East Greenland & Scoresby Sund
Including Long Hikes — fjords, tundra and September light aboard the 108-guest Plancius.
Why we picked it
This gives East Greenland six planned exploration days on a traditional small expedition ship. The long-walk programme is a meaningful distinction: fit walkers can spend much of a day ashore, while guests who prefer shorter outings have an alternative programme. Shared cabins provide an accessible entry point, and the focus stays firmly on the landscape.
Fit walkers, photographers and travellers who value expedition time over a balcony or extensive hotel facilities.
Six East Greenland days, including Scoresby Sund and the remote coast south of the fjord.
The Denmark Strait is sailed both ways. Long walks require fitness and advance sign-up; northern lights are a possibility, not a promise.
The Expedition Advisory difference
Why book this voyage with us?
Choose your voyage and cabin with confidence. We’ll help with the rest of your journey.
Operator Pricing
You pay the expedition operator’s fare. We check applicable offers and promotions for your voyage. Our advice and booking support cost you nothing extra.
Independent Advice
Compare this voyage with other Arctic options. We match the ship, season and cabin to your priorities. We search all available itineraries from our partner operators, including voyages not listed on our website.
Field Experience
Our expedition guiding experience helps you understand the travel, time ashore and daily expedition life before you choose.
Beyond the Cruise
Your trip overview brings together recommended flight routes, buffer days, travel and packing tips. You can also book a hotel and transfer package through us.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
The voyage at a glance
Plancius sails from Akureyri across the Denmark Strait, then devotes six planned days to East Greenland. The route first reaches the immense Scoresby Sund fjord system before working south through remote sounds and fjords. The exact order changes with weather, sea ice and landing conditions.
The optional pre-booked coach between Reykjavík and Akureyri takes about six hours each way and costs extra. If you want to add time in Iceland, we can help plan sensible connections around the voyage.
Your expedition, day by day
Embark in Akureyri
Join Plancius in northern Iceland. The optional pre-booked coach from Reykjavík departs in the morning; embarkation is in the afternoon before the ship sails through Eyjafjörður.
Across the Denmark Strait
A day at sea gives time for briefings on Zodiac operations, wildlife safety and the walking programme. Watch for seabirds and whales as the mountainous coast of East Greenland draws closer.
Bear Islands and Jyttehavn
The first Greenland day may begin among the narrow channels and large icebergs of Bjørneøer, the Bear Islands. A landing at sheltered Jyttehavn can offer tundra walking, broad fjord views and the chance to look for musk oxen and Arctic hare.
Rypefjord and Harefjord
Rypefjord is framed by steep mountains and the Eielson Glacier. Depending on conditions, walkers can choose from shorter outings or the demanding all-day route towards Harefjord, while the expedition team keeps a separate programme for guests who prefer a gentler pace.
Sydkap and the inner fjord
Possible landings around Sydkap combine Arctic history with views across Hall Bredning, where icebergs drift out from the inner reaches of Scoresby Sund. Shore walks may cross colourful tundra and lead to viewpoints above the fjord.
Hurry Fjord and Ittoqqortoormiit
Hurry Fjord offers open tundra and walking country before a planned visit to Ittoqqortoormiit, one of Greenland’s most remote communities. The visit gives a glimpse of daily life at the entrance to Scoresby Sund; access always depends on local arrangements.
Vikingebugt
At Vikingebugt, dark basalt layers rise above the water and glaciers descend from the surrounding plateau. Zodiac cruising can bring you close to sculpted ice and the fjord’s geological detail, with a landing or hike chosen to suit the day’s conditions.
Rømer Fjord and Turner Sound
The final Greenland day turns to the remote coast south of Scoresby Sund. Rømer Fjord, Turner Sound or nearby Steward Ø may offer glacier views, historic remains and one last long walk through a landscape rarely visited by expedition ships.
Return to Iceland
The westbound crossing brings time for lectures, seabird watching and reviewing photographs. September nights are dark enough to make the northern lights possible when skies are clear, although sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Disembark in Akureyri
Leave Plancius after breakfast. The optional coach back to Reykjavík must be booked in advance, so allow enough time before any onward flight or add an Iceland stay rather than forcing a tight connection.
This is the operator’s planned programme, not a promise of individual landings. Weather, sea ice, permissions and community arrangements shape each day. Images are from Oceanwide’s 2026 voyage on this route unless otherwise credited; wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Dates & departures
2027 sailings
| Starts | Ends | Ship |
|---|---|---|
| 2 September | 11 September | Plancius |
Ten days / nine nights. Sailing code PLA11-27. Oceanwide currently publishes one 2027 departure for this exact itinerary; ask us about later seasons.
Dates, cabins and your quote
Ask us for the current fare, available cabins and applicable offers for your chosen departure.
Ask us to compare private twin cabins, suites, sole occupancy and shared-berth options. The optional Reykjavík-Akureyri coach requires advance booking and costs extra.
These are indicative planning figures, checked 4 September 2026, not live prices or held availability. Promotional and standard fares are shown where published. Your total depends on departure, cabin, occupancy, flight gateway and applicable offers. Request a live quote tailored to your group and circumstances.
Life aboard Plancius
Plancius carries up to 108 guests. Her observation lounge, open decks and informal dining room suit travellers who want a practical base for time outside. Cabins have private bathrooms and portholes or windows. This is an expedition-focused ship with comfortable essentials; there are no private balconies.
Aboard Plancius
Oceanwide Expeditions’ film aboard Plancius. The footage is from Antarctica, but it gives the clearest operator-produced look at the ship and expedition style.
The Arctic with Oceanwide
Operator regional film showing Arctic expedition travel. It is illustrative rather than this exact Greenland departure.
Choose your cabin
Compare the main cabin choices below. All have a private shower and toilet. The Superior is the highest category aboard; this ship does not offer suites with balconies.
Quadruple Porthole
12 m² · four berths
A practical shared option with upper and lower berths and a private bathroom.
Twin Porthole
12 m² · two lower berths
A private twin layout with a porthole, shower and toilet.
Twin Window
12.5–13.5 m² · two lower berths
A window cabin for travellers who prefer a little more daylight.
Twin Deluxe
13.5 m² · two windows
A corner cabin with two lower berths and a private bathroom.
Superior
Double bed · two windows
The most spacious Plancius category, with a sofa and additional cabin comforts. Plancius has no balcony suites.
Activities & time ashore
Zodiac cruising, guided landings, shorter walks, wildlife watching and lectures form the core programme. Long hikes are included, but must be signed up for in advance and remain subject to conditions and group limits.
About 15 km over uneven tundra, shoreline and river crossings, taking around six hours. Groups are limited to 24 guests with expedition staff.
Guests who do not join a long hike have alternative landings arranged by the team.
Changing tundra colours and darker nights can reward photographers. Clear skies and auroral activity are needed for northern lights.
What the voyage includes
Included in your fare
- Nine nights aboardYour selected cabin, meals, snacks, tea and coffee.
- Expedition programmeGuided landings, Zodiac excursions and lectures; the long-hike option with advance sign-up.
- EquipmentLoan boots and snowshoes, plus a reusable water bottle.
- Connectivity & fees1.5 GB Wi-Fi per guest per day, stated port charges and programme fees.
Budget separately
- Flights & hotelsTravel to Iceland, extra hotel nights and meals ashore.
- Coach transfers: optional Reykjavík-Akureyri coaches are an additional cost and must be booked in advance.
- Personal expensesBar drinks, laundry, gratuities and personal clothing.
- Insurance & entry costsTravel insurance and any applicable personal entry requirements.
Let’s find your expedition
Tell us your wishes, dates and questions. We’ll help you choose with confidence.
Voyage information
Checked 4 September 2026 against official PLA11-27 itinerary, Plancius ship details, operator dates and rates. Operator photographs and films are used as credited. Cabin photographs are representative, and individual layouts can vary. We reconfirm the programme, fare, cabin and booking terms with your live quote.