South & Eastern Greenland Small Ship Adventure

Day 1: Flight to Greenland and embarkation

You'll fly to Qaqortoq in southern Greenland today from Copenhagen, included as part of your transfer package, and board your small 12-person ship. From here, the route will be shaped by the conditions ahead – weather and ice will guide the path, so flexibility is an essential part of the adventure.

Days 2 to 9: Days exploring Greenland

Today, the journey starts in earnest in Qaqortoq, the largest town in South Greenland, home to around 3,200 people. Set on a mountainside and surrounded by majestic fjords, it’s a place rich with stories and culture.

You'll dive into Greenlandic history and Inuit traditions here, learning about the deep respect the Inuit hold for nature and the animals they rely on. In times of environmental hardship, objects from hunting and fishing were transformed into intricate amulets and artworks. These weren’t just practical items; they were offerings of gratitude, particularly to the sea goddess Sedna, believed to release the souls of hunted animals.

This reverence continues today. When hunting seals, the Inuit still carry a small jug of freshwater, which they pour into the seal’s mouth so its spirit won’t go thirsty. You'll hear many such stories – of migration, mythology and the endurance of cultures shaped by this land.

But this region offers far more than stories. You'll step ashore on seldom-visited islands and keep watch for curious whales. The aim is to visit one of South Greenland’s working sheep farms and, at Uunartoq, sink into naturally heated hot springs, surrounded by dramatic peaks and drifting icebergs.

Sailing through Eriksfjord, named for Erik the Red, the Norse explorer exiled from Iceland in 980, the plan is to visit Brattahlid, the estate he established at the end of the 10th Century. The expedition leader guiding your journey also hope to stop at Hvalsey Church, Greenland’s best-preserved Norse ruin.

The route then turns south. You'll enter the western mouth of Prince Christian Sound, a narrow, winding fjord system flanked by towering mountains and sheer cliffs that drop straight into the water. The otherworldly scenery has drawn comparisons to Tolkien’s Mordor. Here, you can keep an eye out for harbour seals, ringed seals and whales.

Crossing to East Greenland, you'll travel along a wild and rarely visited coastline, where plans will depend heavily on ice and weather conditions. Some days will be spent mostly at sea, sailing alongside a procession of drifting icebergs and gazing at towering glaciers that plunge directly into the ocean.

If conditions allow, you may enter one of the remote fjords along this coast. You can hope to stop at Umivik Bay, the starting point for Fridtjof Nansen’s legendary 1888 crossing of the Greenland ice sheet.

Entering the vast Sermilik Fjord system, you'll be met by an incredible display of icebergs of every shape and size, many calved from the Helheim Glacier, one of the largest in Greenland. Sermilik stretches 56 miles (90 km), cutting through a dramatic landscape of glacial cliffs and jagged peaks. Your Captain will anchor in calm, beautiful spots and scan the water for whales.

If the ice permits, you may reach Tiilerilaaq, a small settlement perched above the fjord. Here, traditional hunting and fishing remain central to everyday life. You might take a hike to gain sweeping views over Sermilik and its shimmering ice.

Further along, you'll arrive in Tasiilaq, the largest settlement in East Greenland, with a population of just under 2,000. This region holds on to older Inuit traditions more strongly than the west, with shamanism and ancestral stories still woven into daily life.

You'll learn about local myths, such as the terrifying tupilaqs (revenge spirits crafted by shamans using animal bones, hair and other materials). Tasiilaq is also a hub for Greenlandic art, where local creators turn these stories into vibrant prints, sculptures and textiles that capture the spirit of the land.

Day 10: Kulusuk – Keflavik

Today, you'll disembark in Greenland's Kulusuk and head to the airport for your flight to Keflavik, Iceland. After landing on this North Atlantic island, you'll check into your group hotel.

Day 11: Homeward bound

Today, you'll say goodbye to your fellow travellers and either return home or towards brand-new adventures.

NOTE: This itinerary is for guidance only as each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions, and opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is key and all part of the adventure of an expeditionary cruise.