South Greenland Adventure: The Majestic Alpine Arctic (Ultramarine)

Welcome to Iceland! When you arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, make your way to your hotel for a free afternoon and evening. You can arrive at any time, as you have the full day at leisure to settle in and explore the city at your own pace.

This afternoon, board your vessel in Reykjavik and begin your expedition. Get ready for a great adventure ahead on your technologically advanced ship – the Ultramarine, which is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters and a fleet of 20 quick-launching Zodiacs to deliver unique off-ship experiences in South Greenland. Settle in and make yourself at home!

As you cruise north across the Denmark Strait, soak up the views of Greenland in the distance. Your Expedition Team will prepare you for the adventures ahead while you’re at sea. Learn about the storied history of the Arctic, the fascinating wildlife, geology, glaciology, ecology and climate, as well as the incredible sights you’ll soon explore. The team will also help you search for seabirds soaring around the ship, as you look out for the whales that frequent the surrounding waters.

As you arrive in Greenland, the first natural features you’ll see will be the towering steep-walled fjords and hanging glaciers. This area is great for wildlife sightings, including the possibility of polar bears and humpback whales. Your activities over the next two days will include heli-landings, hiking, paddle excursions, Zodiac cruises and shore landings in this remote, ice-laden landscape of glaciers and alpine landscapes. Set out for the wild fjords of the uninhabited east coast – including Lindenow Fjord, also known by its Greenlandic name, Kangerlussuaq. Thousands of years ago, groups of PaleoInuit hunters and fishermen made their home in these isolated fjords, living off the land and surviving mostly on the resources provided by the sea. Traces of these early inhabitants can be found today against the backdrop of glaciers and mountains.

The fjords are where you can observe wildlife, especially marine mammals. Rare sightings of polar bears are also possible as they drift down from the north on sea ice floes propelled by the East-Greenland current. Humpback whales are often sighted when entering fjords as the shallowing seas bring an upwelling of nutrients to the surface. While you keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, the alpine terrain will invite you to explore by sea, land and air to immerse yourself in the remote icescapes of the region. The wild east is ideal for heli landings, paddle excursions, hiking, Zodiac cruises and shore landings.

Over the next couple of days, you’ll head south along the spectacular west coast of Greenland on the way to the Westlands. Following in the footsteps of the Greenlandic Norse into the Western fjords, it’s easy to appreciate why Erik the Red chose this land as his home and gave Greenland its name – every direction has vistas of blue, ice-strewn waters against a backdrop of lush valleys and pastures bursting with blooms. Unique to Greenland and the Arctic, warm microclimates deep in the fjords have created a surprisingly fertile Arctic Garden of Eden. South Greenlandic farming traditions dating back to Viking days are still alive and many families work their remote sheep farms along the shores of the fjords.

You’ll also find access points to the Greenland Ice Sheet, which you’ll reach by helicopter. Soak in the incredible views of the largest mass of ice in the northern hemisphere (and second largest in the world), flowing from the heights of the polar plateau to sea level. Become one of the very few people to ever set foot on this body of ice. Over these two days, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the Ice Sheet, hike the surrounding foothills, cruising or paddling through the ice-filled waters and engaging with local friends and partners during in-depth community experiences.

Learn more about the history and culture of this region at the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site – a living history lesson in Viking farming. Visit Qassiarsuk – a small sheep farming settlement across the fjord from Narsarsuaq, where you can experience true South Greenland hospitality and gain insight into the lives of sheep farmers living at the edge of the Ice Sheet. Take time to explore the remains and replicas of Brattahlio – Erik the Red’s estate, once the epicentre of the Greenland Norse Eastern Settlement.

Visit Aappilattoq on the shores of Prins Christian Sund (Ikerasassuaq) and listen to the stories of locals, hear their music, taste their food, learn about their hunting traditions and perhaps join a game of soccer.

The maze of fjords, sounds, islets, inlets and skerries (rocky islands) in and around Cape Farewell (Nunap Isua) at Greenland’s most southern tip will be your focus over the next few days. Transiting the 100 km long Prins Christian Sund (Ikerasassuaq) – one of the world’s most scenic fjords – will be truly unforgettable. Look for the dramatic mountain and seascapes, with glaciers tumbling down to down to the sea. Inhabiting this domain are Southern Greenlanders living on the frontier – a people as unique as the landscape they call home. This is where the migrating hunting peoples from the east finally settled around the European trading posts.

Reach the Tasermiut Fjord in the heart of what’s known as ‘Arctic Patagonia,’ where you can sign up for overnight camping (with local hosts) along the 70 km fjord. Marvel at the impressive Sermeq glacier at its head with rivers of ice tumbling almost down to sea level, and the imposing peaks of Nalumasortoq and Ulamertorsuaq dominating the skyline, making for the most scenic backdrops to your hike or helicopter excursions.

As your Arctic adventure winds down, you can take in a polar presentation by your onboard experts, share your photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar or watch a movie. This is a great opportunity to ask members of Expedition Team any remaining questions you have about your voyage.

When you arrive back in Iceland’s Reykjavik, you’ll disembark, marking the end of your journey. If you have booked post-expedition accommodation, you’ll be transferred to a central downtown location. If you need help extending your booking, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.