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Exploring Greenland

East and South Greenland Explorer

Akureyri - Narsarsuaq - Example 14 Day Cruise aboard MV Plancius
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Embark on a 14-day cruise aboard the MV Plancius from Akureyri through the wild fjords of East Greenland, filled with historical and natural wonders. Discover northern birdlife, potential whale sightings, and the first sight of Greenland’s icy Blosseville coast. Sail south to experience some of East Greenland’s most stunning fjords—Nansen, Kangerlussuaq, and others—where polar bears and narwhals may appear. Stop in Tasiilaq, East Greenland’s lively cultural center, and walk in the footsteps of Arctic explorer Fridtjof Nansen in Umivik Bay. Continuing to Skjoldungen, discover ancient Thule culture ruins and Greenlandic settlements, including Timmiarmiut and Igutsait. Prins Christian Sund offers striking mountain views as you sail west, stopping at Ikigait to visit remnants of Norse settlements. Relax in the hot springs of Uunartoq, visit the historic Lichtenau mission, and explore Erik the Red’s 10th-century base in Eriksfjord. The journey concludes in Narsarsuaq, marking the end of your Arctic adventure.
Whale sighting in Polar waters!Stunning landscapes in Prince Christian SoundRugged mountains of GreenlandEarly morning in Tasiilaq, East GreenlandMarvel at the size of glaciers in GreenlandOne of Greenland's many glaciersMountain views, GreenlandExploring Greenland
Highlights
  • Explore Akureyri’s landscapes on a scenic Northern Iceland journey
  • Sail Denmark Strait’s waters while spotting fulmars and kittiwakes
  • Discover Tasiilaq’s history in East Greenland’s cultural center
  • Spot wildlife in Timmiarmiut, with chances to see polar bears
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: Akureyri | Embark

Your journey begins bright and early, filled with the promise of adventure. For convenience, a chartered bus transfer can be arranged from the Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik to the ship in Akureyri, allowing you to relax and enjoy the stunning six-hour drive through the landscapes of Northern Iceland, arriving in the afternoon.

PLEASE NOTE: This transfer (T) must be booked and paid for in advance. In the early evening, the ship departs from the port of Akureyri, sailing north toward the Denmark Strait.

Day 2-13: East Greenland

Sailing to East Greenland

While sailing north, you see various bird life, including fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, and common guillemots. You then cross the Arctic Circle, possibly spotting whales. By evening, the first icebergs flash into sight with your approach to the east Greenland Blosseville coast, a wild, remote, and dramatic area. With a fresh breeze in the air, your Arctic adventure has truly begun.

A myriad of mighty fjords and valleys

Sailing southward along the East Greenland coast, you enter several fjords competing in beauty: d'Aunay, Nansen, Kangerlussuaq, and possibly Ikersuaq or Kangertitsivaqmiit. Most of these fjords feature a glacier front at the head, and any one of them can offer you a chance to spot polar bears and narwhals. The head of Mikis Fjord provides good possibilities for a long hike. The landscapes in this area are typical of this part of Greenland and are especially beautiful.

Smalltown Greenland

Tasiilaq, once known as Angmagssalik (about 2,000 inhabitants), is your 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.

In the steps of Nansen

Next, sail south to land at Umivik, an accessible bay where the explorer Fridtjof Nansen ascended the Greenland ice sheet during his pioneering 1888 Greenland expedition. Nansen and his party crossed the Greenland ice sheet, reaching Godthaab on the west coast, where they remained for several months before being picked up. In Umivik, you can trace his footsteps with a short walk in the area.

The valley of Mariedal

Today, you circumnavigate Skjoldungen through one of the most spectacular fjords of southeast Greenland. Then, land at Qornoq to see the remains of houses from the Thule culture. Visit Mariedal, a beautiful valley once frequented by Greenlanders, to collect berries in autumn.

Exploring Greenland's settled past

Moving on to Timmiarmiut, you can see an abandoned Greenlandic settlement and, weather-dependent, possibly sail into the fjord. Polar bears have sometimes been spotted here. Alternatively, you may visit Igutsait, another fjord just to the south.

Prins Christian Sund mountains

One of the highlights of the voyage is your westward passing of the Prins Christian Sund, surrounded by mountains of over 1,000 meters (3,300 feet). You may land at Svaerdfiskens Havn or, in the evening, at Ikigait, once known as Herjolfsnes, a former Norse settlement.

Hot springs and Moravian mission

Then, try to get to Uunartoq, where you can bathe in a large, hot natural spring surrounded by icebergs. Across the bay, at Vagar, you find the remains of a Norse homestead. Later, you reach Lichtenau, a lovely, though nearly deserted, Greenlandic village where the Herrnhuters established and maintained a religious mission in the 18th century. Some of their large German-style buildings remain.

Erik the Red's base

In Eriksfjord, you land at Ittileq, in a bay from which you can walk 4 km (2.5 miles) into Igaliku (Gardar). In this small Greenlandic village, you can see the remains of a 13th-century Norse church and other ruins. Then, in the afternoon, you plan to visit Bratthalid, the base of Erik the Red, the famous Norse explorer who was the first European to found a settlement in Greenland. This sub-Arctic area has birch trees, agriculture, and cattle - uncommon across much of Greenland. Later that evening, arrive at Narsarsuaq for the final night of your voyage.

Day 14: Narsarsuaq | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
From the WW2-era airport in Narsarsuaq, fly back to Copenhagen or Keflavik. The trip may have ended, but the memories will last forever.

Ship/Hotel

MV Plancius

MV Plancius
Dining room
Plancius, Restaurant

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$7,750 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
  • 13 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 13 Dinners
  • 13 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
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.
  • Transfer supplement for bus shuttle between bus stop Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre at Austurbakki, Reykjavik and Akureyri (ship) (approx. 6 hours)

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This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
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