ICELAND TO GREENLAND

SHIPS OFFERING THIS ITINERARY

Ocean Explorer

The Ocean Explorer is the newest addition to the Quark fleet, offering modern and elegant design. This 138 passenger vessel is purpose-built for polar exploration, featuring well-appointed and spacious public areas and ample outdoor viewing areas for long-view photography and wildlife viewing. Spacious cabins feature a modern, bespoke Scandinavian design and almost all have verandas. Guests can relax and find comfort in the spacious gym, sauna with large windows, and two outdoor Jacuzzis.

Day 1 Reykjavik

Arrive at the international airport in Keflavik and transfer independently to your included hotel in Reykjavik. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to explore Iceland’s fascinating capital. Many cultural and historical landmarks are located in or near the walkable city center.

Day 2 Reykjavik, Embarkation

Enjoy your complimentary breakfast at the hotel. Your transfer to the ship is scheduled for the afternoon, leaving you time to explore Reykjavik in the morning and have lunch on your own before you rendez-vous back at the hotel for the bus transfer to the port. Embarkation is scheduled for 4 pm. You’ll be notified of official welcome and safety briefings as we set sail for the Westfjords.

Days 3 Westfjords

Each region of Iceland has its own appeal for nature seekers, birding enthusiasts and history-lovers, and the seldom-visited 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 that slope gracefully down to the sea. We spend our time 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 lead up to high moorlands dotted with rocky outcrops, small lakes, and the occasional shaggy Icelandic sheep or pony grazing in the distance. A few modest outposts of civilization, in the form small fishing communities nestled along the fjords and shores of the Denmark Strait, face out into the mighty Atlantic—keeping alive a maritime heritage that dates back to the Viking days.

Days 4 and 5 Denmark Strait

As we sail southwest across the Denmark Strait toward Greenland, your Expedition Team will prepare you for the exciting adventures ahead – both on and off-ship. Our 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 – and they’ll most certainly alert you whenever there’s a whale sighting.

Days 6-10 Southeast Greenland

Your exploration of Greenland begins with East Greenland, one of the least visited and most remote parts of the world’s largest island. Our journey along the coast will be influenced by weather and ice conditions, with each day -and each off-ship excursion – presenting new adventures. Expect glaciers, steep mountains and breathtaking fjords.

Transiting the 100 km long Prins Christian Sund (Ikerasassuaq) – one of the world’s most scenic fjords – will reveal incredible views. Guests can expect dramatic mountain and seascapes with glaciers tumbling down to the sea, and captivating vistas stretching along the entire fjord. The South Greenlanders who live on this frontier are as unique as the region they inhabit. This is where the migrating hunting people from the east eventually settled around the European trading posts.

Day 11 At Sea

As our ship makes its way up the coast from South Greenland, we set our sights on the endless natural wonders -and small communities – along the rugged west coast of Greenland. We invite you to use this time to attend one of the expert-led polar presentations to learn more about this region of Greenland.

Days 12 and 13 West Greenland

The sheer beauty of West Greenland can overwhelm first-time visitors: spectacular glaciers, mountainous landscapes, and thriving, culturally-rich communities. As we head north, we hope to embark on Zodiac daily excursions to explore local bays, channels and select landing sites. We’ll also explore some of the quaint settlements throughout the picturesque islands and fjords.

Nuuk, the charming Greenlandic capital, is a must-visit destination on the west coast. You’ll have time to wander the streets of the historic Old Nuuk neighborhood and see the Hans Egede Church and Hans Egede statue near the waterfront, both named after the 18th-century missionary who founded the settlement. History buffs will make haste to the national museum to view the famous Greenlandic mummies, which were found under a rock outcrop in 1972. The remarkably preserved mummies of six women and two children date back to the 15th century.

Day 14 Kangerlussuaq

Today we’ll explore 50 km (31 miles) above the Arctic Circle. Our destination is Kangerlussuaq, which is Greenlandic for “the long fjord.” At the end of this 180-km long fjord is a settlement bearing the same name. Fishing boats based in the town of Kangerlussuaq sail the full length of the fjord to access the ocean. The town is known for its stunning natural beauty— and for being the home of the largest airport in Greenland.

You will be ferried from ship to shore on one last Zodiac ride, then transferred to the airport where you will board your charter f light to Iceland’s Keflavik International Airport, approxmately 45 minutes from Reyjkavik. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to your included hotel for the night.

Day 15 Iceland

After breakfast in your included hotel in Reykjavik, transfer independently to the Keflavik International Airport for your onward journey.