Greenland Expedition to the East Coast : The World’s Largest Wildernous Fjord System
Explore one of the wildest, least visited places on Earth by going on a polar expedition to Greenland’s East Coast, through the world’s largest wildernous fjord system. You’ll have the opportunity to hike and kayak among the splendor as you get an up close, intimate look at this unique ecosystem.
But don’t worry! You can do it in comfort as my guest Jim did when he went on Hurtigruten’s MS Fram (the same ship I went to Antarctica on – it’s awesome!!!). Properly dressed, you’ll be plenty warm as you experience this outstanding natural environment. Learn all about it below.
Less than 50,000 people cruise Greenland each year making this remote region one of the least visited places on Earth! And many never even leave the ship, as opposed to an expedition cruise where you get to explore this magical landscape on foot and via kayak and zodiac!
What You See on Your East Coast Greenland Expedition
Why do people head to the Arctic Circle, and in particular, Greenland’s East Coast? To see the rugged landscape with its impressive fjords, glaciers, and icebergs. But you’ll also see wildlife, maybe even a polar bear or two! And while you might think the land this far north couldn’t support any flora, you’d be surprised to find wildflowers and an amazing array of colorful lichen (which Jim said he was astonished at how pretty and variable they were!).
What You’ll Do on Your Greenland Expedition
When near land, you’ll go on landings, getting there via zodiacs, a large rubber motorized raft-like boat that holds around ten people. Once on land, you’ll get to hike this preistine environment.
Alternately, if you opt to, you can kayak among the glaciers and icebergs to get a fantastic up close view of the icebergs and glaciers. NOTE: If you aren’t sure you want to kayak, trust me, you DO want to do this add-on excursion! No experience is needed. You will be given a thermal onesie and dry suit gear and booties, so you will be warm and protected. While they give you neoprene gloves for the kayak paddle, I recommend wearing thin smart wool liners to add a bit more warmth. Even if you get splashed, the wool will keep you warm!
When to go on a Greenland East Coast Expedition
This Hurtigruten Greenland Fjord Expedition Cruise is only offered in August. The weather is best then: you can check it out here.
Hurtigruten will provide you will a packing list, but I also recommend that you check out the Antarctica Packing List I created after I returned from the other Pole, where I listed only what I actually needed so you can avoid overpacking. Properly layered, I was always comfortable (and actually the average temps aren’t so bad!).
Who Can Go on a Greenland Fyord Expedition
One of the things I loved most about my Antarctica Expedition on this same ship, the MS Fram, is that even though I was traveling solo, the crew made sure that I got to sit with different people at meals so I made lots of new friends, many now lifelong friends! People who go on an expedition to the Poles tend to be VERY well traveled, and thus, super interesting and engaged with the world.
I was not the only solo traveler, although most were couples and some friends traveling together. No matter your travel mate (or not) situation, you’ll be welcomed on this expedition.
Age-wise, most were reasonably fit folks in their 50’s-60’s, although there were about two dozen out of the 150 guests under 40.
To get the most out of the experience, you should be fit enough to get in and out of the zodiac motorized rafts with assistance (there are always two expedition crew memebers assisting you boarding and disembarking). When on shore, you should be fit enough to walk around. If you want to kayak (no experience necessary), you will need to be able to get in and out of the kayak and paddle with a partner (they can match you).
Things to See on Your Greenland Fyord Expedition
Your most striking memories will be of the dramatic landscape of icebergs and glaciers. If you are lucky, you will see polar bears, foxes and other wildlife.
One of my guest Jim’s favorite things (surprising to him) was the myriad colors and varieties of lichen. (I found the same thing in Antarctica, BTW).
Jim was also surprised at the variety of wildflowers.
The company Jim and I choose for our polar expeditions, is my now affiliate, Hurtigruten (I reached out to them when I returned because I was so impressed with their operation!).
Hurtigruten offers amazing expedition tours all over the world. In fact, they were the very first company to offer expeditions and have been doing so for over a hundred years! Based in Norway, they are also experts in arctic waters, something I was looking for before I booked my polar expedition.
You can check out my own Hurtigruten experience of their Antarctica In-depth Expedition including the Falkland and South Georgia Islands HERE.
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