Expedition Itinerary - Iceland Greenland

(August 3 - August 20, 2010) During this 18-day cruise itinerary, the contrast between the high-latitudes of Greenland and the lower explain why that wily real estate developer Erik the Red named the ice-capped island Greenland. You’ll visit what remains of his estate, natural ice mummies, and cruise Ilulissat Fjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The finale of the expedition itinerary is Canada’s Baffin Island.

Day 1 - Reykjavik, Iceland

Over night in Reykjavik, Iceland - one of the hottest travel destinations of 2010.
Day 2 - Embarkation Day

Embarkation in Reykjavik should be in the early afternoon, so you may have time to explore the Icelandic capital before embarkation.
Day 3-4 - Sail to Tasiilaq

The official Quark Expeditions parka comes in handy crossing Denmark Strait, the body of water that separates Iceland from Greenland. Weather in the Strait is variable - to say the least. You should be on deck to watch for icebergs. They float south on the cold eastern Greenland current.

The first shore landing is on Day 3 on the island of Ammassalik in its principal community - Tasiilaq. With about 1800 inhabitants, it is the largest community in East Greenland. A number of activities are planned including an invigorating hike.
Day 5 - Bernstorfs Isfjord

South of Ammassalik are many fjords - deep, steep-walled, valleys along coastlines that have flooded with seawater. Cruise one with a name that translates to ice-fjord. We seek a place to go ashore to hike. Hiking is optional. If you prefer to sit quietly and contemplate the beauty that surrounds you, please do.
Day 6 - Southern Tip of Greenland

The ship cruises the southern tip of Greenland, one of the first regions to be inhabited by European settlers. Go ashore at Narsaq Kujalliq to explore an excavated farm known as Kerjolfsnes, from the Viking period.

The island count reaches four when ashore in the afternoon. The community and the island bear the same name – Nanortalik. A hot spring tempts you to ease your tired legs after a tundra hike.
Day 7 - At sea

Cross the Arctic Circle today, into the land where the sun never sets. While the ship steams north, watch the western coast of Greenland pass. The content of the presentations by the Expedition Team will be a preview of the excitement still to come – polar bear, musk oxen and a mummified body!
Day 8 - Nuuk and Greenland Mummies

Your visit to the capital of Greenland includes admission to the Greenlandic National Museum and Archives. Inside you will see natural ice mummies, the oldest preserved remains in Greenland. Archaeologists discovered the mummies in 1972. They have been dated to 1475AD. Although much has been learned about them since their discovery, how and why they died remain a mystery.
Day 9 - Sisimiut

Kayak is an Inuit word that English has borrowed to describe a small, paddle-propelled vessel that seats one or two people. When you are ashore in Sisimiut, watch a demonstration of traditional kayaking. There is time to explore the town, where 18th century buildings from Greenland’s colonial period still stand.
Day 10 - Ilulissat

Ilulissat Kangerlua is Greenlandic for "iceberg fjord." The glacier at the head of the fjord is the most productive north of Antarctica. The icebergs is calves float down the fjord to Baffin Bay. As the ship approaches Ilulissat have your camera ready to take photos of the young icebergs at the start of their journey. UNESCO has designated the region a World Heritage Site.
Day 11 - Baffin Bay

Baffin Bay is really a sea. The massive body of water separates Canada from Greenland. Sail from east to west, alert for icebergs. Watch for seabirds gliding above the waves and whales in the water. You cross the International boundary between Greenland and Canada en route.
Day 12 - Isabella Bay

In Canada, the National Wildlife Area (NWA) designation denotes a protected area that is a wildlife habitat of national significance. The Igaliqtuuq NWA in Isabella Bay was created to protect the bowhead or Greenland right whales that summer there. Orca have been sighted in the vicinity hunting the bowheads, some of which have scars from previous encounters with orcas. A whale-watch will be conducted while we are exploring the Bay, during this portion of the cruise itinerary.
Day 13-14 - Broughton Island

In 1998, the island reverted to its original name Qikiqtarjuaq - meaning big island. During the Cold War, a Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line station was located here. The community of 473 will make you welcome and introduce you to the local culture.
Day 15 - Pangnirtung

Since 1973, the artists of the Uqqurmiut Center for Arts and Crafts have been creating unique hand-woven tapestries that are sold and exhibited around the world. So, in 2005, the citizens of this small town with a big reputation voted to keep the name Pangnirtung, which had become synonymous with excellence to international art connoisseurs. Travelers will visit the Centre to watch artisans at work.
Day 16 - Monumental Island

This rocky, isolated island off the coast of Baffin Island is a habitat of the sky walrus. Cruise the shoreline in Zodiacs. Witness our Expedition Team using the experience they have garnered after decades in the Arctic to create the best possible viewing opportunity for you.
Day 17 - Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada

From Iqaluit, where you disembark, fly to Ottawa to spend the night in the Canadian capital.
Day 18 - Ottawa, Canada

After breakfast, depart for home or extend your stay. We have a selection of packages from which to choose.