Yachting at the Edge of the World in Scoresbyund, Greenland
An Arctic sailing expedition through the world’s largest fjord system
8
DAYS
10
DESTINATIONS
6
BIOMES
An Expedition Through Greenland’s Icebound Fjords
A rare voyage of wilderness, deep time and celestial spectacle in East Greenland
An extraordinary Arctic expedition into Scoresbysund, the largest fjord system on Earth, where ice, silence and scale redefine your sense of place. Sailing aboard the expedition yacht Vera, this immersive voyage ventures deep into East Greenland’s most remote and spectacular landscapes, accessible for only a brief window each year.
From towering granite cliffs and basalt peaks to drifting icebergs and ancient red sandstone shores, you will explore a region shaped over billions of years. Step ashore at remote Inuit settlements, trace dinosaur footprints embedded in stone, hike untouched tundra in search of musk ox, and scan glacier fronts for polar bears. Optional helicopter landings offer rare access to geothermal hot springs and fossil-rich terrain otherwise unreachable.
Timed to coincide with the August 2026 total solar eclipse, this special edition voyage places you directly beneath the path of totality, where Arctic clarity, vast horizons and mirrored ice create one of the most dramatic viewing stages on the planet. More than a sailing journey, this is an encounter with deep time, raw wilderness and the profound beauty of life at the edge of the inhabitable world.
Trip Highlights
Sailing the World’s Largest Fjord System
Navigate deep into Scoresbysund, the largest and most dramatic fjord complex on Earth. Towering granite walls rise 2,000 metres from the sea, glaciers calve into silent waters, and vast icebergs drift through channels accessible for only a few weeks each year.
A Total Solar Eclipse in the High Arctic
Positioned directly along the August 2026 path of totality, Scoresbysund offers one of the most dramatic eclipse viewing stages on Earth. With clear Arctic skies and uninterrupted horizons, witness the shadow of the moon sweep across icebergs and fjords in a moment of rare celestial alignment.
Ancient Earth and Deep Time
Step ashore where some of the planet’s oldest exposed rocks meet fossil-rich sediment beds. Discover dinosaur trackways etched into stone and landscapes formed billions of years ago, offering a rare, tangible connection to Earth’s primordial past.
Inuit Culture at the Edge of the Inhabited World
Visit Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the most isolated settlements in the Western Hemisphere. Engage with local Inuit guides to understand hunting traditions, Arctic survival and life in a community shaped by ice, sea and seasonal light.
Wild Arctic Encounters
Scan glacier fronts and tundra slopes for polar bears, musk ox and Arctic fox, and witness seabirds tracing the cliffs overhead. Wildlife sightings here feel raw and unscripted, shaped by sea ice, weather and the rhythm of the High Arctic.
Activities tailored for all experiences
Expedition Sailing Through Remote Fjords
Journey aboard the adventure yacht Vera, navigating iceberg-filled channels and anchoring in secluded coves. Each day’s route is shaped by ice conditions, weather and opportunity, embodying the true spirit of Arctic exploration.
Guided Arctic Hikes and Shore Landings
Step ashore to hike across tundra, red sandstone shores and basalt ridges. Explore abandoned Inuit sites and historic expedition camps, travelling on foot as early explorers once did.
Wildlife Tracking and Glacier Viewing
Cruise close to glacier fronts and scan surrounding landscapes for polar bears and musk ox. Silent approaches by tender boat allow for intimate, respectful wildlife encounters in pristine settings.
Eclipse Observation and Arctic Evenings
Witness the solar eclipse from the deck or a remote shore, surrounded by ice and silence. Evenings bring slow Arctic light, possible shore barbecues and moments of reflection beneath vast, unpolluted skies.
Optional Helicopter Exploration
Enhance your journey with helicopter landings to otherwise inaccessible fossil beds and geothermal hot springs, gaining a privileged aerial perspective over fjords, mountains and sea ice.
Your Journey Overview
A Journey to The Quiet Edge of the World
Remote, elemental and profoundly still, this Arctic voyage is less about ticking off destinations and more about immersion in scale and silence. For a brief window each year, the sea ice loosens its grip on East Greenland, opening a passage into a world of vast fjords, drifting ice and mountains that rise sheer from the ocean.
Life onboard Vera follows the rhythm of wind, water and light. Routes are shaped by weather and ice conditions, anchoring in hidden coves and stepping ashore where few travellers ever tread. One day may bring a close approach to a glacier face, another a hike across red sandstone shores scattered with icebergs, or a quiet encounter with a remote Inuit settlement still deeply connected to hunting traditions and Arctic survival.
This is exploration in its purest form, responsive, intimate and unscripted. And in August 2026, the journey culminates in an extraordinary celestial event, as the moon’s shadow passes over the Arctic sky, casting fleeting darkness across ice and sea in one of the most dramatic natural theatres on Earth.
Arrival at the Edge of the World
Your journey begins with a flight into Constable Point, a remote airstrip set against the vastness of Jameson Land. The transition is immediate, from modern infrastructure to Arctic immensity in a matter of hours.
On arrival, you are welcomed aboard Vera, your expedition yacht and home for the week ahead. After settling into your cabin and meeting your Icelandic crew, a safety briefing sets the tone for the adventure to come. Soon after, lines are cast off and you sail into Scoresbysund’s immense fjord system.
Your first stop is Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the most isolated Inuit settlements in the Western Hemisphere. Here, brightly painted houses stand against a stark polar backdrop. With a local guide, gain insight into daily life in this extraordinary community, where hunting traditions, sea ice and seasonal light continue to shape existence.
Dinosaurs and Geothermal Earth
This morning presents an optional helicopter experience for those seeking deeper geological access. From the air, the scale of the fjords becomes fully apparent, a labyrinth of ice and rock carved over millennia. Landing at the upper Carlsberg Fjord beds, you step into a fossil-rich landscape of red and grey siltstone.
Preserved in the rock are dinosaur footprints and ancient desiccation cracks, silent records of life millions of years old. A champagne toast here feels fitting, a moment suspended between deep time and present wonder. A second landing at Cape Tobin reveals a geothermal area where hot springs steam in the Arctic air, a reminder of the geological forces still shaping this land.
Those remaining in Ittoqqortoormiit spend the day immersed in Inuit culture, learning about Arctic survival, hunting practices and the challenges of life in one of the planet’s most remote communities.
Glacier Fronts and Polar Horizons
Under morning light, Vera sails north toward Vikingbukt, a dramatic inlet framed by glacier fronts and striking basalt columns. The yacht moves slowly, respectfully, navigating between sculptural icebergs that drift silently with the current. This is prime territory for wildlife sightings.
Scan the shoreline and sea ice for polar bears, often spotted in this region, alongside Arctic fox and seabirds riding the thermals above. By afternoon, you reach Denmark Island and anchor at Hekla Havn.
Explore the remains of an old Inuit settlement and the wintering site of one of the earliest scientific expeditions here, connecting the threads of human resilience and Arctic exploration.
Footsteps of the Inuits
Denmark Island reveals itself on foot today. Hiking across tundra and basalt ridges, you experience the terrain as early settlers once did – exposed, vast and humbling. Visit the remnants of historic scientific camps and pause to absorb the silence that defines this region.
The absence of modern infrastructure sharpens awareness: wind across stone, distant cracking ice, the cry of seabirds overhead. Back aboard Vera, the evening light stretches long across the fjord, the Arctic sun lingering low over the horizon.
Basalt Peaks and Granite Cathedrals
Sailing westward, the fjords narrow and steepen. Immense basalt formations rise in geometric precision, while 2,000-metre granite cliffs of Milne Land tower directly from the sea.
Navigate into Fohnfjord, where scale becomes almost abstract. Icebergs drift like slow-moving monuments between mountains that dwarf the yacht. The Atlantic waters here feel elemental and powerful. By evening, you anchor near Red Island, its sandstone hues glowing warmly against the surrounding ice.
Red Island and the Search for Musk Ox
Step ashore at Red Island, where iron-rich sandstone creates a striking contrast against white ice and blue sea. Icebergs gather offshore, forming a natural sculpture garden along the coastline. Later, sail onward to Redfjord and Rypefjord, areas known for wildlife sightings.
A guided hike offers the opportunity to look for musk ox -Umimmak, “the long-bearded” – one of Greenland’s most iconic Arctic mammals. Return to Vera for a quiet evening at anchor, perhaps with stories shared on deck as the polar light softens.
Bear Islands and Arctic Barbecue
Sailing eastward through the island fjords, you pass beneath one of the voyage’s most dramatic sights: a sheer granite mountain rising 2,000 metres straight from the sea. Anchor at the Bear Islands, among the most visually spectacular corners of Scoresbysund.
Hike across ridgelines overlooking fjords filled with ice, absorbing the vastness of the High Arctic. In the evening, weather permitting, enjoy a shore barbecue in this extraordinary setting, a simple yet unforgettable celebration of place beneath open Arctic skies.
For those travelling on the solar eclipse departure, preparations are made to witness totality from an unobstructed vantage point, where ice and sea mirror the darkened sky in one of nature’s rarest spectacles.
Return Through the Ice
Your final morning begins with a long, reflective sail through the fjord toward Constable Point. Icebergs drift quietly as the journey retraces its path through channels now familiar. There is a distinct shift in perspective, what first felt immense now feels intimate.
The Arctic has a way of recalibrating scale and silence. Disembark at Constable Point for your onward flight, carrying with you the clarity, stillness and rare privilege of having explored one of Earth’s last great wilderness frontiers.
Exceptional Stay aboard Vera Adventure Yacht
Our purpose
Journeys With Purpose engage guests with the world’s most ambitious and exciting conservation projects across our seven continents. We believe travel can be a powerful force for learning, for expanding horizons and shifting perspectives on the magic and wonder of our natural world. Our journeys invite you to step outside of your daily ecosystem and engage with new cultures, environments and people in the world’s wildest corners.
At this moment in history, we are placing unprecedented pressure on the planet and wildlife, communities and nature is under threat. True wilderness is increasingly rare, yet there are remarkable examples of nature rebounding, and flourishing. These conservation successes showcase the resilience of our natural world, and our journeys serve to spotlight, and support, these projects.
Whether on a safari, diving trip or mountain expedition, by travelling with JWP you contribute to our mission: to conserve and restore 30 million acres of land and 30 million acres of seas by 2030. We are proud members of 1% for the Planet, through which we donate 1% of our annual revenue to grass-root initiatives.
Journeys With Purpose is also a member of The Long Run, a Conde Nast Traveller specialist travel agency, and a Certified B Corp, awarded “Best for the World: Environment 2022”.
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