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An aerial view of Uummannaq town in Greenland, featuring a large, heart-shaped mountain overlooking the rocky coastal settlement surrounded by icebergs.
Greenland

Expedition Greenland: Glaciers, Icebergs & the Midnight Sun

Program No. 25717RJ
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Itinerary
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All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
13 days
12 nights
What's Included
34 meals ( 12B, 10L, 12D )
6 expert-led lectures
8 expert-led field trips
2 flights during the program
An experienced Group Leader
12 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Orientation & Welcome Dinner, we will gather for Orientation followed by a Welcome Dinner. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. During the cruise portion of the program, there will be some lectures led by a Road Scholar Instructor, the ship’s educational staff will lead field trips and also give some lectures. We will take Zodiacs to and from shore excursions.
Dinner:
Welcome dinner at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out, transfer, and embarkation tomorrow.
Activity Note
Flight times are subject to the unpredictable Arctic weather and the vagaries of flight servicing in remote destinations. Delays can, and often do occur. Should you require medication during the day please ensure you keep this with you.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Depart the hotel for Newark Airport and board our flight to Nuuk, Greenland.
Lunch:
On our flight to Nuuk.
Afternoon:
Upon arrival into Nuuk we will transfer to the ship. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Expedition ships — more rugged than traditional sailing vessels — are designed to venture into remote landscapes, enabling us to seek opportunities for getting up close to nature and wildlife. These educational adventures have flexible schedules. The itinerary may change daily based on weather, sailing conditions, and potential wildlife sightings. There may also be serendipitous occasions to experience something unexpected. The schedule that follows is tentative and a representative outline. Changes in the schedule, including ports of call, can be expected due to weather and other local conditions. Updates will be provided aboard ship. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
Relax, unpack, and enjoy the amenities on the ship. Attend the ship's mandatory safety drill.
Activity Note
Full day at sea.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We’ll enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program. PLEASE NOTE: All lectures noted are subject to change, due to the nature of expedition cruising, the itinerary including the lecture times and dates are always subject to change.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
The onboard expedition team will offer a presentation on AECO rules and recommendations regarding operations and landings in the fragile Arctic environment. Today we will cross the Arctic Circle, entering the lands of the Midnight Sun at the height of summer. A special ceremony will take place onboard to commemorate our first crossing into the Arctic Circle.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Zodiac cruise; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet. Getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will reach Disko Bay, a haven for whales and other wildlife. The water here is dotted with icebergs in many shapes and sizes, and they all come from one place – the Ilulissat Icefjord. Marvel at giant icebergs floating placidly in the deep blue water as they take on different hues of white, gray and blue.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
We will explore the third largest city in Greenland, Illulissat. We will join our Expedition Leader for a hike to the old Inuit settlement of Sermermiut.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Zodiac cruise; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet. Getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
As we sail further north, weather and ice conditions will determine our itinerary. Uummannaq Fjord was first settled 4000 years ago. There are several interesting archaeological sites in the region which include sites where the famed Qilakitsoq mummies were discovered.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Potential activities around here include stops at small communities such as Uummannaq – a beautiful island town with a heart-shaped mountain – or Ukkusissat. We may visit the archaeological site of Qilakitsok, go on nature landings, or attempt ice-cruising in the inner fjords with the Zodiacs.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Zodiac cruise; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet. Getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Today, we will continue exploring Uummannaq Fjord. Weather and ice conditions will determine our itinerary.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Enjoy the amenities on the ship; later in the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program. PLEASE NOTE: All lectures noted are subject to change; due to the nature of expedition cruising, the itinerary including the lecture times and dates are always subject to change.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Zodiac cruise; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet. Getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Traditional communities, massive glaciers, and seemingly endless stretches of wilderness await us during our exploration of the Disko Bay region. Over the next two days, we will explore the Vaigat Sound, Disko Island, and the eastern fjords. The itinerary will be adapted according to local weather and ice conditions. We will be enjoying nature landings, and scenic cruising on Zodiacs, experiencing the colossal icebergs up close.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Enjoy the amenities on the ship; later in the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program. PLEASE NOTE: All lectures noted are subject to change; due to the nature of expedition cruising, the itinerary including the lecture times and dates are always subject to change.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Zodiac cruise; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet. Getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Today we will continue exploring the icy waters of Disko Bay. Weather and ice conditions will determine our itinerary.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Enjoy the amenities on the ship; later in the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program. PLEASE NOTE: All lectures noted are subject to change; due to the nature of expedition cruising, the itinerary including the lecture times and dates are always subject to change.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Zodiac cruise; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet. Getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Today we will continue exploring the icy waters of Disko Bay. Weather and ice conditions will determine our itinerary.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Enjoy the amenities on the ship; later in the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program. PLEASE NOTE: All lectures noted are subject to change; due to the nature of expedition cruising, the itinerary including the lecture times and dates are always subject to change.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Zodiac cruise; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet. Getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Today we sail to the central west coast of Greenland, home to some of the longest fjords in the country. We will visit the town of Sisimut, located 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle, and learn more about the ancient Saqqaq culture at a local museum.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time to enjoy the amenities on the ship.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Zodiac cruise; possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet. Getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will continue exploring the fjords of West Greenland. Weather and ice conditions will determine our itinerary.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Enjoy the amenities on the ship; later in the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program. PLEASE NOTE: All lectures noted are subject to change; due to the nature of expedition cruising, the itinerary including the lecture times and dates are always subject to change.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off an aircraft. Flight times are subject to the unpredictable Arctic weather and the vagaries of flight servicing in remote destinations. Delays can, and often do, occur. Should you require medication during the day, please ensure you keep this with you.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will disembark the ship in Nuuk and join a flight to Newark, NJ.
Lunch:
On your own upon arrival in Newark.
Afternoon:
We will transfer to the hotel and check in.
Dinner:
Farewell dinner at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!