Lindblad Expeditions has announced it will be reactivating National Geographic Explorer for a series of voyages in Iceland this summer. Plans call for the 148-guest polar vessel to explore the mythical land of the midnight sun on two alternating itineraries, Wild Island Escape and The Circumnavigation of Iceland. On both expeditions, guests will discover why Iceland is known as the “land of fire and ice” as they journey through the country’s pristine fjords, fascinating tundra, dramatic waterfalls, and geothermal hot springs.
The Iceland season will kick off on July 7, 2021 with the 6-day Wild Island Escape, a compact adventure to the remote fjords and volcanic isles along the country’s western coast. Guests will encounter evidence of volcanic activity as they soak in geothermal hot springs, hike over cooled lava fields, and view Iceland’s newest isle, Surtsey. They will set out by Zodiac to view towering cliffs teeming with nesting puffins and snow-capped plateaus, watching for humpback and minke whales in the surrounding waters. Rates begin at $5,180 per person based on double occupancy in a category one cabin and include all meals, drinks, and excursions, plus complimentary bar tab and crew gratuities.
The 11-day A Circumnavigation of Iceland will showcase the magnitude of the country’s geological manifestations: glaciers, geysers, thundering waterfalls, immense cliffs, geothermal springs, boiling mud pots, and lava-scapes of unearthly beauty. Set to begin departures on July 11, 2021, the expedition will voyage Iceland’s wild western coast; Grimsey in the north; the rarely visited rugged east coast; and the Westman islands in the south, among the planet’s youngest archipelagos. Guests will cruise into the beautiful, remote Westfjords and spend time on the Arctic Circle spotting nesting seabirds, and hike on magnificent and remote stretches of the coast. Rates begin at $11,460 per person based on double occupancy in a category one cabin and include all meals, drinks, and excursions, plus complimentary bar tab and crew gratuities
Both itineraries will provide guests opportunities for active adventure via Zodiac cruise, kayak, hikes, and walks daily, under the guidance and expertise of Lindblad’s renowned team of naturalists, a National Geographic photographer, Lindblad certified photo instructors and an undersea specialist.
Lindblad’s ethnomusicologist, Jacob Edgar, has invited renowned Icelandic musicians to perform on select departures throughout the summer, providing guests a front row seat to the sounds of some of the musicians leading Iceland’s musical eruption. For a sneak peek at some of the past artists who’ve joined guests aboard through the summer and Jacob’s curated Iceland playlist, click here.
All guests 16 years of age and over will be required to be vaccinated prior to travelling onboard for July voyages. On voyages departing August 1, 2021 or later, all guests 12 years of age and over will be required to be vaccinated. A complete list of health and safety protocols are listed here. From start to finish, guests will travel exclusively with their expedition community, all equally tested.
For reservations or additional information on Lindblad Expeditions’ voyages to some of the most beautiful and fascinating places on Earth, visit www.expeditions.com, call 1-800-EXPEDITION (1-800-397-3348) or contact your travel advisor.
