5 reasons you should visit Greenland’s Scoresby Sund on an Expedition Micro Cruise

This is your call to connect with nature on an intimate level. When it comes to Greenland cruises, traditional expeditions transport hundreds of travellers across the Arctic in search of that once-in-a-lifetime adventure. But with so many passengers and limited time, it’s a tall order. Indeed, many Greenland expedition cruises don’t even venture into the untouched east, home to the country’s remotest villages, rarest fjords, and loftiest icebergs. Enter: Secret Atlas.

Founded in 2019, its Expedition Micro Cruises will help you explore in a truly unforgettable way. With just 12 guests per trip, its East Greenland expedition promises a low-impact, authentic, and crowd-free experience. Its experts get you even closer to the things you want to see, and at the very best times, like August and September – when clear skies, longer days and zero light pollution mean your chances of a spectacular aurora show are high.

Here are five reasons you shouldn’t delay booking…

Scoresby Sund is an untouched wilderness, not to mention a vast one. The sheer volume of ice here means it’s closed nine months of the year, leaving visitors a short window in which to explore. That’s where Secret Atlas’ micro cruise around East Greenland comes in, getting you off the beaten track and up close to towering glacier after towering glacier. But, despite its frozen, near-inaccessible landscapes, there’s more here than floating ice sheets.

On the expedition, you could find yourself cruising along Volquart Boons Coast where you can stop to see the lava-sculpted basalt columns of Viking Bay, hike through rarely trodden landscapes, and you may even meet ancient Inuit tribes. Take in the huge fjords and glaciers, but discover their hidden off-shoots too: like Hare Fjord and Røde Fjord, with its red Mars-like surrounds. And the otherworldly landscapes don’t stop there: the 74km-long Ø Fjord boasts an intricate and breathtaking labyrinth of icebergs, inlets, floes and glaciers.

If you embark on a more traditional expedition cruise, you’d be one of 350 passengers. As one of only 12 like-minded travellers, the biggest draw with Secret Atlas’ Greenland expeditions is that you won’t have to tackle the crowds. The itineraries aren’t fixed, you aren’t rushed ashore, and you don’t have to queue or wait to get a spot on the next zodiac – it’s ready and waiting. The guest lounge, deck hot tub and sauna are blissfully quiet and, with the best guide-to-guest ratio in the industry, it’s easy to soak up all that expert knowledge. Best of all, your smaller (more manoeuvrable) ship is focused on lower impact travel and is therefore better for the environment.

Edge-of-the-Earth town Ittoqqortoormiit is perhaps one of our favourite stops on a Secret Atlas itinerary. Not only is it the most isolated settlement in Greenland, but it’s also officially the most remote inhabited community in the Western Hemisphere. It has less than 400 residents and is located some 800 km from the next-closest town. Crucially, though, it’s the gateway to the largest fjord system on the planet, cut-off from the rest of the world by sea ice most of the time. In fact, to reach it you’ll need to employ a helicopter, dogsled, snowmobile or, of course, one perfectly proportioned boat.

It’s worth the effort though, displaying elusive natural wonders like polar bears, narwhals, and the Northern Lights, not to mention a pretty patchwork of technicolour houses – a stark contrast to the otherwise pristine, snowy backdrop.

The best thing about travel is the experiences. New people, cultures, foods, and, ultimately, getting to see and do what you want to. On group tours and cruises, it can sometimes be difficult to fulfil everything on the wishlist, which is why Secret Atlas’ itineraries are unique. Cruises flex to suit guests and the weather, meaning very little time is wasted and you’ll never feel rushed. And, unlike many trips, there’s no wasted sea days – guests simply take a Secret Atlas private charter flight from Iceland to East Greenland. You’ll spend more time exploring, and less time worrying about potential sea sickness while crossing the infamous Denmark Strait.

Secret Atlas prides itself on its expertise and evoking the true spirit of exploration. It was founded by explorers, is led by explorers, and each itinerary is hand-made for explorers. Indeed, its experts know their stuff, which is why ‘Expedition Micro Cruises’ were born. They offer a chance to see the world, soak up its stories, and tread lightly, without being overwhelmed by huge vessels, crowds, and pollution. These trips prioritise freedom and connection to the wild – giving you that feeling that typically only comes from being a travel pioneer. Indeed, it was a sailing expedition across East Greenland that first inspired the company’s co-founder, sailor and explorer, Michele D’Agostino, to develop such intimate itineraries, harnessing the wisdom and insights of photography pros, local guides and scientists.