Greenland Odyssey

Having made your way to Reykjavik, you will be met and transferred to the group hotel. The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense. Overnight at Fosshotel Reykjavik (or similar).

Today you'll follow the path of one of Reykjavik's most popular seismic attractions—the Golden Circle. Stops along the route include Thingvellir National Park, accredited as the site of Iceland's first parliament. A shaky start to the new nation, it is also the point where the Eurasia and North American tectonic plates meet as an open fissure. Your next stop is Gullfoss waterfall. This impressive water feature tumbles over 110 feet into the Hvítá River, offering a popular photographic opportunity. Next, explore the geothermal fields and geysers for which Iceland is famous. The variety of hot springs and bubbling pools are mesmerizing as the sheer capacity of water and steam erupting from the ground makes you ponder just how much power is beneath your feet. Late afternoon return to Reykjavik to board the Sylvia Earle.

After boarding, there's time to settle into your cabin before important safety briefings before the ship sets sail to begin your Greenland adventure. This evening meet your expedition team and crew.

Crossing the Greenland Sea, sail through the Polar Basin's nutrient-rich waters, searching for encroaching pack ice, fin whales, and seabirds. The team of experts entertains you with informative talks about sea ice, glaciers, European arctic plants and animals, and epic tales of early explorers such as Nansen, Andreé, and Scoresby.

Popular among skilled rock climbers, Kangertitivatsiaq Fjord is home to spectacular mountain peaks and essential big walls that attract daring climbers. The 16-mile fjord is filled with glaciers including the Glacier of France. It's an ideal place for ship cruising, Zodiac excursions, and discovery hikes.

Overlooking King Oscar's Harbour, Tasiilaq (formerly Ammassalik) is east Greenland's largest town, with a population of approximately 2,000 inhabitants. Here, green meadows contrast starkly with countless icebergs that often clog the waterways at nearby Sermilik Fjord, the largest in southeast Greenland.

Continue south along Greenland's King Frederik VI Coast, always on the lookout for whales, especially the rare sperm whale that is occasionally seen here. Weaving through the narrow channels of Skjoldungen Fjord you'll land at the end of the fjord for a walk along a glacial river, across a tundra valley covered in northern willow and blooming pink wildflowers. Kayakers can paddle across the front of a tidewater glacier, search for harp seals, ivory gulls, and whales.

Back on board, enjoy the stunning surrounds with a drink in hand basked in the soft light of the setting sun.

Sailing south along the east coast of Greenland, enjoy a sea day to catch up on editing your photos and enjoy an informative lecture from the knowledgeable expedition team. Or, relax in one of the observation lounges featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and soak in the impressive scenery and, perhaps, marine life.

The towering, jagged mountains that surround Tasermiut Fjord is why it’s often referred to as the "Patagonia of the North." At Klosterdal (Monastery Valley), you are surrounded by three giant mountains—Napasorsuaq, Ketil, and Nalumasortoq. Here you can walk to a Norse ruin, hike along the valley, or explore the bay by kayak.

Continue to Nanortalik, the southernmost town in Greenland, located on an island of the same name. Its name derives from the West Greenlandic word "Nanoq," meaning "the place where bears pass through," describing the polar bears that were once seen floating past on sea ice. Deep fjords, woodlands and grasslands, and rugged mountainside cliffs, some over 3,000 feet high, attract enthusiastic climbers from around the world.

On arrival, you’ll receive a warm welcome from the local community who have opened up their town for you to explore. Nanortalik is a town that’s known for their love of singing and you’ll be treated to a choir performance.

Visit Nanortalik Church, a wooden Danish Lutheran church built in 1916 and currently the only church serving the Nanortalik congregation. The church is in the old colonial quarter of the town. Next to the church is a landmark boulder called the "Knud Rasmussen Stone," named after Greenland’s most famous citizen, Dr. Knud Rasmussen, an explorer and ethnologist. Prince Christian Sound connects the Labrador Sea with the Irminger Sea. Approximately 60 miles long, and, in parts, as narrow as 600 feet, the fjord is flanked by jagged mountain peaks, some reaching over 7,000 feet in height, with countless glaciers coming all the way down to the sea. We slow-cruise through the sound to enjoy the spectacular scenery. Icebergs sculpted into fantastic shapes often block the entrance to the sound, a great spectacle for photography.

At Kangersuneq Qinngorleq, located at the northern end of the fjord, a glacier front is ideal for exploration by Zodiac or kayak. in the southern section of the sound, you'll pass a small settlement named Appilatoq, which means "red" in Greenlandic, after the red mountains rising above the town. Appilatoq is well-known in Greenland for the jagged mountain peaks that surround it—a delight for photographers.

Hvalsey Church is the best-preserved Norse ruin in Greenland. "Hvalsey" is old Norse for "Whale Island." Christianity arrived in Greenland around 1000 AD and gradually churches began to be built. Late medieval documents indicate there were up to 14 parish churches in the Eastern Settlement. Hvalsey itself was built in the early 14th century, but it was not the first church built on this site.

After exploring Hvalsey ruins, continue to Qaqortoq, where Zodiacs shuttle you ashore. Qaqortoq is the capital of south Greenland. With a history dating back to 1775, the town offers various cultural activities and attractions including an outdoor art project called "Man and Stone," which features stone carvings scattered throughout the town created by local artists. Qaqortoq is Greenland's southernmost town and is the administrative center of the south Greenland. Built from yellow stone, and dating back to 1804, the building that now houses the Qaqortoq Museum originally belonged to the town's blacksmith. Qaqortoq's landmark building is the Church of Our Saviour. This large wooden Lutheran church, known as the "Red Church," is in the historic part of town, near the harbor.

Find a spot in one of the many observation lounges and enjoy the spectacular surrounding landscapes. The talented and knowledgeable expedition members will present informative and entertaining talks about the region that you're traveling through.

Greenland's capital, Nuuk, the world's northernmost capital, lies at the mouth of its very own fjord system on the country's mid-west coast. On a sightseeing tour of Nuuk, you'll see charming old buildings including Greenland's colorfully painted houses, and the award-winning City Hall. The small but fascinating National Museum features a unique ethnographical collection of artifacts of Inuit life, including the famous 545-year-old Qilakitsoq mummies, accidentally discovered by hikers in 1972.

Evighedsfjorden, or Eternity Fjord, is one of the more spectacular fjord complexes in west Greenland due to its forested landscape. Hike through a forested valley, witness hills become towering snow-capped mountains as countless glaciers pour down from sheer cliff walls. Occasionally, the thunderous sound of a calving glacier breaks the silence in a place where you are unlikely to see another soul.

Known as the "birthplace of icebergs," this region boasts some of the most splendidly-shaped icebergs found anywhere on earth. Hike to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Icefjord and stand in awe of its immensity. Sermeq Kujalleq, also known as Jakobshavn Glacier, is the most productive glacier, not only in Greenland, but in the Northern Hemisphere. It produces 20 million ton of ice each day, all floating into the Ilulissat Icefjord and Disko Bay. Conditions permitting, enjoy a Zodiac cruise at the mouth of the fjord and kayak through sea ice and icebergs.

Optional helicopter flight (90 minutes): this excursion is the only way you can get close to the gigantic glacier. The 10-seater helicopter departs from Ilulissat Airport sweeping over hills, lakes, and ice fjords. On the return flight to Ilulissat, fly above the edge of the glacier with breathtaking views of the massive icebergs drifting in the fjord. The views of some of the largest icebergs that become stranded on a moraine underneath the water, just outside the town, offers a wonderful finale to this excursion. Please note that this excursion requires a minimum of 8 passengers to operate.

Located 50 miles north of Ilulissat, Eqi Glacier is accessible only by sea, and is one of Greenland's most active glaciers. Although smaller than Sermeq Kujalleq glacier in Ilulissat, Eqi Glacier is more accessible, and if sea-ice conditions permit, you'll Zodiac cruise within safe distance of the glacier front where you see seals floating on bergy bits in front of the glacier while eagles can sometimes be seen soaring above. Several hikes are possible in the area, where you may encounter grouse, Arctic hare, and small Arctic fox. This compelling island seems to have more in common with Iceland than Greenland. While most of the interior is mountainous and glaciated, its beautiful shorelines boast black sandy beaches, unusual basalt columns, hot springs, and dramatic lava formations. We plan to appreciate the colorful flowers on the Kuannit Hike, where you can walk stunning landscapes, see ancient basalt columns, and perhaps spot whales in Disko Bay.

Approximately 4,500 years ago, the Saqqaq culture arrived from Canada and settled in the area. They lived here for approximately 2,000 years, but mysteriously disappeared. The Dorset culture arrived around 500 AD and remained until the 1200s until they were replaced by the Thule culture, and today, most of the population of Sisimiut are descendants of the Thule culture.

Located above the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut experiences 24 hours of daylight during the summer months. As Greenland's second largest town, Sisimiut is the only place in Greenland that has an open-air public swimming pool, and the town is famous for its old blue church featuring a whale jaw gate. The town's small museum features interesting exhibits explaining local history and life in Greenland.

The local kayak club is the oldest in Greenland and some of the members are among the best in Greenland. You will be treated to a show featuring traditional kayaks.

Today you'll feast on a taste of Greenland at the lakeside Roklubben restaurant where you can enjoy a BBQ lunch before joining a guided tour to Reindeer Glacier, having disembarked for the final time at the township of Kangerlussuaq. Greenland's ice sheet covers 80% of the surface of the country. Reindeer Glacier, which stands as a nearly 200-foot-high ice wall in some places, offers visitors a clear contrast between land and ice. Travel is on a tundra coach, and you'll look for reindeer and musk oxen, while enjoying some stories of the area from a local guide. Once at the glacier you will walk parallel to its edge to discover its many moods and angles.

In the late afternoon, return to Kangerlussuaq airport to board a charter flight to Toronto, Canada, for an overnight stay at the airport hotel. Overnight at Westin Toronto Airport Hotel (or similar).

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and check out of your room before continuing your onward journey.