The great fjord system of East Greenland’s Scoresby Sund extends 350 kilometres inland and boasts truly spectacular scenery. This is the world’s longest and widest fjord and an expedition cruise offers the perfect way to explore these ancient icy waterways.
This fabulous itinerary provides the chance to experience the beautiful and remote fjords of East Greenland. Daily Zodiac cruises and shore excursions will offer the chance to witness mighty icebergs, remote Inuit communities and a wealth of Arctic bird species. You may also spot polar bears and narwhals along the way as well as musk ox on land.
During the voyage your expedition team will provide informative presentations about the formation of the surrounding landscapes, as well as the history, flora and fauna of East Greenland. Head out on deck after dark to listen to the creaking icebergs, and you may also be lucky enough to witness the northern lights dancing across the night sky.
Itinerary
All voyage itineraries are intended as a guideline only – embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy of expedition travel. Actual routes and landings will be dependent on weather, sea and ice conditions. A degree of flexibility is essential in the polar regions!
The below sample itinerary is based on the 9-day voyage on the M/V Hondius. Other departures may vary in duration and routing, i.e. alternative embarkation or disembarkation ports, or do not include a pre-voyage hotel night. Please contact us for specific details.
Board your ship in Akureyri, North Iceland in the afternoon. After a welcome briefing set sail towards Greenland.
Please note that an optional group transfer from central Reykjavik to Akureyri is available. This is a 6-hour drive departing in the morning, and must be requested at the time of booking.
Sail west between magnificent icebergs that drift down the Hall Basin after calving from the glaciers originating in the Inland Ice. Anchor at Hekla Havn, on Denmark Ø, the site of an old Inuit settlement and wintering camp of the first scientific expedition to Scoresby Sound over a hundred years ago. Enjoy a short evening walk to explore Hekla Havn and the surrounding area.
On arrival at Scoresby Sund today there may be the opportunity for a Zodiac cruise past one of the many glacier faces, or a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt. Later continue to Danmark Island, where you find the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago. The circular stone tent rings indicate the summer houses, while the winter houses can be seen closer to a small cape. The sites are well preserved, with easy identifiable entrances, bear-proof meat caches, and grave sites.
Your exploration of Scoresby Sund will be dictated by local weather, sea and ice conditions, but possibly highlights may include a Zodiac cruise near Røde Ø, where the austere blue-white of vast icebergs makes sharp contrast against the brooding red backdrop of the sediment slopes. Cruising through the northern parts of Røde Fjord could provide the chance to see musk ox. Landing near Sydkap you may find Arctic hares, whilst your journey through the fjords will reveal colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters (328 feet) high and more than a kilometre (.62 mile) long.
Spend a whole day ashore in Harefjord scouting for musk oxen, snow hares, grouse, geese and other wildlife, which normally graze on the south facing slopes. You can choose to join an easy to moderate hike (approx 6-7 hours) with a lunch break at the top of a ridge offering breath-taking views over Harefjord where the glacier tongues descend into the sea. Those who prefer less exercise can stroll at the coast or stay on board enjoying the view. In the evening the crew will make a bonfire and prepare BBQ at the rocky beach.
Today’s destination is Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in the region with about 500 inhabitants. An afternoon ashore will give you the chance to see how the locals live in this remote Arctic outpost, surrounded by sled dogs and drying skins of seals and musk ox. Later you will cruise south, passing the picturesque landscapes of the Blosseville Coast.
The day is spent hiking in and around Jyttes Havn in Bear Islands – one of the most picturesque anchorages in Scoresby Sound. There is a choice of a longer or shorter hike in the Bear Islands, or on the northernmost tip of Milneland, a short zodiac ride away. Jyttes Havn is the place to try your skills at sea swimming at 71°N and temperatures can be as surprising as 13°C in the summertime. In the evening enjoy a nice meal on board and then a cosy bonfire on the beach with story telling or singing.
Turner Sound and Rømer Fjord feature fewer icebergs offering the chance to sail further into the fjords. Around this area is your best opportunity for spotting narwhals and polar bears.
A final day crossing open sea may bring more whales and seabirds, and perhaps the magical northern lights too.
Returning to Akureyri you will disembark this morning, bidding farewell to your fellow explorers.
Please note that an optional group transfer from Akureyri to central Reykjavik is available. This 6-hour drive must be requested at the time of booking.
Current offers
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Arctic 2025: Up to 20% off voyages aboard the Ocean Explorer and Ultramarine
ArcticPLUS, take advantage of £1,200 Flight Credit, Free Transfer Package and Priority Pass Lounge Access!
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Arctic 2026: Up to 25% off voyages aboard Ocean Explorer and Ultramarine
ArcticDiscover the Arctic with these great savings!
Prices
What's Included
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Shipboard accommodation
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All breakfasts, lunches & dinners on board
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Tea & coffee available around the clock
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All Zodiac transfers, cruising & shore landings
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Presentations by the Expedition Team and guest speakers
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Loan of rubber boots during voyage
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All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges
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24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
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No surcharge guarantee
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Full financial protection
From £5773 Excluding Flights
9-11 Nights
Aug-Sep
Note
- A pre-voyage night in a hotel in Reykjavik is included on voyages aboard the Sea Spirit, Ocean Explorer and Ocean Adventurer.
The inclusions for this cruise are dependent on the vessel chosen – those shown are applicable to all. Please contact us for full details and to discuss the options best for you.
Make this trip yours
Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.
Jo
1
Salsa dance in Cuba
20
Species of whales & dolphins seen
2025 departure & price guide
Prices are per person, based on a twin cabin. They do not reflect any applicable special offers or discounts. Single, triple and quad cabins are also available. Please get in touch for a tailored quote based on the best available price for your preferred voyage and cabin type.
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M/V Hondius
Standard expedition ship - 174 passengers
Departures: Sep9 days£6,773
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Sea Spirit
Superior, all-suite expedition ship - 114 passengers
Departures: Sep12 days£9,495
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Ocean Explorer
Superior expedition ship with X-BOW® - 138 passengers
Departures: Aug-Sep11 days£11,400
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M/V Ortelius
Standard expedition ship - 116 passengers
Departures: Aug10 days£5,773
We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch.
Experts with real experience
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Eric
Travel Specialist
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Freya
Travel Specialist
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Rosie
Travel Specialist
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Kieran
Travel Specialist
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Darren
Travel Specialist
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Jenna
Travel Specialist
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Jo
Travel Specialist
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Phoebe
Travel Specialist
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Doug
Travel Specialist
