Compare Exploring the Old Norse heritage by Hurtigruten vs Arctic Sights and Northern Lights: East Greenland by Poseidon Expeditions
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| Trip |
3.5 | Average
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 13 days | 11 days |
| Price From | $ 6,727 | $ 6,595 |
| Price Per Day | $ 517 | $ 600 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small ship cruise | Small ship cruise |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
All meals aboard the ship, including water, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Other drinks additional charge. |
| Description |
Join a journey through the history of the Norse settlers and contemporary life in the Arctic. The history is fascinating and the heritage from these early settlers is still alive today - both in the Icelandic language and sagas, and the modern settlements of Greenland. There will be a variety of fascinating lectures on board, on topics like history, biology and geology, as well as daily landings, hikes, kayaking and visits to museums. |
Vast, unspoiled, virtually uninhabited—East Greenland’s Scoresby Sund is an Arctic wilderness of transcendent quality. This memorable northern lights cruise starts and finishes in Reykjavík, Iceland. Across the Denmark Strait we explore the stunning Scoresby Sund fjord complex in East Greenland. Here we discover unbelievable scenery, historical sites, massive icebergs, a contemporary Inuit village, and of course the mesmerizing northern lights. On our Greenland cruise we visit the town of Ísafjörður in the Westfjords of Iceland. On our way back we explore Iceland’s picturesque Snæfellsnes peninsula. Every night on this voyage brings another excellent chance to experience the northern lights in a beautiful setting. |
Day 1: Reykjavik
Take time to acquaint yourself with this charming city or its surrounding glaciers, waterfalls, geysers and volcanoes before departure.
Day 2: Grundarfjörður
Grundarfjörður is situated in the western part of Iceland on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Several national sights are found in this area, including the Snæfellsjökull volcano, regarded as one of the symbols of Iceland.
Day 3: Denmark Strait
While crossing the Denmark Strait we sail in the wake of the great Norse settlers who left the shores of Iceland more than 900 years ago. We start our lectures to prepare you for your time in Greenland. You will get introduction briefings on how to explore Greenland with utmost respect for the vulnerable and exotic nature. In addition we offer a variety of lectures on topics like history, biology and geology.
Day 4: Nunap Isua
Greenland’s southern shores contain some of the most culturally and scenically diverse regions of this giant island. We will try to sail through the narrow, often ice-choked 70-mile-long channel Prins Christian Sund that cross the southernmost point of Greenland and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. If the channel is blocked we will sail around Nunap Isua (Kap Farvel).
Day 5: South Greenland
Many consider Qaqortoq one of the most beautiful towns in Greenland due to the colourful houses. The excursions we offer here include an interesting visit to the only tannery in Greenland, a city walk with guide and a kaffemik - the typical Greenland-style social gathering - to meet the locals. In Hvalsey you find some of the best-preserved ruins from the Norse period; the former ‘Austurbygd’. 500 years after it was established all the inhabitants suddenly left in 1408. Here you find the remains of the church where the last known Viking wedding took place.
Day 6: South Greenland
Igaliku is home to the well-known ruins of Garðar, once the religious heart of Norse Greenland. Enjoy a guided settlement walk that is included in our programme or an optional hike along to Itilleq, a small settlement with less than 20 inhabitants. Qassiarsuk is the site where Eric the Red built his Brattahlíð estate in 982 A.D. He was banished from Iceland and escaped to the land he called Greenland. Eric the Red settled in Qassiarsuk because the area was according to him the richest and best site in Greenland. Join the optional boat trip or the settlement walk to explore more.
Day 7: South Greenland
Narsaq is located at the beautiful shores of the Tunulliarfik Fjord. This part of South Greenland has been inhabited for thousands of years. It is a great area for optional activities like kayaking, hiking or exploring the town by foot.
Day 8: Nuuk
Nuuk is the oldest town in Greenland and is situated at the mouth of one of the largest and most spectacular fjord systems in the world. Today this is where old and new traditions meet, from picturesque old buildings in ”Kolonihaven” to the building of the Greenland Home Rule. Being the capital, Nuuk also houses a university, a teachers training college, churches and the Greenland National Museum - home to the mummies from Qilakilsoq. City tours, hikes and possibly a flight are amongst the optional excursions.
Day 9: Northwest Greenland
In Sisimiut you can watch the artists make jewellery and crafts from bone, leather and metal or join a sightseeing tour and a taste of Greenlandic specialties in a local restaurant.
Day 10: Northwest Greenland
The Disko Bay area offers fantastic sailings with wildlife and spectacular nature. Colourful villages cling to rough, rocky hills at the feet of the mountains surrounding the inland ice. Join excursions like kayaking, hikes or other activities. In Ilulissat we offer a guided hike to the abandoned settlement of Sermermiut and other optional shore excursions.
Day 11: Northwest Greenland
In the early afternoon we reach the small settlement Itilleq. Around 130 people live here, and they are mainly engaged in hunting and fishing. Visit one of the families that live here, buy some arts and crafts of the area or have fun playing soccer with the locals.
Day 12: Kangerlussuaq
Kangerlussuaq is situated at the bottom of the Kangerlussuaq fjord. An excursion that includes a farewell barbecue marks the end of our adventure. Late in the evening you fly to Copenhagen.
Day 13: Copenhagen
You arrive in Copenhagen early in the morning.
Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavík, Iceland (hotel night)
Welcome to Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland and starting point of our Arctic expedition! The drive from the Keflavik International Airport to the city center takes around 45 minutes by airport shuttle or taxi. After checking into your hotel, which has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the itinerary, you will be free to explore this attractive, friendly and quintessentially Nordic city.
For an excellent overview of Iceland’s history and culture, we recommend starting at the superb National Museum and Culture House. You will also want to visit the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church, Reykjavík’s most famous landmark. For those interested in natural history, we recommend the Whales of Iceland museum, which houses full-sized models of the 23 species of whale found around Iceland. For dinner, Reykjavík offers countless options for an authentic Icelandic meal.
Day 2: Welcome Aboard!
After breakfast at your hotel, the morning is yours to enjoy Reykjavík. Take a leisurely stroll through a peaceful garden or a relaxing soak in a thermal bath. Nature lovers will appreciate the abundant birdlife at Tjörnin, a placid lake in the heart of the city. You can also take advantage of shopping for souvenirs or some last-minute necessities such as cold-weather gear. Just remember, you will soon receive your very own parka to keep and waterproof boots to borrow on board the ship.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier where we will warmly welcome you aboard the deluxe expedition vessel M/V Sea Spirit. Get settled in your spacious suite and explore the ship that will be your comfortable home during the extraordinary adventure to come. After getting underway, a full schedule of events kicks off with informative briefings and introductions from your expedition staff. After the first of many delicious dinners on board, step out onto the open decks to admire the views as we sail through Faxaflói, where it is possible to encounter our first whales.
Day 3: Across Denmark Strait
As we sail north across the Denmark Strait to East Greenland, we celebrate our crossing of the Arctic Circle. We keep a continuous lookout for great whales and flocks of seabirds feeding in the productive waters near the sharp rise of Greenland’s continental shelf. After nightfall, we have our first of many opportunities to see the aurora borealis overhead.
Day 4-8: Scoresby Sund, East Greenland
The itinerary for this part of our voyage focuses on the spectacular fjords, coasts and islands of Scoresby Sund, also known as Kangertittivaq in the Greenlandic language. This area contains some of the world’s most impressive scenery and Greenland’s best wildlife viewing. As with any true polar expedition, our exact schedule and route will be shaped by weather and ice. At this late stage of the season, we expect our explorations will be minimally affected by sea ice. However, we will be alert for icebergs from surging glaciers, which can present interesting navigational challenges. Our experienced captain and expedition leader will continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant in this wild and remote corner of the Arctic.
Scoresby Sund is one of the longest and most visually stunning fjord systems in the world. Almost totally devoid of human habitation, it is also one of the most pristine natural environments on Earth. In this epic wilderness, the forces of nature have shaped a landscape of incomparable grandeur. Deep fjords and narrow passages are framed by sheer rock walls up to 2,000 meters high. Colossal icebergs—calved by immense glaciers and sculpted by wind and water into fantastic shapes—drift throughout the intricate fjord system in striking contrast to sparkling blue waters and polychromatic mountains capped with fresh snow. From verdant coastal plains to ice-clad peaks all the way to the glaciated heart of Greenland, a trip through Scoresby Sund sets a new standard for “scenic”.
Our area of exploration includes part of Northeast Greenland National Park, the largest and most northerly national park in the world. This vast Arctic landscape is a paradise for hikers who appreciate astounding views of untouched tundra wilderness. Across hillsides emblazoned with autumnal red and yellow, a flash of white reveals the flight of a snowy owl or a startled mountain hare. Tufts of the finest fleece ensnared in polar willows underfoot point the way to a nearby herd of shaggy musk oxen. You may hear the crack of horns colliding as bulls engage in fearsome battles of strength. Boreal fowl of every description are preparing to migrate south with their newly fledged chicks. All throughout the waterways of Scoresby Sund, we are on constant watch for polar bears and other marine mammals, including a variety of seals, walrus and narwhal, which can be spotted at any time.
Ancient Thule archeological sites remind us of humankind’s age-old relationship with this austere yet life-sustaining environment. For a look at how this tradition has been carried forward, we plan to visit the modern Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit, the only permanent settlement in the region and one of the most remote communities in the world. The village boasts a wonderful museum, a bookstore, handmade crafts for sale, a post office, and an abundance of Greenlandic sled dogs.
In September, at the equinox, day and night are given equal opportunities to astound you. As night falls, the darkening sky becomes a stage for nature’s greatest celestial performance: the Northern Lights. East Greenland is one of the very best places in the Arctic to view this otherworldly natural phenomenon. In addition to being at the perfect latitude for strong aurora displays, the skies above Scoresby Sund are often cleared by katabatic winds rolling down from the nearby Greenland Ice Sheet. Lights dancing from horizon to horizon are mirrored in calm waters while the silhouettes of gigantic icebergs and serrated mountains add to the romantic splendor of the experience.
This itinerary offers a deep dive into one of the Arctic’s most scenic and soulful environments. From dawn to dusk and beyond, your days will be filled with incredible shore excursions, world-class Zodiac cruising, and enough stunning scenery to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions. Hikers will live their wilderness dreams and sea kayakers will be rewarded with some of the finest paddling on the planet.
Day 9: Back to Iceland
After our amazing time in Scoresby Sund, we head back across the Denmark Strait toward Iceland. Presentations and workshops by our expert staff, as well as our range of onboard recreation facilities, ensure that this day at sea is not idly spent. Seabird viewing and whale sightings can be enjoyed from panoramic open decks and balconies.
Day 10: Westfjords, Iceland
Our last expedition day is spent in the beautiful Vestfirðir (Westfjords) of Iceland. This remote and sparsely populated region of crenulated coastlines, voluminous waterfalls and rugged mountains sees only 10% of Iceland’s visitors. Deep fjords are home to whales while estuaries abound with seals and birdlife.
Day 11: Disembarkation in Reykjavík, Iceland
After filling up with one last buffet breakfast on board, we bid you a fond farewell in Reykjavík. We provide transfers to Keflavik international airport or to the city center in case you plan to extend your stay in Iceland.
