Sailing past glistening icebergs in Ilulissat Icefjord.
Listening to a Greenlandic choir in Qeqertarsuaq’s church.
Enjoying a tour of Iceland’s ‘Golden Circle’.
Summary
On this cruise, we follow the routes of the ancient settlers of Northern Europe to Iceland and Greenland, to learn of the early and modern-day inhabitants and their cultures that have developed around these wondrous lands of ice and fire. Twinning magnificent Arctic lands and seas - where the whale and walrus thrive and glaciers calve into the ocean - with Iceland’s Golden Circle of sights, means many opportunities to experience the extraordinary power of nature.
Your holiday includes:
6 excursions and visits
Qassiarsuk Viking heritage from Narsarsuaq
Skjoldungen Fjord (subject to change)
Sisimiut Museum
Uummannaq Museum, church and orphanage
Greenlandic choral singing at the Church of Qeqertarsuaq
Full-day Golden Circle excursion
Plus:
2 nights in hotel and 11 nights voyage on MS Ocean Diamond (accommodation as specified or similar)
International and regional flights as detailed. Prices are based on return flights with Icelandair from London Heathrow. Supplements may apply from other airports
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Reykjavik. On arrival, you are met and transfer to embark our ship, with time to settle in before our journey begins.
MS Ocean Diamond (3-star)
Day 2 - At sea
Today we sail across the Denmark Strait towards Greenland, following the same maritime route used by Norse settlers more than 900 years ago. Fascinating presentations by the Expedition Team members will be available, to prepare for your visit to Greenland. Or choose to just relax and watch for whales, dolphins and seabirds from the deck.
MS Ocean Diamond (3-star)
Day 3 - Ammassalik Island
Characterised by rivers, lakes, waterfalls, jagged peaks and several glaciers, the island has vast green valleys and deep fjords with newly calved icebergs. The largest town in East Greenland, Tasiilaq, is located on Ammassalik Island and is the gateway to this side of the landmass.
MS Ocean Diamond (3-star)
Day 4 - Skjoldungen Fjord
Bordered by towering mountains topped with snow, ice-scraped valley sides with serpentine rivers of ice plunging into the sea, Skjoldungen Fjord is surrounded by wild and pristine nature. It’s quite common to see whales, bearded seals and various kinds of birds in the area.
Skjoldungen Fjord (morning)
MS Ocean Diamond (3-star)
Day 5 - At sea - Prince Christian Sound
If conditions allow, we’ll travel along the 70-mile-long Prince Christian Sound which connects the Labrador and Irminger Seas. The force of Greenland’s massive, inland ice cap pushes glaciers towards the sea, calving large icebergs. In this narrow, often ice-choked channel, you may come so close to icebergs you can almost reach out and touch one.
MS Ocean Diamond (3-star)
Day 6 - Narsarsuaq
Very close to the town of Narsarsuaq lies the small settlement of Qassiarsuk, founded by the legendary Viking rebel and leader Erik the Red. He named this area ‘green land’ because the landscape around Qassiarsuk is characterised by inviting fjords and green, fertile valleys. During this stop we’ll learn more about the lives of the early Norse settlers and visit the reconstruction of a Viking longhouse and a small turf church.
Qassiarsuk Viking Heritage (morning)
MS Ocean Diamond (3-star)
Day 7 - Nuuk
With 16,000 inhabitants Nuuk is both the capital and biggest city of Greenland. It combines Arctic traditions with European urbanity. Perhaps visit the city sights on an optional walking tour that ends at the National Museum, which exhibits the famous mummies of Qilakitsoq.
MS Ocean Diamond (3-star)
Day 8 - Sisimiut
With around 5,600 inhabitants, Sisimiut is the second-largest town in Greenland. It’s a modern settlement that maintains ancient traditions and the fishing industry still plays an important role. We’ll visit the museum for an insight.
Sisimiut Museum (morning)
MS Ocean Diamond (3-star)
Day 9 - Ilulissat - Eqip Glacier
In the morning we reach Ilulissat village in fabled Disko Bay, beside the Ilulissat Icefjord. Delight in the thunderous spectacle when icebergs break off from Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the most productive glaciers in the northern hemisphere. We spend the evening at the beautiful Eqip Glacier.
MS Ocean Diamond (3-star)
Day 10 - Uummannaq
Uummannaq is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Greenland. Located on a small island about 300 miles north of the Arctic Circle, this tiny, picturesque village lies at the foot of a heart-shaped mountain. Here, we’ll explore the museum, church and also the town’s orphanage.
Uummannaq Museum, church and orphanage (morning)
MS Ocean Diamond (3-star)
Day 11 - Qeqertarsuaq, Disko Bay
The small settlement of Qeqertarsuaq is located on the south coast of Disko Island. In 1773 the first whaling base was founded. At the church, we’ll listen to traditional Greenlandic choral singing.
Greenlandic choral singing at the Church of Qeqertarsuaq (morning)
MS Ocean Diamond (3-star)
Kangerlussuaq - Reykjavik
In the morning we reach the 120-mile Kangerlussuaq Fjord and the town of the same name. We’ll disembark and transfer to the airport for a flight to Reykjavik and onward transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Grand Hotel Reykjavik (4-star)
Iceland’s Golden Circle
Today we enjoy a tour of the ‘Golden Circle’ of Iceland, visiting some of the country’s most iconic landmarks and places of natural, historic and scenic quality. The thermal area of Great Geysir dazzles, especially Strokkur - which erupts every 5 to 10 minutes - sending up a column of boiling water to a height of 30 metres.
At Gullfoss, we visit Iceland’s best known and most beautiful waterfall, the two-tiered Golden Falls. Another highlight is Thingvellir, home of the world’s first parliament and now a national park.
Golden Circle excursion (all day)
Grand Hotel Reykjavik (4-star)
Day 14 Reykjavik - UK
We transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
Please note:
• The ship’s own Zodiac boats are used for selected shore excursions - guests should have a good level of mobility.
• The cruise itinerary shown and included excursions are subject to change. It can also change due to weather and local conditions - the captain’s will make decisions at their discretion, in the interests of safety.
• A tour manager isn’t included on the cruise. Your ship’s expert crew will be available instead.