10-night Greenland Explorer – Sail and Soar the Arctic Expedition

Arrive in the Icelandic capital and make your way to your included hotel. You will have the rest of the day to explore the city on your own.,

In the early afternoon, we will transfer to Keflavík Airport for our private charter flight from the Icelandic capital to Narsarsuaq, Greenland, where we'll embark the Ultramarine. A scenic community deep in Tunulliarfik Fjord, Narsarsuaq is the gateway to South Greenland. Originally established in the 1940s as a U.S. military base, the approximately 2,000–meter paved runway and small terminal are now managed by Mittarfeqarfiit (Greenland Airport Authority).,

In the early afternoon, we will transfer to Keflavík Airport for our private charter flight from the Icelandic capital to Narsarsuaq, Greenland, where we'll embark the Ultramarine. A scenic community deep in Tunulliarfik Fjord, Narsarsuaq is the gateway to South Greenland. Originally established in the 1940s as a U.S. military base, the approximately 2,000–meter paved runway and small terminal are now managed by Mittarfeqarfiit (Greenland Airport Authority).,

In the early afternoon, we will transfer to Keflavík Airport for our private charter flight from the Icelandic capital to Narsarsuaq, Greenland, where we'll embark the Ultramarine. A scenic community deep in Tunulliarfik Fjord, Narsarsuaq is the gateway to South Greenland. Originally established in the 1940s as a U.S. military base, the approximately 2,000–meter paved runway and small terminal are now managed by Mittarfeqarfiit (Greenland Airport Authority).,

In the early afternoon, we will transfer to Keflavík Airport for our private charter flight from the Icelandic capital to Narsarsuaq, Greenland, where we'll embark the Ultramarine. A scenic community deep in Tunulliarfik Fjord, Narsarsuaq is the gateway to South Greenland. Originally established in the 1940s as a U.S. military base, the approximately 2,000–meter paved runway and small terminal are now managed by Mittarfeqarfiit (Greenland Airport Authority).,

Since Narsarsuaq means 'great plain', it stands to reason South Greenland's international airport is here. The ice cap is about three to four hours away on foot - and a beautiful hike away through lush 'Flower Valley'. The ice can also be experienced by sailing to Qooroq Fjord where boats sail close to the glacier, which occasionally sends gigantic icebergs into the water. Narsarsuaq offers a beautiful view of Qassiarsuk sheep farms. To this day ruins from the Norse era are clearly visible, as are elegant reconstructions of Erik's farmstead and Thjodhildur's Church. Many stay at them during hiking trips, horseback rides and angling trips in the area. Itilleq is one hour by boat from Narsarsuaq to the south-east. From here it is a short walk to the settlement of Igaliku. The Norse named the locality Gardar, and an Episcopal residence was founded here in 1126. The ruins of the cathedral and bishop's place have been renovated in recent years, and today constitute a beautiful memorial to Greenland's Norse Era.

We set out for the wild fjords of the uninhabited east coast, one of which is Lindenow Fjord, also known by its Greenlandic name, Kangerlussuatsiaq. Thousands of years ago, groups of paleo–Inuit hunters and fishermen made their home in these isolated fjords, living off the land and surviving mostly on the resources the sea provided, before European explorers and the subsequent establishment of settlements prompted one of the biggest waves of migration in Greenland. Traces of these once proud peoples can still be found today against the backdrop of cascading glaciers and steep–walled mountains. These fjords are frequented by marine mammals. Rare sightings of polar bears are possible, as they drift down from the north on sea ice floes propelled by the East Greenland Current. Humpback whales are often sighted when entering fjords as the shallowing seas bring an upwelling of nutrients to the surface. While we keep our eyes peeled for wildlife, the magnificent alpine terrain invites us to explore by sea, land, and air to immerse ourselves completely in the remote icescapes of the region. The wild east is ideal for heli landings and hiking, paddle excursions, Zodiac cruises, and shore landings.,

Alicudi is a remote island in the Aeolian archipelago north of Sicily, Italy. The island was formed 150,000 years ago when Montagnola volcano erupted. It was evident the island first populated in 17th century BC when fragments of Roman artifacts were discovered. The island was once named Ericusa deriving from the Erica plant that grows on the island’s slopes. Present-day Alicudi is abundant in agriculture and fishing. Visitors can hike Alicudi’s summit, Monte Filo dell’Arpa, journey to the church of San Bartolo, the patron saint of the island and take a relaxing stroll through the grapevines and fields of olive trees.

This narrow 70-mile-long channel across the southernmost tip of Greenland is breathtakingly dramatic. Huge glaciers tumble down towards the rugged coast from the Greenland ice cap-exactly the kind of scene that inspired one Greenlandic poet to declare: 'I get dizzy of all this beauty'. A thousand years ago, just north of here at Narsarsuaq, Eric the Red established his farm amid 6,000-foot mountains and glaciers.

The stunning maze of fjords, sounds, islets, inlets, and skerries (rocky islands) in and around Cape Farewell (Nunap Isua) at Greenland's most southern tip possesses its own particular magic. Transiting the 100-kilometer-long Prins Christians Sund (Ikerasassuaq)—one of the world's most scenic fjords—will be truly unforgettable. Guests can then look forward to dramatic mountain and seascapes with glaciers tumbling down to down to the sea, and stunning vistas around every corner. Inhabiting this domain are Southern Greenlanders living on the frontier, a people as unique as the landscape they call home. This is where the migrating hunting peoples from the east finally settled around the European trading posts. The few villages in this southern region have gained a level of fame thanks to the inhabitants who remain steadfastly faithful to their hunting and fishing heritage. We hope to visit Aappilattoq, perched on the shores of Prins Christians Sund (Ikerasassuaq), to meet our friends and partners there. You will hopefully have the opportunity to listen to their stories, hear their music, taste their food, learn about their hunting traditions, and perhaps even join a friendly game of soccer as a player or spectator. If you are looking for the most iconic peaks of South Greenland, you'll be in your glory when we reach the Tasermiut Fjord in the heart of what's known as "Arctic Patagonia", where guests can sign up for overnight camping (with local hosts) along the 70–kilometer fjord. Marvel at the impressive Tasermiut Glacier at its head with rivers of ice tumbling almost down to sea level, and the imposing peaks of Nalumasortoq and Ulamertorsuaq dominating the skyline, making for the most scenic backdrops to your hike or helicopter–enabled excursions.,

Following in the footsteps of the Greenlandic Norse into the Western fjords, it's easy to appreciate why Erik the Red chose this land as his home and gave Greenland its name: every direction you look rewards visitors with vistas of blue, ice–strewn waters set against a breathtaking backdrop of lush, verdant valleys, and pastures bursting with blooms. Unique to Greenland, and indeed the entire Arctic, warm microclimates deep in the fjords have created a surprisingly fertile Arctic Garden of Eden. South Greenlandic farming traditions dating back to Viking days are still kept alive. Many families work their remote sheep farms along the shores of the fjords, their lives very much attuned to the seasons as they produce a variety of organic home–grown produce (such as potatoes, turnips, and kale). Also in the West, we find the perfect access points to the Greenland Ice Sheet, the largest mass of ice in the northern hemisphere and second largest in the world, flowing from the heights of the polar plateau to sea level. Become one of the very few people to ever set foot on this incredible body of ice during our included Greenland Ice Sheet Experience. Over these two days you will have the opportunity to explore the Ice Sheet, hike the surrounding foothills, cruise or paddle through the azure ice–filled waters, and engage with local friends and partners during the most meaningful and in–depth community experiences offered on any Quark Expeditions voyage. Before you depart on your charter flight back to Reykjavík in the early evening of Day 10, we plan to spend the day visiting the sites surrounding Narsarsuaq, including the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is a living history lesson in Viking farming. You'll be offered the opportunity to visit charming Qassiarsuk, a small sheep farming settlement across the fjord from Narsarsuaq, where you can experience true South Greenland hospitality and gain insight into the fascinating lives of sheep farmers living at the edge of the Ice Sheet. Take time to explore the remains and replicas of Brattahlíð, Erik the Red's estate, once the epicenter of the Greenland Norse Eastern Settlement, before heading back across the bay to Narsarsuaq to visit the museum, hike to Signal Hill for a panoramic view, and enjoy the frontier–town ambience. Before our early evening charter flight, we will celebrate our voyage with a 'Farewell to Greenland' dinner ashore at the iconic Hotel Narsarsuaq. Upon landing back at Reykjavík's international airport in the evening, you will be transferred to a hotel in nearby Keflavík.,

Since Narsarsuaq means 'great plain', it stands to reason South Greenland's international airport is here. The ice cap is about three to four hours away on foot - and a beautiful hike away through lush 'Flower Valley'. The ice can also be experienced by sailing to Qooroq Fjord where boats sail close to the glacier, which occasionally sends gigantic icebergs into the water. Narsarsuaq offers a beautiful view of Qassiarsuk sheep farms. To this day ruins from the Norse era are clearly visible, as are elegant reconstructions of Erik's farmstead and Thjodhildur's Church. Many stay at them during hiking trips, horseback rides and angling trips in the area. Itilleq is one hour by boat from Narsarsuaq to the south-east. From here it is a short walk to the settlement of Igaliku. The Norse named the locality Gardar, and an Episcopal residence was founded here in 1126. The ruins of the cathedral and bishop's place have been renovated in recent years, and today constitute a beautiful memorial to Greenland's Norse Era.

Following in the footsteps of the Greenlandic Norse into the Western fjords, it's easy to appreciate why Erik the Red chose this land as his home and gave Greenland its name: every direction you look rewards visitors with vistas of blue, ice–strewn waters set against a breathtaking backdrop of lush, verdant valleys, and pastures bursting with blooms. Unique to Greenland, and indeed the entire Arctic, warm microclimates deep in the fjords have created a surprisingly fertile Arctic Garden of Eden. South Greenlandic farming traditions dating back to Viking days are still kept alive. Many families work their remote sheep farms along the shores of the fjords, their lives very much attuned to the seasons as they produce a variety of organic home–grown produce (such as potatoes, turnips, and kale). Also in the West, we find the perfect access points to the Greenland Ice Sheet, the largest mass of ice in the northern hemisphere and second largest in the world, flowing from the heights of the polar plateau to sea level. Become one of the very few people to ever set foot on this incredible body of ice during our included Greenland Ice Sheet Experience. Over these two days you will have the opportunity to explore the Ice Sheet, hike the surrounding foothills, cruise or paddle through the azure ice–filled waters, and engage with local friends and partners during the most meaningful and in–depth community experiences offered on any Quark Expeditions voyage. Before you depart on your charter flight back to Reykjavík in the early evening of Day 10, we plan to spend the day visiting the sites surrounding Narsarsuaq, including the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is a living history lesson in Viking farming. You'll be offered the opportunity to visit charming Qassiarsuk, a small sheep farming settlement across the fjord from Narsarsuaq, where you can experience true South Greenland hospitality and gain insight into the fascinating lives of sheep farmers living at the edge of the Ice Sheet. Take time to explore the remains and replicas of Brattahlíð, Erik the Red's estate, once the epicenter of the Greenland Norse Eastern Settlement, before heading back across the bay to Narsarsuaq to visit the museum, hike to Signal Hill for a panoramic view, and enjoy the frontier–town ambience. Before our early evening charter flight, we will celebrate our voyage with a 'Farewell to Greenland' dinner ashore at the iconic Hotel Narsarsuaq. Upon landing back at Reykjavík's international airport in the evening, you will be transferred to a hotel in nearby Keflavík.,

Following in the footsteps of the Greenlandic Norse into the Western fjords, it's easy to appreciate why Erik the Red chose this land as his home and gave Greenland its name: every direction you look rewards visitors with vistas of blue, ice–strewn waters set against a breathtaking backdrop of lush, verdant valleys, and pastures bursting with blooms. Unique to Greenland, and indeed the entire Arctic, warm microclimates deep in the fjords have created a surprisingly fertile Arctic Garden of Eden. South Greenlandic farming traditions dating back to Viking days are still kept alive. Many families work their remote sheep farms along the shores of the fjords, their lives very much attuned to the seasons as they produce a variety of organic home–grown produce (such as potatoes, turnips, and kale). Also in the West, we find the perfect access points to the Greenland Ice Sheet, the largest mass of ice in the northern hemisphere and second largest in the world, flowing from the heights of the polar plateau to sea level. Become one of the very few people to ever set foot on this incredible body of ice during our included Greenland Ice Sheet Experience. Over these two days you will have the opportunity to explore the Ice Sheet, hike the surrounding foothills, cruise or paddle through the azure ice–filled waters, and engage with local friends and partners during the most meaningful and in–depth community experiences offered on any Quark Expeditions voyage. Before you depart on your charter flight back to Reykjavík in the early evening of Day 10, we plan to spend the day visiting the sites surrounding Narsarsuaq, including the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is a living history lesson in Viking farming. You'll be offered the opportunity to visit charming Qassiarsuk, a small sheep farming settlement across the fjord from Narsarsuaq, where you can experience true South Greenland hospitality and gain insight into the fascinating lives of sheep farmers living at the edge of the Ice Sheet. Take time to explore the remains and replicas of Brattahlíð, Erik the Red's estate, once the epicenter of the Greenland Norse Eastern Settlement, before heading back across the bay to Narsarsuaq to visit the museum, hike to Signal Hill for a panoramic view, and enjoy the frontier–town ambience. Before our early evening charter flight, we will celebrate our voyage with a 'Farewell to Greenland' dinner ashore at the iconic Hotel Narsarsuaq. Upon landing back at Reykjavík's international airport in the evening, you will be transferred to a hotel in nearby Keflavík.,

Following in the footsteps of the Greenlandic Norse into the Western fjords, it's easy to appreciate why Erik the Red chose this land as his home and gave Greenland its name: every direction you look rewards visitors with vistas of blue, ice–strewn waters set against a breathtaking backdrop of lush, verdant valleys, and pastures bursting with blooms. Unique to Greenland, and indeed the entire Arctic, warm microclimates deep in the fjords have created a surprisingly fertile Arctic Garden of Eden. South Greenlandic farming traditions dating back to Viking days are still kept alive. Many families work their remote sheep farms along the shores of the fjords, their lives very much attuned to the seasons as they produce a variety of organic home–grown produce (such as potatoes, turnips, and kale). Also in the West, we find the perfect access points to the Greenland Ice Sheet, the largest mass of ice in the northern hemisphere and second largest in the world, flowing from the heights of the polar plateau to sea level. Become one of the very few people to ever set foot on this incredible body of ice during our included Greenland Ice Sheet Experience. Over these two days you will have the opportunity to explore the Ice Sheet, hike the surrounding foothills, cruise or paddle through the azure ice–filled waters, and engage with local friends and partners during the most meaningful and in–depth community experiences offered on any Quark Expeditions voyage. Before you depart on your charter flight back to Reykjavík in the early evening of Day 10, we plan to spend the day visiting the sites surrounding Narsarsuaq, including the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is a living history lesson in Viking farming. You'll be offered the opportunity to visit charming Qassiarsuk, a small sheep farming settlement across the fjord from Narsarsuaq, where you can experience true South Greenland hospitality and gain insight into the fascinating lives of sheep farmers living at the edge of the Ice Sheet. Take time to explore the remains and replicas of Brattahlíð, Erik the Red's estate, once the epicenter of the Greenland Norse Eastern Settlement, before heading back across the bay to Narsarsuaq to visit the museum, hike to Signal Hill for a panoramic view, and enjoy the frontier–town ambience. Before our early evening charter flight, we will celebrate our voyage with a 'Farewell to Greenland' dinner ashore at the iconic Hotel Narsarsuaq. Upon landing back at Reykjavík's international airport in the evening, you will be transferred to a hotel in nearby Keflavík.,

Today, you can make your way home at your leisure or continue your independent explorations of Iceland.,