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Colin and Eugene Hiking in Greenland

East Greenland 2014: Northern Lights

Example 14 Day Cruise
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Scoresbysund, the world’s largest fjord system, beckons you to explore Greenland on this exciting Arctic cruise. Enticing you with some of the world’s best displays of the Northern Lights, the Inuit settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit also offers you a rare connection to the past, as they still live off the land 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 of your tour of these polar lands. An active Arctic expedition, you can climb atop mountains and watch herds of grazing musk oxen on the horizon. This is pure wilderness, the untouched Arctic as it was thousands of years ago.
Charming Sisimiut, Greenland - traditional fishing villageThe sun dips towards the horizon Arctic FlowerMy daughter finds a caribou antler as we hike the terrain Colin and Eugene Hiking in Greenland
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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Day 1: Reykjavik

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

Day 2: Akureyri, Iceland

To begin your great Arctic adventure, fly from Reykavik to the northern Iceland town of Akureyri. Here board your expedition ship and 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 for mysterious Greenland. Your onboard Expedition Team will keep you informed and entertained with presentations about Greenland’s wildlife, history and geography.

Day 4-7: Greenland National Park

Fjords and flower meadows punctuate the scenery of Greenland National Park, where Arctic Fox and Musk Oxen roam free. Your days will be spent exploring and learning about the unique history and geology of Greenland.

King Oscar Fjord is a hiker’s paradise. You may walk across the delicate flower-and-berry-strewn tundra at Holm Bay, Zodiac-cruise through spectacular Alepfjord or challenge yourself with a climb to the top of nearby Ella Island (the views are worth it.)

From Ella Island you’ll head to the Antarctic. 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, the “Bay of Flowers”, ready to explore in the distance.

Keeping a constant eye out for wildlife, you will then head south along the Liverpool Coast. Weather conditions are variable here, but you’ll aim to visit Storefjord and the “warming island” of Uunartoq Qeqertaq, which was only discovered in 2005.

Day 8-11: Scorsbysunfjord

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 for William Scoresby, who charted the east coast of Greenland in 1822.

At the start of the sound, Itoqqortoormitt is East Greenland’s most northerly community and one of the world’s last remaining examples of a living hunter society. With clear skies, you’ll have a great opportunity to see the Northern Lights here. You can also support the local Inuit artisans by purchasing unique handicrafts. Our time here is spent bonding with the Inuit people and gaining an appreciation of their way of life.

Sailing on, deeper into Scoresbysund you’ll encounter massive icebergs and an ancient Thule settlement as we approach Sydkap and Øfjord. The scenery here is something you can’t even imagine, with towering mountain sides and hundreds of apartment size icebergs playing tricks with your sense of perception.

Pushing onward, your expedition will come to Rypefjord and Kap Hofmann Halvø. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of rare blue icebergs, which are more normally seen in the Antarctic. With binoculars in hand, birders should keep watch for Wheatears, Snow Buntings and Ravens at Rypefjord.

At Cape Hofmann Halvø you’ll have your best chance for closer encounters with grazing Musk Oxen and enjoy a final hike out on the colorful tundra.

Day 12-13: At Sea

Your homeward journey re-crosses the Denmark Strait, giving you a couple of days for whale watching. During previous crossings White-beaked Dolphins and Humpback, Minke and Blue Whales have been seen. Birders have enjoyed spotting Kittiwakes, Gannets, Guillemots, Fulmars and Razorbills on your journey back to Iceland.

Day 14: Disembarkation in Reykjavik

Your Greenland adventure comes to an end as you enter port in Reykjavik. Head to the airport, or if you have time, stick around to explore this great city.

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This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf

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