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Greenland and Iceland - The Ultimate Fjord and National Park Expedition

This exploration begins in Spitsbergen and sails to Greenland and Iceland for an incomparable Arctic adventure. As we reach the least-visited national park in the world, we might sail for days without seeing another vessel. The chances of meeting a polar wolf or a polar bear are far greater than meeting another human being. Join us for a voyage far beyond the ordinary.

  • Visit three Arctic islands in one expedition
  • Explore the largest National Park in the world
  • Visit the most isolated settlements in Greenland
  • Chance to see polar bears, musk oxen, polar hares, greenland falcons and polar wolves
This ship has sailed

This cruise has sailed! Don't worry, here are a few suggestions to explore Greenland with Hurtigruten.

Itinerary

The itinerary

This is an expedition where the elements rule, and the weather, wind and ice conditions will determine our final schedule. Safety is paramount and the captain will decide the sailing itinerary during the voyage. Therefore, this itinerary is just an indication of what you can experience, and why every expedition with Hurtigruten is unique.

Departure 26 July 2019

Departs from Oslo/Longyearbyen
Overview

Explore three Arctic islands and the least-visited national park in the world on an unforgettable wilderness adventure. This voyage is also available in 2018. Read about it here.

See the Arctic Crown of Norway - Spitsbergen

After embarking on MS Roald Amundsen in Longyearbyen, we sail out of Isfjord towards the open ocean that evening. Why not join the Expedition team on deck as they scan for whales?

Glorious isolation

As we start sailing along the coast of Greenland, the splendid isolation of the journey begins to take hold. Once in the fjords of North East Greenland, your sense of distance, size and shape of landscapes will be challenged. These are the largest fjords in the world, and the surrounding alpine landscape, with hanging glaciers and dramatic vertical granite walls, stretches as far as the eye can see. All along our route, we will go ashore to explore the wilderness. You can also participate in exciting excursions such as kayaking and hiking.

Our last call in North East Greenland is the most isolated town in the country; Ittoqqortoormiit.

For up to nine months of the year, the town is cut off from the outside world. Our local guide will show you the sights, including a visit to the museum and the church as you discover this unique settlement on foot.

The "Saga Land"

We explore the west of Iceland, often called the "Saga Land”. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is sometimes referred to as Iceland in a Nutshell. Dotted with towns and villages, mountains, bird cliffs, saga sites and hiking trails – it is truly a world of unique beauty.

Day 1
Oslo by night, Barcode
Photo: Morten Normann Almeland / Shutterstock Photo

The Crown of Arctic Norway

Oslo/Longyearbyen

Norway's capital Oslo is often referred to as "the blue, the green and the city in between". Forests, lakes, hills and a fjord surrounds this city. Downtown you will find unique architecture, a thriving cafe and bar culture, top-notch restaurants, endless shopping possibilities, and a large and visible immigrant community who add their own colourful touch to the city.

You leave Oslo in the late evening, heading for the High Arctic - Svalbard.

Day 2
Longyearbyen
Photo: Natalia Davidovich / shutterstock Photo

Next to the North Pole

Longyearbyen

The Svalbard Islands are located in the Arctic Ocean, halfway between Norway and the North Pole. In the midst of this mighty wilderness is the Norwegian settlement of Longyearbyen, warm under the light of the Midnight Sun as you arrive at the airport, and we transfer you to the harbour where MS Roald Amundsen awaits.  

Day 3-4
A man standing in front of a body of water

Spotting Wildlife From the Deck

At sea

Sea days can be as active or relaxing as you choose!  You won’t want to miss the fascinating lectures given by members of the Expedition team as they prepare you for the adventures ahead.  Perhaps you´d like to join a photography workshop or learn about the ecosystems of the maritime Arctic.  We hope to encounter the fascinating and beautiful world of sea ice as we sail. Whenever we are close to drift ice, we will look carefully, because there is a chance that a polar bear uses this ice floe as a platform when hunting at sea. 

Day 5-8
Water next to a mountain
Once in the fjords of North East Greenland, your sense of distance, size and shape of landscapes will be challenged. These are the largest fjords in the world, and the surrounding alpine landscape, with hanging glaciers and dramatic vertical granite walls, stretches as far as the eye can see. Photo
Scoresbysund fjord system, Greenland
Photo: Steve Allen / shutterstock Photo
A large ship in the water
Northeast Greenland, the largest national park in the world. Photo
Highlight

The least-visited national park in the world

Northeast Greenland National Park

As we arrive in the largest national park in the world, the splendid isolation of this journey begins to take hold. Apart from some abandoned trapping stations, a weather station and the traditional Sirius sled patrol, there are no traces of humans here.

Within the borders of Northeast Greenland National Park there are only about 30 souls that overwinter. In the very short summer season, when the waters are free of ice, only 500 expedition guests visit the park. Once inside the fjords of North East Greenland, your sense of distance, size and shape of landscapes will be challenged. These are the largest fjords in the world and the alpine landscape, with hanging glaciers and vertical granite faces reaches as far as the eye can see.

Wildlife like musk oxen, arctic fox, hare and wolf, abound, as do a wide variety of sea birds. And remember, where there is ice, there might be polar bears!

We will call on the isolated research station of Danmarkshavn. Sailing into fjords like Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord or Alpefjord is an unforgettable experience. The majority of our landings are performed as pure wilderness expeditions. We might meet the Sirius Patrol (The Danish Navy) that supervises the park using traditional methods, like sled dogs.

Entering the fjords of Scoresbysund, a natural place to attempt a landing is Myggbukta (Mosquito Bay), where the legendary Governor of North East Greenland had his base. We have the chance to land on the small, flat islands of Bjørne Øer which are surrounded sheer, pointed granite mountains. Our expert guides and lecturers will safely lead you on hikes and small boat trips in addition to giving briefings and lectures about the places we explore.

Day 9
Ittoqqortoormiit, Scorsbysund, Greenland
Photo: Dominic Barrington Photo

The most isolated settlement in Greenland

Ittoqqortoormiit

In Ittoqqortoormiit you can visit the museum, church and a photo exhibition, or explore on your own. The trappers living in this town are the only people that are allowed to hunt within the North East Greenland National Park. You will probably see that they are drying animal skins and storing their dog sleds outside their houses.

Day 10
Hurtigruten, on deck in Greenland
Photo: Sybille Waldt Photo

Lectures and wildlife spotting

At sea

As we leave Greenland, we sail towards the western coast of Iceland. This is an excellent day to attend to lectures and prepare for our return to “civilisation”.

Day 11
Stykkisholmur, Iceland
Photo: Alexey Stiop / Shutterstock Photo

Iceland in a Nutshell

Stykkíshólmur

As we reach the west region of Iceland, you will understand why this area is dubbed “The Sagaland”. Take your time to explore Stykkishólmur’s diversity of lava and rock formations, glaciers, volcanic activity, and hot and cold springs. Participate in a range of exciting excursions such as kayaking, hiking and horse riding.

Day 12
Colourful houses in Reykjavik, Iceland
Photo: Alexey Stiop / Shutterstock Photo

The world’s northernmost capital

Reykjavik

Iceland's capital offers visitors a rich urban life. Relatively close to Reykjavik you will find glaciers, waterfalls, geysers and mountains. Reykjavik itself hosts fine restaurants, museums and shops. We will arrive in the morning hours, and this is where our voyage ends.

Arrival 06 August 2019

Location Reykjavik
Overview

Price includes: 

  • Expedition with cabin grade of your choice on a full board basis
  • Economy flight between Oslo and Longyearbyen
  • Transfer from airport to ship in Longyearbyen 

Not included: 

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Luggage handling
  • Optional excursions and gratuities
Your ship
Contact us

Contact us

Please get in touch with our customer service team if you have questions or wish to add services like flights, transfers and land adventures to your voyage.