Itinerary
- Day 1
Reykjavik
You'll arrive in Reykjavik and settle into your accommodation in Iceland's capital city. The afternoon is yours to get a feel for the place on your own terms. Take a walk down Laugavegur if you're interested in browsing local shops, or head over to Hallgrímskirkja Church to see the distinctive architecture. The Reykjavik Art Museum is worth a visit if you're into that sort of thing. If you booked the pre-program option, that kicks off today with some of the country's natural highlights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stroll along Laugavegur with boutiques and outdoor shops
- Visit Hallgrímskirkja Church
- Explore Reykjavik Art Museum
- Pre-Program to discover Iceland's natural highlights before cruise begins
Landmarks Hallgrímskirkja Church Reykjavik Art Museum Laugavegur - Day 2
Reykjavik to Nuuk
You'll depart early from Reykjavik for a flight to Nuuk, Greenland's capital. The city's got about 18,000 people, so it's compact but colorful with buildings ranging from old traditional structures to modern architecture. Once you arrive, walk through the old town area near the waterfront to check out Nuuk Cathedral, the Hans Egede statue, and the Mother of the Sea statue. By evening you'll board your expedition ship in the harbor, grab your expedition jacket, and settle into your cabin for your first dinner on board.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Receive complimentary expedition jacket upon boarding
Optional Activities
- Explore old part of town by waterfront
- Visit Nuuk Cathedral
- View Hans Egede statue
- View Mother of the Sea statue
Landmarks Nuuk Cathedral Hans Egede statue Mother of the Sea statue - Day 3
Sailing towards Arctic Circle
The ship heads north toward the Arctic Circle as you get oriented to how things work during Arctic operations. You'll attend mandatory presentations that explain safety and landing procedures, then attend expert talks about Greenland while you settle into ship life. There's time to use the ship's facilities and participate in citizen science projects if that interests you. At some point today or over the next couple of days, you'll cross the Arctic Circle and enter the realm of the Midnight Sun where daylight becomes nearly constant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Attend mandatory AECO presentations on Arctic operations and landings
- Access ship's state-of-the-art facilities
- Join lectures on Greenland-related topics
- Participate in Citizen Science projects on board
- Cross Arctic Circle
- Day 4
Disko Bay and Ilulissat
You'll reach Disko Bay, known for its whale population and floating icebergs in various shapes and sizes flowing from the Ilulissat Icefjord. A wooden walkway takes you out for close views of this UNESCO site with its massive icebergs in shades of white, gray, and blue sitting in deep blue water. Stop by the Icefjord Centre to learn the science behind the ice, or if you prefer, do the hike up to Sermermiut for views across the entire bay. Either way, you'll spend considerable time taking in this landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk along wooden gangway to Ilulissat Icefjord
- View Ilulissat Icefjord scenery with icebergs
Optional Activities
- Visit Icefjord Centre to learn about the ice
- Hike to Sermermiut for incredible views
Landmarks Ilulissat Icefjord Disko Bay Sermermiut - Days 5 - 6
Arctic Far North Exploration
The journey takes you further north beyond the Nuussuaq peninsula into Greenland's far north, where conditions are more remote and weather patterns shape what happens each day. You'll explore where the first people arrived over 4,000 years ago and see archaeological sites including the location where the Qilakitsoq mummies were found. Small communities like Uummannaq with its distinctive heart-shaped mountain and Ukkusissat are on the agenda. Small boat landings, ice cruising in inner fjords, and visits to archaeological sites fill your time here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Nature landings in small expedition boats (RIBs)
- Ice-cruising in inner fjords with small boats (RIBs)
Optional Activities
- Visit small community of Uummannaq
- Visit small community of Ukkusissat
- Visit archaeological site of Qilakitsoq
Landmarks Qilakitsoq Uummannaq Nuussuaq Peninsula - Days 7 - 9
Disko Bay Exploration
Back in Disko Bay, you'll spend the day surrounded by deep blue water and massive icebergs, some weighing millions of tons. The region produces an enormous volume of glacial ice daily. You'll navigate around Vaigat Sound, Disko Island, and eastern fjords looking for wildlife and checking out traditional communities and glaciers. Small boat excursions take you between ice floes and icebergs, and you'll watch from the deck for reindeer herds, Arctic foxes, and gyrfalcons. Expert talks happen between activities, adding context to what you're seeing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Nature landings in small expedition boats (RIBs)
- Cruising between ice floes and icebergs
- Wildlife spotting from deck
- Expert expedition talks
Landmarks Disko Bay Vaigat Sound Disko Island - Days 10 - 11
Central West Coast
The ship travels south along Greenland's central west coast, passing some of the country's longest fjords and sparse settlements. You'll stop at Sisimiut, the second-largest town in Greenland, located about 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle. It's a modern place but with ancient history going back thousands of years. Check out the local museum to learn about Saqqaq culture, and browse crafts like scarves and mittens made from qiviut, the inner wool of musk ox that's significantly warmer than regular sheep wool.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit Sisimiut local museum to learn about Saqqaq culture
- Purchase qiviut crafts including scarves, hats and mittens
Landmarks Sisimiut - Day 12
Nuuk
You'll return to Nuuk and say goodbye to the ship, crew, and the expedition team you've traveled with. After disembarking, spend time exploring Greenland's capital again, which feels like a metropolis after the smaller communities you've visited. Walk around and get a sense of modern Greenland before catching your flight back to Reykjavik in the afternoon or evening, depending on your flight time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore modern Greenland in Nuuk capital
Landmarks Nuuk - Day 13
Reykjavik
You're back in Reykjavik for the final days of your journey. There's flexibility here, so you can either join an optional post-program or simply spend more time in the city. Browse the shops and cafes again, visit museums you might have missed, or take a day trip to geothermal sites in the surrounding area like the Golden Circle region. It's a chance to explore at your own pace before heading home, or you can extend your stay if you want more time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Join optional Post-Program
- Explore Reykjavik's attractions
- Visit surrounding geothermal attractions
