Greenland Explorer: Sail and Soar the Alpine Arctic
11 Days - Ultramarine
Developed in partnership with local communities—a first of its kind in expedition travel—this itinerary offers unprecedented opportunities to explore the majesty of South Greenland’s diverse fjordlands. Ultramarine’s two helicopters will take you to areas in South Greenland that others can’t reach, especially for off–ship excursions. Some of these, such as our Exclusive Heli Landings and the Greenland Ice Sheet Experience, are included for all guests, who can also enjoy hikes, community visits and Zodiac cruises.
from USD $7995 $6396pp
Book by 31st March 2024
Home » 11 Day Ultramarine: Greenland Explorer – Sail and Soar the Alpine Arctic
Itinerary Highlights
- Explore remote ridges and vast peaks during an Exclusive Heli Landing, which is included in the trip
- Marvel at the Northern Lights lighting up the skies above South Greenland’s stunning fjords
- Experience Greenlandic cultural highlights with local partners
- Set foot on the Greenland Ice Sheet, the second-largest ice mass in the world
- Choose from off-ship activities geared to all levels of fitness and interests, ranging from relaxed camping to heli-hiking
- Visit the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage site to learn about the intersection of Inuit and Viking cultures.
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland
- Day 2: Fly to Narsarsuaq, Greenland
- Day 3 and 4: The Wild East
- Day 5 to 7: Arctic Patagonia
- Day 8 to 10: The Westland
- Day 11: Depart Reykjavik, Iceland
Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland
Arrive in the Icelandic capital and make your way to your included hotel. You will have the rest of the day to explore the city on your own.
Day 2: Fly to Narsarsuaq, Greenland
In the early afternoon we will transfer you to Keflavik Airport for our private charter flight from the Icelandic capital to Narsarsuaq, Greenland, where you’ll set sail on Ultramarine. A scenic community deep in Tunulliarfik Fjord, Narsarsuaq is the gateway to South Greenland. Originally established in the 1940s as a U.S. military base, the approximately 2,000–metre paved runway and small terminal are now managed by Mittarfeqarfiit (the Greenlandic Airport Authority).
Days 3 and 4: The Wild East
We set out for the wild fjords of the uninhabited east coast, one of which is Lindenow Fjord, also known by its Greenlandic name, Kangerlussuatsiaq. Thousands of years ago, groups of paleo– Inuit hunters and fishermen made their home in these isolated fjords, living off the land and surviving mostly on the resources the sea provided, before European explorers and the subsequent establishment of settlements prompted one of the biggest waves of migration in Greenland. Traces of these once proud peoples can still be found today against the backdrop of cascading glaciers and steep–walled mountains.
These fjords are frequented by marine mammals. Rare sightings of polar bears are possible, as they drift down from the north on sea ice floes propelled by the East–Greenland current. Humpback whales are often sighted when entering fjords as the shallowing seas bring an upwelling of nutrients to the surface. While we keep our eyes peeled for wildlife, the magnificent alpine terrain invites us to explore by sea, land and air to immerse ourselves completely in the remote icescapes of the region. The wild east is ideal for heli landings and hiking, paddle excursions, Zodiac cruises and shore landings.
Days 5 to 7: Arctic Patagonia
The stunning maze of fjords, sounds, islets, inlets and skerries (rocky islands) in and around Cape Farewell (Nunap Isua) at Greenland’s most southern tip possesses its own particular magic. Transiting the 100–km long Prins Christian Sund (Ikerasassuaq)—one of the world’s most scenic fjords—will be truly unforgettable. Guests can then look forward to dramatic mountain and seascapes with glaciers tumbling down to down to the sea, and stunning vistas around every corner. Inhabiting this domain are Southern Greenlanders living on the frontier, a people as unique as the landscape they call home. This is where the migrating hunting peoples from the east finally settled around the European trading posts.
The few villages in this southern region have gained a level of fame thanks to the inhabitants who remain steadfastly faithful to their hunting and fishing heritage. We hope to visit Aappilattoq, perched on the shores of Prins Christian Sund (Ikerasassuaq), to introduce you to our friends and partners there. We hope to offer you the opportunity to listen to their stories, hear their music, taste their food, learn about their hunting traditions, and perhaps even join a friendly game of
soccer as a player or spectator.
If you are looking for the most iconic peaks of South Greenland, you’ll be in your glory when we reach the Tasermiut Fjord in the heart of what’s known as “Arctic Patagonia,” where guests can sign up for overnight camping (with local hosts) along the 70–km fjord. Marvel at the impressive Sermeq glacier at its head with rivers of ice tumbling almost down to sea level, and the imposing peaks of Nalumasortoq and Ulamertorsuaq dominating the skyline, making for the most scenic backdrops to your hike or helicopter–enabled excursions.
Days 8 to 10: The Westland
Following in the footsteps of the Greenlandic Norse into the Western fjords, it’s easy to appreciate why Erik the Red chose this land as his home and gave Greenland its name: every direction you look rewards visitors with vistas of blue, ice–strewn waters set against a breathtaking backdrop of lush, verdant valleys and pastures bursting with blooms.
Unique to Greenland, and indeed the entire Arctic, warm microclimates deep in the fjords have created a surprisingly fertile Arctic Garden of Eden. South Greenlandic farming traditions dating back to Viking days are still kept alive. Many families work their remote sheep farms along the shores of the fjords, their lives very much attuned to the seasons as they produce a variety of organic home– grown produce (such as potatoes, turnips and kale).
Also in the West, we find the perfect access points to the Greenland Ice Sheet, the largest mass of ice in the northern hemisphere and second largest in the world, flowing from the heights of the polar plateau to sea level. Become one of the very few people to ever set foot on this incredible body of ice during our included Greenland Ice Sheet Experience.
Over these two days you will have the opportunity to explore the Ice Sheet, hike the surrounding foothills, cruise or paddle through the azure ice–filled waters, and engage with our local friends and partners during the most meaningful and in–depth community experiences offered on any Quark Expeditions voyage.
Before you depart on your charter flight back to Reykjavik in the early evening of day 10, we plan to spend the day visiting the sites surrounding Narsarsuaq, including the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is a living history lesson in Viking farming. We hope to offer you the opportunity to visit charming Qassiarsuk, a small sheep farming settlement across the fjord from Narsarsuaq, where you can experience true South Greenland hospitality and gain insight into the fascinating lives of sheep farmers living at the edge of the Ice Sheet. We suggest you take time to explore the remains and replicas of Brattahlíð, Erik the Red’s estate, once the epicenter of the Greenland Norse Eastern Settlement, before heading back across the bay to Narsarsuaq to visit the museum, hike to Signal Hill for a panoramic view, and enjoy the frontier–town ambience.
Before our early evening charter flight, we will celebrate our voyage with a ‘Farewell to Greenland’ dinner ashore at the iconic Hotel Narsarsuaq.
Upon landing back at Reykjavik’s international airport in the evening, you will be transferred to a hotel in nearby Keflavik.
Day 11: Depart Reykjavik, Iceland
Today, you can make your way home at your leisure or continue your independent explorations of Iceland.
Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|---|
14 Sep 2024 - 24 Sep 2024 | USD $6417pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 40% | |
Explorer Triple | USD $6417pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 40% | |
Explorer Suite | USD $8577pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 40% | |
Balcony Suite | USD $9477pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 40% | |
Deluxe Balcony Suite | USD $11157pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 40% | |
Terrace Suite | USD $11517pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 40% | |
Penthouse Suite | USD $11997pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 40% | |
Solo Panorama Cabin | USD $11997pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 40% | |
Owner's Suite | USD $15357pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 40% | |
Ultra Suite | USD $17097pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 40% | |
22 Sep 2024 - 02 Oct 2024 | USD $6396pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 20% | |
Explorer Triple | USD $6396pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 20% | |
Explorer Suite | USD $8556pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 20% | |
Balcony Suite | USD $9436pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 20% | |
Deluxe Balcony Suite | USD $11116pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 20% | |
Terrace Suite | USD $11516pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 20% | |
Penthouse Suite | USD $11996pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 20% | |
Solo Panorama Cabin | USD $11996pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 20% | |
Owner's Suite | USD $15356pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 20% | |
Ultra Suite | USD $17116pp | USD250 per person On Board Credit, Save 20% |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Solo Panorama Cabin
*Please note, picture is an artists impression. Image will be updated when available.
- Located on Deck 6
- Approx. 132 square-feet
- Floor-to-ceiling windows
- Single bed
- Desk
- Refrigerator
- Television
- Private bathroom with shower and heated floors
Explorer Triple
*Please note, picture is an artists impression. Image will be updated when available.
- Located on Deck 3
- Approx. 285 square-feet
- Three separate single beds
- Sitting area
- Picture window
- Desk
- Refrigerator
- Television
- Private bathroom with shower and heated floors
Explorer Suite
*Please note, picture is an artists impression. Image will be updated when available.
- Located on Deck 3
- Approx. 285 square-feet
- One double or two single beds
- Sitting area with sofa bed
- Picture window
- Desk
- Refrigerator
- Television
- Private bathroom with shower and heated floors
Balcony Suite
*Please note, picture is an artists impression. Image will be updated when available.
- Located on Decks 4 and 6
- Approx. 226 square-feet of indoor living space
- Approx. 52 square-foot balcony
- Connecting cabins available
- One double or two single beds
- Sitting area with sofa bed
- Private balcony
- Desk
- Refrigerator
- Television
- Private bathroom with shower and heated floors
Deluxe Balcony Suite
*Please note, picture is an artists impression. Image will be updated when available.
- Located on Decks 4 and 6
- Approx. 299 square-feet of indoor living space
- Approx. 70 square-foot balcony
- One double or two single beds
- Sitting area with sofa bed
- Private balcony
- Desk
- Refrigerator
- Television
- Private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors
Terrace Suite
*Please note, picture is an artists impression. Image will be updated when available.
- Located on Deck 6
- Approx. 350 square-feet of indoor living space
- Approx. 100-square-foot balcony
- One double or two single beds
- Sitting area with sofa bed
- Private extra-wide balcony
- Desk
- Refrigerator
- Television
- Private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors
Penthouse Suite
*Please note, picture is an artists impression. Image will be updated when available.
- Located on Deck 7
- Approx. 369 square-feet of indoor living space
- Approx. 67 square-foot balcony
- One double or two single beds
- Sitting area with sofa bed
- Private balcony
- Desk
- Refrigerator
- Television
- Private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors
Owner's Suite
*Please note, picture is an artists impression. Image will be updated when available.
- Located on Deck 6
- Approx. 446 square-feet of indoor living space
- Approx. 46.3 square-foot balcony
- One double or two single beds in a private bedroom
- Walk-in closet
- Sitting area with sofa bed and additional closet
- Private balcony
- Desk
- Refrigerator
- Television
- Private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors
- Separate powder room
Ultra Suite
*Please note, picture is an artists impression. Image will be updated when available.
- Located on Deck 6
- Approx. 563 square-feet of interior living space
- Approx. 46 square-foot balcony
- One double or two single beds
- Walk-in closet
- Sitting area with sofa bed and additional walk-in hallway closet
- Private balcony
- Desk
- Refrigerator
- Television
- Private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors
- Separate powder room
Ultramarine Deckplan
Specifications
- Staff and Crew: 140
- Guests: 199
- Ice Class: 1A+, PC6
- Length: 420 ft (128m)
- Draft: 16.4ft (5.1m)
- Cruising Speed: 16 knots, in open water
- Registration: Marshall Islands
- Lifeboats: 4, fully enclosed
Whats included?
- Leadership throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
- All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
- All shore landings as per the daily program
- Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
- Select beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
- Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
- A photographic journal documenting the expedition
- A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
- An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
- Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All luggage handling aboard the ship
- Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
- Greenland voyages cruise passenger tax
What’s not included?
- International airfare
- Arrival transfers in Reykjavik
- Passport and visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
- Meals ashore unless otherwise specified
- Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
- Excess-baggage fees on domestic and international flights
- Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
- Laundry, bar and other personal charges unless specified
- Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)
- Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
- Additional overnight accommodation
- Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities
- MANDATORY TRANSFER PACKAGE is not included (see notes)
Notes
MANDATORY TRANSFER PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Charter flights between Reykjavik and Narsarsuaq
Group transfers between the Narsarsuaq airport and the ship
Group transfer from Reykjavik airport (Keflavik) to hotel on disembarkation day
One night’s post-expedition airport hotel accommodation in Keflavik
Shuttle transfer to Keflavik airport on last day of itinerary
Package Price: USD 1495