Greenland: Disko Bay & Beyond

On day one, arrive in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland’s only inland town and an important air hub with a notable Cold War history. Transfer by Zodiac to the ship, settle into your cabin, complete a safety drill, and toast the start of your journey through Kangerlussuaq Fjord.

Sisimiut is Greenland’s second-largest city, with around 5,400 residents. Paleo-Inuit peoples inhabited the area as early as 2,500 BC, leaving ancient remains on nearby Tele Island, accessible by hiking trails. Founded as Holsteinsborg in 1756, Sisimiut is home to historic buildings, including the Blue Church, built in 1775 and located in the city’s museum quarter. Today, Sisimiut is an important center for education and industry, with a major fish processing plant and KNI, which supplies remote settlements. Discover the city’s mix of traditional and modern Arctic life at Taseralik Cultural Center, the city museum, local art workshops, and through Greenlandic cuisine.

Qeqertarsuaq is a picturesque town nestled beneath Disko Island’s towering basalt mountains. Once the heart of North Greenland’s whaling economy, the town shifted focus to hunting, fishing, and growing tourism after the industry declined. Qeqertarsuaq’s rich volcanic soil and mild microclimate create uncommonly lush greenery, attracting locals and visitors to its rugged beauty, colorful houses and excellent hiking. In the afternoon, you’ll explore the dramatic coastline of nearby Kuannit by Zodiac, famed for lush tundra, caves, waterfalls, and stunning icebergs, before heading north towards Uummannaq.

Uummannaq sits at the foot of its striking 1,170m “heart-shaped” mountain – a true Greenlandic landmark. Founded in 1763 by Danish colonists, the town blends historic charm with rich Inuit heritage. Today, Uummannaq is a lively community where locals sell traditional handicrafts in the town square and fresh fish at the bustling market, and locals are strongly connected to their traditional lifestyle. Visit the museum for an insight into local history, or hike to Santa’s house – another famous local landmark. As you sail into Uummannaq Fjord, take in breathtaking views of the iceberg-studded waters and towering peaks beneath the endless midnight sun.

Eqip Sermia (a descriptive Greenlandic name meaning ‘the Glacier at the End of the Fjord’) is a relatively small glacier for Greenland, although it is still a truly vast river of ice, flowing directly from the Ice Sheet. It is also one of the most active, and ice constantly tumbles off the vast glacier-front. If conditions allow, a fleet of Zodiacs launch to approach this vast river of ice, and hopefully experience the roar of the glacier’s frequent calvings at sea level (from a safe distance of course)!

Ilulissat—meaning “icebergs” in Kalaallisut—is the stunning Iceberg Capital of the World, home to the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord, accessible on a gentle walk from the harbor. This 70 km fjord leads to Sermeq Kujalleq, the largest glacier outside Antarctica, which drains 13% of the Greenland Ice Sheet and produces 10% of the Northern Hemisphere’s icebergs—more than the entire U.S. annual water supply! Founded 280 years ago and the birthplace of legendary Arctic explorer Knud Rasmussen, Ilulissat is Greenland’s third largest town, rich in culture and adventure. Enjoy fresh local seafood, vibrant markets, and elegant art galleries. The hiking trails around the Icefjord are a must-do for visitors, who may also choose thrilling optional boat or flightseeing tours to witness the raw power of the ice up close.

Itilleq – meaning “the Crossing Place from the Sea” – is a picturesque village nestled among mountains and fjords just north of the Arctic Circle. Located at the edge of the Aasivissuit-Nipisat UNESCO World Heritage Site, it preserves a rich Inuit hunting heritage dating back thousands of years. Modern colorful houses have replaced turf huts, but locals still rely on Arctic char, reindeer, and muskox, blending tradition with modern life. Warm Greenlandic hospitality welcomes visitors eager to explore this wonderfully homely hamlet.

As the journey concludes, you sail up the 160 km Kangerlussuaq Fjord and disembark by Zodiac after a fond farewell to the Expedition Team and Crew. Though Kangerlussuaq is more known for its Cold War-era military roots and role as a transport hub than its cultural heritage, its surrounding wilderness offers striking natural beauty. Originally built by the U.S. military in the 1950s, the town retains a utilitarian charm. The Arctic adventure ends at the modern airport, with lasting memories of Greenland’s wild landscapes.