GREENLAND AND THE CANADIAN ARCTIC
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14 DAYS
There is something new and interesting to see each day as you explore the remote areas of Greenland and Canadian High Arctic. On this 14 day trip expect to see polar bears in their natural habitat, sea birds, enormous glaciers, enchanting fjords, beautiful landscapes and bays choked with icebergs.
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
| Day 1 | Reykjavik, Iceland | Explore Iceland’s capital city. |
| Day 2 | Kangerlussuaq, Greenland | Fly from Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to board the ship. |
| Day 3 | Greenland’s West Coast & Sisimiut | Disembark the ship in Longyearbyen |
| Day 4 | Disko Bay & Ilulissat | Icebergs in Disko Bay, Jakobshavn Glacier, archaeological site at Sermermiut |
| Day 5 | At Sea in Baffin Bay | Whale watching, on board presentations |
| Day 6-9 | Exploring The Canadian High Arctic | Lancaster Sound, ringed seals, arctic foxes, walruses, and polar bears, beluga and bowhead whales |
| Day 10-12 | Eastern Baffin Island | Hike the tundra in search of caribou and arctic foxes |
| Day 13-14 | Kangerlussuaq | Disembark in Kangerlussuaq and board your flight back to Reykjavik where the itinerary ends. |
Day 1 Reykjavik, Iceland
Overview:
Your journey starts in Reykjavik, Iceland. Check into the hotel and spend the day exploring the old town, including Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral. Or choose to explore the Blue Lagoon and soak in the geothermal waters or you can do a tour of the golden circle which visits Strokkur geyser which shoots water up approx 10 meters every few seconds and Thingvellir National Park, where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.
Ship
National Geographic Explorer
National Geographic Explorer was completely redesigned and rebuilt prior to being relaunched in 2008. The ship is equipped with an ice-strengthened hull and advanced navigation equipment making it ideal for Antarctic expeditions, and offers a well-appointed interior with vast expanses of glass for an unprecedented connection to the regions explored. The Explorer accommodates guests in 81 spacious outside cabins, most with feature windows and some with balconies. Public areas include a lounge and bar, a spa, fitness centre and sauna, and a choice of dining options that offer regionally inspired cuisine.
The ship is outfitted with the latest equipment for exploration – kayaks and a fleet of Zodiac landing craft, as well as hydrophones, HD cameras, and sophisticated video equipment that allows access to the underwater world.
Day 2-3 Kangerlussuaq, Greenland’s West Coast & Sisimiut
Overview:
Every day is a new adventure as you circumnavigate Spitsbergen. First head North where you will explore smaller, outlying islands. There is an incredible variety wildlife and geological formations found here.
Every expedition will be different, depending on the weather and ice, but we do hope to visit a few of our favourite landing sites, including the 14th of July Glacier, Ny London, Phippsøya, Alkefjellet and the seldom-visited Kvitøya.
For birders, the 14th of July Glacier is home to purple sandpipers, common eiders, barnacle geese and arctic terns, while Alkefjellet is home to nesting Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres).
Day 4 Disko Bay and Ilulissat
Overview:
Sail into Disko Bay which is filled with icebergs. The closer you get to Ilulissat the bigger the icebergs become. Take this opportunity to board one of the Zodiacs and sail through the icebergs seeing the different colours and patterns up close.
Explore the archaeological site at Sermermiut, and view the Jakobshavn Icefjord and its immense, calving glacier from a boardwalk that begins from Ilulissat.
Day 5 At Sea in Baffin Bay
Overview:
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as you sail through Baffin Bay. You may wish to attend presentaions from staff to hear about the history of polar exploration. Spend some time on deck watching icebergs float past and the occasional whale breaching. Or simply spend your time relaxing in the Observation Lounge.
Day 6-9 Exploring the Canadian Arctic
Overview:
Carved by Ice Age glaciers, Lancaster Sound is the eastern gateway to the Arctic Archipelago. Explorers from Europe such as William Baffin ventured here in the 15th century to search for the Northwest Passage. The sound has been an Inuit hunting and fishing location for hundreds of years. Here you will search for ringed seals, arctic foxes, walruses, and polar bears, as well as beluga and bowhead whales. You may even see the elusive narwhal, an arctic whale known for the long, spiralling tooth that projects up to ten feet from its upper jaw.
Day 10-12 Eastern Baffin Island
Overview:
The crew will use their years of experience to navigate the shores of eastern Baffin Island. Here you will have the opportunity to cruise the coastline in search of walrus and other wildlife or step ashore and hike through the tundra where you may spot caribou and arctic foxes.
Day 13-14 Kangerlussuaq to Reykjavík
Overview:
Disembark in the ship in Kangerlussuaq and take a charter flight to Reykjavík and spend the night here. After breakfast the following day you will be transferred to the airport.