Iceland to Greenland

Day 1: Embarkation in Reykjavik, Iceland
Your journey begins in the late afternoon, following a day of independent exploration and arrival in the captivating city of Reykjavík. Iceland’s cosmopolitan capital was established in the year 874 CE. Powered by geothermal energy, Reykjavík is widely considered one of the cleanest, greenest cities on Earth. Food, culture, and nightlife abound. The National Culture House preserves treasures like the Poetic Edda and the Norse Sagas in their original manuscripts.

Day 2: At Sea 
Set Sail like the Vikings. Watch for whales and seabirds as we sail the Denmark Strait. You’ll be truly in the wake of the Vikings as we journey westward from Iceland. The on-board learning program will prepare you for the archaeology, history, culture, and wildlife that await you in Greenland!

Days 3-5: East Greenland
Explore the remote reaches of east Greenland by ship, in Zodiacs, and on land. Your first views of this seldom-visited region will reveal a stunning coastline traced with innumerable fjords and potentially dotted with pack ice. Whether on foot, on shore, or on the ship, our expert expedition team will be by your side, sharing their extensive knowledge and insights. Join them out on deck to keep a keen eye out for iconic Arctic wildlife, including the polar bears, seals, and humpback whales. Learn from their expertise as they provide fascinating interpretation and help you gain a profound connection to the stunning landscapes we traverse.

Day 6: Ikerasassuaq (Prince Christian Sound)
Marvel at Mountains and Glaciers. Make the most of your time out on deck, as our experts scout for opportunities to go ashore along this breathtaking landscape. Soak in the breathtaking beauty of one of the world’s most majestic waterways, Ikerasassuaq (Prince Christian Sound), where the Irminger and Labrador Seas join through the islands of the Cape Farewell Archipelago. Here, craggy mountain peaks tower over still waters fed by calving glaciers.

Day 7: South Greenland
Visit Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pay a visit to the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Norse settlement history intersects with contemporary Greenlandic life. Admire the jagged mountains that rise from beyond green pastures, with sheep farms directly bordering ice fjords. Along its southern coast, Greenland lives up to its name; the land is fertile, agriculture thrives, and farms and vegetable husbandry contrast with the ice that covers so much of the rest of the country. Discover Greenland’s only heated outdoor spa with complete views of icebergs and mountain peaks. This hot spring has been cherished for centuries, with a notable tale about Leif Erikson who, a thousand years ago, took a refreshing swim before embarking on his journey towards uncharted lands to the west. Unlike volcanic hot springs, this oasis gets its warmth from geothermal subsoil. As the soil layers rub against each other in the spring, the water is heated, reaching temperatures of around 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit).

Day 8: Hvalsey
Immerse Yourself in Viking Archaeology. Walk amongst the ruins of captivating history! Learn more about the settlement at haunting Hvalsey, a major Norse centre in the early centuries of the last millennium. Hvalsey Church is the best-preserved Norse ruin in Greenland—the last known record from the original Norse colony is of a wedding held here in September 1408!

Day 9: Brattahlíð
Tour a Reconstructed Norse Settlement. Visit fascinating Brattahlíð, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the most fertile region of Greenland. Walk amongst a reconstructed Norse church and Viking longhouse to fully immerse yourself in the experience. It was once the home of Viking explorer Erik the Red and his descendants until the 1400s. Today, Greenlandic Inuit run the sheep farms originally worked by Norse settlers.

Day 10: Sermersooq
Enjoy Birdwatching and Zodiac Cruising. Explore the Sermersooq region of Greenland by Zodiac or by foot, as landing conditions permit. Here you’ll find a stunning myriad of mountain peaks, glaciers, and deep fjords, with records of human habitation that stretch back over 1,500 years. Keep a look out for nattoralik (white-tailed eagles), seabirds, and marine mammals while you enjoy the lush vegetation of southwest Greenland.

Day 11: Nuuk
Visit Museums, Shops, and Cafés. Stop in at vibrant Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Visit the Greenland National Museum, one of the city’s many outstanding features, where the world-famous Qilakitsoq mummies rest. The old harbour includes many buildings dating from Danish colonial days, while contemporary Nuuk is known for art, shopping, pubs, and cafés.

Day 12: Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord (Evighedsfjorden)
Take a Zodiac Cruise at the Foot of a Glacier. Kangerlussuatsiaq means “the rather big fjord” in Greenlandic, while the Danish name Evighedsfjorden translates to “the fjord of eternity,” underscoring its vastness and seemingly never-ending nature. See why Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord lives up to its name and marvel at this complex coastal waterway that includes calving glaciers, sheer bird cliffs, and streams cascading against a towering mountain backdrop. Explore this sublime glacial landscape by ship and by Zodiac. The waters here are relatively warm, due to the West Greenland Current and the subarctic location.

Day 13: Disembarkation in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland & Charter Flight to Toronto
Cross the Arctic Circle. Complete your journey up Kangerlussuaq Fjord (Søndre Strømfjord), a 190-kilometre-long fjord surrounded by mountains and glaciers, and cross the Arctic Circle on your way. Kangerlussuaq, the settlement at the head of the fjord, is a former US Air Force base. Transfer by Zodiac to shore, then ride to the airport by bus for your charter flight to Toronto, ON.

In true expedition style we encourage exploration and adventure, offering flexibility in challenging environments in a way that puts you among the action to see and do as much as possible. This itinerary is only a guide and subject to change due to ice and weather conditions.