Embark on a 21-day East and South Greenland Explorer cruise aboard the MV Plancius. Start in Longyearbyen, exploring the former mining town. Sail through Isfjorden, spotting minke whales. Witness East Greenland sea ice and visit Foster Bay, home to musk oxen and geese. Journey through fjords, encounter colossal icebergs, and see polar bears. Visit Scoresby Sund's largest settlement, Ittoqqortoormiit, and explore the Blosseville Coast. Discover Tasiilaq's history and walk in Fridtjof Nansen’s footsteps in Umivik. Marvel at southeast Greenland's beauty, visiting Qornoq and Timmiarmiut. Pass through Prins Christian Sund, explore Norse settlements, relax in Uunartoq’s hot spring, and visit ruins in Vagar. Explore Igaliku and Erik the Red's base in Bratthalid. End in Narsarsuaq and fly back to Copenhagen with lifelong memories.
Highlights
Experience Svalbard Museum and parish church in Longyearbyen
Sail through sea ice to Foster Bay’s musk oxen
Traverse Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord’s towering mountains and icebergs
Explore Antarctic Sound’s islands: Ruth, Maria, and Ella
Discover Ittoqqortoormiit’s local culture and Thule dwellings
Bathe in Uunartoq’s hot springs surrounded by icebergs
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Start your adventure in Longyearbyen, the vibrant hub of Spitsbergen. Explore the former mining town, home to a captivating parish church and the renowned Svalbard Museum. Surprisingly, this seemingly barren land boasts a rich variety of over a hundred plant species. As dusk approaches, set sail from Isfjorden, where the anticipation of spotting the graceful minke whale heightens the excitement of the journey.
Be on the lookout for the striking east Greenland sea ice looming into view, creating a breathtaking spectacle if circumstances allow. Keep a keen eye out for magnificent whales and migratory seabirds, enhancing your maritime experience.
As the journey approaches Greenland, the ship may sail through the sea ice into Foster Bay and land at Myggebugten. Beyond the old hunters’ hut where Norwegian trappers once hunted for polar bears and Arctic foxes, there is a sprawling tundra populated by musk oxen and geese floating in the small lakes. From here, the route continues through Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, surrounded by towering mountains and bright interior icebergs. An alternate route is Sofia Sound, a narrower waterway.
The journey arrives at Teufelschloss (Devil’s Castle), a mountain with layered geology. On the other side of the fjord is Blomsterbugt, the intended landing site. In the afternoon, the route heads into Antarctic Sound, where the islands of Ruth, Maria, and Ella are found. Maria is the most likely spot for a landing.
The first half of the day is spent in Antarctic Havn, an extensive valley where groups of musk oxen can be spotted. At this time of year, the sparse vegetation is dressed in the fiery colors of autumn.
Today, the journey reaches Scoresby Sund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. Enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier fronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt. The route continues along the east coast of Milne, deeper into the fjord.
In the morning, colossal icebergs are encountered, some over 100 meters (328 feet) high and more than a kilometer long. Most are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep (1,312 feet). The journey then lands near Sydkap, offering fine views of Hall Bredning and a good chance of seeing Arctic hares. Later, there is a landing at Satakajik to see the remains of Thule dwellings.
Today, a tundra landing is made on Liverpool Land, in Hurry Inlet. The afternoon stop is Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresby Sund, with about three hundred inhabitants. At the post office, buy stamps for postcards or stroll around to see the sled dogs, drying skins of seals, and musk oxen. In the afternoon, the journey sails south, passing the picturesque landscapes of the Blosseville Coast.
The next stop is Stewart Island, an important hunting area for the people of Scoresby Sund. Beautiful remains of Thule houses can be seen here. Meanwhile, Romer Fjord and Turner Sound offer the opportunity to sail far inland, as they have no glacier front at their heads and are not clogged with ice. This also provides good hiking opportunities.
Sailing south along the East Greenland coast, the journey enters several fjords competing in beauty: d’Aunay, Nansen, and possibly Ikersuaq or Kangertitsivaqmiit. Most of these fjords have glacier fronts at their heads, but any of them can offer a chance to see polar bears.
Tasiilaq, once known as Angmagssalik (about 2,000 inhabitants), is the next port of call. This charming town is the center of East Greenland, boasting a museum where you can learn about the colorful local history of this incredibly remote area.
Next, sailing south, the journey lands at Umivik, where the explorer Fridtjof Nansen ascended the Greenland ice sheet. Here, you may even be able to walk a short distance in his steps.
Today, circumnavigate Skjoldungen through one of the most spectacular fjords in southeast Greenland, then land at Qornoq to see houses from the Thule culture. Then, visit Mariedal, a beautiful valley where Greenlanders used to collect berries in the autumn.
Moving on to Timmiarmiut, an abandoned Greenlandic settlement that possibly sail into the fjord. Polar bears have sometimes been spotted here in the past. As an alternative, you may visit Igutsait to the south.
The westward passage of the Prins Christian Sund is surrounded by mountains of over 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) and is one of the highlights of the voyage. A landing may be made at Svaerdfiskens Havn or in the evening at Ikigait, once known as Herjolfsnes, a former Norse settlement.
Today, reach Lichtenau, a lovely though nearly deserted Greenlandic village where the Herrnhuters had a mission in the 18th century and where some of their large German-style buildings remain. Then try to get to Uunartoq, where you can bathe in a large hot spring surrounded by icebergs. Across at Vagar, find the remains of a Norse homestead.
In Eriksfjord, land at Itilleq, in a bay from which you can walk 4 km (2.5 miles) down a road to Igaliku (Gardar). In this small Greenlandic village, see the remains of a 13th-century Norse church and other ruins. Then, in the afternoon, plan to visit Bratthalid, the base of Erik the Red. This is a sub-Arctic area with birch trees, agriculture, and cattle. Later that evening, you arrive at Narsarsuaq for the final night of the voyage.
Day 21: Narsarsuaq | Disembark
1 Breakfast
From the WW2-era airport in Narsarsuaq, fly back to Copenhagen. Though the adventure has come to an end, take home memories that accompany wherever the next adventure lies.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Single occupancy: All cabins 1.7 times the share twin price
-Children between the ages of 3-15 will be discounted 40% in triple or quad cabins, one child per cabin.
- Due to the extreme nature of itinerary destinations, travel insurance is mandatory for all cruises aboard the Plancius - including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance.
Initial deposit is 20%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
20 Breakfasts, 19 Lunches, 20 Dinners
20 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Upon boarding, passengers receive an internet voucher, providing 1.5 GB of free internet per day. This daily allowance resets every 24 hours. Supplementary internet vouchers are available to purchase on board for those requiring additional internet availability. This applies to all trips scheduled for the 2024-25 Antarctic season and will continue across all future motor vessel trips in both Antarctica and the Arctic.
AECO Fees and Governmental Taxes
Scheduled flight from Narsarsuaq to Copenhagen
Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for passengers on designated flights (specific flight numbers) to Longyearbyen
Transfers and baggage handling between the ship and the airport Narsarsuaq for passengers on the scheduled flight to Copenhagen
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
Government arrival and departure taxes
Pre- and Post Land Arrangements
Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately
Meals ashore
Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
Medical travel insurance, including emergency medical attention and evacuation coverage with a minimum of $100,000 of evacuation coverage is required.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Adventure Life seems to be an honest company and has been quite helpful in the planning process. Good about answering questions.
Chris Dralle
1 week ago
Wonderful personal attention to detail and very helpful suggestions by experienced travel experts
John K
1 week ago
Franny has been such an amazing help with all my trip planning. This is our 3rd trip to plan with her and she is always so willing to assist and find the best deals for my family and friends.
Suzanne Turbyfill
2 weeks ago
Our advisor at Adventure Life, Mary Curry, was knowledgable and quick to respond with answers to any questions we had. She made our booking efficiently and set up a time for us to make a secure payment through her directly. We’ve used Adventure Life repeatedly and would definitely recommend it.
