West Greenland: Discovering Massive Icebergs and Inuit Communities

Arrive in Iceland’s capital and proceed to the group hotel near Keflavik Airport. Spend the rest of the day exploring this fascinating city, famous for its Norse history and striking architecture. Visiting Reykjavík requires about a one-hour transfer from Keflavik.

After an early breakfast at the hotel, the group transfers to the airport to board the private charter flight to Nuuk, Greenland. Upon arrival, transfer to a central downtown location to enjoy time exploring this quaint port town, the capital of Greenland, before heading to the pier for late-afternoon embarkation.

Eternity Fjord lives up to its name—its beauty feels endless. You are 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 provides excellent opportunities for you to soak in the scenery from the outer decks of the vessel.

Congratulations, you’ve crossed 66°33° north latitude. On your firstoff ship excursion in the Arctic, you’ll 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, you’ll walk winding roads past colorful homes and Arctic cotton grass blooming under the summer sun. While the waterfront may be lively with boat traffic, life uphill moves at a relaxed pace. You may hear children laughing, sled dogs barking, and locals exchanging greetings—sounds that often bring smiles to both visitors and residents. Greenlandic dogs, often seen in kennels throughout town, reflect the deep bond between owners and their canine teams. As in any Arctic community, always ask before petting or approaching these working dogs. During the visit, you aim to team up with the local mountain-biking partners in Sisimiut, exploring trails that lead outside the town limits. The expedition team and local partners lead guided walks and provide insight into daily life in Greenland—and you are able to share your own story with locals, who are eager to learn about your part of the world. One scenic walk leads to the Taseralik Cultural House, beside Nalunnguarfiup Tasia, a small tranquil lake at the base of a 780-meter (2,560 mile) 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.

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. You’ll likely see icebergs drifting in the bay, accompanied by smaller chunks called brash ice. 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. You’ll take care not to disturb the delicate plant life that flourishes during Greenland’s brief summer. Following an invigorating morning ashore—perhaps hiking across ancient tundra—you’ll return to the ship, where warmth, a freshly prepared lunch, and a chance to reset await. But the wild Arctic experience isn’t over for the day. From the outer decks, you can watch as icebergs drift by like sculpted monuments, seabirds trace circles overhead, and the vast silence of the Arctic settles around you 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. This is what you call the quiet middle—where comfort meets wilderness—as the ship carries you steadily toward your next experience.

You 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. You reach town by Zodiac and may be greeted by locals— and the ever-smiling chief of police. It’s said that smiles here are as common as drifting icebergs. Winding roads take you past colorful homes before reaching 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 honors 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 are 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.”

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. From this vantage point, it feels as though you’re standing where the town ends and the wilderness begins—where the sweeping view of ice evokes a humbling sense of scale. You 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— colorful homes now sit beside new restaurants, boutique hotels and small businesses. History buffs are 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). Fluent in Kalaallisut, he learned from and documented the Circumpolar Inuit he met—considered one of the Arctic’s greatest expeditions. The dramatic landscapes around Ilulissat inspired Rasmussen’s life of exploration. As you approach town, watch out for whales, which occasionally frequent the icebergladen waters.

Spend the afternoon in Itilleq Fjord, a place that feels both beautifully raw and peaceful at the same time. Elevation rises in all directions, and from the right vantage point, the mountain ranges seem to continue in layers, endlessly into the horizon. A visitor to Itilleq Fjord once said, “I’m not quite sure where Earth stops and heaven begins, but it seems to be somewhere right out there.” Conditions permitting, your Expedition Team 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 the 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 favorite among guests and Expedition Team members, thanks to the warm welcome you’ve received over the years. The 100 residents live among brightly painted homes—greens, pinks, purples, baby blues, mustard yellows, and chocolate browns—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 socialize over coffee and cake, or follow a short dirt road to a viewpoint overlooking the f jord and surrounding mountains. Watch your step—lichens, succulents, and mushrooms thrive underfoot. A longstanding tradition features a friendly football (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.

Today, you disembark in Kangerlussuaq, formerly known as Søndre Strømfjord, and transfer you 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.

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