Brightly painted homes sit among tundra & snow on shoreline with small blue & white ship nearby in Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland.
Line of east & south Greenland travelers in colorful jackets walks over tundra with snow patches under snow-covered peaks.
Red flowers bloom over tundra hillside overlooking calm fjord as sun sets during the east & south Greenland Explorer cruise.
Clouds pass over jagged tan rock cliffs at top of peak overlooking calm fjord during an east & south Greenland Explorer cruise.
Zodiac boat with East & South Greenland travelers approaches a massive iceberg among a snowy landscape on a sunny day.
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Polar Regions Arctic Cruise

East & South Greenland Explorer, Aurora Borealis

East Greenland is among the most remote and least populated areas of the Arctic, a wild place of dramatic fjords, small Inuit settlements, and ancient remains from Viking and Thule cultures. Sail and explore the coastlines of this ruggedly beautiful region, enjoying its impressive rock formations and colossal icebergs while keeping an eye open for Arctic wildlife.

For an all-encompassing route in 2025, combine this itinerary with the Around Spitsbergen – Kvitoya, In the Realm of Polar Bear & Ice itinerary for the 30-day Extensive Spitsbergen – East & South Greenland, Aurora Borealis voyage.

Cruise south Spitsbergen aboard 108-guest Plancius, an ice-strengthened vessel designed for polar expedition with modern renovations. AdventureSmith Explorations’ crew of award-winning Arctic small ship cruise experts have personal experience sailing in the High Arctic. Contact us to discover more about this Arctic cruise and other options to suit your travel interests and timeline.

Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Arctic cruises, Greenland small ship cruises, northern lights cruises and Arctic trips.



Itinerary

East & South Greenland Explorer, Aurora Borealis Itinerary

The East & South Greenland Explorer, Aurora Borealis, Incl. flight from Narsarsuaq to Copenhagen itinerary cruises south from Spitsbergen to explore the shores of east and south Greenland, ending with a charter flight to Copenhagen, Denmark.

Route map of East & South Greenland Explorer, Aurora Borealis cruise from Spitsbergen to Narsarsuaq, ending with a flight to Copenhagen.
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Day 1
Embark Longyearbyen, Svalbard

The adventure begins in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more than a hundred species of plant have been recorded here. In the early evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of the voyage.

Accommodations

Plancius

Meals

dinner

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Days 2 - 3
At Sea to East Greenland

You may eventually see the jagged edge of the east Greenland sea ice flashing into sight, depending on the conditions. Keep watch for whales and migrating seabirds.

Accommodations

Plancius

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 4
Tundra, Mountains & Icebergs

As the ship approaches Greenland, you may 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, sail through Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, surrounded by towering mountains and bright interior icebergs. An alternate route is Sofia Sound, a narrower waterway.

Accommodations

Plancius

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 5
Islands of the 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, head into the Antarctic Sound to find the islands of Ruth, Maria and Ella. Maria is the most likely spot for a landing.

Accommodations

Plancius

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 6
Sights of Arctic Autumn

Spend the first half of the day 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.

Accommodations

Plancius

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 7
Earth's Largest Fjord

Today, reach Scoresby Sund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. You may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier fronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt. Continue along the east coast of Milne deeper into the fjord.

Accommodations

Plancius

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 8
Enormous Bergs & Arctic Hares

In the morning encounter colossal icebergs, some over 328 feet (100 meters) high and more than a kilometer long. Most of them are grounded, as the fjord is only about 1,312 feet (400 meters) deep. Then land near Sydkap, with fine views of Hall Bredning and a good shot of seeing arctic hares. Later, land at Satakajik and see the remains of Thule dwellings.

Accommodations

Plancius

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 9
Settlement at Scoresby Sund

Today make a tundra landing on Liverpool Land, in Hurry Inlet. The afternoon stop is Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresby Sund at about 300 inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards or just stroll around to see the sled dogs and drying skins of seals and musk oxen. In the afternoon sail south, passing the picturesque landscapes of the Blosseville Coast.

Accommodations

Plancius

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 10
Thule Huts & Hiking Spots

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

Accommodations

Plancius

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 11 - 13
All the Pretty Fjords

Sail south along the East Greenland coast, entering several fjords competing in beauty: d’Aunay, Nansen, and possibly either Ikersuaq or Kangertitsivaqmiit. Most of these fjords have glacier front at the head, but any of them can offer a chance to see polar bears.

Accommodations

Plancius

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 14
Smalltown Greenland

Tasiilaq, once known as Angmagssalik (about 2,000 inhabitants) is your 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.

Accommodations

Plancius

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 15
In the Steps of Nansen

Next, sail south to land 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.

Accommodations

Plancius

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 16
The Valley of Mariedal

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

Accommodations

Plancius

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 17
Abandoned Greenland Settlement

Moving on to Timmiarmiut, you’ll see an abandoned Greenlandic settlement and will 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.

Accommodations

Plancius

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 18
Prins Christian Sund Mountains

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

Accommodations

Plancius

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 19
Uunartoq Hot Spring

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. 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.

Accommodations

Plancius

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 20
Erik the Red's Base

In Eriksfjord, land at Ittileq, in a bay from which you can walk 2.5 miles (4 km) down a road to Igaliku (Gardar). In this small Greenlandic village, you can see the remains of a 13th-century Norse church, along with 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, arrive at Narssarsuaq for the final night of your voyage.

Accommodations

Plancius

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 21
Disembark Narsarsuaq, Greenland, Fly to Copenhagen, Denmark & Depart

From the WW2-era airport of Narssarsuaq, fly to Copenhagen. Though your adventure has come to an end, take home memories that will accompany you wherever the next adventure lies.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Scheduled flight from Narsarsuaq, Greenland to Copenhagen, Denmark; voyage aboard the indicated vessel in the itinerary; all meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea; all shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac; program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff; free use of rubber boots and snow shoes; transfers and baggage handling between the ship and the airport Narsarsuaq for those passengers on the charter flight to Copenhagen; all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; AECO fees and governmental taxes; comprehensive pre-departure material; basic WiFi up to 1.5GB per 24 hours (additional data available for purchase on board).

Exclusions

Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights to Longyearbyen, and from Copenhagen; pre- and post-cruise land arrangements; transfers to/from the vessel outside Spitsbergen; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage and cancellation insurance; personal insurance (mandatory); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 20% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 90 days – 100% of deposit
89 to 60 days – 50% of total trip cost
59 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The East & South Greenland Explorer, Aurora Borealis voyage begins in Longyearbyen, Norway (LYR) and ends in Copenhagen, Denmark (CPH). Longyearbyen is only accessed via flights from Oslo, Norway (OSL). Some flights arrive very early in the morning, before standard hotel check-in; in these cases, we recommend booking an extra hotel night or arranging a day room option. We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. 

Plan flights to arrive to Longyearbyen by 3:00pm on Day 1 of the itinerary. Embarkation time is between 4:00 and 5:00pm on day of departure, with a 6:00pm departure. Transfers in Longyearbyen are provided on specified group flights. Travelers arriving on independently arranged flights should make their own way to the port on day of embarkation and to the airport upon disembarkation. Disembarkation is after breakfast on Day 21 of the itinerary. Plan flights to depart Copenhagen anytime after Day 21 (a transfer in Copenhagen is not provided). If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Internal Flights

A group charter flight between Narsarsuaq, Greenland and Copenhagen, Denmark is included on this trip’s itinerary. The flight to Copenhagen is expected to depart following disembarkation on Day 21 of the itinerary. There is a luggage limit which will be detailed in your final documents. There is no option to leave or pay for additional luggage. On Day 21 of the itinerary, the ship is scheduled to arrive at the pier between 7:00 and 8:00am local time. Disembarkation follows breakfast, with a transfer to the airport for the charter flight to Copenhagen. A transfer in Copenhagen is not provided.

Activities

Various optional activities may be available on your East & South Greenland Explorer, Aurora Borealis voyage. Guided shore excursions, walks, wildlife spotting and Zodiac cruises are included in the fare and will be offered to all passengers during each voyage. Every day there will be excursions on land, weather and ice permitting. The landings will take 3 to 6 hours per day over untracked area. According to circumstances (the weather, the ice-situation or the passengers’ wishes) the program can sometimes be adjusted. Ample time will be devoted to wildlife, vegetation, geography and history.

Room Configuration

Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin may do so at 1.7x the per-person Twin or Superior listed rates. Single travelers wishing to book on a “sharing basis” may do so at no additional cost in Twin, Triple or Quadruple categories upon availability.

Families & Children

Upon request (some voyages may be excluded), children under 16 years old with parents may receive a 40% discount in the following cabins: Grand Suite, Superior, Triple (1 child sharing with 2 parents/adults) and Quadruple (1 child sharing with 3 parents/adults, or 2 children sharing with 2 parents/adults). Parents are entirely responsible for their children at all times, on land and on board; there is no onboard day care or nursery facility.

Travel Insurance

Emergency medical evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip, with a minimum recommended coverage of $100,000 per person. Trip cancellation insurance is optional but highly recommended. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. For best value and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, consider purchasing a policy at time of booking. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditionswildlife encountered and the captain’s discretion. Flexibility is the key to the success of any Arctic expedition.

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

Aug 13 - Sep 02, 2025
Plancius • 21 days
From $11000USD
Per Person
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Accommodation

Learn About the Small Ship on Your Itinerary

Expedition Ship
Plancius

The Plancius is a 108-passenger small ship designed and built exclusively for polar cruises. A wide variety of cabins, ample space on five decks and a wide range of activities offered make the Plancius a great option for active expedition cruises.

Book with the confidence that comes from experience.

100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip.

Extend Your Trip

Additional Travel Options Before or After Your Cruise

In 2025, the East & South Greenland Explorer, Aurora Borealis itinerary can be combined with the Around Spitsbergen – Kvitoya, In the Realm of Polar Bear & Ice itinerary for the 30-day Extensive Spitsbergen – East & South Greenland, Aurora Borealis operating from Longyearbyen, Svalbard to Narsarsuaq, Greenland with no repeated landing sites. Please inquire with an Adventure Specialist for further details.

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