Iceland to Greenland: Total Solar Eclipse

Arrive in Reykjavik and transfer independently to the hotel, included as part of the Charter Flight & Hotel Package. Depending on the time of arrival, take the opportunity to explore the city's unique blend of modern architecture and Viking heritage. Located at 64°08' north, Reykjavik is the northernmost capital of an independent sovereign state.

After breakfast on Day 2, enjoy free time to explore independently before the afternoon transfer to the modern, purpose-built ship Ocean Explorer. The journey begins toward the Westfjords, often called “Iceland’s best-kept secret.” This remote northwestern peninsula is characterized by rugged mountains, volcanic rock formations, and deep fjords. The dramatic landscape, where steep mountains descend directly into the sea, offers excellent opportunities for stunning photography.

The day is spent exploring the region by Zodiac and ship, with guided shore landings when conditions allow. Expect a variety of scenery, including towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, colorful beaches, rolling green hills, high moorlands dotted with rock outcrops, and small lakes. Icelandic ponies and shaggy sheep are often seen grazing on the hillsides. Scattered fishing communities line the fjords and the shores of the Denmark Strait, offering glimpses of local life.

One highlight of the Westfjords is a visit to Vigur, a private island steeped in Icelandic culture and history dating back to the 11th century. Guests arrive on shore by Zodiac. One of the island’s co-owners, Felicity Aston, is a polar explorer known as the first woman to ski solo across Antarctica. Learn about the traditional practice of harvesting eiderdown and observe the island’s thriving Arctic wildlife. Vigur is home to more than 7,000 breeding ducks, 100,000 puffins, Europe’s largest colony of Black Guillemots, and vast numbers of Arctic terns.

Explore the island on foot, sample local cuisine, and relax at the island café. Today’s activities may include Zodiac cruising, sea kayaking, paddle excursions, and a guided hike along the shore. Just across the bay, admire Mongufoss, one of Iceland’s most remote and scenic waterfalls, viewed from the ship. The day may also include a visit to Flatey, a small island just 1.5 kilometers long, located in Breiðafjörður Bay.

As you sail north across the Denmark Strait between Iceland and Greenland, the Expedition Team prepares you for the exciting adventures ahead—both on and off-ship. The team of polar experts presents on a wide range of topics, including Arctic history, wildlife, geology, and climatology. The team also searches for and identifies seabirds soaring about the ship—and they’ll most certainly alert you whenever there’s a whale sighting.

Navigating within the boundaries of the Northeast Greenland National Park—the planet’s largest national park, covering 972,000 square kilometers—sail into Kangerluk Kong Oscar, also known as Kong Oscar Fjord, on the northern border of Scoresby Land. This major fjord system, popular for its famously bright sandstone, stretches 110 kilometers long and 10 to 25 kilometers wide. You also experience the wonders of nature in Segelsällskapet Fjord, where a spectacular display of “geological art” awaits: alternating layers of limestone and dolomite stretching before you in a stunningly beautiful canvas created over tens of thousands of years.

The purpose-built vessel cruises deep into Scoresby Sund, allowing guests to marvel at the overwhelming beauty of the world’s largest fjord system and its vast icebergs. This area offers plenty of opportunities to explore during Zodiac cruises and onshore visits, and, if conditions allow, time to visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the most remote community in East Greenland. There is a palpable sense of excitement in the air as anticipation builds for the much-awaited eclipse viewing. Behind the scenes, your Expedition Leader and the Ship Captain work closely together, monitoring sea and ice conditions and meteorological forecasts—particularly cloud cover—to strategically position Ocean Explorer in the best location possible to maximize your views of the solar eclipse.

Ocean Explorer sails further into Scoresby Sund, where the team identifies the most optimal viewing point along the path of totality. With the total eclipse of the sun lasting 2 minutes and 17.2 seconds, this region of the Arctic provides the longest duration of totality along the entire eclipse path. The eclipse starts at 2:34 pm, and totality begins at 3:34 pm and ends at 3:36 pm. The eclipse viewing experience, a duration of 2 hours, 1 minute, and 3 seconds, concludes at 4:35 pm. Throughout this exciting day, you have opportunities to learn from the guest eclipse expert, Michael Zeiler. This 2026 eclipse is part of Saros series 126, which is a cycle of solar eclipses that repeats approximately every 18 years. It’s worth noting that total solar eclipses in Polar Regions are relatively rare due to the smaller land area and the fact that the sun only illuminates each pole for part of the year. The Quark Expeditions team and the special eclipse expert continue to research the geography of this region as you prepare for the event. Right up until the day of the eclipse itself, the team studies the mountainous terrain, the angles of the sun in the sky, localized ice conditions, and weather patterns to determine the best possible viewing experience. Your Expedition Leader outlines the day’s agenda in the days and hours leading up to the eclipse.

You’ll have plenty of opportunities during your at-sea days to enjoy the amenities of Ocean Explorer. Guests can relax in Tundra Spa, the gym, the sauna with large windows, and two outdoor Jacuzzis, or deepen your polar knowledge in the light-filled Discovery Library. Almost all suites have verandas, ideal for watching the passing Arctic landscape. Spending time outside on deck as you transit south along the east coast offers an opportunity to spot icebergs and, as always, you keep your eyes peeled for whales. Remember to check the lineup of polar presentations featuring the learned Expedition Team and guest eclipse expert.

Tiny and picturesque Aappilattoq, home to approximately 100 permanent residents, is perched on the shores of one of the world's most scenic fjords, the 100-km long Prins Christian Sund (also known as Ikerasassuaq). Aappilattoq is the second-most southerly settlement in Greenland (after Narsamiit). The name Aappilattoq has been interpreted to mean "sea anemone,” or “red” after the crimson mountain rising above the settlement. The area has been inhabited since the 1800s, but the current village was only established in 1922. The majority of residents rely on hunting and fishing, with local fishermen selling surplus cod and turbot to a small fish factory run by Royal Greenland. Services include a general store, fire station, elementary school, boat service, church and a general repairs workshop.

Ivittuut, formerly known as Ivigtût ("grassy place"), is an abandoned mining town near Cape Desolation in southwestern Greenland, close to the ruins of the ancient Norse Middle Settlement. Historians and archeologists believe this settlement— the least documented Norse settlement in Greenland—once comprised about 20 farms. A handful of miningrelated structures still remain—some dilapidated—including a barracks, a storehouse and a cemetery. The 1987 translocation of muskoxen to Ivittuut from the Kangerlussuaq area is the reason you may see the lumbering beasts in the area. Otherwise, native wildlife consists mostly of Arctic hare and Arctic fox. It’s also possible to spot semi-domestic reindeer from Greenland’s only active reindeer husbandry operation, the Isortoq Reindeer Station, located south of Ivittuut.

Upon arriving in Greenland’s capital, enjoy one more Zodiac ride to shore for the group transfer to the airport to catch your charter flight to Reykjavik, Iceland. Upon arrival in Reykjavik, you are transferred to your hotel. Both your hotel and charter flight are included in the Charter Flight & Hotel Package.

After a restful night at your hotel, make your way to Keflavik International Airport for your onward flight, or spend additional time exploring Reykjavik at your leisure.