Iceland & Greenland Expedition with Seabourn

Enjoy complimentary airport lounge access before your flight from the UK to Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. On arrival, you will be transferred to your stylish hotel in downtown Reykjavik. The rest of the day is yours to begin exploring Iceland's compact capital city at leisure. If you only have the energy to see one thing, make it Hallgrimskirkja, the 74-metre-tall Lutheran church that towers over the city. Take the lift to the top for superb views over Reykjavik and out towards the surrounding mountains. You'll also want to take a stroll down Laugavegur, the main pedestrian street, to find numerous bars, restaurants and souvenir stores. Continue down to the waterfront to find the famous Sun Voyager monument and the iconic Harpa concert hall.

Today’s Golden Circle excursion brings you to some of South Iceland’s most famous attractions by Superjeep. Your first stop is Thingvellir National Park, the site of the world’s first parliament and the place where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart along a spectacular rift valley. Afterwards, visit the frequently erupting Strokkur geyser and the majestic Gullfoss waterfall, the latter widely considered to be one of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls. End the day with a drive to Iceland’s second-largest ice cap, Langjökull, where you can try your hand at snowmobiling. On the way back to Reykjavik, make a brief but memorable stop at the gorgeous Faxi waterfall.

This morning is set aside for relaxation at the Sky Lagoon, one of Iceland’s newest and most impressive geothermal pools. Head just 10 minutes outside of the city centre to take in the ocean views, soak in steaming geothermal water, enjoy the swim-up bar, and rejuvenate with a hot and cold wellness ritual including saunas, plunge pools, steam rooms and more. Later on, you will be transferred to the port to board Seabourn Venture as you begin your luxury all-inclusive Seabourn cruise. The ship departs early this evening, and dinner will be served onboard.

Stay: Seabourn Venture

Grundarfjörður, a picturesque fishing village on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, is an ideal base for exploring the region's dramatic landscapes, including Snæfellsjökull National Park. Dominated by the iconic Kirkjufell, one of Iceland's most photographed peaks, the village blends natural beauty with maritime heritage. Rich fishing grounds support abundant bird and marine life, while summer brings Viking re-enactments and the vibrant July town festival, when colourful decorations transform this peaceful coastal community.

Stay: Seabourn Venture

Whilst at sea, you'll witness Scoresby Sund, the world's largest fjord system, where immense waterways, towering basalt cliffs and colossal glaciers create one of the Arctic's most spectacular landscapes. At its entrance lies Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the world's most remote settlements and the gateway to Northeast Greenland National Park. This vast protected wilderness is the planet's largest national park, home to extraordinary wildlife, sweeping ice-covered landscapes and an overwhelming sense of untouched isolation. Alternatively, take advantage of the multitude of amenities available on your luxury cruise ship. With eight dining experiences, an infinity pool, eight lounges and bars, the convivial Seabourn Square common area, and a lovely spa, there are plenty of ways to spend your time at sea.

Stay: Seabourn Venture

Framed by soaring peaks, vast fjords and untamed wilderness, Tasiilaq is the gateway to East Greenland's extraordinary landscapes. First settled by the Saqqaq people and later visited by Norse explorers en route from Iceland, the town remains deeply connected to its Inuit heritage. Wander colourful streets where sled dogs outnumber residents, traditional kayaks and wooden sledges are still part of daily life, and time-honoured hunting and fishing traditions continue against a backdrop of breathtaking Arctic scenery.

Stay: Seabourn Venture

Set foot in Greenland today as you arrive at Umivik Bay. Whereas elsewhere along much of Greenland's coastline you’ll find sheer cliffs and rugged terrain, the shores within the bay here are smooth, with the gigantic Greenland ice sheet coming right to the shore. It was this smoother terrain that caused Fridtjof Nansen to select the bay as the starting point for his successful 1888 expedition, in which he led the first ever crossing of the Greenland ice sheet by humans. Umivik Bay is home to several large islands, including Uppernattivik, and you'll be able to spot calving glaciers as you cruise by. A landing is possible here as well, depending on conditions.

Stay: Seabourn Venture

Sailing through Prince Christian Sound is one of Greenland's defining experiences. This narrow, glacier-lined waterway winds beneath the vast Greenland Ice Sheet, flanked by dramatic granite peaks and drifting icebergs. The tiny settlement of Aappilattoq offers a rare glimpse of life in this remote region, while the surrounding waters are rich with whales and seals. It's an unforgettable journey through one of the Arctic's most spectacular and untouched landscapes.

Stay: Seabourn Venture

Kangikitsoq offers a rare opportunity to explore one of Greenland's most remote landscapes. Guided walks reveal striking conical molards, ancient Inuit burial sites and flourishing Arctic vegetation, while panoramic views of mountains, glaciers and pristine waterways showcase the extraordinary beauty and geological wonders of this untouched corner of the world.

Stay: Seabourn Venture

Surrounded by towering mountains and iceberg-strewn waters, Nanortalik is one of Greenland's most dramatic settlements. Its distinctive white church spire rises above colourful houses, reflecting both the resilience of the local community and the sculptural icebergs that drift through nearby fjords. Set against a backdrop of glaciers and rugged peaks, this remote Arctic town offers an evocative glimpse into life at the edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet.

Stay: Seabourn Venture

Dock in Qaqortog, the largest city in South Greenland. The town was founded in 1775 by a Danish-Norwegian trader called Anders Olsen. Today, it is known for its open-air exhibition, The Stone & Man Project, designed to turn the town into an outdoor gallery. 18 artists from across the Nordics joined forces to create over 40 sculptures celebrating Greenlandic culture. Other points of interest include Mindebrønden, the oldest fountain in Greenland; the Qaqortoq Museum; and the Saviors Lutheran Church. It's one of Greenland's most picture-perfect towns, filled with brightly-coloured timber houses clinging to grassy hillsides. 

Spend the afternoon in Hvalsey, 12 miles by Zodiac from from Qaqortoq. This settlement lasted from the 10th to the mid-15th century. This place represents the last written record of the Greenlandic Norse, making it the most prominent Norse site in Greenland. Your expedition team and archaeologist will help you interpret the fascinating ruins.

Stay: Seabourn Venture

On the shores of southern Greenland, Qassiarsuk offers a fascinating insight into the region's Norse past. Once known as Brattahlíð, it was the farmstead of Erik the Red and the departure point for Leif Erikson's voyage to North America. Today, this peaceful settlement forms part of the Kujataa Greenland: Norse and Inuit Farming at the Edge of the Ice Cap, where reconstructed buildings and remarkable landscapes bring Viking history vividly to life.

Stay: Seabourn Venture

On Greenland's southwest coast, Ivittuut is an abandoned settlement where industrial heritage meets Arctic wilderness. Once the world's only commercial source of cryolite, the mine played a pivotal role in early aluminium production and held strategic importance during World War II. Today, weathered buildings, rusting machinery and the vast open quarry create a haunting landscape, while nearby Norse archaeological remains add another layer to this remarkably significant yet seldom-visited corner of Greenland.

Greenland's vibrant capital, Nuuk blends contemporary Nordic design with deep-rooted Inuit traditions. Colourful waterfront homes, fascinating museums and a thriving arts scene sit alongside historic landmarks, including the 19th-century Nuuk Cathedral. With a history stretching from ancient Inuit cultures to Norse settlers and Danish missionaries, Nuuk offers an engaging introduction to Greenland's rich heritage, modern identity and spectacular fjord-fringed setting.

Stay: Seabourn Venture

Evighedsfjorden, or Eternity Fjord, is situated in Greenland’s remote wilderness. It was carved over the millennia by ancient glaciers and is flanked by snowcapped peaks and sheer cliffs, plunging into icy Arctic waters. Listen to the cracks and groans of the calving icebergs and take in the awe-inspiring contrast of colours and textures. This is raw, untamed Greenlandic beauty.

Stay: Seabourn Venture

North of the Arctic Circle, the remote coastal town of Sisimiut is a true outdoor adventure-travel hub, where rugged landscapes and Greenlandic traditions meet.  This picturesque town is set on a tranquil fjord perched on bare rock outcrops. The 784-metre-tall Mount Nasaasaaq provides the dramatic backdrop for the town’s typically colourful timber houses, painted red, blue, yellow and green. The Sisimiut Museum features a traditional Greenlandic peat house and the remains of a traditional 18th-century kayak.

Stay: Seabourn Venture

Your last cruise day brings you to Kangerlussuaq, where, in 1941, the United States Air Force constructed an airbase to help with refuelling on the way to Britain during World War II. While at the time an ever-present fog made navigation a nightmare for those pilots, modern technology means this is no longer an issue. Kangerlussuaq has long hosted the largest commercial airport in Greenland, therefore serving as the main gateway for flights from Denmark and Iceland. However, following the opening of the new international airport in Nuuk, the capital has taken over as Greenland's primary hub for international travel. You'll disembark Seabourn Venture here as your cruise adventure comes to an end. You'll then take a flight from Kangerlussuaq back to Keflavik International Airport in Iceland for an overnight stay.

Stay: Reykjavik hotel

Transfer from your hotel to Keflavik International Airport to catch your flight back to the UK.