Itinerary

Day 1 - Helsinki, Finland

Your adventure begins with an overnight stay in magical Helsinki, Finland's capital.
Unpack your parka and climb to the Fly Bridge for a spectacular view.

Day 2 - Embarkation Day

From Helsinki, board our charter flight to Murmansk, Russia, where you'll join Khlebnikov.
Khlebnikov has a dedicated presentation room.

Day 3 - At sea

Enjoy a presentation from Quark's Expedition Team on Khlebnikov's storied history, and an introduction to Greenland's SIRIUS dog sled patrol from special guest Peter Schmidt Mikkelsen. Peter was a member of this elite special task force of the Royal Danish Navy from 1977 to 1979.
En route to Greenland visit Ny Alesund, Spitsbergen, Svalbard.

Day 4 - Ny Alesund, Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Spitsbergen is the largest island in a small archipelago known as Svalbard and administered by the Kingdom of Norway. Ny Alesund was once a mining town, but is now home to several international research stations. You'll have time to explore, but don't try calling home - wireless devices are banned, as they interfere with sensitive research equipment!
The ship will patrol the ice edge in search of polar bears.

Day 5-6 - At sea

While crossing the Greenland Sea, be sure to take a helicopter flight for an unforgettable view of Khlebnikov crushing through the pack ice. When you're not flying, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, especially polar bears and walrus hunting along the ice edge.
Zodiacs take you ashore and cruising at ocean level.

Day 7 - Danmarks Havn, Greenland

Visit this tiny weather station, operated by eight hardy souls and located halfway down the remote seacoast of Northeast Greenland National Park, the world's largest national park. Enjoy a Zodiac cruise through Dove Bugt (Greenlandic for "bay"), watching for polar bear, walrus and muxk oxen.
Share stories and adventure.

Day 8 - Shannon and Sabine Islands, Greenland

See a unique side of Greenland when you visit these two island gems. Both were named in 1823, Shannon for a Royal Navy frigate of the same name, and Sabine after an Irish scientist who traveled to the area to perform geophysical research.
Peter Schmidt Mikkelsen is the Special Guest.

Day 9 - Daneborg and Eskimonaes, Northeast Greenland National Park

The small hamlet of Daneborg serves as headquarters for the famed SIRIUS Patrol, a special force of the Royal Danish Navy tasked with maintaining Danish sovereignty in northern and eastern Greenland. The hitch? The area can only be properly patrolled by dog sled. Gain insight into the challenges faced by this elite military corps with Quark special guest Peter Schmidt Mikkelsen.

After your visit to Daneborg, Khlebnikov will cruise to Eskimonaes, a previous SIRIUS command center destroyed by Nazi invaders during WW II. You'll tour the site ruins, and then visit a traditional Thule settlement. Here you'll learn about the culture of Greenland's indigenous peoples.
Musk Oxen are closely related to goats - not cattle.

Day 10 - Ella Island, Greenland

Be sure to pack both binoculars and camera, because today you climb to the top of Ella Island for a spectacular view of five fjords, beyond which you may also spot musk oxen gracing. Later, at Blomsterbugra, you'll visit a trapper's hut and hike to a beautiful freshwater lake.
Onboard helicopters soar above the ice for aerial sightseeing.

Day 11-13 - Scoresbysund, Greenland

Scoresbysund ("Scoresby's Sound") is the largest, longest, and - some say - he most beautiful fjord system in the world. The area was named for William Scoresby, a whaler scientist and man of the cloth who charted the east coast of Greenland in 1822.
Bring your camera!

Day 14 - Ittoqqoortoormitt, Greenland

The Greenlandic name for this community means "place with big houses," and it is one of the world's last remaining examples of a living hunter society. In part this is due to the year-round sea ice, which makes commercial fishing impractical.
Guillemots look like penguins, although they are not.

Day 15 - At sea

Continuing your cruise down the east coast of Greenland, you'll pass south through the Arctic Circle through seas once sailed by Eric the Red, the colorful outlaw who founded the island's first Norse colony.
Tundra plants grow low to the ground.

Day 16 - Tasiilaq, Ammassalik Island, Greenland

One of the fastest-growing communities in Greenland, Tasiilaq has over 1900 inhabitants. On your visit you'll take part in a number of planned activities, including a hike through spectacular Ammassalik Island scenery.
Going ashore is part of the experience.

Day 17 - Bernstorfs Isfjord, Greenland

The name translates to"ice fjord" which means a good possibility of spotting icebergs at the head of this magnificent waterway. When conditions permit, a shore landing allows you to hike the rugged terrain of this beautiful inlet.
You board the ship by a steep gangway.

Day 18 - Nanortalik, Greenland

Perched just north of the bottom tip of Greenland, Nanortalik was established early in Greenland's history, by both Inuit and Norse settlers. During your visit you'll view breathtaking mountain scenery, and soothe your tired legs in natural hot springs after hiking the tundra and visiting an ancient Viking settlement.
This is Khelbnikov's final visit to Greenland.

Day 19 - At sea

Cruising northward again, you'll have a chance to photograph the magnificent vistas of western Greenland, and spot many beautiful seabirds. Sailing up to Sondre Stromfjord, you'll cross back inside the Arctic Circle, ready to wind up your epic Arctic adventure.
The helicopter rides are thrilling!

Day 20 - Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

Your Greenland adventure cruise ends in Kangerlussuaq, where you'll say goodbye to shipboard friiends, and board a flight to Ottawa, Canada.
Spend the last night in a castle-like hotel in Ottawa.

Day 21 - Ottawa, Canada

After breakfast at your centrally located hotel, you are free to leave for home or extend your stay.

More information from Quark Expeditions:

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