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Northern lights - Aurora borealis

Ultimate East and South Greenland Discovery

Longyearbyen - Keflavik - Example 30 Day Cruise aboard MV Plancius
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Set out on a 30-day cruise aboard MV Plancius to explore the rugged beauty of Greenland. Start in Longyearbyen’s tundra, filled with wildflowers, then sail through giant fjords like Scoresby Sund, home to icebergs and Arctic hares. Take in the stunning views of Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord and Blomsterbugt, where you can spot musk oxen and seabirds. Visit the remote village of Ittoqqortoormiit, where sled dogs and drying musk ox skins offer a glimpse into local traditions. Hike the stunning basalt formations of Vikingebugt, and relax in the iceberg-ringed Uunartoq hot springs. Walk in the footsteps of famous explorers at Umivik, then enjoy a spectacular passage through the mountain-lined Prins Christian Sund. Finally, experience the mesmerizing northern lights over the Denmark Strait before arriving in Keflavik, Iceland.
The northern lights dance over the Arctic landscapeReflection of colorful houses in GreenlandWhale sighting in Polar waters!Amazing blue water and ice in GreenlandEarly morning in Tasiilaq, East GreenlandArctic Northern LightsExploring GreenlandGlass-still waters around SpitsbergenNorthern lights - Aurora borealis
Highlights
  • Observe migrating whales and seabirds from ship and shore
  • Discover Norse ruins at Erik the Red’s historic settlement, Bratthalid
  • Cruise near massive glacier fronts in Vikingebugt fjord
  • Navigate through stunning fjords like Prins Christian Sund & Scoresby Sund
  • Experience the mesmerizing northern lights over Denmark Strait
Places Visited
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Longyearbyen| Embark

Start your adventure in Longyearbyen, the vibrant hub of Spitsbergen. Explore the former mining town, home to a captivating parish church and the renowned Svalbard Museum. Surprisingly, this seemingly barren land boasts a rich variety of over a hundred plant species. As dusk approaches, set sail from Isfjorden, where the anticipation of spotting the graceful minke whale heightens the excitement of the journey.

Day 2-3: Onward to East Greenland

Be on the lookout for the striking east Greenland sea ice looming into view, creating a breathtaking spectacle if circumstances allow. Keep a keen eye out for magnificent whales and migratory seabirds, enhancing your maritime experience.

Day 4: Greenland

As you approach Greenland, sail through the sea ice into Foster Bay and land at Myggebugten. Beyond the old hunters’ hut where Norwegian trappers once hunted for polar bear and Arctic fox, there is a sprawling tundra populated by musk oxen as well as geese floating the small lakes. From here you sail through Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord, surrounded by towering mountains and bright interior icebergs. An alternate route is Sofia Sound, a narrower waterway.

Day 5: Antarctic Sound

Arrive at Teufelschloss (Devil’s Castle), a mountain with layered geology. On the other side of the fjord is Blomsterbugt and the intended landing site. In the afternoon you head into Antarctic Sound, where you find the islands of Ruth, Maria, and Ella. Maria is the most likely spot for a landing.

Day 6: Antarctic Havn

The first half of the day you spend in Antarctic Havn, an extensive valley where you can spot groups of musk oxen. At this time of year, the sparse vegetation is dressed in the fiery colors of autumn.

Day 7: Scoresby Sund

Today, the journey reaches Scoresby Sund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. Enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier fronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt. The route continues along the east coast of Milne, deeper into the fjord.

Day 8: Sydkap

In the morning, colossal icebergs are encountered, some over 100 meters (328 feet) high and more than a kilometer long. Most are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep (1,312 feet). The journey then lands near Sydkap, offering fine views of Hall Bredning and a good chance of seeing Arctic hares. Later, there is a landing at Satakajik to see the remains of Thule dwellings.

Day 9: Ittoqqortoormiit

Today, a tundra landing is made on Liverpool Land, in Hurry Inlet. The afternoon stop is Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresby Sund, with about three hundred inhabitants. At the post office, buy stamps for postcards or stroll around to see the sled dogs, drying skins of seals, and musk oxen. In the afternoon, the journey sails south, passing the picturesque landscapes of the Blosseville Coast.

Day 10: Stewart Island

The next stop is Stewart Island, an important hunting area for the people of Scoresby Sund. Beautiful remains of Thule houses can be seen here. Meanwhile, Romer Fjord and Turner Sound offer the opportunity to sail far inland, as they have no glacier front at their heads and are not clogged with ice. This also provides good hiking opportunities.

Day 11-13: East Greenland

Sailing south along the East Greenland coast, the journey enters several fjords competing in beauty: d’Aunay, Nansen, and possibly Ikersuaq or Kangertitsivaqmiit. Most of these fjords have glacier fronts at their heads, but any of them can offer a chance to see polar bears.

Day 14: Tasiilaq

Tasiilaq, once known as Angmagssalik (about 2,000 inhabitants), is the next port of call. This charming town is the center of East Greenland, boasting a museum where you can learn about the colorful local history of this incredibly remote area.

Day 15: Umivik

Next, sailing south, the journey lands at Umivik, where the explorer Fridtjof Nansen ascended the Greenland ice sheet. Here, you may even be able to walk a short distance in his steps.

Day 16: Skjoldungen

Today, circumnavigate Skjoldungen through one of the most spectacular fjords in southeast Greenland, then land at Qornoq to see houses from the Thule culture. Then, visit Mariedal, a beautiful valley where Greenlanders used to collect berries in the autumn.

Day 17: Timmiarmiut

Moving on to Timmiarmiut, an abandoned Greenlandic settlement that possibly sail into the fjord. Polar bears have sometimes been spotted here in the past. As an alternative, you may visit Igutsait to the south.

Day 18: Prins Christian Sund

The westward passage of the Prins Christian Sund is surrounded by mountains of over 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) and is one of the highlights of the voyage. A landing may be made at Svaerdfiskens Havn or in the evening at Ikigait, once known as Herjolfsnes, a former Norse settlement.

Day 19: Lichtenau | Uunartoq

Today, reach Lichtenau, a lovely though nearly deserted Greenlandic village where the Herrnhuters had a mission in the 18th century and where some of their large German-style buildings remain. Then try to get to Uunartoq, where you can bathe in a large hot spring surrounded by icebergs. Across at Vagar, find the remains of a Norse homestead.

Day 20: Itilleq

In Eriksfjord, land at Itilleq, in a bay from which you can walk 4 km (2.5 miles) down a road to Igaliku (Gardar). In this small Greenlandic village, see the remains of a 13th-century Norse church and other ruins. Then, in the afternoon, plan to visit Bratthalid, the base of Erik the Red. This is a sub-Arctic area with birch trees, agriculture, and cattle. Later that evening, you arrive at Narsarsuaq for the final night of the voyage.

Day 21: Narsarsuaq

New passengers embark in Narsarsuaq. In the evening, visit Bratthalid, where Erik the Red lived about a thousand years ago.

Day 22: Lichtenau | Uunartoq

Today you reach Lichtenau, a lovely though nearly deserted Greenlandic village, where the Herrnhuters had a mission in the 18th century and where some of their large German-style buildings still remain. You then attempt to reach Uunartoq, where you can bathe in a large, hot spring surrounded by icebergs. Across at Vagar, find the remains of a Norse homestead.

Day 23: Prins Christian Sund

Your eastward passing of Prins Christian Sund is surrounded by mountains of over 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) and is one of the highlights of the voyage. You try to make a landing at the small village of Augpilaqtoq, where you can still meet some hunters of the area. As an alternative, you may make a landing at Svaerdfiskens Havn.

Day 24: Igutsait Fjord or Napassorsuaq Fjord

Sailing northward in the East Greenland Current, the goal is to reach Igutsait Fjord or Napassorsuaq Fjord. Both feature glacier fronts and small icebergs, where an isolated population of polar bears was once found hunting seals.

Day 25: Tingmiarmit

Today you land at Tingmiarmit, seeing an abandoned Greenlandic settlement and remains of Thule houses on the north side of the island. Deep into the Tingmiarmiut Fjord, you are again in the area where polar bears hunt seals among the drifting glacier ice.

Day 26: Skjoldungen | Mariedal

Next we visit Skjoldungen, one of the most spectacular fjords of southeast Greenland. The goal is to land at Qornoq, where you see houses from the Thule culture, then visit Mariedal and a beautiful valley where Greenlanders used to collect berries in autumn.

Day 27: Umivik

Sail to today’s landing at Umivik, where the explorer Fridtjof Nansen ascended the Greenland ice sheet. Here you may even be able to walk a short distance in his steps.

Day 28-29: Denmark Strait

As you sail in Denmark Strait on your way to Iceland, the going can be rough. But be sure to spend some time on deck looking for migrating whales, seabirds, and the magical light show of the aurora borealis.

Day 30: Keflavik | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Return from our adventure with memories that last a lifetime, arriving at the Icelandic port town of Keflavik.

Ship/Hotel

MV Plancius

MV Plancius
Dining room
Plancius, Restaurant

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

  • Aug 13, 2025from $16,150
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Per person starting at
$16,150
Quadruple Porthole
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Quadruple Porthole
4 cabins with private facilities, 2 bunk beds. (ca. 15 m2)
Quadruple Porthole
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Triple Porthole
4 cabins with private facilities, 2 bunk beds. (ca. 15 m2)
Twin porthole cabin
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Twin with Porthole
9 twin private cabins with porthole. Two Lower berths. (ca. 15 m2)
Twin with window
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Twin with Window
26 twin private cabins with window. Two Lower berths (ca. 15 m2)
Twin Deluxe
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Twin Deluxe
2 twin private deluxe cabins. Lower berths - two single beds.(ca. 15 m2)
Superior
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Superior
10 twin superior cabins. Lower berth - double bed. (ca. 21 m2)

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 you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Single occupancy: All cabins 1.7 times the share twin price
-Children between the ages of 3-15 will be discounted 40% in triple or quad cabins, one child per cabin.
- Due to the extreme nature of itinerary destinations, travel insurance is mandatory for all cruises aboard the Plancius - including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance.
Included
  • 29 Breakfasts, 28 Lunches, 29 Dinners
  • 29 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
  • All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program
  • All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
  • Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
  • All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
  • Comprehensive pre-departure material.
  • Upon boarding, passengers receive an internet voucher, providing 1.5 GB of free internet per day. This daily allowance resets every 24 hours. Supplementary internet vouchers are available to purchase on board for those requiring additional internet availability.
  • Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on a selection of flights (advised by Oceanwide) to and from Longyearbyen.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes
  • Pre- and Post Land Arrangements
  • Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately
  • Meals ashore
  • Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
  • Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
  • Medical travel insurance, including emergency medical attention and evacuation coverage with a minimum of $100,000 of evacuation coverage is required.

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Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
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