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Northern lights - Aurora borealis

East and South Greenland Explorer, Aurora Borealis, Incl. flight from Narsarsuaq to Copenhagen

Longyearbyen - Narsarsuaq - Example 21 Day Cruise aboard MV Plancius
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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.
The northern lights dance over the Arctic landscapeReflection of colorful houses in GreenlandWhale sighting in Polar waters!Amazing blue water and ice in GreenlandEarly morning in Tasiilaq, East GreenlandArctic Northern LightsExploring GreenlandGlass-still waters around SpitsbergenNorthern lights - Aurora borealis
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
Places Visited
Activity Level: Variable
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.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Longyearbyen| Embark

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.

Day 2-3: At Sea

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.

Day 4: Greenland

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.

Day 5: Antarctic Sound

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.

Day 6: Antarctic Havn

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.

Day 7: Scoresby Sund

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.

Day 8: Sydkap

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.

Day 9: Ittoqqortoormiit

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.

Day 10: Stewart Island

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.

Day 11-13: East Greenland

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.

Day 14: Tasiilaq

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.

Day 15: Umivik

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.

Day 16: Skjoldungen

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.

Day 17: Timmiarmiut

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.

Day 18: Prins Christian Sund

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.

Day 19: Lichtenau | Uunartoq

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.

Day 20: Itilleq

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.
 

Ship/Hotel

MV Plancius

MV Plancius
Dining room
Plancius, Restaurant

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$11,000 2-3 travelers
Quadruple Porthole
Quadruple Porthole
4 cabins with private facilities, 2 bunk beds. (ca. 15 m2)
Quadruple Porthole
Triple Porthole
4 cabins with private facilities, 2 bunk beds. (ca. 15 m2)
Twin porthole cabin
Twin with Porthole
9 twin private cabins with porthole. Two Lower berths. (ca. 15 m2)
Twin with window
Twin with Window
26 twin private cabins with window. Two Lower berths (ca. 15 m2)
Twin Deluxe
Twin Deluxe
2 twin private deluxe cabins. Lower berths - two single beds.(ca. 15 m2)
Superior
Superior
10 twin superior cabins. Lower berth - double bed. (ca. 21 m2)

Notes

- 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.
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.

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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!
Meyer Smolen
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