This was the 50th country we’ve visited so we were looking for a out-of-the-ordinary destination. Greenland is a region of contrasts, with towering mountains, lush valleys, and pristine fjords. It is a land of extremes, with long, dark winters and short, bright summers. But it is also a land of beauty and wonder, and it allowed us to round out our Scandinavian travels after visiting Iceland, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Sweden all within the past year.
Note: One our friends and fellow travelers noted that Greenland is actually part of Denmark and it is not officially its own country. It is considered an autonomous country but still part of Denmark.
The cruise was with National Geographic and the second trip we’ve taken with them. Our first trip was in 2019 to Antarctica and it was our favorite of all 50 countries we’ve visited.
On the first day of our Greenland trip, we met 2 couples who were also on that same 2019 Antarctica trip – small world for sure. We formed a friendship with one of the couples from our prior Antarctica trip, Craig and Irene. We share similar interests and spent a considerable amount of time together.
National Geographic expeditions offer a unique cruise experience with dedicated scientists on board. These experts conduct research activities via scuba diving to collect items for scientific study. Each day, they present their findings through video presentations, focusing on topics like climate change.
We started and ended our journey in Reykjavik, Iceland and were able to see parts of Iceland we missed in our trip last year. We flew from Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland before embarking on the National Geographic Endurance ship.
The National Geographic Endurance is a luxurious ship with excellent amenities such as a library, hot tubs, saunas, fitness and wellness centers, and unique sleeping arrangements in igloos — available upon request for the more adventurous.
Visiting Greenland can be challenging due to its vast size and difficult conditions. Our focus was on exploring Southern Greenland, where we navigated fjords along the coast. However, the return journey to Reykjavik was particularly rough, with nearly 30-foot waves making for a rocky few days.
Nuuk, Greenland
Nuuk is the capital of Greenland, known for its small size and vibrant population. Located at the mouth of Nuuk Fjord, the city is home to around 19,600 people, mainly Inuit. Greenlandic and Danish are the official languages, and the city is famous for its colorful houses.
Neria Fjord
After leaving Nuuk, we sailed to the Neria Fjord. Exploring the serene Neria fjord on kayaks, we witnessed the majestic beauty of icebergs while experiencing the unexpected thrill of one of them exploding into the ocean. Luckily we kept a safe distance.
As the day progressed and excitement filled the air, an unexpected opportunity presented itself – a chance to partake in a Polar Plunge. With hearts racing and adrenaline pumping, Craig and I braved the chilly waters for the second time, as we both had also taken the plunge in Antarctica as did lrene.
Qassiarsuk, Greenland
Our next stop was Qassiarsuk, the Viking colony established by Erik the Red in the 10th century. Erik and his descendants lived there until about the mid-15th century.
The estate, along with other archeological sites in southwestern Greenland, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017. The site includes ruins and Thjodhild’s church, a small chapel that was built for a small congregation of about 10.
When we arrived, we were met by a small Inuit community who call this location home. There was a small school of 11 students playing during recess.
Craig and I took a hike to a vista inhabited by a statue of Erik the Red.
Later that day, we visited an Inuit farmer’s home that was adjacent to the ruins and explored his expansive 100-acre sheep farm. We were warmly welcomed by his wife who treated us to delicious bread, cakes, tea and pastries.
Igaliku Fjord
The next day, we sailed down the Igaliku Fjord, to the well-preserved remains of Garðar – the religious heart of the Norsemen in Greenland. Rolling valleys lush with flowers and tall grass guard the entrance to this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. Garðar was the seat of the bishop and was the first Catholic diocese established in the Americas.
The ruins are surrounded by a few houses and a church built in the 1950’s to support the 21 Inuit inhabitants of this small village.
Qaqortoq
Nestled on the southern coast of Greenland, Qaqortoq was our last stop in Greenland before making the treacherous 3-day sail back to Iceland. Qaqortoq is a charming and picturesque city that showcases the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of the region. With a population of just under 3,000 people, it may be small in size, but it is big on character.
One of the highlights of Qaqortoq is its vibrant arts scene. The city is adorned with numerous sculptures, adding an artistic touch to its streets and squares. These sculptures are the result of an annual international sculpture symposium, where artists from around the world gather to create captivating works of art inspired by the local culture and surroundings.
The last day on the ship, we were fortunate to witness the Northern Lights as we sailed towards Reykjavík.
I’ll leave you with a final picture taken the first night we were in Greenland sailing away from Nuuk.
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