WEST GREENLAND – MASSIVE ICEBERGS AND INUIT COMMUNITIES  

SHIP OFFERING THIS ITINERARY

Ocean Explorer

The Ocean Explorer is part of the Quark fleet, offering modern and elegant design. This 138 passenger vessel is purpose-built for polar exploration, featuring well-appointed and spacious public areas and ample outdoor viewing areas for long-view photography and wildlife viewing. Spacious cabins feature a modern, bespoke Scandinavian design and almost all have verandas. Guests can relax and find comfort in the spacious gym, sauna with large windows, and two outdoor Jacuzzis.

Day 1 Reykjavik, Iceland

Arrive in the Icelandic capital and make your way to the group hotel near Keflavik Airport. You will have the rest of the day to explore this fascinating city, known for its Norse history and stunning architecture. If you plan to visit the city of Reykjavik, allow for a one-hour transfer between Keflavik and Reykjavík.

Day 2 Reykjavik to Nuuk, Greenland

After an early breakfast at the hotel, the group will transfer to the airport and board a private charter flight to Nuuk, Greenland. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to a central downtown location to enjoy time on your own to explore this quaint port town—which is the capital of Greenland—before making your way to the pier for a late afternoon embarkation.

Day 3 Eternity Fjord

Eternity Fjord lives up to its name—its beauty feels endless. You will be surrounded by precipitous mountains rising straight out of the sea and glaciers spilling down deepcut valleys. Within the fjord, you may explore by Zodiac or foot—or both—with the potential to cruise the coastlines and floating glacial ice. You can anticipate a range of hiking or on-shore walks—always accompanied by the seasoned team, whose expertise bring the world’s largest island into focus. Transiting the fjord by ship will provide excellent opportunities for you to soak in the scenery from the outer decks of the vessel.

Day 4 Sisimiut

Congratulations, you’ve crossed 66°33° north latitude. On your first off-ship excursion in the Arctic, visit Sisimiut, a community rich in Greenlandic history and culture. As you approach via the inner harbor, you’ll spot locals coming and going from the marina, bringing halibut, shrimp and other seafood freshly harvested from Baffin Bay. Upon reaching shore, walk winding roads past colourful homes and Arctic cotton grass blooming under the summer sun. You may hear children laughing, sled dogs barking, and locals exchanging greetings. Greenlandic dogs can often be seen in kennels throughout town. As in any Arctic community, always ask before petting or approaching these working dogs.

During the visit, team up with local mountain-biking partners in Sisimiut, exploring trails that lead outside the town limits. Your expedition team and local partners will lead guided walks and provide insight into daily life in Greenland. One scenic walk leads to the Taseralik Cultural House, beside Nalunnguarfiup Tasia, a small tranquil lake at the base of a 780-metre Nasaasaaq mountain. You’ll walk the same paths locals use every day, experiencing not just the look of Sisimiut, but its rhythm, sounds and genuine sense of place.

Day 5 Eqip Sermia

Today you’ll visit Eqip Sermia, also known as Eqi Glacier. This wide-faced tidewater glacier is renowned for its frequent calving, sending chunks of ice crashing into the sea. On quiet days, listen for the soft crackle of those floating shards, and, if you’re lucky, the thunderous roar of calving ice from the glacier’s face. While the glacier is the main attraction, the surrounding landscape is perfect for shore excursions. You can wander the tundra, photographing the summer vegetation and stunning Arctic scenery, or hike farther (and a little uphill) for an elevated view of the glacier and bay. The terrain, a mix of rock and vegetation, allows for various hiking options. Take care not to disturb the delicate plant life that flourishes during Greenland’s brief summer. Following an invigorating morning ashore, return to the ship, where warmth, a freshly prepared lunch, and a chance to reset await. From the outer decks, watch as icebergs drift by like sculpted monuments and seabirds trace circles overhead. Humpback whales are known to frequent the area on their annual return to the Arctic, lured by rich feeding opportunities, so you may spot them through your binoculars as they swim among the drifting icebergs.

Day 6 Uummannaq

Arrive in Uummannaq Fjord in the morning and cruise toward the community of Uummannaq. In Greenlandic, Uummannaq translates to “heart-shaped,” inspired by the dramatic mountain that rises above the town. Visiting this remote community is a rare privilege. Reach town by Zodiac, before winding roads take you past colourful homes to a meadow of turf houses beside a stone church. You can visit the local museum and artisan market for a glimpse of life in northern Greenland. Another nearby museum honours artist Rockwell Kent, who was inspired by the landscapes of Uummannaq Fjord and Disko Bay. You may choose to join a guided walk or explore on your own. Several homes may open for kaffemik—a social gathering with warm drinks, light snacks, and a chance for locals and visitors to connect. Rest assured, the people of Uummannaq will be curious about your part of the world. Shy smiles and translated conversations are natural parts of these authentic cultural exchanges—and often become some of the most memorable moments of visiting this remote Greenlandic community. A parting gift from one local fisherman: “Keep life simple—simple is beautiful.”

Day 7 Disko Bay and Illulisat

Ilulissat, located in Disko Bay, is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Icefjord, which serves as the thoroughfare for countless icebergs calved from the world’s fastest-moving glacier, Sermeq Kujalleq. A small boardwalk leads to an elevated overlook, where you can view bergs of all sizes spread out before you. You will also notice the Arctic cotton grass and summer wildflowers thriving in the long daylight hours. The inner harbor often holds evidence of the icefjord’s reach, with drifting icebergs mingling among fishing boats and skiffs. The town itself is well worth exploring, and has become one of Greenland’s top destinations. Recent years have brought growth— colourful homes now sit beside new restaurants, boutique hotels and small businesses. History buffs will be excited to know Ilulissat is the birthplace of Arctic explorer Knud Rasmussen, who traveled by dog sled from Greenland to Alaska (and briefly Siberia) during the Fifth Thule Expedition (1921–1924). The dramatic landscapes around Ilulissat inspired Rasmussen’s life of exploration. As you approach town, watch out for whales, which occasionally frequent the iceberg-laden waters.

Days 8 – 9 Itilleq Fjord

Spend the afternoon in Itilleq Fjord, a place that feels both beautifully raw and peaceful at the same time. Conditions permitting, your Expedition Team will help you explore the shorelines by Zodiac, on foot—or perhaps both. Rivers wind between jagged peaks, descending picturesque mountain valleys and providing several hiking options. In summer, the shorelines and valleys come alive with grasses, wildflowers, succulents, lichens, and even mushrooms. Small glaciers and snowfields linger year-round at higher elevations, completing this striking mountainous coastal landscape. You may spot the occasional small boat in the fjord—likely belonging to a local fisherman from the nearby town of Itilleq. Moments like these often leave our guests reflecting on this life—one shaped by the tides, weather, and the rhythms of land and sea.

The small settlement of Itilleq has always been a favourite among guests and Expedition Team members, thanks to the warm welcome we’ve received over the years. The 100 residents live among brightly painted homes and many people earn their living at sea, as evidenced by the small seafood processing building near the pier. Despite its size, the village is full of life, from respected elders to playful children. You may be invited to a kaffemik, where people socialise over coffee and cake, or follow a short dirt road to a viewpoint overlooking the fjord and surrounding mountains. Watch your step—lichens, succulents, and mushrooms thrive underfoot. A longstanding tradition features a friendly soccer match with locals, including guests, staff, crew and residents. It’s a fun, memorable experience—whether you’re on the field or cheering from the sidelines.

Day 10 Kangerlussuaq to Reykjavik, Iceland

Today, disembark in Kangerlussuaq, formerly known as Søndre Strømfjord, and transfer to your charter flight to Reykjavik, where you’ll spend the night in your included hotel, both of which are included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package.

Day 11 Reykjavik

Today, after breakfast, make your way independently to the airport for your flight home, or continue your personal travel plans as prearranged.