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Itinerary
East Greenland Expedition by Small Ship
11 days - Sep - From US $ 3,210
DISCLAIMER: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
Day 1: After arriving at the Keflavik airport, you will make the short transfer to the small port of the same name to join the ship. In the early evening, the ship will leave Iceland and sail west toward the Denmark Strait.
Day 2: At sea, while sailing north through the Denmark Strait, you will be in a good area for spotting blue whales, the largest animal on Earth, who feed here during the summer months. It is believed that there are just 600 or so of these magnificent whales (out of a world population of around 6,000) in the North Atlantic. You may also see orcas (killer whales) and possibly fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets and rafts of common guillemots and razorbills. Crossing the Arctic Circle and continuing north, you may also possibly see white-beaked dolphins, humpback whales and minke whales -- each species instantly recognized by the shape and size of its blow.
Day 3: In the morning, you will spot the first icebergs as they appear on the ship's approach to the east coast of Greenland, passing the huge cliff faces of Kap Brewster. You will make the first landing in Scoresby Sund. Since the mouth of this, the world's longest fjord, remains ice free almost all winter, it will be an excellent place for viewing seals. The area is also home to the only large seabird colonies on the eastern coast of Greenland. Serious hikers can cross the valley and climb on to the plateau of Kap Brewster, from where there will be an excellent view over the fjord, Liverpool Land and the sea. On the way, you may spot the white gyr falcon, wheatears, snow buntings and arctic hares.
In the evening, you will sail further into the Scoresby Sund, the ship making its way along the ragged and glaciated Volquart Boons Coast, a good place to see narwhals.
Day 4: Your journey will continue along Scoresby Sund, where you will take a zodiac cruise along the glacier front in Vikingebugt, a bay surrounded by basaltic mountains. Later, you will land on Danmark Ø, where the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago still stands. The circular "tent rings" of stones indicate the summer houses, while the winter houses can be seen closer to a small cape. The sites are excellently preserved, allowing for entrances--even bear-proof meat caches can be identified. You will also see grave sites.
Day 5: Today you will go ashore at Cape Hofmann Halvø, a reliable spot for viewing musk oxen. You may also possibly spot rock ptarmigans and, at sea, great northern divers. The landscape here is particularly beautiful, especially during autumn when the dwarf willow and dwarf birch change color. Along with being tasty, the arctic blueberrys and crowberrys you will find also add their own colorful touch.
Later, during a zodiac cruise along the 3 km (1.86 mi) wide face of the Eielson Glacier, you will come close to huge icebergs and may also see ringed seals as well as distant views of musk oxen on shore. In the evening, the ship will sail through the fjord towards Scoresby Land, to possibly see narwhals and enjoy the contrast between the warm autumnal colors of the vegetation on shore backed by huge dark mountains, and the cold blue of the icebergs.
Day 6: In the morning, while on your way to Sydkap in Scoresby Land, the ship will encounter huge icebergs, some over 100 m (328 ft.) high and more than a kilometer (.6 miles) in length. Most of the bergs are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 m (1312 ft.) deep here. You will land near Sydkap to view the remains of the Thule culture winter houses. As many as 20 people lived in these tiny houses, hunting Greenland whales and using their vertebrae to build the houses. Also, the ship may land at Gurreholm on Jameson Land. The landscape here is gently undulating, but the climate is harsh--sometimes snow can be seen throughout the summer--but some animals such as musk oxen and collared lemmings survive on the meager vegetation. The lemmings are preyed upon by long-tailed skuas, snowy owls and arctic foxes, all of which you may see.
Day 7: Today you will land at Illoqqortoormiut, the biggest settlement near Scoresby Sund, with about 500 inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for postcards or just wander around to see the sledge dogs and the drying skins of seals, musk oxen, and polar bears.
After lunch you will sail south, passing the amazing landscape of the Blosseville Coast, where groups of harp seals can be spotted among the ice floes.
Day 8: The adventure continues as you sail along the Blosseville Coast, and its wonderful views of snow covered peaks--these are the highest mountains of Greenland, some of them reaching over 3000m (9840 ft.). At the mouth of Nansen Fjord, you will see Gunnbjørns Fjeld. At 3700m (12,136 ft.), it is both the highest peak in Greenland and the highest mountain north of the Arctic Circle.
The ship will then sail into Mikis Fjord, bounded by steep cliffs. The fjord will be a good place to spot narwhals, polar bears, and ringed and harp seals. At Södalen, at the head of Mikis Fjord, you will land in a marshy delta. There are good populations of both common and arctic redpolls, and you will also have a chance to see flocks of barnacle and pink-footed geese.
Day 9: In the morning, the ship will head south for Kangerlussuaq fjord, where glaciers reach the sea, creating a fabulous landscape of glacier fronts, icebergs and cliffs. On shore, you can see the remains of dwellings of the Thule people. The fjord is also a good place to see polar bears and ivory gulls. The day will conclude with a zodiac trip to Skaergårdshalvø, a popular summer hunting ground for the people of Ammassalik. Most years, a number of families arrive here in early summer and stay until the end of the hunting season. In the afternoon, the ship will sail southeast toward the Denmark Strait.
Day 10: The whole day at sea will offer many excellent opportunities to see large whale and seabird migration and, at night the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).
Day 11: You will arrive at Keflavik and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Day 1: After arriving at the Keflavik airport, you will make the short transfer to the small port of the same name to join the ship. In the early evening, the ship will leave Iceland and sail west toward the Denmark Strait.
Day 2: At sea, while sailing north through the Denmark Strait, you will be in a good area for spotting blue whales, the largest animal on Earth, who feed here during the summer months. It is believed that there are just 600 or so of these magnificent whales (out of a world population of around 6,000) in the North Atlantic. You may also see orcas (killer whales) and possibly fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets and rafts of common guillemots and razorbills. Crossing the Arctic Circle and continuing north, you may also possibly see white-beaked dolphins, humpback whales and minke whales -- each species instantly recognized by the shape and size of its blow.
Day 3: In the morning, you will spot the first icebergs as they appear on the ship's approach to the east coast of Greenland, passing the huge cliff faces of Kap Brewster. You will make the first landing in Scoresby Sund. Since the mouth of this, the world's longest fjord, remains ice free almost all winter, it will be an excellent place for viewing seals. The area is also home to the only large seabird colonies on the eastern coast of Greenland. Serious hikers can cross the valley and climb on to the plateau of Kap Brewster, from where there will be an excellent view over the fjord, Liverpool Land and the sea. On the way, you may spot the white gyr falcon, wheatears, snow buntings and arctic hares.
In the evening, you will sail further into the Scoresby Sund, the ship making its way along the ragged and glaciated Volquart Boons Coast, a good place to see narwhals.
Day 4: Your journey will continue along Scoresby Sund, where you will take a zodiac cruise along the glacier front in Vikingebugt, a bay surrounded by basaltic mountains. Later, you will land on Danmark Ø, where the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago still stands. The circular "tent rings" of stones indicate the summer houses, while the winter houses can be seen closer to a small cape. The sites are excellently preserved, allowing for entrances--even bear-proof meat caches can be identified. You will also see grave sites.
Day 5: Today you will go ashore at Cape Hofmann Halvø, a reliable spot for viewing musk oxen. You may also possibly spot rock ptarmigans and, at sea, great northern divers. The landscape here is particularly beautiful, especially during autumn when the dwarf willow and dwarf birch change color. Along with being tasty, the arctic blueberrys and crowberrys you will find also add their own colorful touch.
Later, during a zodiac cruise along the 3 km (1.86 mi) wide face of the Eielson Glacier, you will come close to huge icebergs and may also see ringed seals as well as distant views of musk oxen on shore. In the evening, the ship will sail through the fjord towards Scoresby Land, to possibly see narwhals and enjoy the contrast between the warm autumnal colors of the vegetation on shore backed by huge dark mountains, and the cold blue of the icebergs.
Day 6: In the morning, while on your way to Sydkap in Scoresby Land, the ship will encounter huge icebergs, some over 100 m (328 ft.) high and more than a kilometer (.6 miles) in length. Most of the bergs are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 m (1312 ft.) deep here. You will land near Sydkap to view the remains of the Thule culture winter houses. As many as 20 people lived in these tiny houses, hunting Greenland whales and using their vertebrae to build the houses. Also, the ship may land at Gurreholm on Jameson Land. The landscape here is gently undulating, but the climate is harsh--sometimes snow can be seen throughout the summer--but some animals such as musk oxen and collared lemmings survive on the meager vegetation. The lemmings are preyed upon by long-tailed skuas, snowy owls and arctic foxes, all of which you may see.
Day 7: Today you will land at Illoqqortoormiut, the biggest settlement near Scoresby Sund, with about 500 inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for postcards or just wander around to see the sledge dogs and the drying skins of seals, musk oxen, and polar bears.
After lunch you will sail south, passing the amazing landscape of the Blosseville Coast, where groups of harp seals can be spotted among the ice floes.
Day 8: The adventure continues as you sail along the Blosseville Coast, and its wonderful views of snow covered peaks--these are the highest mountains of Greenland, some of them reaching over 3000m (9840 ft.). At the mouth of Nansen Fjord, you will see Gunnbjørns Fjeld. At 3700m (12,136 ft.), it is both the highest peak in Greenland and the highest mountain north of the Arctic Circle.
The ship will then sail into Mikis Fjord, bounded by steep cliffs. The fjord will be a good place to spot narwhals, polar bears, and ringed and harp seals. At Södalen, at the head of Mikis Fjord, you will land in a marshy delta. There are good populations of both common and arctic redpolls, and you will also have a chance to see flocks of barnacle and pink-footed geese.
Day 9: In the morning, the ship will head south for Kangerlussuaq fjord, where glaciers reach the sea, creating a fabulous landscape of glacier fronts, icebergs and cliffs. On shore, you can see the remains of dwellings of the Thule people. The fjord is also a good place to see polar bears and ivory gulls. The day will conclude with a zodiac trip to Skaergårdshalvø, a popular summer hunting ground for the people of Ammassalik. Most years, a number of families arrive here in early summer and stay until the end of the hunting season. In the afternoon, the ship will sail southeast toward the Denmark Strait.
Day 10: The whole day at sea will offer many excellent opportunities to see large whale and seabird migration and, at night the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).
Day 11: You will arrive at Keflavik and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
