West Greenland Small Ship Adventure

Day 1: Arrival in Ilulissat, Greenland

Make your own way to Ilulissat, the town by the famous ice fjord. The moment you step foot here, you're met with a jaw-dropping Arctic landscape: rolling hills, vast glaciers and a bay filled with sculpted icebergs.

In the afternoon, you'll board your 12-guest ship and begin the voyage in true expedition style. Your route from here will be guided by the conditions of ice and weather, so a flexible mindset is essential.

Days 2 to 11: Expedition cruising in West Greenland

You'll begin the real adventure by exploring the ice-choked waters of Disko Bay before heading south. This region is prime humpback feeding ground, so keep your eyes peeled for whale sightings as you pass the colourful coastal homes of Aasiaat.

Sailing through an inland passage toward Sisimiut, your ship will weave among scattered islands, fjords and dramatic cliffs. If conditions allow, you may go ashore to explore the settlement, or instead head into the surrounding wilderness, rich with cod, whales and the occasional sighting of musk oxen during hikes.

As you leave the ice-filled fjords behind, scattered icebergs continue to drift past. The vessel will sail by Sermersuut Island and may navigate into the majestic Kangerlussuatsiaq – nicknamed the “Fjord of Eternity” – where mountains soar 6,562 ft (2,000 m) straight up from the sea.

The next stop is Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, stunningly set against a backdrop of rugged peaks. Minke and pilot whales are known to frequent the bay. Here, you can visit the National Museum, home to Greenland’s most extensive collection of cultural history, offering a deep insight into the many traditions and migrations that have shaped this vast land.

Heading further south, you'll continue towards the fjords near Qaqortoq. En route, the hope is to stop at the abandoned mining town of Ivittuut, once the world’s main source of naturally occurring cryolite. A trek here may reveal musk oxen grazing in the area.

Nearby lies the mythical Ikka Fjord. According to Inuit legend, invaders were lured onto the thinning ice here, where they perished in the frigid waters. Their ‘remains’ – ghostly white columns – can still be seen on the seabed. These are made not of bone, but of ikaite, a rare mineral found in only a few locations around the world.

The landscapes you'll travel through hold countless stories, from Inuit legends and spiritual practices to the rise and fall of the Norse settlers. Inuit culture teaches deep respect for nature and the animals that sustain life. When a seal is hunted, a small jug of fresh water is poured into its mouth – an offering so its soul will not go thirsty. Such traditions honour the Sea Goddess Sedna, guardian of the marine creatures.

As you reach Qaqortoq, Southern Greenland’s largest town, you'll be greeted by colourful houses nestled into steep mountain slopes, surrounded by serene fjords. The ship will journey into nearby Eriksfjord, named for Erik the Red, the Norse explorer who founded Greenland’s first European settlement. During a landing, you'll visit Brattahlid, his original estate established in the late 10th Century.

Weather permitting, you may also venture to the hot springs at Uunarteq, natural geothermal pools with stunning views of jagged peaks and drifting ice. A soak here is the perfect Arctic reward.

Day 12: En route homewards

Today, you'll disembark and continue on to the airport in Qaqortoq, southern Greenland, to travel further in the region or begin your journey home.

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.