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Title
Ultimate East and South Greenland Discovery
Start – End
Tripcode
PLA11C25
Language
German language assistance, English speaking voyage, Bilingual voyage, English - German
Ship
Embarkation / Disembarkation
Longyearbyen - Keflavik
Nights / Days
29 nights
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East and South Greenland Explorer, Incl. flight from Narsarsuaq to Copenhagen
PLA11-25Explore the remote fjords and shorelines of East Greenland, seeing remains from Thule, Norse, and Viking cultures in addition to Arctic wildlife
East Greenland is among the most remote and least populated areas of the Arctic, a wild place of dramatic fjords, small Inuit settlements, and ancient remains from Viking and Thule cultures. Sail and explore the coastlines of this ruggedly beautiful region, enjoying its impressive rock formations and colossal icebergs while keeping an eye open for Arctic wildlife.
Dates: | 13 Aug - 2 Sep, 2025 |
Ship: | m/v Plancius |
Embarkation: | Longyearbyen |
Disembarkation: | Narsarsuaq |
Duration: | 20 nights |
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South Greenland Explorer, Aurora Borealis, Incl. flight from Copenhagen to Narsarsuaq
PLA12-25Experience history, dazzling glaciers, and search for polar bears in aurora-lit southeast Greenland
Southeast Greenland offers many historic sites relating to ancient Thule, Norse, and Moravian culture while also allowing us to walk in the footsteps of famed polar explorers like Fridtjof Nansen. Glaciers, icebergs, and fjords make for a dazzling environment where we may see polar bears, and the crossing to Iceland will give us a great opportunity to observe migrating whales and seabirds.
Dates: | 2 Sep - 11 Sep, 2025 |
Ship: | m/v Plancius |
Embarkation: | Narsarsuaq |
Disembarkation: | Keflavik |
Duration: | 9 nights |
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All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per AECO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with AECO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed of our vessel is 10.5 knots.
Short description
East Greenland is among the most remote and least populated areas of the Arctic, a wild place of dramatic fjords, small Inuit settlements, and ancient remains from Viking and Thule cultures. Sail and explore the coastlines of this ruggedly beautiful region, enjoying its impressive rock formations and colossal icebergs while keeping an eye open for Arctic wildlife. Glaciers, icebergs, and fjords make for a dazzling environment where we may see polar bears, and the crossing to Iceland will give us a great opportunity to observe migrating whales and seabirds.
Day 1: Largest town, biggest island
The adventure begins in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more than a hundred species of plant have been recorded here. In the early evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where we might spot the first minke whale of the voyage.
Day 2-3: Onward to East Greenland
We may eventually see the jagged edge of the east Greenland sea ice flashing into sight, depending on the conditions. Keep watch for whales and migrating seabirds.
Day 4: Tundra, mountains, and icebergs
As we approach Greenland, we may sail through the sea ice into Foster Bay and land at Myggebugten. Beyond the old hunters’ hut where Norwegian trappers once hunted for polar bear and Arctic fox, there is a sprawling tundra populated by musk oxen as well as geese floating the small lakes. From here we sail through Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, surrounded by towering mountains and bright interior icebergs. An alternate route is Sofia Sound, a narrower waterway.
Day 5: The islands of Antarctic Sound
We arrive at Teufelschloss (Devil’s Castle), a mountain with layered geology. On the other side of the fjord is Blomsterbugt and the intended landing site. In the afternoon we head into Antarctic Sound, where we find the islands of Ruth, Maria, and Ella. Maria is the most likely spot for a landing.
Day 6: Sights of the Arctic autumn
The first half of the day we spend in Antarctic Havn, an extensive valley where you can spot groups of musk oxen. At this time of year, the sparse vegetation is dressed in the fiery colors of autumn.
Day 7: Arriving at Earth’s largest fjord
Today we reach Scoresby Sund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. You may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier fronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt. We continue along the east coast of Milne deeper into the fjord.
Day 8: Enormous bergs, Arctic hares
In the morning we encounter colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters (328 feet) high and more than a kilometer long. Most of them are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep (1,312 feet). We then land near Sydkap, with fine views of Hall Bredning and a good shot of seeing Arctic hares. Later we will land at Satakajik and see the remains of Thule dwellings.
Day 9: Settlement at Scoresby Sund
Today we make a tundra landing on Liverpool Land, in Hurry Inlet. The afternoon stop is Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresby Sund at about three hundred inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards or just stroll around to see the sled dogs and drying skins of seals and musk oxen. In the afternoon we sail south, passing the picturesque landscapes of the Blosseville Coast.
Day 10: Thule huts and hiking spots
Our next stop is Stewart Island, an important hunting area for the people of Scoresby Sund. There are beautiful remains of Thule houses to be seen here. Rømer Fjord and Turner Sound, meanwhile, give us the opportunity to sail far inland, as they have no glacier front at their head and are not clogged with ice. This also provides us good hiking opportunities.
Day 11-13: All the pretty fjords
Sailing south along the East Greenland coast, we enter several fjords competing in beauty: d’Aunay, Nansen, and possibly either Ikersuaq or Kangertitsivaqmiit. Most of these fjords have glacier front at the head, but any of them can offer us a chance to see polar bears.
Day 14: Smalltown Greenland
Tasiilaq, once known as Angmagssalik (about 2,000 inhabitants) is our next port of call. This charming town is the center of East Greenland, boasting a museum where you can learn about the colorful local history of this incredibly remote area.
Day 15: In the steps of Nansen
We next sail south to land at Umivik, where the explorer Fridtjof Nansen ascended the Greenland ice sheet. Here you may even be able to walk a short distance in his steps.
Day 16: The valley of Mariedal
Today we circumnavigate Skjoldungen through one of the most spectacular fjords of southeast Greenland, then land at Qornoq to see houses from the Thule culture. We will then visit Mariedal and a beautiful valley where Greenlanders used to collect berries in autumn.
Day 17: Abandoned Greenland settlement
Moving on to Timmiarmiut, we see an abandoned Greenlandic settlement and will possibly sail into the fjord. Polar bears have sometimes been spotted here in the past. As an alternative, we may visit Igutsait to the south.
Day 18: Prins Christian Sund mountains
Our westward passing of the Prins Christian Sund is surrounded by mountains of over 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) and is one of the highlights of the voyage. We may make a landing at Svaerdfiskens Havn or in the evening at Ikigait, once known as Herjolfsnes, a former Norse settlement.
Day 19: Uunartoq hot spring
Today we reach Lichtenau, a lovely though nearly deserted Greenlandic village, where the Herrnhuters had a mission in the 18th century and where some of their large German-style buildings still remain. We will then try to get to Uunartoq, where we can bathe in a large hot spring surrounded by icebergs. Across at Vagar, we find the remains of a Norse homestead.
Day 20: Erik the Red’s base
In Eriksfjord we land at Ittileq, in a bay from which we can walk 4 km (2.5 miles) down a road to Igaliku (Gardar). In this small Greenlandic village, we can see the remains of a 13th-century Norse church, along with other ruins. Then in the afternoon, we plan to visit Bratthalid, the base of Erik the Red. This is a sub-Arctic area with birch trees, agriculture, and cattle. Later that evening, we arrive at Narssarsuaq for the final night of our voyage.
Day 21: Saying goodbye to Greenland
From the WW2-era airport of Narssarsuaq, we fly back to Copenhagen. Though our adventure has come to an end, we take home memories that will accompany us wherever the next adventure lies.
Day 1: Erik the Red’s Base
We arrive by plane at Narsarsuaq and board the ship, preparing to start our Greenland adventure. In the evening we visit Bratthalid, where Erik the Red lived about a thousand years ago.
Day 2: Uunartoq hot spring
Today we reach Lichtenau, a lovely though nearly deserted Greenlandic village, where the Herrnhuters had a mission in the 18th century and where some of their large German-style buildings still remain. We will then try to get to Uunartoq, where we can bathe in a large hot spring surrounded by icebergs. Across at Vagar, we find the remains of a Norse homestead.
Day 3: Prins Christian Sund mountains
Our eastward passing of Prins Christian Sund is surrounded by mountains of over 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) and is one of the highlights of the voyage. We will try to make a landing at the small village of Augpilaqtoq, where we can still meet some hunters of the area. As an alternative, we may make a landing at Svaerdfiskens Havn.
Day 4: Fjords and glacier fronts
Sailing northward in the East Greenland Current, we aim for Igutsait Fjord or Napassorsuaq Fjord. Both feature glacier fronts and small icebergs, where an isolated population of polar bears was once found hunting seals.
Day 5: Abandoned settlements
Today we land at Tingmiarmit, seeing an abandoned Greenlandic settlement and remains of Thule houses at the north side of the island. Deep into the Tingmiarmiut Fjord, we are again in the area where polar bears hunt seals among the drifting glacier ice.
Day 6: The valley of Mariedal
Next we visit Skjoldungen, one of the most spectacular fjords of southeast Greenland. Our aim is to land at Qornoq, where we’ll see houses from the Thule culture, then visit Mariedal and a beautiful valley where Greenlanders used to collect berries in autumn.
Day 7: In the steps of Nansen
We sail to today’s landing at Umivik, where the explorer Fridtjof Nansen ascended the Greenland ice sheet. Here you may even be able to walk a short distance in his steps.
Day 8-9: Denmark Strait’s wildlife and auroras
As we sail in Denmark Strait on our way to Iceland, the going can be rough. But be sure to spend some time on deck looking for migrating whales, seabirds, and the magical lightshow of the aurora borealis.
Day 10: Farewell Greenland, hello Iceland
We return from our adventure with memories that will last a lifetime, arriving at the Icelandic port town of Keflavik.
m/v Plancius
Our most longstanding vessel, Plancius is a classic choice for some of our most popular polar voyages. Full ship info »
Cabins & Prices
Prices are displayed with discounts applied if you book berths or cabins on all cruises.
Quadruple Porthole
- Cabin size 12 m²
- 1 porthole
- 2 upper & lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
- Safe deposit box
- This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
Sharing berth
9900 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
11000 USD
Triple Porthole
- 1 porthole
- 1 upper berth & 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
- This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
Sharing berth
13950 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
15500 USD
Twin Porthole
- Cabin size 12 m²
- 1 porthole
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
27900 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
31000 USD
Single cabin
23715 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
26350 USD
Sharing berth
13950 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
15500 USD
Twin Window
- Cabin size between 12,5 m² and 13,5 m²
- 1 window
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
30510 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
33900 USD
Single cabin
25934 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
28815 USD
Sharing berth
15255 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
16950 USD
Twin Deluxe
- Cabin size 13,5 m²
- 2 windows
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
- Safe deposit box
- These cabins are corner cabins and are slightly more spacious than the normal twin porthole/window cabins
Complete cabin
32310 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
35900 USD
Single cabin
27464 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
30515 USD
Sharing berth
16155 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
17950 USD
Superior
- Cabin size between 21 m² and 23 m²
- 2 windows
- 1 double bed
- 1 sofa bed
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
36180 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
40200 USD
Single cabin
30753 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
34170 USD
Quadruple Porthole
- Cabin size 12 m²
- 1 porthole
- 2 upper & lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
- Safe deposit box
- This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
Complete cabin
18540 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
20600 USD
Sharing berth
4635 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
5150 USD
Twin Porthole
- Cabin size 12 m²
- 1 porthole
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
12960 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
14400 USD
Single cabin
11016 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
12240 USD
Sharing berth
6480 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
7200 USD
Twin Window
- Cabin size between 12,5 m² and 13,5 m²
- 1 window
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
13860 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
15400 USD
Single cabin
11781 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
13090 USD
Sharing berth
6930 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
7700 USD
Twin Deluxe
- Cabin size 13,5 m²
- 2 windows
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
- Safe deposit box
- These cabins are corner cabins and are slightly more spacious than the normal twin porthole/window cabins
Complete cabin
14760 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
16400 USD
Single cabin
12546 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
13940 USD
Sharing berth
7380 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
8200 USD
Superior
- Cabin size between 21 m² and 23 m²
- 2 windows
- 1 double bed
- 1 sofa bed
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
16740 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
18600 USD
Single cabin
14229 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
15810 USD