Natural Wonders of Greenland and Iceland

Charter flight from Keflavik to Kangerlussuaq. The OCEAN DIAMOND anchors off Kangerlussuaq and embarkation is conducted via our Zodiac boats (don’t forget your rain clothes). The ship departs in the evening. The arctic cruise ship will depart Kangerlussuaq harbor in the evening.

With approx. 5,600 inhabitants, Sisimiut is the second largest town in Greenland. It is a modern settlement that maintains ancient traditions. The fishing industry still plays an important role. The natural harbor remains ice-free throughout the year which made it an attractive location for European whalers in former times.

Our next stop is Ilulissat, which means “iceberg” in Greenlandic. And with good reason, as the town is located at the mouth of the iceberg-filled Ilulissat Ice Fjord. Delight in the thunderous spectacle when icebergs break off from Sermeq Kujalleq glacier and plunge into the fjord.

Uummannaq is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Greenland. Located on a small island about 300 miles (483 km) north of the Arctic Circle, this tiny, picturesque village lies at the foot of a heart shaped mountain.

The small settlement of Qeqertarsuaq is located on the South Coast of Disko Island. In 1773 the first whaling base was founded there. Whaling has been of great importance to the town over the past two centuries.

Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, combines Arctic traditions and European urbanity. Founded in 1728 by the Danish-Norwegian missionary Hans Egede, this is the oldest town in Greenland. With around 16,000 inhabitants, Nuuk is a bustling metropolis with a modern lifestyle compared with the rest of Greenland. Visit the city sights on a walking tour that ends at the National Museum, which exhibits the famous mummies of Qilakitsoq.

Very close to the town lies the small settlement of Qassiarsuk, founded by the legendary Viking rebel and leader Erik the Red. He named this area "green land" because the landscape around Qassiarsuk is characterized by inviting fjords and green, fertile valleys. During this stop you have the opportunity to learn more about the lives of the early Norse settlers and visit the reconstructions of a Viking longhouse and small turf church.

When conditions are favorable, we travel along the Prince Christian Sound. In this narrow, often ice choked channel, we come so close to icebergs you can almost reach out and touch them.

The island is characterized by several glaciers, jagged peaks, rivers, lakes and waterfalls. There are vast green valleys and deep fjords with newly calved icebergs dropping off the ice cap into the sea. Tasiilaq, the largest town in East Greenland, is located on Ammassalik Island. With its population of approximately 2,000 people, the town is the gateway to explore East Greenland.

The Skjoldungen Fjord is bordered by towering mountains tipped with snow, ice-scraped valley sides with serpentine rivers of ice plunging into the sea. It is highly likely that the fjord was inhabited by Paleo-Eskimo (Inuit) nomadic people as early as 4,000 years ago. Surrounded by wild and pristine nature, it is quite common to see whales, bearded seals and various kinds of birds in the area.

Today we sail across the Denmark Strait towards Iceland. This route was used by Norse settlers traveling to Greenland around 900 years ago.

In the morning we return to the port of Reykjavik. After breakfast it’s time to bid farewell to the Ocean Diamond. Extend your stay in Iceland and book one of our post-cruise programs or explore Reykjavik and the surrounding area on your own. Reykjavik, which is both the economical and cultural hub of Iceland, boasts a variety of museums and shops. Scattered around the city are fascinating natural wonders like glaciers, waterfalls and geysers. Individual departures.