Explore the world’s northernmost capital

Your adventure begins with an overnight stay in Reykjavík.

Reykjavík is a laid-back city of art, culture and history. Exploring this delightful place is well worth your time.

Stroll past the boutiques and outdoor shops along Laugavegur, gaze in awe at the striking Hallgrímskirkja Church and drop into the fascinating Reykjavík Art Museum.

If you have time, we recommend booking a Pre-Program with us to discover some of Iceland’s natural highlights before your cruise begins.

In the wake of the Vikings

We sail to Greenland across the Denmark Strait. This is the route taken by the Viking Erik the Red, who is credited as being the first European to settle there. Sometimes we spot whales along the way, so be on the lookout.

During the two-day crossing, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know the ship and its onboard facilities. All the while, the Expedition Team will give presentations about the protocols of respectfully visiting these fragile natural areas and Indigenous Arctic communities. Now is the time to book excursions and maybe even learn a few words in Greenlandic.

However, this is mainly a time to settle in and enjoy yourself. You’ll relish delicious meals in the onboard restaurants, listen to amazing talks and simply relax and unwind on the comfortable ship. As we get closer to Greenland (or Kalaallit Nunaat, as it is known), you’ll feel the anticipation and excitement building – your adventure is about to begin!

Explore this picturesque and peaceful town

Qaqortoq offers you your first taste of life in Greenland (or Kalaallit Nunaat, as it is known). Keep your camera at the ready amid the gorgeous, colorful houses and intriguing rock carvings in this tranquil town. It’s only a short walk to a picturesque lake where the only thing you’ll hear is the gentle sound of a bubbling stream.

Relax and get acquainted with the laid-back way of life here. You can explore the compact town, with its museum containing rare Inuit artifacts, or browse locally made jewelry and artwork. You can also join optional events to meet friendly locals at a traditional kaffemik social gathering, where you’ll hear stories from times past at the community hall.

Experience nature’s ethereal beauty

As we reach Kvanefjord in Sermersooq (meaning ‘Place of Much Ice’), you’ll have your first encounter with the sublime fjords of Greenland’s west coast.

Witness glistening icebergs and partially submerged glacial ice, which is pure white with undertones of crystalline blue, floating in turquoise water. These sculpted ice blocks are some of nature’s finest creations in the Arctic. They come from the glacier at the head of the fjord.

Few people ever venture into this area, making it even more special to spend the day exploring here. The Expedition Team will select places to venture ashore, where you will enjoy beautiful scenery on a nature walk. You can also head out in boats to scout for wildlife and get a close look at the glacier, if conditions are good.

Roam around this ‘uneven’ place

Today we reach Maniitsoq, which means ‘The Uneven Place’. Truth be told, it’s really not that uneven compared to other places in Greenland! Surrounded by mountains and a fjord, it’s a small town with colorful buildings and awe-inspiring views.

Once a regional hub for trading reindeer hides, Maniitsoq has been inhabited for 4,000 years. Fish is the main industry today, and you’ll see plenty of evidence of this. Check out the small museum, where you can see a selection of wooden, skin-covered kayaks, as well as figurines carved from walrus ivory, traditional costumes and Inuit art.

Maniitsoq has several hiking options with different viewpoints to discover, including a brisk stroll up to the town’s radio antenna. From there, you might even spot humpback whales in the bay.

Enjoy a warm welcome in Arctic Greenland

We have reached Sisimiut, around 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle. This is Greenland’s second-largest urban area, but it still retains the feel of a small fishing village. The town is spread out over several hills, which makes for an interesting and somewhat challenging stroll.

Old traditions are alive and well here, and you can learn more about the ancient Saqqaq artifacts in the excellent local museum. Go inside the traditional turf house there and see how hunters would spend a typical winter. Greenland’s oldest church is almost next door.

If you’re looking for a special souvenir, pick up a scarf, hat or sweater made of qiviut, the inner wool of a musk ox. You’ll also find miniature figurines carved by local artists, as well as Inuit artwork and a delightful shop selling gems.

Nature’s artwork in a UNESCO-listed ice fjord

Today, we reach Disko Bay, a haven for whales and other wildlife. The water here is dotted with icebergs in many shapes and sizes, and they all come from one place – the Ilulissat Icefjord. This spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site regularly tops the list of things to see and do in Greenland. Today, you’ll find out why. Enjoy the scenery as you walk along the wooden gangway to the breathtaking ice fjord.

Marvel at giant icebergs floating placidly in the deep blue water as they take on different hues of white, gray and blue. All photographers, regardless of skill, will return to the ship with enviable images. Back in pretty Ilulissat, visit the Icefjord Centre to learn about the ice in this fascinating area. You can also go on a hike to Sermermiut to take in incredible views.

Remote, untamed landscapes and icebergs

The rugged Vaigat Sound is our northernmost point. You may feel like the first person to explore this remote area. We are at the hands of Mother Nature today and the Expedition Team will identify the best landing sites for us.

If possible, we’ll use our small boats (RIBs) for shore landings or find opportunities to launch the kayaks. We might trek across the tundra, see glaciers up close and learn how they move.

Have your binoculars and camera ready, as wildlife sightings in this region can include humpback whales, orcas and bowhead whales, along with several types of seals.

The ethereal beauty of Evighedsfjord

Enjoy a day of exploration in the magical Evighedsfjord, near Kangerlussuaq. We’ll determine the adventures that lie in store for you that day.

The beautiful turquoise water of the ‘Fjord of Eternity’ is fed by an ice cap that calves huge icebergs into its channels, which reach 2,300 feet deep. It is surrounded by mist-cloaked mountains that may remind you of Lord of the Rings, with beautiful white ridges contrasting with crystal-blue ice caves.

Nature reigns here. Keep your eyes on the cliffs, where thousands of raucous seabirds such as razorbills and guillemots build their nests. Like always, we’ll be on the lookout for wildlife, including whales and Arctic foxes.

Modern and ancient Greenland, side by side

Nuuk is Greenland’s colorful and compact capital. It has a population of fewer than 20,000 people and a striking mix of old and new buildings. If historical buildings pique your interest, head down to the old part of town by the waterfront, where you’ll find Nuuk Cathedral and the statue of Hans Egede standing on a hill. You’ll see the beautiful Mother of the Sea statue standing in juxtaposition to the water below.

Visit the National Museum to gain insight into life here 500 years ago and see the fascinating Qilakitsoq mummies. In addition, there are plenty of shopping opportunities – by Greenlandic standards – and a mix of cafés and restaurants to try. There may be performances at the Cultural Center, which can be both entertaining and educational. Plus, you may get the chance to sample some Greenlandic ‘delicacies’.

Feel history come alive in this eerie, abandoned mining settlement.

As you wander around the abandoned ruins of this ghost town, it’s hard to believe that Ivittuut, a former mining outpost, once played a pivotal role in the course of history.

During World War II, the US secretly stationed troops here to prevent rare cryolite – used to make aluminum alloys – from falling into enemy hands. Supplies were instead shipped to the US to manufacture aircraft that were used in the Battle of Britain.

Here, you can walk among the area’s deserted buildings, although the only inhabitants you might see these days are musk oxen. Even then, it is from a distance.

Feel the inlet narrow around you as we enter this wildlife-rich sound.

If sea ice allows, we aim to traverse the cold, blue water of the 60-mile-long Prince Christian Sound today. Sharp-peaked granite mountains stand in stunning contrast to the bright white glaciers that tumble from the edge of the ice cap. The sound becomes narrow at times, spanning only 1,500 feet across in some places.

Nature is abundant here. Keep an eye out for ringed and bearded seals resting on the ice while glaucous gulls and black guillemots soar above. You may even spot minke and humpback whales in these waters. See calving icebergs and colorful houses in the tiny village of Aappilattoq as you pass.

Time to rest, relax and reflect

After exploring the ethereal, rugged beauty of western Greenland, we set our course back to Iceland, across the Denmark Strait. Enjoy two days at sea recapping the highlights of the cruise with the Expedition Team. If you visit the Science Center, you can learn more about the delicate ecology and rugged geology of Greenland.

Above all, this is a great time to reflect and relax before you return to everyday life. Take time to enjoy more lovely meals in the restaurants, kick back in the Explorer Lounge & Bar or edit some of the many pictures you have taken.

Unforgettable memories of your time in Greenland

Your expedition cruise to Greenland will come full circle when you arrive back in Iceland’s laid-back capital in the morning. The time has come to say goodbye to the crew, the Expedition Team and your fellow guests – some of whom will no doubt be your new friends.

If you’re not yet ready to end your adventure, you can join our optional Post-Program before you head home. You could also simply extend your stay to enjoy more of Reykjavík and its surrounding geothermal attractions.