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Remote village among icebergs

Arctic Express: Greenland's Northern Lights Cruise North Fly South

Example 13 Day Cruise aboard Ocean Nova
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Scoresbysund, the world’s largest fjord system, beckons you to explore Greenland on this 13-day Ocean Nova cruise. Enticing you with some of the world’s best displays of Northern Lights, the Inuit settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit and its inhabitants offer you a rare connection to the past with their tradition of living off the land just as their ancestors did hundreds of years ago. Iceberg-choked fjords, tundra hikes, and the arctic wildlife of Greenland National Park create picture-perfect scenes every day. This can be one of our most active expeditions, where you can climb atop mountains and watch herds of grazing musk ox on the horizon. This is pure wilderness at its finest: the untouched Arctic as it was thousands of years ago.
Hike along Eastern Greenland's red earth hills to gaze down at the iceberg-filled seas.The Northern Lights are worth the waitBright wildflowers liven up the mountainous Arctic landscapeContemplate the vastness of natureRemote village among icebergs
Highlights
  • View expansive Greenland landscapes and the world's largest fjord system
  • Visit the world’s largest and most remote national park, Greenland NP
  • Take advantage of hiking, Zodiac cruising, and kayaking opportunities
  • Visit a local Inuit community and gain a rare connection to the past
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Reykjavik, Iceland

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

Day 2: Fly to Akureyri, Iceland | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning, fly to Akureyri, located in Northern Iceland. Embark the Ocean Nova. As you sail out to sea, your first wildlife sightings are seabirds above and whales below. Get ready for a great adventure!

Day 3-4: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Navigate through the Denmark Strait en route for mysterious Greenland. The Expedition Team keeps you informed and entertained with presentations about Greenland’s wildlife, history and geography.

Day 5: Brogetdal | Waltershausen Glacier

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Experience the “multicolored valley” of Brogetdal and view multi-hued mountains and the unusual geology surrounding this lovely basin. Journey to the rarely visited Waltershausen Glacier, an imposing ice floe at the head of Nordfjord with a span of 6.8 miles. 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 | Renbugten

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The valleys of Blomsterbugten and Renbugten are considered some of the most scenic regions of Greenland, full of unexpected colors such as icy blues, brazen golds, fiery reds, and mossy greens. These scenic plains charm you with their panoramic vistas and unusual rock formations. Be sure to keep an eye out for arctic hare and musk oxen.

Day 7: Antarctic Sund | Ella Oya (Ella Island)

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Renowned for its stunning landscapes, the Antarctic Sund is a marine channel surrounded by azure icebergs, ice-choked waters, 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 are well-rewarded for your efforts.

Day 8: Apelfjord

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today cruise through the spectacular Apelfjord, a wonderland of fjords and sounds. Then continue through a maze of dazzling icebergs in countless shapes and sizes.

Day 9: Hall Bredning | Ittoqqortoormiit

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Larger than football fields, the icebergs crossing Hall Bredning in the inner reaches of Scoresbysund are some of the most incredible in the world. The topography and geology of the area are fascinating!

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 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 | Rodefjord

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Pushing onward, the expedition continues in Rypefjord. With binoculars in hand, birders should keep watch for wheatears, snow buntings, and ravens. At Rodefjord, encounter a shallow area trapping hundreds of icebergs, known as the Iceberg Graveyard. Drift leisurely by these icebergs, a photographer’s paradise.

Day 11: Frederiksdal | Sydkapp

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Traveling deeper into Scoresbysund, encounter massive icebergs and an ancient Thule settlement as the ship approaches Sydkap. The scenery is amazing, full of towering mountain sides and hundreds of apartment-sized icebergs playing tricks with your sense of perception.

Day 12: Disembark at Constable Point | Fly to Reykjavik

  • Hotels
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Arrive at Constable Point to board the charter flight to Reykjavik. Explore the city’s many attractions or discover its more hidden gems. Highlights of the city include geothermal parks and beaches, a vibrant downtown and harbor, and numerous natural wonders.

Spend the night in an comfortable and well-appointed hotel in Reykjavik.

Day 13: Fly Home

  • 1 Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. If you have time before your flight, stick around to explore the great city of Reykjavik.

Ship/Hotel

Ocean Nova

Ocean Nova library
Lecture lounge aboard the Ocean Nova
Dining room aboard the ship

Reykjavik - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$7,995
Quad Cabin
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Quad
Averaging 157 sq ft. Equipped with 4 twin beds (two lower berths, two upper berths). Located on the Upper Deck with private facilities and exterior views.
Triple Cabin
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Triple
Averaging 140 sq ft. Equipped with 3 twin beds (two lower berths, one upper berth). Located on the Upper Deck with private facilities and exterior views.
Bridge Deck Twin Cabin
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Upper (Lower Berth) Deck Twin
Averaging 90 sq ft. Equipped with 2 twin beds (one upper berth and one lower berth). Located on the Upper Deck with private facilities and exterior views.
Upper Deck Twin Cabin
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Upper Deck Twin Cabin
Averaging 115 sq ft. Equipped with 2 twin beds. Located on the Upper Deck with private facilities and exterior views.
Upper (Lower Berth) Cabin
Select a Date
Bridge Deck Twin Cabin
Averaging 105 sq ft. Equipped with 2 twin beds. Located on the Bridge Deck with private facilities and exterior views.

Notes

- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where we match you with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if we are unable to find a cabin mate for you, no single supplement will be charged. Single occupancy of a twin cabin is available at 1.7 times the twin occupancy rate. 

Mandatory medical insurance: Travelers should have a minimum US$50,000 (or equivalent) of emergency medical coverage prior to embarkation. It is recommended that you and all members of your party have comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, trip delay (interruption or after departure coverage), baggage, and repatriation.
Included
  • 11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 10 Dinners

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Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin

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