldwork. She is aboard in 2017.

▶▶ Encounter hardy Inuit communities, and learn the legacy of the ancient Thule and Dorset at remote archaeological sites, some marvelously preserved. ▶▶ Observe polar bears, musk oxen, and perhaps elusive narwhals.

A Zodiac ride amid the big ice of Philpots Island.

AUG. 6: GREENLAND’S WEST COAST & SISIMIUT/AT SEA Dozens of deep fjords carve into Greenland’s west coast, many with glaciers fed by the ice cap that covers much of the country. We search for humpback and minke whales, and at Sisimiut, a former whaling port, visit the museum and wander amid a jumble of wooden 18th-century buildings. (B,L,D) AUG. 7-9: BAFFIN ISLAND Over these days we stretch our legs on hiking trails at Qikiqtarjuaq, our first stop on Baffin Island. Weather depending, stops may include Coronation Fiord where 5,000-foot cliffs soar near the Coronation Glacier; Niaqurnak Point, a former Inuit camp where walruses haul out; and Isabella Bay, a marine habitat ideal for bowhead whales. (B,L,D) AUG. 10-12: THE CANADIAN HIGH ARCTIC We search for ringed seals, arctic foxes, and polar bears, as well as beluga and bowhead whales. Perhaps even see the elusive narwhal, known for the long, spiraling tooth that projects up to ten feet. Possible stops to explore Beechey Island and the remains of the Franklin expedition’s winter quarters and Lancaster Sound for polar bears on ice. (B,L,D)

AUG. 16 AND 17: FARTHER NORTH Explore to 80ºN and hopefully beyond, if the ice allows. Our experienced captain and expedition team as well as our technological resources chart where the ice is penetrable. (B,L,D)

Qaanaaq

80° NORT

Lancaster Sound Baffin Bay

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Qikiqtarjuaq

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Brightly painted houses, Greenland.

AUG. 14 AND 15: ELLESMERE ISLAND Depending on ice and weather, head north up the beautiful and remote east coast of Ellesmere Island, where Explorer first ventured in 2014. Cruise along scenic Smith Bay bordered by steep mountains and tumbling glacial ice. Search for polar bears from the ship or hike and kayak in picturesque surroundings. Explore Skraeling Island, an archaeological find that shows the Norse once traded with the native Inuit here at Ellesmere. We recently discovered unexpectedly the remains of a Thule encampment. (B,L,D)

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AUG. 5: REYKJAVÍK/KANGERLUSSUAQ, GREENLAND/EMBARK Fly by chartered aircraft to Greenland. Embark National Geographic Explorer. (B,L,D)

AUG. 13: DEVON ISLAND At the entrance to the Northwest Passage, we encounter Devon Island’s Dundas Harbour, full of well-preserved Thule remains as well as the most recent artifacts of an RCMP station. At Philpots Island we hike the tundra and search for wildlife, and perhaps musk oxen. (B,L,D)

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AUG. 3 AND 4: U.S./KEFLAVÍK, ICELAND/REYKJAVÍK Overnight flight to Keflavík. Transfer to Reykjavík and take a guided overview of the old town, including Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral. Or choose to explore the Blue Lagoon and soak in the geothermal waters. After lunch, check-in to our hotel. (Aug. 4: L,D)

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GREENLAND, BAFFIN & ELLESMERE ISLANDS

Reykjavík

Atlantic Ocean

AUG. 23: ILULISSAT Sail into Disko Bay to explore the UNESCO site of Ilulissat Icefjord. Cruise among towering icebergs or visit the archaeological Inuit site of Sermermiut. (B,L,D) AUG. 24: GREENLAND’S WEST COAST Our final day in the scenic fjords. Zodiac cruise, kayak, or hike across the tundra. (B,L,D) AUG. 25: KANGERLUSSUAQ/ DISEMBARK/REYKJAVÍK, ICELAND Disembark in Kangerlussuaq, and after a tour of the city, fly by charter to Reykjavík for stunning views over the Greenland icecap. Check in to the Natura Hotel or similar. (B,L,D)

Inuit family “selfie.” AUG. 18-21: NORTHWEST GREENLAND The remote coast of Northwest Greenland is terra incognita with a history of expeditions: Peary, Hall and more. Explorer will be in true expedition mode as we search this vast uninhabited region for prolific wildlife. Walk on land where humans have never set foot. Encounter glaciers and fjords. Visit the small community of Etah to learn about the people of the Far North. (B,L,D) AUG. 22: QILAKITSOQ Today we are back in familiar waters, stopping at Qilakitsoq, where a collection of mummies dating back to 1475 was discovered in 1972 and featured on the cover of National Geographic magazine. (B,L,D)

AUG. 26: REYKJAVÍK/KEFLAVÍK/U.S. Have a guided tour of Reykjanes Peninsula. Transfer to Keflavík for flights home. (B,L)

EXPEDITION DETAILS DATE: 2017 Aug. 3 OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS Take a 3-day post-voyage to Iceland, or a 1-day post-voyage extension to Reykjavík’s Golden Circle & Blue Lagoon. See page 53. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHER National Geographic photographer Keith Ladzinski joins this departure. Learn more at expeditions.com/photo

LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM/ELLESMERE

EXPLORING GREENLAND AND THE CANADIAN HIGH ARCTIC 15 DAYS/13 NIGHTS—ABOARD NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER PRICES FROM: $13,990 to $27,000 (See pages 58-59 for complete prices.)

enture deep into the far reaches of the Arctic, a land where polar bears roam, walruses loll, and hardy Inuit communities maintain their traditional way of life. Aboard National Geographic Explorer, trace the rugged fjords of Greenland and navigate the mouth of Canada’s legendary Northwest Passage. Spot polar bears on the pack ice, watch for a wide variety of whales— from minke and bowhead whales to the rare narwhal. Get up close to massive glaciers, and hike the wild islands that dot Canada’s northern shores.

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS ▶▶ Glide between soaring icebergs at the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO site. ▶▶ Discover the incredible wildlife and landscapes of the Canadian High Arctic. ▶▶ Observe polar bears, walruses, ringed seals and, with luck, narwhals in their natural habitat. An inquisitive polar bear.

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES GUEST SPEAKER JOE MACINNIS Physician, journalist, diver and explorer, he is the first person to explore the ocean beneath the North Pole. He has researched and written extensively about leadership in dangerous environments. He is aboard in 2017.

JUL. 23 AND 24: U.S./KEFLAVÍK, ICELAND/REYKJAVÍK Overnight flight to Keflavík. Transfer to Reykjavík and take a guided overview of the old town, including Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral. Or choose to explore the Blue Lagoon and soak in the geothermal waters. After lunch, check-in to our hotel. (Jul. 24: L,D)

Devon Island Lancaster Sound Bylot Is. Prince Regent Inlet

Pond Inlet

Bethel church in Sisimiut.

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JUL. 25: REYKJAVÍK/KANGERLUSSUAQ, GREENLAND/EMBARK Fly by chartered aircraft to Greenland. Embark National Geographic Explorer. (B,L,D) JUL. 26: GREENLAND’S WEST COAST & SISIMIUT Dozens of deep fjords carve into Greenland’s west coast, many with glaciers fed by the ice cap that covers 80% of the country. Trace this ragged coastline, and search for humpback and minke whales. At Sisimiut, a former whaling port, visit the museum and wander amid a jumble of wooden 18th-century buildings. (B,L,D) JUL. 27: DISKO BAY & ILULISSAT Sail into Disko Bay and set out to explore a tongue of the Greenland ice cap. Take an extraordinary cruise among towering icebergs. Explore the archaeological site at Sermermiut, and view the Jakobshavn Icefjord and its immense, calving glacier. (B,L,D) JUL. 28: AT SEA IN BAFFIN BAY (B,L,D) JUL. 29-AUG. 1: EXPLORING THE CANADIAN HIGH ARCTIC Carved by Ice Age glaciers, Lancaster Sound is the eastern gateway to the Arctic Archipelago. European explorers like William Baffin first ventured here in the 15th century to search for the Northwest Passage. The sound has been a favorite Inuit hunting and fishing location

EXPEDITION DETAILS DATE: 2017 Jul. 23

Bowhead whale. for hundreds of years. Our days here will be spent searching for ringed seals, arctic foxes, walruses, and polar bears, as well as beluga and bowhead whales. We may even see the elusive narwhal, an arctic whale known for the long, spiraling tooth that projects up to ten feet from its upper jaw. (B,L,D)

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHER Join award-winning National Geographic photographer Michael Melford on this departure. Learn more at expeditions.com/photo

SPECIAL OFFER Travel on this voyage and we will cover your bar tab and tips for the crew.

AUG. 2-4: EASTERN BAFFIN ISLAND Using our years of experience in judging ice conditions, we make the most of the eastern Baffin shores. Hike the tundra in search of caribou and arctic foxes, or follow our botanist to learn more about the hardy arctic plants. We’ll cruise the coastline in search of walrus and other icons of the Canadian North. (B,L,D) AUG. 5-6: KANGERLUSSUAQ/ DISEMBARK/REYKJAVÍK/KEFLAVÍK/U.S. Disembark in Kangerlussuaq and take a charter flight to Reykjavík and overnight in our fine hotel. The next day transfer to the airport in Keflavík for flights home. (Aug. 5: B,L,D, Aug. 6: B,L)

Guests explore the ice via kayak.

LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM/HIGHARCTIC

A LAND WHERE PAST IS ALWAYS PRESENT As National Geographic Explorer navigates the rugged and beautiful Canadian Maritimes, history and geology will come alive among wild landscapes and island outposts. It is fascinating to visit these islands and see lives inextricably tied to the sea, and to ancient human history. We’ll explore the remains of an 11th-century Viking village, the only confirmed Viking settlement in North America. We’ll learn about the enduring Acadian culture on the Îles de la Madeleine. We’ll witness the breathtaking effects of plate tectonics amid the cliffs, fjords and sweeping alpine plateau of Gros Morne National Park. We’ll do it all, and much more, including a visit to the fascinating Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. Bell, inventor of the telephone and more, was a profoundly gifted person. He succeeded his father-in-law, Gardner Greene Hubbard, founding member and first president of the National Geographic Society. And in 1889 Bell hired his son-in-law Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor as the first employee, then subsequent Director of the Society, and Editor of the magazine until 1954. A Grosvenor helmed the Society until the fifth President, Gilbert Grosvenor III, retired in 2010. To experience this exquisite part of the world by sea Is a gift in itself; and to enjoy it aboard a National Geographic ship, with all that this specific geography represents to Society fans, and in the company of native son and renowned broadcaster, Robert MacNeil, is a deeper, richer experience indeed.

Clockwise from left: L’Anse aux Meadows, the site of the first Viking settlement in North America; an inuksuk, a marking used by First Nations in the Arctic.

THE CANADIAN MARITIMES 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS—ABOARD NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER PRICES FROM: $8,170 to $15,270 (See pages 58-59 for complete prices.)

his expedition circumnavigates Newfoundland and visits the islands of Cape Breton, St.-Pierre (France) and Îles de la Madeleine. We’ll sail through The Narrows of St. John’s, Newfoundland—along rugged coastline, the isles of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Special highlights include hiking on the nature trails of Gros Morne National Park, known for its unique geological features; learning the saga of the Vikings at L’Anse aux Meadows; and exploring the life of Alexander Graham Bell, National Geographic’s second president, at the Bell Museum at Baddeck, Cape Breton Island, where he had his summer home.

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES GUEST SPEAKER Robert Siegel Robert Siegel is senior host of NPR’s award-winning evening newsmagazine All Things Considered, reporting on stories all over the globe. He is aboard the Sep. 14, 2017 departure.

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS ▶▶ Combine Canada’s magnificent scenery and historic places—at a wonderful time of year. ▶▶ Discover coastal villages and small islands, like Cape Breton. ▶▶ Explore two UNESCO sites: Gros Morne National Park and the 11th-century Viking village at L’Anse aux Meadows. ▶▶ Discover the dunes, sandstone cliffs, and Acadian culture of the Îles de la Madeleine.

Lobster fishing huts at sunset.

CANADA

DAY 7: EXPLORING EASTERN NEWFOUNDLAND Wild, rugged, and often accessible only by sea, Newfoundland’s east coast is dotted with tiny fishing villages tucked into coves. Explore these stunning shores and, back aboard, you’ll gain insights from our experts into the island's people and wildlife. (B,L,D)

DAY 3: LOUISBOURG & BADDECK, CAPE BRETON ISLAND, NOVA SCOTIA Today we visit the reconstructed Fortress of Louisbourg, an 18th-century fort where the British and French fought. Later, we visit the village of Baddeck, where Alexander Graham Bell built his summer home, now the centerpiece of a beautiful park and museum. Explore the life of Bell and enjoy an optional “white glove” tour of the Bell Museum and have the opportunity to hold historic artifacts. (B,L,D) DAY 4: ÎLES DE LA MADELEINE, QUEBEC A cluster of wispy islands isolated in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Îles de la Madeleine are home to miles of dunes, grassy hills, and dazzling red sandstone cliffs. Local experts will guide us across this landscape of caves and sea arches, stopping along the way in colorful fishing villages as we learn about Acadian culture.

DAY 8: ST. JOHN’S/DISEMBARK/U.S. Sail through The Narrows in the early morning as our ship approaches St. John’s, the picturesque capital city of Newfoundland and the most easterly point of North America. Visit the colorful waterfront and historic Signal Hill or the Rooms Museum before you transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Quebec

Labrador Sea

L’Anse aux Meadows

Gros Morne National Park

DAY 5: GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK Graced by cliffs, fjords, and a sweeping alpine plateau, Gros Morne National Park has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its spectacular geology. Go on a variety of walks with our naturalists along waterfalls, marine inlets, and forested trails. Learn about the forces that shaped this land and the ancient serpentine rock that illustrates the phenomenon of plate tectonics. (B,L,D) DAY 6: L’ANSE AUX MEADOWS In the World Heritage site of L’Anse aux Meadows, walk among 11th-century Norse ruins and reconstructed sod huts and learn the saga of the Vikings in North America—nearly 500 years before Columbus arrived. (B,L,D)

Explore Gros Morne National Park,Newfoundland, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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DAY 2: ST.-PIERRE, FRANCE Our first landfall is St.-Pierre, France’s oldest remaining overseas territory. Explore this picturesque French fishing enclave where we will stop at a scenic whale watching lookout and a French-style graveyard. (B,L,D)

Weather permitting, you may explore on a bike or sea kayak with local operators. (B,L,D)

La and

DAY 1: U.S./ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, CANADA/EMBARK Arrive in St. John’s, the picturesque capital city of Newfoundland and Labrador. Settle into National Geographic Explorer and take to the sea. (D)

nd dla

CANADIAN MARITIMES

Gulf of St. Lawrence Îles de la Madeleine Baddeck Nova Scotia

Island of St. John’s Newfoundland St.-Pierre and Miquelon (Fr.) Louisbourg Cape Breton Island Atlantic Ocean

EXPEDITION DETAILS DATES: 2017 Sep. 7; 14 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHER Join Jim Richardson Sep. 7 and Alison Wright Sep. 14. Learn more at expeditions.com/photo

SPECIAL OFFER Book by December 31, 2016 and receive complimentary international airfare between New York/Toronto/St. John’s and return. Also we will cover your bar tab and tips for the crew. Fishing village outside St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.

Red sandstone cliffs, Îles de la Madeleine.

LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM/MARITIMES

OPTIONAL EXPEDITION EXTENSIONS TO EXPLORE MORE ADD NORWAY’S FJORDS

Sognefjord, Norway.

PRE- OR POST-VOYAGE/5 DAYS/5 NIGHTS 2017*: From $4,390 Per Person, Double Occupancy The rich landscapes of southern Norway, including Sognefjord—the longest and deepest fjord in Norway—are the ideal addition to your adventures. Thundering waterfalls and snowy peaks offer wonderful photo ops. The Norwegian Fjords extension can be taken before Land of the Ice Bears and Svalbard, Iceland & Greenland’s East Coast. Add it before or after Nordic Passages: Shetlands, Orkney, Faroes, and Iceland.

ADD ICELAND’S NATURAL WONDERS POST-VOYAGE/4 DAYS/4 NIGHTS 2017*: $3,930 Per Person, Double Occupancy

Once you’ve seen the land of ice, it only makes sense to see its counterpart: the land of fire and ice—Iceland. Luxuriate in the famous Blue Lagoon hot springs, said to have rejuvenating health benefits. And explore Iceland’s bubbling mud pools, spouting geysers, and massive icecaps and glaciers. Add it after departures of Land of the Ice Bears; Norway’s Fjords and Arctic Svalbard; or Svalbard, Iceland & Greenland’s East Coast.

1.800.EXPEDITION (1.800.397.3348)

Blue Lagoon hot spring spa in Reykjavík, Iceland.

Gullfoss Waterfall, Iceland.

ADD ICELAND’S WONDERS PRE- OR POST-VOYAGE/3 DAYS/3 NIGHTS 2016*: $2,950 Per Person, Double Occupancy Discover geothermal ponds that serve as sanctuaries for birdlife and see towering, churning waterfalls in this land where roiling, wild geology literally bubbles to the surface in geysers and mud pools. Add it before Iceland’s West Coast to East Greenland; Iceland & Greenland: Viking Legends and Wild Fjords or after Epic 80°N.

ADD REYKJAVÍK’S GOLDEN CIRCLE PRE- OR POST-VOYAGE/1 DAY/1 NIGHT 2016*: $920 Per Person, Double Occupancy Extend your stay in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital. Enjoy the surreal Blue Lagoon, and have a guided in-depth experience along the famed Golden Circle with its boiling pools, geysers and waterfalls. Add it before Circumnavigating Iceland and Iceland & Greenland: Viking Legends and Wild Fjords; or after Iceland’s West Coast to East Greenland; Svalbard, Iceland and Greenland; and Epic 80°N. Also add it before or after Nordic Passages: Shetlands, Orkney, Faroes, and Iceland. Geyser, Golden Circle, Iceland.

*Airfare is not included on all extensions.

WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM 53

THE LUXURY OF COMFORT National Geographic Explorer provides a welcoming home in faraway lands. Decorated in relaxing earth tones, her 81 cabins, including 4 suites with balconies, 9 cabins with balconies, and 14 solo cabins are inviting and rewarding—with deluxe bedding, our signature feather duvets and thick terry robes. All cabins feature flat screen TVs with movie programming, as well as channels broadcasting the live feed from our remote-controlled crow’s nest camera, and our electronic chart system. And all cabins are equipped with Ethernet connections, plugs for laptops and phone or camera chargers.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER, VISIT EXPEDITIONS.COM/NGEXPLORER

1.800.EXPEDITION (1.800.397.3348)

Top left: Suites and cabins with balconies provide a constant connection with the Arctic’s stunning vistas. Bottom left: The fitness center with panoramic views and a classic Swedish sauna make this a perfect place to end an active day. Top right: Explorer’s Library, brimming with definitive guides, books, novels, and gorgeously illustrated coffee table books, is a comfortable place to read or study a topic.

Left: Hotel Manager Patrik Svärdmyr welcomes you. Above: The strikingly plated dishes dazzle daily, with healthy options from wholesome to indulgent.

WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM 55

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER CAPACITY: 148 guests in 81 outside cabins. REGISTRY: Bahamas. OVERALL LENGTH: 367 feet. National Geographic Explorer is a state-of-the-art expedition ship, and the flagship of the Lindblad fleet. It is a fully stabilized, iceclass vessel, with an ice-reinforced hull, enabling it to navigate polar passages while providing exceptional comfort. It carries kayaks and a fleet of Zodiac landing craft. An undersea specialist operates a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and sophisticated video equipment, extending access to the underwater world. PUBLIC AREAS: Bistro bar; chart room; restaurant; global gallery; library, lounge with full service bar and state-of-the-art facilities for films, slideshows and presentations; mudroom with lockers for expedition gear, and observation lounge. Our “open bridge” provides guests an opportunity to meet our officers and captain and learn about navigation.

MEALS: Served in single seatings with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling. Menu is international with local flair. CABINS: All cabins face outside with windows or portholes, private facilities and climate controls. Some cabins have balconies. EXPEDITION EQUIPMENT: Zodiac landing craft, kayaks, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), hydrophone, splashcam, underwater video camera, crow’s nest remote controlled camera, video microscope, snorkeling gear. SPECIAL FEATURES: A full-time doctor, undersea specialist, National Geographic photographer, LEX/NG-certified photo instructor and video chronicler, internet café and laundry. WELLNESS: The vessel is staffed by a wellness specialist and features a glass-enclosed fitness center, outdoor stretching area, two LEXspa treatment rooms and sauna.

CATEGORY 1: Main Deck with one or two portholes #301-308

CATEGORY A SOLO: Main Deck with window #309-312, 329-334 CATEGORY B SOLO: Upper and Veranda Decks with window #105-106, 203, 208 CATEGORY 3 TRIPLE: Main Deck with window #341, 343 SHARED ACCOMMODATIONS: Available in Categories 1 and 2. SOLE OCCUPANCY: Cabins available in Categories A and B. NOTE: Cabins #209, 211, 214, 216-218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 303-306—These cabins have one queen-sized bed. All other double cabins have two lower single beds; some can convert to a queen-sized bed. Third person rates are available in the designated triple occupancy cabins at one-half the double occupancy rate. Cabins #341, 343, 101, 102, 215, 219 and 230 can accommodate a third person.

CATEGORY 2: Main Deck with window #317-320, 335-336 CATEGORY 3: Main Deck with window #313-316, 321-328, 337340, 342, 344, 346, 348, 350 CATEGORY 4: Upper and Veranda Decks with window #103-104, 107-108, 201-202, 204-207, 210, 212, 217, 226, 228 CATEGORY 5: Upper Deck with balcony #209, 211, 214, 216, 218, 220-222, 224 CATEGORY 6: Veranda Deck–Suite #101-102; Upper Deck-Suite with balcony #213 CATEGORY 7: Upper Deck–Suite with balcony #215, 219, 230

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219 221 228 226 224 222 220 218

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GLOBAL GALLERY

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333-S

335

337

339

310-S

312-S

314

316

318

320

322

324

326

328

330-S

332-S

334-S

336

338

340

342

309-S

308

341-T

307

UNDERSEA SPECIALIST INTERNET CAFE WC IW

304

306 303

302

305

301

LOCKERS

BAL. BAL. BAL. BAL. BAL. BAL.

202

GALLEY

106-S

104

102

DECK

LOUNGE

WELLNESS DECK CHART ROOM

105-S

103

DECK

101

RECEPTION BISTRO RESTAURANT

OBSERVATION LOUNGE LIBRARY ELEVATOR

BRIDGE

BRIDGE DECK

SUN DECK

VERANDA DECK

UPPER DECK

MAIN DECK

DOCTORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OFFICE

MUD ROOM

STAFF OFFICE

ZODIAC BOARDING

B DECK

TAKE A VIRTUAL VIDEO TOUR OF OUR NEWEST SHIP AT WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM/NGEXPLORER

WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM 57

Enjoy the views from your cabin.

Dining is completely casual with no assigned seating.

Review the route in the Chart Room.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER Prices are per person, double occupancy unless indicated otherwise. ITINERARY

YEAR

CAT. 1

CAT. 2

CAT. 3

CAT. 4

CAT. 5

Land of the Ice Bears – Page 24

2017

$10,220

$10,880

$11,320

$11,990

$ 14,150

Norway’s Fjords & Arctic Svalbard – Page 26

2017

$16,570

$17,460

$18,360

$19,760

$22,590

Svalbard, Iceland & Greenland’s East Coast – Page 28

2017

$14,950

$15,780

$16,530

$17,800

$20,350

Iceland & Greenland: Viking Legends and Wild Fjords - Page 40

2017

$15,390

$16,430

$17,120

$18,120

$21,370

Epic 80°N: Greenland, Baffin & Ellesmere Islands – Page 44

2017

$25,990

$27,990

$28,970

$30,990

$37,470

Exploring Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic – Page 46

2017

$13,990

$14,990

$15,600

$16,750

$20,200

The Canadian Maritimes – Page 50

2017

$8,170

$8,640

$8,960

$9,520

$11,220

Enjoy treatments in the LEXSpa.

Navigation lessons on the Bridge.

Global Gallery.

Standard bathroom.

Spacious solo cabin.

Main deck cabin with window.

BAR TAB AND CREW TIPS INCLUDED ON VOYAGES LISTED BELOW. CAT. 6

CAT. 7

CAT. A SOLO

CAT. B SOLO

ADVANCE PAYMENT

$16,530

$18,890

$13,600

$14,150

$1,500

Includes two hotel nights. Sample Airfares: round-trip Newark/Oslo. Economy from: $1,180; Business from $3,960. Charter Airfare: $725 (roundtrip Oslo/Longyearbyen).

$26,370

$30,300

$21,820

$22,950

$2,500

Includes one hotel night. Sample Airfares: New York/Bergen, Oslo/Newark: Economy from: $700; Business from $3,800. Charter airfare: $360 (Longyearbyen/Oslo).

$23,750

$27,280

$19,720

$20,660

$1,500

Includes one hotel night. Sample Airfares: Newark/Oslo, Reykjavík/New York. $800; Business from $2,800; Charter Airfare: $360 (Oslo/Longyearbyen).

$24,900

$28,480

$20,540

$21,400

$2,500

Includes one hotel night Reykjavík. Sample Airfares: Round trip New York/Keflavík: Economy from $600; Business from $2,300; Charter airfare: $725 (Kangerlussuaq/ Reykjavík)

$42,710

$49,640

$34,990

$36,210

$3,000

Includes two hotel nights Reykjavík. Sample Airfares: Round trip Newark/Keflavík: Economy from $600; Business airfare from $2,300; Round trip charter airfare: $1,450 (Reykjavík/Kangerlussuaq).

$23,290

$27,000

$18,740

$19,500

$1,500

Includes two hotel nights Reykjavík. Sample Airfares: Round trip Newark/Keflavík: Economy from $600; Business from $2,300; Round trip charter airfare: $1,450 (Reykjavík/ Kangerlussuaq).

$13,100

$15,270

$10,800

$11,200

$1,000

Sample Airfares: round-trip New York/Toronto/St. John’s and return: Economy from $350, Business from $1,100.

View undersea footage from the comfort of the lounge.

NOTE

A selection of fresh food daily.

Browsing the library.

EXPEDITION EXCELLENCE National Geographic Orion is our more-thancomfortable floating basecamp for exploring the far corners of the Earth in complete self-sufficiency. Engineered for maximum comfort and safety, Orion accommodates 102 guests in 53 cabins, including several with balconies. She is spacious and modern, with a dramatic window-lined main lounge, as well as and an observation lounge at the very top of the ship. While youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find the ship interiors elegant, life aboard is, as always, casual and informal.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION, VISIT EXPEDITIONS.COM/NGORION

1.800.EXPEDITION (1.800.397.3348)

Clockwise from left: A comfortable Category 6 cabin; guests are welcome on the Bridge; cocktails in the Main Lounge; casual seating in the Main Lounge; Observation Lounge & Library; artwork displayed throughout the ship; enjoy a menu that reflects the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flavors in the dining room.

WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM 61

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION CAPACITY: 102 guests in 53 outside cabins. REGISTRY: Bahamas. OVERALL LENGTH: 338 feet. The state-of-the-art National Geographic Orion is the newest addition to the Lindblad-National Geographic fleet. A fully stabilized, ice-class vessel with a reinforced hull. PUBLIC AREAS: Outdoor café, lounge with bar, restaurant, sundeck, reception desk, observation lounge and library, global gallery, marina platform, and mud room. Our “open bridge” allows guests to meet our captain and officers and learn about navigation. MEALS: All meals are served in a single seating with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling. The cuisine is international with local flair, featuring tastes of the regions we explore.

CATEGORY 1: Main Deck with oval window #316, 318, 319-321 CATEGORY 2: Main Deck with oval window #302-312, 314, 315, 317

CABINS: All cabins feature ocean views, private facilities, climate controls, internet access for your own laptop, and a flat-screen TV with DVD/CD player. Some cabins have French balconies. Single cabins in Category 1 and Category 3 include #301, 322, 323, and 512. EXPEDITION EQUIPMENT: Zodiac landing craft, a hydrophone, underwater video cameras, kayaks, and a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). SPECIAL FEATURES: Laundry, a full-time doctor, video chronicler, National Geographic photographer and Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor, plus undersea specialists. WELLNESS: A wellness specialist, fitness center, LEXspa treatment room and sauna are on board.

CATEGORY 6: Bridge Deck—Owner’s suite with French balcony #502, 507, 509*, 510 *Cabin 509 has two windows in lieu of a French balcony.

CATEGORY 3: Upper Deck—Suite with window #401-412, 414-419

CATEGORY 1 SOLO: Main Deck with oval window or two portholes #301, 322, 323 CATEGORY 3 SOLO: Bridge Deck—Suite with two windows #512

CATEGORY 4: Bridge Deck—Deluxe suite with window #511, 515

NOTE: Sole occupancy cabins available in Categories 1 and 3. Shared accommodations available in Categories 1 and 2.

CATEGORY 5: Bridge Deck—Suite with French balcony #501, 503-506, 508

NOTE: Third person rates available at one-half the double occupancy rate in designated triple occupancy cabins.

1.800.EXPEDITION (1.800.397.3348)

FITNESS CENTER/ LEXSPA TREATMENT ROOM

THEATER

OBSERVATION LOUNGE & LIBRARY

SUNDECK SAUNA

505

507

508

510

512 ELEVATOR

BRIDGE DECK

417

419

416

418

411

415

412

414

409

405

407

406

408

RECEPTION ELEVATOR

UPPER DECK

323 322

320

319 321

311 315 312 314

317

316 318

301 303 305 307 309

RESTAURANT

302 304 306 308 310

MARINA PLATFORM

410

403 404

GLOBAL GALLERY

401

LOUNGE

402

OUTDOOR CAFE

511

501

503

504

506

502

509

515

ELEVATOR

OBSERVATION DECK

BRIDGE

WHIRLPOOL HOT TUB

ELEVATOR

MUD ROOM

DOCTOR’S OFFICE

MAIN DECK ZODIAC BOARDING

Right from top: Category 6 cabin; marble bathrooms are generously sized; Category 3 cabin.

BAR TAB AND CREW TIPS INCLUDED ON VOYAGES LISTED BELOW. EXPEDITION DECK Prices are per person, double occupancy unless indicated as solo. CAT. A SOLO

CAT. B SOLO

ADVANCE PAYMENT

ITINERARY

YEAR

CAT. 1

A Circumnavigation of Iceland – Page 32

2017

$9,130

$10,580 $12,560 $13,700 $16,370 $18,980 $13,700 $18,850

$1,000

Sample airfare: New York/Keflavík, Keflavík/ New York: Economy from $600; Business from $2,000.

Iceland’s Wild West Coast to East Greenland – Page 34

2017

$9,130

$10,580 $12,560 $13,700 $16,370 $18,980 $13,700 $18,850

$1,000

Sample airfare: New York/Keflavík, Keflavík/ New York: Economy from $600; Business from $2,000.

Nordic Passages: Shetlands, Orkney, Faroes, and Iceland – Page 36

2017

$13,690 $15,870 $18,840 $20,550 $24,550 $28,470 $20,550 $28,270

$1,500

Sample airfare: New York/Bergen, Keflavík/ New York (or vice-versa): Economy from $800; Business from $2,850.

CAT. 2

CAT. 3

CAT. 4

CAT. 5

CAT. 6

NOTE

WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM 63

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR SPECIAL OFFERS BOOK BY DEC. 31, 2015 to take advantage of special offers that appear on select expeditions in this catalog. On voyages with complimentary air offers, airfare is based on economy group flights that must be ticketed by Lindblad Expeditions. In the case that Lindblad’s group or charter flights are no longer available at time of booking, we reserve the right to issue a credit certificate. All offers are valid for new bookings only, subject to availability at the time of booking, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details. BACK-TO-BACK SAVINGS: Save 10% on any consecutive journeys taken aboard National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Orion. This saving is applicable on voyage fares only, and is not valid on extensions or airfare. TRAVELING AS A GROUP: Save 5% when traveling as a group of 8 or more people. Take advantage of these great savings, while enjoying traveling with your friends and family. This saving is applicable to voyage fares only, and is not valid on extensions or airfare. Deposit, final payments, and cancellation policies for group travel vary from our regular policies. BRINGING THE KIDS: We believe sharing an expedition with your kids or grandkids is a life-enhancing experience. So, take $500 off for each child under the age of 18. COMBINING OFFERS: Certain offers may be combinable, up to two savings opportunities except where noted otherwise. For example, travel with a group of 8 or more on back-to-back expeditions, and take advantage of both savings!

INCLUSIVE PRICING We include just about everything you have the opportunity to do as part of your expedition aboard ship and ashore. The only things not included are those of a personal nature—alcohol, internet usage, tips to the crew, wellness treatments and other specialized arrangements. ABOARD SHIP  All meals and non-alcoholic beverages  Cappuccinos, lattes & complimentary refillable water bottle  24-hour coffee, tea & soda on demand  Hors d’oeuvres & snacks during lounge recap  Sauna  Fitness center  Fully stocked library  The guidance and company of our expedition staff

1.800.EXPEDITION (1.800.397.3348)

ASHORE  Meals on land, as indicated in itinerary  Special access permits, park fees, port taxes  Transfers to and from group flights  The expertise of our expedition staff ACTIVITIES  All excursions  Zodiac & kayak explorations  Lectures & presentations in the lounge

LOG ON TO EXPEDITIONS.COM Find everything you need to dream, research or plan travel to 40+ destinations worldwide. Be part of our expedition community Join in! Here’s how: ⊲ Check our daily blog: expeditions.com/blog ⊲ Like us on Facebook: get inspired and chime in: facebook.com/LindbladExpeditions ⊲ Subscribe to our videos on youtube.com/lindbladexpeditions ⊲ Follow @LindbladEXP on Instagram and Twitter, and find Sven Lindblad on Instagram at @solindblad.

EXPLORATIONS

BLOG

Photo Credits: All Canada Photos/Alamy, Sisse Brimberg & Cotton Coulson, Stewart Cohen, Corbis, David Cothran, Cultura RM/Alamy, Danita Delimont/ Alamy, Olivier Goujon/ SuperStock, Eric Guth, Robert Harding/Alamy, Rolf Hicker/All Canada Photos/SuperStock, George Holton, Ralph Lee Hopkins, imageBROKER/Alamy, Sven-Olof Lindblad, Ole J Liodden, Jeff Litton,Luis Louro/Alamy, Michael Luppino, Michael Melford, Flip Nicklin, Paul Nicklen/ National Geographic Stock, Michael S. Nolan, Philippe Renault/Corbis, Marco Ricca, Stefan Rosengren/Alamy, Kevin Schafer, Gerhard Zwerger-Schon/ Superstock, Shutterstock, Suranga Weeratuna/Alamy.

RESERVATION INFORMATION Costs Include: All accommodations aboard ships or in hotels per itinerary or similar, all meals and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship, meals on land as indicated, air transportation where indicated as included, shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees, special access permits, transfers to and from group flights, use of snorkeling equipment and wet suits (where available), use of kayaks, tips (except to ship’s crew), taxes and service charges, services of a ship physician on most voyages, and services of our expedition staff. Not Included: Air transportation (except where shown as included), extensions, passport, visa, immigration fees, meals not indicated, travel protection plan, items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages, e-mail, voyage DVD, laundry. Gratuities to ship’s crew are at your discretion. Airfare: For all programs, airfare is an additional cost unless otherwise indicated. Sample airfares are subject to change. We will gladly assist in making your air arrangements for a $50 per person service fee. TERMS & CONDITIONS Reservations: To reserve your place, an advance payment is required at the time of reservation. The per person advance payment amount varies by program, and is outlined on pages 59 and 63, as well as on our website. Certain longer voyages may carry additional advance deposit requirements due to high demand for these voyages. Payment is accepted by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or by check. Receipt of your initial payment indicates your acceptance of our complete Terms and Conditions. We require written notice at the time of reservation for any physical condition, diet, or treatment requiring special attention. Once your reservation is confirmed, we urge you to use your personalized online account for important information to help you prepare for your voyage. Managing your documents online will facilitate fast and accurate communication, and allow you to provide us with pertinent details we require, in order to complete your reservation. Your online account gives you access to your Expedition Guide, which includes valuable information specific to your voyage. You can also use your online account to make easy payments, view recommended flights and reading material, packing list, and more. Final Payment: Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure. Payment schedules may vary for certain longer voyages, due to high demand for these voyages. We reserve the right to cancel your reservation if payment has not been received by final payment due date. Travel Protection Plan: We strongly recommend that you take advantage of our Travel Protection Plan. This plan offers comprehensive coverage to protect you from cancellation fees, costs incurred due to trip delays/interruption, medical assistance, and damaged or lost baggage, and provides medical assistance and evacuation during your travels. Our Travel Protection Plan is available for U.S. and Canadian residents only, and may be purchased any time prior to final payment due date. Travel Protection premiums are non-refundable once plan is purchased. Smoking Policy: Smoking is allowed only in designated outdoor areas. Responsibility and Other Terms & Conditions: Certain other provisions concerning, among other things, limitations of Lindblad Expeditions’ and the National Geographic Society’s liability for loss of property, injury, illness or death during the voyage will be provided to all guests on the ship’s ticket sent prior to departure, and are also available on our website at www. expeditions.com/terms, or upon request. By registering for a trip, the guest agrees to all such terms and conditions. Note: Itineraries and prices listed in this brochure are valid as of publication date, and are subject to change. Under normal conditions, the total expedition cost is guaranteed at the time of booking. However, the published price is determined far in advance of initial departure on the basis of then-existing projections of fuel and other costs. In the event we determine that current costs create an unsustainable financial model, including but not limited to

increases in the price of fuel, currency fluctuations, increases in government taxes or levies, or increased security costs, we reserve the right to pass on these costs to you, to cover such unexpected increases. We will always provide a transparent accounting of the reason for such an increase in costs. CANCELLATION POLICY Number of Days Prior to Expedition Start 180 or more days 179–120 days 119–90 days 89–60 days 59–0 days

Per Person Cancellation Fee $750* Advance payment cost 25% of trip cost 50% of trip cost No refund

*$750 will be rewarded in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate. This cancellation policy applies to expeditions as well as pre- or post- extensions. The effective date of a cancellation will be the date on which your cancellation notice is received. Note: Airline cancellation policies vary by carrier, as well as the type of fare used to issue your ticket. Any revisions you make within the cancellation penalty period, such as departure date or choice of voyage, are subject to cancellation fees. Cancellation policy for certain longer voyages and Holiday departures may vary due to high demand for these voyages. Our Group cancellation policies are listed in the Terms and Conditions section of our website, or you may call us for details. We stress the importance of purchasing a travel protection plan to protect yourself from fees in the event you need to cancel your reservation.

United States Tour Operators Association $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program Lindblad Expeditions, as an Active Member of USTOA, is required to post $1 Million with USTOA to be used to reimburse, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program, the advance payments of Lindblad Expeditions customers in the unlikely event of Lindblad Expeditions bankruptcy, insolvency or cessation of business. Further, you should understand that the $1 Million posted by Lindblad Expeditions may be sufficient to provide only a partial recovery of the advance payments received by Lindblad Expeditions. More details of the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program may be obtained by writing to USTOA at 345 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1801, New York, New York 10001, or by email to information@ustoa.com or by visiting their website at www.USTOA.com. We are proud to be a Founding Member of Adventure Collection—a family of the world’s most trusted and experienced active travel companies. Each member company of Adventure Collection is dedicated to enriching the lives of its guests and to giving back to the areas in which it travels. For more information visit www.AdventureCollection.com. ©2016 Lindblad Expeditions Lindblad Expeditions and the Eye are the trademarks of Lindblad Expeditions. All rights reserved. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC and the Yellow Border are the trademarks of the National Geographic Society. All rights reserved.

For Reservations: Contact your travel advisor or Lindblad Expeditions

1.800.EXPEDITION (1.800.397.3348) Reservation Hours: Monday – Friday 9am – 8pm ET Saturday & Sunday 10am – 5pm ET

Lindblad Expeditions, Inc., 96 Morton Street, New York, NY 10014 Phone: 212.261.9000 • Fax: 212.265.3770 email: explore@expeditions.com For additional information and online reservations, visit us on the Web: www.expeditions.com

WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM 65

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS

96 Morton Street New York, NY 10014

Account Number:

Expedition Code:

2ARCFUA7

1.800.EXPEDITION | WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM C Printed on 10% recycled content paper with soy-based inks. We recommend that you pass this along for others to enjoy or recycle.

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SELECTED HONORS & AWARDS » Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’

» Condé Nast Traveler’s 2014

» Travel + Leisure “World’s Best”

» Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers’

» Condé Nast Traveler World Savers

» Travel + Leisure “World’s Best for

» The Tourism Cares Travel

» Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award—Top 25 Cruise Lines, 2013

» Cruise Critic Editor’s Pick Awards “Best

Choice Award—Top Small Ship Cruise Lines, 2015, 2014

Choice Awards: Best Expedition Cruise Line, 2015 Philanthropy Awards: Legacy in Travel Philanthropy, 2015

» World Travel Awards: World’s

Leading Green Cruise Line, 2015

Readers’ Poll—Top 20 Small Cruise Ships in the World, 2014 “Doing it All” Award, 2013

» Condé Nast Traveler “Gold List”, 2013, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005

» Virtuoso “Sustainable Tourism

Leadership-Supplier” Award, 2013

GO TO WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM/AWARDS FOR AN EXTENDED LIST

Award for Small-Ship Cruise Lines, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 Families” Award for Small-Ship Cruise Lines, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 for Adventure,” 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010

» Climate Champion Award to Sven Lindblad by Clean Air-Cool Planet, 2009 » Tourism for Tomorrow “Global Tourism Business Award,” 2007