Greenland Far North Unscripted

Arrive in Iceland’s capital and make your way to the group hotel near Keflavík Airport, included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. The rest of the day is yours to explore this fascinating city, celebrated for Norse heritage and striking architecture. If you plan to visit Reykjavík today, allow around one hour each way for the transfer between the airport area and the city.

After breakfast, we transfer you and your luggage to the airport for the charter flight to Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. On arrival, we transfer to the ship, Ocean Explorer, and settle in.

Overnight we cross 66°33’ north – the Arctic Circle – and make our first off–ship excursion at Sisimiut, rich in Greenlandic history and culture. As we enter via the inner harbour, we see locals landing halibut, shrimp and other seafood from Baffin Bay. Ashore, we follow winding roads past colourful houses and summer Arctic cotton grass. The waterfront is lively, while life uphill is unhurried; please always ask before approaching working Greenlandic dogs. We join a locally guided town walk with museum entry and a tasting of Greenlandic specialities, and there’s time to chat with residents. A scenic walk leads towards the Taseralik Cultural House beside Nalunnguarfiup Tasia, beneath 780 metres high Nasaasaaq Mountain. You can also book the Mountain Bike Adventure option with local guides, riding around the harbour and tundra.

In September, Disko Bay glows with ethereal autumn light. Giant icebergs drift on the currents, many calved from nearby Ilulissat Icefjord – a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its beauty and glaciological importance. Some bergs are larger than Ocean Explorer. Sheltered by Disko Island, we aim to land at or near Qeqertarsuaq, a peaceful community of brightly painted homes scattered over gentle rocky slopes. The sea horizon seems endless as bergs drift past, some bound for Baffin Island, Labrador or even Newfoundland. From here we start leaving the more populated west coast, setting a course northwards toward Ultima Thule.

We wake amid icebergs and mountain silhouettes to the east and continue north, reaching Upernavik around midday. Despite its latitude, Upernavik is relatively large, with over 1,000 residents and a harbour alive with fishermen and hunters – yet the pace is calm, punctuated by waves on rock, sled dogs and children’s laughter. We meet welcoming locals proud of their culture and may visit the grave of Navarana, wife and Arctic companion of Peter Freuchen, who joined expeditions with Knud Rasmussen. After dinner we sail on, bound for the high north.

At sea en route to our highest latitude, we relax on board, watch for icebergs and perhaps marine mammals. Our Expedition Team hosts engaging presentations that recap recent experiences and set the scene for what lies ahead. Sea days are ideal for meeting fellow travellers who share a passion for the Arctic – conversations that often spark lifelong friendships.

Today we reach our northernmost point around Kap Alexander and Smith Sound – the narrow waterway separating Greenland and Canada by less than 55 kilometres (35 miles). Sea ice drifting from the Arctic Basin shapes conditions, which can change from packed ice to open water overnight. Your Expedition Team adjusts plans to make the most of the day, and we may cruise by small craft among ice and mountains or land where few have stepped. Early September often brings gatherings of migratory birds, and we keep watch for iconic Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, muskoxen, Arctic foxes and belugas – sightings are never guaranteed. By day there is still warmth and, after dark, a chance of Northern Lights, yet the advance of polar night is palpable. Pause to look north into Smith Sound and imagine the wilderness stretching across the polar ice to Siberia.

Approaching Qaanaaq along Inglefield Fjord, we thread past towering icebergs to reach Greenland’s northernmost community – the second northernmost town in the world after Longyearbyen. We land by small craft at the pier, often greeted by smiling children. In town you can wander among colourful houses, meet friendly residents and observe working sled dogs – always ask before approaching them. We recommend a visit to Qaanaaq Katersugaasivia, the local museum, to see ingenious Inuit hunting tools and historic photographs, and to hear stories of life on sea ice and of explorers such as Knud Rasmussen, Robert Peary and Peter Freuchen with his Inuit wife, Navarana. Weather permitting, you can take short hikes above town for sweeping views. As we sail south, many travellers leave with a deep appreciation of Qaanaaq’s enduring connection to its surrounding wilderness, where traditional skills stand alongside modern conveniences – from skiffs to traditional kayaks gliding with hand–carved paddles.

We spend two full days sailing south towards the fjords north of Disko Bay, revisiting areas not explored earlier. You can unwind in Ocean Explorer’s amenities – the light–filled two–storey library at the bow, outdoor Jacuzzis, sauna and fitness centre, elevated observation areas on Decks 7 and 8 for long–view photography, and stylish lounges ideal for sharing a drink and the day’s stories.

In the morning we enter Uummannaq Fjord and cruise towards Uummannaq, named for its heart–shaped mountain that rises above the community. We reach town by small craft and may be welcomed by locals – smiles here seem as common as drifting icebergs. Winding roads lead past colourful homes to turf houses and a stone church. You can visit the local museum and artisan market, and another small museum honouring artist Rockwell Kent. Join a guided walk or explore at your own pace. Several homes may open for kaffemik – a cosy gathering with warm drinks, light snacks and easy conversation. As one local fisherman advised, “Keep life simple – simple is beautiful.”

North of Disko Bay we explore the Eqi Glacier – Eqip Sermia – one of Greenland’s most active tidewater glaciers. Its broad face frequently calves, sending bergs and brash ice across the bay. On quieter moments we hear ice popping and crackling – and sometimes the thunder of a major calving. Shore excursions showcase striking tundra and views. You can opt for a gentle walk to enjoy autumn hues and sweeping vistas, or a more vigorous hike for elevated perspectives, always treading carefully to protect the fragile plants of the brief Arctic summer.

We arrive in Ilulissat, gateway to the UNESCO–listed Ilulissat Icefjord, thoroughfare for countless icebergs from Sermeq Kujalleq, the world’s fastest moving glacier. A short boardwalk leads to an overlook on a rocky outcrop with vast views of drifting ice – a humbling sense of scale at the edge of town and the start of wilderness. In the inner harbour, fishing boats often weave among smaller bergs. The town itself is vibrant, with colourful homes, new eateries, boutique stays and small businesses. History enthusiasts can seek out the birthplace of explorer Knud Rasmussen, whose dog sled journey from Greenland to Alaska – and briefly Siberia – during the Fifth Thule Expedition is among the Arctic’s great stories. Keep an eye out for whales as we approach – they sometimes favour these iceberg–strewn waters.

Itilleq is a favourite of guests and Expedition Team alike for its warm welcome. Around 100 residents live among brightly painted homes in shades of green, pink, purple, baby blue, mustard yellow and chocolate brown, with livelihoods often tied to the sea. You may be invited to a kaffemik, or you can follow a short track to a viewpoint near the cemetery for fine fjord and mountain views – watch your step, as lichens, succulents and mushrooms thrive underfoot. A cherished tradition here is a friendly football match with locals – whether you join the game or cheer from the sidelines, it is great fun.

We disembark in Kangerlussuaq and transfer to our charter flight to Reykjavík, where you spend the night in the included hotel – all part of your Charter Flight & Hotel Package.

After breakfast, make your own way to the airport for your flight home, or continue with personal travel plans as prearranged.