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Late summer in West Greenland

Iceland to Greenland: In the Wake of the Vikings

Reykjavik - Kangerlussuatsiaq - Example 13 Day Cruise aboard Ocean Endeavour
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Greenland’s east coast is just a short voyage from Reykjavík. Breathtaking fjords define this seldom-seen region. Whales and seabirds are abundant here. Photographers, birders, and hikers will be in awe. Villages around Greenland’s southern tip offer glimpses of the island's remarkable culture. Bask in the Unartoq geothermal springs. Explore the ruins of Brattelid—a settlement founded by Erik the Red! Kangaamiut is a quaint fishing village. Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, offers shopping and dining. You’ll sail mighty Sondre Stromfjord to your final destination, Kangerlussuaq.
Exploring GreenlandStreet view of old town ReykjavikOne of Greenland's many glaciersA mother polar bear and her young relax on the Arctic landscapeLate summer in West Greenland
Highlights
  • Search for whales while following the Viking route across Denmark Strait
  • Discover east Greenland’s pristine, stunning fjords
  • Get close to glaciers and calving icebergs
  • Wander the streets of Nuuk, Greenland’s dynamic capital
  • Experience village life in tiny Greenlandic fishing hamlets
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Reykjavík, Iceland | Embark

tTe 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

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!

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

Day 6: Ikerasassuaq (Prince Christian Sound)

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

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

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!

Day 9: Brattahlíð

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

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

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 harbor includes many buildings dating from Danish colonial days, while contemporary Nuuk is known for art, shopping, pubs, and cafés.

Day 12: Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord (Evighedsfjorden)

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: Kangerlussuatsiaq , Greenland | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Complete your journey up Kangerlussuaq Fjord (Søndre Strømfjord), a 190-kilometer-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.

Ship/Hotel

Ocean Endeavour

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$5,395 2-3 travelers
Ocean Endeavour - Cat 1 Quad
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Quadruple - Category 1
Deck four: Interior cabin, four lower berths, private bath (separate shower room and powder room) - approx. 240 sq. ft.
Ocean Endeavour - Cat 2 Triple
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Triple - Category 2
Deck four: Interior cabin, three lower berths, two private baths - approx. 200 sq. ft.
Interior Twin cabin on the Ocean Endeavour
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Interior Twin - Category 3
Deck five: Interior cabin, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 125 sq. ft. (twin)/110 sq. ft. (single)
Exterior Twin Cabin on the Ocean Endeavour
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Exterior Twin - Category 4
Deck four: Porthole window, unobstructed view, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 100 sq. ft. (twin)/90 sq. ft. (single)
Exterior Twin Cabin on the Ocean Endeavour
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Main Twin - Category 5
Deck five: Picture window, unobstructed view, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 115 sq. ft.
Comfort Twin cabin on board Ocean Endeavour
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Comfort Twin - Category 6
Deck four: Two portholes windows, unobstructed view, two lower berths - 175 sq.ft. Deck seven: picture window, partial view, two lower berths- 135 sq.ft. Deck eight: Picture windows, obstructed view, matrimonial bed, pvt. bath, fridge - 160 sq.ft.
Top Deck Twin on the Ocean Endeavour
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Select Twin - Category 7
Deck five. Picture windows, unobstructed view, two lower berths, approx. 190 sq. ft. Deck eight: oversize windows, partially obstruction view, matrimonial bed, private bath, refrigerator - approx. 145 sq. ft.
Superior Twin on the Ocean Endeavour
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Superior Twin - Category 8
Deck five. Two picture windows, unobstructed view, two lower berths, sitting area- 210 sq.ft. Deck seven: forward-facing windows with unobstructed view, matrimonial, private bath w/full tub- 180 sq.ft. Deck seven midship: picture windows, partially obstructed view, matrimonial, private bath, fridge - 190 sq.ft
Ocean Endeavour Cabin Category 9
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Junior Suite - Category 9
Deck five: Picture windows, unobstructed views, matrimonial bed, sitting area- approx. 270 sq. ft. Deck seven: forward-facing picture windows, views, matrimonial bed, private bath w/full tub, sitting area, private bath, refrigerator - approx. 290 sq. ft.
Ocean Endeavour Cabin Category 10
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Suite - Category 10
Deck seven. Forward-facing picture windows, unobstructed view, matrimonial bed, private bath with full tub, refrigerator - approx. 310 sq. ft.

Notes

- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. Request the Twin Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.

- Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the double occupancy rate.
Included
  • 12 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 12 Dinners
  • 12 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Contribution to Adventure Canada's Discovery Fund
  • Complimentary Expedition Jacket
  • Pre-departure materials
  • Educational program
  • Applicable taxes and credit card fees
  • Guided activities
  • Sightseeing and community visits
  • Photo Equipment Trial Program
  • Interactive workshops
  • Evening entertainment
  • All shipboard meals
  • All port fees
  • Special access permits, entry, and park fees
  • Expert expedition team
  • All Zodiac excursions
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • It is mandatory to have emergency evacuation and medical insurance to travel with Adventure Canada. It is recommended to obtain a basic minimum coverage of $500,000 on all cruises.
  • Commercial and charter flights
  • Program enhancements/optional excursions (Must be pre-booked)
  • Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
  • Mandatory medical evacuation insurance
  • Possible fuel surcharges and administrative fees
  • Pre- and post-trip hotel accommodation

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The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
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