Embark the Silver Cloud and depart on your exciting 10-day expedition – “In the Wake of Viking Longships”. After settling into your suite and attending a safety drill, meet the members of your Expedition Team in the Lecture Theatre and attend the first of many memorable dinners in one of the restaurants.

Spend the day crossing the Denmark Strait, which connects the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans. Meet some of your fellow explorers, attend a Zodiac briefing, and learn about the rules and regulations for going ashore in the Arctic. Above all relax and become acquainted with the luxurious amenities found on board the Silver Cloud. Tonight, attend a special Welcome Aboard cocktail party where the Captain introduces his senior officers.

Cruising along Greenland’s rugged eastern coast, the Silver Cloud explores the Skoldungen Fjord. Spend much of the day out on deck to take in the scenery: towering mountains tipped with snow, ice-scraped valley sides, and sculptured icebergs in shades of white and blue. Upon arriving at the top of the fjord, see the retreating state of the Thrym Glacier and have your first Zodiac cruise of the journey, allowing you to explore this picturesque setting from a unique, up-close perspective. On your return journey, exiting this U-shaped fjord, join the Expedition Team out on deck to marvel at the spectacular scenery and to look for humpback whales and orcas, frequently seen at the entrance of the fjord.

The plan for today is to explore one of South Greenland’s most dramatic natural features: Prince Christian Sund. On either side of the ship, waterfalls stream down sharp, wrinkled mountainsides as you navigate the fjord through a sea of icebergs that glitter in the sun. Born of compacted ancient snows that calve into the sound at
the glacier’s edge, each iceberg is different from the next. Time and weather conditions permitting, set out via the Zodiacs to explore even more.

In the afternoon, and shortly before leaving the sound, visit the small settlement of Aappilattoq. You can walk through the village and climb a nearby hill for excellent views of the sound and the mountains.

Nanortalik lies in a scenic area surrounded by steep mountainsides and is Greenland’s most southerly town. The town’s name means the “place of polar bears”, which refers to the polar bears that used to be seen floating offshore on summer’s ice floes. Nanortalik has an excellent open-air museum that gives a broad picture of the region from Inuit times to today. At the summer hunting camp, Inuit in traditional clothing describe aspects of their ancestor’s customs and lifestyle including an impressive kayak demonstration. Time permitting, enjoy the tradition of kaffe-mik (coffee and cake) and a folk dancing presentation at the Cultural Centre.

In the afternoon, drop anchor at Uunartoq. Since the days of the Norse, the hot springs here have been renowned for their healing effects. Take this opportunity to relax and unwind in steaming waters. It is quite an experience to be in the hot spring and see icebergs float by. Remember to pack swimwear! Conditions permitting take a Zodiac cruise past some of the icebergs north of Uunartoq.

This morning arrive at the picturesque harbor town of Qaqortoq. The town’s name translates to ‘white place’, but today, instead of snow, admire the hillsides of colorful houses painted in bright primary shades. The local guides take you to the charming town square, home to Greenland’s oldest fountain built in 1928. Surrounding it are two churches, one old and one new, an open-air fish and meat market, and the Qaqortoq Museum. This modest museum houses a superb collection of historical artifacts associated with Inuit hunting and fishing, a whaler’s gun, and a collection of contemporary artwork.

In the afternoon anchor off Hvalsey. Once ashore, learn how Christianity spread its influence throughout Europe and eventually reached remote Greenland, where it established itself in the country in 1000 AD. Hvalsey Church was built in the 14th century and is the best preserved of the churches in Greenland from that period. Visit the church and other historical ruins from the time of the Vikings.

Green fields, farms and sheep are not the first thing people usually think of as typically Greenlandic, but in Qassiarsuk, agriculture has been the way of life for over a thousand years. Qassiarsuk is one of several settlements in Southern Greenland which subsist by sheep farming since the 1960s, and the rolling meadows could easily evoke Scotland or Norway, if not for the icebergs drifting past. Qassiarsuk lies in the heart of Norse Greenland, home of one of the most famous Norsemen of all, Eric the Red, who founded the colony in Southern Greenland around 985. Eric was fiercely pagan, but his wife Thjodhild was a devout Christian. The Sagas say that she demanded her husband build her a church; Eric refused, but Thjodhild refused to share his bed until he relented, unwittingly constructing the first church in North America, on the condition that it be out of view of his hall. 

Today, Eric's house and Thjodhilds church are outlines in the turf of the modern town, but extensive archaeological investigations have shown a once thriving community centred around the church. Today, one can visit faithful reconstructions of Eric's hall and Thjodhild's church, and gain a stunning view over the fjord from the bronze statue of their son Leif Ericson (the first European to visit the North American Mainland), as well as enjoying the hospitality of the locals, who are proud of their idyllic town and its epic history. Several sites in Norse Greenland including Brattahlíð are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Three kilometers off Yukon’s north coast, only Workboat Passage separates Herschel Island-Qikiqtaruk from Ivvavik National Park. The low-lying treeless island of 116 k2 was Yukon’s first territorial park. Herschel Island-Qikiqtaruk has been declared a National Historic Site of Canada in 1972, was classified as a Nature Preserve in 1987, designated a Natural Environment Park in 2002 and as an example of the technologies and techniques used for living and construction over the past several millennia. It is now also on the tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site list! Itilleq is an important area for Ice Age fossils.

The Expedition Team members present informative topics to prepare you for Nuuk, its museum, and the special treasures it houses. Binoculars and camera in hand, you can also head out on deck to watch and to identify the seabirds that might follow your passage. Relax in the Spa or try the Gym for some exercises.

This morning arrive in Greenland’s first town (1728) and current capital, Nuuk, which means “the heartland”. Your leisurely walk through this picturesque harbor town allows you to take in Nuuk’s natural beauty, and also to see Inuit ruins, Hans Egede’s home, parliament, and the Church of our Saviour. At the Greenlandic National Museum have the fantastic opportunity to see the famous Qilakitsoq mummies. This afternoon the onboard Photographer/Videographer is going to show the Voyage-DVD, highlighting the many aspects of your voyage along Greenland’s East and West coast. Before turning in for the night, take a stroll on deck to take in the solitude of the vast sea and sky, hopefully glimpsing the Aurora Borealis.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

After breakfast, disembark the Silver Cloud and transfer to the airport for your flight home.