Day 1
Copenhagen, Denmark
Enjoy an overnight, before your flight to Nuuk
Your adventure begins with an overnight stay in Denmark's capital Copenhagen.
Enjoy this stylish and compact city, packed with architectural gems, coffee shops and parks. The colourful canal district of Nyhavn is a great place to people watch and enjoy a Danish pastry.
No visit to Copenhagen would be complete without a visit to see the Little Mermaid - getting there by bike or on foot beside the waterfront is easy.
Day 2
Nuuk, Greenland
Enjoy a day at greenland's capital before embarking your ship
You'll have an early start today as we depart Copenhagen and fly to Nuuk.
Nuuk is Greenland’s colourful and compact capital. With a population of fewer than 20,000, it’s a striking mix of old and modern buildings. If you’re more a fan of the former, head down to the old part of town by the waterfront, where you’ll find Nuuk Cathedral and the statue of Hans Egede standing on a hill. In the water below, you’ll see the beautiful Mother of the Sea statue – a striking juxtaposition between the two.
Your expedition ship awaits you in the harbour. After being welcomed aboard and collecting your complimentary expedition jacket, it's time to settle into your cabin and enjoy your first dinner aboard.
Day 3
At sea
We sail towards the hear of Western Greenland - Disko Bay
Sailing towards the Arctic Circle you’ll have time to get acquainted with the AECO rules and recommendations regarding operations and landings in the fragile Arctic environment. Make sure you attend these mandatory presentations if you want to join planned landings as we head north.
You will also have time to settle on board, enjoy the state-of-the-art ship facilities and join the first lectures on Greenland related topics, including the Citizen Science projects run on board the ship.
At some point during the sailing, we will cross the Arctic Circle, entering the lands of the Midnight Sun at the height of summer.
Day 4
Ilulissat - Full Day
Join a guided walk to the Icefjords and wonder at the amazing hues of midnight sun
Ilulissat is set in the stunning scenery of the Ilulissat Icefjord. The area was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. Just outside the town, at the mouth of the fjord, you can often see enormous icebergs that have run aground. They originate from the Jakobshavn Glacier, one of the most productive glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere. These mighty icebergs are unique and no two are alike. Marvel at how they change from white and blue to shades of orange and red when the iceberg surface is struck by the midnight sun. They really are a photographer's dream. Hear the icebergs’ soundtrack of cracking and rumbling, as the sounds echo from one end of Ilulissat to the other. The expedition team will guide you on a walk to the icefjords.
For those feeling more energetic to explore the rest of the town on their own, other Expedition team members will be at your disposal at points of interest. A short but beautiful hike will take you to the old Inuit settlement of Sermermiut on the northern shore. People lived here from around 4,000 years ago, and the hamlet was excavated as recently as 1983. Walk there along a route that runs partly along a road and partly upon a wooden boardwalk. The view across the ice fjord from Sermermiut is stunning, making this short trek a real must.
Included Activity : Walk to the Icefjords
Experience the breath-taking view of the icefjord.
- Enjoy hiking in spectacular surroundings.
- Great views of the Jakobshavn Glacier and Ilulissat Icefjord with its many icebergs.
- See the remains of the old settlement of Sermermiut
- See abundant colorful local flora.
When you're in Ilulissat you won't forget that you have a dynamic and gigantic ice sculpture gallery waiting for you just outside the town since, even though you might not be able to see, you can almost always hear the ice cracking in the distance. So why not have a closer look at these beautiful ice giants waiting for us in the icefjord? Even though most of the icebergs come from the fasted moving glaciers in the world getting a close-up view of the icefjord will slow the world down for you and leave you humbled. Walk with us to enjoy this World Heritage natural site. The hike takes you by the abandoned settlement of Sermermiut and old Inuit graves, now overgrown by the lush flora.
Practical information:
Walking information: The last 1,5 km is on a wooden boardwalk. Short steepish rock sections toward the end.
Wheelchair accessible: Not suitable for wheelchair users after the end of the boardwalk – until then possible.
Language: English.
Level : Active - good mobility needed
Duration : 2-3 hours
Day 5
Uummannaq Fjord
Spend a day exploring the gateway of north greenland
Beyond the Nuussuaq peninsula, distances start to mean everything, because it’s here that Greenland’s ‘Far North’ begins. At this latitude life proceeds at a slower pace. Weather and ice conditions run the show, and any successful landing that we attempt depends on the ability of the Captain to safely navigate waterways – especially when a summer fog descends. All in all, it’s the perfect setting for our expedition.
The beauty of the land and the relative productivity of the environment here have attracted people since the first settlers came down the coast more than 4,000 years ago. Intriguing archaeological sites are mute witness of the ability of Arctic people to thrive in such a harsh environment. It is from this area that the famed Qilakitsoq mummies were discovered.
Potential activities around here include calls at small communities such as Uummannaq – a beautiful island town with a heart-shaped mountain – or Ukkusissat. We may visit the archaeological site of Qilakitsok, go on nature landings, or attempt ice cruising in the inner fjords with our small expedition boats.
Day 6
At sea
Enjoy some facilities on board and get familiar with fellow explorers
We’ll spend the day on the open seas crossing Melville Bay. This is a huge bay bordering the icy coast of Lauge Koch, where the ice caps meet the sea. Known by the locals as Qimusseriarsuaq, meaning ’The Great Dog Sledding Place‘, the bay was renamed by British explorers after Robert Dundas, 2nd Viscount of Melville in the mid-19th century.
Enjoy your day as we sail well beyond 70 degrees north. Relax on board, join in with wildlife watches out on deck with the Expedition Team, and learn more about the Arctic with the ongoing series of lectures on topics such as nature, geology and mythology.
Day 7 - 11
Thule
Your ultimate days of wonder and exploration - almost to the North Pole, polar bears, whales, amazing bird life!
Ultima Thule‘ was the term used in the 4th century BC by the Greek explorer Pytheas to describe a mythical land in the far north. Nobody knows for sure which land Pytheas had in mind when he coined this name, but for some it has come to refer to the far north in Greenland.
As we explore here, expect wild beauty at the edge of the inhabitable world. Extreme climatic conditions year-round guarantee isolation and tough living conditions for the inhabitants, and even by Arctic standards the Thule region is harsh and remote. And yet, this was the first region in Greenland ever to be colonized by the forerunners of the Inuit, somewhere around 4,500 years ago. How they managed to survive and thrive in that environment still puzzles Arctic archaeologists.
The abundant bird and animal life provides sustenance, and the traditional hunting culture has survived better here than elsewhere in Greenland. The polar travel know-how of the locals has been highly sought after on European and American expeditions, either as guides or saviours. In fact, thanks to its position, the region has been the natural starting point for many travellers heading towards the North Pole.
Always adapting our programme to the changeable weather and ice conditions, we will spend the next days exploring the region. We aim to visit some of the local communities, land with expedition boats and marvel at the power of nature, sail through icy channels and – with a bit of luck – spot some of the giants of the Arctic, including walruses, orcas, narwhals, belugas, and perhaps even polar bears.
Day 12 - 13
At sea
Cross Baffin Bay
We are now sailing south again, our adventures in the north completed. Days at sea are the perfect time to relax on board, perhaps chatting with new friends in the Expedition Lounge & Bar, catching up on any lectures you may have missed and enjoying leisurely lunches. If you haven’t tried the hot tubs yet, now’s your chance. There’s something magical about bathing in warm water as icebergs drift past!
Out on deck, the Expedition Team will keep their wildlife watch every day, and guest lecturers will continue to reveal new and interesting information about Greenland, the Arctic and other topics related to our voyage. Feel free to join in with any of the Citizen Science projects that are running – they’re engaging and fun, and you’ll be contributing something useful to global research.
Day 14 - 15
Western Greenland
The central west coast of Greenland is a land of contrasts, home to some of the longest fjords in the country and a sprinkling of settlements, including the second-largest town on the island. However, the vastness of the land makes this stretch of the coast a sparsely-populated region, where huge distances are the norm, and the sense of remoteness and isolation is just a part of daily life.
On our journey south we’ll visit communities where traditions are still alive, including Sisimiut, which lies 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The modern town has grown up alongside very ancient remains that date back to more than 4,000 years. If you want to learn more about the ancient Saqqaq culture, make sure to visit the interesting local museum. If you're looking for a special souvenir, pick up a scarf, hat or mittens made of qiviut, the inner wool of a musk ox, said to be 10 times warmer than sheep wool.
On our journey south we’ll visit some communities where traditions are still alive. Potential calls include Qeqertarsuaq, the main settlement on Disko Island, and Itilleq, a small fishing and hunting village on a tiny island just over a mile north of the Arctic Circle. Whether hiking on land, meeting the friendly Greenlanders, or scanning the waters for wildlife, these last days on board are the perfect epilogue for our voyage.
Day 16
Back to Nuuk
End of your cruise expedition with flight back to Nuuk
Today, as we arrive at Nuuk, you will say a fond farewell to MS Fridtjof Nansen, her crew, the Expedition Team and the new friends you will have made. The lively capital of Greenland is a metropolis compared to all other towns in the country you have visited over the last couple of weeks. If you have time before flying back home, it is a fascinating window onto modern Greenland.
From here, you'll catch a flight back to Copenhagen, taking with you a wealth of fantastic memories that will no doubt endure.
Day 17
Copenhagen, Denmark
Enjoy a day of rest in civilization before heading back home
Your adventure concludes in Copenhagen, giving you another chance to explore this city.
Perhaps you will have gained a new insight into the how the histories of tiny Denmark and huge Greenland are intertwined. If you have time, perhaps you can explore the parts of city you may have missed before your trip. Copenhagen has some fine beaches not too far from the international airport, if you fancy a dip before heading home.