South Greenland: Alpine Exploration by Helicopter

Pricing based on departure date: 4 August 2027

Expedition Overview
Experience the rare thrill of landing on the massive Greenland ice sheet—an exclusive highlight of our 15-day South Greenland: Alpine Exploration by Helicopter itinerary. This activity-packed voyage is perfect for travelers who love spending time off-ship, hiking, cruising by Zodiac, visiting local communities, camping, kayaking icy waters, and soaring above fjords and mountaintops in one of our twin-engine helicopters. Suited to guests of all fitness levels, you can choose how adventurous you want to be or enjoy a slower pace on board—relaxing in the spa and gym, unwinding in spacious common areas, or indulging in our Tundra to Table culinary experience.

Highlights

• Soar over the massive Greenland Ice Sheet
• Choose from unique off-ship excursions, such as helicopter landings, and camping alongside Tasermiut FJord
• Experience Greenlandic cultural highlights with local partners
• Visit the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage site to learn about the intersection of Inuit and Viking cultures.

Inclusions

• Two helicopter excursions: Flightseeing and Ice Sheet Experience
• One 10-15 minute heli flightseeing excursion
• One helicopter-supported Greenland Ice Sheet Experience
• An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
• Leadership throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
• All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
• All shore landings as per the daily program
• Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
• All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage. Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible.)
• Complimentary select beer, wines and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
• Complimentary coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
• Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
• A photographic journal documenting the expedition
• A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
• Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
• Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Premium packages are available for more data-intensive applications.) Note: Internet access in the polar regions is subject to geography, climate, and other factors beyond our control.
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
• All luggage handling aboard the ship
• Greenland voyages cruise passenger tax
• One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Reykjavik (breakfast included)
• Charter flights between Nuuk and Reykjavik
• Group transfers between the Reykjavik airport and the ship
• Group transfer from Reykjavik airport to hotel on disembarkation day
• One night’s post-expedition hotel (breakfast included)

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavik

Arrive in Reykjavik and transfer independently to your hotel, which is included in the Charter Flight & Hotel Package. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to explore sites of the fascinating capital, which is known for its mix of modern architecture and Viking heritage. At 64°08’ north, Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost capital of an independent sovereign state.

Day 2: Embark Reykjavik

This afternoon, you’ll board your vessel and begin your expedition. Get ready for a great adventure ahead.

Days 3–4: At Sea (Denmark Strait)

As we cruise north across Denmark Strait, with views of Greenland in the distance, your Expedition Team will prepare you for the adventures ahead. Our polar presentations are an excellent way to learn about the storied history of the Arctic, its fascinating wildlife, geology, glaciology, ecology, and climate, and the incredible sights that await you. The team will also help you search for seabirds soaring around your ship, as well as whales that frequent the surrounding waters.

Days 5–6: The Wild East

As we arrive in Greenland, towering f jords and hanging glaciers grab our attention, marking our first encounter with the remote east coast. This uninhabited region offers excellent opportunities for wildlife sightings, including humpback whales and the occasional polar bear. Depending on conditions, you may explore this iceshaped landscape by sea, land, and air— through Zodiac cruising, hiking, paddling, and heli-landings. Look forward to exploring the fjords of Greenland’s east coast, including Lindenow Fjord (Kangerlussuaq). Thousands of years ago, Paleo-Inuit hunters and fishermen lived in these isolated landscapes, sustained by the sea long before European explorers and mass settlements. Traces of their presence remain today, set against cascading glaciers and steep mountains. The fjords are where you can observe plenty of wildlife, especially marine mammals. Rare sightings of polar bears are also possible as they drift down from the north on sea ice floes propelled by the East Greenland Current. Humpback whales are often sighted when entering fjords as the shallowing seas bring an upwelling of nutrients to the surface. As we watch for wildlife, the alpine terrain invites exploration by sea, land, and air, offering a fully immersive experience of this remote icescape. Conditions permitting, activities may include heli-landings, hiking, paddling, Zodiac cruising, and shore landings.

Days 7–9

We’ll transit through the scenic 105-kilometer-long Prins Christian Sund (Ikerasassuaq), and explore the dramatic fjords of South Greenland. Our team plans a visit to the village of Aappilattoq, where you can experience local culture, music, and traditional foods. The journey continues to Tasermiut Fjord—a 70-kilometer, cliff-lined waterway known as “Arctic Patagonia”— where overnight camping and excursions unfold among glaciers and towering peaks. The maze of fjords, sounds, islets, inlets, and skerries around Cape Farewell (Nunap Isua), Greenland’s southernmost tip, has a distinct character. Transiting Prins Christian Sund (Ikerasassuaq)—one of the world’s most scenic fjords—is unforgettable. Expect dramatic mountain and seascapes, with glaciers tumbling to the sea and striking views at every turn. This region is home to Southern Greenlanders living on the frontier, where migrating hunting peoples from the east eventually settled near European trading posts. The few villages in this southern region are known for communities that remain closely tied to hunting and fishing traditions. We hope to visit Aappilattoq, a close-knit Greenlandic Inuit community on the shores of Prins Christian Sund, where you’ll meet local partners and residents. Guests may have the opportunity to hear stories and music, sample traditional foods, learn about hunting practices, and perhaps even join a friendly game of soccer. Your time in Arctic Patagonia will allow you to marvel at the impressive glacier at its head, with rivers of ice tumbling toward the sea, and the imposing peaks of Nalumasortoq and Ulamertorsuaq that dominate the skyline, making for the most scenic backdrops to your hike or helicopter excursion.

Days 10 - 12: Westlands and the Greenland Ice Sheet

Following in the footsteps of the Greenlandic Norse into the western fjords, it’s easy to see why Erik the Red chose this land and gave Greenland its name. In every direction, blue, ice-strewn waters meet lush valleys and blooming pastures. Warm microclimates deep within the f jords—rare across the Arctic—create surprisingly fertile landscapes. Farming traditions dating back to Viking times continue today, with families tending remote sheep farms and producing seasonal crops along the shores. This quiet, pastoral landscape is a sharp contrast to what comes next: the Greenland Ice Sheet. With an average thickness of 1,673 meters (5,489 feet) and a maximum depth of over 3,488 meters (11,444 feet) at its thickest point, the Greenland Ice Sheet covers approximately 80% of the island. You will enjoy sweeping aerial views of the world’s second-largest ice mass from your seat in one of our helicopters—and upon landing, experience something few others humans do: set foot on the Greenland Ice Sheet. Visitors often feel unprepared for the reality and scale of the Ice Sheet, where the absence of edges—as it stretches into the horizon—and the sheer physical presence of this ancient ice crackling underfoot transforms the abstract into something deeply tangible. Tamassa, meaning “Come in everyone” or “You are welcome,” is a unique onboard cultural exchange—offered on the same day as the Ice Sheet Experience—led by South Greenlanders themselves. Moving naturally through shared spaces onboard Ultramarine, local Greenlanders connect with guests through conversation, stories, hands-on workshops, food tastings, and performances. Tamassa, in this instance, invites Greenlanders into our home, the ship. You’ll also explore Kujataa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves a remarkable legacy of Norse and Inuit farming. We also hope to visit Qassiarsuk, a small settlement across the water from Narsarsuaq, where you can experience true South Greenland hospitality and gain insight into life at the edge of the Ice Sheet. Take time to visit the remains and reconstructions of Brattahlíð, Erik the Red’s estate and once the heart of the Norse Eastern Settlement.

Days 13: At Sea (Return Transit)

We’ll head north along the spectacular west coast of Greenland on our way to Nuuk. As your Arctic adventure winds down, you can take in a polar presentation by our onboard experts, share your photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar, or watch a movie. This is a great opportunity to ask members of the Expedition Team any remaining questions you have about any aspect of your voyage.

Day 14: Disembarkation, visit Nuuk, flight to Reykjavik

Upon arriving in Greenland’s capital, enjoy one more Zodiac ride to shore for the group transfer to the airport to catch your charter flight to Reykjavik, Iceland. Upon arrival in Reykjavik, we will transfer you to your hotel. Both your hotel and charter flight are included in the Charter Flight & Hotel Package.

Day 15: Depart Reykjavik

After breakfast at your included hotel, make your way to Keflavik International Airport for your onward f light, or continue exploring Reykjavik at your leisure.

Your ship: Ultramarine

Ultramarine is designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, to discover new places, and immerse you in the best the region has to offer.

• Ready Rooms
• Polar Boutique
• Ambassador Theater
• Balena Restaurant
• Bridge
• Bistro 487
• Tundra Spa
• Tundra Sauna
• Fitness Center
• Panorama Lounge and Bar

• 40-day Operational Range
• Four Embarkation Points
• MAGS
• Twin Engine Helicopters (Excluding Svalbard and Spitsbergen Voyages)
• Water-level Zodiac Hangar
• Wraparound Deck

Itinerary Activities

Included Activities

Flightseeing, Ice Sheet Experience, Photography, Polar Plunge, Hiking, Science and Discovery, Zodiac Cruising.

Adventure Options

Greenland Camp Experience, Paddling Excursion, Guided Photography, Tundra to Table: Inuit Culinary Experience

Reykjavik, Embark on Ship, At Sea, At Sea, Lindenow Fjord, Lindenow Fjord, Patagonian Fjords, Patagonian Fjords, Patagonian Fjords, Exploring West Greenland, Exploring West Greenland, Exploring West Greenland, At Sea, Nuuk, Reykjavik.

All fares are displayed in NZD, and pricing is per person based on twin share occupancy unless stated otherwise. Although all due care is taken to keep information as up-to-date as possible, pricing and availability are subject to change without notice: due to varying timing schedules of supplier automated update processes; currency fluctuations; fuel surcharges or government tax & fee changes and may not be guaranteed until paid in full. Gratuities may be an additional onboard charge depending on particular cruise line selected. Please ask your cruise consultant for any clarification of Terms & Conditions.