South Greenland Exploration: Fjords, Waterfalls and Fishing Villages
Highlights
- Sail East Greenland’s glacial fjords, from stunning Prins Christian Sund to Tasermiut Fjord—Greenland’s take on Patagonia’s wild beauty.
- Step into Viking history at Qassiarsuk, home to Erik the Red’s ancient settlement and the first Christian church in the Americas.
- Experience Greenlandic culture, from Qaqortoq’s traditional foods to Inuit heritage and 15th-century mummies in Nuuk’s museum.
Embark on an unforgettable Arctic voyage from Reykjavík, Iceland to the sweeping, ice-carved coasts of southern and western Greenland—where Norse legends were born and Arctic wilderness still reigns supreme. This 11-day expedition traces the bold footsteps of Erik the Red through a realm of timeless fjords, glacial valleys, and ancient settlements that shaped the Viking world and Indigenous lifeways alike.
Sailing in the summer season when the sea ice begins to retreat and wildlife is most visible, you’ll witness Greenland in full vitality—glaciers calving into mirror-still waters, seabirds wheeling through towering fjords, and whales slicing through the inky deep. With Zodiac cruises, hiking excursions, and kayaking through iceberg-strewn channels, you’ll experience this breathtaking landscape from every angle—accompanied by onboard experts and National Geographic photo guides.
From standing before the reconstructed longhouse of Erik the Red to navigating the storied Denmark Strait, this voyage invites you to touch history and wild beauty in equal measure. Visit thriving local communities where ancient traditions meet modern life, taste Greenlandic cuisine, and encounter archaeological sites preserved for over a millennium. The sense of awe—at nature’s scale, at humanity’s endurance, at the shared past beneath your feet—will leave a lasting imprint.
This journey is perfect for curious minds, cultural explorers, and wilderness seekers who yearn to go beyond the familiar. It’s an opportunity to not only see the Arctic—but to feel its stories, its silence, its strength.
Standard Activities
About the South Greenland Exploration: Fjords, Waterfalls and Fishing Villages
Embark on an unforgettable Arctic voyage from Reykjavík, Iceland to the sweeping, ice-carved coasts of southern and western Greenland—where Norse legends were born and Arctic wilderness still reigns supreme. This 11-day expedition traces the bold footsteps of Erik the Red through a realm of timeless fjords, glacial valleys, and ancient settlements that shaped the Viking world and Indigenous lifeways alike.
Sailing in the summer season when the sea ice begins to retreat and wildlife is most visible, you’ll witness Greenland in full vitality—glaciers calving into mirror-still waters, seabirds wheeling through towering fjords, and whales slicing through the inky deep. With Zodiac cruises, hiking excursions, and kayaking through iceberg-strewn channels, you’ll experience this breathtaking landscape from every angle—accompanied by onboard experts and National Geographic photo guides.
From standing before the reconstructed longhouse of Erik the Red to navigating the storied Denmark Strait, this voyage invites you to touch history and wild beauty in equal measure. Visit thriving local communities where ancient traditions meet modern life, taste Greenlandic cuisine, and encounter archaeological sites preserved for over a millennium. The sense of awe—at nature’s scale, at humanity’s endurance, at the shared past beneath your feet—will leave a lasting imprint.
This journey is perfect for curious minds, cultural explorers, and wilderness seekers who yearn to go beyond the familiar. It’s an opportunity to not only see the Arctic—but to feel its stories, its silence, its strength.
Itinerary Day to Day
Reykjavík, Iceland / Embark Ship
Arrive in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, which lies just below the Arctic Circle. Transfer from the airport to the city and spend the day exploring at your own pace. Check in with the hospitality desk this afternoon before embarking the ship.
Meals Included: Dinner
Grundarfjörður
Crossing the Denmark Strait
Exploring East Greenland
Prins Christian Sund and Tasermiut Fjord
Qaqortoq
Qassiarsuk
Paamiut and Kuannersooq Fjord
Nuuk
Nuuk / Disembark Ship / Reykjavík, Iceland
Reykjavík
Route Map
What's Included
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All accommodations aboard ship or in hotels per itinerary.
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All meals as indicated in the itinerary, both aboard and onshore; beer, wine, cocktails, liquors and spirits aboard the ship (except certain premium brands which are available for purchase).
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Hors d’oeuvres, 24-hour access to snacks, premium coffees and teas, non-alcoholic beverages, and filtered water.
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Excursions and airport transfers to and from recommended flights, as indicated in the itinerary.
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Crew gratuities.
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Exploration tools curated to destination, such as Zodiacs, kayaks, guidance and company of our leading expedition staff.
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Assistance by the National Geographic Photographer and Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor.
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Access to the OM System Photo Gear Locker.
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Presentations by expedition staff and expert guest speakers.
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Complimentary parka or jacket, complimentary reusable water bottle.
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Onboard physician consultations.
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Morning stretch classes and 24-hour access to exercise equipment.
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24-hour access to lounges, observation decks, library, and other shared spaces.
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Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes.
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Unused services or items included in our programs are non-refundable.
What's Excluded
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Airfare (except flights* when indicated as included).
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Pre- and post-expedition extensions.
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Additional hotel nights (except when indicated as included.
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Private transfers.
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Laundry, spa treatments, Wi-Fi, and phone services (except when indicated as included).
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Travel protection plans; and passport, visa, and immigration fees.
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*Recommended flight costs include flight(s) that take place during the date range of your trip to transport travelers from one itinerary destination to another. This cost also includes ground transportation, luggage transfer, and airport assistance. If you prefer to arrange your own flights privately, have alternate means of transport, or wish to modify at a later time, please contact an Expedition Specialist
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Additional costs associated with medical services outside onboard physician consultation.
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