13 Day Arctic Voyage from Iceland to Greenland

Begin Your Adventure

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.

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!

Witness Fjords, Icebergs, and Whales

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 interpretations and help you gain a profound connection to the stunning landscapes we traverse.

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.

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).

Immerse Yourself in Viking Archaeology

Walk amongst the ruins of captivating history!

Learn more about the settlement at haunting Hvalsey, a major Norse center 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!

Tour a Reconstructed Norse Settlement

Visit the 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Our vessel for this voyage is the Ocean Endeavour. A 1B ice-class sailing boat that holds a maximum of 198 passengers and is outfitted with 20 Zodiac boats, making it perfect for expedition cruises. Facilities include a top deck observation room, swimming pool, outdoor dining area, sauna/spa, library, and top-class navigation equipment.

Our three onboard lounges are excellent public spaces for our educational seminars, workshops, and entertainment. Launched in 1982, she’s been upgraded many times, most recently in 2010 and 2014. At 137-m (450 ft) in length and 21-m (69 ft) in breadth, the Ocean Endeavour is the pride of our cruises in Canada and beyond.

More about the Ocean Endeavour.

No Single Supplement in select cabins! Solo Adventurers are welcome. Most cabin categories on the ship are available as private cabins to single travelers at no additional cost.

Temperatures run around 8-15° Celsius (46-60° Fahrenheit) on average. That said, guests have been known to enjoy a day of shorts and t-shirts in the Canadian Arctic! Do note that temperatures can fall below zero (especially at night) and snowfall could happen at any time.

Please Note

This program features activities such as walking, wildlife viewing, and Zodiac cruising, all at a relatively easy to moderate level of exertion. The majority of shore landings are undertaken using Zodiacs. Zodiac embarkations involve descending gangway stairs with double handrails and stepping into the Zodiac from a small platform at water level (assistance is provided).