Greenland Odyssey

Arrive independently to Reykjavik, Iceland’s vibrant capital city, and take your transfer to your hotel for your included overnight stay. There will be a voyage briefing this evening to allow you to meet your fellow travellers and some of your expedition crew.

After breakfast on day 2 you can join your included Golden Circle tour, one of Iceland’s most popular excursions. This fascinating tour will bring you to Thingvellir National Park, Geysers and Gullfoss Falls, offering an excellent introduction to this remarkable island. In the afternoon you will transfer to the port to board your expedition vessel. After settling in to your comfortable cabin, you can meet your captain and the expedition crew at a fabulous welcome dinner as we set sail for Greenland.

Having sailed across the Greenland Sea followed by whales and seabirds on day 3, by day 4 or 5 we will have reached Greenland’s enchanting east coast. We will now spend up to 6 days exploring around the east and south coasts on thrilling Zodiac (small boat) excursions, hikes and walks. We will sail through narrow channels and fjords looking for wildlife and close-up photo opportunities, visit charming towns and villages, witness incredible landscapes of towering peaks and mountains, and learn all about Norse history and culture from your expert expedition team. Wildlife you can expect to see here includes whales, seals, musk ox and a myriad of birds.

Your exact schedule in Greenland is likely to be dictated by weather and ice conditions, with your experienced crew choosing the best course each day for unforgettable experiences.

Your first stop is likely to be Tasiilaq which overlooks King Oscar’s Harbour and is East Greenland’s largest town. Discover spectacular scenery here on Zodiac cruises to the icebergs and waterways of nearby Sermilik Fjord. On Skjoldungen Island we will weave through the narrow channels of Skjoldungen Fjord before hopping out of the Zodiacs for a walk along glacial rivers and wildflower blanketed tundra.

We will slowly cruise along the iconic Prince Christian Sound to allow you plenty of time to soak up the breath-taking surrounds of sculpted icebergs and towering fjords. A Zodiac cruise at Kangersuneq Qinngorleq is certain to excite, whilst a sail-by of the small settlement of Appilatoq will be a delight for the photography fans.

As we make our way through the winding channels of Greenland’s south coast you will discover the jagged mountains of Tasermiut Fjord before making a visit to Nanortalik, Greenland’s southernmost town to meet the locals and learn all about their way of life here. You’ll be treated to a local choir performance before enjoying a walk around the old colonial quarter of the town to see its Danish Lutheran church and the town’s landmark boulder called the ‘Knud Rasmussen Stone.

Our penultimate stop on the southern coast is likely to be the famous area of Hvalsey which is home to the best-preserved Norse ruin in Greenland, which dates back to the early 14th century. After a walk around the ruins we will head on to Qaqortoq where we will go ashore to discover the town’s various cultural activities and attractions.

Throughout our time in Greenland there will be ample opportunities for those who have booked kayaking as part of their package to take to the waters for paddling adventures. Please note, kayaking is not included as part of your package and additional costs apply.

Moving northwards up Greenland’s equally impressive west coast, the first stop is likely to be the small settlement of Paamiut where a visit will reward in impressive views of the surrounding mountains and an enjoyable walk around the settlement’s museum and beautiful wooden church. There will also be good chances of spotting orcas, whales and white-tailed eagles here.

In the capital city of Nuuk you can enjoy a guided walk around the town to see its charming old buildings, colourful houses, fascinating museum and award-winning City Hall.

Next, we will visit Sisimiut which enjoys 24 hours of daylight during the summer months due to its position above the Arctic Circle. Here you can enjoy a walk around to learn about the Thule culture, visit the town’s small museum and see its famous old blue church which features a whale jaw gate. For those seeking a good stretch of the legs, there is an excellent hike available here to Priest Mountain which will reward in stunning views of the town and its mountainous surrounds. You may also spot foxes and musk ox along the way!

One of the major features of your voyage will be “ice” …and plenty of it! We will visit Eqip Sermia to see the Eqi glacier, one of the most active glaciers in Greenland, to enjoy a wonderful Zodiac cruise to watch the icebergs calving into the water. Out of everywhere we visit though, the highlight is likely to be the incredible Ilulissat area, home to the mind-blowing UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ilulissat Icefjord, and one of the most actively calving glaciers in the world, Sermeq Kujalleq. Zodiac cruising and kayaking at the mouth of the fjord will be a simply unforgettable experience, whilst energetic hikes will reward in incredible photography opportunities. An optional helicopter flight over the fjord will also be available for an additional cost.

A final adventure will bring us to Evighedsfjorden, or Eternity Fjord, one of the more spectacular fjord complexes in west Greenland due to its forested landscape. Here you can enjoy a hike through the remote forested valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains, towering glaciers and the unforgettable Arctic silence.

Having sailed through the mightily impressive 180-kilometre-long Søndre Strømfjord, we will arrive in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland’s busiest port and airport. If time permits, you can enjoy a sightseeing tour around the town before you take your included flight to Toronto. Upon arrival in Toronto you will transfer to your hotel for your included post-voyage overnight stay.

After breakfast on day 17, your itinerary will come to an end.