Greenland Cruise
Arctic Air-Cruise: Greenland's Northern Lights

Fly to join your ship, Tundra Hikes, Possibility of Northern Lights, Wildlife
10 Days | Departures: 9/2/19, 9/9/19, 9/16/19, 9/23/19 | From: $6,695

Testimonials | Ship types

Trip Highlights: The time around the equinox in September is one of the best times to see the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis, while they aren't guaranteed, the time and place are both as favourable as they can be.

Rates: $6,695 - $9,795
Single Rate: 1.7 times the double occupancy rate, or can match with other solo passengers to share a cabin
Sea Kayaking Option: Available all departures - $695 per person
Paddling Option: Available all departures - $195 per person

Charter flights between Reykjavik/Constable Point on embarkation/disembarkation day; one pre-expedition night hotel with breakfast and one post-expedition hotel night with breakfast in Reykjavik; group transfer from hotel to Reykjavik airport for charter flight on embarkation day; transfer to and from ship; group transfer from domestic airport to Reykjavik hotel on disembarkation day; shipboard accommodations; waterproof boots on loan; parka (yours to keep); photographic journal; Greenland voyages Cruise Passenger Tax; use of snowshoes (weather dependent); all meals onboard the ship; gratuities (2019 only); beer and wine with dinner (2019 only); soft drinks 24/7 (2019 only). Inclusions subject to change without notice.

Ship - Ocean Nova - Expedition Ship
Passengers: 66

Summary

Scoresbysund, the world's largest fjord system, beckons you to explore Greenland. Enticing you with the possibility of some of the world's best displays of Northern Lights, the Inuit settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit and its inhabitants offer you a rare connection to the past with their tradition of living off the land just as their ancestors did hundreds of years ago. Iceberg-laced fjords, tundra hikes and the arctic wildlife of Greenland National Park create picture-perfect scenes every day. This is a more active adventure where you'll have the chance to trek along the tundra and Greenland National Park, climb mountains and watch grazing musk ox and other arctic wildlife on the horizon.

Similar Trips

Greenland only cruises - East or West coast only or both - 6 to 13 days - from $2,800
Cruises that include Greenland - options: Svalbard, Iceland, Eastern Canada, Arctic Canada - 11 to 21 days - from $5,995

Contact our travel partners who will help you find the best cruise for your requirements

Itinerary

Day 1: Reykjavik, Iceland
Begin the adventure with an included overnight stay in Reykjavik, the world's northernmost capital city.

Day 2: Reykjavik / Constable Point
Fly from Reykjavik to Constable Point to board your vessel and begin your expedition.

Day 3: Apelfjord
You'll cruise through breathtaking Apelfjord. Fjords punctuate the scenery all around. Your day will be spent exploring and Zodiac cruising through a multitude of dazzling icebergs, fjords and sounds in all shapes and sizes. Be on the lookout for arctic fox and musk ox, which roam free here.

Day 4 Brogetdal / Waltershausen Glacier
Brogetdal means "multicolored valley", and here you'll view multi-hued mountains surrounding this lovely basin, and unusual geology. Journey to the rarely visited Waltershausen Glacier, an imposing ice floe at the head of Nordfjord with a span of 6.8 miles (11 km). This stunning landmark was named after German explorer Baron Wolfgang Sartorius von Waltershausen, after his failed 1869 attempt to reach the North Pole via East Greenland.

Day 5 Blomsterbugten / Renbugten
Blomsterbugten, the "Bay of Flowers," is home to beautiful purple and gold colored rocks that we'll explore in the distance, or on a hike for those who wish. Later we'll continue to Renbugten, called "Reindeer Bay" for the herd of 12 reindeer seen on one of the first expeditions to the area. Arctic hare are a common and delightful sight in this area.

Day 6: Ella Island
At Ella Island, a hiker's paradise, you can challenge yourself with a climb to the top of the island, where you will be well-rewarded for your efforts.

Day 7: Ittoqqortoormiit / Hall Bredning
At the start of the sound, Itoqqortoormiit is East Greenland's most northerly community and boasts a blend of traditional and modern lifestyles. With clear skies, you'll have a great opportunity to see the Northern Lights. You can also support local Inuit artisans by purchasing unique handicrafts. Your time here is spent bonding with the Inuit people and gaining an appreciation of their way of life. Later, you'll see huge icebergs - larger than football fields, taller than apartment buildings - crossing Hall Bredning, part of Scoresbysund.

Day 8: Frederiksdal / Sydkapp
Sailing on deeper into Scoresbysund, you'll encounter massive icebergs and an ancient Thule settlement as you approach Sydkap. The scenery here is something you can't even imagine, with towering mountain sides and hundreds of apartment-sized icebergs playing tricks with your sense of perception.

Day 9: Constable Point / Reykjavik
Arrive at Constable Point to board your charter flight back to Reykjavik, home to marvels of architecture and nature. Overnight in your included hotel.

Day 10: Reykjavik, Iceland
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Notes:

Note: The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings are not guaranteed. Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife you encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.

Mandatory Travel Insurance:
Due to the remoteness of the areas in this itinerary, travelers are to carry a minimum of $50,000 of emergency medical coverage. Proof of coverage is required prior to embarkation. All guests are strongly recommended to have comprehensive travel insurance coverage. The shipping company will not be held responsible for delays due to force majeure. Any additional costs accrued will be the responsibility of the traveler. ExpeditionTrips strongly recommends that the travel insurance policy covers trip cancellation insurance, trip delay (interruption or after departure coverage), baggage and repatriation. We can assist U.S. residents with travel protection options. Other conditions may apply based on pre-existing conditions.

Luggage Weight Restrictions:
Due to the limited capacity of the aircraft, participants can only bring 15kg/33lb of checked luggage and 5kg/11lb of carry-on luggage. Weight limits are subject to change.

Kayaking Option:
Not included in cruise rate. Minimum age 16 years. This is a pre-booked option for kayakers with some experience. Places are strictly limited so please advise at time of booking. Please contact us for additional details.

Paddling:
If you’re interested in kayaking and would like to try something less in-depth than sea kayaking, you can still enjoy the benefits of adding an on-water experience to your expedition with a paddling excursion. Sign up for a one-time one hour paddle on a sit-on-top kayak, which is stable and unencumbered: perfect for anyone with little to no experience with kayaking. No experience necessary. Max. 10 kayakers for a limit of one excursions. All sit-on-top kayaks are doubles. Pre-booking required.

Charter Flight Contingency Plan:
In the rare instance where on the final day for flight attempts the flight was still not successfully completed, the shipping company has the right to cancel the trip. The shipping company reserves the right to extend the final attempt day if weather conditions are improving. If the trip is cancelled: THE SHIPPING COMPANY WILL PROVIDE A FULL REFUND FOR THE FULL CRUISE FARE AND ANY UNUSED ADVENTURE OPTIONS. No refund will be provided if the flight is successfully completed regardless of which day of the itinerary it was executed. International airfare, domestic airfare, any additional services purchased or change fees, will not be refunded by the shipping company. The shipping company will provide a trip interruption letter to be submitted by the passenger to their insurance company. The shipping company strongly recommends that all guests purchase changeable airline tickets and a travel insurance policy which includes trip delay, cancellation and interruption insurance with airfare coverage. The shipping company will issue the cruise fare refund back in the same form/medium in which payment was received.

The shipping company reserves the right to send passengers on the charter plane the evening prior to the scheduled day. This may happen when they see a weather system that could cause a delay on subsequent days.

For each day of the itinerary after Day 1, if there is a delay, all guests will be briefed by the shipping company ground staff on the flight status as you are waiting for a weather window to depart and could be required to leave with very little notice. All guests and staff will be on stand-by until approximately 11:59 hrs. During the stand-by period you must be at the airport, or at another location designated by the ground staff to be ready to go if and when a suitably long weather window becomes available. If by 11:59 hrs the flight remains delayed, you will be returned back to your respective hotels or you may choose to join additional excursions for the afternoon compliments of the shipping company which may include guided tours to sites of historic, cultural or wildlife interest. On these days, the shipping company will provide additional night(s) hotel accommodation and meals. If the trip is cancelled, the shipping company will provide a final single night of hotel accommodation. Any additional hotel nights and meals will be the responsibility of the guest. The shipping company reserves the right to make exceptions to these timing guidelines. Subject to change without notice.

Included:
1 pre-expedition night hotel in Reykjavik; group transfer from hotel to Reykjavik airport for charter flight on embarkation day; charter flights between Reykjavik/Constable Point on embarkation/disembarkation day; transfer to and from ship; group transfer from domestic airport to Reykjavik hotel on disembarkation day; 1 post-expedition night hotel in Reykjavik with breakfast; shipboard accommodations; meals onboard ship; shore landings per daily program; coffee, tea, cocoa available around the clock; waterproof boots on loan for shore landings; parka - yours to keep; photographic journal documenting the expedition; pre-departure materials; miscellaneous service taxes and port charges; luggage handling aboard ship; emergency evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of $500,000 per person*; use of snowshoes (weather dependent); Greenland voyages Cruise Passenger Tax; gratuities; beer and wine with dinner; soft drinks 24/7. Subject to change without notice.

Not Included:
Any airfare except charter flights mentioned as included; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above; optional kayaking; optional paddling; baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance; excess baggage charges; laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges; mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising; phone and internet charges; voluntary gratuity for ship’s crew and staff; additional overnight accommodation; arrival and departure transfers between Reykjavik international airport and hotel on arrival and departure days; fuel surcharge may apply.

*Emergency Evacuation Insurance:
Emergency evacuation coverage to a maximum benefit per paying passenger of $500,000 is included in the cost of this expedition. Included coverage is applicable only while traveling with the shipping company between the first and last day of the expedition. Additional days of travel prior to the expedition and/or after the expedition, including pre- and post-packages/hotels/flights, purchased from the shipping company or from suppliers other than the shipping company, are not covered by the included emergency evacuation insurance. We strongly advise all passengers to purchase medical, cancellation and baggage insurance, and additional emergency evacuation coverage.

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