The Great East of Greenland

On this 10-day expedition you'll join our expert photography leader, Graeme Purdy, and our team of expedition leaders as you discover the vast beauty of Greenland including the world's largest fjord aboard MS Polarfront.

Where tapered peaks straddle shimmering snow banks, and palettes of colour blanket the skies during the summer months, the world's largest island offers a feast for the eyes under the polar sun. Sail alongside some of the Arctic's most colossal icebergs and through the calm waters of Turner Sound and Rømer Fjord. Cruise these waters in zodiacs to the foot of vertiginous cliffs at Viking Bay and unearth the history of long-abandoned Inuit settlements for incredible discoveries of arctic lifestyles. Hike through the valleys, over the fjords, in search of Arctic fox, polar bears, reindeer, and muskox. Encompass the spirit of adventure as you traverse the red rocky slopes of Røde Ø, the red island, formed from beautiful red sandstone, a great contrast to the vast blue and white icebergs which float silently below.

Day 1 - Reykjavik, Iceland - Constable Point, Greenland

Meet in Reykjavik for your charter flight to East Greenland. Arrive at the small airport of Nerlerit Inaat and transfer to MS Polarfront for embarkation.

Day 2 - Vikingbugt

Spend the day discovering Viking Bay, known for its impressive basalt columns that dot the cliffs and its ice formations. The columns are formed when lava flows slowly cool and shrink to form hexagonal cracks that can be up to ten metres long. The reddish colour of the rocks comes from iron. You will sail in a Zodiac at the foot of these vertiginous cliffs and get closer to the icebergs.

Day 3 - Danm Ark Ø Island

On your third day, experience the wilderness of Danm Ark Ø Island. Here the island is home to the remains of a long-abandoned Inuit settlement. This well-preserved site shows the old winter and summer houses, as well as evidence of their arctic lifestyle. You will approach the vast glacier front and then disembark for a hike. The tundra, dressed in autumn colours, with the icebergs in the background, makes for a breathtaking wilderness and the promise of extraordinary photographs.

Day 4 - The Island of Rode Ø

This day will see the excitement of experiencing the red island, a beautiful red sandstone island often described as looking like Mars. Its red rocky slopes formed from sandstone sediments provide a striking contrast to the dark blue waters of the Arctic and the vast blue and white icebergs that float silently in the waters of Scoresby Sund.

Day 5 - Hare Fjord

The fifth day of your adventure incorporates sailing in the amazing Zodiac boats, allowing up-close encounters with some of the largest icebergs in the world. The Hare Fjord, is like its neighbour Rode Fjord, crowded with gigantic icebergs, and ephemeral cathedrals of ice, between which you will slalom in a Zodiac. You will also disembark for a hike in the flaming tundra.

Day 6 - Sydkap

Today you will approach some of the Arctic's most colossal icebergs. Many of these ice giants are stationary, anchored to the bottom of Scoresby Sund which is only 400 metres deep. Some of these icy edifices are more than 100 metres high and over a kilometre long, making for a meditative experience. You will then disembark for a hike, with beautiful views of the picturesque Bredning Hall and chances of spotting the elusive Arctic hare.

Day 7 - Turner Sound

You will sail through the calm waters of Turner Sound and Rømer Fjord. Here the waters are free of large chunks of ice, allowing free passage further inland. These blue-black depths are home to the mythical-looking narwhal, the "unicorns of the sea", while the remote shores are home to the powerful polar bear.

Day 8 - Bjorne Islands

A day of discovery, get up early to visit the Bjorne Islands are also known as the Bear Islands. These uninhabited islands were named by Carl Ryder during his expedition to East Greenland in 1891.

Day 9 - Ittoqqortoormiit

You will next travel to Ittoqqortoormiit the largest inhabited village in Scoresbysund. The 400 inhabitants of this remote outpost rely on the bounty of the Arctic to sustain them and live on traditional hunting and fishing. The village was established here in 1925 because of the rich waters at the mouth of Scoresby Sund.

Day 10 - Constable Point, Greenland - Reykjavik, Iceland

Your adventure ends after a return flight from Constable Point (Greenland) to Reykjavik (Iceland).

M/V Polarfront

Built in Norway in 1976, Polarfront was originally used as a research vessel by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute. Small in size, Polarfront can easily weave its way through the fjords, uncovering well-kept secrets of the Far North not typically explored. Her design lends itself to navigating through the ice, while her previous life as a weather ship left her with an advanced stabilisation system; unusual in a ship of this size. Two Mark V Zodiacs on-board offer polar explorers versatility and space for off-ship excursions. Despite carrying only a few passengers, there are all the amenities you would normally only find on a much bigger ship, such as an on-board gym, outdoor hot tub and windowed sauna offering views of the polar landscape while you stay in the warm.