HIGHLIGHTS
- Venture
deep into Kangertitivatsiaq Fjord on Greenland’s remote east
coast
- Sail
along Prince Christian Sound, surrounded by towering mountains with
glaciers that calve directly into the sea
- Enjoy
thrilling Zodiac excursions to glacier fronts and watch for tail flukes
from diving whales
- At
the National Museum in Nuuk, see the fascinating exhibit of the
Qilakitsoq mummies dating back 545 years
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Aug 04, 2025 | Aug 17, 2025 | 15,807 |
16,695 |
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Aug 04, 2025 | Aug 17, 2025 | 15,807 |
16,695 |
ITINERARY
Aurora
Expeditions operates in remote and challenging environments, and in the
spirit of expedition travel, we encourage you to adopt a flexible and
adventurous attitude when joining our voyages. This itinerary is a
guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other
conditions beyond our control.
On
this voyage, we visit remote Inuit hamlets and settlements, where the
local Inuit people still practice traditional hunting methods including
whaling that some people may find confronting. If you find yourself
feeling upset and disturbed by what you see, please alert a member of
the expedition team immediately, who will do their best to address your
concerns and take action to mitigate the problem, wherever possible.
Day
1 Arrive in Reykjavik
Having
made your way to Reykjavik, you will be met by a representative of
Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel. Upon arrival at
your included hotel, please visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality
desk to collect your luggage cabin tags and to speak with our ground
operations team, who may have information to share with you about
pre-embarkation or to provide you with information about where to dine,
withdraw cash or purchase last minute items from a local pharmacy or
supermarket. The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today
are at your own expense.
Accommodation:
Fosshotel Reykjavik (or similar)
Day
2 Embarkation Day
Breakfast
and check-out. Join our guided Golden Circle and Geothermal Energy
tour. With 85% of it’s electricity sourced from renewable
sources, Iceland sets an outstanding example when it comes to
sustainable energy. Our journey takes us to the famous seismic sights
of the Golden Circle route - Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir, and
history-rich Thingvellir National Park, before we experience first-hand
how green, sustainable energy is produced at one of the largest
single-site geothermal power plants on the planet at the Geothermal
Energy Exhibition and Ljósafossvirkjun Power Station.
We’ll
also spend time at a true eco-village. Powered with thermal and solar
energy, Sólheimar is fully sustainable, boasting greenhouses
and forestry programmes, while it’s sustainable workshops are
dedicated to candle-making, carpentry, weaving and soap-making. Late
afternoon we return to Reykjavik for embarkation. This evening, get to
know your fellow expeditioners, expedition team and crew.
Day
3 At Sea
Crossing
the Greenland Sea, we sail through the Polar Basin’s
nutrient-rich waters, searching for encroaching pack ice, fin whales
and seabirds. Our team of experts entertains us with informative talks
about sea ice, glaciers, European arctic plants and animals and epic
tales of early explorers such as Nansen, Andreé and Scoresby.
Day
4 Kangertitivatsiaq Fjord
Popular
among skilled rock climbers, Kangertitivatsiaq Fjord is home to
spectacular mountain peaks and essential big walls that attract daring
climbers. A new discovery for Aurora Expeditions in 2022, the
26-kilometre (16-mile) fjord is filled with glaciers including the
Glacier of France. It’s an ideal place for ship cruising,
Zodiac excursions and discovery hikes.
Day
5 Skjoldungen Island
Continue
south along Greenland’s King Frederik VI Coast, always on the
lookout for whales, especially the rare sperm whale that is
occasionally seen here. Weaving through the narrow channels of
Skjoldungen Fjord we land at the end of the fjord for a walk along a
glacial river, across a tundra valley covered in northern willow and
blooming pink wildflowers. Kayakers can paddle across the front of a
tidewater glacier, search for harp seals, ivory gulls and whales. Back
on board, enjoy the stunning surrounds with a drink in hand basked in
the soft light of the setting sun.
Day
6 Prince Christian Sound
Prince
Christian Sound connects the Labrador Sea with the Irminger Sea.
Approximately 100 km / 60 mi long, and, in parts, as narrow as 500-m
(600-ft) wide, the fjord is flanked by jagged mountain peaks, some
reaching over 2,200 m (7,200 ft) high, with countless glaciers coming
all the way down to the sea. We slow-cruise through the sound to enjoy
the spectacular scenery. Icebergs sculpted into fantastic shapes often
block the entrance to the sound, a great spectacle for photography.
Day
7 Aappilattoq, Tasermiut Fjord, Klosterdal
Aappilattoq
is a small settlement that lies in the southern section of a sound.
Aappilattoq means red in Greenlandic, and the town is named after the
red mountains rising above it. Aappilattoq is well-known in Greenland
for the jagged mountain peaks that surround it—a delight for
photographers. The towering, jagged mountains that surround Tasermiut
Fjord is why it’s often referred to as the
‘Patagonia of the north’. At Klosterdal, we are
surrounded by three giant mountains - Napasorsuaq, Ketil and
Nalumasortoq. Here we
can
walk to a Norse ruin, hike along the valley, or explore the bay by
kayak.
Day
8 Nanortalik, Uunartoq
Continue
to Nanortalik, the southernmost town in Greenland, located on an island
of the same name. Its name derives from the West Greenlandic word
‘Nanoq’ meaning ‘the place where bears
pass through,’ describing the polar bears that were once seen
floating past on sea ice. Deep fjords, woodlands and grasslands, and
rugged mountainside cliffs, some over 1,000 m /3,280 ft, attract
enthusiastic climbers from around the world. On arrival,
you’ll receive a warm welcome from the local community who
have opened up their town for you to explore. Nanortalik is a town
that’s known for their love of singing and you’ll
be treated to choir performance.
Visit
Nanortalik Church, a wooden, Danish Lutheran church built in 1916 and
is currently the only church serving the Nanortalik congregation. The
church is in the old colonial quarter of the town. Next to the church
is a landmark boulder called the ‘Knud Rasmussen
Stone,’ named after Greenland’s most famous
citizen, Dr Knud Rasmussen, an explorer and ethnologist.
Day
9 Hvalsey, Qaqortoq
Hvalsey
Church is the best-preserved Norse ruin in Greenland.
‘Hvalsey’ is old Norse for ‘Whale
Island.’ Christianity arrived in Greenland around 1,000 AD
and gradually churches began to be built. Late medieval documents
indicate there were up to 14 parish churches in the Eastern Settlement.
Hvalsey itself was built in the early 14th century, but it was not the
first church built on this site. After exploring Hvalsey ruins,
continue to Qaqortoq, where our Zodiacs shuttle us ashore. Qaqortoq is
the capital of South Greenland. With a history dating back to 1775, the
town offers various cultural activities and attractions including an
outdoor art project called “Man and Stone,’ which
features stone carvings scattered throughout the town created by local
artists. Qaqortoq is Greenland’s southernmost town and is the
administrative centre of the south Greenland. Built from yellow stone,
and dating back to 1804, the building that now houses the Qaqortoq
Museum originally belonged to the town’s blacksmith.
Qaqortoq’s landmark building is the Church of our Saviour.
This large wooden Lutheran church, known as the ‘Red
Church’, is in the historic part of town, near the harbour.
Day
10 Itilleq, Igaliku
Nestled
on the shores of Davis Strait, the town of Itilleq is located on a
small island only 2 km (1.2 mi) north close to the Arctic Circle. The
island has no freshwater, so they have to make their own freshwater
from a desalinisation facility. The Davis Strait is Itilleq’s
major geographical feature. As a northern arm of the Labrador Sea, it
stretches from the middle of Greenland to parts of Nunavut, Canada in
the High Arctic. The numerous glaciers along the Davis Strait are an
impressive sight, and while they may not be as impressive in size as
the larger glaciers found in other parts of Greenland, the sheer volume
of them here is impressive.
A
self-guided hike through town reveals the beautiful, coloured houses,
colours which in the past represented the profession of its owner.
Continue your walk just outside of town to see the picturesque mountain
ranges surrounding the town. At Igaliku in Tunulliarfik Fjord, lush
valleys filled with tall grass hints at Greenland’s first
sheep farming settlement. Igaliku also guards the entrance to the
well-preserved remains of Norse ruins allowing visitors to explore
Norse history, hike within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed
surroundings to discover lakes, mountains and hidden Norse ruins.
Day
11 Narsarsuaq, Qassiarssuk
Narsarsuaq
is the gateway to hiking trails through lush valleys and Norse ruins
spotted along Tunulliarfik Fjord. Narsarsuaq holds historical
significance to Greenland’s history. The Norse Vikings
settled in this area in the 12th century and gave Narsarsuaq a name to
suggest that an Arctic forest covered the large plain. Taking home
stories of lush valleys and plains nestled in deep fjord, the Vikings
called this country Greenland. Marked trails allow hikers to enjoy the
superb scenery, with the one of the most popular hikes leading to the
spectacular lookout over icebergs in the Tunulliarfik Fjord and the
Qooroq Glacier.
At
Qassiarssuk, located directly across the Tunulliarfik Fjord, follow in
the footsteps of Erik the Red and discover why he made it his home. The
remains of a church, stables, hall and other buildings can still be
seen. Visit the tall statue of Leif Erikson (son of Erik the Red)
overlooking the town and fjord. Sailing between Hvalsey, Igaliku and
Qassiarssuk allows you to connect the dots of Viking history in
Greenland.
Day
12 At Sea
As
we sail towards Nuuk, enjoy some free time relaxing or attending a
presentation from our expedition team. This evening, share stories and
celebrate with fellow expeditioners at Captain’s Farewell
Dinner.
Day
13 Disembark in Nuuk, fly to Toronto
Disembark
in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, where you farewell the crew and
expedition team before transferring to the airport for our charter
flight to Toronto.
Accommodation:
Westin Toronto Airport Hotel (or similar)
Day
14 Depart Toronto
After
breakfast, check out of your room and continue your journey with a
transfer to the airport.
Note: In the spirit
of expedition travel, we encourage exploration and adventure offering
flexibility in challenging environments. This itinerary is only a guide
and is subject to change due to weather, sea, pack-ice and other
conditions beyond our control.
Sylvia Earle (Luxury Expedition, 126-guests)
Due to sail in October 2021 our new ship honours the highly accomplished marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer, Sylvia Earle. As the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and named by Time Magazine as its first Hero for the Planet in 1998 - this vessel pays tribute to Sylvia's long standing conservation efforts for marine protected areas and ocean wildlife. Sylvia Earle will be actively involved in the development of her namesake.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- All
transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
- One
night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Reykjavik
on Day 1.
- Full-day
Golden Circle tour on Day 2.
- Charter
flight: Kangerlussuaq-Toronto on Day 13.
- One
night’s hotel accommodation with breakfast, in Toronto on Day
14.
- On-board
accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service.
- All
meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage.
- Beer,
house wine and soft drinks with dinner.
- Captain’s
Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house
beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
- All
shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
- Educational
lectures and guiding services from expedition team.
- Complimentary
access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial
consult).
- Complimentary
3-in-1 polar jacket.
- Comprehensive
pre-departure information.
- Port
surcharges, permits and landing fees.
Note: A $15 USD per person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove the tip (or adjust the amount) when you settle your bill. It is not necessary to
tip the expedition team members. This gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite Benefits’.
EXPEDITION
EXCLUSIONS
- International
or domestic flights, unless specified.
- Transfers
not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Airport
arrival or departure taxes.
- Passport,
visa, reciprocity fees and vaccination charges.
- Travel
insurance or emergency evacuation charges.
- Hotels
and meals not included in itinerary.
- Optional
excursions not included in the itinerary.
- Optional
activity surcharges.
- All
items of a personal nature including but not limited to alcoholic
beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), gratuities,
laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, Wi-Fi, email or
phone charges.
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Sea
Kayaking: USD 980
- Photography:
FREE
