Iceland to Greenland: Total Solar Eclipse | Ultramarine

Once you're in Reykjavik, make your own way to the accommodation that's included for the night. Depending on when you arrive, you might want to visit the interesting Icelandic capital.

You will be taken to your ship, the state-of-the-art Ultramarine, following breakfast. We set sail today for the Westfjords, which are frequently referred to as "Iceland's best-kept secret." Westfjords is an anglicised name for this rocky peninsula on Iceland's far northwest edge, which is a breathtaking area of fjords and mountains. There are many options for breathtaking landscape photography because of the dramatic way that the mountains slope down to the sea. Using a zodiac and ship, as well as supervised beach landings, we will spend the day exploring the fjords and coasts of one of Iceland's oldest locations, which is home to volcanic rocks that date back 16 million years.

A variety of landscapes can be seen, including towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, vibrant beaches, undulating green hills, high moorlands with rocky outcrops, and little lakes. The hillsides are likely to be grazed by shaggy sheep and Icelandic horses. Small fishing villages tucked away on the fjord's borders and along the Denmark Strait's coastlines are a couple of examples of outposts of civilisation. These small communities have maintained a seafaring tradition that stretches back to the Viking era. Vigur Island in Safjarðardjúp fjord and the small village of Ísafjörður, which is famous for its wooden cottages, fishing boats, and hospital-turned-community centre, are potential destinations for community visits.

Your Expedition Team will get you ready for the thrilling on-and off-ship experiences that lie ahead as we sail north over the Denmark Strait between Iceland and Greenland. Our group of arctic specialists will give presentations on a variety of subjects, such as animals, geology, climatology, and Arctic history. The crew will also look for seabirds flying over the ship, and they will definitely notify you if they spot a whale.

On the northern edge of the Scoresby Land peninsula, we will sail into Kangerluk Kong Oscar, also called King Oscar Fjord, within the borders of Northeast Greenland National Park, which is the largest national park on Earth at 972,000 square kilometres. Known for its renownedly brilliant sandstone, this main fjord system is 110 km long and 10 to 25 kilometres wide. Hiking in the Skipperdal Valley, where mineral deposits have tinted the hills red and magenta will be possible for visitors when conditions permit.

On Day 7, we will also get the chance to explore Blomsterbugten (also called Flower Bay) on Ymer Island as we get ready to position the ship to get the best views of the solar eclipse. During the Lauge Koch trip in 1929, renowned archaeologists Gunnar Seidenfaden and Arne Noe-Nygaard adopted the floral name after finding a large number of specimens for their botanical collection. There is also a little hut called "Varghytten" (the wolf hut) in Blomsterbugten. The Sirius Patrol, a specialised military unit of the Danish Armed Forces, continues to operate out of the tiny house, which was constructed in 1929. We might also walk to Noa Lake, which isn't often visited. As the enthusiasm for our eagerly anticipated eclipse viewing grows, it will be evident in the air. In order to place the Ultramarine in the best possible position to maximise your views of the solar eclipse, your Expedition Leader, guest eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler, and the ship captain will collaborate closely behind the scenes. They will keep an eye on atmospheric forecasts, sea and ice conditions, and other factors. Few people ever get to experience the wonders of a polar adventure, but even fewer get to witness a solar eclipse while experiencing the wonders of an Arctic expedition.

In anticipation of the August 12 Solar Eclipse, expect lectures from our two special guests, eclipse specialists Michael Zeiler and David Baron. To make sure you enjoy an eclipse viewing unlike any other, these seasoned eclipse aficionados will use their extensive experience.

Guest speaker David Baron will discuss the effects of eclipses on society in his keynote address, "Scientific America: The Eclipse That Enlightened A Nation," which he will give on the evening of Day 6. Baron will talk about how societies—and particular people—have been inspired to attain scientific excellence by epic occurrences like solar eclipses.

In order to determine the best viewing location along the line of totality, the Ultramarine will continue sailing into King Oscar Fjord. This area of the Arctic offers the longest period of totality along the eclipse route, with the sun's total eclipse lasting 2 minutes and 17.2 seconds. The eclipse is scheduled to start at 2:34 pm, reach totality at 3:34 pm, and finish at 3:36 pm. The two-hour, one-minute, and three-second eclipse viewing experience will end at 4:35 p.m.

Saros series 126, a cycle of solar eclipses that occurs roughly every 18 years, includes the eclipse in 2026. Because of the lesser geographical area and the fact that the sun only illuminates each pole for a portion of the year, total solar eclipses are comparatively uncommon in the polar regions. To refresh your memory, 2008 marked the last time a total solar eclipse was visible north of the Arctic Circle.

As we get ready for the event, the crew and our guest eclipse specialists have been studying the geography of this area and will keep doing so. To find the ideal viewing experience, our staff will research the rugged terrain, the sun's angles in the sky, and weather patterns all the way up to the actual eclipse day. In the days and hours preceding the complete eclipse, your expedition leader will lay out the schedule for the day.

We will explore Scoresby Sound (Scoresby Sund), a sizable fjord system on the eastern coast of Greenland, as we start our journey home, perhaps still in shock from the eclipse experience the day before. The majority of Scoresby Sund is uninhabited, with the exception of a tiny Inuit community at Ittoqqortoormiit, close to the fjord's mouth. Unusual for the Arctic, warm water polynyas—areas of open water encircled by sea ice—near the fjord's mouth support a variety of plant and animal communities. The fjords are bordered by several mountains, valleys, and glaciers, which result in an amazing array of icebergs. Additionally, we intend to travel through Bjornar (Nannut Qeqertaat), a collection of islands northeast of Milne Land that were named by the Den Østgrønlandske (East Greenland) expedition in 1891–1892. These islands are also referred to as Bear Islands. With its intricate network of canals, sheer rock faces, and intriguing geology, the group of 11 major islands captivates tourists.

You can enjoy shore visits to several spots and zodiac cruises while exploring this region. Since Northeast Greenland National Park is home to 40% of the world's population, we will also keep an eye out for grazing muskoxen. As you sail through the breathtaking Scoresby Sund, where several icebergs are born, you'll understand why past tourists have called it the world's most magnificent fjord system. We'll go to places like Sydkap, where you can explore the vibrant tundra and the ruins of old Thule towns, and Vikingbukta, which is famous for its beach of basalt columns.

We sail back across Denmark Strait, this time heading south, marking the end of our Arctic trip. We encourage you to make the most of your remaining time on board by sharing your photos, scheduling a massage at Ultramarine's Tundra Spa, sipping a refreshing cocktail in the bar, attending an informative presentation by one of our experts, or asking any questions you may have of our eager Expedition Team, who will also notify guests of any wildlife sightings.

At the conclusion of your trip, you will disembark in the vibrant capital of Iceland, Reykjavik.