View of a village near the ocean in greeland with many red and green houses built around the rocky and hilly terrain.
Skiff excursion with group surrounded by uniquely shaped icebergs and reflections on the still water
Close up of blue violet wildflowers in greenland
local greenlandic inuit woman smiling with a fur hat and snow falling
whale tail as it goes back under water seen while cruising around greenland
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Polar Regions Arctic Land Tour

East Greenland: Arctic Safari

For adventure travelers looking for the ultimate Arctic experience, this is it! East Greenland: Arctic Safari is a 10-day expedition in the stunning and remote Arctic landscape. Discover Greenland’s rugged beauty with close-up views of the ice sheets, mazes of fjords and islands and guided walks. Witness melting glaciers calve into massive icebergs that float into the sea in this awesome pristine wilderness.

Authentic encounters with Greenlandic Inuit people who practice subsistence lifestyles in this uncompromising Arctic environment illuminate a culture that remains largely in harmony with nature. During the summer months, the tundra is dotted by colorful wildflowers, ripening lowbush blueberries and crowberries. Whales occasionally frequent the bay, while icebergs, spawned from massive glaciers, glitter in the light of a late sunset. Beneath granite peaks that tower over deep fjords, Greenland’s east coast—the “Arctic Riviera”—offers some of the best hiking and kayaking in the North. 

Complete creature comforts complement daily activities at Base Camp Greenland, your home base located near the edge of mighty Sermilik Fjord, with hot showers, private toilets and excellent chef-prepared meals. Basecamp Greenland accommodates a maximum of 12 travelers to ensure a quiet wilderness experience and personal attention from expert Arctic naturalists and guides.

In a region previously accessible only by hiking, kayaking or camping in tents on very limited short day excursions, travelers can now experience an eye-level vantage point of the Arctic’s huge icebergs floating by, and occasional whales and seals in the frigid waters. Thanks to Base Camp Greenland, you can discover Greenland like never before!

Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Arctic tours, Arctic trips and Iceland cruises.



Itinerary

East Greenland: Arctic Safari Itinerary

The East Greenland: Arctic Safari adventure is a 10-day expedition in the stunning and remote Arctic landscape that begins and ends in Reykjavik, Iceland, including a final night in Reykjavik.

Discover Greenland route map to and from Reykjavik, Iceland.
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Day 1
Arrive Keflavik & Reykjavik, Iceland

Upon arrival at Keflavik International Airport, be transferred to your hotel in Iceland’s capital of Reykjavik, about a 45-minute drive. If you arrive very early, you may store your bags at the hotel while you enjoy exploring the compact city. This evening, learn about all that lies ahead in Greenland during a welcome presentation and dinner with your expedition leader.

Accommodations

Exeter Hotel

Meals

dinner

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Day 2
Fly to Kulusuk & Tasiilaq, Greenland

Drive the short distance to Iceland’s domestic airport to board your flight to Kulusuk, Greenland. From Kulusuk, enjoy a scenic transfer by helicopter to Ammassalik Island, landing in Tasiilaq, the small administrative center of East Greenland. Though it’s just a 10-minute flight, it offers a preview of the magnificent scenery to come, with icebergs drifting below and perhaps even a chance to spot a whale from the air.

Tasiilaq’s charming collection of brightly painted wooden houses hugs King Oscar’s Bay, surrounded by pointed peaks iced with glaciers. The town of 2,000 is a hub for outdoor adventure, from hiking and kayaking in summer to dog sledding and glacier skiing in winter. Most of East Greenland is uninhabited except for a handful of small subsistence hunting communities. Greenland’s east coast is often called “the back side” by those on the west, where most of the population, its capital and institutions are located. East Greenland’s people had no contact with the outside world till the turn of the 20th century, and that isolation has fostered a distinct and resilient culture. Your introduction to Greenland begins here, where Arctic wilderness and traditional lifestyles meet. On arrival, convene at your hotel for a briefing before exploring the area around Tasiilaq on foot, hiking into the Valley of Flowers above the scenic bay that fronts the town. Bring your camera, for the ice-clad gneiss and granite peaks provide a backdrop for waterfalls and small lakes fringed by Arctic wildflowers in season.

Accommodations

Hotel Angmagssalik

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 3
Tasiilaq, Whale Watching & Hiking

Though interior Greenland is covered by a massive ice cap, a few habitable areas exist around the bays and coastal islands, and the region enjoys a surprisingly mild and dry summer climate. Today’s exploration starts with a half-day excursion by enclosed private motorboat in the open waters of the Greenland Sea, providing the first close-up views of icebergs. In addition to large chunks of ice calved from glaciers that feed the region’s fjords, view tabular icebergs—ocean-going slabs of ice, some of which have been drifting for months or even years, driven down the coast by the strong East Greenland Current. Glaciologists believe that some even travel from northern Canada, hundreds of miles away. Once they reach the outer edge of Greenland’s fjords, they collide with ice that has broken off the Greenland ice sheet to form gigantic composites, sometimes mingling with brash ice to create frozen mosaics.

Whales are also found seasonally in these waters, when ice conditions permit, and look for fin, minke and humpback whales, as well as seals. Back on shore, explore the coastline on a scenic walk and visit Tasiilaq’s small history museum to learn about the culture and traditions of the Inuit, at home in this region for centuries. This afternoon, hear firsthand experiences from a local resident, sharing personal perspectives on daily life and year-round subsistence in this remote Arctic wonderland.

Accommodations

Hotel Angmagssalik

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 4
Base Camp Greenland

Depart via boat or helicopter (depending on ice conditions) for the exclusive wilderness Base Camp, located on the east side of Sermilik Fjord near the tiny hamlet of Tinit , which you’ll visit during your stay. The village is one of the most picturesque outposts in East Greenland, surveying a panorama of Sermilik Fjord littered with huge icebergs, with the ice sheet in view beyond. Behind the town, glacier-clad peaks rise over a mile high, jutting up like sharp black teeth through the ice. Tinit is home to fewer than a hundred hardy people who live a subsistence lifestyle, fishing and hunting amid constantly shifting ice. Keep an eye out for whales, as they are frequently seen in these waters when ice conditions permit. The area is filled with evidence of ancient habitation, including graves and ruins of old Inuit sod house foundations, and it is an evocative place to learn more about Inuit history and lore.

Base Camp Greenland is one the most remote places on Earth. After settling in to private tent cabins, sit down for coffee, tea and lunch in the dining room. Convene for an orientation to these Arctic environs, followed by a gear fitting to prepare for the Arctic explorations ahead. An afternoon exploration is likely to include a paddle among the small bergs and calm waters of the protected bay if weather permits, then gather for dinner and a lecture to get acquainted with the region’s remarkable natural history. Through presentations and personal visits, learn about Greenland’s cultural heritage and aspects of modern life. Traditional Inuit identity remains dominant in East Greenland, so at camp, be prepared to share an authentic encounter with this enduring culture that still exists in close harmony with nature.

Accommodations

Base Camp Greenland

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 5 - 7
Base Camp Greenland & Exploring Sermilik Fjord

The landscape along Greenland’s isolated and rarely visited east coast is dramatic. Great fjords indent the coastline, penetrating far into sheer-sided mountains capped by the world’s second-largest ice sheet—and Sermilik Fjord is the mightiest of them all. Base Camp provides a safe and comfortable outpost from which to explore this vast expanse of wild terrain just below the Arctic Circle. Though profoundly secluded, the wider region is dotted with a few isolated villages where Greenlandic Inuit people practice subsistence lifestyles in this uncompromising Arctic environment. In varied encounters, learn about their culture and how they are retaining their traditions while adapting to contemporary life in the 21st century.

On Zodiac excursions, navigate among a flotilla of icebergs in an array of wild shapes, some as big as buildings. Look for whales and seals, both of which are present depending on the ice. Guided sea kayaking is also an option for an eye-level view on the frigid waters. Spend plenty of time ashore, too, with hikes for varying ability levels. Traverse the mountainsides and wander near glaciers that wind down from the Greenland ice sheet. This huge ice mass—second in size only to Antarctica—stretches more than 1,500 miles from north to south, is nearly 2 miles deep at its thickest point and covers 80 percent of the island. Learn about the crucial role it plays in regulating Earth’s climate and see with your own eyes how rapidly it is being affected by climate change. Amid fields of Arctic cotton grass, look for arctic fox and birdlife, including eiders, loons and possibly peregrine falcons. The long hours of summer daylight allow for extensive exploration.

Each evening, retreat to Base Camp for creative meals prepared by accomplished chefs. After dinner, gather for interpretive presentations by naturalist expedition leaders who share their extensive knowledge of Greenland’s geology, glaciology and human history. And, though the sun gleams in the sky much of the night near the Arctic Circle, a good night’s sleep is in order to refuel for the next day’s adventures. Given that your wilderness cabins have real beds with full bedding, you’re sure to get it, wrapped in the profound silence of your icy surroundings. Guests on later-season departures may even have a chance to glimpse the northern lights, if the aurora is active in the darkening night sky.

Accommodations

Base Camp Greenland

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 8
Fly or Sail to Kulusuk

While heading back to Kulusuk, weather and ice conditions dictate which transportation mode the group will take, but both offer spectacular views. By helicopter, survey jagged peaks and huge U-shaped valleys gouged by glaciers. By boat, navigate the imposing fjord system, keeping an eye out for whales and seals among the ever-shifting tableau of drifting ice. On arrival in Kulusuk, check in to the hotel that’s surrounded by more of East Greenland’s imposing mountains and is a well known gathering point for adventurers and scientists heading out to the ice sheet. If time permits, take an exploratory walk around Kulusuk before gathering for a private performance of traditional Greenlandic drum and dance. Celebrate an extraordinary adventure of discovery, wild beauty and camaraderie over a farewell dinner on our last night together in Greenland.

Accommodations

Hotel Kulusuk

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 9
Depart Kulusuk to Reykjavik

Though today is devoted to journeying back to the urban world, it is filled with magnificent Arctic scenery viewed from the air. Meet your plane for the return flight to Reykjavik’s domestic airport where your adventure together ends. From here, a transfer is included to the group hotels. Dinner this evening is on your own.

Accommodations

Hotel Exeter

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 10
Depart Reykjavik, Iceland

Today, transfer to Keflavik International Airport for homeward flights.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Accommodations; services of professional expedition leaders, local guides and camp staff; all meals from dinner on Day 1 through lunch on the final day; some alcoholic beverages; most gratuities; airport transfers on Day 1 and final day; gear including Mustang expedition suits for Zodiac excursions and all kayaking equipment; all activities and entrance fees; all taxes, permits and service fees.

Exclusions

Travel to and from the start and end point of the trip; some alcoholic beverages; some gratuities; passport and visa fees (if any); optional activities; items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry and internet, etc.); airline baggage fees; airport and departure taxes (if any); required medical evacuation insurance; optional travel protection insurance (strongly recommended); insurance of any kind; cost of internal air ($1,998 in 2023), which includes round-trip flights between Reykjavik, Iceland, and Kulusuk, Greenland, and a helicopter flight between Kulusuk and Tasiilaq (to be added to your invoice); dinner in Reykjavik on Day 9.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a nonrefundable deposit of $1,000 is required per person at time of booking. Deposit may be transferred to a new departure date of this trip anytime before the balance of the trip price is due, 120 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms 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 121 days – 100% of deposit
120 to 61 days – 50% of total trip cost
60 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.

Vaccination Requirement
To join this trip, all eligible guests must provide proof of being fully vaccinated (at least 14 days after your final COVID-19 vaccine shot). There may also be COVID-19 testing or other requirements to participate; your Adventure Specialist will provide details of current policies upon booking.

Arrival & Departure

The Discover Greenland adventure begins and ends at the Keflavik International Airport (KEF) in Rekjavik, Iceland. 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 Keflavik no later than 3:30pm on Day 1 of the itinerary in order to participate in a mandatory group welcome briefing and dinner beginning at 5:30pm. The transfer from the airport to your hotel near the Reykjavik harbor takes approximately 1 hour.

Plan flights to depart Keflavik anytime in the evening on Day 9. Your scheduled return flights from Kulusuk, Greenland to Reykjavik, Iceland, arrive in Reykjavik at varying times throughout the season. Please contact your Adventure Specialist for flight details specific to your departure. Note that based on current flight times available, as well as the transfer distance between airports, the return flight from Kulusuk will most likely not arrive in time to connect with flights back to the U.S., necessitating an overnight in Reykjavik. We strongly recommend this overnight stay in Rejkavik at the end of your trip as weather can be extremely unpredictable in this part of the world, and your flight from Greenland to Iceland can be delayed or canceled due to inclement weather.

Internal Flights

Required internal group flights on Day 2 and Day 9 between Reykjavik and Kulusuk are not included in the fare of this trip; the helicopter flight from Kulusuk to Tasiilaq is also not included; see the mandatory transfer package information listed in Exclusions. Travel by boat will substitute this helicopter transfer if necessary.

Activities

Discover Greenland is a genuine wilderness experience, located in an exceptionally remote and rugged area that is accessed via a scenic 4- to 5-hour boat transfer or short helicopter flight. Activities take place in this remote and rugged environment with unpredictable weather, so be prepared for a true wilderness adventure.

Physical condition

Good health and general physical fitness are a must, as camp is far from medical facilities. Walks and hikes require strong mobility and stability. All activities are optional and alternate activities are usually available at varying levels of physical demand, yet all guests must be able to walk unassisted at least two miles over uneven, rocky and sometimes steep terrain without trails. In Tasiilaq, the hotel is located atop a very steep hill high above town, and vehicle transportation is provided to and from our group activities for those who prefer to ride rather than walk.

Zodiac rides

Open Zodiac boats are used to access the shore for exploration and landings may be unstable, either wet (requiring you to walk a short distance in shallow water) or dry (disembarking directly onto land). They may require walking over rocks or large boulders that can be slippery with seaweed. Staff is available to assist for safety purposes, but guests need to be able to comfortably negotiate such uneven and unstable conditions.

Base Camp Activities

While at Base Camp, daily activities include nature walks or hiking, kayaking and Zodiac excursions of varying durations. Zodiac outings in the nearby fjords can last up to 8 or 9 hours (including stops), with opportunities for hikes ashore to explore geological and historic sights. Expect to operate in generally calm seas, but conditions can change quickly, and you may be exposed in the open boats to cold, windy or rainy weather. Travelers who have health issues that could be exacerbated by such conditions should take this into consideration.

Room Configuration

Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy room may do so at a $1,595 supplement (2023) in addition to the per-person listed rate in select cabins upon availability. Solo travelers willing to share, please ask your Adventure Specialist about the possibility of matching with a roommate; this program allows you to pay the per person double-occupancy rate whether or not a roommate is found.

Families & Children

Due the expedition nature and isolated location of this program, children must be 15 years old at time of departure.

Travel Insurance

Emergency medical evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip, with a minimum recommended coverage of $250,000 per person. If you decline the operator’s insurance, then you must provide proof of third party insurance. Trip cancellation insurance is optional but highly recommended. Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, national park regulation or at the guides’ discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of adventure travel unique. 

Reykjavik, Iceland Accommodations

If you plan to make your own hotel reservations in Reykjavik, we strongly recommend that you book any necessary extra hotel nights as soon as possible. Due to Iceland’s rising popularity as a travel destination, hotels are likely to sell out early. The costs of services in Iceland have increased substantially due to extremely high demand and very limited availability.

Variable Departure Details

Rates and dates are tentative and will be allocated to guests on a first-come, first-serve basis. Your Adventure Specialist will confirm details at time of booking.

Rates & Dates

Trip Rates & Dates

Jul 14 - Jul 23, 2023
10 days
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From $13295USD
Per Person
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Jul 20 - Jul 29, 2023
10 days
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Jul 25 - Aug 03, 2023
10 days
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Jul 30 - Aug 08, 2023
10 days
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Aug 04 - Aug 13, 2023
10 days
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Aug 10 - Aug 19, 2023
10 days
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Aug 15 - Aug 24, 2023
10 days
From $13295USD
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Aug 21 - Aug 30, 2023
10 days
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Aug 28 - Sep 06, 2023
10 days
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Sep 01 - Sep 10, 2023
10 days
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Accommodations

Learn About the Lodge & Hotels on Your Itinerary

Lodge
Base Camp Greenland

Greenland Base Camp located in Sermilik Fjord, East Greenland offers unique exploration and safari-style tent cabins in rustic luxury in one of the most remote locations in the world.

Hotel
Hotel Angmagssalik

Perched high on a hillside above the picturesque village of Tasiilaq in remote East Greenland, Hotel Angmagssalik enjoys jaw-dropping vistas of the surrounding mountains and King Oscar's Bay.

Hotel
Hotel Kulusuk

Hotel Kulusuk enjoys a scenic perch on the rocky east coast of Greenland, with heart-stopping views of Apusiaajik Glacier and Isikajia Mountain.

Hotel
Exeter Hotel

Standing proudly in Reykjavik's old harbor, the 4-star Exeter Hotel is a restored 1904 building with a contemporary atmosphere and sustainability-minded features.

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 Land Tour

In conjunction with this land tour, the Iceland Adventure: Circling The Land of Fire & Ice land tour is combinable with most departures for a seamless and comprehensive group travel experience with fellow passengers. Click the trip below for further details and pricing.

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11 Day Land Tour
Iceland Adventure: Circling the Land of Fire & Ice

On this 11-day Iceland Adventure, experience traditional, remote locales that unveil Iceland's rich natural history in further detail, along with a few major highlights. Enjoy an off-the-beaten-path adventure by land, with time spent on the water too.

From $13995USD
Jul Aug Sep
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9 - 12 Day Cruise
Scoresby Sund Aurora Borealis

Spend 9-12 days experiencing the natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis, or northern lights, at a maximum intensity on this special voyage to the Scoresby Sund, East Greenland, the longest fjord in the world, aboard 170-guest Hondius, 116-guest Plancius or Ortelius, or 33-guest Rembrandt van Rijn.

From $4600USD
Aug Sep
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15 Day Cruise
Three Arctic Islands: Iceland, Greenland & Spitsbergen

On this award-winning 15-day expedition cruise aboard 128-guest Ocean Adventurer see the coast of Greenland, sail along Iceland and go above the Arctic Circle in Spitsbergen.

Special Offer
From $11495USD
Aug Sep
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East Greenland: Arctic Safari

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