Iceland and Greenland: Edge of the Arctic

Arrive in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, which lies just below the Arctic Circle. Transfer from the airport to the city and spend the day exploring at your own pace. Check in with the hospitality desk this afternoon before embarking the ship.

Sprawling Reykjavík, the nation's nerve center and government seat, is home to half the island's population. On a bay overlooked by proud Mt. Esja (pronounced eh-shyuh), with its ever-changing hues, Reykjavík presents a colorful sight, its concrete houses painted in light colors and topped by vibrant red, blue, and green roofs. In contrast to the almost treeless countryside, Reykjavík has many tall, native birches, rowans, and willows, as well as imported aspen, pines, and spruces.Reykjavík's name comes from the Icelandic words for smoke, reykur, and bay, vík. In AD 874, Norseman Ingólfur Arnarson saw Iceland rising out of the misty sea and came ashore at a bay eerily shrouded with plumes of steam from nearby hot springs. Today most of the houses in Reykjavík are heated by near-boiling water from the hot springs. Natural heating avoids air pollution; there's no smoke around. You may notice, however, that the hot water brings a slight sulfur smell to the bathroom.Prices are easily on a par with other major European cities. A practical option is to purchase a Reykjavík City Card at the Tourist Information Center or at the Reykjavík Youth Hostel. This card permits unlimited bus usage and admission to any of the city's seven pools, the Family Park and Zoo, and city museums. The cards are valid for one (ISK 3,300), two (ISK 4,400), or three days (ISK 4,900), and they pay for themselves after three or four uses a day. Even lacking the City Card, paying admission (ISK 500, or ISK 250 for seniors and people with disabilities) to one of the city art museums (Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, or Ásmundarsafn) gets you free same-day admission to the other two.

Explore Iceland’s western frontier, visiting Flatey Island, a trading post for many centuries turned sleepy summer islet. Walk around the charming little hamlet and hike across hiking trails that trace the path past seasonal puffin population on the cliffs.

Explore the beautiful and peaceful Westfjords region of Iceland. Enjoy a hike to a remote waterfall, a Zodiac cruise alongside stunning scenery or bike along the coast of the Westfjords. Enter Ísafjarðardjúp and land at Vigur Island to visit the eider farm and learn about the down cleaning process.  Get to know the capital of the Westfjords, Ísafjörður, through a walking tour complete with local sights, sounds and tastes.

The Westfjords of Iceland are notably some of the most remote fjords in the country with many nooks and crannies or fjords and islands to explore. Spend two days enjoying expedition activities across this dynamic corner of Iceland, meeting locals who call this region home and using the ship as a platform of adventure and discovery.

Sail away from the Westfjords of Iceland and across the Denmark Strait, which connects the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean. The Strait is home to the world's largest waterfall, caused by powerful currents and glaciers. Listen to talks by experts, relax with a book in the lounge or the observation deck and keep an eye out for wildlife as the ship sails across the continental shelf.

The coast of the world's largest island is etched with thousands of fjords, some of which reach back to the Greenlandic ice sheet. Spend the day exploring these stunning inlets of the eastern coast as the staff uses the ship's underwater cameras and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to help you discover marine life and fascinating underwater geology. Ice permitting, sail deep into Skjoldungen fjord and soak in your arrival to Greenland on a Zodiac cruise or in a kayak among the icebergs.

East Greenland is one of the world’s most remote and dramatic Arctic regions, defined by towering mountains, vast fjords, and colossal icebergs sculpted by glaciers. Its sparse human population maintains a strong Inuit culture rooted in traditional hunting, art, and legend, offering a unique glimpse into life on the edge of the Arctic world. The wild coastal waters and rugged tundra are rich with Arctic wildlife, from whales and seals to musk oxen and occasional polar bears, against a backdrop of pristine wilderness. Here, the world’s largest fjord system, Scoresby Sund, and the nearby Northeast Greenland National Park showcase staggering scale and raw natural beauty. Access is limited, making East Greenland a truly remote destination for adventurous explorers and nature lovers.

Sail into Prins Christian Sund, which cuts into the southern tip of Greenland, passing between soaring pinnacles and glaciers, allowing the ship to sail through the sheltered waters of this dramatic landscape. As you round the southern coast of Greenland, enter Tasermuit Fjord, known as Arctic Patagonia, for its sheer granite rock faces and dramatic valley filled with glaciers or their moraines. Spend time exploring by foot, kayak or zodiac along its shores.

The transit through the Sound is one of this voyage’s highlights. Connecting the Labrador Sea with the Irminger Seat, Prince Christian Sound or “Prins Christian Sund” in Danish is named after Prince (later King) Christian VII (1749-1808). 100 km (60 miles ), long and at times just 500 m (1500 ft) wide, this majestic and spectacular fiord throws you back into a Viking era – flanked by soaring snow-topped mountains, rock-strewn cliffs and rolling hills, it is as if time has stood still and one easily forgets that this is the 21st century. As you marvel at the sheer size of the mountains that surround you, with the Arctic waters lapping deceptively at the hull, revel in the silence enveloping you. Icebergs float serenely by, carrying with them the ages of time. Be sure to wear warm clothing as this is one spectacle that you do not want to miss.

Considered one of the Ten Wonders of the Arctic, Tassermiut Fjord is a 70-kilometer (44-mile) incision into the pristine wilderness of southwestern Greenland. The fjord is entered near the settlement of Nanortalik (population 1,200) and winds its way through scenery that is reminiscent of the dramatic mountain landscape of Patagonia.
Cruising up the fjord by ship reveals a spectacular panorama of jagged peaks perched atop steep-sided mountains, interspersed with u-shaped side valleys and moraines - all clear indications of glacial action. The lower slopes are green with lush vegetation but quickly rise to barren walls of rock. These sheer walls make Tassermiut Fjord a Mecca for rock climbers, who rate such climbs as Uiluit Qaaqa (Ketil), Ulamertorsuaq (Uli), and The Baroness as being some of the best in the world. For the less active among us, just processing and comprehending the vista itself seems challenging enough.
The Tassermiut Fjord region has always attracted people. Inuit made hunting camps around the fjord mouth to target the ringed, harp, and bearded seals that are abundant when the pack ice drifts in. The Norse too, settled the area in the 10th century, drawn no doubt to the valleys that promised fertile grazing for their precious livestock. They were also perhaps drawn to the astounding natural beauty of the region, as if it was blessed by divine hand, something that is readily apparent to the eager traveler that makes it to this little-explored corner of Greenland.

Qaqortoq and Tunulliarflik Fjord provide two days of insight, culture and local interactions. Walk through the ruins of Bratthlid, Erik the Red's farm, visiting replicas of the church and the family's longhouse. Explore the same shores from which their son, Leif Eriksson, launched the first voyages to North America—500 years before Columbus. Visit the unofficial capital of southern Greenland at Qaqortoq, with just over 3,200 residents. The colonial influence is visible throughout the town, with houses painted in primary colors and architecture dating back to the 1700s. Stroll through the town square and visit the museum, where Greenlandic kayaks, hunting equipment and local art and handicrafts are on display. Finally, walk through the walls of Hvalsey church, located in the fjords behind Qaqortoq, the best-preserved Norse ruins in all of Greenland and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The largest town in southern Greenland, Qaqortoq has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Upon arrival in this charming southern Greenland enclave, it's easy to see why. Qaqortoq rises quite steeply over the fjord system around the city, offering breath-taking panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains, deep, blue sea, Lake Tasersuag, icebergs in the bay, and pastoral backcountry. Although the earliest signs of ancient civilization in Qaqortoq date back 4,300 years, Qaqortoq is known to have been inhabited by Norse and Inuit settlers in the 10th and 12th centuries, and the present-day town was founded in 1774. In the years since, Qaqortoq has evolved into a seaport and trading hub for fish and shrimp processing, tanning, fur production, and ship maintenance and repair.

Perched on the seaside in the shadow of ice-capped Sermitsiaq Mountain, Nuuk is the world’s smallest capital city by population, with some 19,000 inhabitants, experiencing tremendous cultural and economic growth. Watch for harp seals as you enter the harbor and take a walking tour with local residents to learn how the community has changed over the generations. At the National Museum, examine the extraordinary 15th-century Qilakitsoq mummies found near Uummannaq—a discovery that was featured in a National Geographic magazine cover story in 1985. The Arctic ice preserved these mummies so well that researchers have been able to study their tattoos, their medical conditions and even what they ate.

Perched on the seaside in the shadow of ice-capped Sermitsiaq Mountain, Nuuk is the world’s smallest capital city by population, with some 19,000 inhabitants experiencing tremendous cultural and economic growth. Watch for harp seals as you enter the harbor, and hear from local residents to learn how the community has changed over the generations. At the National Museum, examine the extraordinary 15th-century Qilakitsoq mummies found near Uummannaq—a discovery that was featured in a National Geographic magazine cover story in 1985. The Arctic ice preserved these mummies so well that researchers have been able to study their tattoos, their medical conditions and even what they ate.

In the early morning, the ship enters Eternity Fjord (Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord), which winds picturesquely past steep mountains and stunning tidewater glaciers. In the far reaches of the fjord, take a Zodiac cruise along the face of one of the many glaciers or hike over glacial moraines to a waterfall. In the afternoon, continue exploring this varied landscape and fjord system either by foot, kayak, or zodiac and hear from experts about the physical changes to the landscape year over year.

Upon arrival to Sisimiut, a former whaling port, enjoy your choice of guided walks through the sights and sounds of the village, including a meeting with the caretakers of the Greenlandic Dog Project, or hiking part of the Arctic Circle trail. In your free time, enjoy a local food tasting, visit the open-air museum or explore the local artisan workshops.

Located just north of the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut is the northernmost town in Greenland where the port remains free of ice in the winter. Yet it is also the southernmost town where there is enough snow and ice to drive a dogsled in winter and spring. In Sisimiut, travelling by sled has been the primary means of winter transportation for centuries. In fact, the area has been inhabited for approximately 4,500 years. Modern Sisimiut is the largest business center in the north of Greenland, and is one of the fastest growing Greenlandic cities. Commercial fishing is the lead economy in the town‘s thriving industrial base.

Disko Bay is a large bay located on the western coast of Greenland, opening into the Baffin Bay. It is known for its dramatic Arctic landscapes, floating icebergs, and cold, clear waters. The bay is surrounded by glaciers and coastal settlements, with Ilulissat being one of the most well-known towns nearby. Disko Bay is famous for the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where massive icebergs calve from the Greenland Ice Sheet. It is also an important area for Arctic wildlife, including whales and seals, and is a popular destination for polar tourism and scientific research.

The village of Uummannaq sits on a tiny, yet dramatic island in the Uummannaq Fjord, dominated by a massive peak rising at its center. Visit the town’s excellent community museum to see traditional clothing and tools along with scenes of everyday life on these islands and enjoy a stroll through the streets of this northern outpost. In the afternoon, with special village permissions, cross the fjord to the site of Qilakitsoq, an important archaeological site for Greenlanders, where eight mummies, dating back to 1475, were discovered in 1972. These eight individuals, all extraordinarily well-preserved women and children, were Thule people, the ancestors of the modern Inuit and was featured on the cover of the February 1985 issue of National Geographic magazine. For the adventurous hikers, make your own respectful journey up to the final resting place of these ancestors.

In the iceberg-laden waters surrounding the remote community of Uummannaq it is common to see whales. This area of Greenland is also known for its huge basalt mountains, and the small hunting and fishing village of Uummannaq rests at the foot of the heart-shaped Uummannaq Mountain, a name that translates to mean “in the shape of a seal’s heart”. The town of over 1200 people has a granite church and the country’s most northerly ferry terminal. The economy of Uummannaq revolves largely around the halibut/fish-processing factory.

Qilakitsoq is an archaeological site located near Uummannaq in northwestern Greenland. It is best known for the discovery of remarkably well-preserved Inuit mummies found in ice caves in 1972. These remains date back to around 1475 CE and provide valuable insight into the clothing, diet, and daily life of the Thule culture. The cold, dry Arctic conditions helped preserve the bodies and artifacts in exceptional detail. Today, the findings from Qilakitsoq are considered one of the most important discoveries in Arctic archaeology and are displayed in museums in Greenland and Denmark.

Sail along Greenland’s fjords and look for Arctic foxes, whales and—with luck—caribou. Paddle a kayak along the steep sides of the fjord or ride a Zodiac to see the glacially carved landscape up close.

Disembark in Nuuk and join the recommended group flight to Keflavik; transfers to the nearby hotel and luggage assistance will be provided. Upon arrival, enjoy an included dinner and overnight.

Perched on the seaside in the shadow of ice-capped Sermitsiaq Mountain, Nuuk is the world’s smallest capital city by population, with some 19,000 inhabitants experiencing tremendous cultural and economic growth. Watch for harp seals as you enter the harbor, and hear from local residents to learn how the community has changed over the generations. At the National Museum, examine the extraordinary 15th-century Qilakitsoq mummies found near Uummannaq—a discovery that was featured in a National Geographic magazine cover story in 1985. The Arctic ice preserved these mummies so well that researchers have been able to study their tattoos, their medical conditions and even what they ate.

Sprawling Reykjavík, the nation's nerve center and government seat, is home to half the island's population. On a bay overlooked by proud Mt. Esja (pronounced eh-shyuh), with its ever-changing hues, Reykjavík presents a colorful sight, its concrete houses painted in light colors and topped by vibrant red, blue, and green roofs. In contrast to the almost treeless countryside, Reykjavík has many tall, native birches, rowans, and willows, as well as imported aspen, pines, and spruces.Reykjavík's name comes from the Icelandic words for smoke, reykur, and bay, vík. In AD 874, Norseman Ingólfur Arnarson saw Iceland rising out of the misty sea and came ashore at a bay eerily shrouded with plumes of steam from nearby hot springs. Today most of the houses in Reykjavík are heated by near-boiling water from the hot springs. Natural heating avoids air pollution; there's no smoke around. You may notice, however, that the hot water brings a slight sulfur smell to the bathroom.Prices are easily on a par with other major European cities. A practical option is to purchase a Reykjavík City Card at the Tourist Information Center or at the Reykjavík Youth Hostel. This card permits unlimited bus usage and admission to any of the city's seven pools, the Family Park and Zoo, and city museums. The cards are valid for one (ISK 3,300), two (ISK 4,400), or three days (ISK 4,900), and they pay for themselves after three or four uses a day. Even lacking the City Card, paying admission (ISK 500, or ISK 250 for seniors and people with disabilities) to one of the city art museums (Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, or Ásmundarsafn) gets you free same-day admission to the other two.