Arctic Express: Greenland’s Northern Lights (Cruise North, Fly South)

Day 1 — Reykjavik, Iceland Your adventure begins with an overnight stay in thoroughly modern Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital city. Day 2 — Embarkation Day in Akureyri You’ll fly from Reykjavik to the northern Icelandic town of Akureyri to begin your expedition to Greenland. As you sail out to sea, your first wildlife sightings will be seabirds above and whales below. Get ready for a great adventure! Days 3 and 4 — At Sea Sail through the Denmark Strait en route for mysterious Greenland. Your on board Expedition Team will keep you informed and entertained with presentations about Greenland’s wildlife, history and geography. Day 5 — Brogetdal and Waltershausen Glacier Brogetdal means “multicolored valley,” and here you’ll view multi-hued mountains surrounding this lovely basin and unusual geology. You’ll also journey to the rarely visited Waltershausen Glacier, an imposing ice floe at the head of Nordfjord with a span of 6.8 miles (11 km). This stunning landmark was named after German explorer Baron Wolfgang Sartorius von Waltershausen, after his failed 1869 attempt to reach the North Pole via East Greenland. Day 6 — Blomsterbugten and Renbugten The valleys of Blomsterbugten and Renbugten are considered some of the most scenic in Greenland, and delight with unexpected icy blues, brazen golds, fiery reds and mossy greens. These scenic plains will charm you with their panoramic vistas and unusual rock formations. Be sure to be on the lookout for arctic hare and muskoxen. Day 7 — Antarctic Sund and Ella Oya (Ella Island) Renowned for its stunning landscapes, the oddly-named Antarctic Sund is a marine channel surrounded by ice-choked waters, azure icebergs, and craggy, colorful cliffs. At Ella Oya, a hiker’s paradise, you can challenge yourself with a climb to the top of the island, where you will be well rewarded for your efforts. Day 8 — Apelfjord You’ll cruise through spectacular Alpefjord, a wonderland of fjords and sounds, and through a multitude of dazzling icebergs in countless shapes and sizes. Day 9 — Hall Bredning and Ittoqqortoormiit Larger than football fields, the icebergs crossing Hall Bredning in the inner reaches of Scoresbysund are some of the most magnificent in the world. The geology and topography of the area will fascinate you. At the start of the sound, Itoqqortoormiit is East Greenland’s most northerly community and boasts a blend of traditional and modern lifestyles. With clear skies, you’ll have a great opportunity to see the northern lights. You can also support local Inuit artisans by purchasing unique handicrafts. Your time here is spent bonding with the Inuit people and gaining an appreciation of their way of life. Day 10 — Rypefjord and Rodefjord Pushing onward, your expedition will come to Rypefjord. With binoculars in hand, birders should keep watch for wheatears, snow buntings and ravens. At Rodefjord, you’ll encounter a shallow area trapping hundreds of icebergs, known as the Iceberg Graveyard. You’ll drift leisurely by these icebergs, a photographer’s paradise. Day 11 — Frederiksdal and Sydkapp Sailing on deeper into Scoresbysund, you’ll encounter massive icebergs and an ancient Thule settlement as we approach Sydkap. The scenery here is something you can’t even imagine, with towering mountain sides and hundreds of apartment-sized icebergs playing tricks with your sense of perception. Day 12 — Disembarkation at Constable Point We arrive at Constable Point to board our charter flight to Reykjavik, the largest city in Iceland, and home to marvels of architecture and nature. Explore the area’s many must-see attractions, or discover its more hidden gems. Highlights of the region include a vibrant downtown and harbor, geothermal parks and beaches, and numerous natural wonders. Tonight you’ll overnight in your comfortable and well-appointed Reykjavik hotel. Day 13 — Depart Reykjavik Transfer to the airport for your return flight home, or a bit more time exploring this fascinating city. Important reminder: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we set out to accomplish.