In the Wake of the Vikings, Iceland to Greenland
004223-W20
Join the iconic, award-winning Canadian author Margaret Atwood on the 2023 In the Wake of the Vikings expedition cruise. Greenland’s east and southwest coasts still beckon explorers from Iceland, breathtaking fjords define this seldom-seen region, remnants of Viking settlements are dotted along the coast, whales and seabirds are abundant here. Photographers, birders, hikers and history buffs alike will be in awe!
- Follow the Norse explorer's trail from Iceland to Greenland
- Cross the Denmark Strait, following the Vikings of old
- Marvel at Greenland's ice cap and huge glaciers
- Norse ruins at Hvalsey and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Brattahlid, Erik the Red's former estate
- Greenland's unique blend of Inuit and Danish cultures makes an interesting tapestry of styles and colours
Tour Code:
004223-W20
Iceland’s cosmopolitan capital, Reykjavík (Steamy Bay) was established in 874 AD. Powered by geothermal energy, Reykjavík is widely considered one of the cleanest, greenest cities on Earth.
Despite centuries of relative isolation, today Reykjavík is a contemporary city with plenty to see and do. The National Culture House preserves treasures like the Poetic Edda, and the Norse Sagas in their original manuscripts. We depart Reykjavík in the evening aboard the Ocean Endeavour.
Watch for whales and seabirds as we sail the Denmark Strait. You’ll be truly in the wake of the Vikings as we journey westward from Iceland.
The onboard learning program will prepare you for the archaeology, history, culture, and wildlife that await you in Greenland!
Explore the remote reaches of east Greenland by ship, in Zodiacs, and on land. Your first views of this seldom-visited region will reveal a stunning coastline traced with innumerable fjords and potentially dotted with pack ice.
Join our expedition team out on deck to watch for iconic Arctic wildlife, such as muskox, seals, and humpback whales.
Make the most of your time out on deck, as our experts scout for opportunities to go ashore along this breathtaking landscape. Here, craggy mountain peaks tower over still waters fed by calving glaciers.
Soak in the breathtaking beauty of one of the world’s most majestic waterways, Ikerasassuaq (Prince Christian Sound), where the Irminger and Labrador Seas join through the islands of the Cape Farewell Archipelago.
Pay a visit to the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Norse settlement history intersects with contemporary Greenlandic life.
Along its southern coast, Greenland lives up to its name; the land is fertile, agriculture thrives, and farms and vegetable husbandry contrast with the ice that covers so much of the rest of the country.
Admire the jagged mountains that rise from beyond green pastures, with sheep farms directly bordering ice fjords.
Walk amongst the ruins of captivating history! Learn more about the settlement at haunting Hvalsey, a major Norse centre in the early centuries of the last millennium.
Hvalsey Church is the best-preserved Norse ruin in Greenland—the last known record from the original Norse colony is of a wedding held here in September 1408!
Visit fascinating Brattahlíð, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the most fertile region of Greenland. It was once the home of Viking explorer Erik the Red and his descendants until the 1400s.
Walk amongst a reconstructed Norse church and Viking longhouse to fully immerse yourself in the experience. Greenlandic Inuit now run the sheep farms originally worked by Norse settlers.
Explore the Sermersooq region of Greenland by Zodiac or by foot, as landing conditions permit. Here you’ll find a stunning myriad of mountain peaks, glaciers, and deep fjords, with records of human habitation that stretch back over 1,500 years.
Keep a look out for nattoralik (white-tailed eagles), seabirds, and marine mammals while you enjoy the lush vegetation of southwest Greenland.
Greenland’s capital bridges old and new. The old harbour region of town includes many buildings dating from the Danish colonial days. The modern downtown core includes shopping, cafes and restaurants, and public institutions with a European flair.
The Greenland National Museum is one of Nuuk’s outstanding features; the world-famous Qilakitsoq mummies are housed here. The museum’s exhibits also offer in-depth information about colonial, Norse, and Inuit presence in Greenland—a must-see.
See why Kangerlussuatsiaq lives up to its Danish name, Evighedsfjorden, which means “the fjord of eternity.” Marvel at this complex coastal waterway that includes calving glaciers, sheer bird cliffs, and streams cascading against a towering mountain backdrop.
Explore this sublime glacial landscape by ship and by Zodiac. The waters here are relatively warm, due to the West Greenland Current and the subarctic location.
Complete your journey up Kangerlussuaq Fjord (Søndre Strømfjord), a 190-kilometre-long fjord surrounded by mountains and glaciers, and cross the Arctic Circle on your way.
Kangerlussuaq, the settlement at the head of the fjord, is a former U.S. Air Force base and Greenland’s primary flight hub. Transfer by Zodiac to shore, then ride to the airport by bus for your charter flight to Toronto, ON.
- Thirteen days of on-board accommodation in the cabin category booked
- Shipboard meals, afternoon tea, 24-hour coffee, tea and snacks
- Hors d'ouevres and snacks during evening recaps
- Windproof expedition jacket
- Expertise and guidance of expedition staff
- On-board educational programming and interactive workshops
- Use of ship's pool, sauna and gym facilities
- Evening entertainment
- Nikon Camera Trial Program
- Sightseeing including museum entries, park access and port taxes
- Zodiac tours
- Discovery Fund Fee
- Commercial flight to Reykjavik
- Charter flight from Kangerlussuaq (see pricing area under Details)
- Mandatory medical/evacuation insurance
- Additional touring options - scuba diving available on this departure
- Personal expenses
- Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
- Discretionary gratuities to ship's crew (suggest US$15 per passenger, per day)
- Visas, or inoculations, if required
- Possible fuel surcharges as assessed
Singles: Free single supplement! Singles get their own cabin in categories 3-7 aboard the Ocean Endeavour at no additional cost–subject to availability.
Multiple expedition savings: Book multiple expeditions with Adventure Canada in a single calendar year aboard the Ocean Endeavour and receive 10% off the total berth cost of Arctic itineraries and 20% off the total berth cost of east coast itineraries!
30 Under 30: Save 30% on the berth cost of travellers under thirty aboard Ocean Endeavour expeditions! Great option for family multi-generational travel!
Children & Infants: Children under two travel for free, and children between two and four pay for charter flights only!
Price Guarantee: If the price of the berth portion of your program decreases more than 120 days prior to departure, previously booked clients may claim the lower rate. So, no need to wait for sales to get the best price!
League of Adventurers Loyalty Program: Return travellers are eligible for savings and added benefits when booking on an Ocean Endeavour expedition voyage. Ask us for details.
To check availability for any of these special offers and applicable terms and condition, just give us a call!
Disclaimer: We do our utmost to ensure that information posted on our website is correct at the time of publication, however trip details are subject to change without notice by the suppliers and operators involved. We update the information as soon as possible when changes are advised to us, however, we cannot assume responsibility for such changes made by the suppliers and operators.
