West Greenland Discovery

Arrive in the Icelandic capital and make your way to the group hotel near Keflavik Airport. You will have the rest of the day to explore this fascinating city, known for its Norse history,and stunning architecture. If you plan to visit the city of Reykjavik, allow for a one-hour transfer between Keflavik and Reykjavík.

After an early breakfast at the hotel, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Nuuk, Greenland. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to a central downtown location to enjoy time on your own to explore this quaint port town—which is the capital of Greenland—before making your way to the pier for a lateafternoon embarkation.

Congratulations, you’ve crossed 66°33° north latitude. On our firstoff ship excursion in the Arctic, we’ll visit Sisimiut, a community rich in 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 walk winding roads past 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. During our visit, we aim to team up with our local mountain-biking partners in Sisimiut, exploring trails that lead outside the town limits. 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 eager to learn about your part of the world. One scenic walk leads to the Taseralik Cultural House, beside Nalunnguarfiup Tasia, a small tranquil lake at the base of a 780-meter (2,560 mile) 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.

Today you’ll visit Eqip Sermia, also known as Eqi Glacier. This wide-faced tidewater glacier is renowned for its frequent calving, sending chunks of ice crashing into the sea. You’ll likely see icebergs drifting in the bay, accompanied by smaller chunks called brash ice. On quiet days, listen for the soft crackle of those floating shards, and, if you’re lucky, the thunderous roar of calving ice from the glacier’s face. While the glacier is the main attraction, the surrounding landscape is perfect for shore excursions. You can wander the tundra, photographing the summer vegetation and stunning Arctic scenery, or hike farther (and a little uphill) for an elevated view of the glacier and bay. The terrain, a mix of rock and vegetation, allows for various hiking options. We’ll take care not to disturb the delicate plant life that flourishes during Greenland’s brief summer. Following an invigorating morning ashore—perhaps hiking across ancient tundra—you’ll return to the ship, where warmth, a freshly prepared lunch, and a chance to reset await. But the wild Arctic experience isn’t over for the day. From the outer decks, you can watch as icebergs drift by like sculpted monuments, seabirds trace circles overhead, and the vast silence of the Arctic settles around you Humpback whales are known to frequent the area on their annual return to the Arctic, lured by rich feeding opportunities, so you may spot them through your binoculars as they swim among the drifting icebergs. This is what we call the quiet middle—where comfort meets wilderness—as the ship carries you steadily toward your next experience.