East Greenland, Scoresby Sund, Aurora Borealis

From Reykjavik to Reykjavik
  • All Arctic Cruises
  • Iceland and Greenland
  • Small Ship Cruising
  • Wildlife and Nature
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Tour Description

Cross the Arctic Circle, discover the east coast of Greenland, where you may witness the stunning Aurora Borealis.

Journey from Reykjavik, Iceland, to the far north, crossing the Arctic Circle. This voyage explores East Greenland, and the large fjord system of Scoresby Sund.

Along the way look out for whales, perhaps the elusive Narwhal, fantastic birdlife: fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, and common guillemots, Arctic hares and musk oxen. Explore the remains of an old Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago, and the town of Ittoqqortoormiit, where people still live, in  one of the remotest places.

If you are keen on hiking, select departures offer the opportunity to join a small hiking group to explore the region more in depth on foot, walking for around 6 hours, and up to 15 km (9 miles).

Highlights will include colossal icebergs and hopefully the spectacular Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights!

 

Viva's Best Bits...

Encounter colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters (328 feet) high and more than a kilometer (.62 mile) long in East Greenland

"With some luck, the magical northern lights will make an appearance to guide you along the way! Tara, Team Viva

Experience Greenland's unique nature, culture and wildlife...Arctic hare, Musk Oxen, visit the settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit and more!

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Reykjavik Embarkation in Akureyri

Your journey begins in the morning, where by request you can transfer via chartered bus (T) from the city hall of Reykjavik (the meeting point) to the ship in Akureyri (the embarkation point). You arrive in the afternoon after a six-hour drive through northern Iceland.

PLEASE NOTE: This transfer (T) must be booked and paid for in advance. In the early evening, the ship departs from the port of Akureyri, sailing north toward the Denmark Strait.

Day 2
Sailing to east Greenland

While sailing north you’re likely to see fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, and common guillemots. You then cross the Arctic Circle, possibly spotting whales. By evening, the first icebergs flash into sight with your approach to the east Greenland coast, near Brewster.

Day 3
Arriving at Earth’s largest fjord

Today you reach Scoresbysund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. You may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier fronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt.

In the afternoon, we plan to sail by the east coast of Milne Land among a multitude of giant icebergs. If we can also land at Charcot Havn, we will make a walk to the Charcot Glacier. We will then continue by Bjørneør and sail into Øfjord.

Day 4
Colors of the cape

The goal is a Zodiac cruise near Røde Ø, one of the world’s most cherished iceberg attractions: The austere blue-white of the icebergs sets sharp against the brooding red backdrop of the sediment slopes. The afternoon plan is to sail through the northern parts of Røde Fjord, with the chance to see musk oxen and warm autumnal foliage.

Day 5
Sydkap - Scoresby Land, Icebergs and Arctic hare

In the morning you encounter colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters (328 feet) high and more than a kilometer (.62 mile) long. Most of them are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep (1,312 feet). You then land near Sydkap, with fine views of Hall Bredning and a good shot of seeing Arctic hares.

Today’s long walk goes from Sydkap to Nordøstbugt (12 km, 7.5 miles to the northeast), where the river coming from Holger Danskes Briller flows into the sea. We plan to walk south along the shore to Satakajik, seeing whale vertebrae and the remains of Thule summer houses. Passengers who opt out of the long walking group will join us at this location for their second excursion of the day.

Day 6
Ittoqqortoormiit

Today you make a tundra landing on Liverpool Land, in Hurry Inlet. The afternoon stop is Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresbysund at about five hundred inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards, or just stroll around to see the sled dogs and drying skins of seals and musk oxen. In the afternoon you sail south, passing the picturesque landscapes of the Blosseville Coast.

Day 7
Remote shores

Turner Sound and Rømer Fjord grant you the opportunity to sail far inland, as they have no glacier front at the head and are not clogged with ice. In this location, you may get the opportunity to spot narwhals.

Day 8
The Northern Lights

A sea day grants you the opportunity to spot whales and seabirds – and at night, the magical northern lights.

Day 9
Disembark in Akureyri Reykjavik

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Akureyri, where on request you can transfer by chartered bus (T) (a six-hour drive that you must book in advance) to the Reykjavik city hall, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 8 nights onboard accommodation
Food
  • Included Copy 20 All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 All shore excursions and activities by Zodiac
  • Included Copy 20 Program of lectures by expedition staff & naturalists
  • Included Copy 20 Complimentary use of rubber boots and snowshoes
  • Included Copy 20 All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme
  • Included Copy 20 AECO fees and government taxes
  • Included Copy 20 Comprehensive pre-departure material
  • Included Copy 7 Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights, any visas
  • Included Copy 7 Gratuities, laundry, additional drinks, telecommunication charges, insurance
  • Included Copy 31 Optional activities(select dates): kayaking, photo workshop and polar diving
  • Included Copy 31 Shuttle transfer between Akureyri (ship) and Radhus Reykjavikur / city hall in Vonarstraeti (6hrs)
Transportation

MV Plancius

108 Passengers

MV Ortelius

108 Passengers

MV Hondius

176 Passengers

Activities

  • Included Zodiac excursions, walks and hikes in the Arctic
  • Included Opportunity to witness Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights
  • Included Wildlife observation: Arctic hare, whales, birds, Musk Oxen
  • Included Cross the Arctic circle
  • Included Spot huge icebergs as you cruise through one the the largest fjord systems
  • Included Visit the remain of an Inuit settlement
  • Included Send a postcard home from Ittoqqortoormiit
  • Included Chance to take long hikes in Greenland
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

9 days

Price from

$5,650 USD

Per person, sharing

Based On Lowest Cabin, Quad

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