Southeast Greenland And Iceland

You begin expedition in Reykjavik, Iceland. Founded around 870 C.E., Reykjavik is home to approximately 200,000 residents, making up nearly 60% of Iceland’s population. As the world’s northernmost national capital, the city is recognized for its safety, cleanliness, and focus on sustainability. You can observe energy-efficient buildings and clear skies as you explore the area before boarding the Seabourn Venture.

You explore Heimaey Island, the largest island in the Westman Islands, located about four miles off Iceland’s southwest coast. Join the expedition team for a Zodiac cruise along the bird cliffs and into a calm bay near the town, where you can see Atlantic puffins up close, weather permitting. Visit Herjolfsdalur Valley to see Viking-age ruins, enjoy views from Cape Storhofdi, and attend a reception at Eldheimar Museum, built around a home affected by the 1973 volcanic eruption. Wear sturdy footwear and waterproof clothing, and bring binoculars to observe the local birdlife.

You spend two days at sea traveling toward Greenland. Use this time to relax, enjoy meals, and attend informational sessions onboard.

Qaqortoq is the largest city in Southern Greenland with 3,300 inhabitants. The town rises steeply above the natural small-boat harbor with its fish, shrimp and fur processing plants. It was founded in 1775 by the Dano-Norwegian trader Anders Olsen, working on behalf of the General Trading Company.

Qaqortoq is best known for its open-air art exhibition. The Stone & Man project, designed to transform the town into an outdoor gallery, had the participation of 18 Nordic artists from Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Greenland. Initially 24 stone sculptures were created using the existing rock faces and boulders in the town. Now there are over 40 sculptures celebrating Greenlandic culture.

Other points of interest include Mindebrønden, the oldest fountain in Greenland, the Qaqortoq Museum and The Saviors Lutheran Church. Eighteen kilometers northwest of town are the famous remains of the Viking church of Hvalsey. It represents the last written record of the Greenlandic Norse, who attended a wedding there in A.D. 1408. Hvalsey is the most prominent Norse site in Greenland.

Included Qaqortoq On Foot Experience
Join your local guide on this informative walking tour providing insight into life in this remote area of Greenland as well as its history, culture and traditions.
Your city tour starts among the old houses of the colonial quarter on your way to the Fish and Meat Market. Here you will learn about the traditional hunting and fishing methods, changing conditions faced by today’s fishermen and hunters, and Greenlandic culinary traditions.
Next on your tour, proceed to the old church from 1832 – "Annaasisitta Oqaluffia" (The Church of Our Savior) – and hear about the history of Christianity in Greenland.
A visit to the city’s administrative buildings is your next stop where your guide will provide insight into the island’s political system.
Throughout the tour, there will be a number of opportunities to see the famous "Stone & Man" open-air art exhibition. The project was created by local painter and sculptor Aka Hoegh, who worked with visiting Nordic artists to create over 30 exterior stone sculptures and lithographs throughout the city.
After getting insight into life in Qaqortoq, return to the pier with your guide or feel free to stay in town, visit the Qaqortoq Museum on your own (entrance included)　and return at your leisure. Your guide will also advise where and when to view the local kayak demonstration.

Please note:
Wherever Included Experience tours are offered, guests are allowed to participate in only one included experience per call unless otherwise specified in the tour description. The Expedition Team will advise your booked included experience departure time onboard and will try to accommodate your booked optional excursions or optional expeditions accordingly. If a timing conflict occurs guests should anticipate to participate on their booked optional experience or optional expedition and forgo the included experience. Participants must negotiate stairs and/or uneven surfaces and is therefore not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring insect repellent; wear sunscreen. The level of guide experience varies in this region due the remoteness of its location. Limited tourism infrastructure is part of the charm here, and you are trading breadth of experience for authentic interaction. Please bring your spirit of adventure and bear with any language difficulties your guide may encounter and with any operational surprises that may crop up. Please be sure to book your included experience in advance as space may be limited on your specific choice.

Hvalsey, Greenland
Twelve miles by Zodiac up the Hvalseyjarfjord from Qaqortoq, the largest community in South Greenland, lies the most prominent Norse archaeological site in Greenland. The so-called Eastern Settlement lasted from the 10th until the mid-15th century. Your expedition team archaeologist can interpret for you the ruins of the great halls and church at Hvalsey that hint of a prospering medieval farmstead. The site evokes an era when the Norse were trading with the indigenous Thule people of the area for furs and ivory, which were a prized commodities in Europe. A wedding held in the church in 1408 comprises the last written record of the Norse adventure in Greenland. Within a few years, Hvalsey and the rest of other Norse communities of Greenland withered as immigrants returned to the more established communities in Iceland and Norway. The site’s meadows of wildflowers sloping up from the fjord give a sense of the peaceful community that existed here in that long-ago summer.

Norse farmers settled in this area in the 10th century, the earliest type of farming to the Arctic. It was from the Brattahlið (Qassiarsuk) farmstead that Leif Eriksson (Eric's the Red's Son) set sail and discovered Vinland, reaching the North American continent at Newfoundland and Labrador. UNESCO has included Brattahlið and other nearby sites as part of a World Heritage Site.

Prepare to be awed by Southern Greenland’s dramatic contrasts — a region where lush tundra valleys meet towering granite peaks, and ancient Norse history mingles with vibrant Inuit culture. This is Greenland’s cradle of civilization, home to the country’s oldest settlements and the UNESCO-listed ruins of Hvalsey Church, built by Norse settlers in the 14th century. The fjords here are gentler than their eastern counterparts, winding through green hills dotted with sheep farms and colorful villages like Qaqortoq and Narsaq. Your Seabourn expedition voyage delves deep into this cultural and geological wonderland, where icebergs drift past Viking ruins and waterfalls tumble into glassy fjords. Southern Greenland’s milder climate supports a surprising abundance of flora and fauna, including Arctic foxes, seals, and migratory birds. The region’s fjords — such as the breathtaking Tasermiut Fjord, often called the “Patagonia of the North” — offer world-class kayaking and Zodiac cruising beneath sheer cliffs and glacial tongues. Expect a rich blend of nature and heritage, with highlights that may include: Zodiac landings at Norse archaeological sites Encounters with local Greenlandic communities Scenic hikes through wildflower-strewn valleys Glacial exploration in remote fjord arms

The immense scale of the peaks around this village dwarfs anything built there. Still, the tall white steeple of the church juts up with a spirit of endurance and perseverance that matches the character of those who make this arctic outpost their home. It also echoes the shape of icebergs floating in the surrounding seas, shed from the immense icefields that cover much of the island.

Tasermiut Fjord, Greenland
Tasermiut Fjord stretches for more than 40 miles along the coast of southwestern Greenland. Known as the “Patagonia of the North,” this glacial inlet is revered for its breathtaking beauty, with jagged, sky-high peaks mirroring off the icy waters. Rock climbers have long coveted it for some of the sport’s best “big walls” — the massive Ulamertorsuaq, often compared to Yosemite’s El Capitan; Nalumasortoq, noted for its distinctive, “open book” shape; and the Ketil pyramid — all of which reach more than 6,000 feet in height. Tasermiut had terminated at a glacial front just a few decades ago; since then, climate change has caused noticeable retreat and created a “hanging” glacier that no longer connects to the fjord. Seabourn guests explore Tasermiut by Zodiac and, if conditions allow, can join the Kayak Team on an optional paddle along the pristine shoreline.
 

Prepare to be awed by Southern Greenland’s dramatic contrasts — a region where lush tundra valleys meet towering granite peaks, and ancient Norse history mingles with vibrant Inuit culture. This is Greenland’s cradle of civilization, home to the country’s oldest settlements and the UNESCO-listed ruins of Hvalsey Church, built by Norse settlers in the 14th century. The fjords here are gentler than their eastern counterparts, winding through green hills dotted with sheep farms and colorful villages like Qaqortoq and Narsaq. Your Seabourn expedition voyage delves deep into this cultural and geological wonderland, where icebergs drift past Viking ruins and waterfalls tumble into glassy fjords. Southern Greenland’s milder climate supports a surprising abundance of flora and fauna, including Arctic foxes, seals, and migratory birds. The region’s fjords — such as the breathtaking Tasermiut Fjord, often called the “Patagonia of the North” — offer world-class kayaking and Zodiac cruising beneath sheer cliffs and glacial tongues. Expect a rich blend of nature and heritage, with highlights that may include: Zodiac landings at Norse archaeological sites Encounters with local Greenlandic communities Scenic hikes through wildflower-strewn valleys Glacial exploration in remote fjord arms

Aappilattoq, Greenland
Tiny Aappilattoq is located in the Prince Christian Sound at Greenland’s southern tip, in the municipality of Kullaleq. Its name means ‘red’ in Greenlandic. The sound is enfolded by steep, unglaciated mountains, rising sheer from the water to sharp, shattered peaks. The town’s setting is particularly picturesque, its brightly painted houses scattered across a small peninsula of humped granite domes, under a backdrop of a looming pyramid of stone. The little red town church nestles next to a white-picketed graveyard. The sound itself is dotted with icebergs slowly melting into expressionist sculptures. It is a place where the infrequent visitors routinely fill their camera cards with unforgettable images of Greenland’s spectacular visual splendor.

The transit of the Prins Christian Sund is one of the highlights of cruising in Greenland. The approximately 60-mile sound cuts between the mainland and an archipelago of islands from east to west, under the southern edge of the massive Greenland Ice Sheet, which covers 80 percent of the island. The sound is narrow, sometimes as little as 1500 feet across, and numerous glaciers reach the sea on its shores, calving icebergs into the sound. High, barren and sharply defined peaks tower on both sides. The only indications of humanity to be seen are the Ikerassasuaq weather station (using the Greenlandic name for the sound) where the ship enters, and the small village of Appilattoq, housing approximately 100 people. Animal life is more abundant, with minke, fin and blue whales seen frequently, as well as ringed and bearded seals that haul out on the floating ice. It is a breathtaking display of natural splendor in the severe, rugged vernacular of rock, ice and sea that is unique to the arctic realm.

Imagine a narrow fjord bordered by rugged peaks, vertical rock walls and serpentine rivers of ice plunging into the sea. This is Skjoldungen Fjord, named by Wilhelm August Graah after the honorific title Skjoldungen which, according to Norse mythology, was given to successors of legendary King Skjold to the Danish throne.

Numerous tidewater glaciers calve during the summer, releasing large chunks of ice that plunge into the fjord. Above, huge crevasses and free-standing pillars of ice, known as seracs, are silhouetted against a blue Greenlandic sky. Barren of large trees, Skjoldungen Fjord is carpeted in colorful dwarf birch and willow forests that may grow several feet high, as well as a variety of low-growing Arctic wildflowers.

This fjord was likely inhabited by Paleo-Eskimo (Inuit) nomadic people as early as 4,000 years ago. Archaeological remains of later historical periods, such as Thule culture graves, have also been found, indicating that Inuit people have lived in the area continuously. Scattered within this stunning scenery are remains of more recent abandoned Inuit dwellings along the fjord’s western shores.

In Greenland, nature is big and almost overwhelming! You will be awed by towering mountains, huge distances, epic adventures, harsh weather and challenges that loom and beckon even in summer. The people of the Saqqaq culture arrived here from the north, the first to reach this part of Greenland. The Viking Norse first became familiar with this area when they made it their first landfall on the voyage from Iceland's Snæfellsnes peninsula to Greenland. Today that location is known as Tassilaq, and it is the largest town in Eastern Greenland with 2,000 inhabitants. The island where Tasiilaq is located was formerly known as Angmagssalik in Greenlandic, meaning ‘the place with capelin.’


Walking through Tassilaq is, in many ways, like walking through time. You will likely see many of the town’s over 1,000 sled-dogs, as well as wooden dog-sledges, skin covered kayaks, fish air-drying on racks and maybe even the hides of seals and polar bears, just as in eras long past.

Southern Greenland Experience
Prepare to be awed by Southern Greenland’s dramatic contrasts — a region where lush tundra valleys meet towering granite peaks, and ancient Norse history mingles with vibrant Inuit culture. This is Greenland’s cradle of civilization, home to the country’s oldest settlements and the UNESCO-listed ruins of Hvalsey Church, built by Norse settlers in the 14th century. The fjords here are gentler than their eastern counterparts, winding through green hills dotted with sheep farms and colorful villages like Qaqortoq and Narsaq. Your Seabourn expedition voyage delves deep into this cultural and geological wonderland, where icebergs drift past Viking ruins and waterfalls tumble into glassy fjords. Southern Greenland’s milder climate supports a surprising abundance of flora and fauna, including Arctic foxes, seals, and migratory birds. The region’s fjords — such as the breathtaking Tasermiut Fjord, often called the “Patagonia of the North” — offer world-class kayaking and Zodiac cruising beneath sheer cliffs and glacial tongues. Expect a rich blend of nature and heritage, with highlights that may include: Zodiac landings at Norse archaeological sites Encounters with local Greenlandic communities Scenic hikes through wildflower-strewn valleys Glacial exploration in remote fjord arms

You spend the day at sea as the ship sails between Greenland and Iceland. Use this time to rest, enjoy meals, and participate in onboard presentations or activities.

The small village of Patreksfjörður serves as gateway to the Westfjords peninsula in northeastern Iceland and some of the country’s most spectacular attractions. Fishing is the main industry here, although tourism is quickly growing thanks to Patreksfjörður’s proximity to such natural wonders as Dynjandi waterfalls. Dynjandi — which translates as “thunderous” — rivals Gullfoss in sheer spectacle, cascading more than 325 feet down a series of increasingly wider steps; the rocky footpath to the top passes seven smaller falls. Látrabjarg, a rocky promontory that marks the westernmost point of Europe (not counting the Azores), is recognized as one of the best birdwatching spots on the planet. Látrabjarg’s four rugged, wind-battered cliffs — stretching for nearly nine miles and reaching close to 1,500 feet in height — are home to more than 1 million birds, including massive colonies of colorful puffins and around 40 percent of the world’s nesting razorbills. The red sands of Rauðasandur beach are a stark contrast to most of the country’s black volcanic beaches, while the wreck of Gardar BA 64, Iceland’s oldest steel whaling ship, lies in rusting ruins along Patreksfjörður’s shore.

The remote island of Flatey is located in Breidafjörður Bay on the northwestern part of Iceland. “Flat Island” is 2 km long and 1 km wide has only one road through the quaint little old village. Sheep and seabirds are the most numerous inhabitants, including large numbers of Atlantic puffins and Arctic terns. The island is a paradise for bird watching with over 30 different species during the breeding season.

Grundarfjordur, Iceland
The charming small fishing village of Grundarfjörður is located in the middle of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and thus provides easy access to Stykkishólmur, Snæfellsbær and the Snæfellsnes National Park. Its best-known landmark is undoubtedly the peak of Mt. Kirkjufell. Translated as ‘church mountain,’ Kirkjufell is the most easily recognizable peak, and one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland. During summer months a Viking Village is built in the center of town where Viking re-enactments occur quite regularly. During the Á góðri stund town festival in July, the town’s 900 residents decorate their houses in red, blue, yellow, and green, transforming the town into a spinning kaleidoscope of color.

The town first began trade in 1786, and around 1800, French merchants came to Iceland and settled in Grundarfjörður, where they constructed a church and a hospital. The town has prospered through the fishing industry for a long time. The surrounding sea is rich with birdlife & marine life throughout the year.

Steeped in history and bursting with contemporary flair, Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland, was founded around 870 C.E, marking the birth of the first permanent settlement on this island nation. Today, it is home to approximately 200,000 inhabitants, making up nearly 60% of Iceland's population. Reykjavík holds the title of the world's northernmost national capital, and it takes pride in its reputation as one of the cleanest, greenest, and safest cities globally. Its commitment to sustainability and eco-consciousness is evident in every corner, from its energy-efficient buildings to its pollution-free skies.