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East Greenland and Iceland Northern Lights

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Operated by Intrepid Travel
Tripcode: BQMIN
Overview
Destination:
Greenland
Iceland
Start:Reykjavik, Iceland
Finish:Reykjavik, Iceland
Duration:12 days
Type:Group tour (max 132)
Style:
Adventure,
Polar,
Wildlife,
This product has sold out, you can still contact us for other options.
An Arctic expedition through East Greenland and Iceland is the perfect opportunity to mix nature and culture. From the spectacular icebergs of Scoresbysund, often touted as the world’s most beautiful fjords in the world, to the largest bird cliff in Europe, which is cluttered with cute puffins and other seabirds, there’s something to satisfy every outdoors-y type. And then, the surprising culture and history of this remote region – from meeting the Inuit people and learning about their way of life to the quaint island of Flatey where you can visit a church sporting a mural of Jesus in a classic Icelandic sweater.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Your voyage is operated by our sister company, Quark Expeditions. All accommodation and transfer arrangements as listed in the itinerary are also operated by Quark Expeditions or their local representatives.

BOOKING CONDITIONS
To confirm your reservation, a deposit of 25% (unless indicated otherwise at time of booking) of the total invoice amount is required at time of booking. Balances are due 120 days prior to departure.
Please refer to our "Booking terms and conditions" page on our website for all Quark Expedition terms and conditions. www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-intrepid/booking-conditions

ADVENTURE OPTIONS
Kayaking is available to book on all Arctic voyages (except the North Pole). This must be booked prior to departure and incurs an additional cost. Spaces are limited so please enquire at time of booking. To participate in kayaking, previous, recent experience is essential. In addition, there are other included optional activities offered on some voyages such as hiking. This activity does not need to be booked in advance and no additional cost applies.

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Standard inclusions
  • Meals: Meals: 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners.
  • Transport: Ship, Zodiac.
  • Accommodation: Hotel (1 night), Expedition cruise ship (10 nights).
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Itinerary
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Day 1: Reykjavik
Welcome to Iceland! Your Arctic voyage begins in Reykjavik, Iceland’s artistic capital city. You can arrive in Reykjavik at any time today and make your way to your hotel. You'll have the day to explore the city on your own, so you may want to visit one of the many museums, cathedrals or galleries – or perhaps seek out one of Iceland’s famous hotdogs from a popular street stall.
Day 2: Reykjavik
After a free morning to continue exploring the city, you’ll make your way to your ship in the afternoon to board your vessel and begin your expedition. After you board the ship and set sail, you’ll be able to enjoy a range of activities on board – but don’t forget to keep an eye out for Arctic animals in the wildlife-filled water!
Day 3: At sea
As you cruise north across the Denmark Strait, your expedition team will prepare you for the adventures that await. Learn about the storied history and politics of the Arctic, its fascinating wildlife, geology, ecology and climate, and the incredible sights you will soon explore. The team will also search for the seabirds soaring around your ship, as well as the whales that frequent the waters here.
Days 4-10: Exploring Northeast Greenland
The next week will be spent voyaging around Greenland’s remote northeast coast. Over the coming days, you’ll enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. It’s worth keeping an eye out for grazing muskoxen, as 40 percent of the world’s muskoxen population lives in Northeast Greenland National Park. Sailing through spectacular Scoresbysund, the birthplace of many icebergs, you’ll immediately see why some say it’s the most beautiful fjord system on the planet. Sites such as Frederiksdal and Sydkap offer opportunities to explore the colourful tundra and the remains of ancient Thule settlements. At the entrance of the sound is East Greenland’s most northerly community, Ittoqqortoormiit, where you may spend time interacting with the Inuit people and learning about their way of life. You may also have a chance to see the northern lights here if the skies are clear. Deeper in the sound, Rode Oya offers a picturesque locale for admiring the beauty of sky-blue bergs set against striking red sandstone cliffs. Magnificent vistas also await at Kong Oscar Fjord, with possible landings at Ella Oya, renowned for its rugged cliffs and ice-choked waters, and flower-rich Botanikerbugt, on Ymer Oya. You may visit the Bay of Flowers, or Blomsterbugten, which boasts a colorful and lush landscape that is quite different from other Arctic regions like Spitsbergen. Expect spectacular fall colors, with a possible hike to Noa Lake. Perhaps see Kong Oscar Fjord (King Oscar Fjord). This bay is home to a variety of flora and sits on the south coast of mountainous Ymer Oya (Ymer Island), part of Northeast Greenland National Park. Go searching for muskoxen in C. Hofmann Halvo. The peninsula is also home to wheatears and snow buntings, and you may spot rock ptarmigans or great northern divers while at sea. Encounter stunning icebergs before hiking across Denmark Island, which offers stupendous views of Scoresbysund and Fonfjord below. Exploring the valley system of Frederiksdal on foot may offer views of muskoxen, glaciers and ancient Thule remains. Toward the northern end of Scoresby Land is Kong Oscar Fjord (King Oscar Fjord). Holm Bay is a common landing site here, offering panoramic views of the fjord and surrounding area. Within the fjord, and hence within Northeast Greenland National Park, lies Ella O (Ella Island). The Danish navy unit called Sirius Sledge Patrol trains here in summer. Muskoxen may also be spotted. Around 500 people call the northern settlement of Ittoqqortoormit home. Traditional hunting and fishing ways are alive and well here, as are the northern lights! This is known as one of the best places to have a chance of seeing the mysterious aurora borealis. One of Scoresbysund’s many fjords, O Fjord, which is also known as Island Fjord, is truly impressive, flanked by towering mountains and dotted with large icebergs. Touring Rode Oya, or Red Island, rewards with stunning views of white and blue icebergs against a background of soaring red sandstone cliffs. The unexpected contrast makes for striking photos. See Red Fjord, or Rodefjord, named for the colorful sandstone located on its western side. The stone has been 'stained' red by hematite, creating an odd beauty in this part of Greenland. Revered by many as the most beautiful fjord system in the world, Scoresby Sund is definitely the most extensive. The sound was named by William Scoresby Jr., a whaler, scientist and man of the cloth, who was famed for mapping more than 400 mi (640 km) off Greenland’s coastline.
Day 11: At Sea
As your Arctic adventure winds down, take in a presentation by your onboard experts, share your photos with fellow travellers, sip an icy cocktail in the bar or watch a movie - there are many activities during your time at sea. Your expedition team will also be on hand to answer any questions and point out wildlife.
Day 12: Reykjavik
Your journey comes to an end today in Reykjavik, where you’ll disembark from the ship. If you have booked post-expedition accommodation, you’ll be transferred to a central downtown location, otherwise you can make your way onward.
Operator
Intrepid Travel

Intrepid is a small group tour travel company with humble beginnings that now sends over 100,000 travellers a year on grassroots and responsible travel tours.

Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice. For more information, please see Terms of Use
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11 nights
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