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Discover a region of epic fjords and pristine ice that is home to the Arctic’s iconic creatures: polar bears, whales, and vast seabird colonies. Explore Iceland’s wild Westfjords region and see where Erik the Red sailed from in the year A.D. 982, bound for Greenland. Ice permitting, venture into the world’s largest fjord system and visit traditional communities. Conditions permitting, watch for the northern lights along Eastern Greenland and Iceland.
• Discover the wild west coast of Iceland with its incredible geology, quiet coves, and majestic waterfalls
• Hike to a remote waterfall, explore the fjords by kayak, or enjoy a Zodiac cruise alongside stunning scenery in the Westfjords of Iceland
• Explore the largest national park in the world—Northeast Greenland National Park—and search for polar bears, musk oxen, whales, and more
• Sail into Scoresbysund, ice permitting, the world’s largest and longest fjord system and home to remote Inuit communities
• Learn how to capture northern lights displays, conditions permitting, with our National Geographic Photography Expert by your side
Day 1 - Reykjavík, Iceland / Embark Ship
Upon arrival, explore Reykjavík’s Old Town, including Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral and the National Museum with its Viking treasures. Then, embark National Geographic Endurance. Breakfast is on your own; lunch and dinner are included today.
Day 2 - Westfjords of Iceland
Explore the beautiful and peaceful Westfjords region of Iceland. Perhaps take a hike to a remote waterfall, explore the fjords by kayak, or enjoy a Zodiac cruise alongside stunning scenery and wildlife.
Day 3 - Crossing the Denmark Strait
Sail west across the Denmark Strait, where the cold East Greenland current carries icebergs south. Scan the water for marine life and enjoy life on board. Take a yoga class, unwind with a massage in the wellness center, and curl up next to the fireplace in the library. Visit the bridge and learn about navigation. Relax in one of the twin infinity hot tubs or spend some time in the only igloo at sea. Learn about the area from our onboard historians, naturalists, and photographers, and enjoy
exceptional dining options. Plus, this is the time of year to be on the lookout for northern lights displays.
Day 4/9 - Exploring Northeast Greenland and Scoresbysund
Encompassing roughly 80 percent of the surface of Greenland, the Greenland ice sheet is the second-largest body of ice in the world. Weather and ice dictate our exact route, but we plan to explore well north of Scoresbysund in the largest national park in the world – Northeast Greenland National Park. We also set a course for Scoresbysund, the largest and longest fjord system on earth, with the village of Ittoqqortoormiit at its entrance. Being the end of summer, the ice has retreated as far as it ever does, allowing us to explore the fjords, bays, and nooks and crannies of this stunning coastline. We hope to see the iconic Arctic wildlife: polar bears, seals, and whales. We are also on constant watch for the northern lights, conditions permitting.
Day 10/11 - Crossing the Denmark Strait / Exploring the Westfjords, Iceland
We return across the Denmark Strait, headed just south of the Arctic Circle, to the Westfjords, a remote area backed by majestic cliffs. Explore by biking, hiking, enjoying local tastes, or photographing flowering plants in the oldest botanical garden in Iceland.
Day 12 - Reykjavik, Iceland / Disembark Ship
Disembark in Reykjavík with options to visit either the Blue Lagoon thermal baths or the Reykjanes Peninsula to view the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, prior to the flight home.
Please consider that our voyages are expeditionary in nature. This means, that there are no concrete itineraries, your captain and expedition leader will utilise their vast experience to chart the best course for your expedition depending on the climatic and environmental conditions. Mentioned highlights and wildlife cannot be guaranteed.
A next-generation expedition ship, purpose-built for polar navigation.
Endurance is a next-generation expedition ship, purpose-built for polar navigation. A fully stabilized, highly strengthened, ice-class Polar Code PC5 (Category A) vessel, it is designed to navigate polar passages year-round, and safely explore unchartered waters, while providing exceptional comfort. Its patented X-BOW® is key to its design; its powerful wave-slicing action provides an extremely smooth ride in even adverse conditions, and even reduces spray on deck, for superior observation. She carries a full suite of expedition tools and offers a variety of experience-enhancing amenities.
TOOLS FOR EXPLORATION:
Expedition Landing Craft
Key to our operation is our fleet of expedition landing craft, which we use to land in places that would otherwise be inaccessible. With 8 of these boats and two loading stations used every time we disembark, we’re able to transfer guests off the ship quickly, so you can be out on adventures, not idly waiting. The expedition landing craft we use is 19 feet long, powered by four-stroke outboard engines, and are capable of comfortably carrying 10-12 people. They are widely recognized as the safest and most versatile small boats afloat.
Remotely Operated Vehicle
Capable of reaching 1,000 feet, far beyond the range of any Scuba diver, the ROV allows you to literally view parts of the undersea that are as unexplored as the moon. Chances are you, like many of our guests, will be struck by how surprisingly colourful undersea life is in these unlikely places. And this glimpse may fundamentally change how you view the ocean.
Kayaks
National Geographic Endurance will be equipped with a fleet of kayaks large enough to ensure everyone who wants to can paddle at every opportunity.
Consequently, prior kayaking experience isn’t necessary—many of our guests have their first kayaking experience in extraordinary locations. Our custom-designed floating platform lets us deploy kayaks from the ship, or any location we want—including far from shore. Kayakers are usually free to explore where they want within boundaries set by the undersea specialist and officer of the watch.
Underwater camera
Our undersea specialist will dive often during your expedition, even in Alaska, with cold-water gear, to shoot high-definition, Cousteau-like footage of the deep. Colourful nudibranchs, swimming, plant-like crinoids, and mysterious fish with antifreeze blood that thrives in the frigid sea will give you an entirely new appreciation of the marine environment.
Video microscope
Naturalists will use the video microscope to help explain all elements of the environment, including tiny organisms that are the building block of the marine ecosystem. Spellbinding live views of krill at 80x magnification fills the high-definition screens in the lounge with vivid detail and fills every onlooker with a sense of wonder at the importance of otherwise unobservable creatures.
Hydrophone
This underwater microphone is deployed to listen to the vocalizations of marine mammals. Real-time transmissions of their eerie, haunting sounds can be broadcast through the ship or recorded for later playback. Few experiences in nature are as captivating as watching humpback whales feed close to the ship as their vocalizations play through the ship’s PA system.
Electronic charts
An electronic chart showing the ship’s location, course, and speed is almost always on display in the lounge.
Open bridge
You’ll find our captains are engaged, knowledgeable members of your expedition who are eager to share their passion with you. Venture’s open bridge features comfortable spaces to sit, enjoy the view, drink your morning coffee, or simply chat with the officers.
| Luxury star rating: | 5 |
| Guests #: | 126 |
| Crew #: | |
| Ice Class: | PC5 |
| Speed: | 16 |
| Refurbished: |
| Year built: | 2020 |
| Length: | 124m |
| Width: | |
| Draft: | 5 |
| Tonnage: | 1250 |
| Registry: | |
| Elec Outlets: | 2 Flat |
We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.
