12 Nights Iceland & East Greenland | polardreamtravel
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12 Nights Iceland & East Greenland
  • 12 Nights Iceland & East Greenland

    $8,626.00Price

    Sail from Iceland’s wildest corners to Greenland’s remote east coast on this spectacular expedition cruise. Experience the wild beauty of Iceland’s Westfjords region before sailing across the Denmark Strait to Greenland’s rugged east coast. Here we’ll explore Scoresbysund’s vast fjord networks, gliding through pristine icy waters set against a backdrop of imposing basalt mountain ranges. All the while searching for Arctic hares, muskoxen and if we’re very lucky, polar bears. The wind-sheltered fjords offer the perfect refuge for a plethora of wildlife, including vast populations of seabirds. Returning via the secluded beauty of east Iceland, we’ll visit charming fishing villages, explore dramatic ice-carved landscapes and experience the aftermath of a relatively recent volcanic eruption. Conclude your cruise in Reykjavik, the perfect place to reflect upon this unforgettable voyage.

    Please click "Prices and Departures"  above for departure dates, cabin types and price details.

     

     

    Day 1 Reykjavik

    In the centre of Iceland’s sprawling capital city, the modern organ-pipe-shaped Hallgrimskirkja church dominates the top of town. Cosy bars, cafes and shops line the surrounding streets heated by Iceland's geothermal waters. The regenerated harbour is home to a striking modern concert hall. Popular trips include to the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa near the village of Grindavik, and the Golden Circle tour taking in Gullfoss Waterfall and the mighty Strokkur geyser in Thingvellir National Park.

     

    Day 2 Isafjordur

    Surrounded by fjords in the Westfjords region, Isafjordur is a bustling fishing town in northwest Iceland with colourful wooden 18th- and 19th-century houses. Nearby is Sudavik, home to the Arctic Fox Centre. Iceland’s only mammal, the arctic fox lives on the lush tundra of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve - the northernmost peninsula in the Westfjords. Offshore, Vigur Island is a bird sanctuary popular for puffins but also arctic terns and eiders. You will also find Iceland's smallest post office.

     

    Day 3 At Sea

    As we cruise to our next destination, spend your day at sea exploring and enjoying the ship’s facilities. You can also spend some time learning about your destination from our knowledgeable onboard experts. Attend an informative lecture, indulge in a relaxing spa treatment, or get in a workout at the onboard gym.

     

    Day 4 Ittoqqortoormiit

    One of the most remote towns in the world, thick sea ice makes Ittoqqortoormiit inaccessible by ship for nine months of the year. Founded in 1925 by Danish explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen and a group of 80 or so Inuit, the town’s 450 present-day residents are largely self-sufficient. Hunting and fishing at sea are the only ways that this community can survive. Although a small number of residents now also work service industry. Ittoqqortoormiit is also the gateway to the Scoresbysund fjord system; the world’s largest fjord network with an area of just under 40,000 square kilometres.

     

    Day 5-6 Scoresbysund

    Over the next few days, we’ll explore the vast Scorebysund fjord network. The imposing basalt mountains create a striking backdrop against the brilliant white ice floating in the mirror-like waters. The mountains offer protection from the Arctic winds, providing excellent shelter for an abundance of Greenland’s iconic wildlife. We’ll be hoping to spot muskoxen, Arctic foxes and mountain hares along the frozen shores. Birds also thrive in this delicate ecosystem. With the help of our expedition team, we’ll be looking out for little auks, Atlantic puffins, fulmars, snowy owls, the Greenlandic gyrfalcon and great black-backed gulls. Seals and whales are also common sightings in the fjord waters.

     

    Day 7-8 King Oscar Fjord

    King Oscar Fjord forms the northern border of the Scoresby Sound. This seemingly endless maze of valleys eventually gives way to the open sea. The imposing mountains, deep waters and sparkling ice create the kind of dramatic and emotive landscape that photos just can’t emulate. This other-worldly place is beautiful and imposingly hostile all at once. Whilst cruising through King Oscar Fjord, we’ll observe the fascinating Berzelius Bjerg, a mountain with clear bands of coloured strata – formed millions of years ago when the mountains here were once part of the seabed.

     

    Day 9 At Sea

    As we cruise to our next destination, spend your day at sea exploring and enjoying the ship’s facilities. You can also spend some time learning about your destination from our knowledgeable onboard experts. Attend an informative lecture, indulge in a relaxing spa treatment, or get in a workout at the onboard gym.

     

    Day 10 Seyðisfjörður

    Regarded as east Island’s cultural hub, brightly painted wooden houses line Seyðisfjörður’s port. With a lively arts scene disproportionate to its small size, Seyðisfjörður has attracted many writers and artists over the years and also hosts an annual summer arts festival. Surrounded by incredible nature, the Skálanes nature reserve is a short distance from the town. The area covered by the reserve is known for its diverse wildlife with over 47 species of bird and over 150 plant species. Reindeer are also seen here, with seals and porpoises frequently spotted along the shores.

     

    Day 11 Hofn

    Southeast Iceland’s staging post, Höfn is a small town perched on a narrow neck of land, and an ideal base for exploring the nearby Vatnajökull National Park. The town itself is well known for its lobster catch, particularly high-value species such as the Norway Lobster. The town hosts an annual Lobster Festival in celebration of its reputation as Iceland’s Lobster capital. Vatnajökull National Park is Europe’s largest and covers 14% of Iceland. This vast area encompasses massive ice caps, thundering waterfalls, glaciers, canyons, craters and volcanoes. The park’s Jökulsárlón Lagoon is within easy reach of Höfn and is Iceland’s deepest lake. Icebergs float on the surface of the water all year long, offering resting spots for passing seals.

     

    Day 12 Heimaey

    A small 13-kilometre square island off the south coast of Iceland, Heimaey’s history has been surprisingly eventful. From the escapee 16th century Irish slaves to the reaches of the Ottoman Empire and subsequent pirate invasion, the island was a place of danger and terror until the mid 18th century. Once these events subsided, for 300 years the people of Heimaey assumed that their days of action were a thing of the past. That was until 1973 when residents awoke to a devastating volcanic eruption. Fissures over a kilometre wide snaked through the town, the lava engulfing over 400 homes. Remarkably, only one person is thought to have died as a result of the eruption, with a quick rescue response ensuring that the 5,300 residents were swiftly evacuated to the safety of the mainland. Evidence of this recent geological activity can be seen just about everywhere on Heimaey and is the focus of the fascinating Eldheimar museum.

     

    Day 13 Reykjavik

    In the centre of Iceland’s sprawling capital city, the modern organ-pipe-shaped Hallgrimskirkja church dominates the top of town. Cosy bars, cafes and shops line the surrounding streets heated by geothermal waters. The regenerated harbour is home to a striking modern concert hall. Popular trips include to the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa near the village of Grindavik, and the Golden Circle tour taking in Gullfoss Waterfall and the mighty Strokkur geyser in Thingvellir National Park.

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