© Michelle Sole

South Greenland Adventure: The Majestic Alpine Arctic - 14 days

Aboard Ultramarine – 199 passengers

Developed in partnership with local communities—a first of its kind in expedition travel—this itinerary offers unprecedented opportunities to explore the majesty of South Greenland’s diverse fjordlands. Ultramarine’s two helicopters will take you to areas in South Greenland that others can’t reach, especially for off–ship excursions.

The following adventure options are included in the voyage cost: Flightseeing, Heli-Hiking, Heli-Ice Sheet Experience and Paddling excursion. Guests can also enjoy hikes, community visits and Zodiac cruises. Camping is offered at an additional cost (spots limited). 

This voyage—accessible to guests of all fitness levels—offers something for everyone, whether you’re interested in soaking up the serene mountain views, sailing through the icebergs on a Zodiac cruise, or trying optional activities such as heli–hiking or camping in style on the shores of Tasermiut Fjord with local hosts.

Tour Dates

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavik
Arrive in the Icelandic capital and make your way to your included hotel. You will have the rest of the day to explore the city on your own.
 
Day 2: Embarkation in Reykjavik
This afternoon, you’ll board your vessel in Reykjavik and begin your expedition. Get ready for a great adventure ahead on our technologically-advanced ship Ultramarine, which is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters and a fleet of 20 quick-launching Zodiacs to deliver unique off-ship experiences in South Greenland.
 
Day 3-4: At Sea
As we cruise north across the Denmark Strait, with views of Greenland in the distance, your Expedition Team will prepare you for the adventures ahead. Learn about the storied history of the Arctic, its fascinating wildlife, geology, glaciology, ecology and climate, and the incredible sights you will soon explore. The team will also help you search for seabirds soaring around your ship, as well as whales that frequent the surrounding waters.
 
Days 5-6: The Wild East
As we approach and arrive in Greenland, the first natural features you’ll see will be the towering steep-walled fjords and hanging glaciers. We’ll explore the uninhabited east coast. This area offers opportunities for wildlife sightings, including the possibility of polar bears and humpback whales. Activities include heli-landings, hiking, paddle excursions, Zodiac cruises, and shore landings in this remote, ice-laden landscape of tumbling glaciers, alpine vistas and wildlife. We set out for the wild fjords of the uninhabited east coast, one of which is Lindenow Fjord, also known by its Greenlandic name, Kangerlussuaq. Thousands of years ago, groups of PaleoInuit hunters and fishermen made their home in these isolated fjords, living off the land and surviving mostly on the resources provided by the sea—long before the arrival of European explorers and successive waves of migration prompted mass settlements. Traces of these early inhabitants can be found today against the backdrop of cascading glaciers and steep–walled mountains.
 
The fjords are where you can observe plenty of wildlife, especially marine mammals. Rare sightings of polar bears are also possible as they drift down from the north on sea ice floes propelled by the East–Greenland current. Humpback whales are often sighted when entering f jords as the shallowing seas bring an upwelling of nutrients to the surface. While we keep our eyes peeled for wildlife, the magnificent alpine terrain invites us to explore by sea, land and air to immerse ourselves completely in the remote icescapes of the region. The wild east is ideal for heli landings, paddle excursions, hiking, Zodiac cruises and shore landings.
 
Days 7-8: The Westlands
We’ll sail along the spectacular west coast of Greenland into the Westlands, the same journey the Greenlandic Norse followed to reach the Western fjords. You’ll experience the contrast between the Greenland Ice Sheet—the second-largest body of ice on the planet—and the grassy valleys of the coast, which is steeped in Viking history, especially at landmarks such as the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage site. The latter provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the region’s history and cultural traditions, as well as the interaction between Norse and Inuit cultures.We’ll explore the mammoth Ice Sheet by helicopter, hike the surrounding foothills, cruise through ice-filled waters, and engage with local communities. We will visit the small settlement of Qassiarsuk, as well as the remains of Erik the Red’s estate of Brattahlíð, both of which offer further insights into South Greenland’s history and culture. You will appreciate quite quickly why Erik the Red chose this land as his home and gave Greenland its name: every direction you look rewards visitors with vistas of blue, ice-strewn waters set against a breathtaking backdrop of lush, verdant valleys and green pastures bursting with blooms.
 
Unique to Greenland, and indeed the entire Arctic, warm microclimates deep in the fjords have created a surprisingly fertile Arctic Garden of Eden. South Greenlandic farming traditions dating back to Viking days are still kept alive. Many families work their remote sheep farms along the shores of the fjords, their lives very much attuned to the seasons as they produce a variety of organic homegrown produce (such as potatoes, turnips and kale).
 
Also in the West, we find perfect access points to the Greenland Ice Sheet, which we’ll reach by helicopter. You’ll enjoy the most incredible views of the largest mass of ice in the northern hemisphere f lowing from the heights of the polar plateau to sea level. Become one of the very few people to ever set foot on this incredible body of ice during our included Greenland Ice Sheet Experience. Over these two days you will have the opportunity to explore the Ice Sheet, hike the surrounding foothills, cruise or paddle through the azure ice-filled waters, and engage with our local friends and partners during the most meaningful and in–depth community experiences offered on any Quark Expeditions voyage.
 
Days 9-10: Arctic Patagonia
We’ll transit through the scenic 105-kilometer long Prins Christian Sund (Ikerasassuaq), and explore the dramatic f jords of South Greenland. Our team has planned a visit to the village of Aappilattoq, where you can experience local culture, music, and traditional foods. The journey continues to the steep-walled 70-kilometer Tasermiut Fjord, known as “Arctic Patagonia,” where overnight camping and various excursions are available amidst stunning glaciers and peaks.
 
The maze of fjords, sounds, islets, inlets and skerries (rocky islands) in and around Cape Farewell (Nunap Isua) at Greenland’s most southern tip possesses its own particular magic. Transiting the Prins Christian Sund (Ikerasassuaq)—one of the world’s most scenic fjords—will be truly unforgettable. Guests can then look forward to dramatic mountain and seascapes with glaciers tumbling down to the sea, and spectacular vistas around every corner. Inhabiting this domain are Southern Greenlanders living on the frontier, a people as unique as the landscape they call home. This is where the migrating hunting peoples from the east finally settled around the European trading posts.
 
The few villages in this southern region have gained a level of fame thanks to the inhabitants who remain steadfastly faithful to their hunting and fishing heritage. As mentioned above, we hope to visit Aappilattoq, perched on the shores of Prins Christian Sund, to introduce you to our local partners and friends. We want our guests to have the opportunity to listen to inhabitants’ stories, hear their music, taste their food, learn about their hunting traditions, and perhaps even join a friendly game of soccer as a player or spectator.
 
Your time in Arctic Patagonia will allow you to marvel at the impressive glacier at its head, with rivers of ice tumbling toward the sea, and the imposing peaks of Nalumasortoq and Ulamertorsuaq that dominate the skyline, making for the most scenic backdrops to your hike or helicopter excursion.
 
Days 12-13: Sailing Soutbound across the Denmark Strait
As your Arctic adventure winds down, you can take in a polar presentation by our onboard experts, share your photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar, or watch a movie. This is a great opportunity to ask members of Expedition Team any remaining questions you have about any aspect of your voyage.
 
Day 14: Disembarkation in Reykjavik, Iceland
You’ll disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, at the end of your journey. If you have booked post-expedition accommodation, we provide a transfer to a central downtown location.
 
EXPEDITION SPIRIT: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team  must  consider  the sea, ice and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you may experience on this voyage; please  be  aware  that  no  specific  itinerary can be guaranteed. By the same  token,  wildlife  encounters  as  described  are  expected,  but  not  guaranteed.  Your  Expedition  Team  will  use  their  considerable  experience to seek out wildlife in known habitats, but the presence of any particular species of bird or marine wildlife is not guaranteed.

Route Map

Trips and Rates

Please note, rates are Per Person in USD
Explorer Triple
$15,295
Save 15%
Early Payment Discount 5%
$12,351
Limited
Explorer Suite
$20,395
Save 15%
Early Payment Discount 5%
$16,469
 
Balcony Suite
$22,495
Save 15%
Early Payment Discount 5%
$18,165
 
Deluxe Balcony Suite
$26,595
Save 15%
Early Payment Discount 5%
$21,475
 
Terrace Suite
$27,595
Save 15%
Early Payment Discount 5%
$22,283
Limited
Penthouse Suite
$28,595
Save 15%
Early Payment Discount 5%
$23,090
 
Owner's Suite
$36,795
Save 15%
Early Payment Discount 5%
$29,712
Limited
Ultra Suite
$40,795
Save 15%
Early Payment Discount 5%
$32,942
Limited
Solo Panorama
$28,595
Save 15%
Early Payment Discount 5%
$23,090
 
Explorer Triple
$15,295
Save 15%
Early Payment Discount 5%
$12,351
Limited
Explorer Suite
$20,395
Save 15%
Early Payment Discount 5%
$16,469
 
Balcony Suite
$22,495
Save 15%
Early Payment Discount 5%
$18,165
 
Deluxe Balcony Suite
$26,595
Save 15%
Early Payment Discount 5%
$21,475
 
Terrace Suite
$27,595
Save 15%
Early Payment Discount 5%
$22,283
Limited
Penthouse Suite
$28,595
Save 15%
Early Payment Discount 5%
$23,090
 
Owner's Suite
$36,795
Save 15%
Early Payment Discount 5%
$29,712
Limited
Ultra Suite
$40,795
Save 15%
Early Payment Discount 5%
$32,942
Limited
Solo Panorama
$28,595
Save 15%
Early Payment Discount 5%
$23,090
 

Transfer Package is an additional cost and not included in the cabin pricing. See the neon green box in the pricing grid for the cost of transfer package, which varies based on departure.

A 5% Goods & Services Tax (GST) will be added to both the cabin & transfer package cost on all “Canada’s Remote Arctic” and “Arctic Express Canada” departures and is not included in the above prices.

Single Travelers:

  • Can book a dedicated Solo Panorama at the pricing listed above
  • Can book into a share cabin in the following categories: Explorer Triple, Explorer Suite & Balcony Suite
  • Can book a twin cabin at solo occupancy at 1.7x the per person share price in Explorer Suite & Balcony Suite and 2x the per person price for all other categories

Adventure Options:

  • Kayaking (full program, multiple paddles): $1,795/person – requires experience
  • Paddling (one-time): $295/person
  • Tundra to Table: Inuit Culinary Experience: $125/person
  • Greenland Camp Experience: $1,395/person
  • Mountain Biking: $195/person
  • Exclusive Heli-Landing: $995/person

Mandatory Transfer Package is $995/person and not included in the cabin cost. Transfer package includes a hotel night in Buenos Aires on Day 1 and roundtrip flights between Buenos Aires & Ushuaia. See additional notes in the Inclusions section on itinerary page.

Single Travelers:

  • Can book a dedicated Solo Panorama at the pricing listed above
  • Can book into a share cabin in the following categories: Explorer Triple, Explorer Suite & Balcony Suite
  • Can book a twin cabin at solo occupancy at 1.7x the per person share price in Explorer Suite & Balcony Suite and 2x the per person price for all other categories

Adventure Options:

  • Kayaking (full program, multiple paddles): $1,995/person – requires experience
  • Paddling (one-time): $395/person
  • Exclusive Heli-Landing: $995/person
  • Stand-Up Paddleboarding: $295/person

Availability & prices are subject to change at anytime. Please contact us for the real time availability & prices.

Cabin Descriptions

Ultra Suite

Located on Deck 6, with approximately 563 sq. ft. (52.3m2) of interior living space, and a 46 sq. ft. (4.3 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests who want to travel without compromise. The largest and most luxurious suite features the most sleeping, entertainment and storage space onboard the ship. Features one double or two single beds in a private bedroom with walk-in closet, sitting area with sofa bed and additional walk-in hallway closet, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors and separate powder room. Amenities include hair dryer, bathrobe, slippers, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, complimentary water bottle, upgraded bedding, in suite coffee, binoculars on loan.

Owners Suite

Owner's Suite

Located on Deck 6, with approximately 446 sq. ft. (41.4 m2) of indoor living space and a 46.3 sq. ft. (4.3 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests who want it all. A large, luxurious suite featuring a private bedroom, full bathroom, powder room, and two separate living spaces. This suite is perfect for families or couples who want all the comforts of home onboard the ship. Features one double or two single beds in a private bedroom with walk-in closet, sitting area with sofa bed and additional closet, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors and separate powder room. Amenities include hair dryer, bathrobe, slippers, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, complimentary water bottle, upgraded bedding, in suite coffee, binoculars on loan.

Penthouse Suite

Penthouse Suite

The only suite category to be located on Deck 7, with approximately 369 sq. ft. (34.3 m2) of indoor space, and a 67 sq. ft. (6.2 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests wanting to wake up to unobstructed polar views from the warmth and comfort of their bed onboard the ship. These suites offer the best of everything—views, spacious interiors, full bathrooms and generous balcony sizes—as well as easy access to the wellness centre. Features one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors. Amenities include hair dryer, bathrobe, slippers, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, complimentary water bottle, upgraded bedding and in suite coffee. 

Terrace Suite

Terrace Suite

Located on Deck 6, with approximately 350 sq. ft. (32.5 m2) of indoor living space, and a 100 sq. ft. (9.3 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests wanting generous interiors with a wide layout and the largest balconies on the ship. Centrally located on Deck 6, guests will enjoy minimal movement and motion from the comfort of these suites. Features one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private extra-wide balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors. Amenities include hair dryer, bathrobe, slippers, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, complimentary water bottle, upgraded bedding and in suite coffee. 

Deluxe Balcony Suite

Deluxe Balcony Suite

Located on Decks 4 & 6, with approximately 299 sq. ft. (27.8 m2) of indoor space and a 70 sq. ft. (6.5 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests wanting a larger living space, full bathroom, and a substantial balcony. Deluxe Balcony Suites are the first suite type to offer additional privacy in the bathroom with an enclosed toilet, a full bath and shower to make it easier for guests to get ready together in the morning. Featuring one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors. Amenities include hair dryer, bathrobe, slippers, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, complimentary water bottle.

Balcony Suite

Balcony Suite

Located on Decks 4 & 6 with approximately 226 sq. ft. (21 sq. m) of indoor space and a 52 sq. ft. (4.8 sq. m) balcony. The Balcony Suite is the entry level balcony cabin. Featuring one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower and heated floors. Amenities include hair dryer, bathrobe, slippers, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, complimentary water bottle. Some suites in this category offer interconnecting rooms. The balconies in suites 421, 422, 423, and 424 are partially enclosed.

Explorer Suite

Explorer Suite

Located on Deck 3, and approximately 285 sq. ft. (26.5 m2). Large entry-level double occupancy suites maximizing interior living space while still offering guests the opportunity to stay connected to the outdoors. Featuring one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, picture window, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower and heated floors. Cabin amenities include hair dryer, bathrobe, slippers, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, complimentary water bottle.  Suites 319 and 322 offer modified layouts and bathrooms for wheelchair accessibility.

Explorer Triple

Explorer Triple

Located on Deck 3, and approximately 285 sq. ft. (26.5 m2). This cabin is for solo passengers looking to share a cabin with other passengers of the same gender or 3 people traveling together. Featuring three separate single beds (two of which can be combined into a double bed), sitting area, picture window, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower and heated floors. Cabin amenities include hair dryer, bathrobe, slippers, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, complimentary water bottle.

Solo Panorama cabin

Solo Panorama

Located on Deck 6, and approximately 132 sq. ft. (12.3 m2). This suite is perfect for solo guests who appreciate privacy and want to wake up to sweeping views from the comfort of their bed. These are the only solo suites with floor-to-ceiling windows available onboard any ship in its class. Features a single bed, floor-to-ceiling window, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower and heated floors. Cabin amenities include hair dryer, bathrobe, slippers, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, complimentary water bottle.

Deck Plan

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions: 

  • Leadership throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
  • All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
  • All shore landings per the daily program
  • Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
  • All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
  • Free beer, standard wines, spirits, and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
  • Complimentary coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
  • Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
  • A photographic journal documenting the expedition
  • A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
  • An official expedition parka to keep
  • Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
  • All luggage handling aboard the ship
  • Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
  • Greenland voyages cruise passenger tax
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Premium packages are available for more data intensive applications.)

Exclusions: 

  • International airfare
  • Arrival transfers in Reykjavik
  • Passport and visa expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
  • Meals ashore unless otherwise specified
  • Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
  • Excess-baggage fees on international flights
  • Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
  • Laundry, bar and other personal charges unless specified
  • Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)
  • Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
  • Additional overnight accommodation
  • Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities