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In 982 AD Eirik Rauða, better known to us as Erik the Red, was banished from Iceland and sailed to Greenland to start the Norse settlements there. This expedition cruise follows in his wake, sailing from Reykjavik to Greenland's east coast. Here you will explore the fjords and get your first encounters with Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, seals, and humpback whales. Rounding Cape Farewell you sail through beautiful still waters fed by calving glaciers and lined by craggy peaks, before discovering south Greenland and finding it much like Erik did: fertile green farmland rich in pasture against a backdrop of snowy peaks. Visit the Norse and Inuit settlements at Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as Hvalsey, where the church is the best preserved Norse ruin in Greenland. Further up the coast, Brattahlíð welcomes you with its reconstructed Norse church and Viking longhouse. Travelling north we reach the lush Sermersooq region with its stunning peaks, glaciers, and fjords. During zodiac cruises we keep an eye out for myriad birds and marine mammals before dropping in on Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Finally, before disembarking in Kangerlussuaq, we explore Kangerlussuatsiaq, the fjord of eternity, by zodiac, ship or kayak.
In 982 AD Eirik Rauða, better known to us as Erik the Red, was banished from Iceland and sailed to Greenland to start the Norse settlements there. This expedition cruise follows in his wake, sailing from Reykjavik to Greenland's east coast. Here you will explore the fjords and get your first encounters with Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, seals, and humpback whales. Rounding Cape Farewell you sail through beautiful still waters fed by calving glaciers and lined by craggy peaks, before discovering south Greenland and finding it much like Erik did: fertile green farmland rich in pasture against a backdrop of snowy peaks. Visit the Norse and Inuit settlements at Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as Hvalsey, where the church is the best preserved Norse ruin in Greenland. Further up the coast, Brattahlíð welcomes you with its reconstructed Norse church and Viking longhouse. Travelling north we reach the lush Sermersooq region with its stunning peaks, glaciers, and fjords. During zodiac cruises we keep an eye out for myriad birds and marine mammals before dropping in on Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Finally, before disembarking in Kangerlussuaq, we explore Kangerlussuatsiaq, the fjord of eternity, by zodiac, ship or kayak.
Greenland, Iceland

The Saga of Erik the Red - Expedition Cruise from Iceland to Greenland

Small-Ship Cruise

13

US$

days from

5395

In 982 AD Eirik Rauða, better known to us as Erik the Red, was banished from Iceland and sailed to Greenland to start the Norse settlements there. This expedition cruise follows in his wake, sailing from Reykjavik to Greenland's east coast. Here you will explore the fjords and get your first encounters with Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, seals, and humpback whales.
Rounding Cape Farewell you sail through beautiful still waters fed by calving glaciers and lined by craggy peaks, before discovering south Greenland and finding it much like Erik did: fertile green farmland rich in pasture against a backdrop of snowy peaks. Visit the Norse and Inuit settlements at Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as Hvalsey, where the church is the best preserved Norse ruin in Greenland. Further up the coast, Brattahlíð welcomes you with its reconstructed Norse church and Viking longhouse.
Travelling north we reach the lush Sermersooq region with its stunning peaks, glaciers, and fjords. During zodiac cruises we keep an eye out for myriad birds and marine mammals before dropping in on Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Finally, before disembarking in Kangerlussuaq, we explore Kangerlussuatsiaq, the fjord of eternity, by zodiac, ship or kayak.

Activity / Theme

Country

Hiking, Expedition Cruise, Culture, Nature & Wildlife

Greenland, Iceland

Comfort Level

Physical Rating

Comfortable

Leisurely / Moderate

Transportation

Accommodation

Comfortable ice-strengthened polar exploration vessel

Comfortable quad, triple or twin cabins and suites with private amenities

Months of Operation

July

Adventure Coordinators Insider Tip:

As you contemplate the fate of the Norse settlements in Greenland, read Jane Smiley's The Greenlanders.

Itinerary

DAY 1 Embark in Reykjavik, Iceland
DAY 2 At sea
DAYS 3-5 Wildlife & fjords of East Greenland
DAY 6 Mountains & Glaciers of Ikerasassuaq (Prince Christian Sound)
DAY 7 Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site
DAY 8 Norse colony at Hvalsey
DAY 9 Brattahlíð Norse Settlement
DAY 10 Sermersooq Birdwatching & Zodiac Cruising
DAY 11 Nuuk, capital of Greenland
DAY 12 Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord Zodiac Cruise
DAY 13 Kangerlussuaq - disembarkation

The trip was excellent! The crew were exemplary - especially the "hotel" staff. They were always cheerful, friendly and skilled at their jobs. The food was superb - we now need a serious diet! We liked the way they approached wine. They had an extensive list with bottles starting at $25 but also offered a "3 for $70" deal.
The stateroom was very comfortable and it was nice to have the extra space with a couch and balcony.
We were also impressed with the Expedition Team - many of whom had actually lived in Greenland. Their City Walks and Presentations were very informative, professional and frequent.
The ship, of course, is brand new and the captain kept us afloat!!! The Observation Lounge could have been organized better but there was more than enough deck space when conditions allowed.
Our first three days were rainy so we didn't see much of Disko Bay or the Eqip Sermia glacier but, later in the trip, the Captain made a spontaneous detour in Prins Christian Sound and took us to another glacier calving into a smaller fjord. We stayed there a few hours while we enjoyed a BBQ on the sunny deck. Mother Nature also decided to compensate for the rain and provided an Aurora the first clear night. Beautiful!
Michel wasn't so fond of the days at sea and, if we ever save up for another expedition cruise we'll try to avoid itineraries that include such time.

Anne - Vancouver BC - September 2023

Inclusions

Passage aboard the ship
Applicable taxes and credit card fees
Complimentary expedition jacket
Contribution to Discovery Fund
Special access permits, entry and park fees
Team of expedition staff
Guided activities
Sightseeing and community visits
All Zodiac excursions
Port fees
Pre-departure materials
Educational program
Nikon Camera Trial Program
Interactive workshops
Evening entertainment
All shipboard meals


Photo credits: Greenland fjord by Jessie Brinkman Evans, Hvalsey church by J Stewart via Wikimedia Commons

Sample tour.  Itinerary, accommodation, transportation, inclusions and prices are correct at the time of publication but may change without prior notice.  Please inquire.

© Adventure Coordinators

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