East Greenland: Northern Lights

Day 1: Reykjavík, Iceland

Your adventure begins with an overnight stay in the modern city of Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital city.

Day 2: Embarkation Day in Akureyri, Iceland

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!

Day 3: At Sea

Sail through the Denmark Strait en route to mysterious Greenland. Your Expedition Team will keep you informed and entertained with presentations about Greenland’s wildlife, history and geography.

Days 4 to 7: Northeast Greenland National Park

Fjords and colorful tundra punctuate the scenery of Northeast Greenland National Park, where arctic fox and muskoxen roam free. Your days will be spent exploring and learning about the unique history and geology of Greenland.

Kong Oscar Fjord is a hiker’s paradise. Marvel at the vibrant fall colors as you walk across the tundra at Holm Bay, cruise in a Zodiac through spectacular Alpefjord or challenge yourself with a trek to the top of nearby Ella Island (the views are worth it).

From Ella Island, you’ll head to the Antarctic—the Antarctic Sound, that is. Yes, curiously, there is an Antarctic Sound in the Arctic. The area is home to beautiful purple- and gold- colored rocks, with Ymer Island and Blomsterbugten, known as the Bay of Flowers, in the distance, waiting to be explored.

Keeping a watchful eye out for wildlife, you will then head south along the Liverpool Coast. Weather conditions are variable here, but we’ll aim to visit Storfjord.

Days 8 to 11: Scorsbysund Fjord

Arriving at Scoresbysund, you’ll find yourself mesmerized by the largest, longest and—some say—most beautiful fjord system in the world. This area was named after William Scoresby, who charted the east coast of Greenland in 1822. With clear skies, you may catch a glimpse of the northern lights during our evenings in the fjord.

At the start of the sound, Ittoqqortoormiit is East Greenland’s most northerly community. You’ll have the chance to support the local Inuit artisan community by purchasing unique handicrafts. Your time here is spent bonding with the Inuit people and gaining an appreciation of their way of life.

Sailing deeper into Scoresbysund, you’ll encounter massive icebergs and an ancient Thule settlement as we approach Sydkap and Øfjord. The scenery here is beyond belief, with towering mountainsides and hundreds of apartment-sized icebergs playing tricks with your sense of perception.

Pushing onward, your expedition will come to Rypefjord and Cape Hofmann Halvø. We will keep our eyes peeled for sightings of rare blue icebergs, which are usually seen in the Antarctic. With binoculars in hand, birders should keep watch for wheatears, snow buntings and ravens at Rypefjord.

At Cape Hofmann Halvø, we’ll have a good chance of experiencing muskoxen up close and enjoying a final hike out on the colorful tundra.

Days 12 and 13: At Sea

Our journey back to Iceland has us re-crossing the Denmark Strait, allowing a couple of days for whale watching. During our crossing, you may see white-beaked dolphins and humpback, minke and blue whales. Birders will enjoy spotting kittiwakes, gannets, guillemots, fulmars and razorbills.

Day 14: Disembarkation Day in Akureyri, Iceland

Your Greenland adventure comes to an end as you enter port in Akureyri and board your flight to Reykjavik. We provide a transfer to downtown Reykjavik. If you have time, it’s worth sticking around to explore this great city.