West Greenland Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Nuuk

Arrive in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk and transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the city.

Accommodation: Hotel Hans Egede (or similar)

Day 2: Tour of Nuuk and then the voyage begins

The northernmost capital in the world, Nuuk was founded in 1728 by the Norwegian missionary, Hans Egede, and has more than 17,000 inhabitants. The centre of Greenland lies at the mouth of its very own fjord system, on the mid-west coast of Greenland. The fjord system is the second largest in the world and is one of the country’s main drawcards.

On an introductory tour, discover Nuuk’s contrasting architecture from beautiful old buildings to colourful houses – one of Nuuk’s trademarks, with the brightly-coloured houses providing a stark contrast to the rocks or white winter snow. Stop by the newly renovated and roof-covered “brættet”, where the day’s catch of seal, birds and fish are sold.

Other attractions in the town include the award-winning culture centre Katuaq, City Hall, the cathedral from 1849, as well as the National Museum, located down by the colonial buildings at the old harbour, with a stunning view over the fjord. The museum was established in 1966 and became Greenland’s National Museum and Archives, offering a unique ethnographical collection. Discover the famous mummies and costumes from Qilakitsoq in northwest Greenland, as well as the world’s oldest and almost completely intact skin boat the Peary Land Umiaq, whose well-preserved remains are estimated to date back to the 1470s.

After getting familiar with Nuuk on a city tour, embark tyour vessel to commence your voyage.

Days 3 – 10: Exploring Greenland's West Coast

Over the coming days, you will discover the immense beauty of West Greenland. In true expeditionary style, the following places will be visited:

Sisimiut: Greenland’s second-largest town, Sisimiut is the only place in Greenland that has an open-air public swimming pool. The town is also famous for its old blue church with the gate made from whale jaws. The museum in Sisimiut, exhibiting early life in Greenland, allows you to experience local history as well as some cultural-historical treats. There are also various hiking trails, some of which venture into the mountains that offer spectacular vantage points.

The hike from Palasip Qaqqaa to the Priest Mountain is perhaps one of the more challenging hikes offered to a cruise expeditioner visiting Greenland, with a 550 metre (1,805 foot) summit. It takes 3.5 hours and is steep in parts, meaning that a reasonable level of fitness is required. Setting off from Sisimiut harbour, you'll be transported by bus to the starting point of the hike. The first part involves trekking alongside a small river with fresh drinking water, you'll then go on to see the local flora and the possibility of foxes, grouse and eagles. If you’re lucky you might even come across musk oxen.

Throughout the hike, you will be rewarded with stunning views of Sisimiut and then, at the top, you can view the whole town, the surrounding fjords and the sea.

Important: the weather can change quickly so bring a light jacket. Hiking boots are necessary and mosquito repellent is strongly recommended.

Ilulissat: Nature puts on one of its finest displays in Ilulissat with mountainous icebergs drifting from one of the most productive glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere and out into Disko Bay. A short distance south of town is the mind-blowing Ilulissat Icefjord, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 and home to one of the most actively calving glaciers in the world, Sermeq Kujalleq. Enjoy a zodiac cruise at the mouth of the fjord or kayak through the sea ice and icebergs. Hiking trails offer magnificent vistas of the icebergs, with many great photographic opportunities.

An additional helicopter flight can also be booked, allowing you to get as close as possible to the glacier. You'll take off from Ilulissat Airport and cross hills, lakes and ice fjords before landing on the mountain at Kangia, where you can revel in the incredible surroundings for some time. Then fly above the edge of the glacier and the icebergs in the fjord, viewing some of the largest icebergs of all as you make your way back to the town; a wonderful finale to the trip.

The flight lasts approximately 90 minutes and costs AU$760.

Qeqertarsuaq: Greenland’s largest island, Qeqertarsuaq lies in the middle of Disko Bay, about 70 km from the mainland and reachable in a day’s sailing. The island is different from the rest of Greenland due to its volcanic origin. The landscape is characterised by red-tinged basalt mountains, verdant hilltops, interesting rock figures and hot springs (not suitable for bathing). Disko Island is well-known for its beautiful nature, abundant flora and interesting geology that made geological surveys possible from 1848.

From spring to autumn, the area around Disko Island becomes a meeting ground for large whales such as bowhead and humpbacks – a perfect place for kayaking and zodiac cruising for possible whale encounters. In the 17th Century, the first whaling stations were established on Disko Island and the optimal fishing areas drew many European whaling expeditions. Being located nearer to the Arctic Circle, during the summer months, you will see the midnight sun in Qeqertarsuaq, an experience only possible north of Sisimiut.

Uummannaq: Surrounded by steep islands, and an endless supply of icebergs from the Qarajaq Glacier, Uummannaq (meaning “heart-like”) is the centrepiece of an archipelago where everyday hunting and fishing life plays out in the middle of one of nature’s grandest creations in Greenland. As the ship approaches Uummannaq, have your camera ready and be out on deck as the vista is magnificent. Founded as a Danish colony in 1758 on the mainland, the settlement was moved five years later to this nearby island, where seal hunting was more plentiful. As you wander the town, through the snow and ice, watch out for the colourful local houses that are so emblematic of Greenland.

The iconic heart-shaped mountain of Uummannaq towers over the island, and the symbol of the heart is an unmistakable landmark for visitors. Nearby Qilakitsoq, a former settlement, but now an archaeological site, is famous for the discovery of eight mummified bodies in 1972. The mummies which date back to 1475 AD, can now be viewed at the Greenland National Museum in Nuuk. Uummannaq is a great place for zodiac cruising to explore the coastline, kayaking and hiking.

Upernavik: With a name that translates to the Springtime Place, the town has long been associated with Inuit traditions of ice fishing and hunting for sea mammals. Visit a bay dotted with hundreds of islands, the world's largest bird cliffs at Apparsuit, an open-air museum revealing colonial and Viking histories. See thousands of islands interspersed with icebergs stretching off into the distance as you kayak or sail around the waterways, and if conditions permit traverse the mesmerising waters of the Upernavik Icefjord.

Day 10: At Sea

As you sail back south to Nuuk, keep a lookout for whale blows and the seabirds that trail the ship in the ever-present Arctic winds. Enjoy the time to reflect on your recent adventures in Greenland, share and exchange photos, and soak in the spectacular scenery of West Greenland.

Day 11: Return to Nuuk

Arrive back in Nuuk where you disembark and farewell your crew, expedition team and fellow travellers. A transfer to downtown or to the airport is included.