South Greenland Adventure: The Majestic Alpine Arctic
from $25025
Duration: 13 Days
Immerse yourself in Greenland’s otherworldly beauty and remote communities on this 13-day Artic voyage. Hop aboard the Ultramarine and sail south from Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, admiring the spectacular west coast. Stop into the Greenland Ice Sheet, explore its surroundings and take the chance to step foot on the impressive body of ice. Meet the locals of Aappilattoq, swapping stories and sharing a meal, then keep an eye out for humpback whales along the east coast. For a remote wilderness as vast as this, you won’t be short of places to explore.
  • Meet locals in remote towns and see what it’s like to live in traditional Inuit settlements along the shores of Greenland.
  • Explore Igaliku – part of the newly established UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kujataa. Home to only 25 inhabitants, this is Greenland’s oldest sheep-farming settlement.
  • Cruise past epic Arctic scenery out in the wilderness, where few dare to venture. Aboard your Ultramarine ship and on daily Zodiac excursions, you’ll see huge icebergs, soaring glaciers, gorgeous fjords and a vast seascape.
  • Do your best to spot fascinating marine mammals like polar bears and humpback whales as you explore the depths of the fjord systems that are home to an abundance of wildlife.
  • Enjoy a Greenland Ice Sheet Experience and become one of the few people to set foot on this incredible body of ice as you explore the Ice Sheet, hike the foothills and cruise or paddle the surrounding waters.
Day 1 Location: Toronto, Canada
Welcome to Canada! Your Arctic adventure begins in Toronto, where you may arrive at any time. You’ll have the day to explore this vibrant city – and there’s plenty on offer. You might sample the delicacies of the world-class dining scene, visit one of the many engaging museums or pop into your choice of boutique.
Day 2 Location: Fly to Nuuk, Greenland
This morning, meet up with the rest of your group, transfer to the airport and board a charter flight to Nuuk – the capital of Greenland. This picturesque city of 17,000 is situated on a fjord with the Sermitsiaq mountain in the background. Hop aboard the Ultramarine – your ride through the Arctic. You’ll meet your leader and expedition team and go through some of what’s to be expected/
Day 3-5 Location: The Westlands, Greenland
Head south along the spectacular west coast of Greenland on your way to the The Westlands. Following in the footsteps of the Greenlandic Norse into the Western fjords, it’s easy to appreciate why Erik the Red chose this land as his home and gave Greenland its name – every direction you look rewards visitors with vistas of blue, ice-strewn waters set against a breathtaking backdrop of lush valleys and pastures bursting with blooms. Also in the west, you'll find the perfect access points to the Greenland Ice Sheet. Over these two days, explore the Ice Sheet – becoming one of the very few people to set foot on this incredible body of ice. You’ll hike the surrounding foothills, cruise or paddle through the ice-filled waters and engage with locals. Reaching the Ice Sheet by helicopter will give you incredible views of the largest mass of ice in the northern hemisphere. You might also visit charming Qassiarsuk – a small sheep farming settlement across the fjord from Narsarsuaq, where you can experience true South Greenland hospitality and gain insight into the fascinating lives of sheep farmers living at the edge of the Ice Sheet. The Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site will also give a living history lesson in Viking farming, as will the remains and replicas of Brattahlio, Erik the Red’s estate, once the epicenter of the Greenland Norse Eastern Settlement.
Day 6-8 Location: South Greenland (Arctic Patagonia)
Continue your voyage to the stunning maze of fjords, sounds, islets, inlets and skerries (rocky islands) in and around Cape Farewell (Nunap Isua), Greenland’s most southern tip, before reaching the 100-km-long Prins Christian Sund (Ikerasassuaq). Stunning views will be around every corner – expect dramatic mountains and seascapes with glaciers tumbling down to down to the sea. In southern Greenland, you might visit the village of Aappilattoq. Listen to the locals’ stories, hear their music, taste their food, learn about their hunting traditions and perhaps even join a friendly game of soccer. You’ll find the most iconic peaks of South Greenland at Tasermiut Fjord, in the heart of what’s called ‘Arctic Patagonia’. Here, you can sign up for overnight camping (with local hosts) along the 70 km fjord. Marvel at the impressive Sermeq glacier at its head, with rivers of ice tumbling almost down to sea level, and the imposing peaks of Nalumasortoq and Ulamertorsuaq dominating the skyline.
Day 9-11 Location: The Wild East & Journey Back to Nuuk (northbound)
Set out for the wild fjords of the uninhabited east coast. Marine mammals frequent these fjords – Humpback whales are often sighted entering as the shallowing seas bring an upwelling of nutrients to the surface. Sightings of polar bears are possible too, but rare. Along with spotting wildlife, there’ll be the chance to explore the magnificent alpine terrain by land, sea and air.
Day 12 Location: Disembarkation, Explore Nuuk, Fly to Toronto, Canada
Today, you’ll say goodbye to your expedition crew and your ship and take one more Zodiac ride to shore in Nuuk. Then, have time to wander the streets of historic Old Nuuk, visit the Greenland National Museum & Archives or even see famous 500-year-old Greenlandic mummies. In the afternoon, a transfer will take you to the airport for a charter flight to Toronto. Tonight is free to explore Toronto’s nightlife or a great spot for dinner.
Day 13 Location: Toronto, Canada
With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end today. You can make your way home or spend some time exploring this artistic city – if you need extra accommodation to extend your stay in Toronto, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Dates
Prices
Availability
Departure Date:
29JUL2025
Return Date:
10AUG2025
25025NZD
available
Departure Date:
29JUL2025
Return Date:
10AUG2025
35140NZD
available
Departure Date:
29JUL2025
Return Date:
10AUG2025
41275NZD
available
Departure Date:
29JUL2025
Return Date:
10AUG2025
32340NZD
available
Departure Date:
29JUL2025
Return Date:
10AUG2025
56130NZD
available
Departure Date:
29JUL2025
Return Date:
10AUG2025
44290NZD
available
Departure Date:
29JUL2025
Return Date:
10AUG2025
44290NZD
available
Departure Date:
29JUL2025
Return Date:
10AUG2025
42675NZD
available
Departure Date:
29JUL2025
Return Date:
10AUG2025
61725NZD
available
Last modified (date)

07 Feb 2024

Trip title

South Greenland Adventure: The Majestic Alpine Arctic

Trip code

BQMT

Validity

Validity: 29 Jul 2025 to 10 Aug 2025

Introduction

Immerse yourself in Greenland’s otherworldly beauty and remote communities on this 13-day Artic voyage. Hop aboard the Ultramarine and sail south from Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, admiring the spectacular west coast. Stop into the Greenland Ice Sheet, explore its surroundings and take the chance to step foot on the impressive body of ice. Meet the locals of Aappilattoq, swapping stories and sharing a meal, then keep an eye out for humpback whales along the east coast. For a remote wilderness as vast as this, you won’t be short of places to explore.

Style

Comfort

Themes

Polar,Wildlife

Transport

Ship,Zodiac,plane

Physical Rating

2

Physical preparation

Although you don't need to be particularly fit to take part in an Arctic expedition, you do need to have a good level of mobility. You must be able to complete the on board safety drills and emergency evacuation procedures unaided. Rolling seas and windy conditions require you to be stable on your feet while negotiating the ship over potentially slippery decks and gangways. The zodiacs are accessed via a gangway or stairs which may be steep on some ships. Some of our ships have lifts, but these may not access all decks so some stair climbing on board will be necessary.

Joining point

Toronto

Toronto

CANADA

Finish point

Toronto

Toronto

CANADA

Important information

This trip is onboard the Ultramarine This trip starts and finishes in Toronto, Canada 1 nights pre expedition hotel is included in Toronto, Canada on day 1 Group Charter flights to Nuuk return are included in this trip. 1 nights post expedition hotel accommodation is included in Toronto on day 12 of this trip. You are free to depart anytime after breakfast on the last day of this trip. Your voyage is operated by our sister company, Quark Expeditions. All accommodation and transfer arrangements as listed in the itinerary are also operated by Quark Expeditions or their local representatives. BOOKING CONDITIONS To confirm your reservation, a deposit of 25% (unless indicated otherwise at time of booking) of the total invoice amount is required at time of booking. Balances are due 120 days prior to departure. Please refer to our "Booking terms and conditions" page on our website for all Quark Expedition terms and conditions, http://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-intrepid/booking-conditions ADVENTURE OPTIONS This trip comes with many included activities including, Heli-hiking, hiking and an Ice-sheet experience. You can also prebook a paddling excursion and a campinjg excursion. These activities are optional and incur an additional cost. Spaces are limited so please enquire at time of booking.

Group leader

Your voyage will be led by an experienced Expedition Leader. In addition, a number of experts will be on board to add knowledge of their field to your experience. This will include a Marine Biologist, Ornithologist, Glaciologist or Geologist, Polar Historian, Kayaking guide and Naturalist guides. Voyages offering other adventure activities will have additional specialist guides on board.

Safety

Safety is paramount on a your voyage. Due to new International Security Regulations, you will not be able to approach the ship on your own. You will have to arrive with the rest of the group, accompanied by a Quark representative. Full details of embarkation/disembarkation procedures will be supplied with your final documentation. On board you will be asked to participate in the obligatory lifeboat drill. We will also conduct important briefings on landing procedures and Zodiac operations. Travelling in the Arctic, encounters with Polar Bears are not uncommon in some areas (and one of the best reasons to go there). You will be given a briefing on Polar Bear safety on board the ship before your first shore landing. Your guides will carry fire arms and bear deterrents on all excursions. Always follow the instructions of your guide while on shore. All ships operating in Polar waters must comply with a variety of regulations, codes and industry standards. All our ships adhere to regulations set by IMO (International Maritime Organisation) including ISM Code (Safety Management System), ISPS Code (for ship and port security), SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and MARPOL (Maritime Pollution Prevention). In addition, Quark Expeditions is a full member of IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators) and a full member of AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators). Quark Expeditions have also been externally audited for its' health and safety programme and have been awarded the British Standard BS8848, the only expedition cruise company to have this accreditation.

Communications

All of our ships have facilities to communicate with the outside world. Satellite phone communications are available on all ships but be aware that on some ships, this connection is only available in certain locations and may not be possible from your cabin. Satellite communications can be intermittent and may not be available at all times or in all locations. Phone calls are charged per minute of usage. Internet access is possible via wifi on your personal laptop or device in certain areas of each ship and is charged via a pre-paid card which can be purchased through the hotel manager. Each ship also has a computer for passengers to use for internet access and emails and the hotel manager can set you up with a temporary webmail address. Please be aware, accessing some websites from the ship will be very expensive as downloading picture heavy content will use up a large amount of data. Text only emails use up much less data and is a very affordable way to communicate with friends and family at home. All communications from the ship are a bit intermittent as when travelling through mountainous areas or through narrow channels, signals can be disrupted and may not be transmitted until clearing this terrain or until satellites next pass overhead. Please make sure your loved ones have realistic expectations of your ability to communicate with them so they don’t worry about you.

Visas

PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements

Why we love it

Meet locals in remote towns and see what it’s like to live in traditional Inuit settlements along the shores of Greenland.

Explore Igaliku – part of the newly established UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kujataa. Home to only 25 inhabitants, this is Greenland’s oldest sheep-farming settlement.

Cruise past epic Arctic scenery out in the wilderness, where few dare to venture. Aboard your Ultramarine ship and on daily Zodiac excursions, you’ll see huge icebergs, soaring glaciers, gorgeous fjords and a vast seascape.

Do your best to spot fascinating marine mammals like polar bears and humpback whales as you explore the depths of the fjord systems that are home to an abundance of wildlife.

Enjoy a Greenland Ice Sheet Experience and become one of the few people to set foot on this incredible body of ice as you explore the Ice Sheet, hike the foothills and cruise or paddle the surrounding waters.

Is this trip right for you

As you’d expect, temperatures in the Arctic are very cold. A warm parka will be provided along with waterproof boots and unlimited hot drinks, but you should also bring base layers and lots of warm clothing. Please see the Essential Trip Information for further important details about what to bring. Weather depending, you will be making regular excursions in a Zodiac boat to explore the local area and look for wildlife. It can get very cold and wet on the Zodiac, so make sure you are dressed appropriately and that you keep your camera safe and dry. Sturdy sea legs are needed as you make wet and dry landings from the boat, and on steep terrain, snow and other uneven surfaces. Some ships also have a lot of stairs. The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure and although there’s an itinerary in place, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to do everything that is planned for. A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially to such a remote area.

Health

Vaccination requirements do change, but generally you do not need vaccinations for this voyage but some may be required or recommended for countries you are visiting enroute to the Arctic. It is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain any vaccinations or preventative medicines for the countries you are visiting – or any which may be required by your home country upon your return. To find out which, if any, vaccinations are mandatory or recommended for your destination contact your local doctor, immunisation centre or medical centre for up-to-date information. You should be issued with an International Certificate of Vaccination booklet that records each vaccination. Always carry this with you on your travels; it could provide essential information for doctors in the event that you fall ill whilst travelling. MOTION SICKNESS Although our vessels are among the most stable ships in their class, we will still inevitably encounter motion. Unless you are certain you are impervious to the problem, you should take precautions against seasickness. Your doctor can advise you as to the best methods for avoiding this uncomfortable condition. There will be a licensed English-speaking physician on board. Your vessel will have a medical clinic with a limited supply of prescription medicines and basic first aid equipment. The clinic will not be stocked with every drug or piece of equipment required for every medical problem. If you are under regular treatment for any ailment, you must bring a sufficient supply of medicines for yourself. We cannot accept responsibility for not having a specific brand or type of drug on board. It is wise to carry an extra week’s supply of prescription medications just in case of flight delays or other unforeseen circumstances. If you have particular health needs, please bring with you a signed and dated letter from your physician explaining your health problems and/or the dosage required for the prescribed medication. The letter will assist our doctor on board, and any emergency medical personnel to care for you should you become ill. Please hand the letter to the expedition doctor once you are on board.

Food and dietary requirements

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the dining room. Hours of operation will be posted and are subject to change to accommodate the expedition. Coffee, tea and cocoa are available around the clock. The tap water on board is safe to drink. We're able to meet most special dietary requests, as long as you have clearly indicated your requirements far in advance of your voyage. Kosher food cannot be prepared.

Money matters

All services onboard your ship such as communication charges, laundry, and bar charges will be added to your onboard account and are charged in US dollars. Your account can be paid with US dollars cash, traveller’s cheques or by Visa or MasterCard. Outside of the start or end point of your expedition, cash will be of most use in the Arctic. In Svalbard, Greenland and the Canadian Arctic, credit cards are not readily accepted and ATM’s are virtually non-existent. On voyages that visit local towns and villages, there is the opportunity to buy souvenirs and some villages have thriving art scenes with local artisans selling their wares. In addition, some museums and sites charge entry fees and in some locations, you may wish to buy food and drink (although the meals on the ship are very good and plentiful). TIPPING The voyage fare does not include the customary, optional gratuity which is divided between the ships' crew, and hospitality staff. We suggest US$13 - US$15 per day as a guide. Any tip for the Expedition Team is extra to this and is at your discretion. Gratuities can be added to your onboard account at the end of the voyage or paid in cash on board. Full details will be provided before you settle your onboard account. The main bank, Grønlandsbanken readily exchange traveller's cheques for a commission of around US$5 and offer cash advances on Visa and MasterCard. Major credit cards are accepted in tourist resorts and restaurants and hotels. Larger towns in West Greenland now have ATMs that recognise all major foreign plastic. In small towns and remote communities, it will be essential to have cash as there will be no ATM's and credit cards are less likely to be accepted. GREENLAND The currency in Greenland is the Danish Krone MEALS NOT INCLUDED We recommend you allow US$100 per person for meals not included in the itinerary When it comes to money matters on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget a sensible amount for things like meals not included, drinks, shopping, optional activities, tipping and laundry. It's always better to bring a little more than you think you'll need. Also make sure you've read your trip details thoroughly so you know what's included in the trip price and what isn't. this shoud make budgeting a little easier. You'll find this info in the Inclusions section of your Essential Trip Information (that's this document).

What to take

The Arctic usually has - relatively - mild weather conditions in high summer. Temperatures below -5ºC are not common (although wind-chill factor can significantly add to the effect.) As a result, you should not need to make many expensive specialist gear purchases, although you do need good wet weather pants and you do need warm clothing. Wet weather jacket and boots are supplied on board the ship. On shore we do aim to provide hiking and walking opportunities whenever possible, so a reasonable pair of walking shoes or boots is suggested. The dress code on board is relaxed and casual; you will not need to dress formally for meals. The inside of the ship is well heated, so you will not require special clothing on board. Indeed, you could spend most of your time in light trousers and a t-shirt! However, it is not unusual for you to want to go out on deck suddenly - a whale sighting, or seals on a nearby ice-floe or hopefully a polar bear - nearly always produce a major exodus, so you need to keep warm clothing handy at all times, even when a shore excursion is not imminent. When you do go ashore you will require warm clothing - a few layers of light and medium-weight items which can be easily adjusted rather than one or two large and bulky items - and wet weather gear to protect you from the spray which can sometimes be encountered on the Zodiacs. Below is a list of equipment and documentation that we suggest you take with you. Please use this checklist as a guide when packing for your holiday. Laundry facilities are available on board the ship. Travel documents: passport, visa (if required), travel insurance, air tickets or e-ticket receipts, Trip Notes Photocopy of main passport pages, visa (if required), travel insurance and air tickets Spare passport photos Money: cash/credit card/EFTPOS card Money belt (for travelling en route) Small first-aid kit Ecologically friendly laundry soap Daypack (lightweight and waterproof) Watch/alarm clock and torch/flashlight (and spare batteries) Electrical adapter plug Toiletries/travel wipes Sunscreen, lip balm, moisturising cream, sunhat and sunglasses (with UV protection) Swimsuit (in case you wish to take the Polar Plunge) Earplugs and eye mask (for light sleepers) Extra pair of prescription glasses (if required) 2 strong plastic garbage bags (for laundry and in case of rain) Refillable water bottle Phrase book (if travelling en route to ship) Gloves (2 pairs minimum) Hat that covers ears Scarf or other face protection Wind and waterproof pants (a few sizes larger) Warm pants Comfortable shoes Long wool or cotton socks (for expeditions) Silk or polypropylene socks (for inside the ship) Jumpers/sweaters/fleeces Cotton turtlenecks and t-shirts Camera and spare film (or recharge for digital cameras) Plastic bags with zippers for carrying film, etc Binoculars Your prescritpion medication, seasickness medication and painkillers

LUGGAGE ALLOWANCES: Please note luggage allowances on the flights in conjunction with this voyage are restricted to 15 kilos checked baggage and 5 kilos hand luggage. This will be strictly enforced. There is no option to purchase additional baggage allowance.

Feedback

After your travels, we want to hear from you! We realise that our partner company may ask you to complete paper or online feedback following your trip, however we would also like to know what you thought and encourage you to submit your feedback to us too. We rely on your feedback. We read it carefully. Feedback helps us understand what we and our partners are doing well and what could be done better. It allows us to suggest improvements for future travellers. http://www.intrepidtravel.com/feedback/

Emergency contact

For general enquiries or questions about your booking, please contact your agent or adventure specialist, or visit us at http://www.peregrineadventures.com/en-gb/contact-us In the case of a genuine crisis or emergency please contact our local ground representative on the number below. Quark Expeditions: +1 647 449 5303

Responsible travel

Travelling responsibly is all about making good choices. It's about ensuring you have an incredible trip while also having a positive impact on the local environment, community and economy you're travelling in. How can you be a Responsible Traveller? See our tips below: - Choose to travel with a responsible travel company like us! We've already offset the main carbon emissions of your trip, so your footprint is already lighter. - Consider offsetting your flights when you book your trip/flights with us or your travel agent. - Bring a refillable water bottle and some water purification tablets (or a Steripen) to cut down on plastic bottle waste. - Be an animal-friendly traveller. Only go to venues that respect animals by allowing them to live normally in their natural environment. Steer clear of venues that use animals for entertainment or abnormal activities and/or keep animals in poor and unnatural conditions. - Eat at local restaurants, buy from regional artists and support social enterprises so you can contribute directly to locals and their economy. - Always be respectful of local customs and ask permission if you want to take a photo of someone. - Learn a few words of the local language and engage with the people around you. - Carry a cloth or re-usable bag so you can avoid plastic bags. - Give back by making a donation to a local project via The Intrepid Foundation. Share your thoughts with us by completing your feedback form after your trip. This helps us to continue to improve our commitment to responsible travel.

The Intrepid Foundation

We created our not-for-profit, the Intrepid Foundation because you – our travellers – told us you wanted to make an even greater impact in the communities you visit. The Foundation works by teaming up with partners around the world so that together we can deliver greater positive impact at scale. Partners are identified by our local staff who live and work in our destinations. They harness their powerful community connections to determine the issues that matter most and select local partners who can deliver real solutions. Since 2002, the Intrepid Foundation has raised more than $14million dollars and supported more than 160 communities worldwide. Now, with over 40 partners all over the world, your donations are helping to restore forests in Kenya, empower women in Honduras and promote elephant welfare in Laos, to name just a few. For more information about the Intrepid Foundation, please ask your group leader or local representative or visit our website: http://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/

Travel insurance

Your voyage fare includes Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a maximum benefit of US$100,000 per person. However, it is essential that you have comprehensive personal travel insurance in addition to this to cover all other eventualities. For itineraries including flights, it is essential that you have insurance that covers for delays caused by weather. Quark Expeditions will make every effort to ensure the expedition takes place, but due to weather conditions, flying in this region can be difficult and is beyond the control of Quark Expeditions and Intrepid Travel. We strongly recommend that all expedition guests purchase a travel insurance policy including trip delay, cancellation and interruption insurance.

Your fellow travellers

Single occupancy is available in most cabin categories for 1.7 or 2 times the twin berth price (dependent on which cabin category). Single travellers wishing to share will be matched with another solo traveller of the same sex. Please note that it is not possible to share with a stranger in all cabin types. Please speak to a consultant for full details.

Itinerary disclaimer

Polar travel requires an amount of flexibility as weather, ice conditions and wildlife can all affect where your ship is able to access, and where your Expedition Team think you will get the best experience possible from your trip. On board, daily updates are given to advise what the specific itinerary will be for the next day based on local conditions. Published itineraries are subject to change when local conditions dictate.

Accommodation

Expedition Ship (10 nights),comfortable hotel (2 nights)

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