Uncover the mysteries of Greenland's East coast as you set sail from the dramatic landscapes of Iceland. Sail the west like the Vikings of old as you explore ancient ruins, quaint fishing villages, Greenland's bustling capital of Nuuk or bask in the warmth of geothermal springs. History, glaciers, cultural experiences await on this incredible journey to the indescribable East Greenland Coast.
Since her childhood spent in the woods of Northern Ontario and Quebec, Margaret has been a passionate conservationist and a tireless advocate for birds. A deep believer in the power of getting people out into nature, Margaret has been travelling as a staff member with Adventure Canada for twenty years.
Optional Activities :
Trip Code: ACADVIG
Travel Style: Expedition Cruise
Location: Arctic, Greenland
Ship: Ocean Endeavour
Flights: Southbound Charter Flight: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, to Toronto, ON, Canada. Evening arrival. Price: $1,455 USD
Follow in the footsteps of the Norse explorers, discover the sparsely populated coast of Greenland as you retrace the route of the seafarers of old.
Discover the incredible natural sights of East Greenland boasting impressive glaciers, rivers of ice and a myriad of stunning fjords.
You will have the opportunity to visit the incredible Norse ruins of Hvalsey and Brattahlid, giving a deep insight into the lifestyles of these exploring wayfarers.
Iceland’s cosmopolitan capital, Reykjavík (“steamy bay”) was established in 874 AD. Powered by geothermal energy, Reykjavík is widely considered one of the cleanest, greenest cities on Earth.
Despite centuries of relative isolation, today Reykjavík is a contemporary city with plenty to see and do. The National Culture House preserves treasures like the Poetic Edda, and the Norse Sagas in their original manuscripts. We depart Reykjavík in the evening aboard the Ocean Endeavour.
Sailing west from Iceland, we are truly in the wake of the Vikings. We’ll be watching for whales and seabirds we sail the Denmark Strait. Our onboard program will prepare you for the archaeology, history, culture, and wildlife that awaits us in Greenland!
Our first view of Greenland’s east coast will reveal a coastline traced with innumerable fjords and potentially dotted with pack ice. Our spotters will be watching for bears, seals, and humpback whales. We’ll explore the remote reaches of glaciated fjords by Zodiac.
We’ll be scouting for wildlife and vistas as we approach Ikerasassuaq through ice. This remote and stunning body of water joins the Irminger and Labrador seas. We are among the islands of the Cape Farewell Archipelago, near Greenland’s southernmost tip.
Craggy mountain peaks tower over narrow fjords. Glacial tongues plunge toward the water. Conditions are favourable for calving icebergs, while strong tidal currents limit the formation of sea ice.
South Greenland lives up to its namesake; here, the land is fertile and agriculture thrives. Farms and vegetable husbandry contrast with the barren ice that covers so much of the country. Jagged mountains rise from beyond green pastures, with sheep farms directly bordering ice fjords. Here, Norse settlement history intersects with contemporary Greenland life.
Hvalsey site was a major centre in South Greenland. The site, which has the ruins of two stone great halls, had an additional 14 houses close to a church. Hvalsey Church is the best-preserved Norse ruin in Greenland. The last known official record from the original Norse colony is of a wedding held here in September 1408!
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Brattahlid—meaning “steep slope,”—lies at the head of Tunulliarfik Fjord. In this location, the famous Viking explorer Erik the Red had his estate. His descendants made their homes here until the mid-1400s. This area features the best farming conditions in Greenland.
Here we will find a reconstruction of the first Norse church in Greenland, as well as a Viking longhouse. There are substantial archeological remnants here, preserving the legends of the Norse.
The Sermersooq region of Greenland has a stunning myriad of mountain peaks, glaciers and deep fjords. Our time will be spent on the western coast of the region, where records of human habitation stretch back over 1,500 years. We’ll explore by Zodiac or by foot, as landing conditions permit. We’ll keep a look out for Nattoralik (white-tailed eagles) and enjoy the lush vegetation of southwest Greenland.
Greenland’s capital bridges old and new. The old harbour region of town includes many buildings dating from the Danish colonial days. The modern downtown core includes shopping, cafes and restaurants, and public institutions with a European flair.
The Greenland National Museum is one of Nuuk’s outstanding features; the world-famous Qilakitsoq mummies are housed here. The museum’s exhibits also offer in-depth information about colonial, Norse, and Inuit presence in Greenland—a must-see.
Defined by jagged mountain peaks, sheer bird cliffs, cascading streams, and calving glaciers Kangerlussuatsiaq lives up to its Danish name, Evighedsfjorden meaning Fjord of Eternity. Whether by ship, Zodiac cruise, or kayak, a visit to the face of the glacier is truly a sublime experience.
Sondre Stromfjord is one of the longest fjords in the world and boasts 168 kilometres of superb scenery. We end our adventure by sailing up this dramatic fjord as the sun rises to greet us.
Kangerlussuaq, the town at its eastern head, is a former US Air Force base and Greenland’s primary flight hub. Here we will disembark the Ocean Endeavour and transfer to the airport for our return charter flight to Toronto, Canada.
Departing | Ending | Duration | Price | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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13 Jul 2023 | 25 Jul 2023 | 13 | USD 6,995 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cabin accommodation on board vessel
All meals whilst on board
All scheduled landings & excursions
All port fees & landing fees
Expedition jacket provides (yours to keep)
Pair of expedition boots for use during your voyage
Guiding and lectures by experienced expedition team and crew
Nikon Camera Trial Program
Exclusions
Mandatory Charter flight (USD$1455)
International flight
Visa fees (if applicable)
Travel insurance
Beverages (other than tea & coffee)
Personal expenses such as laundry & on board communication
Gratuities for the crew
Pre or post cruise travel expenses
Optional activities, refer optional activities section for details
Available upon request, contact us for more details.
Since her childhood spent in the woods of Northern Ontario and Quebec, Margaret has been a passionate conservationist and a tireless advocate for birds. A deep believer in the power of getting people out into nature, Margaret has been travelling as a staff member with Adventure Canada for twenty years.
Departure date, seasonality and availability.
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Being environmentally accountable is a crucial part of our organisation. Chimu is currently striving towards using less paper, taking several initiatives to do so and tracking our progress along the way. Our goal: A paperless organisation. For this reason, all information given to you will be sent electronically. We encourage those who choose to travel with us to support our aspirations and actions and ask that you reconsider printing out documentation. To view these documents, you can download them to your iPad or portable computer before and during your trip.
Chimu is passionate and dedicated to sustainability measures and understands the crucial part sustainability plays within the tourism industry.
We use local guides and office staff to both maximise local employment opportunities and minimise carbon footprint. Local guides also ensure you benefit from the intimate knowledge, passion and culture of the country you’re visiting. Our guides are all highly qualified (most with university degrees) or equip with many years of experience and are paid above the standard wage. Whether it be our knowledgeable local guides, locally produced meals or the transport on tour, we do not use imported goods when local products are available. We aim to minimise our impact on the environment and give as much back as possible to the communities we work in.
The Ocean Endeavour in the Arctic works closley with the First Nations communities by direct employment and is a part of a Discovery Fund. Every customer contributes directly to the Fund when they purchase a trip to the Arctic. The Fund covers issues like habitat enhancement, youth outreach, community support and charity projects. The Scientist-in-residence program offers spacem time and resources aborad The Ocean Edneavoru for parcticing scientists and researches. Passenger contributions to the citizen science program is also facilitate onboard. While visiting the many national parks, heritage sites, museums and landmarks our travellers are encouraged to explore whilst remaining culturally aware and sensitive. We further encourage you to buy appropriate souvenirs and discourage the buying of anything wrongfully made or taken from the environment i.e. shells and endangered species products. Information on how you can be environmentally conscious, and travel responsibly will be made available in our Travellers Guides and provided during your travels by guides and staff.
For more information on our sustainability policies, including how we are striving towards being a paperless organisation, click HERE