Under the Northern Lights: Exploring Iceland & East Greenland

Welcome to Iceland! When you arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, make your way to your hotel for a free afternoon and evening. You can arrive at any time, as you have the full day at leisure to settle in and explore the city at your own pace.

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a free morning in Reykjavik before your transfer to the ship this afternoon. When you arrive at the port, you’ll embark and be introduced to your Expedition Team. Then, set sail for the Westfjords.

Each region of Iceland has its own appeal for nature, bird and history lovers, and the little-visited Vestfjords (Westfjords), where the land meets the sea in the most dramatic fashion, is no exception. Often referred to as ‘Iceland’s best kept secret,’ this rugged peninsula at the country’s remote northwestern tip is rife with fjords and mountains sloping down to the sea in impossibly beautiful ways. You’ll spend the day exploring the fjords and shores of Iceland’s oldest region, enjoying its kaleidoscope of diverse land and seascapes. Here, tumbling cliffs and gushing waterfalls alternate with colorful beaches, and rolling green hills that lead up to high moorlands dotted with rocky outcrops, small lakes and the occasional shaggy Icelandic sheep or horse grazing in the distance. A few little outposts of civilization, small fishing communities are nestled on fjord edges and the shores of the Denmark Strait, facing out into the mighty Atlantic and toward East Greenland—keeping alive a maritime heritage going back to the Viking days.

As you sail southwest across the Denmark Strait towards Greenland, your Expedition Team will prepare you for the exciting adventures ahead, both on and off-ship. Your team of polar experts will present on a wide range of topics, including the geology, wildlife, climatology and enthralling history of Greenland. The team will also search for (and identify) the seabirds soaring about the ship, also alerting you whenever there’s a whale sighting.

During your exploration of Greenland’s remote northeast coast, you’ll head out on daily (weather dependent) Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. Keep an eye out for grazing muskoxen, as 40 per cent of the world’s population lives in Northeast Greenland National Park! Sailing through spectacular Scoresby Sund, the birthplace of many icebergs, you’ll immediately see why some say it’s the most beautiful fjord system on the planet. Sites such as Frederiksdal and Sydkap offer opportunities to explore the colourful tundra and the remains of ancient Thule settlements. At the entrance of the sound is East Greenland’s most northerly community – Ittoqqortoormiit – where you may spend time interacting with the Inuit people and learning about their way of life. You may also have a chance to see the northern lights here if the skies are clear. Deeper in the sound, Rode O is perfect for admiring the beauty of sky-blue icebergs set against striking red sandstone cliffs. Magnificent vistas also await at Kong Oscar Fjord, with possible landings at Ella O – renowned for its rugged cliffs and flower-rich Botanikerbugt on Ymer O.

As your Arctic adventure winds down, take in a presentation by your onboard experts, share your photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar or watch a movie – there are many activities available during your time at sea. Your Expedition Team will also be on hand to answer any questions and point out wildlife.

After breakfast, transfer independently to the Keflavik International Airport for your onward journey home. If you’d like to extend your time here, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.