Greenland from the Sea

Sailing plays a very important role in the Greenlandic

infrastructure and a cruise along the West coast of

Greenland is a fabulous way of experiencing this beautiful

and varied country.

 

During the sea voyage you have the opportunity to meet the local population as they travel from town to town visiting friends and family along the coast. Experience the contrast between rough Arctic nature as you sail southwards to reach the green and fertile scenery of South Greenland. The ship sails in open waters and in narrow straits, so close you can almost touch the mountain sides!

The ship departs from Ilulissat, Iceland’s third largest town, famous for the great icebergs in the Ice Fjord, and ends in Narsaq, a typical Greenlandic town with small wooden houses painted in bright colours on the shores of Narsaq Sund. Along the way the ship calls at the major towns and a few smaller, picturesque, settlements; everywhere the arrival of the ship is greeted by locals in the harbour.

Life onboard is very relaxing providing plenty of time to enjoy the view whilst keeping your eyes peeled for humpback whales playing in the sea.

View Greenland from the Sea in a larger map

Day 1

Fly from the UK to Reykjavik in Iceland. Airport bus transfer to hotel.

1 night REYKJAVIK - Hotel Björk (BB)

Day 2

Take a taxi to Reykjavk Domestic Airport for the Air Iceland flight to Ilulissat. Met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for check-in, information meeting and city walk.

1 night ILULISSAT - Hotel Arctic (HB)

Day 3

Day at leisure in Ilulissat before transferring at 1600 to the pier for embarkation onboard m.v. Sarfaq Ittuk. Departure at 1700 bearing southwards along the Greenlandic West Coast with a short stop in Aasiaat en route.

1 night ONBOARD - Outside cabin (HB)

 

Day 4

Continue cruising southwards arriving in Sisimiut at 0900 with a couple of hours to stretch your legs on land before setting sail for Manniitsoq arriving late evening.

1 night ONBOARD - Outside cabin (HB)

Day 5

An early morning arrival at Greenland's capital city, Nuuk, is followed by a guided tour of the town. Nuuk was founded in 1728 by the missionary Hans Egede and has a very rich and varied history with the oldest settlements dating back 4200 years. Short evening stop in Paamiut.

1 night ONBOARD - Outside cabin (HB)

Day 6

The ship now enters the South Greenland Archipelago with an afternoon stop in Qaqortoq before continuing to Narsaq, arriving late evening. Met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for check-in and information meeting.

1 night NARSAQ - Hotel Narsaq (HB)

Day 7

Transfer to narsaq pier and continue by boat through Erik's Fjord to Narsarsuaq. Transfer from the pier to Narsarsuaq Airport for flight to Reykjavik arriving mid-evening.

1 night REYKJAVIK - Hotel Björk (BB)

Day 8

Transfer to Reykjavik Airport for return flight to the UK.

Departure Day:  Fridays from London Heathrow Airport (departures also possible from Manchester and Glasgow at no extra charge however additional nights may be required to fit in with flight schedules).
Departure Dates:  22 June - 24 August 2012
Duration:  7 or 9 nights (9 night holiday has 2 extra nights in Ilulissat).

The Icebergs of Sermermiut (Summer)

Description: The journey starts by bus as far as the road goes before continuing on foot along the UNESCO designated Ilulissat Ice Fjord to Sermermiut where traces from the three old Eskimo cultures can be seen. Sermermiut is a fertile valley next to the Ice Fjord; here you can enjoy the flowers as well as the fantastic icebergs.
Duration: 3 hours.
Price: £40 per person including refreshment.

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Midnight Cruise to the Ice Fjord (summer)

Description: The Midnight Sun and the warm red colours reflecting in the gigantic icebergs is a fantastic sight. Cruise between the icebergs and enjoy a late Martini on 'the real rocks'!!
Duration: 3 hours
Price: £81 per person

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By Helicopter to the Ice Cap (summer)

Description: A magnificent helicopter excursion in Ilulissat. The tour includes a ground stop and explores either in front of the glacier itself (long tour) or mid fjord overlooking the whole ice fjord (short tour). Actual tour depends on helicopter available. During the tour the helicopter will cruise at low altitude over the Ilulissat Ice Fjord.
Duration: Either 55 minutes or 30 minutes plus ground stops.
Price: £347 per person (55 mins) or £292 per person (30 mins).

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Home Visit (Greenland)

Description:  Visit a Greenland home, enjoy the 'Coffee-Mik' (a cup of coffee which by tradition is served to all visitors) and learn about Greenland and its population.
Duration:  2 hours.
Price:  £23 per person.

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Fishing Tour (Greenland)

Description:  We sail to the fishing spot of the day, most probably near Bredebugt or at the mouth of the Ilulissat Ice Fjord. While waiting for our catch we have time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. By the end of the day we will hopefully bring home different sorts of fish like cod, halibut, redfish and catfish.
Duration:  4 hours.
Price:  £151 per person.

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Feeding the Huskies (Greenland)

Description:  Ilulissat is a sledge-area and the approx. 3500 dogs in town are still used for both  work and fun every winter. We invite you to join the feeding of a dog team. You can see, feel, touch and most of all hear the howling of 20 hungry dogs. The owner will demonstrate the sledge and the harness and tell you about olife as a seldge dog in Greenland. Good shoes advised!
Duration:  1 hour.
Price:  £23 per person.

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Whale Safari (Greenland summer)

Description:  We journey by boat out into the Disko Bay to spot whales. In the summer time humpback whales come to the Disko Bay to feed on the capelin, a small herring-like fish. As the humpback whales are protected they are very trusting and can often be enjoyed at close range. However, as this is not a zoo there is, of course, no guarantee for seeing the whales.
Duration:  5 hours.
Price:  £116 per person including lunch packet.

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Hike - The Dyrnæs Peninsula and Kvanefjeld from Narsaq

Description:  Walk up along Narsaq river to the geological interesting area around the Kvanefjeld (Kvane Mountain). Here we might find the rare gem stone Tugtupit only to be found in this area and in a small part of Siberia. The Arctic scenery is amazing and the view incredible. Packed lunch included.
Duration:  5-6 hours (approx.).
Price:  £73 per person including lunch.

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Half-Day by Boat to Eskimo Ruins from Narsaq

Description:  By boat across the Narsaq Sound among the numerous icebergs to a natural harbour where we go ashore to see the ruins of Eskimo dwellings and some "jumping stones" - a popular game in the old Eskimo world.
Duration:  3 hours (approx.).
Price:  £73 per person.

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Evening Cruise from Narsaq

Description:  We sail into the fiords surrounding Narsaq to enjoy the beautiful evening light with all its pink and purple shades on the icebergs. With a little luck we might even see a whale coming into the area to feed on the capelin, a small herring-like fish.
Duration:  1½ -2 hours (approx.).
Price:  £61 per person.

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