What’s the Big Deal with East Greenland?

Why is Iceland ProCruises adding wild and remote East Greenland to several of its 2021 itineraries? Because in some ways it’s even more spectacular than the big island’s west coast — and a lot less visited.

Two destinations in East Greenland — Ammassalik Island and Skjoldungen Fjord — are being added to next year’s “Iceland & Natural Wonders of Greenland” cruises.

Ammassalik Island

With a total area of just under 300 square miles, the island is home to several glaciers and jagged snowcapped peaks, as well as wild and scenic rivers, lakes and waterfalls. The island also boasts vast green valleys and deep fjords with newly calved icebergs dropping off the Greenland Ice Cap into the sea.

Tasiilaq, the largest town of East Greenland, is also located on Ammassalik Island. With a population of around 2,000 people, the tiny town is the gateway to exploring the region’s many natural wonders.

Skjoldungen Fjord

Located farther south along the coast, Skjoldungen Fjord is framed by towering mountains tipped with snow and ice-carved side valleys with serpentine rivers of ice that plunge into the sea.

It’s highly likely the fjord was inhabited by Paleo-Eskimo (Inuit) nomadic people as early as 4,000 years ago. With so much wild and pristine nature, it’s quite common to spot whales, bearded seals and various kinds of birds in the area.