West Greenland: Discovering Massive Icebergs and Inuit Communities, Southbound Tour by Quark Expeditions

11 daysDuration

Cruise TourExperience this tour on a cruise

20 peopleMaximum group size

8 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Highlights

Encounter towering icebergs and glaciers

Cross the Arctic Circle by ship

Dive deep into the magnificent Eternity Fjord

See three of Greenland’s most spectacular wonders: Ilulisat, Eqip Glacier and Uummannaq

Experience authentic Greenlandic culture

Join unique and immersive optional activities such as sea kayaking and mountain biking.

Itinerary

Our 11-day West Greenland: Discovering Massive Icebergs and Inuit Communities, Southbound is for travelers seeking a journey dedicated exclusively to West Greenland. This is one of our most in-depth explorations of Eternity Fjord. You’ll also explore Ilulissat, Eqip Sermia and Uummannaq—West Greenland’s crown jewels of ice and stone—all in a single trip. Thanks to our local partnerships, we’ll take you beyond the guidebooks for truly immersive experiences. Plus, you’ll cross the Arctic Circle.

day 1 - Arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland

Arrive in the Icelandic capital and make your way to the group hotel near Keflavik airport—which is included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package.. You will have the rest of the day to explore this fascinating city, known for its Norse history and stunning architecture. If you do wish to visit the city of Reykjavik, allow for a one-hour transfer (by taxi or public transit) between Keflavik and Reykjavik city center.

day 2 - Fly to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland and Embark

After an early breakfast at the hotel, guests will transfer together to the airport and board our private charter f light to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. This is a very small town that for decades served as Greenland’s primary airport. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to a very small harbor, where your Expedition Team will provide Zodiac shuttles to your awaiting ship. After a late-afternoon embarkation, we will set sail for the stunning Arctic wilderness.

Meals:Breakfast

day 3 - At Sea

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

days 4 and 5 - Uummannaq

Two full days in Uummannaq—a rarity on Arctic expeditions—means you will get to devote one day to Uummannaq town and the second to Uummannaq Fjord. We 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. We 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 will be 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.

days 6 and 7 - Disko Bay & Illulisat

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 will 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 will be 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 we approach town, watch out for whales, which occasionally frequent the icebergladen waters.

day 8 - Sisimiut

Today we’ll visit Sisimiut, a community rich with Greenlandic history and culture. As we 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, we’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. Our expedition team and local partners will lead guided walks and provide insight into daily life in Greenland— and you will be able to share your own story with locals, who will be 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. We also aim to team up with our local mountain-biking partners in Sisimiut, exploring trails that lead outside the town limits.

day 9 - Eternity Fjord

The 75-km-long (47 miles) Eternity Fjord lives up to its name—its beauty feels endless. You will be 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 our knowledgeable team, whose expertise bring the world’s largest island into focus. Transiting the fjord by ship will provide excellent opportunities for you to soak in the scenery from the outer decks of the ship.

day 10 - Disembarkation in Nuuk and flight to Reykjavik

The morning will find 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 will shuttle you to ashore by Zodiac, after which you will be transferred to the airport for your charter flight to Reykjavik. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the group hotel for the night, which is included in the Charter Flight and Transfer Package.

day 11 - Depart Reykjavik, Iceland

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

Meals:Breakfast

West Greenland: Discovering Massive Icebergs and Inuit Communities, Southbound

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What's Included

Accommodation

Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeepingAll shore landings per the daily program

Meals

2 BreakfastsBeer and house wine during dinnerCoffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock

Guide

Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader

Others

All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily programFormal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and special guests as scheduledPhotographic journal documenting the expeditionWaterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landingsOfficial Quark Expeditions® parka to keepComplimentary reusable water bottleHair dryer and bathrobe in every cabinComprehensive onboard materials, including a map and an informative Arctic/Antarctic ReaderAll miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programAll luggage handling aboard the shipEmergency evacuation insurance to a maximum benefit of US$500, 000 per personMandatory price included

What's Excluded

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