12 Day Arctic Voyage from Iceland to Greenland | CA-AC1203

Reykjavik is the northernmost capital in the world and also the largest city in Iceland. With a population of around 120,000, this quirky town is the epicenter of Iceland’s culture, politics, and economy. Iceland is a geothermally active country and most of its energy comes from geothermal and hydropower plants. Because of these efforts, Reykjavik is said to be the greenest and most self-sufficient city in the world.

Despite its remoteness, Reykjavik is a cosmopolitan city with loads of activities and attractions. You can find everything from iconic architecture to exquisite cuisine and natural wonders within the city’s limits. During your time in Reykjavik, we recommend exploring the city in more depth, discovering the magnificent features and flavors of the city.

In the evening, we’ll meet aboard the grand Ocean Endeavour where our adventure to the West will begin.

Sailing west from Iceland, we are truly in the wake of the Vikings. We’ll be watching for whales and seabirds we sail the Denmark Strait. Our onboard program will prepare you for the archaeology, history, culture, and wildlife that awaits us in Greenland!

Our first view of Greenland’s east coast will reveal a coastline traced with innumerable fjords and potentially dotted with pack ice. Our spotters will be watching for bears, seals, and humpback whales. We’ll explore the remote reaches of glaciated fjords by Zodiac.

Prince Christian Sound is a waterway separating the islands of Cape Farewell Archipelago from mainland Greenland. Prince Christian Sound was named in honor of Danish crown prince Christian VIII.

The landscape of the area feels a bit apocalyptic, with towering steep fjords, ice-capped mountains and majestic glaciers visible from almost every point of the waterway. Strong tidal currents prevent the formation of ice in the sound and wash icebergs, calved from glaciers, into the ocean.

While the landscape might seem barren at first sight, don’t be fooled. Deep in the fjords, you’ll be able to spot the nesting sites of Glaucous gulls and black guillemots. Just off the nutrient-rich shores of the ocean, you might just spot seals, as well as fin, minke, and blue whales.

There is no other place on Earth like the South of Greenland. Here, in contrast to the infertile ice desert that covers the rest of Greenland, moss-covered hills meet azure waters that cradle calved icebergs in the sunshine. Most communities here thrive on agriculture, and to a lesser degree, on fishing and hunting.

However, the beauty of the surrounding fjords are what define this little gem of a region. South Greenland is yet to be discovered by travelers, and so is quite tranquil for most of the year.

Next on our agenda is one of the most popular settlements in South Greenland. Hvalsey is a town next to Qaqortoq and is famed for its well-preserved Norse ruins dating back to 985 CE. The Eastern Settlement contains the first and largest ruins found in South Greenland. During the Viking Age, it was populated by about 4,000 Norsemen of Icelandic descent and their main commercial activities involved livestock, fishing, and farming.

One of the most popular sites in Hvalsey is the church. The church was built around the 14th-century on land claimed by Thorkell Farserk, cousin of Erik the Red.

Erik the Red, founder of the first settlement in Greenland, built his estate in Brattahlid in the 10th century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located 59 mi (96 km) from the ocean, at the head of Tunulliarfik Fjord. The fjord has protected the settlement from the harsh winds and provided excellent conditions for husbandry, fishing, and agriculture.

The town was also the site of the first European church in Greenland, known as Thjodhildarkirkja. Though the original was destroyed by fire in the 14th century, the reconstruction is built in turf and timber, showcasing main features of the original church.

The Sermersooq region of Greenland has a stunning myriad of mountain peaks, glaciers and deep fjords. Our time will be spent on the western coast of the region, where records of human habitation stretch back over 1,500 years. We’ll explore by Zodiac or by foot, as landing conditions permit. We’ll keep a look out for Nattoralik (white-tailed eagles) and enjoy the lush vegetation of southwest Greenland.

“The heart of a nation. Greenland’s largest city and capital is fueled on fresh air, strong coffee, and diverse personalities.” None have summed up Nuuk quite like Visit Greenland. Life, culture, and history combine in the capital, and act as a bridge between the olden days and the modern world. Here you’ll experience exquisite local cuisine, explore the Northern Lights-inspired cultural center, and archaeological Viking findings. Nuuk is home to Greenland’s National Museum, so it might be great to start your exploration of this unique cityscape by marveling at the Greenlandic mummies from 1475 AD.

We will explore Nuuk with on a guided tour with local guides!

On Day 11, we’ll cruise along Greenland’s West Coast. More than 9,000 people live in the area, in small towns such as Sismiut, Kangerlussuaq, and Itilleq. Like most of Greenland, there are no roads between the settlements, so the only means of transportation are planes and one’s own two feet.

The west of the country is blanketed by fishing villages, scores of islands, and waterways, creating a unique, picture-worthy landscape. Because of its sub-Arctic location and the West Greenland Current, the seawater here is warm and hosts an abundance of wildlife and seabirds. We will take our zodiacs out to explore the landscape and glaciers of wild Greenland.

Our voyage in the footsteps of the Vikings will end here. Kangerlussuaq is located at the head of one of the longest fjords in the country - Kangerlussuaq  Fjord. It is also the nation’s primary aviation hub and planes regularly depart the city to the rest of the world. Depending on your independent travel plans, you can explore the city at your own leisure or have some rest before your flight.

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).