HIGHLIGHTS
- Start
your voyage from Reykjavik, the world's northernmost capital of a
sovereign state
- Marvel
at the land's geysers, waterfalls, mountains, and glaciers
- In
Nanotalik, Greenland, visit the local open-air museum which
demonstrates the fascinating history from Viking and Inuit times to the
present day
- Visit
the Uunartoq area which is famous for its natural hot springs. Soak in
the geothermal waters watching the icebergs pass by
- Visit
Hvalsey, or "Whale Island", which is the site of Greenland's largest
and best-preserved Norse ruins
- Your
visit to Qaqortoq will give you additional cultural and Viking
background on the region. Placed on a beautiful hillside, the small
settlement boasts colorful houses and a museum.
- Navigate
through the picturesque Eriksfjord to the settlement of Qassiarsuk, a
town founded back in the 10th century by Eric the Red
- Explore
Disko Bay as you sail along Fjords and scenic Inuit villages that shape
the landscape of this icy region of western Greenland
- Visit
Ilulissat, the "city of icebergs", a focal point of West Greenland
tourism
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Jun 07, 2025 | Jun 16, 2025 | 7,176 |
7,495 |
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Jun 07, 2025 | Jun 16, 2025 | 7,176 |
7,495 |
ITINERARY
Please
Note: The June 14, 2022 sailing is a day shorter
Day
1: Reykjavik, Iceland
Welcome
to Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland and starting point of
our expedition cruise! Even though this country lies below the Arctic
Circle, Reykjavik is the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign
state. Visitors needn’t travel far to find geysers and
waterfalls, mountains, and glaciers. Accommodations tonight at a
centrally located deluxe hotel will make embarkation tomorrow much more
convenient.
Day
2: Reykjavik (Iceland), embarkation
This
afternoon, meeting in the lobby for your transfer to the port and
embarkation of the Sea Spirit. There’s time to get settled in
and explore this ship, you home-away-from-home for the next ten days.
After departure, keep an eye out for our first whales (humpback and
Minke whales are most common) as we sail out of the picturesque bay.
Day
3-4: At sea
Enjoy
a few restful days at sea, as we get ready for icebergs, Inuit
villages, whales and much more! Along with our expedition team, watch
for whales and seabirds from the deck, or participate in their
presentations in the Oceanus Lounge on the flora, fauna, geology and
cultural heritage to be found along West Greenland’s western
coast.
Day 5: Nanotalik,
Greenland
The
Sea Spirit rounds Cape Farewell, the southernmost point in Greenland,
and calls in at Greenland’s most southerly town Nanortalik.
The town lies at the mouth of beautiful Tasermiut Fjord surrounded by
steep mountains that flank an intricate fjord system. The name of the
town translated as “the place with polar bears”
says that these arctic animals could be often seen hunting on the sea
ice outside of the settlement. The local open-air museum demonstrates
the fascinating history from Viking and Inuit times to the present days.
The
Uunartoq area is famous for its natural hot springs, where we can soak
in the geothermal waters watching the icebergs pass by.
Days
6-8: Exploring West Greenland
During
the next few days, we head further north to visit some enchanting
Greenlandic settlements and explore the beautiful fjords of
Greenland’s western side.
Hvalsey,
or "Whale Island", is the site of Greenland’s largest and
best-preserved Norse ruins. It was originally settled by an ancestor of
Erik the Red in the late 10th century. There’s time to wander
and learn about the ancient farmstead that includes a granite stone
Christian church, likely built in the early 14th century, and several
adjacent buildings. The fells and fjord around the farmstead have not
changed at all over the centuries, and the site is believed to have
been a meeting place for festivals and banquets throughout the year.
Set
amidst breathtaking scenery, our visit to Qaqortoq gives us some
additional cultural and Viking background on the region. Placed on a
beautiful hillside, the small settlement boasts colorful houses and a
museum.
We
continue north in the wake of the Vikings as our Sea Spirit navigates
through the picturesque Eriksfjord to the settlement of Qassiarsuk. The
town was founded back in the 10th century by Eric the Red following his
exile from Iceland for murder. We will see the foundation remains of
his manor house and other buildings. Nowadays, the area is known as a
sheep farming settlement.
As
we approach, Paamiut, there are good opportunities to see humpback and
fin whales along the coastline. It is also an especially good place to
spot white-tailed eagles. Inhabited by incredibly welcoming locals,
Paamiut justifiably proud of their church that was built in 1909. The
architecture reflects the Danish colonization of Greenland.
Nuuk,
the capital of Greenland, is lively and surrounded by natural beauty.
Here, old traditions meet modern change. Fashion shops and a cultural
center represent the modern Greenland; the picturesque old port area,
however, testifies to the island’s long history. The town was
founded by the danish missionary Hans Egede in the early 18th century,
and you’ll learn much more about the area on an included
tour. In the National Museum, you’ll be fascinated by the
mummies of Qilakotsoq – evidence of a bygone era.
Days
9-11: Exploring Disko Bay
Fjords
and scenic Inuit villages shape the landscape of this icy region of
western Greenland. The Sea Spirit holds her course north, and landings
and activities are adapted to the current ice and weather conditions.
Accordingly, we will plan to visit some of the following:
Sisimiut,
the second-largest city in Greenland with about 5,400 inhabitants, is
located 40 km north of the Arctic Circle. While there are modern
elements, you’ll also find an outdoors hunting and fishing
culture. A small museum depicts the history of trade, shipping and
industry in the region.
Ilulissat,
the “city of icebergs”, is the a focal point of
West Greenland tourism. The fjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and
pushes unimagable amounts of icebergs into the bay. A hike to the
historic Sermermiut settlement offers some spectacular views. The
famous Danish polar explorer Knut Rasmussen is a son of the city and an
interesting museum here is dedicated to his life.
Itilleq
is a typical Greelandic fishing village on a small island just above
the Arctic Circle, with a local population of about 120. The residents
make a living from fishing and hunting and there are probably more dog
sleds than residents.
Day
12: Disembarkation in Kangerlussuaq (Greenland); Homeward flights.
Our
adventure finishes at the port of Kangerlussuaq. We disembark after
breakfast and transfer to the airport for our outbound flight and
further connection flights home.
Sea Spirit (Luxury Expedition, 114-guests)
The ice-strengthened small all-suite expedition ship Sea Spirit (originally Renaissance V) was built in 1991 in Italy. From that time she has changed several operators and regions of navigation, cruising in Singapore, Alaska, Pacific Basin, Arctic and Antarctica. The vessel was modified in late 2010. Providing spacious suites for accommodation of maximum of 114 passengers (the smallest suite is 20 sq. meters) the Sea Spirit at the same time features maneuverability and friendly atmosphere of small ships. All suites have private facilities and exterior views. Some of the suites feature private balconies for enjoying fantastic landscapes of the Arctic and Antarctica.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 1
pre-voyage night on Day 1 in Reykjavik; (only on the May 27, 2022
sailing)
- Group
transfer to the ship for embarkation;
- Shipboard
accommodation;
- All
meals on board throughout the voyage;
- Tea
and coffee station 24 hours daily;
- All
scheduled landings/excursions (subject to weather and ice conditions);
- Leadership
throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader &
Expedition Team;
- Branded
Poseidon Expeditions parka;
- Rubber
boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise;
- Welcome
and Farewell cocktails;
- All
port fees;
- Group
transfer to airport or central location upon disembarkation;
- Pre-departure
materials;
- Digital
Voyage Log;
- Wi-Fi
on board.
Not
Included
- Airfare;
- Visa
and passport fees (if applicable);
- Luggage
and trip cancellation insurance;
- Soft
drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those for special events and
celebrations;
- Personal
expenses such as laundry and telecommunication charges;
- Mandatory
Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a minimum benefit of US$ 200,000 per
person;
- Kayaking;
- Staff
gratuities.
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Kayaking:
USD 655
- Photography:
Free