fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Iceland and Greenland: Edge of the Arctic Expedition

Iceland and Greenland: Edge of the Arctic Expedition

$0IICLB 0 0
Call for Price

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print

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 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 Uummannaq.

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 - Days 3-4 Westfjords
Explore the beautiful and peaceful Westfjords region of Iceland. Enjoy a hike to a remote waterfall, a Zodiac cruise alongside stunning scenery or bike along the coast of the Westfjords. Enter Ísafjarðardjúp and land at Vigur Island to visit the eider farm and learn about the down cleaning process.  Get to know the capital of the Westfjords, Ísafjörður, through a walking tour complete with local sights, sounds and tastes. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - 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 5 - 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 6 - Day 7 Prins Christian Sund / Tasermiut Fjord
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 7 - Days 8-9 Qaqortoq and Tunulliarflik Fjord
Qaqortoq and Tunulliarflik Fjord provide two days of insight, culture and local interactions. Walk through the ruins of Bratthlid, Erik the Red's farm, visiting replicas of the church and the family's longhouse. Explore the same shores from which their son, Leif Eriksson, launched the first voyages to North America—500 years before Columbus. Visit the unofficial capital of southern Greenland at Qaqortoq, with just over 3,200 residents. The colonial influence is visible throughout the town, with houses painted in primary colors and architecture dating back to the 1700s. Stroll through the town square and visit the museum, where Greenlandic kayaks, hunting equipment and local art and handicrafts are on display. Finally, walk through the walls of Hvalsey church, located in the fjords behind Qaqortoq, the best-preserved Norse ruins in all of Greenland and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - 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 9 - Day 11 Eternity Fjord
In the early morning, the ship enters Eternity Fjord (Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord), which winds picturesquely past steep mountains and stunning tidewater glaciers. In the far reaches of the fjord, take a Zodiac cruise along the face of one of the many glaciers or hike over glacial moraines to a waterfall. In the afternoon, continue exploring this varied landscape and fjord system either by foot, kayak, or zodiac and hear from experts about the physical changes to the landscape year over year.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - Day 12 Sisimiut
Upon arrival to Sisimiut, a former whaling port, enjoy your choice of guided walks through the sights and sounds of the village, including a meeting with the caretakers of the Greenlandic Dog Project, or hiking part of the Arctic Circle trail. In your free time, enjoy a local food tasting, visit the open-air museum or explore the local artisan workshops.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 - Days 13-14 Ilulissat and 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 12 - 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 13 - 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 14 - Day 17 Nuuk, Greenland / Disembark Ship / Reykjavík, Iceland
This day has a recommended group flight.Disembark in Nuuk and join the recommended group flight to Keflavik; transfers to the nearby hotel and luggage assistance will be provided. Upon arrival, enjoy an included dinner and overnight.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 - Day 18 Reykjavík
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flights home.Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 16 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 
Day 17 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
14-07-202631-07-2026Array Array32,006Category 01
14-07-202631-07-2026Array Array33,606Category 02
14-07-202631-07-2026Array Array42,007Category 03
14-07-202631-07-2026Array Array43,688Category 04
14-07-202631-07-2026Array Array45,436Category 05
14-07-202631-07-2026Array Array52,251Category 06
14-07-202631-07-2026Array Array60,088Category 07
14-07-202631-07-2026Array Array0Category SA
14-07-202631-07-2026Array Array0Category SB

Inclusions

    • Explore Greenland’s vast and varied landscapes: the iceberg-filled channels of the Ilulissat Icefjord, the bustling streets of capital city Nuuk, the backcountry tundra of Disko Island and more
    • Alongside local residents and visionaries, learn about the rich layers of Greenlandic culture on visits to remote farms and fishing villages, and enjoy traditional tastings and vibrant customs
    • Visit Brattahlíð, the 10th-century agricultural estate of Erik the Red, and meet locals continuing his farming traditions at UNESCO World Heritage
    • listed Kujataa
    • Capture stunning photos of glacier-filled fjords with help from a National Geographic Photography Expert

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Iceland
More of activity:
Arctic Cruises