In the Wake of Vikings: Iceland to Greenland | Ocean Endeavour

Iceland’s cosmopolitan capital, Reykjavík (“steamy bay”) was established in 874 AD. Powered by geothermal energy, Reykjavík is widely considered one of the cleanest, greenest cities on Earth.

Despite centuries of relative isolation, today Reykjavík is a contemporary city with plenty to see and do. The National Culture House preserves treasures like the Poetic Edda, and the Norse Sagas in their original manuscripts. We depart Reykjavík in the evening aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Sailing west from Iceland, we are truly in the wake of the Vikings. We’ll be watching for whales and seabirds we sail the Denmark Strait. Our onboard program will prepare you for the archaeology, history, culture, and wildlife that awaits us in Greenland!

Our first view of Greenland’s east coast will reveal a coastline traced with innumerable fjords and potentially dotted with pack ice. Our spotters will be watching for bears, seals, and humpback whales. We’ll explore the remote reaches of glaciated fjords by Zodiac.

We’ll be scouting for wildlife and vistas as we approach Ikerasassuaq through ice. This remote and stunning body of water joins the Irminger and Labrador seas. We are among the islands of the Cape Farewell Archipelago, near Greenland’s southernmost tip.

Craggy mountain peaks tower over narrow fjords. Glacial tongues plunge toward the water. Conditions are favourable for calving icebergs, while strong tidal currents limit the formation of sea ice.

South Greenland lives up to its namesake; here, the land is fertile and agriculture thrives. Farms and vegetable husbandry contrast with the barren ice that covers so much of the country. Jagged mountains rise from beyond green pastures, with sheep farms directly bordering ice fjords. Here, Norse settlement history intersects with contemporary Greenland life.

Hvalsey site was a major centre in South Greenland. The site, which has the ruins of two stone great halls, had an additional 14 houses close to a church. Hvalsey Church is the best-preserved Norse ruin in Greenland. The last known official record from the original Norse colony is of a wedding held here in September 1408!

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Brattahlid—meaning “steep slope,”—lies at the head of Tunulliarfik Fjord. In this location, the famous Viking explorer Erik the Red had his estate. His descendants made their homes here until the mid-1400s. This area features the best farming conditions in Greenland.

Here we will find a reconstruction of the first Norse church in Greenland, as well as a Viking longhouse. There are substantial archeological remnants here, preserving the legends of the Norse.

The Sermersooq region of Greenland has a stunning myriad of mountain peaks, glaciers and deep fjords. Our time will be spent on the western coast of the region, where records of human habitation stretch back over 1,500 years. We’ll explore by Zodiac or by foot, as landing conditions permit. We’ll keep a look out for Nattoralik (white-tailed eagles) and enjoy the lush vegetation of southwest Greenland.

Greenland’s capital bridges old and new. The old harbour region of town includes many buildings dating from the Danish colonial days. The modern downtown core includes shopping, cafes and restaurants, and public institutions with a European flair.

The Greenland National Museum is one of Nuuk’s outstanding features; the world-famous Qilakitsoq mummies are housed here. The museum’s exhibits also offer in-depth information about colonial, Norse, and Inuit presence in Greenland—a must-see.

Defined by jagged mountain peaks, sheer bird cliffs, cascading streams, and calving glaciers Kangerlussuatsiaq lives up to its Danish name, Evighedsfjorden meaning Fjord of Eternity. Whether by ship, Zodiac cruise, or kayak, a visit to the face of the glacier is truly a sublime experience.

Sondre Stromfjord is one of the longest fjords in the world and boasts 168 kilometres of superb scenery. We end our adventure by sailing up this dramatic fjord as the sun rises to greet us.

Kangerlussuaq, the town at its eastern head, is a former US Air Force base and Greenland’s primary flight hub. Here we will disembark the Ocean Endeavour and transfer to the airport for our return charter flight to Toronto, Canada.