Greenland Greenland Expedition Cruise - Itinerary
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Day 1: New York City - Arrivals On your arrival at the John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), you will be met by our chauffeur for a private transfer to your luxury hotel to refresh and relax after your flight. The stylish InterContinental Times Square Hotel is located in one of the most iconic corners of the city, in Times Square, overlooking the majestic views of the city with floor-to-ceiling windows, it offers state-of-the-art rooms, excellent service, and outstanding facilities. With an unrivaled location, this luxury hotel is located in the Theater District, which places us at the doorstep of Times Square and Broadway Theatres, and is close to iconic sites like Central Park and Rockefeller Center. In the evening, we will meet for an optional pre-expedition dinner and toast the upcoming adventures that await us in the unexplored wilderness of Greenland. Day 2: New York to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland After breakfast, we will transfer back to the airport to board our private group charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, a small settlement in western Greenland in the Qeqqata area, sitting right at the head of a fjord. Kangerlussuaq is Greenland's main air transport hub and the site of Greenland's largest commercial airport. The airport was the site of an American settlement during and after World War II, when the site was known as Bluie West-8 and Sondrestrom Air Base. The Kangerlussuaq area is also home to Greenland's most diverse terrestrial fauna, including muskoxen, caribou, and gyrfalcons. Today, the settlement's economy and its population of 512 is almost entirely reliant on the airport and tourist industry. On arrival in Kangerlussuaq, we'll board our luxury cruise ship, the Silver Endeavor, and set sail in the early evening on the ultimate adventure, in Greenland! Day 3: Kangaamiut and Evighedsfjord Kangaamiut, or the People of the Fjords, is a settlement that clings to the shoreline of Greenland's Arctic Circle region, backed by some of the country's most spectacular fjordlands. Here, we'll experience small-town Greenlandic culture at its most authentic. The town of only 350 people is sitting across a small hill, showcasing colorful buildings set in picture-perfect scenery. The locals are proud of their Inuit history and culture, and as we arrive, we will be welcomed with a traditional drum dance, visit with local men selling fresh fish or reindeer meat from the surrounding fjords, displaying their catch on the rocks of the harbor, local women selling intricate beaded necklaces and carvings and maybe be invited into a private home to share a pot of coffee with some of the friendly residents. We'll visit the Community Hall for a local celebration, then learn more about Kangaamiut's history at the local museum before we continue to Evighedsfjord in the afternoon. The remote "Fjord of Eternity" lives up to its name with an awe-inspiring sense of timelessness, surrounded by the grandeur of snow-capped mountains that majestically encircle the deep blue waters. We'll join our Silversea expedition team to explore Evighedsfjord as we journey into the heart of nature's magnificence, where time seems to stand still, and every moment is etched with a profound sense of wonder and reverence for the marvels of our planet. The silence is profound, broken only by the occasional crackling of ice, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the serenity of this untouched wilderness. Day 4: Nuuk (Godthab), Greenland The bustling capital city of Greenland, Nuuk is Greenland's economic and social hub is home to more than a third of the country's population, and although it feels like a world capital, it has a uniquely Greenlandic character. We'll begin our tour at City Hall to see the locally made tapestries, each with a different theme and background story, together forming a common framework for Greenland and Nuuk's history. We'll see the cultural house, Katuaq, whose architecture was inspired by the Northern Lights, icebergs, and the play of light on ice and snow. We'll stroll past the stately government buildings and then visit the Nuuk Cathedral, a wooden Lutheran church in the Old Nuuk. Before returning to the ship, we'll stop at the National Museum, which displays the famous Qilakitsoq mummies and includes items from the Utimut repatriation program which has brought thousands of Inuit items back to Greenland from Denmark. Day 5: Sisimiut, Greenland Today, we'll venture north of the Arctic Circle, to Sisimiut ('The People of the Fox Holes'). Greenland's second city, Sisimiut is the largest arctic city in North America and a hub between the warmer South and the frozen North of the country. Sisimiut offers a delightful immersion into Greenlandic life, where tradition blends seamlessly with modernity, leaving us with unforgettable memories of this captivating Arctic gem. Inhabited for more than 4,500 years, the Danish colonial era, turned the settlement into a city into a trade center. Strolling through the charming town of Sisimiut is like stepping into a living postcard of Arctic beauty and Inuit culture. As we wander along the colorful streets, quaint wooden houses of vivid colors, we'll admire the artifacts at the Sisimiut Museum, a collection of beautifully restored buildings displaying everything from ancient turf houses to modern Inuit art. The local artisans are considered some of the best in Greenland and often sell their wares direct from their communal workshop in the harbor, where they barter with hunters for raw materials. Day 6: Ilulissat This morning, we'll arrive at the birthplace of icebergs, the Ilulissat Icefjord which produces nearly 20 million tons of ice each day. Ilulissat, meaning “icebergs” in the Kalaallisut language, is renowned for its awe-inspiring ice fjord, where colossal icebergs calve from the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier and float gracefully in the crystal-clear waters of Disko Bay. The town of Ilulissat is known for its long periods of calm and settled weather, although with cold temperatures due to its proximity to the fjord. Approximately 4,500 people live in Ilulissat and nearly as many sled dogs as humans live in the town. We'll join our guide and stroll through the streets of Ilulissat, specifically Aqqusinersuaq "the big road" where we'll explore the local markets, cafes, and shops. We'll continue to the former home of Greenlandic folk hero and famed polar explorer Knud Rasmussen, then we'll return to the waterfront to visit the picturesque Zion Church. Day 7: Eqip Sermia Glacier and Saqqaq As the morning light illuminates the horizon, we'll find ourselves in the midst of an otherworldly spectacle at the Eqip Sermia Glacier. After breakfast, we'll join our Silversea crew, as we'll embark on a zodiac expedition, nothing short of breathtaking. We'll witness the massive ice calvings, with the majestic icebergs breaking away from the glacier and drifting gracefully into the frigid Disko Bay. The Eqip Sermia Glacier is one of the most active glaciers in Greenland, with significant movement and ice flow. Its dynamic nature makes it a captivating site for scientists studying glacial processes and climate change. In the afternoon, the expedition will continue to Saqqaq, a charming coastal settlement steeped in history, while its rugged coastline, characterized by towering cliffs and rocky shores, provides a perfect habitat for seabirds and marine mammals. We'll have the unique opportunity to witness Arctic wildlife in its natural environment from one of the many observation decks onboard the Silver Endeavor. The surrounding waters are also frequented by humpback whales, minke whales, and even occasional visits from narwhals, further enriching the experience of exploring this remote and enchanting part of Greenland. Day 8: Uummannaq Fjord After breakfast, we'll join another expedition and set out to explore Uummannaq Fjord. Nestled on Greenland's northwest coast, this fjord is a breathtaking natural marvel shaped by ancient glaciers, boasting towering mountains and ice-covered cliffs surrounding tranquil blue waters, while the colossal icebergs gently drift along the surface, showcasing the grandeur of nature's forces. Store Glacier, or Great Qarajaq, is one of the world’s fastest moving at 3.5 miles a year, and the fjord's icy waters teem with Arctic wildlife, including humpback whales and seabird colonies. The Uummannaq Fjord also offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous Inuit communities that have thrived in this remote Arctic paradise for centuries, as the Saqqaq people inhabited the area between 2500 BCE and 800 BCE. During today's tour, we'll visit a local Inuit community to learn about the Inuit culture, traditions, and modern life. Day 9: Upernavik Fjord This far into North Greenland, ice is a feature of every landscape. Flowing between two island chains, in the maze of fjords which make up the vast Upernavik Archipelago, the 44-mile Upernavik Fjord stretches from the open waters of Baffin Bay right to the Greenland Ice Sheet itself. Some Icebergs are as large as city blocks, and they can last in the frigid North Atlantic for years, often arriving in Newfoundland in Canada or even further afield, and seeing these sleeping giants up close, it is easy to see why. Upernavik is home to around one thousand people and it is surprisingly cosmopolitan, proudly the northernmost true town in Greenland. A runic inscription dated to 1300 was found outside the town in the 1850s, marking the northern limit of Norse exploration in Greenland. But the Inuit history of the area goes back to waves of Palaeo-Inuit settlers from Canada inhabiting the prey-rich area for almost five thousand years, and inhabited by the modern Thule Inuit (ancestors of modern Greenlanders). Founded in 1772, the town is one of the oldest in Greenland, and we'll get the chance to explore the excellent local museum that proudly displays a stunning collection of artifacts and artwork from all over Northwestern Greenland. Day 10: Kraulshavn In the early morning, we'll arrive in Kraulshavn, a charming coastal settlement with a population of 200. Situated on the western coast of Disko Island, and with fishing the primary occupation, and the town's harbor bustles with colorful fishing boats bringing in the day's catch of cod, halibut, and shrimp. During today's excursion, we'll get immerse in the Greenlandic culture, as we engage with the friendly locals, who will welcome us and share with us stories of their traditional way of life. The town's peaceful atmosphere, combined with its stunning natural surroundings, makes it a perfect destination for those seeking an authentic Arctic experience in a remote and picturesque setting. We'll return to the ship in the early afternoon to enjoy the ship's amenities with its spa, boutiques, panoramic lounges, a fitness center, and the glass-enclosed heated pool and jacuzzis. Day 11 Cape York, Greenland This morning, we'll explore the arctic seascape of Cape York, Greenland with our expedition team. Located on the northwestern coast of Greenland in Baffin Bay, Cape York is an important geographical feature delimiting Melville Bay at its northwestern end and Kiatassuaq Island at its other end. There is a chain of coastal islands that stretches between the two capes, most notably Meteorite Island, named for the discovery of one of the world’s largest iron meteorites in Savissivik, a settlement on the island. The iron from this meteorite attracted Inuit migrating from Arctic Canada who used the metal in making tools and harpoons. As we sail back towards land in the afternoon, we will toast and celebrate our Greenlandic expedition and share memories of our journey through the majestic fjords during our farewell dinner in one of the ship's elegant restaurants. We will spend our final night on the ship before returning to land tomorrow. Day 12: Pond Inlet, Nunavut, Canada to New York This morning, we will say goodbye to the Silver Endeavor Luxury Expedition Ship, and transfer to the Pond Inlet, Nunavut airport for our charter group flight to New York. On arrival at the John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) in New York City, we will transfer to our luxury hotel to rest before our flights home tomorrow or later tonight. Pond Inlet is a small predominantly Inuit community with a population of roughly 1,500 inhabitants. In 1818 the British explorer John Ross named a bay in the vicinity after the English astronomer John Pond. Today, Pond Inlet is considered one of Canada's "jewels of the North" thanks to several picturesque glaciers and mountain ranges nearby. Day 13: Departures Depending on your return flight departure time, you may have some free time in the morning, before your private transfer to the John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) which will be scheduled according to your flight departure time.
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