Reykjavík

Explore the world’s northernmost capital

Your adventure begins in Reykjavík.

Reykjavík is a laid-back city of art, culture and history. Exploring this delightful place is well worth your time.

Stroll past the boutiques and outdoor shops along Laugavegur, gaze in awe at the striking Hallgrímskirkja

Church and drop into the fascinating Reykjavík Art Museum.

If you have time, we recommend booking a Pre-Program with us to discover some of Iceland’s natural highlights before your cruise begins.

Crossing the Denmark Strait

In the wake of the Vikings

We sail to Greenland across the Denmark Strait. This is the route taken by the Viking Erik the Red, who is credited as being the first European to settle there. Sometimes we spot whales along the way, so be on the lookout.

During the two-day crossing, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know the ship and its onboard facilities. All the while, the Expedition Team will give presentations about the protocols of respectfully visiting these fragile natural areas and Indigenous Arctic communities. Now is the time to book excursions and maybe even learn a few words in Greenlandic.

However, this is mainly a time to settle in and enjoy yourself. You’ll relish delicious meals in the onboard restaurants, listen to amazing talks and simply relax and unwind on the comfortable ship. As we get closer to Greenland (or Kalaallit Nunaat, as it is known), you’ll feel the anticipation and excitement building – your adventure is about to begin!

Expedition days in south Greenland

Get straight into adventure mode

Over the next four days, we’ll be going full-on expedition style as we explore the maze of fjords, channels and islands in this spectacular and wild region. Local weather and ice conditions will determine where and when we land, but the Captain and Expedition Team are used to these conditions and know the best places to go.

On our landings, excursions and activities, we’ll aim to visit Norse ruins, sail into majestic fjords where beautifully sculpted icebergs glisten in the sun and go on community visits to picturesque towns. You might land at the colorful and tranquil settlement of Qaqortoq with its beautiful lake, drop by Erik the Red’s farm at Brattahlíð and simply gaze in wonder at the spectacular mountainous landscapes of the scenic southern fjords.

As you’ll discover, southern Greenland’s rugged mountain ranges tower above scattered green meadows and fjords. It’s a landscape sculpted by ice and weather over billions of years. The Norsemen settled here over a thousand years ago, but after only four centuries, they left due to the harsh living conditions. Now, in this vast and mostly unpopulated wilderness, you’ll enjoy a sense of tranquility not often found in the modern world, so just relax, enjoy nature and learn all about what makes this region so special.

On expedition in southwest Greenland

Fjords, glaciers and ghostly mining towns

The stretch of coast between the fjord systems of southern Greenland and Nuuk is as wild as can be. Long distances separate the few scattered settlements. And although the climate is still mild by Arctic standards, the topography is rough, segmented by deep turquoise fjords and high mountain ranges half covered by ice. With very few inside passages, traveling here has been a challenge since ancient times. And it still is. Mother Nature is in charge here, meaning it’s the perfect adventure playground for modern explorers.

On our way north, while always adapting to the local conditions, we’ll discover the landscapes of the so-called Mellembygden – the Middle Settlement of the Norse settlers. We’ll also look for the ghostly mining town of Ivittuut, where the historically important mineral cryolite was mined but where the only inhabitants today are shy musk oxen. And we’ll sail into great fjords carved out over millennia by massive glaciers cascading down from the ice cap.

Wildlife thrives in this isolated region. Join our Expedition Team on their wildlife watches, either on board or on land, and keep your camera and binoculars ready for seabirds, nesting colonies and whales feeding at sea. If we’re lucky, we may even see one of the few musk ox herds living on the west coast of Greenland.

Into the depths of Nuuk Fjord

Be on the lookout for wildlife and history

Get ready to explore a grand fjord system. Locally known as the Nuup Kangerlua, the fjords around Nuuk fan out in a parallel network of interconnected waterways. They’re topped by the Kangiussap Nunaa peninsula and the ice cap, most notably in the so-called Nuuk Isfjord.

These are the lands of the ancient Norse Western Settlement, the northernmost area they managed to colonize in the Middle Ages. It was probably in Nuup Kangerlua where the descendants of the Vikings met the Thule people for the first time.

The fjords are dotted here and there by Old Norse ruins and small Inuit settlements. Some are abandoned, like picturesque Qoornoq, while others are thriving, such as Kapisillit with 88 inhabitants. Relative proximity to Nuuk somehow disguises the fact that communities along Nuup Kangerlua were as isolated as any other community in Greenland until very recently.

Weather and ice permitting, during the next two days, we will explore the fjord system and enjoy the ever-changing mountain landscapes. We’ll also try to reach the icy headwaters of Nuup Kangerlua and visit one of the Inuit villages, while always looking for hiking, ice-cruising and wildlife-watching opportunities.

Nuuk – the end of our expedition

Get acquainted with a small capital in a grand setting

We say a fond farewell to the ship, crew and Expedition Team as we end our cruise of discovery in Nuuk. The lively and compact capital is positively bustling compared to other places you will have visited – but with less than 20,000 residents, it’s hardly a metropolis.

Visit the National Museum to gain insight into life here 500 years ago and see the fascinating Qilakitsoq mummies. In addition, there are plenty of shopping opportunities – by Greenlandic standards – and a mix of cafés and restaurants to try. If you have time before flying back home, Nuuk offers a fascinating window into modern Greenland.

From here, you’ll catch a flight back to Reykjavík, taking with you a wealth of fantastic memories that are sure to last a lifetime.

Return to Reykjavík 

See more of Reykjavík

Today, you’ll wake up in Reykjavík, where your adventure concludes. However, this means you have another chance to explore Iceland’s stylish capital, if time allows.

If you want to discover more, you can join our optional Post-Program before heading home. Or simply extend your stay to enjoy more of Reykjavík and its surrounding geothermal attractions.