Iceland to Greenland Cruise

13 Days from
$5,395 $4,046 USD
Ship Trip
Highlights

Highlights

  • Search for whales while following the Viking route across Denmark Strait to Greenland
  • Experience east Greenland’s pristine, stunning fjords
  • Get close to glaciers, and calving mighty icebergs
  • Experience village life in Greenlandic fishing hamlets
  • Visit the Norse ruins at Hvalsey, abandoned in the 1400s
  • Visit Erik the Red’s former estate at Brattahlíð Explore Greenland’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site, the fertile farmlands of Kujataa
  • Wander the streets of Nuuk, Greenland’s dynamic capital
Map

Map

Map for Iceland to Greenland Cruise

Tour Overview

Like the Vikings of old, we sail west from Reykjavík, into a region of mountains, glaciers, fjords, and icebergs. The icy realm of Greenland awaits.

Greenland’s east coast is just a day’s voyage from Reykjavík. Breathtaking fjords define this seldom-seen region. Whales and seabirds are abundant here. Photographers, birders, and hikers will be in awe.

Villages around Greenland’s southern tip offer glimpses of the island’s remarkable culture. Bask in the Unartoq geothermal springs. Explore the ruins of Brattahlið—a settlement founded by Erik the Red!

Heimaey is home to a bustling puffin colony and rich volcanic history! Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, offers shopping and dining. We’ll sail the mighty Sondre Stromfjord to our final destination, Kangerlussuaq.

Departures & Cabins

DEPARTURES & CABINS

This cruise runs bi-annually, on every odd year.

What's Included

Tour Price Includes

  • Passage aboard the Ocean Endeavour
  • Applicable taxes and credit card fees
  • Complimentary expedition jacket
  • Special access permits, entry, and park fees
  • Expert expedition team
  • Guided activities
  • Sightseeing and community visits
  • All Zodiac excursions
  • Port fees
  • Pre-departure materials
  • Educational program
  • Interactive workshops
  • Evening entertainment
  • All shipboard meals

Tour Price Does Not Include

  • Commercial and charter flights (Greenland to Toronto)
  • Program enhancements/optional excursions
  • Gratuities
  • Personal expenses
  • Mandatory medical evacuation insurance
  • Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
  • Possible fuel surcharges and administrative fees
  • Pre- and post-trip hotel accommodation
  • Possible fuel surcharges
  • Pre & post hotel accommodation
  • Optional excursions
  • Additional costs associated with payments by credit card

Itinerary

This cruise runs bi-annually, on every odd year.

Day 1: Reykjavík, Iceland

Your journey begins in the late afternoon, following a day of independent exploration and arrival in the captivating city of Reykjavík. Iceland’s cosmopolitan capital was established in the year 874 CE.

Powered by geothermal energy, Reykjavík is widely considered one of the cleanest, greenest cities on Earth. Food, culture, and nightlife abound.

The National Culture House preserves treasures like the Poetic Edda and the Norse Sagas in their original manuscripts.

Reykjavík, Iceland

Day 2: At Sea

Watch for whales and seabirds as we sail the Denmark Strait. You’ll be truly in the wake of the Vikings as we journey westward from Iceland.

The on-board learning program will prepare you for the archaeology, history, culture, and wildlife that await you in Greenland!

whale watching Iceland

Days 3-5: East Greenland

Explore the remote reaches of east Greenland by ship, in Zodiacs, and on land.

Your first views of this seldom-visited region will reveal a stunning coastline traced with innumerable fjords and potentially dotted with pack ice.

Whether on foot, on shore, or on the ship, our expert expedition team will be by your side, sharing their extensive knowledge and insights. Join them out on deck to keep a keen eye out for iconic Arctic wildlife, including the polar bears, seals, and humpback whales. Learn from their expertise as they provide fascinating interpretation and help you gain a profound connection to the stunning landscapes we traverse.

Pack ice in Nansen Fjord, east Greenland

Day 6: Ikerasassuaq (Prince Christian Sound)

Make the most of your time out on deck, as our experts scout for opportunities to go ashore along this breathtaking landscape.

Soak in the breathtaking beauty of one of the world’s most majestic waterways, Ikerasassuaq (Prince Christian Sound), where the Irminger and Labrador Seas join through the islands of the Cape Farewell Archipelago.

Here, craggy mountain peaks tower over still waters fed by calving glaciers.

Iceland to Greenland Cruise

Day 7: South Greenland

Pay a visit to the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Norse settlement history intersects with contemporary Greenlandic life.

Admire the jagged mountains that rise from beyond green pastures, with sheep farms directly bordering ice fjords.

Along its southern coast, Greenland lives up to its name; the land is fertile, agriculture thrives, and farms and vegetable husbandry contrast with the ice that covers so much of the rest of the country.

Discover Greenland’s only heated outdoor spa with complete views of icebergs and mountain peaks. This hot spring has been cherished for centuries, with a notable tale about Leif Erikson who, a thousand years ago, took a refreshing swim before embarking on his journey towards uncharted lands to the west.

Unlike volcanic hot springs, this oasis gets its warmth from geothermal subsoil. As the soil layers rub against each other in the spring, the water is heated, reaching temperatures of around 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit).

Greenland

Day 8: Hvalsey

Walk amongst the ruins of captivating history!

Learn more about the settlement at haunting Hvalsey, a major Norse centre in the early centuries of the last millennium.

Hvalsey Church is the best-preserved Norse ruin in Greenland—the last known record from the original Norse colony is of a wedding held here in September 1408!

Viking church Hvalsey

Day 9: Brattahlíð

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Brattahlíð is in the most fertile part of Greenland and was the home of Viking explorer Erik the Red and his descendants until the 1400s. A reconstructed Norse church and Viking longhouse are featured here. Greenlandic Inuit now run the sheep farms originally worked by Norse settlers.

Longhouse Brattahlid

Day 10: Sermersooq

Explore the Sermersooq region of Greenland by Zodiac or by foot, as landing conditions permit.

Here you’ll find a stunning myriad of mountain peaks, glaciers, and deep fjords, with records of human habitation that stretch back over 1,500 years.

Keep a look out for nattoralik (white-tailed eagles), seabirds, and marine mammals while you enjoy the lush vegetation of southwest Greenland.

zodiac cruise

Day 11: Nuuk

Stop in at vibrant Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Visit the Greenland National Museum, one of the city’s many outstanding features, where the world-famous Qilakitsoq mummies rest.

The old harbour includes many buildings dating from Danish colonial days, while contemporary Nuuk is known for art, shopping, pubs, and cafés.

Nuuk, Greenland

Day 12: Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord (Evighedsfjorden)

Kangerlussuatsiaq means “the rather big fjord” in Greenlandic, while the Danish name Evighedsfjorden translates to “the fjord of eternity,” underscoring its vastness and seemingly never-ending nature.

See why Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord lives up to its name and marvel at this complex coastal waterway that includes calving glaciers, sheer bird cliffs, and streams cascading against a towering mountain backdrop.

Explore this sublime glacial landscape by ship and by Zodiac. The waters here are relatively warm, due to the West Greenland Current and the subarctic location.

Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord

Day 13: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

Complete your journey up Kangerlussuaq Fjord (Søndre Strømfjord), a 190-kilometre-long fjord surrounded by mountains and glaciers, and cross the Arctic Circle on your way. Kangerlussuaq, the settlement at the head of the fjord, is a former US Air Force base.

Transfer by Zodiac to shore, then ride to the airport by bus for your charter flight to Toronto, ON.

Kangerlussuaq

What to Expect

Our small ship Iceland to Greenland cruise program allows you to experience the best of the natural world, while enjoying the comforts of our friendly floating hotel. The ship generally makes crossing between islands at night, so every morning you awake to new vistas and discoveries. Every day we offer a combination of interesting shore excursions and fun shipboard activities. You can choose which elements of the program you want to participate in.

This expedition cruise necessitates passengers to be in reasonably good health. Zodiac cruises and transfer times can be lengthy. You must be able to climb stairs between decks on the ship, as well as the external gangway stairs to transfer between the zodiac and ship.

Some of our shore landings will be ‘wet’, requiring waterproof boots. Once you have left the zodiac, you’ll find our shore excursions accommodate both those who wish to enjoy a gentle stroll and those who prefer more active hikes. The excursion may involve walking over uneven or sandy terrain in variable weather conditions. Our onboard specialists will join us on these shore excursions to provide interpretation and narration to these wonderful landscapes and experiences.

Each evening we will gather in the lounge to recount the day’s events and share memorable stories. Our onboard musician will provide some lively entertainment during happy hour and the expedition leader will outline the following day’s schedule. Our resource staff of naturalists, historians, and other guest speakers will give informative talks at various times throughout the voyage.

Meals in the ship’s dining room are a great opportunity to meet new friends and recount the day’s adventures. Special diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Safety is also a top priority with Eagle-Eye Tours – our team has extensive experience in the field, and all of our Voyages are run in conjunction with operators with the highest safety standards.

When the ship is underway, it is a wonderful time to join a naturalist on deck, take photos of the stunning scenery, or get caught up on some reading in the library.

Weather, ice, government regulations, and community requests may necessitate changes to the planned itineraries and/or the cancellation of certain shore excursions and enhancements. Published itineraries are examples only and we reserve the right to change or modify the itinerary and landing sites at any time prior or during an expedition. Changes will be communicated at your expedition orientation or during your onboard expedition briefings.

We know that everyone travels for different reasons. Over the years, however, we have found one common element among the guest who choose to travel with us – a thirst of knowledge and authentic experience. Knowing this drives us to ensure the highest quality learning experience on our trips, by taking time to carefully design each trip we offer.

Ship & Deck Plan

Ocean Endeavour

Ocean Endeavour

Sailing with a maximum of 198-passengers, Ocean Endeavour is the perfect vessel for expedition cruising. Outfitted with twenty Zodiacs, advanced navigation equipment, multiple lounges and a top deck observation room, she is purpose-built for passenger experiences in remote environments. The Ocean Endeavour boasts a 1B ice class, enabling her to freely explore throughout the Arctic summer.

Launched in 1982, she has had numerous upgrades, most recently in 2010 and 2014. At 137 meters (450ft) in length, Ocean Endeavour has plenty of interior and exterior space. Enjoy multiple decks offering comfortable lounge chairs, outdoor dining, a swimming pool, sauna and even a hot tub! The spacious interiors allow for multiple workshops and presentations to occur simultaneously. Community is at the heart of Adventure Canada’s expedition experience. We gather together to learn, enjoy a drink, sing a song or share a yarn – connecting with one and other. The three lounges aboard Ocean Endeavour are fantastic public spaces for seminars, events and dialogue.

The Ocean Endeavour’s private spaces are stylish and comfortable. All cabins have private washroom facilities, a phone for internal calls, radio, TV and air-conditioning.

Ocean Endeavour’s crew is experienced, and friendly. Her shallow draft and maneuverability allow her to access isolated fiords, bays and secluded communities. The stylish vessel is at home among the glorious settings we seek. Enjoy the class and comfort of a boutique hotel, while venturing to some of the world’s last great frontiers aboard the Ocean Endeavour!

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