Welcome to Reykjavik, Iceland’s vibrant capital and the gateway to your Arctic expedition! The journey from Keflavik International Airport to the city center takes 45 minutes by airport shuttle or taxi. Once you’ve checked into your pre-arranged hotel, which is included in your itinerary, the rest of the day is yours to explore this charming and quintessentially Nordic city.  

For a deep dive into Iceland’s history and culture, visit the National Museum and Culture House. Don’t miss the iconic Hallgrimskirkja church, Reykjavik’s most famous landmark, offering breathtaking views from its tower. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the Whales of Iceland museum, featuring life-sized models of the 23 whale species found in Icelandic waters. When it’s time for dinner, Reykjavik boasts various restaurants serving authentic Icelandic cuisine to satisfy every palate.

Start your day with breakfast at your hotel, then enjoy a relaxing morning in Reykjavik. Stroll through a tranquil garden, unwind in a soothing thermal bath, or visit Tjornin, a serene lake teeming with birdlife in the city's heart. If you're in the mood for shopping, browse for souvenirs or pick up any last-minute essentials, like cold-weather gear—though soon receive your cozy parka to keep and waterproof boots to borrow aboard the ship.  

In the afternoon, transfer to the pier, where your friendly team will warmly welcome you aboard the luxurious expedition vessel M/V Sea Spirit. Settle into your spacious suite and explore the ship, your comfortable home for the adventure ahead. Once you set sail, the journey begins with engaging briefings and introductions by the expedition staff. After enjoying the first of many exquisite onboard dinners, step out onto the open decks to soak in the views as you sail through Faxafloi Bay—where you may even spot your first whales of the trip!

As you sail north across the Denmark Strait to East Greenland, you celebrate your crossing of the Arctic Circle. You 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, you have your first of many opportunities to see the aurora borealis overhead.

This part of your voyage itinerary focuses on the spectacular fjords, coasts, and islands of Scoresby Sund, also known as Kangertittivaq, in the Greenlandic language. This area contains the world's most impressive scenery and Greenland's best wildlife viewing. As with any true polar expedition, weather and ice will shape your exact schedule and route. At this late-season stage, you expect your explorations will be minimally affected by sea ice. However, the team will be alert for icebergs from surging glaciers, which can present interesting navigational challenges. Your experienced captain and expedition leader will continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant in this wild and remote corner of the Arctic.

Scoresby Sund is one of the world's longest and most visually stunning fjord systems. Almost devoid of human habitation, it is also one of Earth's most pristine natural environments. In this epic wilderness, the forces of nature have shaped a landscape of incomparable grandeur. Deep fjords and narrow passages are framed by sheer rock walls up to 2,000 meters 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 to the glaciated heart of Greenland, a trip through Scoresby Sund sets a new standard for "scenic."

Ancient Thule archeological sites remind you of humankind's age-old relationship with this austere yet life-sustaining environment. To look at how this tradition has been carried forward, you plan to visit the modern Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit, the only permanent settlement in the region and one of the most remote communities in the world. The village boasts a wonderful museum, a bookstore, handmade crafts for sale, a post office, and an abundance of Greenlandic sled dogs.

Day and night are given equal opportunities to astound you in September at the equinox. As night falls, the darkening sky becomes a stage 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. In addition to being at the perfect latitude for strong aurora displays, the skies above Scoresby Sund are often cleared by katabatic winds rolling down from the nearby Greenland Ice Sheet. Lights dancing from horizon to horizon are mirrored in calm waters, while the silhouettes of gigantic icebergs and serrated mountains add to the romantic splendor of the experience.

This itinerary offers a deep dive into one of the Arctic's most scenic and soulful environments. From dawn to dusk and beyond, your days will be filled with incredible shore excursions, world-class Zodiac cruising, and enough stunning scenery to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions. Hikers will live their wilderness dreams, and sea kayakers will be rewarded with some of the finest paddling on the planet.

After your amazing time in Scoresby Sund, you head back across the Denmark Strait toward Iceland. Presentations and workshops by your expert staff and your 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 and balconies.

After filling up with one last buffet breakfast on board, you bid a fond farewell in Reykjavik. Transfers to Keflavik International Airport or the city center are provided if you plan to extend your stay in Iceland.