HIGHLIGHTS
- On
August 12, 2026, wtness a total solar eclipse through mountainous
Northeast Greenland
- Get
an unobstructed view towards the western sky of the totality which will
last for 2 minutes and 17 seconds
- Witness
this natural wonder, surrounded by staggering natural beauty
- Cruise
southward along the east coast of Greenland, and witness glaciers
flowing from the snow-capped peaks of the Watkins Mountains
- Experience
unique East Greenlandic culture in the town of Tasiilaq, and marvel at
the stunning fjords and glaciers of Skjoldungen
- Sail
through the magnificent strait of Prins Christiansund, a glacier-lined
channel separating Kap Farvel (Greenland's southernmost point) from the
mainland
- Venture
deep into the fjords of South Greenland to visit the ancient remains of
Erik the Red's farmstead
- Visit
Nuuk, one of the smallest world capitals. Nuuk still has a strong
Greenlandic vibe; tiny traditional wooden houses sit in the shadow of
glassy towers, and locals buy seal and whale meat at the city market
- Chart
a course for Evighedsfjord, the“Fjord of
Eternity”, where several glaciers flow from jagged peaks down
into the plunging depths of the fjord
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Category F |
|---|
| Aug 10, 2026 | Aug 22, 2026 | 13,695 |
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Category F |
|---|
| Aug 10, 2026 | Aug 22, 2026 | 13,695 |
ITINERARY
DAY
1: REYKJAVIK, ICELAND
The
rock-like columns of Hallgrímskirkja Church loom over the
city of Reykjavik, a hip Scandinavian capital which needs little
introduction. With new Nordic cuisine, excellent shopping, fantastic
excursions and an easy relaxed vibe, Reykjavik is one of Scandinavia's
most welcoming and exciting cities. Explore the city's world class (and
often very quirky) museums, shop for snuggly local sweaters, or simply
watch this bustling city in action on a cozy cafe terrace.
MV
Ocean Albatros awaits embarkation in the city's bustling harbour, with
comfortable staterooms ready to welcome our guests. After our mandatory
safety briefings and lifeboat drill, Ocean Albatros will sail out of
Reykjavík and chart a course for the wild east coast of
Greenland.
DAY
2: AT SEA, CROSSING THE DENMARK STRAIT
The
Denmark Strait is the narrow section of the North Atlantic Ocean
separating Iceland from Greenland. This body of water is among the most
productive in the world, where the cold polar East Greenland Current
collides with the warm northbound Gulf Stream. These nutrient-rich
waters support vast stocks of fish, and in turn the humans, seals,
whales and seabirds which rely on them. As Ocean Albatros
sails across the Denmark Strait, our eclipse experts onboard will take
careful note of weather and ice conditions at the eclipse location and
instruct our guests on procedures to safely view and photograph the
eclipse. As we approach Greenland, our onboard team will also provide
information on the ecology, geology and wildlife of the area, as well
as ensuring our guests are informed on important topics such as Zodiac
operations and polar bear safety. In other words, getting prepared for
the adventure to come!
DAY
3: ECLIPSE DAY, BLOSSEVILLE COAST, EAST GREENLAND
During
the early hours of the day, we approach the massive rock walls of the
Blosseville Coast. A hundred years ago this coastline was feared by
sailors due to the almost permanent sea ice, which even in summer could
trap and crush unsuspecting ships. However, warmer temperatures during
the last decades and huge advances in marine technology mean this
forbidding coast and its sheltered landings in the dramatic fjords can
now be accessed by certain ice-strengthened vessels such as ours.
For
this important day, Albatros Expeditions have carefully researched the
best possible viewing location – a location as close to
eclipse centre line as possible, with easy Zodiac access, views
unobstructed by mountains to the southwest and likely to have clear
skies. Ocean Albatros will drop anchor close to the shore around noon.
Our expedition staff will scout the area for wildlife, and after lunch
all guests will get ashore by Zodiac in good time to set up their
equipment and view this natural wonder.
The
shadow of the moon moves toward us from north Greenland at a speed of
4,000 kilometre per hour. The partial eclipse begins at 16:37 local
time (the same as UTC and Reykjavík time), and the totality
begins at 17:37. The sun at maximum eclipse will be in the southwestern
sky, unobstructed by any mountains at the mouth of our little fjord. At
17:40 the first rays slip past the lunar disk to create the legendary
“Diamond Ring” – and then the totality is
over. The spectacle ends around 18:33 when the last fringe of the moon
leaves the solar disk, and the shadow continues south toward the
northern coast of Spain. We will pack up our equipment, tripods, and
other belongings and return to the ship, where a gala dinner has been
prepared for this very special day!
Eclipse
photography - a word of advice
Much
has been written about how to take good pictures during a solar
eclipse. The most important phrase in almost all these descriptions is:
DON’T! It is extremely difficult to get good pictures,
especially during totality, and it requires very advanced equipment and
knowledge. If you do not have this, you risk missing the most important
thing, namely experiencing the special and unreal atmosphere that a
total solar eclipse gives. Instead, use the short span of the eclipse
to observe the effect of the fast-changing light on the landscape. And
when turning your eyes towards the sun, always wear the solar eclipse
glasses provided to you by Albatros Expeditions.
DAY
4: ALONG THE BLOSSEVILLE COAST
Captain
and his officers will steer Ocean Albatros south along Blosseville, the
most dramatic coast outside of Antarctica. The tall and dark rock walls
have their origin in the opening of the Atlantic Ocean, when Norway and
Greenland separated, and thousands of cubic kilometres of lava flowed
up through Earth’s crust. The dramatic layers of black rock
bear testament to countless volcanic eruptions in the region
approximately 50 million years ago. A magnet for geologists from around
the world, this fascinating region was first surveyed by legendary
Danish explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen.
If
ice and weather conditions allow, the Expedition Leader and Captain
will try to arrange for a shore landing at the mouth of Kangerlussuaq,
a typically descriptive Greenlandic name meaning “Big
Fjord”. Despite the forbidding landscape and the brutal
weather of the region, ancestors of today’s Inuit have lived
in the region for thousands of years. A few abandoned Inuit settlements
and expedition huts are scattered in this otherwise untouched and
otherworldly landscape.
DAY
5: TASIILAQ, EAST GREENLAND
Proceeding
along the coast, we soon arrive at Tasiilaq, the largest settlement in
East Greenland. Unlike the west coast, which has had uninterrupted
contact with Europe since the 1700s, the coast of East Greenland
remained more or less uncontacted until around 1894, when a Danish
trading post was established at Tasiilaq by Gustav Holm’s
famous Skin Boat Expedition. The vast distances involved in Arctic
travel meant that the people of East Greenland (Tunumiit) were isolated
from their cousins to the west, and the language, traditions and
culture of East Greenland therefore differ significantly to those in
other parts of the country.
Ancient
traditions are strong here. This region of Greenland was the home of
the last Angakkuit (Shamans) of Greenland, and is the home of the
tupilak - a monster fashioned from animal (and sometimes human) body
parts and animated by the power of an Angakkuq to wreak havoc on
enemies. Creating such a monster was dangerous, as it could be turned
back by a more powerful magic user to attack its creator. The first
Europeans were curious as to what these dark beasts looked like, and
locals carved facsimiles in bone or horn, beginning one of Greenland's
finest artistic traditions. The tupilaat made by artisans in Tasiilaq
are considered among the best in the country.
Tasiilaq
sits in a perfect natural harbour on Ammassalik Island (meaning 'the
Place of Many Capelin'). While superficially similar to towns on the
West Coast, the landscape here is much more rugged, the people fewer,
and the sled dogs much more numerous. Tasiilaq offers excellent
opportunities to explore, with excellent hiking routes such as the
Flower Valley easily accessible from town. For those wishing to delve
into Tunumiit culture, visit the museum, located in the city's old
church, hear the city's exquisite choir perform in the modern church,
or watch a drum dancer in traditional East Greenlandic costume perform
a millennia-old spiritual tradition. For those wishing to indulge in
some retail therapy, visit the Stunk Artist's Workshop, where skilled
craftsmen create beautiful pieces from natural local materials.
DAY
6: SKJOLDUNGEN/SAQQISIKUIK
Today's
adventure begins as we sail into magnificent Skjoldungen, a
staggeringly beautiful fjord on the southeastern coast of Greenland.
The fjord is named for Skjold, an ancient Danish King of Norse legend,
while the Greenlandic name, Saqqisikuik, references the sunny climate
of the area. Various archaeological finds on the island which sits in
the middle of the fjord suggests nomadic Inuit groups visited and
stayed in the area in years gone by; more recently, settlers were
brought from Tasiilaq to settle the island in the 1930s, but returned
there thirty years later; some houses can still be seen on the southern
side of the fjord. A small weather station was also operated on the
island by the Allies during WWII.
Today
uninhabited, Skjoldungen sits almost 300km from the nearest village,
with Mother Nature its only ruler. Vast saw-toothed mountains lined
with opalescent glaciers line the deep chilly waters of the fjord,
which can freeze even in summer. At the head of the fjord lies the
magnificent Thryms Glacier, a magnificent river of ice flowing down
from the ice sheet. On the southern side of Thryms Glacier lies the
sweeping U-shaped glacial valley of Dronning Maries Dal - a textbook
example of a glacially-produced landscape. Join your expedition team
for a walk on the flower-lined floor of this valley, and marvel at the
stunning scenery. Ensure you are on the outer decks on our approach and
departure from this magnificent fjord too: you will not be
disappointed!
DAY
7: PRINS CHRISTIAN SUND AND AAPPILATTOQ
South
of Skjoldungen lies Cape Farewell, which is renowned not only as
Greenland's southernmost point, but also for its infamously challenging
weather. With this in mind, we deliberately opt for a far more
comfortable but also more spectacular route, cruising across to West
Greenland via the inside passage of Prins Christian Sund. Known in
Greenlandic by its typically descriptive name of Ikerasassuaq ('the Big
Strait'), this 60 km long waterway reaches from the east coast to the
settlement of Aappilattoq in West Greenland.
Prins
Christian Sund is one of the most spectacular waterways anywhere on
Earth. Kept free of ice year round by strong tidal currents, the strait
is hemmed in on either side by mountains which rise straight out of the
water some reaching over 2,000m in height. Large glaciers flow from the
ice sheet into the sea on the northern side of the strait, while
sapphire blue mountain glaciers loom over the water from the southern
side, and vast icebergs stud the glassy waters.
By
mid-afternoon we will visit the small village of Aappilattoq, which
sits hunkered beneath the towering mountains at the end of Prins
Christians Sund. The village is a world away from busy towns of West
Greenland; life here moves at a slower pace, following the rhythms of
the wind, waves and tides. Aappilattoq (meaning 'Red' in Greenlandic,
referring to the stark granite bluffs above) offers excellent hiking
opportunities, and the local choir is renowned throughout Greenland.
DAY
8: TASERMIUT AND UUNARTOQ
Tasermiut
(meaning 'the Settlement by the Lake') is one of Greenland's best kept
secrets. Extending northeastwards 75 km from the town of Nanortalik to
the Ice Sheet, the fjord is lined by green, fertile side valleys and
sheer granite walls reaching 2000 m above sea level. These rock walls
are often compared to El Chalten in Argentina, or California's
Yosemite, but in reality the sheer scale of these cliffs far exceeds
both, and they are a lifetime goal for the world's most expert rock
climbers. The Norse settlers called this waterway Ketil’s
Fjord and build an Augustinian monastery in what is still called
Klosterdalen (“Monastery Valley”). We will make a
zodiac landing and a short easy hike to experience the fantastic
landscape at the head of fjord - no climbing gear required!
Following
the coast north, we reach the small island of Uunartoq, famous for its
geothermal springs with year-round temperatures of 34-36 degrees
centigrade. While the hot springs of Iceland are more famous, Uunartoq
surely beats them all for sheer natural beauty; nowhere else in the
world can you relax in perfectly hot water while icebergs float past in
the sea nearby. In fact, many visitors use the frigid sea as the ideal
cold plunge to enhance this natural spa! The Norse settlers knew this
place as well, and remnants of a nunnery have been excavated on the
island. We will make a landing on the island by Zodiac in the early
evening and take turns to dip into the hot pool.
DAY
9: QASSIARSUK AND ITILLEQ KUJALLEQ
During
the early morning we will cruise below the majestic mountains of
Tunulliarfik Fjord towards the small village of Qassiarsuk. The fjords
here are lined with lush green meadows and dotted with small
sheep-farming settlements, of which Qassiarsuk is perhaps the best
known.
While
the modern village of Qassiarsuk was founded in 1924, the location has
a fascinated and much longer history; it was here a thousand years ago
that legendary Norse explorer, Eric the Red, settled after being
banished from Iceland. Erik and his family set up a small farmstead in
typical Norse style, naming new settlement
Brattahlíð, “The Steep slope”.
Erik himself kept fiercely to the Norse gods, but his wife Thjodhild
was a Christian. Legend has it, she refused to join his bed until he
built her a church, which he eventually did, constructing a tiny hut
(Þjóðhildarkirkja) which was nevertheless
the first church in the Americas.
Across
the fjord lies Itilleq, a small bay where a trail leads to the village
of Igaliku. During the afternoon, we will trek through the lush green
hills to see the remains of the Norse Bishop's palace at Garðar
- once a place of great power and influence in this remote corner of
the Norse world.
DAY
10: AT SEA, EN ROUTE TOWARDS NUUK
From
South Greenland, we will follow the rugged coast of this vast island
northwards. All settlements in Greenland (with the exception of
Kangerlussuaq) are situated directly on the ocean coast of the country,
and the vast majority of residents (some 50,000 or so) live on the
narrow strip of coast on the west of the country, facing the Davis
Strait.
Ocean
currents bring warm water up from the Atlantic to the west coast,
enriching these wildlife-filled waters. During our day at sea, keep
your eyes on the sea! Whales, seals and a huge variety of seabirds are
common in these rich waters.
DAY
11: NUUK, CAPITAL OF GREENLAND
A
mixture of skyscrapers and traditional wooden houses, the quaint and
the cosmopolitan, Nuuk is a city of contrasts. The vibrant bustling
capital of Greenland, Nuuk feels much larger than its 19,000
inhabitants, and offers a wealth of experiences to visitors. The calm
fjords around Nuuk have been inhabited by Paleo-Inuit cultures since at
least 2200 B.C., and archaeological evidence indicates waves of
migration through the area as ancient hunters followed migrating prey.
Around the year 1000 A.D., Norse colonist from Iceland established the
Western Settlement in the green meadows of Nuuk Fjord; these settlers
mysteriously disappeared several hundred years later leaving the island
to the Inuit, who were far better equipped to live in Greenland's harsh
environment.
Nuuk
offers a huge amount to the discerning visitor; larger than any other
city in Greenland, Nuuk has a bustling cosmopolitan vibe and hosts some
of Greenland's best attractions. Swing by Kolonihavn district to visit
the Greenlandic National Museum, a treasure trove of history stretching
back to the first inhabitants of this icy island - including artefacts
from the Paleo-Inuit and Norse periods, as well as the spellbinding
Qilakistoq mummies. Explore Greenlandic culture at Katuaq, the city's
cultural centre, and an architectural marvel; shop for authentic
Greenlandic artworks in the city's many boutique shops, or simply relax
at a hip curbside café with a Greenlandic coffee and watch
this vibrant city in action. Nuuk York (as proud locals call it) is
unlike any other city in Greenland, or indeed the world.
DAY
12: KANGAAMIUT AND EVIGHEDSFJORDEN
On
the last full day of our expedition, we will arrive at the small
village of Kangaamiut, an incredibly picturesque settlement in
Greenland’s central Qeqqata region. Surrounded by cold rich
waters and a vast back country brimming with game, life in Kangaamiut
moves at a slower pace, and locals still live a largely traditional
lifestyle, surviving by hunting and fishing. Hike to the heliport atop
the hill for stunning views over the town and the surrounding
fjordlands, or meet the friendly local people during a display of
traditional clothing, foods, and seal-flensing. The artists of
Kangaamiut are well-known throughout Greenland, and some of the locals'
most splendid work can be viewed in the town's small museum.
In
the afternoon, we will sail inland into
Evighedsfjorden/Kangerlussuatsiaq, one of the many deep fjords carved
between the steep mountains of this region. The Danish name
'Evighedsfjorden' means 'The Eternity Fjord', referring to the vast
size of the inlet, while the Greenlandic name 'Kangerlussuatsiaq'
translates as 'The Rather Large Fjord' - something of an
understatement! Evighedsfjorden stretches around 100km into the
glacier-clad mountains, bisecting the large ice cap which overlies much
of the land between Nuuk and Sisimiut - Greenland's two largest cities.
We will aim to explore on a Zodiac cruise in front of the Evigheds
Glacier, which flows into the fjord from the Maniitsoq Ice Cap above.
Watch for calvings from the glacier, and guillemots and kittiwakes on
the nearby bird cliffs.
DAY
13: KANGERLUSSUAQ - DISEMBARKATION
During
the night, we will sail up the 160-kilometer/100 mile Kangerlussuaq
Fjord. After breakfast aboard the ship, we will bid a fond farewell to
the ship's crew, Expedition Team, and fellow travellers before
shuttling ashore by Zodiac.
Due
to Kangerlussuaq’s military history and present-day role as
an important air travel hub, the town remains fairly isolated from
Greenland’s rich cultural traditions in comparison to other
regions. While you still find cultural experiences when visiting
Kangerlussuaq, the most impressive attraction is the surrounding
nature, which is just beckoning to be explored. Kangerlussuaq itself
was largely constructed by the American military in the 1950s, and this
small airport town has retained something of its Cold War atmosphere.
Your Arctic adventure and time in Greenland concludes as we arrive at
the sleek modern airport terminal – all of us with memories
to last a lifetime.
Ocean Albatros (Luxury Expedition, 184-guests)
With a total of 95 comfortable staterooms and suites, all with unobstructed sea view, most with their own balcony, the Ocean Albatros will definitely become one of the most popular expedition cruise vessels in the world. Like it's sistership the Ocean Victory it offers two restaurants, a wellness area, an Albatros Nordic Bar, an open deck dining facility, a modern lecture lounge, and other state-of-the-art amenities.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 13-day/12-nights’
cruise on Ocean Albatros in a shared outside double room
- All
Voyage nights according to programs
- Accommodation
in outside staterooms
- English-speaking
expedition team
- Shore
landings by Zodiac
- Information
briefings and lectures by expedition team
- Full
board on the ship
- Free
coffee and tea on the ship
- Parkas
for all guests
- Boots
in assorted sizes, suitable for shore landings Port fees, IAATO fees,
taxes and tariffs
- Complimentary
house wine, beer and soda at dinner (At our a-la-carte dinners in our
restaurants, served by the glass, selected labels and brands. At other
times drinks are charged to your stateroom account)
- Mandatory
Transfer Package: Flights between Copenhagen - Kangerlussaq -
Copenhagen via Keflavik and Group Transfer between Kangerlussaq Airport
and the vessel. Value: USD 650/pax one way
EXCLUSIONS
- Travel
insurance.
- Cancellation
insurance.
- Extra
excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Single
room supplement.
- Meals
not on board the ship.
- Beverages
(other than coffee and tea).
- Tips
for the crew (we recommend USD 16 per person per day).
- Personal
expenses.
- Anything
not mentioned under 'Price includes'.
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Photography
- Tundra
Exploration
- Zodiac
Cruises
- Lectures
