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Peregrine Travel Centre

Iceland and Greenland: Edge of the Arctic Expedition

Iceland and Greenland: Edge of the Arctic Expedition

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Description

More than a thousand years ago, the legendary Viking Erik the Red set sail from Iceland to Greenland and was exiled to a stark and spectacular land of endless ice, rocky pinnacles, and steep-sided fjords. Follow his route from Iceland’s magnificent Westfjords peninsula across the Denmark Strait to the ice-sculpted shores of Greenland. Trace the coast of the world’s largest island from the rugged eastern fjords to the fishing villages of the western coast. Search for walrus, whales, and caribou, and use our ship’s exploration tools to discover the undersea. Visit archaeological sites of Viking and Thule settlements and learn about everyday life near the Arctic Circle in charming coastal villages from Flatey Island to Nuuk.

Trip Name
Iceland and Greenland: Edge of the Arctic Expedition
Days
18
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Ship Passenger Capacity: 126 Built: 2020 One of two next-generation ships purpose-built for polar exploration, National Geographic Resolution is named in tribute to Captain James Cook’s legendary second voyage aboard HMS Resolution. With a Polar Code Category A ice-class hull and a pioneering X-Bow® design, she offers unmatched comfort, stability, and quiet passage through even the most challenging polar waters—opening access to remote corners of the Arctic, Antarctica, and beyond. Designed for immersive exploration, the ship’s interior is warm, modern, and elegantly Scandinavian, with expansive windows throughout that keep the wild, ice-bound world always within view. Her six decks house 76 spacious cabins, inviting public spaces, and a full complement of expedition tools. Guests can relax in the observation lounge, library, or spa; enjoy flexible dining across three venues; or gear up in the Expedition Base before heading out in Zodiacs or kayaks. From polar bear sightings in Svalbard to navigating ice-choked channels in the Southern Ocean, Resolution is a state-of-the-art platform for discovering the planet’s most astonishing frontiers.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 Reykjavík, Iceland
Arrive in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, which lies just below the Arctic Circle. Transfer from the airport and have a panoramic overview of the Old Town, including Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral with its 210-foot tower before embarking the ship in the afternoon. Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 - DAY 2 Flatey Island
Follow Iceland’s western coast north, stopping for a visit to the historic trading post of Flatey Island. Take walks around the charming hamlet that sprung up here over the centuries and explore the coast by Zodiac. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - DAY 3 Arnafjörður / Ísafjarðardjúp
Early this morning, glide into beautiful Arnafjörður, an inlet that reaches deep into the northern Westfjords. If you wish, disembark early and hike several miles along the shore to the fjord’s end, where the spectacular Dynjandi Waterfall tumbles some 300 feet over many tiers of rock. Alternatively, join our expedition staff on the deck of the ship to watch our approach to the falls and go ashore by Zodiac to see them close up. There’s a chance we’ll spot nesting arctic terns along the way. Later this evening, enter Ísafjarðardjúp and land at Vigur Island, a privately owned island that is operated by polar explorers and is home to numerous species of seabirds, including a large colony of eider ducks. Visit the family farm to learn how they process and clean eiderdown sustainably, without harming the birds. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - DAY 4 Ísafjörður
The capital of the Westfjords, Ísafjörđur lies on a tiny spit jutting out into the fjord against a backdrop of steep hills. Take a culinary tour of the town, stopping to taste local produce and Icelandic specialties. Alternatively, hike through pristine landscapes to a remote waterfall. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - DAY 5 Crossing the Denmark Strait
Follow in the wake of the legendary Viking Erik the Red as our ship makes its way across the Denmark Strait to Greenland. Listen to talks by our experts, relax with a book in the lounge or the observation deck, and keep an eye out for wildlife as we sail across the continental shelf. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - DAY 6 Exploring East Greenland
The Greenland ice sheet is the second largest body of ice in the world after Antarctica and covers roughly 80% of Greenland’s surface. The island’s coast is etched with thousands of fjords, some of which reach the ice’s edge. Spend the day exploring the islands and inlets of the eastern coast, using our underwater cameras and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to discover marine life and fascinating underwater geology. Venture deep into Skjoldungen fjord and take a Zodiac or a kayak for a foray among the icebergs. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - DAY 7 Prins Christian Sund & Nanortalik
Sail into Prins Christian Sund, which cuts far into the southern tip of Greenland, passing between soaring pinnacles and glaciers. Anchor off the small fishing village of Nanortalik, and go ashore to explore Greenland’s most southerly town, and meet some of the residents for a performance of local folk music and dance. In the tundra outside of town, walk among multitudes of wildflowers. Visit reconstructed longhouses and learn about the construction of traditional umiaks and kayaks. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - DAY 8 Hvalsey Ruins & Qaqortoq
Today, explore two remarkable sites on the Viking Trail. On the shores of Qaqortukulooq fjord lies the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hvalsey, one of the best-preserved Nordic sites in the world. Part of the settlement founded by Erik the Red’s cousins in 986 AD, Hvalsey has yielded fascinating clues to the daily life of the Vikings and their mysterious disappearance. Explore the church constructed in the 14th century, possibly by Norwegian stonemasons, and the living quarters and banquet hall for celebrations. Continue to Qaqortoq, inhabited since the Viking era and now the largest town in South Greenland—with just over 3,200 residents. The Scandinavian influence is apparent in the wooden houses painted primary colors and scattered on the hillside, and colonial architecture dating back to the late 1700s can be found in the town center. Stroll through the town square and visit the museum, where Greenlandic kayaks, hunting equipment, and local art and handicrafts are on display. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - DAY 9 Eriksfjörd & Brattahlíð
Follow the waterway known as Eriksfjörd to Brattahlíð, where Erik the Red established his farm in 982 AD after his exile from Iceland. Erik’s wife, Þjódhild, built the first Christian church in the western hemisphere here. Visit replicas of the church and Erik the Red’s longhouse and see the shores from which their son, Leif Eriksson, launched the first voyages to North America—500 years before Columbus. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - DAY 10 Nuuk
Perched on the seaside in the shadow of ice-capped Sermitsiaq Mountain, Nuuk is the world’s smallest capital city by population, with some 19,000 inhabitants, experiencing tremendous cultural and economic growth. Watch for harp seals as we enter the harbor and take a walking tour with local residents to learn how the community has changed over the generations. At the National Museum, examine the extraordinary 15th-century Qilakitsoq mummies found near Uummannaq—a discovery that was featured in a National Geographic magazine cover story in 1985. The Arctic ice preserved these mummies so well that researchers have been able to study their tattoos, their medical conditions, and even what they ate. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 - DAY 11 Kangaamiut and Evighed Fjord
In the early morning, the ship enters Evighed Fjord (Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord), which winds picturesquely past steep mountains and stunning tidewater glaciers. Take a Zodiac cruise along the face of one of the many glaciers or hike over glacial moraines to a waterfall. In the afternoon, visit the small fishing community of Kangaamiut. Climb the small mountain behind the village to take in the views or walk through the village and photograph the colorful houses clustered on the seaside slope. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 - DAY 12 Sisimut
Dozens of deep fjords carve into Greenland’s west coast, many with glaciers fed by the icecap that covers much of the island. At Sisimiut, a former whaling port, visit the museum and stroll among its 18th-century wooden buildings. Choose from a variety of walks to explore the town and its surroundings.  Sample traditional Greenlandic food this afternoon. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 - DAYS 13-14 Ilulissat & Disko Bay
Sail into Disko Bay and encounter the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Ilulissat Icefjord, a tongue of the Greenland ice cap that calves enormous icebergs into the bay. Take an extraordinary cruise among these towering sculptures in ice. Enjoy views of the bay on a visit to the town of Ilulissat, and hike in the panoramic Sermermiut Valley. Spend the next day cruising Disko Bay as we make our way north and, weather permitting, land on Disko Island for expedition-style hiking. Ice conditions permitting, we’ll follow the inside passage past Disko Island to the Nuussuaq Peninsula. As we sail, join our expedition team in the lounge for presentations on Greenlandic culture and history. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 - DAY 15 Uummannaq & Qilakitsoq
The colorful village of Uummannaq sits on a tiny island in the Uummannaq Fjord. The dramatic peak that rises abruptly from the island’s center is so remarkable that is has been depicted numerous times in paintings and drawings. Visit the excellent community museum to learn about the area’s archaeology and history and see traditional Inuit clothing and tools along with scenes of everyday life. Then cross the fjord to the archaeological site of Qilakitsoq, where the eight Thule mummies were discovered in 1972. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 - DAY 16 Exploring Greenland's Fjords
Enjoy an expeditionary day exploring Greenland’s fjords, covered in spongy tundra, and look for Arctic foxes and, with luck, caribou. Paddle a kayak along the steep sides of the fjord or ride a Zodiac to see the glacially carved landscape up close. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16 - DAYS 17-18 Kangerlussuaq / Reykjavik / Keflavik
Disembark in Kangerlussuaq and take a charter flight back to Iceland. Check into our hotel near the airport, the Courtyard by Marriott Reykjavik/Keflavik. On our final morning take a tour of the Reykjanes Peninsula. After lunch, transfer to the airport for flights home. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
20-07-202506-08-2025Array Array30,339Category 1. From
20-07-202506-08-2025Array Array43,069Cat 5
20-07-202506-08-2025Array Array0More Cabin Categories & Prices Available

Inclusions

    • Hike the dramatic Dynjandi Waterfall in Iceland's remote Westfjords peninsula, and visit a farm that produces eiderdown
    • Delve into Greenlandic culture with visits to Uummannaq and Qilakitsoq to see the archaeological site of the 5,000-year-old mummies and visit the National Museum in Nuuk where they can be viewed
    • Cruise among the dazzling icebergs calved by the Ilulissat Icefjord and search for whales amid impressive tidewater glaciers in West Greenland
    • Experience local culture through visits to fishing villages and longhouses, folk performances, and tasting tours of traditional Greenlandic and Icelandic foods

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