Day 01: Iceland – Kangerlussuaq. Embarkation
We board our charter flight in Keflavík bound for Kangerlussuaq.

Upon arrival in Kangerlussuaq in Greenland, we will be transported to the small port located west of the airport, where our ship, Ocean Atlantic, will be anchored. Zodiacs will transfer us the short distance to the ship, where you will be checked in to your outside cabin. After the safety drill, you will enjoy a dinner as Ocean Atlantic ‘sets sail’ through the 160-kilometre Kangerlussuaq fjord.

Day 02: Sisimiut, Greenland’s Second-Largest City
After breakfast, we arrive to the colourful town of Sisimiut, where we will get an idea of what modern Greenland looks like. With 5,400 inhabitants, it is considered Greenland’s second ‘city’. People have lived around Sisimiut on and off since 2,500 BC.
In 1756, Count Johan Ludvig Holstein, established a colony here and called it “Holsteinsborg”. The oldest part of Sisimiut’s historic quarter features town houses from this “Holsteinsborg” era, and the oldest house in town dates back to 1756. One of the most culturally significant buildings is the Blue Church, built in 1775.

Nowadays, Sisimiut is an important place for education and industry, and local factories process the bulk of Royal Greenland’s fishing. The fish processing plant is one of the largest of its kind in Greenland, and one of the most modern in the world.
Our city tour highlights include the historic colonial quarter, as well as the museum and the beautiful church. Additionally, we will pay a visit to the busy city centre for a glimpse of what daily life is like in 21st century Greenland. In the afternoon, our voyage will continue northward.

As evening falls, we will pass the Sisimiut Isortuat Fjord, the Nordre Strømfjord settlements of Attu and Ikerasaarsuk, and the small town of Kangaatsiaq. During the course of the bright night, we will pass Aasiaat and proceed into the southern waters of Disko Bay. Next, the ship’s heading will be set for Disko Island, known for its distinctive 1,000-meter/3,280 feet layered crags.
At this point, we will be north of the Arctic Circle! Here, the nights are bright and early risers can enjoy the sight of the icebergs on Disko Bay as they squeeze out of the Ilulissat Icefjord and dance into the frigid ocean waters.

Day 03: Qeqertarsuaq on Disko Island, ‘Kaffemik’ in a Community Center and Eqip Sermia Glacier
Our next sojourn lies on the southern tip of the Disko Island, where Ocean Atlantic will anchor in a protected natural harbour, which is named Godhavn (‘Good Harbour’) in Danish, while its Greenlandic name, Qeqertarsuaq, means ‘The Big Island’.

Although topographically quite different from mainland Greenland due to the basalt characteristics of the Disko Island’s mountains, Qeqertarsuaq maintains a long, rich history and once served as one of the country’s important economic centres. From the 16th century, the community was relatively prosperous and, in fact, considered the most important town north of Nuuk until the mid-1900s, due in part to the area’s sizeable whale hunting population.

During our visit, we will wander through town, paying a visit to the characteristic octagonal church, nicknamed “God’s Inkpot”, as well as to a local community center that will be hosting a traditional Greenlandic “kaffemik”, which can be best described as a friendly gathering with coffee, cake and traditional dances and music.

Musicians from Greenland originally played on a drum (qilaat) made from an oval wooden frame covered with the bladder of a polar bear. Unlike other drums, the qilaat was played by hitting the frame with a stick, not the skin itself. This modest instrument was used for a variety of purposes, including entertainment, exorcism and witchcraft.

After the missionaries arrived, drum dancing was prohibited and later replaced by part-singing of psalms and choral works, which today are renowned for their particular Greenlandic sound. Today, drum dance is used as entertainment in cultural events and on festive occasions.

Greenlandic music is inspired and influenced by music from other cultures, like the Danish and Inuit cultures, and more specifically, Dutch and Scottish polka, American country and rock ‘n’ roll and even Hawaiian music, which inspired the so-called Vaigat-musicians in Greenland in the 1950s and 60s.

As the day draws to a closing, Ocean Atlantic will set a north-easterly course bound for a magnificent natural highlight – the enormous Eqip Sermia Glacier.

Situated approximately 50 nautical miles north of Ilulissat, the Eqip Sermia Glacier is renowned for its jaw-dropping beauty. Legendary arctic explorers selected this location as a base for their studies. One such explorer, the acclaimed Swiss glaciologist, Alfred de Quervain, used the location as a base for his expeditions onto Greenland’s inland ice sheet over a century ago.

We will sail as close as possible to the ice’s edge – but at a safe distance to avoid plunging blocks of ice and violent waves that often result from the calving glacier.

Day 04: Ilulissat, Capital of the Icebergs
Ilulissat is possibly the most well located town in Greenland. The name simply means ‘icebergs’ in Greenlandic, and the town’s nickname is rightly ‘the Iceberg Capital’.

In Disko Bay, which is located just off the coast of Ilulissat, gigantic icebergs linger in the freezing waters. These icebergs come from the Icefjord, which is located a half hour’s hike south of Ilulissat. These impressive frozen structures are born some 70km/43,5 miles deeper into the fjord by the enormous Sermeq Kujalleq glacier. This 10km/6 miles-wide glacier is the most productive glacier outside of Antarctica; Whereas most glaciers only calve at a rate of approximately a metre/three feet a day, the Ilulissat glacier calves at a rate of 25m/82 feet per day. The icebergs produced by the glacier represent more than 10% of all icebergs in Greenland, corresponding to 20 million tonnes/22 million us tons of ice per day!
These facts, together with the fjord’s unforgettable scenery, have secured the Icefjord a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
During the more than 250 years that have passed since the establishment of Ilulissat, the town has steadily flourished. Today, Ilulissat is Greenland’s third largest town, with more than 4,500 inhabitants. The town is very vibrant, welcoming and lively with a wide range of cultural attractions, according to Greenlandic standards.
The legendary polar explorer, Knud Rasmussen, and his good friend, Jørgen Brønlund, were both born in Ilulissat.
On this day, you will also have the opportunity to join a boat trip to the Icefjord (not included). The journey takes about two and a half hours in total, a great opportunity to take a closer look at the amazing ice-sculpted scenery.
The trip is definitely something out of the ordinary and a great natural experience that you will remember for years to come – but be sure to have warm clothing on!

If a hike or a trip by boat does not present enough excitement, there is also an opportunity to arrange a helicopter ride over the Icefjord (not included).
Please note the boat and helicopter excursions to the Icefjord are not included in the general tour price. Furthermore, the helicopter excursion must be booked in advance. Refer to Price Information for more details.
In the evening, we will cruise southward from “the Iceberg Capital”, leaving lovely Disko Bay behind us as we part.

Day 05: The Settlement of Sarfannguit
The settlement of Sarfannguit, which translates into ‘the place of the little stream” an appropriate name for a settlement nestled at the foothills of the mountains and glaciers in the distant backcountry. The settlement’s slightly more than 100 residents live off hunting, trapping and fishing, most often in pursuit of arctic char, reindeer and musk oxen.

Although Sarfannguit is quite remote, it lies within a few hours from Sisimiut, the second-largest town in Greenland. The accessibility to such a large town provides an indispensable economic benefit to a small community like Sarfannguit.

A stroll through the settlement offers insight into rural life in today’s Greenland, where modern conveniences and technological advancements, such as internet and smart phones have become commonplace, yet locals still place great value on important customs and preserving their traditions and their Inuit heritage.

We will continue our journey toward the fjord of Kangerlussuaq, also known as Sondre Stromfjord. Especially the first part of the fjord gives a great opportunity to enjoy an impressive passage with panoramic views of high mountains and deep valleys.

Day 06: Kangerlussuaq. Air to Iceland
During the night, we will have completed our passage through the 160-kilometer/100 mile Kangerlussuaq Fjord. After breakfast aboard the ship, we will bid farewell to the ship’s staff and the Zodiac boats will shuttle us to shore.

Due to Kangerlussuaq’s military history and present-day role as an important air travel hub, Kangerlussuaq remains fairly isolated from Greenland’s rich cultural traditions, in comparison to other regions. While you still find cultural experiences when visiting Kangerlussuaq, the most impressive attraction is the surrounding nature, which is just beckoning to be explored.

It is not difficult for one to see that Kangerlussuaq’s landscape has largely been shaped by the last glaciation period, often known simply as the “Ice Age,” some 18,000 years ago. The mountains are rounded and soft, and many meltwater lakes remain. From the inland ice sheet, best known as the Greenland Ice Sheet, the meltwater cuts its way through the porous moraine landscape and flows into Kangerlussuaq Fjord.

Kangerlussuaq’s present-day climate is largely influenced by its well-sheltered location between Greenland’s Ice Sheet, the fjord and mountains. This contributes to its stable conditions, minimal cloud cover and roughly 300 clear nights per year.

This close proximity to the Ice Sheet, combined with the continental climate, is also of great significance to the local conditions. The dry climate, combined with warm winds that “fall” from the Ice Sheet, can result in temperatures that jump up to 30°C (86°F) in the summer, but then fall to an extreme -40°C (-40°F) in winter, making it the coldest inhabited area in Greenland.

In Kangerlussuaq, we offer an optional excursion to the beautiful Reindeer Glacier. The duration of the excursion is about four hours.

Please note that the excursion is not included in the general tour price. Refer to Price Information for more details. We do not recommend the excursion for people who suffer from bad necks or backs, as the gravel road to the ice sheet is occasionally bumpy and uneven.

As our time in Greenland concludes, after breakfast and checkout, your arctic adventure will have concluded. We hope to see you again soon! We fly from Kangerlussuaq to Keflavik Airport, Iceland.

Day 01: Narsarsuaq and view point
Flight from Reykjavik domestic airport in Iceland or from Copenhagen to Narsarsuaq, South Greenland. Reception at the airport and transfer to Hotel Narsarsuaq for check-in and information meeting. Hike to the Glacier View Point, around one hour from the hotel. Great views of the Tunulliarfik fjord, the plain of Narsarsuaq and the Kiattuut Glacier.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Qassiarsuk, the Viking Greenland and Tasiusaq, the iceberg bay
Transfer in RIB boat through the Tunulliarfik Fjord, usually covered by icebergs, to Qassiarsuk. Visit of the church ruins and the settlement of Eric the Red comprising the old Brattahlid, capital of Viking Greenland, and where Erik the Red settled in 985. Walk through the village of about 50 inhabitants, mostly farmers. This Norse and Greenlandic core farming area was in 2017 inscribed on UNESCO’s world heritage list under the title: Kujataa Greenland, a Norse and Inuit farming landscape on the edge of the ice cap. Qassiarsuk area represents the most comprehensive and rich example of both Norse and Greenlandic farming history and contains ruins of large cattle-based Norse farms and their numerous satellite sites including, not least, Erik the Red’s Brattahlid. It was also here that Otto Frederiksen in 1924 established the first sheep farm after Igaliku, founding today’s settlement of Qassiarsuk.

Later on a 4×4 trip to the beautiful Tasiusaq farm, where seven people live in notable isolation next to the Sermilik Fjord, which is almost always blocked by icebergs coming from the Eqaloruutsit glacier. Picnic at Tasiusaq farm.

Optional Excursion: Kayak Excursion in the “iceberg bay”, a 2-hour sea kayaking trip for beginners among icebergs and ice in one of the safest and nicest places in Greenland.

We return by jeep to Qassiarsuk and transfer by zodiac boat to Narsarsuaq.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Narsarsuaq to Qaqortoq, capital of Southern Greenland
Transfer by zodiac boat from Narsarsuaq to Qaqortoq through the complex system of fjords and among numerous icebergs, admiring the beauty of their vertical ice walls. A guided city tour in Qaqortoq, the capital of South Greenland, which was founded in 1775 and nowadays has almost 3.000 inhabitants. It’s described as the most charming and attractive town in all Greenland. We will discover the beauty of its colorful buildings, the awe-inspiring landscapes and some of its thirty different rock sculpture designs, spread over the town. We visit the museum, the fur shops, the traditional kayak club, the church and the only fountain in the country.
In the afternoon, free time to have dinner in one of its restaurants or enjoy a drink with the local people.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Qaqortoq and boat transfer to Narsaq
Time for leisure to walk around this charming town and explore on your own a city which is considered a sub-arctic Riviera.

You can join one of our wonderful optional excursions:

Excursion to Hvalsoy Church
Hvalsoy or Whale Island is the location of a church that was probably built in the 14th century and is the best-preserved church in Greenland from the period. People gathered there from far and wide to attend Christian festivals throughout the year. The fells and the fjord which surround the church have not changed at all over the centuries and are very scenic. Southern Greenland holds the ruins of the Norse Settlements and their Inuit neighbors. Recently, UNESCO inscribed this old Viking farming landscape as a world heritage.

In the afternoon transfer by zodiac boat to Narsaq city, the third most populated town in South Greenland, with about 1500 inhabitants. You will have free-time to visit the local market, fur shops, hunters harbor and the Greenlandic folk museum or go for a walk to do some shopping. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Qaleraliq Camp and Excursion on Ice – Narsaq
In the morning we set off for Qaleraliq camp, towards the Inland Icecap. We will arrive at a cozy, enchanting camp set on a sandy beach, which contrasts with a spectacular view of three glacier tongues.

We navigate on a RIB boat along the glacier fronts, admiring the beauty of their vertical ice walls and numerous icebergs as we approach them along their 10 kilometers descent to the sea. The glacier fronts extended in only one, but the dramatic progress of climate change divided it into three glacier fronts. From there we start the glacier hike. An impressive trek using crampons takes us on one of the oldest masses of ice on the planet. We explore its crevasses, drains, caves, seracs and other ice formations, which give an incredible labyrinthine quality to this glacier. An expert mountain guide and glacier specialist will be in be in charge of the excursion to ensure the right equipment and the safety of the group, while he shares with us his knowledge about the characteristics of the glaciers in the South of Greenland. A unique experience, exciting and original, surprising both for first-timers and more experienced glacier hikers. This is one of the most impressive sights and one of the best excursions in all of Greenland. Picnic lunch on the ice or at the camp depending on conditions.

In the afternoon, transfer by zodiac boat to Narsaq. We will be surprised by enormous icebergs falling off from the Eqaloruutsit glacier and floating through the Sermilik Fjord. Sometimes, they are blocking the access to Narsaq ports.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 06: City of Narsaq and Igaliku (Gardar)
In the morning we have time off to walk around the city of Narsaq and discover the beauty of its colorful buildings or visit the local market, fur shops, hunters harbor, the Greenlandic museum. Surrounded by awe-inspiring landscapes, you can enjoy a drink with the local people and discover the modern Inuit’s way of life.

After that, we will navigate by zodiac boat to Itilleq. Once we disembark from the boat, we will start and easy hike across the “Kongevejen”, or Path of the Kings. Our destination will be the idyllic Igaliku, a small Inuit settlement inhabited by no more than 40 people. This place is famous for being the most beautiful settlement in South Greenland, and know by the unique architecture of the Igaliku stone houses. We discover the ruins of Gardar, the archdiocese and religious capital of Viking Greenland. The area has been recently declared part of the UNESCO world heritage list. You see the Norse bishop’s farm, the largest in all of Greenland, and the setting of Anders Olsen’s farm. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Excursions in Igaliku and boat excursion to Qooroq Ice Fjord
In the morning, we can enjoy the spectacular views of Einarsfjord, a surprising fjord which is one of the few in Greenland that can’t impress visitors with big icebergs. However, green hills provide guests with a warm relaxing in a quiet environment. We hike back to Itilleq where we embark in the RIB boat and start a sea excursion to Qooroq fjord. This is probably the most spectacular glacier in the South of Greenland. We will navigate among blocks of ice until the density of ice is such that we can no longer continue. It’s an incredible sight of ice floating around us. We continue our navigation by zodiac boat all the way to Narsarsuaq. Car transfer to Hotel Narsarsuaq.

Free time to visit by your own the Narsarsuaq Museum Blue West One. It is recommended as it reflects the town history from ancient times and especially its role in the Second World War.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: The Flower Valley Hike. Then flight back to home
We reserve the morning for the most famous hike in South Greenland, the Flower Valley. A spectacular hike with sights of the Kiattut river and glacier. You will enjoy the spectacular view of this valley formed due to the retreat and the consequent glacial sedimentation with plenty of flowers. Trekking way back to Narsarsuaq. Free time to visit and walk around in the area.
Flight Narsarsuaq-Keflavik international airport in Iceland or Copenhagen.