August 7–17, 2026
Pomona College Alumni Association Presents
South Greenland Exploration: Fjords, Waterfalls and Fishing Villages
11-Day Cruise Aboard The National Geographic Explorer
From $11,690 per person (does not include flights)
Blanketed in ice and carved by glaciers, Greenland is a dazzling tableau of the Arctic’s epic glory. Witness the centuries of tradition and ingenuity of Arctic farmers, from the ruins of Brattahlíð, the estate of Eric the Red, to the modern landscape of Kujataa, the UNESCO World Heritage region of Southern Greenland. Explore these storied fjords as the ship cruises through the dramatic cliffs of Prins Christian Sund and Skjoldungen Island, and experience them up close through hikes and kayaking alongside locals. This is an expedition deep into wilderness, rich Inuit culture and Norse lore.
Dear Sagehens, and Sagehen Family Members and Friends,
I am beyond excited to share my love of the Arctic with you! I first traveled to Greenland in 1997 as part of my doctoral research. Since that first magical trip, I have returned for seven more field seasons to collect data. I spent four field seasons with Pomona College students studying my favorite bird, the dovekie (Alle alle). I have published over 35 papers on Arctic ecology and am looking forward to sharing with you some of this research, especially what was carried out with Sagehens in my lab.
In addition to the seabirds, whales, seals, and polar bears, the Arctic is special because of the people who live there. The itinerary for this trip will allow us to visit communities in both Greenland and Iceland.
We will be learning about Greenlandic Inuit culture, Arctic wildlife, climate change, archeology and photography while on board the ship. We will be able to explore the fjords by zodiac and will kayak amongst the icebergs and hike into the backcountry. As the trip gets closer, I will send you my recommendations for books to read on the Arctic from the first-year seminar ID1 course I taught for several years called “Penguins, Polar Bears, People and Politics” on the Polar regions.
I invite you to join me on the bridge whenever the ship is underway to look for ivory gulls and narwhals!
Sincerely,
Nina J. Karnovsky, Ph.D
Willard George Halstead Zoology Professor of Biology
Expedition Highlights:
- Experience the ice floes and deep fjords of southern Greenland by Zodiac, kayak and hiking excursions
- Navigate the spectacular majesty of Prins Christian Sund, flanked by soaring snow-topped mountains, rock-strewn cliffs and icebergs
- Discover the Western and Eastern Settlements of Erik the Red, the great Norse explorer credited with naming Greenland
- Discover Inuit tradition and history along the southern fjords through food tastings and meeting local artisans
Itinerary:
DAY 1
Reykjavík, Iceland / Embark Ship
Arrive in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, which lies just below the Arctic Circle. Transfer from the airport to the city and spend the day exploring at your own pace. Check in with the hospitality desk this afternoon before embarking the ship.
Meals included: dinner
DAY 2
Grundarfjörður
Serving as the center of trade on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula since the 15th century, Grundarfjörður is now best known for its Kirkjufell Mountain and picturesque waterfall. Alongside the National Geographic Photography Expert, capture your own images of this dynamic landscape and the weather swirling around the peninsula. Alternatively, hike through a local lava field or explore the town’s Saga Center.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 3
Crossing the Denmark Strait
Sail away from the Peninsula and across the Denmark Strait. Connecting the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean, the strait is home to the world’s largest waterfall, caused by powerful currents and glaciers. Listen to talks by experts, relax with a book in the lounge or the observation deck and keep an eye out for wildlife as the ship sails across the continental shelf.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 4
Exploring East Greenland
The coast of the world’s largest island is etched with thousands of fjords, some of which reach back to the Greenlandic ice sheet. Spend the day exploring these stunning inlets of the eastern coast, using underwater cameras and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to discover marine life and fascinating underwater geology. Ice permitting, sail deep into Skjoldungen fjord and soak in your arrival to Greenland on a Zodiac cruise or in a kayak among the icebergs.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 5
Prins Christian Sund and Tasermiut Fjord
Sail into Prins Christian Sund, which cuts into the southern tip of Greenland. Pass between soaring pinnacles and glaciers and through the sheltered waters of this dramatic landscape. As you round the southern coast of Greenland, enter Tasermiut Fjord, known as Arctic Patagonia, for its sheer granite rock faces and dramatic valley filled with glaciers or their moraines. Spend time exploring by foot, kayak or zodiac along its shores.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 6
Qaqortoq
Your exploration of Erik the Red’s Eastern Settlement continues in the fjords around Qaqortoq. The Sissarluttoq World Heritage Center is dotted with ruins of Inuit and Norse farm, stables and storerooms made of sandstone and granite blocks, allowing you to imagine what farming was like on the edge of the ice cap over 1,000 years ago. Explore the ruins of the 14th-century Hvalsey Church, and venture deep into the fjord to witness how these ancient remnants create the backdrop for daily farming life in southern Greenland. Continue to Qaqortoq, inhabited since the Viking era and now the largest town in South Greenland, with just over 3,200 residents. Stroll through the town square and visit the museum, where Greenlandic kayaks, hunting equipment and local art and handicrafts are on display. Sample traditional Greenlandic food this afternoon.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 7
Qassiarsuk
Spend your last day in what was known as Erik the Red’s Eastern Settlement, present-day Qassiarsuk. Visit Brattahlíð, where Erik the Red established his farm in 982 A.D. after his exile from Iceland. Erik’s wife, Þjódhild, built the first Christian church in the western hemisphere here. Visit replicas of the church and Erik the Red’s longhouse and see the shores from which their son, Leif Eriksson, launched the first voyages to North America—500 years before Columbus. Later, visit a local family farm that continues the farming tradition which has earned this region a UNESCO World Heritage designation for Arctic farming on the edge of the ice cap.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 8
Paamiut and Kuannersooq Fjord
Lying at the unofficial boundary between western and southern Greenland, Paamiut serves at the gate keeper to a fjord system filled with hundreds of islands, fjords and bays, as well as terminal glaciers stretching out from the Greenlandic ice sheet. Enjoy an exploration day in these fjords, on the lookout for a view of the ice sheet as well as the wildlife that calls the fjords home, such as fin whales and sea eagles.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 9
Nuuk
Perched on the seaside in the shadow of ice-capped Sermitsiaq Mountain, Nuuk is the world’s smallest capital city by population, with some 19,000 inhabitants experiencing tremendous cultural and economic growth. Watch for harp seals as you enter the harbor, and hear from local residents to learn how the community has changed over the generations. At the National Museum, examine the extraordinary 15th-century Qilakitsoq mummies found near Uummannaq—a discovery that was featured in a National Geographic magazine cover story in 1985. The Arctic ice preserved these mummies so well that researchers have been able to study their tattoos, their medical conditions and even what they ate.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 10
Nuuk / Disembark Ship / Reykjavík, Iceland
Upon disembarkation, join the recommended group flight and included dinner to Keflavik; transfer to the nearby hotel and luggage assistance will be provided. Upon arrival, enjoy an included overnight.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 11
Reykjavík
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flights home.
Meals included: breakfast
Included in Cruise Fare:
- All accommodations aboard the ship or in hotels per itinerary
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary, both aboard and onshore; beer, wine, cocktails, liquors and spirits aboard the ship (except certain premium brands which are available for purchase); hors d'oeuvres, 24-hour access to snacks, premium coffees and teas, non-alcoholic beverages, and filtered water
- Excursions and airport transfers to and from recommended flights, as indicated in the itinerary
- Crew gratuities
- Exploration tools curated to destination, such as Zodiacs and kayaks
- Guidance and company of our leading expedition staff
- Assistance by the National Geographic certified photo instructor
- Access to the OM System Photo Gear Locker
- Presentations by expedition staff and expert guest speakers
- Complimentary parka or jacket
- Complimentary reusable water bottle
- Onboard physician consultations
- Morning stretch classes and 24-hour access to exercise equipment
- 24-hour access to lounges, observation desks, library, and other shared spaces
- Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes
National Geographic Explorer:
CAPACITY: 81 outside cabins accommodating 148 guests.
Built to handle deep swells and towering waves, the National Geographic Explorer lends herself to globe-spanning travel and a
dedication to curiosity and wonder.
Originally constructed for service along Norway’s coast as part of the famed Hurtigruten, or Coastal Express, she ferried passengers among the fjords of this iconic coast in conditions that could deteriorate into heavy seas in a matter of minutes. She had to be able to handle deep swells and towering waves—and have a high degree of maneuverability. Those traits, and an ideal size, made her a natural choice for addition to the Lindblad fleet.
The plans to completely rebuild her drew on 50 years of pioneering expedition history and expertise. National Geographic Explorer was equipped with an ice-strengthened hull and advanced navigation equipment for polar expeditions; a roster of tools for exploration; and a well-appointed interior with vast expanses of glass for an unprecedented connection to the environment. Her interior and exterior design embodied the Lindblad expedition ethos—the privilege of wildness and the luxury of comfort.
For many guests she remains their paradigm of an expedition ship. She is devoted to exploration—from her Welcoming Bridge, and the Chart Room below it where you can tuck in to warm up with a hot chocolate, to her high-perched Observation deck with its aqueous light and compelling 24/7 views. Even the art on the walls— from the Hurley prints of Shackleton’s expedition to the stunning National Geographic photos— tells an uber- narrative of globe-spanning travel and a dedication to curiosity and wonder.
National Geographic Explorer is a state-of-the-art expedition ship. She is a fully stabilized, ice-class vessel, with an ice-reinforced hull, enabling her to navigate polar passages while providing exceptional comfort.
Cabin Categories:
Category 1
Main Deck: #301-308
Cabins feature one or two portholes. Most cabins feature two single beds that can be converted to a queen. Cabins #301-306 feature one queen-sized bed. All cabins feature a writing desk, floor length mirror, reading lamps, well-appointed bathrooms with a roomy glass-wall shower, and a TV.
Category 2
Main Deck: #317-320, 335-336
Cabins feature two single beds (some can convert to a queen-sized bed), and one large window. They offer a writing desk, floor length mirror, reading lamps, sitting chair, well-appointed bathrooms with a roomy glass-wall shower, and a TV.
Category 3
Main Deck: #313-316, 321-328, 337-340, 342, 344, 348, 350
Cabins feature two single beds (some can convert to a queen-sized bed), one large window, and two sitting chairs and a small table and ample storage. They have a writing desk, floor length mirror, reading lamps, well-appointed bathrooms with a roomy glass-wall shower, and a TV. Cabins 341 & 343 have a sofa bed for a triple.
Category 4
Upper Deck: #201-202, 204-207, 210, 212, 217, 226, 228
Cabins feature two single beds and at least one large window. All cabins can convert between two single beds to a queen, except Cabins 217, 226 & 228 that feature one queen- size bed only. All cabins feature climate controls, sitting chairs, and a TV. Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall.
Veranda Deck: #103-104, 107-108
Cabins feature two single beds than can convert into a queen. They have a writing desk, floor length mirror, reading lamps, sitting chair, private bathrooms with a glass-wall shower, and a TV.
Category 5
Upper Deck: #209, 211, 214, 216, 218, 220-222, 224
Cabins feature a balcony with sliding glass doors, one queen-sized bed, writing desk, floor length mirror, reading lamps, private
bathrooms with a glass-wall shower, and a TV. (Cabin 221 has two single beds that can convert to a queen.)
Category 6
Upper Deck: #213
This spacious cabin has a private balcony, two single beds that can be converted into a queen, a writing desk, double closet, bookcase, pullout sofa, armchairs, two large windows, and a TV. The sleeping area has a glass partition separating the living room. Bathrooms are generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall and twin sinks.
Veranda Deck: #101-102
These spacious cabins can be converted into triples. They have two single beds that can be converted into a queen, a writing desk, double closet, bookcase, sofa-bed, chairs, two large windows, and a TV. The sleeping area can be closed off with the glass partition. Bathrooms are generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall and twin sinks.
Category 7
Upper Deck: #215, 219, 230
These large cabins with private balconies have two single beds that can convert to an Olympic-sized queen. They have seating areas with a sofa-bed and can be converted to triples. Cabins also include a desk with chairs, coffee table with sitting chair, and a small table. Bathrooms are generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall and twin sinks.
Category A Solo
Main Deck: #309-311, 329-334
These cabins feature one single bed and a large window, a writing desk, reading lamp, bathroom with a roomy glass-wall shower stall, and a TV.
Category B Solo
Upper Deck: #203, 208
Veranda Deck: #105-106
These cabins feature one single bed and a large window, a writing desk, reading lamp, bathroom with a roomy glass-wall shower stall, and a TV.
Ship Amenities:
Public Areas
Reception; three dining areas; global gallery; library, B&H Photo locker; 24-hour Bistro area beverage bar; lounge with bar and state-of-the-art presentation facilities; observation lounge; mudroom with lockers for expedition gear; plus open access to the Bridge, the Captain, officers and on-duty wildlife spotters.
Meals
Meals are served in the dining room, Bistro bar, or the Observation lounge, at a single seating with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling. Menus feature sustainable choices, local where possible.
Cabins
81 outside cabins. All cabins face outside with windows or portholes, private bathroom, and climate controls. Cabins are equipped with Wi-Fi, multiple electrical outlets, USB outlets, full length mirror and phones. TV featuring entertainment on demand, live
feed for onboard presentations, bow camera and ship’s position. Luxury bed linens and pillows. Botanically inspired shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and lotion are all available in cabin bathrooms, as well as an Expedition Essential Kit. Hair dryers, complimentary insulated water bottles and a National Geographic Atlas is available in each cabin.
Expedition Equipment
Zodiac landing craft, a fleet of double kayaks, a crow’s nest camera, a hydrophone, underwater video cameras, video microscope, and an ROV. Plus, for South Pacific voyages: snorkeling gear for all guests, scuba gear for a number of pre-qualified guests, stand-up paddleboards, glass-bottom Zodiac, and splash-cam.
Special Features
A full-time doctor, undersea specialist, National Geographic photographer, Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor and video chronicler, internet café and laundry. Enjoy a session in the topside library with a good book, or with the book in your lap, eyes trained on the horizon.
Wellness
A glass-enclosed fitness center, outdoor stretching area, a LEXspa treatment room and sauna, staffed by wellness specialists. Self Disinfecting Ships ACT Clean Coat TM is a light-activated, self- disinfecting cleaning process that continuously breaks down viruses, bacteria, mold, and airborne allergens across all ship surfaces. Not only does this create a cleaner, healthier shipboard environment for guests and crew alike, but this non-toxic, chemical- free system also saves more than one million gallons of water each year in our cleaning procedures, and reduces our carbon footprint as well as the amount of plastic and waste in our supply chain.
Terms & Conditions:
- Deposit: 15% of the cruise portion of the booking is due at time of booking
- Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure
Cancellation Terms:
- 120+ days prior to departure: 100% of deposit payment is non-refundable but transferrable
- 90-119 days prior to departure: Forfeit 50% of full gross cruise fare
- 0-89 days prior to departure: Forfeit 100% of full gross cruise fare
For further information, please contact:
Travelstore VIP
Karen Goodrich
18881 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1400
Irvine, CA 92612
Tel: 949.930.9288
Email: Karen.Go@Travelstore.com