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Greenland in Depth

Greenland Discovery: Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq 11 Day Discovery Cruise

V2323082610
Dates
08/26/23 - 09/05/23
Ship
SH Vega
Duration
10 Nights
Guests
2 Guest
Price From
$ 0
Per Person
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Trip Details

Escape to a remote and remarkable region of the world on our Greenland Discovery: West Greenland tour on board our boutique ship. Traditional ways of life can still be seen against a backdrop of stunning arctic scenery and immense mountains. We navigate through an intricate fjord system that keeps the secrets of Norse people and settlements more than 4,500 years old, the pathways of Inuit migrations and Viking ruins. Discover UNESCO-listed World Heritage sites and unspoilt, picturesque waterways filled with floating icebergs. Join us on our voyage to a fascinating and varied part of Greenland, one of the world’s last great adventures.

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Trip Highlights
Learn about the history of the Inuit, Dorset and Thule people from our experts on board
Marvel at the glistening icebergs that crack and calve spectacularly off glaciers into the meltwater
Get your camera ready for large pods of narwhal, playful seal, mighty muskox, arctic foxes and gyrfalcons
Dig into the tumultuous history of the Vikings who made west Greenland their home
Itinerary Map
Itinerary
Reykjavik Day 1

Despite its small size, you won’t be short of things to see and do in this diminutive but dramatic city. To get your bearings, take the elevator to the top of Hallgrímskirkja. This church, designed by famed Icelandic architect Gudjón Samuelsson is one of the most distinctive buildings in town. When you return to earth, visit the city’s other renowned building Harpa Concert Hall, located at the heart of Reykjavík's regenerated harbour – also the home of the Maritime Museum. Speaking of cultural spaces, tour the National Museum to learn the story of Iceland from past to present. The Reykjavík Art Museum houses an impressive contemporary collection including eye-catching pieces by Erró. And, of course, just 50 kilometres outside the city lies Thingvellir National Park, the site of Iceland’s original Viking parliament.

Day at sea Day 2

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Skjoldungen Day 3

On the craggy east coast of Greenland, the stunningly scenic, U-shaped Skjoldungen Fjord is surrounded by lofty snow-capped mountains, dwarf birch, Arctic wildflowers and willow forests with the Thrym Glacier at one end. High rock walls, serpentine rivers and large crevasses of ice pillars known as seracs give way to carved icebergs in the fjord that gleam in a white to blue spectrum. You also have the opportunity to see whales under pure blue skies.

Expedition Activities
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Zodiac Cruising and/or Nature Walk With your Swan Hellenic Expedition Team
  • Duration: 01 h 00 m
  • Included
  • Navigate in the Skjoldungen fjord, far from any settlement. Enjoy the navigation in sometimes narrow passages, among the growlers in this area surrounded by many glaciers
  • Watch out for Arctic Wildlife like Polar Bear, seabirds and Musk ox
  • Enjoy spectacular landscapes and learn interesting facts about this most remote part of Greenland with your knowledgeable Swan Hellenic Expedition Team
Cruise Prins Christian Sund Day 4

A beautifully dramatic fjord in the south of Greenland, in Prins Christian Sund we move among fin, blue and minke whales, while you may also see muskox, polar bears and bearded seals. Enjoy these unspoilt, picturesque waterways where magnificent glaciers tower and granite cliffs yield to crystal-clear waterfalls.

Aappilattoq Day 4

The small, colourful and pretty Nordic homes of Aappilattoq, the only settlement in Prins Christian Sund, stand stark against snow-tipped mountain ridges in this icy wilderness.

Expedition Activities
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Discover the tiny settlement of Aappilattoq
  • Duration: 02 h 00 m
  • Included
  • See this picturesque settlement, perched at the edge of the water with towering mountains all around
  • See the locals in their daily life and learn how they survive in this harsh environment
  • Enjoy a very special moment with the local choir at the little church as choir singing has become an important element in Greenlandic national culture
Ivittut Day 5

Today, explore Ivigtut's deserted buildings, enormous cryolite hole and above-ground cemetery. This settlement played a crucial role in WWII as cryolite was used to produce Aluminium to build fighter planes. Walk around the abandoned houses and learn about the history of the Ivigtut.

Expedition Activities
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Explore Ivittuut abandoned mining town
  • Duration: 02 h 00 m
  • Included
  • Explore this once crucial town of Ivittuut, formerly Ivigtut, that is overflowing with history around every corner
  • Wander through the abandoned houses of the ghost town that exudes an eerie charm
  • Visit the open-air mine that served as an essential economical resource for Greenland in the 19th-century until 1963 when the mine was closed
Nuuk Day 6

Home to more than a third of Greenlanders, the capital of Nuuk can easily deceive you that you’re travelling through such a wild and secluded country. Also known by its Danish name of Godthåb (Good Hope), you’ll see the busy old Colonial Harbour with Nuuk Cathedral prominent, colourful wooden houses, avant-garde architecture and a wonderful array of fjords with clear ice waters and an unspoiled mountain backdrop. Look out for whales and on land arctic foxes, arctic hares and reindeer.

Shore Excursion
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Nuuk Sightseeing & entrance to Greenland Museum
  • Duration: 01 h 30 m
  • Included
  • Engage with old and new Greenlandic culture and traditions with this tour of the capital city and a visit to the National Museum
  • See the bustling streets of the Colonial Harbour and admire its beautiful old buildings that have stood the test of time
  • Get to know the history behind this city as you tour past landmarks including the cathedral built in 1849, the award winning Katuaq culture centre and the University of Greenland
Sisimiut Day 7

Just north of the Arctic Circle and the northernmost city in Greenland, Sisimiut remains ice free in winter and is known as an adventure sports hub. Inhabited for more than 4,500 years by the Inuit, Dorset and then Thule people, dog sled remains a common form of transport and we have a chance to see abandoned settlements but it also has a cool, modern side. Watch out for humpback whales and walrus between Sisimiut and the Thule district in the north.

Shore Excursion
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Historical Walk to the Tele Island
  • Duration: 02 h 10 m
  • Optional
  • From Tele Island, see Sisimiut’s famous landmark, Nasaasaq Mountain, soaring 785 meters into the sky
  • Enjoy a walking tour of Sisimiut as you learn about the fascinating history if Inuit cultures that have used this location as a hunting grounds for many years
  • Other points of interest you will pass on your visit include a burial ground, the local kayak club and the arts and crafts shop
Ilulissat, Disko Bay Day 8-9

Sailing through the iceberg capital of the world to Disko Bay, the Ilulissat Icefjord is one of the cruise highlights. Given UNESCO World Heritage Site status, the Ilulissat Icefjord is a popular tourist destination, and thanks to the productive Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, thousands of gargantuan icebergs calve from the Greenland ice cap into the sea. The city of Ilulissat, formerly Jakobshavn or Jacobshaven, is home to as many sled-dogs as people.

Shore Excursion
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Shuttle to Ilulissat Icefjord, boardwalk and Icefjord centre
  • Duration: 02 h 30 m
  • Included
  • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Icefjord and see the massive Sermeq Kujalleq glacier at the size of nearly 66,000 football fields wide
  • Hike along the World Heritage Trail boardwalk and discover amazing views of the icefjord and maybe even have some wildlife encounters
  • At the Fjord Centre, learn all about the cycle of the ice, the abundant wildlife around the icefjord and the human existence in the area throughout thousands of years
Shuttle to Ilulissat Icefjord, boardwalk and Icefjord centre
  • Duration: 02 h 30 m
  • Included
  • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Icefjord and see the massive Sermeq Kujalleq glacier at the size of nearly 66,000 football fields wide
  • Hike along the World Heritage Trail boardwalk and discover amazing views of the icefjord and maybe even have some wildlife encounters
  • At the Fjord Centre, learn all about the cycle of the ice, the abundant wildlife around the icefjord and the human existence in the area throughout thousands of years
Kangerlussuaq Day 10-11

Kangerlussuaq boasts a WWII airbase history at the head of a long fjord in western Greenland. The airport’s Kangerlussuaq Museum recounts the tale and showcases Greenlandic Inuit artifacts. This glacial area is a haven for wildlife like muskoxen, reindeer, arctic foxes, and gyrfalcons. Around 10,000 musk oxen, native to Greenland, inhabit the tundra, blending seamlessly into the landscape. Inland, the 60-m tall Russell Glacier calves on the edge of the Greenland ice cap.

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Rates Include
Regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation (ONLY available for Antarctica cruises starting or ending in Ushuaia, Arctic cruises starting and ending in Longyearbyen and Kangerlussuaq)
Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
All meals onboard
Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
24-hour room service
Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call (Kayak not included, bookable for a fee on board)
Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
Standard WiFi
Onboard gratuities & port taxes
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Itinerary Map

We are providing a list of sample excursions that Swan Hellenic may offer on this itinerary, which are subject to change. We constantly update our shore excursion program with exclusive and genuine experiences, so please do not hesitate to review your excursion program choice closer to your departure date.

We invite all guests to visit swanhellenic.com for the most updated information.

09:00 AM – 05:30 PM (EST)

+1 (800) 537 6777
ARRANGE A CALLBACK
Stateroom
Number of Guests
Oceanview D4
19 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on Deck 4 at the centre of the ship. Light, bright and crafted from natural materials Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Price From
$ 0
Oceanview M4
19 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on Deck 4 at the bow. Light, bright and crafted from natural materials Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Price From
$ 0
Balcony D5
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Balcony stateroom is a Swan Hellenic guest favorite. Located on Deck 5 at the bow and aft, staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 balcony.
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$ 0
Balcony M5
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Balcony stateroom is a Swan Hellenic guest favorite. Located on Deck 5 at the centre of the ship, staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Balcony D6
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Balcony stateroom is a Swan Hellenic guest favorite. Located on Deck 6, staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 panoramic balcony.
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Suite
44 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on Deck 5 and 6 at the centre of the ship, our spacious Suites with a 12 sq.m. private balconies are a favorite with discerning guests, and those that prefer a little more space and comfort.
Price From
$ 0
Premium Suite
49 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on Deck 6 at the aft, our Premium Suites with a 12 sq.m. private balconies are the most luxurious accommodation on board. A favorite for those who want nothing but the best.
Price From
$ 0

We are providing a list of sample excursions that Swan Hellenic may offer on this itinerary, which are subject to change. We constantly update our shore excursion program with exclusive and genuine experiences, so please do not hesitate to review your excursion program choice closer to your departure date.

We invite all guests to visit swanhellenic.com for the most updated information.

09:00 AM – 05:30 PM (EST)

+1 (800) 537 6777
ARRANGE A CALLBACK