Greenland Explorer: Valleys and Fjords

Arrive at any time in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. Give yourself some free time to check out ByWard Market and enjoy a night in the city.

Today you’ll board your charter flight to Greenland and begin your Arctic adventure. A representative will assist you with the transfer to the airport in Ottawa and to the ship upon arrival in Greenland.

The coast of Greenland provides many dramatic, mountainous landscapes where fjords open up into the sea. Your first fjord to explore is Ilulissat Icefjord, home to one of the world’s fastest moving glaciers. Moving approximately 19m per day, the glacier here provides you with a great opportunity to capture ice crashing into the sea, as it calves more than 35 cubic km of ice each year.

Continuing along, the Amerdloq Fjord provides you with a chance to stretch your legs, by exploring abandoned villages and ancient Thule sites. The nearby town of Sisimiut is an interesting place to visit as there are more dog sleds here than humans.

Evighedsfjorden, meaning Fjord of Eternity is a favored place to take you out on some Zodiac cruises. This long, deep fjord has very few settlements, helping you to appreciate nature in its rawest form. Hiking among the towering mountains, you’ll have plenty of chances to photograph the vegetation and dramatic landscapes of Greenland.

You’ll also visit Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, yet home to fewer than 16,000 people. You’ll have time to wander the streets and see the Hans Egede Church and Hans Egede Statue near the waterfront, named after the missionary who founded the settlement. You’ll also visit the museum to see the famous Greenland Mummies. From Nuuk, pass Cape Farewell and head on to Southern Greenland.

Climbers and mountaineers around the world know this area well, as Tasermiut Fjord is famous as one of the world’s most prolific big wall playgrounds. This part of Greenland is one of the most dramatic, being nicknamed the “Arctic Patagonia”. A bit of a history lesson will be provided here, as you learn about the settlements of the area, founded by Erik the Red.

Get a feel of what an Arctic ghost town is like, as you’ll visit the abandoned Skoldungen settlement, where inhabitants were forced to move to larger, more accessible towns in 1961. The narrow part of Skoldungenfjord is a great place to explore by Zodiac and kayak, allowing you to glide past icebergs and get some great photographs.

Before your Greenland journey ends, your expedition team aims to visit Tasiilaq and the Ammassalik fjord. It is the largest community in East Greenland, where the inhabitants may put on a cultural show for you and you’ll also have time to take a scenic hike to the Valley of Flowers. Time and weather permitting, you may go on a search for whales in Ammassalik Fjord.

Bid farewell to Greenland, as your expedition turns east towards Iceland.

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.

Note: the reverse departure on August 16 is a15 day itinerary including a pre-night in Reykjavik and a post-expedition night in Ottawa.