Exploring World’s Largest Fjord in East Greenland

Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost capital city. Norwegian settlers named the place Reykjavik (meaning 'Smoky Bay') a er the columns of steam that rose from the hot springs in the area and made a profound impression. The surroundings offer fantastic natural beauty with geysers, mountains, glaciers and geothermal baths that many of our guests explores via one of our pre-programmes before embarking on MS Fram. Once on board, we welcome you with briefings and a dinner!

We leave Iceland behind and sail across the Denmark Strait to reach Greenland. The Denmark Strait connects the Greenland Sea to the Irminger Sea. This crossing was used by the Vikings to migrate from Iceland to South Greenland some 1,000 years ago. They calculated their distance to land by tracking the direction of flight of sea birds. The Denmark Strait was also a WWII battleground, with the Royal Navy and German Kriegsmarine battling on the 24th of May 1941. The British battle ship HMS Prince of Whales fought the largest German battle ship, the Bismarck, which was attempting to reach the North Atlantic in order to attack the allied merchant marine. This and many such details are shared by the expedition team via lectures to keep the guests engaged. For those seeking more of the sea, feel free to step out on the decks or at the panorama lounge to spot some friendly dolphins and other sea life.

Heading south, we will attempt a landing at the entrance to the Scoresbysund fjord. This is the world’s largest fjord system which extends 350 km inland and 600 m deep. It offers spectacular scenery: white and blue icebergs float in the still waters of the fjord, surrounded by bare green brown mountains. The fjord’s steep basalt mountains, some reaching up to 2,000 m not only create a stunning backdrop, but also provide shelter from the winds. Add this to the availability of open water in the wide fjord mouth, and areas of water which do not freeze even in winter, and it explains why the fjord has become a haven for an unusual abundance of Greenlandic wildlife. As we explore this region for the next few days , sea, weather and ice conditions will determine exactly where and how we land. Our captain and expedition leader will keep you updated everyday on the exact schedule for the day. Making the most of the conditions, the team will try to pack in as many shore landings, nature walks, kayaking tours and wildlife sightings as possible. Around this region, you might be able to spot muskox, Arctic foxes, mountain hares, and even reindeer. Little auks, Atlantic puffins, fulmars, snowy owls, the Greenlandic gyrfalcon, and great black-backed gulls are just some of the bird species that can be admired in the skies above. Various species of seal dominate the shores and the clear waters below. Keep on the look-out also for Atlantic walrus, narwhal, beluga whales, and the rare bowhead whale. We'll also visit Ittoqqortoormiit – the most remote inhabited community in the Western Hemisphere, and if conditions allow, we’ll sail towards the ever-changing east Greenland Sea ice edge to scout for wildlife.

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”, spend the day recapping your experiences with fellow travelers, having fun in the Science Center or just relaxing on deck, looking at the sea birds which follow our ship or maybe even spotting whales.

We will arrive in the morning hours, and this is where our voyage ends. The stylish capital of Iceland offers visitors a rich urban life. Relatively close to Reykjavik you will find glaciers, waterfalls, geysers and mountains, with the city hosting fine restaurants, museums and shops for you to explore, if you don't feel like heading home just yet.