Southern Greenland & Disko Bay

Your Arctic expedition will begin in the Icelandic capital city of Reykjavik where after arriving independently you can make your way to your hotel for your overnight stay. You may wish to arrive a couple of days early to allow more time to sample some of this vibrant city’s many delights.

On the morning of day 2 you will join the transfer to the port board your ship and settle in to your comfortable surroundings. As we set sail you will get fantastic views of Reykjavik’s surrounding landscapes. Your experienced expedition crew will brief you on what’s ahead as you embark on your Arctic adventure.

Today will be spent at sea sailing across the Denmark Strait towards Greenland. Take the time to relax and enjoy the comforts of your expedition ship, watch a movie, sip on a cocktail from the bar or simply take advantage of the chance to put your feet up before the adventures that lie ahead. You can join interesting presentations and talks about the wildlife, geology and history of the Arctic, whilst on deck the nature experts onboard can help you to identify the seabirds and whales that may be following the ship.

As we reach the shores of Eastern Greenland our adventures begin in earnest as we begin our exploration of this enchanting island where majestic scenery and rich cultural experiences will fill every day with something new. As with all Polar expeditions, the route taken throughout your time in Greenland will be flexible and dependent on weather and ice conditions, but there are numerous landing sites that we expect to visit to bring you up-close to Greenland’s treasures. Our first stop on the southeast coast is likely to bring us to the remote area of Skjoldungen where we hope to enjoy an exciting Zodiac cruise deep into the fjords to see beautiful glaciers surrounded by mountains before visiting the site of an abandoned Inuit settlement. There may also be chances for enjoyable hikes here and a walk through this Arctic “ghost town” where abandoned buildings and personal possessions create an eerie reminder of a time long ago.

We also hope to visit Lindenow Fjord for another Zodiac cruise to see more glaciers and search for sightings of the bearded seals that are often spotted here lounging on the surrounding ice floes.

Throughout your time in Greenland we hope for numerous opportunities to enjoy flightseeing excursions via helicopter...an unforgettable and unique experience!

We will now sail along the south coast seeking out the best places to stop for scenic, wildlife and cultural experiences. Nicknamed “Arctic Patagonia”, the verdant landscapes here provide fantastic scenic photo opportunities of icy waters set against a backdrop of soaring mountains, crystal-clear waterfalls and unbelievably lush, green valleys. The area is home to numerous small settlements that we hope to visit including Hvalsey where we will learn more about Greenland’s ancient culture and step back in time as we see some of the island’s largest and best-preserved Norse ruins.

Sailing through the complex maze of fjords and channels in beautiful Prins Christian Sund you will want to be on deck with camera in hand as we sail by jagged mountains, calving glaciers and sheer cliffs plunging dramatically into the surrounding waters. We will hope to enjoy some Zodiac cruises here as well as good hiking opportunities at some scenic landing sites in the area.

Next up we hope to visit the small village of Igaliku which is part of the newly formed Kujataa farming communities UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we will go ashore to see the sheep and horses grazing on the picturesque rolling fields surrounded by snow-capped mountains and visit the remarkable red sandstone ruins of the Gardar cathedral which offers an interesting insight into the Viking period.

We will now make our way up Greenland’s west coast with the goal of reaching the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ilulissat Icefjord, stopping at numerous quaint villages and settlements along the way to sample the Greenlandic culture and learn more about life in this remote part of the world. We will make a stop at Greenland’s capital of Nuuk to wander the streets and see the Hans Egede Church and statue as well as the famous Greenlandic mummies in the great museum here, before visiting nearby Sisimiut, a historic town which is home to Greenland’s oldest surviving church and more sled dogs than humans!

Next up it’s time for one of the highlights of your whole voyage as we reach the Ilulissat Icefjord and Disko Bay area to witness a world of ice where the scenic town lies amongst the spectacular backdrop of one of the world’s fastest-moving glaciers. Photo opportunities here are endless and your day exploring here will certainly be one to remember.

Having sailed through the scenic Kangerlussuaq fjord overnight, arrival into Kangerlussuaq port will sadly signal the end of our voyage. After disembarkation and a fond farewell to the crew you will join your transfer to the airport for your charter flight back to Reykjavik. Upon arrival in Reykjavik you will be transferred to a nearby hotel for an overnight stay and in the morning you can choose to either head to the airport for your homeward flights or spend some further time in this vibrant capital city.