Greenland and its surrounding waters are home to an impressive array of wildlife. The scenery is dramatic, particularly in autumn with vivid colours by day and the spectacular northern lights by night.
Discover the world's largest island and the deepest fjord system in the world, on this East Greenland expedition cruise. This voyage sails north through the Denmark Strait, accompanied by fulmars, kittiwakes and rafts of common guillemot. You cross the Arctic Circle and continue north, whale watching on the way, before spotting your first icebergs.
The landscapes in Greenland are particularly beautiful, especially during autumn when the dwarf willow and birch change colour. Arctic blueberries and crowberries add their own colourful touch, backed by huge dark mountains, and deep blue icebergs.
On land, wildlife highlights include musk oxen, reindeer, Arctic fox and Arctic hare. While in the ocean, there are as many as 16 species of whales - from the smaller narwhal, beluga and porpoise to the gigantic baleen whales - blue, fin and humpbacks. There is plenty of time for Zodiac cruises, which often include encounters with pinnipeds, such as ringed seals and walrus, and excellent birdwatching opportunities.
A typical Greenland itinerary is shown below, however we offer a choice of itineraries, expedition vessels and cabin types to suit your requirements.
Departures in the second half of September have a good chance of experiencing the delights of the Aurora Borealis (northern lights).
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Arrive Reykjavik, Iceland & transfer to Akureyri to board vessel
Today you transfer by bus (approximately six hours) from Reykjavik to Akureyri, where your vessel is moored. In the early evening the vessel leaves Iceland and sails north towards the Denmark Strait.
Day2: Sail towards East Greenland
While sailing north you’re likely to see fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, and common guillemots. As you cross the Arctic Circle, there's the possibility of seeing a variety of whales. By evening, the first icebergs flash into sight with your approach to the East Greenland coast, near Brewster.
Day3: Explore Scoresbysund
Today you reach Scoresbysund, sailing along the ragged and glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst, where you may enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier fronts. This is a good area for spotting seals, narwhals, and occasionally polar bears can also be seen, in addition to geese and a variety of seabirds. This afternoon visit Danmark Island, where you can find the remains of an Inuit settlement, abandoned around 200 years ago.
Day4: Discover Røde Ø
Røde Ø, also known as Red Island, is located in the interior of Scoresbysund. This is one of the world’s most admired iceberg attractions. The austere blue-white of the icebergs sets sharp against the brooding red backdrop of the sediment slopes. This afternoon you sail through Røde Fjord, with the chance to see musk oxen.
Day5: Sail to Sydkap
This morning you encounter huge icebergs, some over 100 metres high and more than a kilometre in length. With luck, you may see some marine wildlife and a variety of birds among the ice. Later you land near Sydkap, with views of Hall Bredning and a good chance of seeing Arctic hares.
Day6: Visit Ittoqqortoormiit
This morning you visit Liverpool Land, in Hurry Inlet, which offers an incredible mountain landscape with musk oxen often seen grazing here. Your afternoon stop is Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresbysund at about 500 inhabitants.
Day7: Explore Turner Sound & Rømer Fjord
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 have the opportunity to spot whales. Possible sightings include the humpback whale, one of the largest baleen whales, or the bowhead whale, easily recognised due to its lack of dorsal fin. Narwhal may also be seen.
Day8: At sea, southbound to Iceland
A sea day allows you to share tales and reminisce about your Arctic expedition. There are plenty of opportunities for birdwatching and a chance of sighting cetaceans from one of the observation areas or outside on deck. By night, you might be lucky enough to witness the magical Aurora Borealis (northern lights).
Day9: Disembark in Akureyri & transfer to Reykjavik
Disembark in Akureyri and transfer by bus (approximately six hours) through north Iceland to Reykjavík.
Please note: Exact itinerary and duration will depend on your chosen vessel, departure date and local conditions.
Key info
Duration and price excluding international flights: 9 daysfrom £5,365 pp
North East Greenland National Park is the world’s largest. Although the park is part of the Greenland Ice Sheet, there are large ice-free areas of green mountains with beautiful wild flowers, long fjords, precipitous cliffs and hot springs. Off shore, huge icebergs in fantastic shapes float on the deep blue sea.
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Iceland's capital and its largest city, Reykjavik sits on a coastline consisting of peninsulas, straits and islands. This colourful city lies on the southern shore of Faxa Bay, whose waters are often visited by humpback and minke whales, as well as puffins, Arctic tern and other seabirds.
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Where: South-west Iceland
Ideal for viewing: humpback whale, minke whale, Atlantic puffin, common eider, tufted duck
Excellent for: Self-drive, Whale watching
This itinerary is available on the following
cruise vessels:
With decades of experience in polar expedition cruising, this vessel is purpose built for enjoying polar wildlife highlights. Every aspect of this innovative ship has been considered to make your polar voyage an incredible experience, from beautiful, comfortable rooms, to the excursions and everything between.
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The Plancius accommodates a maximum of 108 passengers in cabins ranging from triple to superior, all with outside view and private facilities. She offers a range of itineraries in Antarctica and the Arctic, and the large open deck spaces offer excellent opportunities to watch wildlife.
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