Greenland Encompassed - 12 day tour

Copenhagen - Kangerlussuaq (Greenland). Monday. Welcome to Denmark! This is only a quick stopover, as we board our included morning flight from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. Arriving at the small port, we embark the Ocean Atlantic expedition cruise ship. Enjoy a welcome cocktail and settle into your cabin as we make our way out of port and into the Kangerlussuaq Fjord to begin our Arctic adventure.

Facilities aboard the Ocean Atlantic include a spacious restaurant serving international cuisine, two bars, a comfortable lounge area, and a library. Relax in the sauna or work out in the gym. There is also a lecture theatre where you can learn more about this part of the world. All of your meals onboard are included, and you can enjoy free snacks, tea and coffee. From the top deck you can keep your eyes peeled for marine life and watch sea birds swooping and wheeling over the ship.
Overnight: Ocean Atlantic ship  |  Dinner

Kangerlussuaq - Sisimiut. This morning we dock at Sisimiut, Greenland's 'second city'. Enjoy a guided tour to highlights of the settlement including the historical colonial quarter, 18th century Blue Church and the oldest house in town. This dates back to 1756, when Count Johan Ludvig Holstein established a colony here, which he pompously named 'Holsteinsborg'.

After our tour, we set sail, heading north towards Disko Bay. Cruising on magical fjords, we pass small villages and towns on the coast. Keep your eyes peeled from the observation deck in search of whales and dolphins. As we are now in the Arctic Circle, the nights will be bright, and you can spot gigantic icebergs from the nearby Ilulissat Icefjord floating by in the late evening sun.
Overnight: Ocean Atlantic ship  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sisimiut - Qeqertarsuaq - Eqip Sermia Glacier. Today we dock at the southern tip of Disko Island, in the natural harbour of Qeqertarsuaq. The town has a rich history, and was once an economic hub for the now-banned whaling industry. During our visit, we wander through town, taking in the octagonal church and a local community centre, where we join a traditional Greenlandic "kaffemik" - a friendly gathering of the locals with coffee, cake and traditional music.

After a day of exploring Qeqertarsuaq, we set sail once again and head to the impressive Eqip Sermia Glacier, as far north as we will go on our trip. We'll get as close as we can to this giant sheet of ice, wary of icebergs breaking off and crashing into the sea below.
Overnight: Ocean Atlantic ship  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Eqip Sermia Glacier - Ilulissat. This morning we dock at Ilulissat, which literally translates to 'icebergs' in Greenlandic. There's an optional excursion to the UNESCO-listed Icefjord, where the enormous Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier calves icebergs at a rate of around 20 million tonnes per day. You may instead choose to take a helicopter ride over the Icefjord, which must be booked in advance.

Alternatively, you can explore Ilulissat, which is more than 250 years old. Approximately 4,500 people call the town home and it is a very welcoming and lively place to explore. Later in the day we leave Ilulissat behind and head out of Disko Bay to begin our return journey south.
Overnight: Ocean Atlantic ship   |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is spent cruising towards Nuuk. Listen to a fascinating lecture from the expedition team, watch a film about Arctic nature or head up to the observation deck to spot some wildlife yourself. Seabirds wheel over the deck and with a keen eye and a bit of luck, you may be able to see some of the 15 whale species that call Greenland home in the summer - including Humpbacks, Fin whales and Minke whales.
Overnight: Ocean Atlantic ship   |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ilulissat - Nuuk. This morning we enter the Nukk Fjord where we have another good chance to spot the gentle giants of the sea - Humpback whales frequent these waters in the summer.

Docking at Nuuk, we have time to explore the historic capital of Greenland. Inhabited first by hardy hunter-gatherers, then by the Vikings, Norse and the Inuits, Nuuk has a rich history. Today the city is the largest settlement in Greenland by far, with a population of around 17,000. This makes it the most northern capital in the world. It is home to the Landsting (Parliament), the University of Greenland and the only shopping centre in Greenland. After exploring the city, we continue our journey south aboard Ocean Atlantic.
Overnight: Ocean Atlantic ship  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Nuuk - Ivittuut. Arriving in south Greenland, we plan to visit Arsuk Fjord and the tiny settlement of the same name. We also take in the now-abandoned cryolite mine and town at Ivittuut. This rare mineral has only ever been found here, and was a strategically important location in the Second World War due to cryolite's use in aluminium melting. The Americans set up bases to protect the supply during the war, though these were abandoned when stocks ran out in 1987. This makes it possibly the only mineral to have been mined to extinction by humans.

The southern tip of Greenland is also known as a habitat for the shaggy Muskox. We may be able to spot Greenland's largest land mammal, which is perfectly at home in the bitter Arctic cold.

Please note: Our itinerary in southern Greenland is interchangeable, depending on weather conditions and other factors beyond our control. The captain and expedition team will ensure we explore as much of the region as possible.
Overnight: Ocean Atlantic ship   |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ivittuut - Eriksfjord. Today we delve into ancient Viking history, dropping anchor at Qassiarssuk in the Eriksfjord. It was here that legendary Viking explorer Erik the Red founded Brattahlid, the very first settlement in Greenland, towards the end of the 10th century. We can see ancient ruins from the times of this Norse colony, which mysteriously disappeared in the 1400s. We can also see a reconstruction of Tjodhildur's Church, which was the first church on the North American continent. After exploring the area we head out of Eriksfjord.
Overnight: Ocean Atlantic ship  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Eriksfjord - Prince Christian Sound. Reaching the southern tip of Greenland, we opt for a spectacular route through the Prince Christian Sound. This 60km long waterway is surrounded by steep mountainsides, interrupted only by the tiny village of Aappilattoq, population of around 100. There is also a now un-manned weather station along the route but mostly this area is a pristine wilderness, which makes for an amazing photo opportunity.
Overnight: Ocean Atlantic ship   |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Prince Christian Sound - Skjoldungen. Heading up the eastern coastline of Greenland, we make a landing on Skjoldungen, home to lush scenery, steep fjords and beautiful glaciers. The climate here is milder than one would expect and the conditions are perfect for a nature hike to take in some of the islands plants and animals. Hooded seals laze on the beaches and birds including the eider can be spotted. We will also see the abandoned village of Skjoldungen before departing Greenland aboard Ocean Atlantic, as we begin to make our way back to Reykjavik.
Overnight: Ocean Atlantic   |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend your final full day aboard Ocean Atlantic. Relax with a book in the library or listen to a lecture about Arctic wildlife or climatology.
Overnight: Ocean Atlantic ship  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner