You are now on a true Greenland expedition cruise, navigating a flexible route shaped by weather and ice conditions. This region of Greenland is full of stories waiting to be discovered. You explore Inuit culture and their deep respect for the environment and Arctic wildlife. Many traditions arose during times of harsh weather and declining animal populations, where hunters used parts of animals to craft amulets and artistic objects. You learn how the Inuit honor the animals they hunt, offering fresh water to seals so their spirits do not go thirsty, and hear legends spanning different eras and migrations across Greenland.
This part of Greenland offers much more than history and culture. Set foot on rarely visited islands and watch for playful whales. You can also hope to visit one of the many sheep farms in southern Greenland. In Uunartoq, you can have the opportunity to relax in one of the natural hot springs while admiring the breathtaking views of mountain ranges and drifting icebergs.
Sail out through Eriksfjord, named after Erik the Red, a Norse explorer believed to have founded the first settlement in Greenland around the year 980 after being banished from Iceland for manslaughter. You plan to go ashore at Brattahlid, the estate he established at the end of the 10th century.
You can also aim to visit Hvalsey Church, one of the best-preserved Norse ruins in Greenland.
Then, continue your journey south. Through the western mouth of Prince Christian Sound, slowly make your way into this extraordinary fjord system. Here, you are surrounded by a mountainous landscape with peaks of up to 2000 meters and steep cliffs plunging into the fjord, and you see the similarity to the fictional landscape of Mordor from Lord of the Rings. Look out for harbor seals, ringed seals, and whales.
You have now reached East Greenland and are traveling along a wild and unspoiled coastline. You are highly dependent on weather and ice conditions, and your itinerary will be adjusted accordingly. A couple of days will be spent mostly at sea. You are likely to see a parade of icebergs drifting south on the strong currents and marvel at mighty glacier walls plunging straight into the sea. Along the coast, you hope to explore one of the rarely visited fjords. Perhaps you stop at Umivik Bay, from where Fridtjof Nansen began his East-to-West trek across Greenland in 1888.
When you arrive in the vast Sermilik fjord system, you are greeted by icebergs of all shapes and sizes. Most of these come from the Helheim glacier in the center of the fjord, which produces some of the largest icebergs in Greenland. Sermilik Fjord is 90 kilometers long and cuts through a rugged landscape of towering glaciers and jagged peaks. The beauty around you is stunning! You anchor in beautiful spots and keep an eye out for whales. Perhaps the ice will let you through to the small village of Tiilerilaaq. The wooden houses are beautifully situated, with the great Sermilik Fjord in the background. Here, the local Inuit culture and traditional hunting and fishing activities play an important role in the way of life. Here, you have the chance to go on a nice hike to get an overview of the Sermilik Fjord and its icebergs!
Visit the town of Tasiilaq. With a population of just under 2000, it is the largest settlement in East Greenland. There is an older and different Inuit culture here, where shamanism and indigenous culture are much more alive than in other parts of Greenland. During your expedition here, you can learn more about local myths and legends, such as that of the Tupilaqs. In the Greenlandic Inuit religion, a tupilaq was a vengeful monster created by a witch doctor using various objects such as animal bones, skin, hair, or tendons. Tasiilaq is also known for its art scene, where local artists create prints, sculptures, and textiles, usually depicting animals, landscapes, and traditional stories from the region.
