Under the Northern Lights: Exploring Iceland & East Greenland - 12 Days
Onboard Ocean Adventurer – 128 passengers
Explore some of the last unspoiled wilderness areas on the planet. Cruising along Iceland’s mountainous Vestfjords and Greenland’s remote northeast coast, home to the largest fjord system in the world, you’ll discover diverse and dramatically rugged landscapes. Immersed in the untamed beauty of the Arctic, you’ll experience Inuit culture firsthand at Ittoqqortoormiit, visit ancient Thule sites steeped in history, and marvel at the majesty of massive icebergs. If you’re lucky, you may also catch sight of the spectacular northern lights dancing across the sky.
Tour Dates
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Sep 20 - Oct 1, 2024 (12 days)
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland
Arrive in the Icelandic capital in the morning and make your way to your included hotel. You will have the day to explore the city on your own.
Day 2: Embark
This afternoon, you’ll board your vessel and begin your expedition. Get ready for a great adventure ahead!
Day 3: Cruising
As we cruise north across the Denmark Strait, with views of Greenland in the distance, your Expedition Team will prepare you for the adventures that await. Learn about the storied history and politics of the Arctic, its fascinating wildlife, geology, ecology and climate, and the incredible sights you will soon explore. The team will also search for the seabirds soaring around your ship, as well as the whales that frequent the waters here.
Days 4-10: Exploring Northeast Greenland
During your tour of Greenland’s remote northeast coast, you’ll enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. We’ll also keep an eye out for grazing muskoxen, as 40 percent of the world’s population lives in Northeast Greenland National Park. Sailing through spectacular Scoresby Sund, the birthplace of many icebergs, you’ll immediately see why some say it’s the most beautiful fjord system on the planet. Sites such as Frederiksdal and Sydkap offer opportunities to explore the colorful tundra and the remains of ancient Thule settlements.
At the entrance of the sound is East Greenland’s most northerly community, Ittoqgortoormiit, where you may spend time interacting with the Inuit people and learning about their way of life. You may also have a chance to see the northern lights here if the skies are clear. Deeper in the sound, Rode O offers a picturesque locale for admiring the beauty of sky-blue bergs set against striking red sandstone cliffs.
Magnificent vistas also await at Kong Oscar Fjord, with possible landings at Ella D, renowned for its rugged cliffs and ice-choked waters, and flower-rich Botanikerbugt, on Ymer D. Experience the wonders of nature in Segelsellskäbets Fjord, where a spectacular display of “geological art” awaits your landing: alternating layers of limestone and dolomite stretching before you in a stunningly beautiful canvas created over tens of thousands of years.
Day 11: Cruising Southbound across the Denmark Strait
As your Arctic adventure winds down, take in a presentation by our onboard experts, share your photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar or watch a movie—there are many activities during your time at sea. Your Expedition Team will also be on hand to answer any questions and point out wildlife.
Day 12: Disembark 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
Under the Northern Lights: Exploring Iceland & East Greenland
Sep 20 - Oct 1, 2024 (12 days)Paddling, Kayaking
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.
Single Travelers:
- Can book into a share cabin in the following categories: Triple, Lower Deck Twin, Main Deck Twin Porthole & Main Deck Twin Window
- Can book a twin cabin at solo occupancy at 1.7x the per person share price in Lower Deck Twin – Main Deck Twin Window and 2x the per person price for all other categories
Adventure Options:
- Kayaking (full program, multiple paddles): $795/person – requires experience
- Paddling (one-time): $195/person
Availability & prices are subject to change at anytime. Please contact us for the real time availability & prices.
Cabin Descriptions
Owner's Suite
From 208 sq ft (19 sq m), an Owner’s Suite Cabin is equipped with one double bed made up of two twin berths. Located on the Bridge Deck, it has private facilities, and windows with exterior views. Cabin 403 has a bathtub and shower; other Owner’s Suites have showers.
Suite
From 215 sq ft (20 sq m), a Suite is equipped with one double bed made up of two twin berths. Located on the Captain’s Deck, it has windows with exterior views and private facilities.
Deluxe
A Deluxe Cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and windows with exterior views.
144 – 179 sq ft.
Superior
From 132 sq ft (12 sq m), a Superior Cabin is equipped with two lower berths. Located on the Upper and Captain’s Decks, it has private facilities and windows with exterior views.
Main Deck Twin Window
From 115 sq ft (11 sq m), a Main Deck Twin Window Cabin is equipped with two lower berths. Located on the Main Deck, it has private facilities and a window with exterior views.
Main Deck Twin Porthole
From 115 sq ft (11 sq m), a Main Deck Twin Porthole Cabin is equipped with two lower berths. Located on the Main Deck, it has private facilities and a porthole with exterior views. Please not that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution.
Lower Deck Twin
From 115 sq ft (11 sq m), a Lower Deck Twin Cabin is equipped with two lower berths. Located on the Lower Deck, it has private facilities, a porthole and exterior views. Please note that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution.
Triple
From 145 sq ft (13.5 sq m), a Triple Cabin is equipped with two lower berths and one upper berth. Located on the Main Deck, it has private facilities and a porthole with exterior views. Please note that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution.
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.)
- Select beer and wine during dinner; and 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
- One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Reykjavik
- Group transfer from the Reykjavik hotel to the ship on Day 2
- Group transfer from the ship to downtown Reykjavik on disembarkation day
Exclusions:
- International airfare
- Arrival and departure airport 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