Greenland is Arctic wilderness on a grand scale—towering icebergs and snow-draped peaks plunging into the branching beauty of Scoresby Sund, the world's largest fjord system. On this East Greenland expedition, journey along the island's dramatic eastern coast to hike untouched tundra, explore a remote Greenland village, and encounter Arctic wildlife such as musk oxen, Arctic hares, and seabirds. With opportunities for long hikes and awe-inspiring landscapes at every turn, each day is an immersive adventure. By night, witness the Northern Lights dance across star-filled skies. Remote, vast, and untamed, Greenland is one of the last great frontiers—set sail on this unforgettable polar cruise into the heart of the Arctic.
Greenland is Arctic wilderness on a grand scale—towering icebergs and snow-draped peaks plunging into the branching beauty of Scoresby Sund, the world's largest fjord system. On this East Greenland expedition, journey along the island's dramatic eastern coast to hike untouched tundra, explore a remote Greenland village, and encounter Arctic wildlife such as musk oxen, Arctic hares, and seabirds. With opportunities for long hikes and awe-inspiring landscapes at every turn, each day is an immersive adventure. By night, witness the Northern Lights dance across star-filled skies. Remote, vast, and untamed, Greenland is one of the last great frontiers—set sail on this unforgettable polar cruise into the heart of the Arctic.
Excitement is in the air as you make your way to the meeting point on Reykjavik’s stunning waterfront. Outside the award-winning architecture of the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, board a chartered bus for the journey to the island’s wild north. Ease onto the Ring Road, passing through Iceland’s impressive volcanic landscapes. Arriving in Akureyri—the charming capital of the north—you’ll meet the crew and passengers and settle in for the crossing of the Denmark Strait.
Wake on the open water and sit down to a hearty breakfast before wandering up to the deck, binoculars in hand. You’re likely to see fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, and common guillemots soaring overhead. Get cozy in the lounge and chat with some of your fellow hikers about the adventure ahead. Today you’ll cross the Arctic Circle into excellent whale-spotting territory, then see the first icebergs flash into sight as you approach the east Greenland coast. After the sun sets, look up for your first opportunity to view the Northern Lights.
Sailing into Scoresby Sund, the largest fjord on earth, discover the glaciated coastline at Volquart Boons Kyst, where rock faces rise directly from the sea and glaciers flow down between them. The exact itinerary is always dependent on the conditions and wildlife, but the plan is to board Zodiacs and set out for a close-up glacier view, and a look at striking basalt columns and ice formations at Vikingebugt. After lunch onboard, sail by the east coast of Milne Land among a multitude of giant icebergs. Landing at Charcot Havn, take your first walk to the Charcot Glacier.?Anchor tonight at Ofjord.
Investigate the range of colors along the cape today. Board Zodiacs near Sorte O, surrounded by icebergs. Glide between their glistening blue-white facets, changing color as the light shifts and contrasting with the colors of the rocky shores beyond. In the afternoon, sail through the northern parts of Rode Fjord into Harfjord, another gorgeous inlet where there is a good chance of spotting musk oxen grazing and feasting your eyes on burnt orange, amber, and russet autumn foliage on shore. Perhaps you will complete the palette with curtains of violet and green lights in the sky tonight.
Marvel at Massive Icebergs & Hike into the Arctic Wilderness
Day 5
Start the day with an awe-inspiring sight: colossal icebergs, some over 325 feet tall and more than half a mile long. Forming arches and towers above, most of them also reach the seabed, as the fjord is only about 1,300 feet deep. Landing near Sydkap, step ashore for breathtaking views of Hall Bredning, a beautiful bay known for its stunning scenery, and Arctic hares—bring your camera! Today’s long walk goes from Sydkap to Nordostbugt, where one of the fjord’s rivers flows into the sea. Walk into this dramatic landscape south along the shore, seeing whale vertebrae and the remains of Thule summer houses. The Thule were the ancestors of the Inuit, who relied on whales for food, fuel, and tools in the austere Arctic environment. Passengers who opt out of the long walk today will join the hikers at Nordostbugt for their second excursion of the day.
Activity: 4-6 hours/7.5 miles optional hiking with 650-1,300 feet elevation gain and 650-1,300 feet elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit Colorful Ittoqqortoormiit Village
Day 6
Today you make a tundra landing among the mountains of Liverpool Land, in Hurry Inlet, a great spot for birding. In the afternoon, call at Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresby Sund at about five hundred inhabitants, both Inuit and European. Visit the post office where you can buy stamps to send your postcards to friends and family or just stroll around to see the sled dogs and drying skins of seals and musk oxen between brightly painted houses. In the afternoon, sail south, passing the picturesque landscapes of the Blosseville Coast. As always, keep your binoculars handy for wildlife sightings as you cruise.
Spend the day exploring the wild and windswept island of Stewart O, an important hunting station for the people of Scoresby Sund. This remote Arctic outpost offers a glimpse into traditional Greenlandic life through traces of ancient Thule houses. The island’s rugged terrain and ice-lined shores are also prime territory for spotting iconic Arctic wildlife, including polar bears and elusive narwhals. As you hike its untouched wilderness, keep your eyes on both the land and sea.
Sail through Turner Sound and Romer Fjord. This fjord has no glacier front and is generally free of the ice pack that makes others impassible, allowing you to journey far inland—and get your best chance at spotting a polar bear. Narwhals also navigate the fjord’s protected depths. Discover the quiet and raw beauty of this enchanting location, as you travel by Zodiac amid soaring cliffs and pouring waterfalls. Romer Fjord offers a fitting finale to your exploration of Greenland’s untouched interior—an experience that few travelers have the privilege to witness.
Navigate the Denmark Strait under the Northern Lights
Day 9
As you leave the rugged coast of East Greenland behind, spend the day crossing the Denmark Strait, a chance for reflection on your expedition. Scan the horizon for whales surfacing in the icy water, and watch seabirds soar alongside the ship as you depart the Arctic Circle, marking your return from one of the planet’s most remote frontiers. If conditions are right, you’ll be treated to a spectacular display of the aurora borealis before the sea rocks you to sleep.
Every adventure must come to a close, and today you arrive back in Iceland at Akureyri. Say so long to the crew and your naturalist guides as you disembark. Transfer along the Ring Road to Reykjavik with marvelous memories and newfound friends. Your journey ends at the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre.
Offering polar voyages since 1989, MT Sobek has built strong relationships with polar outfitters and ships—and we include in-house expertise to assist you every step of the way.
This trip offers the rare chance to hike along Greenland's phenomenal Scoresby Sund, with chances to see aurora borealis, Arctic wildlife, and explore Inuit culture.
You'll be accompanied by a team of expert international guides, who will share their experience and knowledge on excursions and in briefings and evening lectures.
Insurance Comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical evacuation is mandatory on this adventure due to the remote location.
Dates & Prices
Go Custom
Inclusions
Go Custom
Create Your Very Own Adventure
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Local Tour Guide .
We work with only the most experienced and knowledgeable local guides on our trips. You will be in excellent hands with a fully licensed and accredited local guide who will share their expertise in everything from history and architecture, to culture and traditions, the best local cuisine, activities and crafts, or even shopping. Local guides live, breathe, and love their trips because as locals they are an integral part of their communities. Their connections run deep and pride in their piece of the world is contagious.
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Wake on the open water and sit down to a hearty breakfast before wandering up to the deck, binoculars in hand. You’re likely to see fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, and common guillemots soaring overhead. Get cozy in the lounge and chat with some of your fellow hikers about the adventure ahead. Today you’ll cross the Arctic Circle into excellent whale-spotting territory, then see the first icebergs flash into sight as you approach the east Greenland coast. After the sun sets, look up for your first opportunity to view the Northern Lights.
Sailing into Scoresby Sund, the largest fjord on earth, discover the glaciated coastline at Volquart Boons Kyst, where rock faces rise directly from the sea and glaciers flow down between them. The exact itinerary is always dependent on the conditions and wildlife, but the plan is to board Zodiacs and set out for a close-up glacier view, and a look at striking basalt columns and ice formations at Vikingebugt. After lunch onboard, sail by the east coast of Milne Land among a multitude of giant icebergs. Landing at Charcot Havn, take your first walk to the Charcot Glacier.?Anchor tonight at Ofjord.
Investigate the range of colors along the cape today. Board Zodiacs near Sorte O, surrounded by icebergs. Glide between their glistening blue-white facets, changing color as the light shifts and contrasting with the colors of the rocky shores beyond. In the afternoon, sail through the northern parts of Rode Fjord into Harfjord, another gorgeous inlet where there is a good chance of spotting musk oxen grazing and feasting your eyes on burnt orange, amber, and russet autumn foliage on shore. Perhaps you will complete the palette with curtains of violet and green lights in the sky tonight.
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Start the day with an awe-inspiring sight: colossal icebergs, some over 325 feet tall and more than half a mile long. Forming arches and towers above, most of them also reach the seabed, as the fjord is only about 1,300 feet deep. Landing near Sydkap, step ashore for breathtaking views of Hall Bredning, a beautiful bay known for its stunning scenery, and Arctic hares—bring your camera! Today’s long walk goes from Sydkap to Nordostbugt, where one of the fjord’s rivers flows into the sea. Walk into this dramatic landscape south along the shore, seeing whale vertebrae and the remains of Thule summer houses. The Thule were the ancestors of the Inuit, who relied on whales for food, fuel, and tools in the austere Arctic environment. Passengers who opt out of the long walk today will join the hikers at Nordostbugt for their second excursion of the day.
Today you make a tundra landing among the mountains of Liverpool Land, in Hurry Inlet, a great spot for birding. In the afternoon, call at Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresby Sund at about five hundred inhabitants, both Inuit and European. Visit the post office where you can buy stamps to send your postcards to friends and family or just stroll around to see the sled dogs and drying skins of seals and musk oxen between brightly painted houses. In the afternoon, sail south, passing the picturesque landscapes of the Blosseville Coast. As always, keep your binoculars handy for wildlife sightings as you cruise.
Spend the day exploring the wild and windswept island of Stewart O, an important hunting station for the people of Scoresby Sund. This remote Arctic outpost offers a glimpse into traditional Greenlandic life through traces of ancient Thule houses. The island’s rugged terrain and ice-lined shores are also prime territory for spotting iconic Arctic wildlife, including polar bears and elusive narwhals. As you hike its untouched wilderness, keep your eyes on both the land and sea.
Sail through Turner Sound and Romer Fjord. This fjord has no glacier front and is generally free of the ice pack that makes others impassible, allowing you to journey far inland—and get your best chance at spotting a polar bear. Narwhals also navigate the fjord’s protected depths. Discover the quiet and raw beauty of this enchanting location, as you travel by Zodiac amid soaring cliffs and pouring waterfalls. Romer Fjord offers a fitting finale to your exploration of Greenland’s untouched interior—an experience that few travelers have the privilege to witness.
As you leave the rugged coast of East Greenland behind, spend the day crossing the Denmark Strait, a chance for reflection on your expedition. Scan the horizon for whales surfacing in the icy water, and watch seabirds soar alongside the ship as you depart the Arctic Circle, marking your return from one of the planet’s most remote frontiers. If conditions are right, you’ll be treated to a spectacular display of the aurora borealis before the sea rocks you to sleep.
Every adventure must come to a close, and today you arrive back in Iceland at Akureyri. Say so long to the crew and your naturalist guides as you disembark. Transfer along the Ring Road to Reykjavik with marvelous memories and newfound friends. Your journey ends at the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre.
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Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 2. Optional hikes up to 9 miles and 6 hours, traversing rugged terrain such as shorelines, tundra, low hills, and river crossings. Alternative activities include zodiac excursions and shorter walks. Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 3
Zodiac excursion and shore landing
Day 4
Zodiac excursion
Day 5
4-6 hours/7.5 miles optional hiking with 650-1,300 feet elevation gain and 650-1,300 feet elevation loss
Day 6
Cultural discovery
Day 7
Shore landing
Day 8
Zodiac excursion
*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guide’s discretion.
Accommodations
Cruise in comfort aboard a UL1-rated ice-class vessel, formerly used for scientific research.
The Ortelius has the highest ice-class rating and a broad, heavy design. It offers a collection of comfortable and spacious 190 square-foot cabins, all with en-suite bathrooms. Extensive open-deck space maximizes wildlife viewing, The ship offers a wide range of adventure activities, including hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and scuba diving. It also offers a helicopter pad used on select Weddell & Ross Seas voyages.
m/v Hondius is the first-registered Polar Class 6 vessel in the world, meeting the latest and highest Lloyd's Register standards for ice-strengthened cruise ships. The vessel offers high-quality accommodation for 170 passengers with one deck consisting of a large observation lounge and separate lecture room. Though elegantly designed in stylish decor, this vessel holds true to Oceanwide's distinctive cozy and informal atmosphere. The vessel employs a tough fleet of rigid-hull inflatable Zodiac boats that enable efficient access to shore and near-shore activities. Kayaks are also available.
Weather
Greenland's summer can be unpredictable but is most often calm and dry. Expect daytime temperatures in the mid-40s to mid-50s and be prepared for the possibility of wind or rain anytime.
Aug
Sept
Greenland
High
Low
High
Low
Greenland
50
35
45
32
FAQs
Who will meet me at the airport?
This Arctic wilderness expedition will begin at the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre at Austurbakki, Reykjavik. Here you will board a chartered bus for the six-hour transfer to the embarkation point in Akureyri, Iceland. Our team is happy to help you organize pre- and post-trip hotel night in Reykjavik, as well as the transfer to Akureyri.
What are the requirements for participating in long hikes?
Participants should be prepared to walk at least 9 miles over semi-rough terrain, including shorelines, tundra, low hills, and river crossings. Each hike lasts about six hours, including rest periods, and proceeds at a modest pace without traversing alpine terrain. Groups are limited to 50 passengers, accompanied by two armed expedition staff and a Zodiac for polar bear monitoring along the shoreline.
What wildlife might we encounter during the cruise?
As you cross the Arctic Circle into East Greenland's Scoresby Sund fjord system, you may encounter multiple whale species, seals, and seabirds. There is even the possibility of polar bear sightings. This Arctic wildlife cruise provides exceptional photography opportunities and expert naturalist guides to help you discover this incredible ecosystem.
What should I pack for this expedition?
Participants should pack warm, layered clothing suitable for Arctic conditions, including a waterproof outer layer, gloves, a hat, and sturdy hiking boots. Binoculars, a camera, and sunscreen are also recommended. Expedition gear, such as rubber boots and snowshoes, may be provided onboard.
What is the likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights?
This cruise takes place during the prime season for aurora viewing in East Greenland. Thanks to minimal light pollution and extended nighttime hours, you'll have excellent chances of witnessing the Northern Lights, especially on clear nights. Scoresby Sund is one of the best places for Arctic Northern Lights photography.
Are there any optional activities available during the cruise?
Yes! This polar expedition offers optional cold-water diving and sea kayaking for experienced adventurers. Divers must have a dry-suit certification and at least 30 logged cold-water dives. Kayaking is subject to availability and must be requested in advance.
What is the minimum age for this trip?
Passengers as young as 8 years old may join this small-ship polar cruise and must always be accompanied by an adult.
Is the ship accessible for those with mobility issues?
Due to the nature of polar travel and the layout of the ship, accessibility is limited. Passengers should be able to navigate stairs and uneven terrain without assistance.
Can you accommodate my diet?
There will always be one dedicated vegetarian main dish at each meal. The ship's kitchen can prepare vegan meals, but availability depends on advance planning and provisions. Kosher cannot be offered due to galley constraints.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical evacuation is mandatory due to the remote location.
Will I get seasick?
Possibly! Even though the Hondius and Ortelius are ice-strengthened and equipped with stabilizers, rough seas (especially crossing the Drake Passage) can cause motion sickness. We recommend bringing medication or patches.
Is Wi-Fi available onboard?
Wi-Fi is typically limited or unavailable. This is a true off-the-grid Arctic wilderness adventure, so plan to unplug.
What languages are spoken onboard?
English is the primary language used for briefings, safety instructions, and guiding, though some staff may speak additional languages.
