trip specifics

price

From the Fjord of Eternity to the Arctic ghost town of Skoldungen, Greenland rewards you with sites and experiences unlike any other place on Earth. Dogsledding settlements and cultural shows give you a connection to the people who live here, while whale-watching, tundra hiking and exploring one of the world’s fastest moving glaciers get you close to nature. Greenland remains largely untouched by humans, a rare treat - ideally suited for expedition travel.

Note: The reverse departure on August 16 includes a pre-night in Reykjavik and a post-expedition night in Ottawa making it a 15 day itinerary.

Day 1 - Ottawa, Canada

Arrive at any time in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. Give yourself some free time to check out ByWard Market and enjoy a night in the city.

Accommodations: Hotel TBA
Included Meals: n/a

Day 2 - Embarkation - Kangerlussuaq

Today board your charter flight to Greenland and begin your Arctic adventure. A representative will assist you with the transfer to the airport in Ottawa and to the ship upon arrival in Greenland.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast and dinner

Days 3-8 - West Greenland

The coast of Greenland provides many dramatic, mountainous landscapes where fjords open up into the sea. Your first fjord to explore is Ilulissat Icefjord, home to one of the world’s fastest moving glaciers. Moving approximately 19m per day, the glacier here provides you with a great opportunity to capture ice crashing into the sea, as it calves more than 35 cubic km of ice each year.

Continuing along, the Amerdloq Fjord provides you with a chance to stretch your legs, by exploring abandoned villages and ancient Thule sites. The nearby town of Sisimiut is an interesting place to visit as there are more dog sleds here than humans.

Evighedsfjorden, meaning Fjord of Eternity is a favored place for us to take you out on some Zodiac cruises. This long, deep fjord has very few settlements, helping you to appreciate nature in its rawest form. Hiking among the towering mountains provides plenty of chances to photograph the vegetation and dramatic landscapes of Greenland.

Visit Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, yet home to fewer than 16,000 people for some time to wander the streets. See the Hans Egede Church and Hans Egede Statue near the waterfront, named after the missionary who founded the settlement. Visit the museum to see the famous Greenland Mummies. From Nuuk, pass Cape Farewell and head on to Southern Greenland.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - South Greenland

Today, board your charter flight to Greenland and begin your Arctic adventure. A Quark Expeditions representative will assist you with the transfer to the airport in Ottawa and to the ship upon arrival in Greenland.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 10-12 - East Greenland

Get a feel of what an Arctic ghost town is like by visiting the abandoned Skoldungen settlement, where inhabitants were forced to move to larger, more accessible towns in 1961. The narrow part of Skoldungenfjord is a great place to explore by Zodiac and kayak, allowing you to glide past icebergs and get some great photographs.

Before your Greenland journey ends, aim to visit Tasiilaq and the Ammassalik fjord. It is the largest community in East Greenland, where the inhabitants may put on a cultural show for us, followed with time to take a scenic hike to the Valley of Flowers. Time and weather permitting, go on a search for whales in Ammassalik Fjord.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 13 - At Sea

Bid farewell to Greenland, as your expedition turns east towards Iceland.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 14 - Disembarkation in Reykjavik

Your Greenland adventure comes to an end as you enter port in Reykjavik. Head to the airport, or if you have time, stick around to explore this great city.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast



Itinerary Notes: Read this itinerary as a guide only. As this is an expedition to a remote part of the world, our exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditions, wildlife, availability of anchorages, political conditions and other factors beyond our control. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. Visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Note: The reverse departure on August 16 includes a pre-night in Reykjavik and a post-expedition night in Ottawa making it a 15 day itinerary.

Included: Accommodations; All meals; A daily program of lectures by noted naturalists; Zodiac transfers ; Photographic Journal on DVD; A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings; An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep; A selection of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages; Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin; Comprehensive pre-departure materials; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges; Arrival/departure ; Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maxim

Exclusions: International airfare; Passport and any applicable visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel; Baggage, cancellation, interruption, and medical travel insurance; Excess baggage charges; Laundry and other personal charges; Telecommunications charges; The voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew.

Room Configurations: Carrying a maximum of 120 passengers Sea Spirit is an outstanding vessel, approved for polar waters and is equipped with rubber inflatable boats - called RIBs - for shore transfers and cruising. You have a choice of one King Size bed or two twin beds, in the most spacious cabins of the fleet. All have facilities en suite and exterior views. Deluxe cabins, suites and the Owner's Suite have private balconies for viewing the extraordinary Antarctic icescape.

Families & Children: At date of embarkation, a minimum age restriction of 8 years and minimum height and weight requirements (weight of 64lbs or 29kg and 48 in. or 1.2 m. tall) must be met. Children under 16 years of age must be supervised by a parent/guardian at all times, and may not participate in adventure options.

Arrival & Departure: When considering flights for your Greenland Explorer cruise plan to arrive Ottawa, Canada or Reykjavik any time on day 1. Plan flights to depart no earlier than 12 noon on the final day if departing from Reykjavik, and any time on the final day if departing from Ottawa. Get a free flight quote.

Payment & Cancellation: Reservations and Payment: A deposit of $1,000 or 20% of the total per person is required to confirm a reservation on an Arctic Adventure Ship voyage. The deposit may be paid by bank wire transfer, check, money order or major credit card. Final payment due 120 days prior to departure. We do NOT accept credit cards for Final Payment. Final payment can be made by check or bank wire transfer. All prices and payments are in US dollars and no other currencies can be accepted.

Cancellation Policy: A special cancellation policy applies to all Antarctic and Arctic trips, which is stricter than the AdventureSmith Explorations policy.All requests for cancellation must be received in writing. Cancellations received 180 days or more prior to departure, are refunded less an administrative fee of $1000 per person. If cancellation is received between 179 days and 120 days, the deposit is forfeited. If cancellation occurs less than 120 days prior to departure, all payments are forfeited. If full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and any unpaid balance is due immediately.

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health, has full mobility, and leads an active life. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding. Although we spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. To join any off-vessel excursions, passengers must be able to navigate the steep, 30-stair, gang-way, un-assisted both down and up. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in Zodiacs. Trip members will take excursions to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. You are traveling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition, or need daily medical treatment.


return to top of page

AdventureSmith Explorations

Travel Specialists  |  Contact Us