Explore Greenland in Luxury

Explore Greenland in Luxury 15 Days

Prices From £10,429pp
12 JUL, 2019 | Up to 14 nights

Explore Greenland in Luxury 15 Days

Aboard:

Set sail on this all-new itinerary discovering the unexplored shores of the eastern coast of Greenland. During this 15-day expedition cruise, you will follow in the footsteps of the great French explorers who pushed the boundaries of polar navigation from the 19th century onwards. From Longyearbyen in Spitsbergen, L’Austral will head for Jan Mayen island, located on the threshold of the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans. This isolated and uninhabited volcanic island was a whale hunting centre and is home to large bird colonies.

Your ship will then reach Greenland’s ice-covered east coast and its national park, listed as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. You will explore Scoresby Sund, the largest fjord in the world. In this pure and preserved world, you will see abundant wildlife in a landscape of tundra and ice, a real delight for the eyes and for photographers. You will then sail along the Blosseville Coast, named after the French captain who explored it in 1833. Here, the ice sheet meets the sea.

During the last part of your cruise, you will sail up the west coast of Greenland. You will be able to admire the blue-tinged icebergs of Narsaq, then call in at Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, before heading for Kangerlussuaq, where this unforgettable cruise will end.

Highlights

  • Exploring the east coast of Greenland and its pristine territories
  • An abundance of wildlife including polar bears, walruses, Arctic terns, many caribou, musk oxen, Arctic foxes and hares, narwhals and belugas, Mink whales and orcas
  • Spectacular scenery with fjords, rugged mountains, glaciers, icebergs, wild tundra, sheer cliffs and the polar ice cap
  • Zodiac® shore visits and outings with naturalist guides & hiking opportunities
  • Visiting traditional villages and meeting the Inuit people

What's Included

  • Flights Paris to Longyearbyen & Kangerlussuaq to Paris
  • Transfers between airport and ship
  • Full board accommodation on board ship, including drinks
  • Polar parka
  • Loan of rubber boots
  • Landings and excursions shown in itinerary

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Paris to Longyearbyen
1Day

Paris to Longyearbyen

Charter flight from Paris to Longyearbyen. Transfer to ship and set sail in the early evening.

Longyearbyen is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard’s main island, and is the northernmost territorial capital on the planet. With winter temperatures dropping to below 40°C, the landscapes of this mining town are simply breathtaking. The glaciers, the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see and the untouched nature, make you feel like you’re in completely unexplored territory.

At Sea
2Day

At Sea

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This time without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the expert photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observer marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Jan Mayen Island
3Day

Jan Mayen Island

Located on the threshold of the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans. This isolated and uninhabited volcanic island was a whale hunting centre and is home to large bird colonies.





Scoresby Sund, Ittoqqortoormiit & Blosseville Coast
4 - 8Days

Scoresby Sund, Ittoqqortoormiit & Blosseville Coast

Landing on Greenland's pristine ice-covered East Coast you will explore the National Park, and Scoresby Sund, the largest fjord in the world. In this pure and preserved world, you will see abundant wildlife in a landscape of tundra and ice, a real delight for the eyes and for photographers.

You will then sail along the Blosseville Coast, named after the French captain who explored it in 1833. Here, the ice sheet meets the sea.

On this portion of your cruise you will explore areas such as Qingminguartalik, Ammassalik Island, Rodefjord & Isikajia.

Nansen Harbor
9Day

Nansen Harbor

Welcome to this small, sheltered bay on the east coast of Greenland some 200 km south of Tasiilaq, for a date with history and the ice. When your ship calls here, you will have the opportunity to visit the vestiges of ancient peat houses from the Thule civilisation. Then, after navigating through the ice, you will reach the departure point of the first ever crossing of the Greenland ice sheet, led in 1888 by Fridtjof Nansen, a great Norwegian polar explorer. This is a magical place where you can climb a gentle slope to reach the ice sheet’s first foothills and get a better idea of just how gigantic it is.

Skjoldungen
10Day

Skjoldungen

Discover Skjoldungen Island on the south-east coast of Greenland. This uninhabited land boasts magnificent landscapes that are sure to dazzle you. The island is surrounded by a stunning fjord, a distinctive feature of which is its double entrance: it forms a bend before joining the sea on the other side. Mountains, glacial valleys, rocky outcrops, tundra and willow forests make up the beautiful scenery which you will be able to admire more closely when you land here. At this port of call, surrounded by wild and pristine nature, it is quite common to see bearded seals, orcas, but also birds such as the common redpoll, the northern wheatear, or the common raven.

Prins Christian Sund
11Day

Prins Christian Sund

Your ship glides silently towards the Greenland coast, in a setting punctuated by pointed peaks and majestic glaciers… You are on the verge of crossing the Prins Christian Sund, a narrow channel that stretches out and zigzags over some one hundred kilometres between Greenland’s south-east and south-west. Fall under the spell of the primitive beauty of these unique landscapes, including rocky cliffs and waterfalls that are fed by the ice sheet and plunge into the icy waters. Here, bearded seals love to lie on the floating ice to soak up the sunshine. If you are lucky, you may get to witness an aurora borealis, a stunning light show put on by the polar night…

Narsaq
12Day

Narsaq

After sailing in the Kangerlluarssuk fjord, discover the town of Narsaq. You will be dazzled by the beauty of the surrounding icebergs − large masses of ice in different shapes and shifting colours. Dominated by lush mountains, this small town is typical of Greenland. It is known for its sheep farming, made possible by the rich, grassy plains to the town’s north. This rather rare activity reflects a past and a technique inherited from the Vikings. Admire the stunning interplay of colours between the multicoloured house facades and the glaciers with their myriad shades of blue, and dive into the Scandinavian history of Narsaq by visiting the local museum. A unique experience.

Nuuk
13Day

Nuuk

When Erik Le Rouge, the exiled Norse chief, landed on the coast of Nuuk, he found a fertile and welcoming land dotted with fjords. He settled there with a group of his former countrymen, and the Norse remained the principal inhabitants until, over a period of 500 years, their population declined and gave way to the Inuit. Nuuk is situated at the mouth of one of the largest networks of fjords in the world, where the waters never freeze. The town spreads gently out towards the Davis Strait and enjoys an historic center that is particularly rich in national heritage. The vivid reds, blues, greens and yellows of the houses are a lively contrast to the somber waters of Greenland and serve to lift the spirits of the locals during the Winter months...

Evighedsfjorden
14Day

Evighedsfjorden

Your ship glides slowly along the water towards the west coast of Greenland, to enter Evighedsfjorden, just a few kilometres south of Kangerlussuaq. Evighedsfjorden means “the fjord of Eternity”, and for good reason: just when you think you’ve reached the end of this stretch of sea measuring over 100 kilometres in length, it seems to go on forever, as though to bring even more pleasure to those sailing in it. The spectacular scenery ranges from glaciers to tundra with an abundant flora, and jagged cliffs where numerous bird species have taken up residence. Take the time to observe the white-tailed eagles and the colonies of seagulls and black-legged kittiwakes flying overhead in the area.

Kangerlussuaq
15Day

Kangerlussuaq

From 1941 to 1992, the town of Kangerlussuaq in Greenland was home to an American military base. Nowadays, thanks to its international airport, it has become a transit point for travellers seeking adventure in the Far North. Located to the north of the Arctic Circle, this town is the starting point of magnificent discoveries surrounded by unspoiled nature. Indeed, just a few dozen kilometres from there it is possible to get close to the Greenland ice sheet, the largest body of ice in the Northern Hemisphere. From Kangerlussuaq, admire also the superb landscapes of tundra in autumnal colours, where Arctic hares, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, reindeer, falcons and eagles live.

Disembark and transfer to airport for flight to Paris.

A view from Above

All Aboard

Too much to choose from? This is where we come in

Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect Arctic adventure for you.

Amy Lucas Travel Specialist

Having amassed a host of extraordinary adventures in destinations all over the world, Amy’s experience, skills and enthusiasm for helping clients plan their ideal itinerary will help make your holiday unforgettable, action packed and life-changing.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike has more than fifteen years hands-on experience in the industry, travelling to some of the most incredible wild places on the planet. His far-reaching knowledge and invaluable skills will ensure that your wildlife travel adventure is a dream come true.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

With a lifetime of unforgettable nature and adventure based travel under his belt, Simon shares his passion, enthusiasm and hands-on experience to help create the perfect itinerary for every client.

Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

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0800 195 3385
Outside the uk
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us
+ 44 1625 5811 43
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+ 44 1625 5811 43

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Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43
+ 44 1625 5811 43 Call us - 0800 195 3385

Chat Now

Request a
callback

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

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