HIGHLIGHTS
- At
Kangerlussuaq Fjord on Greenland's remote east coast, we visit
Skaergaard Intrusion, known to geologists worldwide for their unusual
layering, formed some 55 million years ago
- Sail
along Prince Christian Sound, surrounded by towering mountains with
glaciers that calve directly into the sea
- Enjoy
thrilling Zodiac cruises to glacier fronts and watch for tail flukes
from diving whales.
- Stand
in awe in front breathtakingly beautiful Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO
World-Heritage Site
- At
the National Museum in Nuuk, see the fascinating exhibit of the
Qilakitsoq mummies dating back 545 years, which were accidentally
discovered in 1972
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Balcony Stateroom Category C | Aurora Stateroom Triple Share | Aurora Stateroom Twin Share | Balcony Stateroom B | Balcony Stateroom Category A | Balcony Stateroom Superior | Junior Suite | Captain's Suite |
|---|
| Aug 10, 2022 | Aug 26, 2022 | 14,956 | 15,025 | 15,565 | 15,756 | 17,930 | 18,476 | 23,196 | 29,235 |
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Balcony Stateroom Category C | (Mid-range)
Balcony Stateroom Category A | (High-end)
Captain's Suite |
|---|
| Aug 10, 2022 | Aug 26, 2022 | 14,956 | 17,930 | 29,235 |
ITINERARY
Day
1 Reykjavik
Arrive
in Reykjavik, Iceland’s cosmopolitan capital, and transfer by
Flybus to our group hotel. Upon check-in, reception staff will provide
you with Aurora Expeditions cabin tags. Please fill out the luggage
tags clearly, showing your name and cabin number to allow us to deliver
your luggage to your cabin. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet fellow
expeditioners at our voyage briefing this evening.
Accommodation:
Fosshotel Reykjavik (or similar)
Day
2 Reykjavik
Check
out and experience one of Reykjavik’s most popular excursions
– the Golden Circle, which includes visits to Gullfoss Falls,
Geysers, and Thingvellir National Park, before transferring to the pier
for embarkation. After boarding, there’s time to settle into
your cabin before our important safety briefings. This evening meet
your expedition team and crew at the Captain’s Welcome Dinner.
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.
Days
4 Kangerlussuaq Fjord
Kangerlussuaq
Fjord is home to some of the wildest coastal landscapes in all of
Greenland. The peaks of Watkins Mountains featuring
Gunnbjørnsfjeld—the highest peak in the Arctic,
tower in the horizon. Hike across tundra to viewpoints of surrounding
fjords, mountains, and glaciers, and enjoy gentle Zodiac cruises in icy
bays offering unforgettable arctic scenery and wildlife encounters. We
plan to land on the Skaergaard Peninsula near the mouth of
Kangerlussuaq Fjord. Here, the rocks show an unusual layering, formed
by crystals settling in a magma chamber below the earth’s
surface some 55 million years ago. Discovered in the 1930s, the
Skaergaard Intrusion is known to geologists worldwide.
Day
5 Tasiilaq, Sermilik Fjord
Overlooking
King Oscar’s Harbour, Tasiilaq (formerly Ammassalik) is east
Greenland’s largest town with a population of approximately
2,000 inhabitants. Here, green meadows contrast starkly with countless
icebergs that often clog the waterways at nearby Sermilik Fjord, the
largest in southeast Greenland, where we Zodiac-cruise and kayak to
search for fin and humpback whales and photograph the spectacular
scenery.
Day
6 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
7 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. At Kangersuneq Qinngorleq
located at the northern end of the fjord, a glacier front is ideal for
exploration by Zodiac or kayak. in the southern section of the sound,
we pass a small settlement named Appilatoq, which means red in
Greenlandic, after the red mountains rising above the town. Appilatoq
is well-known in Greenland for the jagged mountain peaks that surround
it—a delight for photographers.
Day
8 Tasermiut Fjord, Klosterdal, Nanortalik
The
towering, jagged mountains that surround Tasermiut Fjord is why
it’s often referred to as the ‘Patagonia of the
north’. At Klosterdal (Monastery Valley), 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.
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 colonial part of town, near the harbour.
Day
10 Paamiut
Located
on a peninsula with impressive view of the surrounding mountains, the
small settlement of Paamiut has existed since the mid-17th century, and
the name of the town means 'the people who live at the mouth' referring
to the nearby fjord. The town is home to a beautiful and ornate wooden
church, which is remarkable when Greenland completely lacks trees that
can be used for construction. The local museum is worth a visit, and
features exhibits of local handicrafts and photos from the whaling
period. The town and surrounding area are best known for the resident
population of white-tailed eagles, while minke, fin, humpback and orca
are common visitors to this stretch of coast. Arctic char is the most
commonly caught fish in these waters and depending on the luck of the
day’s catch by local fisherman, we may enjoy a meal of
freshly caught Arctic char for the evening meal.
Day
11 Nuuk
Greenland’s
capital, Nuuk, the world’s northernmost capital, lies at the
mouth of its very own fjord system on the country’s mid-west
coast. On a guided walking tour around town, you’ll see
charming old buildings including Greenland’s colourfully
painted houses, and the award-winning City Hall. The small but
fascinating National Museum features a unique ethnographical collection
of artefacts of Inuit life, including the famous 545-year-old
Qilakitsoq mummies, accidentally discovered by hikers in 1972.
Day
12 Sisimiut
Approximately
4,500 years ago, the Saqqaq culture arrived from Canada and settled in
the area. They lived here for approximately 2,000 years, but
mysteriously disappeared. The Dorset culture arrived around 500 AD and
remained until the 1200s until they were replaced by the Thule culture,
and today, most of the population of Sisimiut are descendants of the
Thule culture.
Located
above the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut enjoys experiences 24 hours of
daylight during the summer months. As Greenland’s second
largest town, Sisimiut is the only place in Greenland that has an
open-air public swimming pool, and the town is famous for its old blue
church featuring a whale jaw gate. The town’s small museum
features interesting exhibits explaining local history and life in
Greenland. The local arts centre features concerts, plays, films and
cultural performances.
A
few kilometres from downtown, Priest Mountain offers a challenging hike
along a small river, and across tundra vegetation blooming with
wildflowers, where you might encounter foxes, grouse, eagles soaring
overhead, and perhaps musk ox. At the summit, you’ll be
rewarded with stunning views of town, the surrounding mountains, fjords
and the sea.
Day
13 Ilulissat
Known
as the ‘birthplace of icebergs’, this region boasts
some of the most splendidly-shaped icebergs found anywhere on earth.
Hike to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Icefjord and stand in awe of
its immensity. Sermeq Kujalleq, also known as Jakobshavn Glacier, is
the most productive glacier, not only in Greenland, but in the Northern
Hemisphere. It produces 20 million tonnes of ice each day, all floating
into the Ilulissat Icefjord and Disko Bay. Conditions permitting, enjoy
a Zodiac cruise at the mouth of the fjord and kayak through sea ice and
icebergs.
Optional
helicopter flight (90 mins): this excursion is the only way you can get
close to the gigantic glacier. The 10-seater helicopter departs from
Ilulissat Airport sweeping over hills, lakes and ice fjords. Land on
the mountain at Kangia, in the middle of the preserved area, where you
can revel in the incredible surroundings. On the return flight to
Ilulissat, fly above the edge of the glacier with breathtaking views of
the massive icebergs drifting in the fjord. The views of some of the
largest icebergs that become stranded on a moraine underneath the
water, just outside the town, offers a wonderful finale to this
excursion.
Day
14 Eqip Sermia (Eqi the calving glacier)
Located
80 kilometres north of Ilulissat, Eqi Glacier is accessible only by
sea, and is one of Greenland’s most active glaciers. Although
smaller than Sermeq Kujalleq glacier in Ilulissat, Eqi Glacier is more
accessible, and if sea-ice conditions permit, we’ll Zodiac
cruise within safe distance of the glacier front where we see seals
floating on bergy bits in front of the glacier while eagles can
sometimes be seen soaring above. Several hikes are possible in the
area, where you may encounter grouse, Arctic hare and small Arctic fox.
Day
15 Eternity Fjord
Evighedsfjorden,
or Eternity Fjord, is one of the more spectacular fjord complexes in
west Greenland due to its forested landscape. Hike through a forested
valley, witness hills become towering snow-capped mountains as
countless glaciers pour down from sheer cliff walls. Occasionally, the
thunderous sound of a calving glacier breaks the silence in a place
where you are unlikely to see another soul.
Day
16 Disembark in Kangerlussuaq, charter flight to Toronto
Tucked
away at the end of a 180-kilometre-long Søndre
Strømfjord is Greenland’s biggest and busiest
airport, Kangerlussuaq. Bid a fond farewell to the expedition team and
transfer to the airport for a charter flight to Toronto, where you
spend the night.
Day
17 Depart Toronto
After
check-out, continue your onward journey.
Greg Mortimer (Luxury Expedition, 120-guests)
Capable of negotiating the strongest winds and waves, the Greg Mortimer is built to world-class polar standards. It is designed in close consultation with expedition specialists, taking advantage of Auroras more than 25 years of experience.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Shared
coach transfer from airport to hotel on day 1
- One
night’s hotel accommodation with breakfast in Reykjavik on
day 1
- Full-day
Golden Circle tour on day 2
- Charter
flight: Kangerlussuaq-Toronto on day 16
- Sightseeing
in Kangerlussuaq (time permitting) and transfer to the airport on day
16
- One
night’s hotel accommodation with breakfast in Toronto on day
16
- 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
Welcome and 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
- Gratuities
for ship crew
Not
Included
- 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), laundry
services, personal clothing, medical expenses, Wi-Fi, email or phone
charges
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Sea
Kayaking: USD 940
- Rock
Climbing: USD 940
- Bird
watching: Free
- Lectures
on wildlife, our environment, history and destinations: Free
- Photography:
Free
- Polar
plunge: Free
- Trips
ashore: Free
- Walking:
Free
- Whale
and mammal spotting: Free
- Zodiac
cruises: Free
