West Greenland: Discovering Massive Icebergs and Inuit Communities

Arrive in Iceland’s capital and transfer to the group hotel near Keflavík Airport, included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure—take time to explore this captivating destination, celebrated for its rich Norse heritage and striking architecture. If you plan to visit Reykjavík, please allow approximately one hour for travel between Keflavík and the city center by taxi or public transportation.

After an early breakfast at the hotel, guests transfer together to the airport and board the private charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. This small settlement served for decades as Greenland’s primary aviation hub. Upon arrival, you are transferred to a nearby harbor, where your Expedition Team operates Zodiac shuttles to bring you aboard your awaiting ship. Following a late-afternoon embarkation, you set sail into the breathtaking Arctic wilderness.

You have multiple choices for your first ship day above 66°33° North latitude, which you spend aboard Ocean Explorer. You can check out the ship’s amenities, like the Jacuzzis, attend an educational presentation led by the polar experts, or relax in the stylish Observation Lounge on Deck 8 while you spot drifting ice, seabirds and other wildlife.

Two full days in Uummannaq—a rarity on Arctic expeditions—means you get to devote one day to Uummannaq town and the second to Uummannaq Fjord. 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 hot 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 during these authentic cultural exchanges—which are usually memorable. A parting gift from one local fisherman: “Keep life simple— simple is beautiful.” On Day 5, you’ll have the opportunity to venture deeper into Uummannaq Fjord and explore areas seldom seen by travelers. Highlights include narrow fjords with steep cliffs rising straight from the sea, large drifting icebergs, striking naked (exposed) geology, rarelyseen glaciers, and cascading waterfalls-some thunderous after a heavy rain. After these two days, you’ll have experienced parts of Uummannaq that many Greenlanders have yet to see.

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, Eqip Sermia. 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—no doubt humbled by the sweeping vista of ice. 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.

Today you’ll visit Sisimiut, a community rich with 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 follow winding roads through the vibrant town dotted with 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. The expedition team and local partners lead guided walks and provide insight into daily life in Greenland— and you can to share your own story with locals, who are curious about your homeland. One scenic walk leads to the Taseralik Cultural House, beside Nalunnguarfiup Tasia, a small tranquil lake at the base of a 780-meter (2,550 feet) 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. You also aim to team up with the local mountain-biking partners in Sisimiut, exploring trails that lead outside the town limits.

The 75-km-long (47 miles) 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 deep-cut valleys. Within the fjord, you may explore by Zodiac or on foot—or both—with the potential to cruise the coastlines and floating glacial ice. You can anticipate a range of hikes or on-shore walks—always accompanied by the knowledgeable 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 ship.

The morning finds you in the port at Nuuk, the northernmost capital city in the world. If time permits, you may have an opportunity to explore Nuuk. Otherwise, your Expedition Team shuttles you to ashore by Zodiac, after which you are transferred to the airport for your charter flight to Reykjavik. Upon arrival, you are transferred to the group hotel for the night, which is included in the Charter Flight and Transfer Package.

After breakfast, you can transfer independently from your Keflavik hotel to the nearby airport for your onward journey, or explore Iceland as prearranged.