Voyage To Greenland and Iceland

Board your ship at the port and set sail in the early evening. Check in for your cruise begins one hour prior to embarkation, and embarkation at the cruise terminal usually begins three hours before departure and closes one hour prior to sailing. At the port you will be greeted by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ staff, including porters who will arrange for your luggage to be delivered to your cabin.  There will be a letter from your leader in your cabin informing you of the place and time for you to meet the rest of the group that evening.

Time at sea to relax and make the most of your ships on board entertainment. Perhaps enjoy a relaxing beverage or two at the bar!

Today experience some of southwest Iceland’s most incredible and distinctive natural landscapes. Visit the spellbinding Thingvellir national park, the thundering Gulfoss waterfall, and the impressive Geysir geothermal hot spring area, all natural landmarks included in the famous Golden Circle tour of Iceland. The Thingvellir national park is extraordinary! There is nowhere else on earth where you can walk along the mid Atlantic rift between two tectonic plates, all above sea level. On one side you’ll see the enormous north American tectonic plate and on the other side of the rift is the protruding Eurasian tectonic plate. Gulfoss waterfall, also known as the golden falls, is surrounded by a dramatic 70m canyon where water free falls over 10m from the first waterfall and over 21m from the second. The incredible noise of the water thundering and crashing over the falls is immense and the sheer size of Gulfoss is extraordinary. The Geysir geothermal hot spring area is a spectacular phenomenon that became active over 1000 years ago. Discover its boiling mud pits, bubbling geysers and the famous Strokkur which throws water over 100ft into the air like a fountain every few minutes. The information centre is an exciting way to learn about the geological processes in Iceland and its various geothermal areas.  A local guide will help you explore Reykjavik this afternoon. This small colourful city is home to over half of Iceland’s population and it’s a bustling centre filled with a variety of restaurants, unique shops selling local produce, galleries, museums, and a beautiful natural harbour.

On the tip of south Greenland, between the mainland and archipelago of islands, stands the magnificent Prins Christian Sund, an icy waterway carved between towering snowcapped mountains and dramatic peaks. This 60 mile sound is only accessible in summer after the ice barriers melt, and is only as wide 500m in some places. Its an incredible voyage. Look out for an abundance of wildlife, including mink and blue whales, and bearded seals.Enjoy time at sea to relax and make the most of your ships on board entertainment. Perhaps relax in the jacuzzi or visit the oriental tearoom.

Walks

Distance: 4.5 miles

Time: 4 hours

Ascent: 163

Descent: 163

Dock in Narsarsuaq, the gateway to southern Greenland, located on the Tunulliarfik Fjord. Narsarsuaq means great plains and it is here that influenced the name Greenland due to Narsarsuaq’s lush green valleys and landscape during summer. A local guide helps you to explore the area by foot. Start with a short drive from the harbour to the start of your exploration. Begin your gentle hike along the Ridge Trail, considered by some to be one of the most spectacular walks on the Island. It is well marked, easy to follow and has short ascents and descents. The path takes you into a low mountainous area situated between two verdant valleys where you’ll walk along an easy trail surrounded by lush vegetation, birch trees and willow trees.After an ascent reach the highest point on the ridge (163m above sea level) where you can enjoy lunch with a picturesque view of spectacular glaciers and distant snow-capped mountains. Descend to a crystal-clear glacial river before entering the Narsarsuaq Flower Valley where wild flowers dominate the landscape during the summer months. A gentle ascent takes you into Hospital Valley where old hospital buildings and a stone-built chimney still stand as relics from the past. The walk finishes with a short drive back to Narsarsuaq. miles

Walks

Distance: 5 miles

Time: 2-3 hours

Qaqortoq is one of the largest towns in south Greenland with a couple of thousand residents and is very secluded, located on the edge of a fjord on a hillside in a sheltered bay, it cannot currently be reached directly. The old town dates back to 1750 and it was one of the only towns in Greenland for many years. Qaqortoq’s Nordic buildings and brightly coloured houses are set amongst a backdrop of distant glaciers and icebergs. Havlsey Church can be found in the town, one of the oldest and best preserved churches in Greenland. There is also a museum and a pretty fountain found in the main square, the only fountain in Greenland! Look out for the boulders and lichen rock faces covered in carvings of faces, whales and other arctic designs. These are known as the Stone and Man, created by local artist Aka Hoegh. Discover Qaqortoq on foot with a local guide. Pass through the town and past beautiful gardens full of arctic flowers and vegetation. The path leads you along a beautiful lake of Storeso, experiencing the natural richness of the short Greenland summer. Look out for summer wildflowers covering the surrounding panoramic landscape, and keep your eyes peeled for Arctic wildlife such as reindeer, foxes and snow hares.Please ensure you have suitable footwear as some areas around the lake can be slippery when wet. miles

Walks

Distance: 4.5 miles

Time: 3 hours

Ascent: 350

Descent: 350

Dock in Nanortalik, the mostly southernly town in Greenland nestled on an island on the edge of the Tasermiut Fjord. Brightly coloured houses and buildings decorate this sleepy costal town known as the place with the polar bears…the chance of seeing one is very rare! Nanortalik is surrounded by craggy wild mountains, fjords, sheets of sea ice and a variety of arctic wildlife. Explore this area by foot. The trail takes you past waterfalls and steep mountains before ascending to the viewpoint on the summit of Quassik (308m) for panoramic views of Nanortalik and the islands beyond. On return to Nanortalik, enjoy some time to explore the town and its picturesque harbour. miles

Time at sea to relax and make the most of your ships on board entertainment. Perhaps enjoy a swim in the pool or treat yourself to a relaxing sauna or beauty treatment!

Walks

Distance: 6 miles

Time: 3.5-4 hours

Ascent: 120

Descent: 120

Early in the morning sail past the 14km long cliffs at Latrabjarg, marking the westernmost point of Europe, excluding the Azores. At 441m, these are Europe’s highest nesting cliffs for birds, including puffins, northern gannets, guillemots and razorbills.Arrive in Isafjörður, a beautiful fishing village with over 250 years of history located in a remote part of Iceland surrounded by mountains and minimal roads, it feels undiscovered. The village has local cafes, restaurants, bakeries, and museums plus a natural picturesque harbour set amongst dramatic mountains. The fjord concludes at the end of two dramatic valleys, Engidalur and Tungudalur. On coming ashore, you'll be met by a local guide who will take you on a walk through the impressive Tungudalur Valley. Your journey starts directly from the port as you follow the roads through Isafjörður village where the view over the impressive fjord is breath-taking. Follow a beautiful trail by foot through a glorious forest with magnificent views and past beautiful cascading waterfalls to open rural valleys. Later this evening, enjoy views from the ship of the surrounding deep blue fjords and craggy cliffs of northwest Iceland. Cruise past the cliffs at Hælavíkurbjarg & Hornbjarg down to the extraordinary sea peaks of Drangaskörð, amongst one of the most remote and rugged places in Iceland and only accessible by sea or on foot. Coastal scenery doesn’t come much more spectacular than this, get your cameras ready!  6 miles, 3.5-4 hours, 120m ascent/descent miles

Akureyri, known as ‘Iceland’s second capital’ and ‘the capital of North Iceland’, is a small, charming city located at the southern end of Eyjafjörður on Iceland’s northern coast. Akureyri’s small scale and population are more suited to a towns size, but in Iceland Akureyri is classed as a small city! Its delightful streets are filled with tastefully decorated street art and locally run shops selling traditionally made souvenirs and food. The city has a botanical garden, various museums, art exhibitions, restaurants, and cafes with delicious traditional delicacies. Akureyri is quirky and full of character with its heart shaped red traffic lights encouraging happiness and its Christmas House, located a 10 minute drive from the main centre, is open to the public all year round where Christmas is every day! Christmas music, decorations, and produce…the festive aroma will transform you back to that feeling of uncontrollable excitement on Christmas eve during your childhood. As you cruise along the fjord, you'll pass by the small island of Hrisey, known as Eyjafjörður’s pearl of nature and rich in birdlife.A local guide will help you to discover the mighty Godafoss waterfall, one of the most beautiful and spectacular in Iceland. Godafoss translates to ‘the waterfall of the gods’, and you’ll see why! It’s one of Iceland’s most magnificent thundering waterfalls at a width of over 30m and a height of 12m. Visit the tectonic plates at Grjotagja where its possible to stand with one foot on the American plate and one foot on the European plate! You may also have time to walk through the superb lava landscape at Viti crater. Today is full of discovery and may involve a necessary early start and late dinner to take full advantage of the day. It’s worth it for an extraordinarily memorable day!

Time at sea to relax and make the most of your ships on board entertainment. Perhaps explore the variety of on-board taster classes and demonstrations available. Why not indulge in the luxury on board food…you are on holiday!

We arrive back at your embarkation port around 07.00 for disembarkation after breakfast.