Expedition West and East Greenland: Greenland as a Complete Work of Art

Charter flight to Kangerlussuaq
Kangerlussuaq/Greenland, departure 21.00 hrs

West coast of Greenland  (Sisimiut, Ilulissat, Disko Bay,)

In the magical Arctic light, the wonders of the west coast of Greenland will be illuminated north of the Arctic Circle. A vast and silent landscape, home to relics of a 4,500-year-old culture – seemingly almost forgotten by the world.

In Sisimiut, where the remarkable old town seems like a museum village, the oldest settlement traces date back over 4,000 years, deep into the Saqqaq culture. Join your experts to hike over rocks and through tundra – to relics from the whaling era. A hike to Tele Island will also take you back thousands of years to see ancient ruins and graves, crowned by magnificent views of Sisimiut and the coast.

Another eternal scene can be found in Ilulissat when the glacier calves in the world-famous ice fjord. On a hike with your experts, enjoy the glittering, shimmering ice masses, which appear in many different towering formations. An incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Disko Bay will provide even more memorable moments: ice sculptures in all manner of forms drift slowly through the vast area. Enjoy this natural spectacle from your front-row seat on deck – or take a Zodiac ride to the centre of the action. Illuminated by the sunlight, the ice gleams in a fascinating play of colours from white to azure blue.

Arsukfjord , cruising through Prince Christian Sound (depending on ice)

Arsukfjord is also a gem. In Greenlandic, “Arsuk” means “beloved place” – and you will soon see why on a hike along the fjord. Together with your experts, you will hopefully be able to see musk oxen in the expansive tundra. In the abandoned town of Ivigtut, in contrast, you will gain an insight into the era of mining – perhaps you will find yourself some cryolite and siderite souvenirs, which were mined here.

The ice-dependent passage through Prince Christian Sound – one of the most beautiful passages in Greenland, 64 km (40 mi.) long and in some places barely 500 m (1,640 ft) wide – offers an intoxicating monumental view of nature. Waterfalls and glaciers that reach into the turquoise-coloured water, as well as colourful fishing huts, will pass by you. A cry of “Whale up ahead!” could sound from the bridge at any time, and the many open deck areas provide the best opportunities for sightings.

South and east coast of Greenland  (highlights and landings depend on the weather and ice conditions, including Skjoldungen Sound, Tasiilaq, Ittoqqortoormiit, Northeast Greenland National Park)

The route along the south and east coasts of Greenland will set every explorer’s pulse racing. The ice shield on the coast of east Greenland only opens up at this time of year, providing you with rare insights.

In Skjoldungen Sound, you will be taken deep into a fantastic fjord landscape. On both sides of the ship, the mountains rise up steeply several hundred metres into the air. Glaciers and waterfalls line the route. The Zodiacs are put to water for a landing in Dronning Marie Dal. Dramatic mountains, wild and untouched nature – experience Greenland’s rugged beauty in its purest form on a hike. Always accompanying you will be your experts, who will tell you all about the vegetation, animal kingdom and geology.

It’s hard to imagine living in this inaccessible scenery. The small settlement of Tasiilaq will give you an impression of what it might be like. Raw, untouched, barely inhabited – with its rugged mountain and fjord landscape, this place is a hiker’s paradise. The working life of the Greenland Dog is also interesting: unlike in Lapland, the huskies here are pure working animals and have a much wilder character.

Completely isolated, Ittoqqortoormiit, one of Greenland’s smallest communities, is like an Arctic haven of peace. A small museum will show you what the settlement was like in the past and bring Inuit history to life. Stroll through the village and past the football pitch to a view point with beautiful, far-reaching views.

One particular highlight of your expedition awaits you further north in Northeast Greenland National Park – the largest of its kind in the world and home to musk oxen, Arctic foxes and Arctic hares. Your ship follows a flexible course to the deep fjords. From the Zodiacs and from the deck, marvel at the mountain flanks of the Alpefjord towering up to 3,000 m (9,842 ft) above you. Equally majestic, the King Oscar Fjord will complete your unforgettable impressions of Greenland’s pristine beauty – perhaps even with a polar bear sighting. On Clavering Island, you will find traces of earlier expeditions on hikes with your team of experts.

Fjords, fishing villages and a sense of freedom: the east coast of Iceland is characterised by impressive mountain ranges, large forests, fertile valleys and deep-blue inlets. A world of discovery, also geologically, as your experts on board will tell you. The region is known for its magma chambers with colourful minerals and its bizarre rhyolite formations.

The fishing village of Seydisfjordur lies in an idyllic setting at the end of a fjord of the same name, surrounded by mountains that reach heights of up to 1,000 m (3,281 ft) and are almost always capped with snow. In the town centre, there are many historic wooden buildings in the style of the 1920s that bear witness to the wealth of the herring boom. Small art galleries, cafes and shops invite you to stay and explore during your individual shore visit. You can explore the surrounding area with its waterfalls on your own on numerous trails directly from the boat.

Great Britain  (Lerwick/Shetland Islands/Scotland, Berwick-upon-Tweed/England)

Picturesque landscapes in which the sun paints some fantastic colours. Waves breaking against the steep cliffs. Towns with narrow streets that whisper tales of times gone by in the ears of their visitors. On board your expedition ship, the unique British Isles turn into an adventure!

Close by, but seldom visited: where the Atlantic and the North Sea meet lie Scotland’s approximately 100 Shetland Islands. The untamed power of the sea sets the stage for breathtaking natural spectacles – and the front-row seats to take in this experience are on board. The town of Lerwick welcomes you to the Shetland Islands with a special sense of calm. Its 18th century stone houses, nestled close together, will reveal their history during a walk through the old town. In the surrounding countryside, you will be captivated by the numerous archaeological sites that tell of the everyday lives of the Stone Age people and Vikings.

Little known aspects of Great Britain will be revealed in Northumberland on the east coast of England. The medieval town of Berwick-upon-Tweed is impressive with its historic buildings and strong town walls dating back to the 14th century. The architectural stronghold is explained by Berwick’s location on the border: the town is English, while the River Tweed that flows through it is Scottish. As you wander through the picturesque streets, immerse yourself in its history shaped by centuries of border disputes.

Hamburg, arrival 07.00 hrs
Individual travel arrangements from cruise arrival point

The itinerary depends on official approval, weather and ice conditions. The natural experiences, Northern Lights and wildlife sightings described are possibilities on this expedition and are not guaranteed.