16 Days / 15 Nights

Leaders: Clipper’s Expedition Staff and Lecturers, Dr. Geoff Hammerson, and Audrey Benedict

We are seduced by the wilderness beauty of the Arctic! Our voyage aboard the M/S Clipper Adventurer continues as we explore the largest and most famous of the islands that fringe the Arctic Circle — Greenland. Resplendent in the midnight sun, the immense rivers of ice plunging down from Greenland’s continental ice cap are remnants of the last ice age. With more than 80 % of Greenland covered by ice, this is truly a landscape defined by the treacherous comings and goings of the ice. The Inuit are said to have twenty-three words for ice — a simple measure of its importance in a lifeway that has evolved over thousands of years. But as the months of endless darkness give way to the blaze of summer sunshine, the burgeoning of life in the fjords and along the fringes of the ice paints the land in verdant greens and in the myriad colors of tundra flowers.

Before boarding the Clipper Adventurer in Reykjavík, arriving passengers will enjoy a full-day tour of some of Iceland’s most famous natural wonders — Thingvellir National Park, the ancient seat of the Icelandic parliament, thundering Gullfos (Golden Falls), and Geysir, the thermal spring from which all other eruptive hot springs have taken their name. Continuing passengers may opt for a trip to the famed Blue Lagoon, a hot spring renowned for its healing properties. Leaving Iceland behind, we cross Denmark Strait and make our way to the ruggedly beautiful east coast of Greenland, watching for whales and seabirds as we go. Towering mountains carved by great glaciers dominate the horizon as far as the eye can see. If sea conditions permit, we’ll circumnavigate the island of Skjoldungen, keeping a sharp eye out for ringed seals and other wildlife. As we cruise through Prince Christian Sound, we’ll use Zodiacs to explore the sheer-walled fjords, spectacular glaciers, and waterfalls — accompanied by a symphony of crashing ice, the cries of seabirds, and the steady surge of the sea. Near Qaqortoq, we’ll visit Hvalsey, where excavations of the best-preserved Norse ruins in Greenland reveal much about lifeways in this small 10th-century community. Heading along the southeast coast, we’ll watch for whales, seals, and countless seabirds as we make our way to Nuuk, Greenland’s tiny capitol and home to the National Museum and it’s amazing collection of Inuit art and artifacts. Expedition cruising and Zodiac landings along Greenland’s spectacular west coast will complete our journey. Depending on sea and ice conditions, opportunities to see a diversity of wildlife species will be emphasized both at sea and on land. Several species of whales, including beluga and narwhal, as well as ringed seals, dovekies, red-throated loons, both Iceland and Sabine’s gulls, white-tailed sea-eagle, and gyrfalcon are among the exciting possibilities that await us.

Price
Land/cruise prices quoted are per person based on double occupancy and according to the cabin category selected. Does not include fuel surcharges, alcohol, or roundtrip airfare from your point of departure and return from Ottawa. Cabins are reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis. A $500 deposit is required to confirm reservations.

Category 1 (A Deck): $5,745 ($500 deposit) Category 2 (A Deck): $6,185 ($500 deposit) Category 3 (Main Deck): $6,695 ($500 deposit) Category 4 (Main Deck): $7,305 ($500 deposit) Single (Category 2 only): $9,050 ($500 deposit)

Cloud Ridge Group Size: 16
Trip Rating: 3

Need More Information?
Please contact us if you would like a full-color brochure describing either of these two trips—or both! For detailed information about the M/S Clipper Adventurer, please visit Clipper Cruise Line at www.clippercruise.com/adventurer.

A special Offer
Our voyages aboard the M/S Clipper Adventurer represent a tremendous travel value and learning experience for anyone interested in small-ship expedition cruising to remote places. Our excellent relationship with Clipper began with our first expedition cruise to Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falklands in 2003. Travelers wishing to do BOTH of our back-to-back voyages are invited to take an additional 10% off the cost of each trip! The prices listed in Clipper’s color brochure do not reflect Cloud Ridge’s specially-discounted rates as printed in this brochure.