Arctic Sights & Northern Lights

After breakfast at the hotel, the morning is yours to enjoy Reykjavík. Take a leisurely stroll through a peaceful garden or a relaxing soak in a thermal bath. Nature lovers will appreciate the abundant birdlife at Tjörnin, a placid lake in the heart of the city. You can also take advantage of shopping for souvenirs or some last-minute necessities such as cold-weather gear. Just remember, you will soon receive your very own parka to keep and waterproof boots to borrow on board the ship.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier and warmly welcomed aboard the ship. Get settled in your spacious suite and explore the ship that will be your comfortable home during the extraordinary adventure to come. After getting underway, a full schedule of events kicks off with informative briefings and introductions from your expedition staff. After the first of many delicious dinners on board, step out onto the open decks to admire the views as you sail through Faxaflói, where it is possible to encounter your first whales.

As the ship sails north across the Denmark Strait to East Greenland, celebrate this crossing of the Arctic Circle. Keep a continuous lookout for great whales and flocks of seabirds feeding in the productive waters near the sharp rise of Greenland’s continental shelf. After nightfall there is the first of many opportunities to see the aurora borealis overhead.

This part of the voyage focuses on the spectacular fjords, coasts and islands of Scoresby Sund, also known as Kangertittivaq in the Greenlandic language. This area contains some of the world’s most impressive scenery and Greenland’s best wildlife viewing. The exact schedule and route will be shaped by weather and ice conditions. Polar bears and other quintessential Arctic wildlife can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Scoresby Sund.

Scoresby Sund is the largest and longest fjord system in the world. This area contains some of the Arctic’s most impressive scenery with deep fjords and narrow channels flanked by rock walls up to 6,561 feet high. Colossal icebergs—calved by immense glaciers and sculpted by wind and water into fantastic shapes—drift throughout the intricate fjord system in striking contrast to sparkling blue waters and polychromatic mountains capped with fresh snow. From verdant coastal plains to ice-clad peaks all the way to the glaciated heart of Greenland, a trip through Scoresby Sund sets a new standard for scenic.

Your area of exploration includes part of Northeast Greenland National Park, the largest and most northerly national park in the world. This vast Arctic landscape is a paradise for hikers who appreciate astounding views of untouched tundra wilderness. Across hillsides emblazoned with autumnal red and yellow, a flash of white reveals the flight of a snowy owl or a startled mountain hare. Tufts of the finest fleece ensnared in polar willows underfoot point the way to a nearby herd of shaggy musk oxen. You may hear the crack of horns colliding as bulls engage in fearsome battles of strength. Boreal fowl of every description are preparing to migrate south with their newly fledged chicks. All throughout the waterways of Scoresby Sund, be on constant watch for polar bears and other marine mammals, including a variety of seals, walrus and narwhal, which can be spotted at any time.

Visit ancient Thule archeological sites, including the Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit, the only permanent settlement in the region and host to a museum, bookstore, handmade crafts, a post office and Greenlandic sled dogs. As night falls, watch for nature’s greatest celestial performance: the Northern Lights. East Greenland is one of the very best places in the Arctic to view this otherworldly natural phenomenon. This itinerary offers a deep dive into one of the Arctic’s most scenic and soulful environments.

After an amazing time in Scoresby Sund the ship heads back across Denmark Strait toward Iceland. Presentations and workshops by the expert staff, as well as a range of onboard recreation facilities, ensure that this day at sea is not idly spent. Seabird viewing and whale sightings can be enjoyed from panoramic open decks as well as exterior stateroom windows and balconies.

Your last expedition day is spent in the beautiful Vestfirðir (Westfjords) of Iceland. This remote and sparsely populated region of crenulated coastlines, voluminous waterfalls and rugged mountains sees only 10% of Iceland’s visitors. Deep fjords are home to whales while estuaries abound with seals and birdlife.

After filling up with one last buffet breakfast on board, bid the crew a fond farewell in Reykjavík. Take an included transfer to Keflavik international airport or to the city center in case you plan to extend your stay in Iceland.