Viking Saga: From Iceland to Greenland

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart Home / Reykjavik, Iceland

Depart your home city and fly overnight to Reykjavik, Iceland.

Day 2: Reykjavik / Embark Ship

Arrive in Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital. After lunch, you explore the city: Albingi Parliament House, Government House, built in the 18th century, and the impressive Hallgrimskirkja Church with its 210-foot tower. Embark National Geographic Explorer.

Day 3: Flatey Island & the West Coast

This morning you sail past the immense Latrabjarg cliffs, home to a huge population of razorbills. This is the westernmost point of Iceland. At Flatey Island, a trading post for many centuries, you walk around the charming hamlet that grew here, and take a Zodiac cruise along the coastseveral as well.

Day 4: Hornstrandir, the Western Fjords

Located in the Westfjord region, the Hornstrandir is one of the most isolated and beautiful parts of Iceland. Rugged cliffs, home to thousands of seabirds, and inviting valleys and beaches will offer opportunities for Zodiac cruises, kayaking and hiking ashore.

Day 5: At Sea, Crossing the Denmark Strait

Leaving Iceland, you follow in the wake of Eric the Red and Brendan the Navigator, as you make your way across the Denmark Strait towards Greenland. Your route will depend on the sea-ice conditions off the east coast of Greenland, where the ocean currents carry ice floes down from the high Arctic. These are rich waters so be sure to keep a look out for marine mammals, such as the blue whale which frequents these coastal areas.

Day 6: Ammassalik, Green

With more sled dogs than people, not a single traffic light, and a continued subsistence living based on hunting and fishing, the 3,000 inhabitants of East Greenland are settled into only four villages on the entire 1,600-mile coastline. You visit Ammassalik, where the East Greenlanders maintain their traditions and lifestyles with an unexpectedly friendly smile for visitors. Lars-Eric Lindblad pioneered travelers’ expeditions here in 1972 and helped to develop the groundbreaking Hotel Angmagssalik.

Day 7: Exploring the East Greenland Coast

Today is dedicated to exploring this seldom-visited stretch of Greenland’s coastline. The climate on this part of the coast is more like that of the High Arctic, dominated by the ice floes carried from further north by the current. Only a few miles from the Arctic Circle, you’ll have the midnight sun to make the most of your visit. Among the numerous options for exploration landings are Skjoldungen fjord or Napasorsuaq fjord, where you may stop for hikes on the wild tundra or Zodiac and kayak among icebergs in the sheltered waters. And you can expect to see archaeological sites from the Paleo-Eskimo and Thule cultures scattered along this coast.

Day 8: Prins Christian Sund & Nanortalik

This morning you arrive near the entrance to Prins Christian Sund, a major fjord on the south coast of Greenland. Surrounded by mountain pinnacles towering to over 5,000 feet, and glaciers cascading down to sea level, the decks of National Geographic Explorer are perfect for viewing this incredible landscape. You anchor off Nanortalik, Greenland’s most southerly settlement, which boasts a well-preserved old quarter and an open-air museum. Zodiacs take you ashore to mingle with the locals, who show you around their picturesque little town of colorful houses perched by the water’s edge and, perhaps give you a demonstration of traditional Greenlandic kayaking.

Day 9: Qaqortukulooq (Hvalsey Ruins) / Qassiarsuk & the Bra

Today you explore two remarkable Viking sites. Navigating through the labyrinth of fjords, you reach Qaqortukulooq, settled by one of Erik the Red’s cousins in 986 AD. Also known as Hvalsey, it has the best-preserved Norse site in Greenland. With your archaeologist, you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in the early 1300’s. Your ship continues to the entrance of Eriksfjord. The lush pastures here are what led Erik the Red to choose this site when he settled here in 982 AD. You explore one of the most important sites on the Viking trail: Brattahlid, the site of the first Christian church in the western hemisphere, built by Erik’s wife Tjodhilde. This was also the starting point of the first voyages to North America made by his son Lief Eriksson, 500 years before Columbus. The present-day settlement of Qassiarsuk continues tradition as one of the main sheep farming areas of Greenland. You explore the settlement, getting a taste of Norse life in the reconstructed historical buildings.

Day 10: Qaqortoq

Continue to Qaqortoq, a settlement of around 3,500 people. Inhabited since Norse times, the Scandinavian influence is still apparent today as you walk amid colorful wooden buildings to reach the town museum. Housed in buildings built in 1804 and once used by famous anthropologist Knut Rasmussen and aviator Charles Lindbergh, the museum features displays of Greenlandic kayaks, hunting equipment, art and craftwork.

Day 11: Nuuk, Greenland

Today you arrive in Nuuk, the world’s smallest capital city with just 15,000 inhabitants. The oldest town in Greenland, Nuuk is a bustling city where ancient Greenlandic culture meets European living. A short walk from the colonial harbor with its beautiful old buildings brings you to “the board,” where Greenlandic hunters display the day’s catch, including seal and whale meat, an important element of traditional living in the Arctic. Nearby you visit the National Museum with its display of the famous Qilakitsoq mummies, found near Uummannaq and dated to 1475. The unforgettable image of an infant boy who lived and died in 15th-century Greenland from this remarkable discovery appeared on the cover of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC magazine in February 1985.

Day 12: Exploring the West Coast of Greenland

Today is left open to explore one of the innumerable fjords along this indented coastline. Once awed by the grandeur of the fjords from the ship’s deck, you may take a Zodiac cruise along the base of the walls, kayak on your own for personal discovery, or follow your naturalists on a hike across the tundra. Your Undersea Specialist may launch the ROV—capable of depths of up to 500 feet—that will allow you to see the marine life inhabiting the sea floor of the fjords.

Day 13: Kangerlussuaq / Disembark / Ottawa, Canada

Disembark your ship at the head of picturesque Kangerlussuaq Fjord, the aptly named “long fjord” over 100 miles long. Fly to Ottawa by privately chartered aircraft and stay overnight at the Fairmont Chateau Lapier.

Day 14: Ottawa / Home

Depart Ottawa, Canada on your return flight home.

Trip Details

Ship	National Geographic Explorer
Just Released Offer	Book by May 30, 2008 and receive free economy airfare, JFK/Reykjavik, Ottawa/LaGuardia.Applicable Date: 8/4/2008Expiration Date: 5/30/2008
Highlights	Newly renovated state-of-the-art expedition ship, abundant wildlife, excellent naturalists, kayaking excursions and onboard exploration technology
Trip Notes	Travel with National Geographic Photographer: Sisse Brimberg (Aug 4)The photo team can enhance everyone's voyage with useful tips for improving your travel and wildlife images, strategies for being in the right place at the right time, and time-saving hints for editing and storing digital images. Whether expert or interested beginner, you'll find added benefits such as walks ashore and Zodiac cruises dedicated to photography, presentations on the creative and technical aspects of photography, and one-on-one mentoring and coaching in the field. About Sisse BrimbergSisse Brimberg, a National Geographic photographer for 32 years and counting, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1948. She was awarded the Picture Story of the Year from the National Press Photographers Association for her portrayal of migrant workers and serves as the manager of National Geographic’s photography studios. Included: Charter flight, Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to Ottawa, Canada; Accommodations aboard ship or in hotels per itinerary; all meals and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship; meals on land as indicated; air transportation where indicated included; shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees; special access permits; transfers to and from group flights; use of kayaks; taxes and service charges; services of a ship physician; services of expedition staff. Not Included: International air transportation except as noted above; passport and visa expenses; baggage/accident/cancellation insurance; items of a personal nature; gratuities to ship's crew at your discretion; fuel surcharge may apply.
Payment Policy	The deposit amount required to confirm your reservation varies by itinerary (see trip brochure). Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.** Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure for the following sailings: 1/5/2009, 1/16/2009, 1/27/2009.Payment MethodsCredit cards are accepted for both deposit and final payments (VISA, MC, AMEX, Discover).

When can I go?

Start Date	Finish Date	Places Available
2008-08-04	2008-08-17	+

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