South Greenland Exploration: Fjords, Waterfalls, and Fishing Villages

Depart on an overnight flight to Reykjavík. Upon arrival, take a tour to see Iceland’s hot springs, beautiful Icelandic horses, and a fascinating power plant. After lunch, check into our centrally-located hotel. (Day 2: L,D)

The morning is at leisure followed by lunch and a tour of the city ending at either the National Museum or the Whale Museum. Transfer to the airport for a chartered flight to Greenland and embark our ship at the head of Kangerlussuaq fjord, a 120-mile-long waterway whose name means “large fjord” in Greenlandic. (B,L,D)

In the early morning, the ship enters Evighed Fjord, which winds picturesquely past steep mountains and stunning tidewater glaciers. Take a Zodiac cruise along the face of one of the many glaciers or hike over glacial moraines to a waterfall. In the afternoon, visit the small fishing community of Kangaamiut. Climb the small mountain behind the village to take in the views or walk through the village and photograph the colorful houses clustered on the seaside slope. (B,L,D)

Perched on the seaside in the shadow of icecapped Sermitsiaq Mountain, Nuuk is the world’s smallest capital city by population, with some 18,000 inhabitants. Watch for harp seals as we enter the harbor and take a walking tour with local residents to learn how the community has changed over the generations. At the National Museum, examine the extraordinary 15th-century Qilakitsoq mummies found near Uummannaq—a discovery that was featured in a National Geographic magazine cover story in 1985. The Arctic ice preserved these mummies so well that researchers have been able to study their tattoos, their medical conditions, and even what they ate. (B,L,D)

Today we sail along the southeastern coast of Greenland from the “Western Settlement” to the “Eastern Settlement” areas of the Vikings in Greenland. Follow the waterway known as Tunulliarkfik to Brattahlíð, where Erik the Red established his farm in 982 AD after his exile from Iceland. Erik’s wife, Þjódhild, built the first Christian church in the western hemisphere here. Visit replicas of the church and Erik the Red’s longhouse and see the shores from which their son, Leif Eriksson, launched the first voyages to North America—500 years before Columbus. (B,L,D)

Today, continue the exploration of Erik the Red’s Eastern Settlement in the fjords around Qaqortoq. The landscape is dominated by large ruins of farms, stables, storerooms, etc., made of sandstone and granite blocks.  The Sissarluttoq World Heritage Center is dotted with Inuit and Norse farm ruins, allowing you to imagine what farming was like on the edge of the ice cap over 1,000 years ago. Explore the ruins of the 14th Century Hvalsey church and venture deep into the fjord to witness how ancient ruins create the backdrop for daily farming life in southern Greenland. Continue to Qaqortoq, inhabited since the Viking era and now the largest town in South Greenland—with just over 3,200 residents. Stroll through the town square and visit the museum, where Greenlandic kayaks, hunting equipment, and local art and handicrafts are on display. Sample traditional Greenlandic food this afternoon. (B,L,D)

Anchor off the small fishing village of Nanortalik, and go ashore to explore Greenland’s most southerly town, and meet some of the residents for a performance of local folk music and dance. In the tundra outside of town, walk among multitudes of wildflowers, or explore Greenland’s only natural forest, where full grown trees are only a few meters tall. Visit reconstructed longhouses and learn about the construction of traditional umiaks and kayaks. (B,L,D)

Pass by the southernmost point in Greenland at Cape Farewell and the ice fields of Prins Christian Sund as we make our way through the southeastern fjords of the island. The Greenland ice sheet is the second largest body of ice in the world after Antarctica and covers roughly 80% of Greenland’s surface. The island’s coast is etched with thousands of fjords, which play host to calving glaciers and ice flows. Spend the day exploring the islands and inlets of the eastern coast, using our underwater cameras and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to discover marine life and fascinating underwater geology. Venture deep into Skjoldungen fjord and take a Zodiac or a kayak for a foray among the icebergs. (B,L,D) 

Sail away from the shores of Greenland as we voyage across the Denmark Straight to the Westfjords of Iceland. Listen to talks by our experts, review your expedition photos with our Certified Photo Instructors, or enjoy the observation deck, and keep an eye out for wildlife. (B,L,D)

Arrive at the Snaefellsnes Peninsula today, known for its volcanic landscape, colorful fishing villages, and breathtaking waterfalls. Visit the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall for a breathtaking view of Kirkjufell, one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland.  (B,L,D)

Today we complete our voyage, disembarking the ship in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavík and transfer to the airport for flights home. (B)