NEW ADVENTURE! Cruise fjords, trek across remote tundra valleys, and see the majestic Aurora Borealis

If your bucket list includes frist-hand sightings of the majestic Aurora Borealis, this is the tour for you. Nowhere on Earth can nature's most spectacular light show be better seen than in the autumn and winter skies above Greenland's eastern coast. This tour is also perfect for those who enjoy plenty of walking and hiking with their adventure travel. One of the best ways to experience new landscapes and cultures is by getting out on the land and exploring it. This tour offers once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to hike some of the most pristine wilderness on the planet.

Activities

14-day Arctic cruise with many options for moderate hiking and cultural interaction

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike across frost-sparkled tundra meadows under the northern lights of Greenland
• Cruise past fjords and visit local Inuit communities on this unique small ship expedition!

Duration: 14 days Start Location: Reykjavik, Iceland End Location: Reykjavik, Iceland

BRIEF Itinerary

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  Day 1 : Reykjavik, Iceland

  Your adventure begins with an overnight stay in thoroughly-modern Reykjavik, the world's northernmost capital city.

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  Day 2 : Embarkation day

  After a leisurely morning exploring Reykjavik on your own, join our group transfer to the port to board your vessel - polar adventure ship Akademik Sergey Vavilov. Linger on deck with your camera or binoculars. Scan the sky for seabirds, and the horizon for breaching whales.

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  Days 3 - 4 : At sea

  Sail across the Denmark Strait en route to mysterious Greenland. Your onboard Expedition Team members keep you informed and entertained with presentations about Greenland's wildlife, history and geography. You'll also receive several important safety and operational briefings.

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  Day 5 : Kong Oscar Fjord and Ella Island

  Rimmed by the majestic Fjord Mountains, Kong Oscar Fjord (named in 1899 for Sweden's king, Oscar II) offers plenty of opportunity for Arctic adventure.

  Depending on conditions, we may hike the delciate flower-and-berry strewn tundra at Holm Bay; Zodiac-cruise through spectacular Alepfjord, and climb to the top of Ella Island. Be sure to pack both binoculars and camera: Ella Island offers unparalleled views of five fjords, beyond which you may also spot grazing musk oxen.

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  Day 6 : Sofia sound, Antarctic Sound, Ymer Island

  Yes, there is an "Antarctic" Sound within the Arctic circle! Here, you'll see the beautiful blue and gold of layered sedimentary rock on the barren eastern side of Ymer Island, and the lush vegetation of Blomsterbugten (Bay of Flowers) on the west side. We may hike from this lovely bay to Noa Lake and onwards, climbing slightly for a spectacular view of neighboring Dusens Fjord.

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  Day 7 : Liverpool Coast

  The jagged Liverpool Coast stretches southward from King Oscar Fjord to Scoresby Sund, the largest, longest, and - some say - the most beautiful fjord system in the world. This area was named for William Scoresby, a whaler, scientist and man of the cloth who charted the east coast of Greenland in 1822.

  We'll let the elements decide our activities today. We may board the Zodiacs and cruise to Uunartoq Qeqertaq (the "warming island  - so called for the discovery in 2005 after glacial ice melted to reveal an island.), or into nearby Storefjord.

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  Day 8 : Itoqqortoormiit, Hurry Inlet

  Itoqqortoormiit is East Greenland's most northerly community, and one of the world's last remaining examples of a living hunter society. It's also one of the best places in the north to view the Aurora Borealis - the northern lights - and boasts superb hiking opportunities in nearby Hurry Inlet.

  We'll visit with traditional Greenlandic residents, and you'll be able to see unique handicrafts made from locally harvested materials by the area's multi-talented artisans. We hope to see sled dog demonstrations, and visit the "women's house", where many items are still made by hand, and animal skins are prepared for use during the long, cold winters.

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  Day 9 : Sydkap, Øfjord

  Here we plan to Zodiac-cruise among massive icebergs, landing at an ancient Thule settlement once used as a winter camp. You may still see the centuries old subterranean homes, tent rings and discarded whale bones left behind by these nomadic ancestors of today's Greenlandic peoples.

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  Day 10 : Rypefjord, Kap Hofmann Halvø

  Sailing through the steep-walled Rypefjord, you may see a number of rare, blue icebergs. More normally seen in the Antarctic, these magnificent ice-castles seem to glow an iridescent blue. Birders should watch for Wheatears, Snow Buntings and Ravens.

  At Cape Hofmann Halvø, we'll have our best chance of spotting grazing musk oxen, and also enjoy the delicate beauty of tundra wildflowers such as dwarf willlow and dwarf birch.

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  Day 11 : Røde and Danmarks Islands

  Here's your chance to Zodiac-cruise among "grounded" icebergs through another of East Greenland's spectacular fjord systems. We plan to land on the curiously colored "Red Island," which takes its name from the island's beautiful hematite-colored sandstone.

  On Danmarks Island, you'll have another opportunity to hike a beautiful, lush tundra; this time culminating in magnificent views over Scoresby Sund and Fohn Fjord. You'll also enjoy a visit to an ancient archeaological site, led by our ship's historian.

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  Days 12 - 13 : At sea

  Our homeward journey takes us back across the Denmark Strait, where you may spot white-beakded dolphions, and whales - humpback or Minke. Birders should keep watch for kittiwakes, gannets, guillemots, fulmars and razorbills.

• Day 14 : Reykjavik, Iceland

  Your Greenland's Northern Lights tour ends where it began, in Iceland's vibrant capital. From here, you are free to fly home or extend your trip in Iceland.

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  Radisson Blu Saga Hotel

  Reykjavik, Iceland

  Radisson Blu Saga Hotel Reykjavik offers modern, upscale accommodations on the grounds of the University of Iceland campus in central Reykjavik. The property's amenities include fitness equipment, sauna, whirlpool, massage therapy, solarium, gift shop, salon, 24-hour room service, laundry valet, safe deposit boxes, and free parking. There are 216 rooms at this hotel. Standard room amenities include minibar, satellite TV, trouser press, tea/coffee making facilities, and telephone.

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  Akademik Sergey Vavilov

  Built in Finland in the late 1980s for the Russian Academy of Science, Akademik Sergey Vavilov's original mission was to perform sensitive hydro-acoustic ocean research. As such, she is exceptionally quick, quiet and stable.

  • Intimate viewing of Arctic wildlife, icebergs and more
  • Kayaking and camping options ramp up the adventure quotient
  • 2 fully enclosed lifeboats for safety in all conditions
  • Unmatched stability and superior speed means efficient time at sea
  • Onboard gym, two saunas and library allow you to relax between shore visits
  • Comfortable, friendly atmopshere: just 107 guests

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

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