Greenland Disko Bay Discovered - 8 Days
Greenland Disko Bay Discovered - 8 Days
8 Days Starting in Reykjavik and ending in Kangerlussuaq
Visiting: Reykjavik, Exploring Sisimiut , Disko Island & Qeqertarsuaq, Uummannaq, Eqip Sermia Glacier, Ilulissat, Sarfannguit, Kangerlussuaq
Tour operator:
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 198
Age range:
12 or above
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Discover the icy wonders of Greenland and cross the Arctic circle on this 8-day expedition cruise which takes in magical fjords, calving glaciers and remote towns. Cruise past giant icebergs in Disko Bay, look out for whales and other marine life breaching the waves and sail up close to the spectacular Eqip Sermia Glacier. Explore beautiful Uummannaq, the Iceberg capital of Ilulissat, the tiny Inuit settlement of Sarfannguit and Sisimiut.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Reykjavik
Location: Reykjavik
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Ocean Albatros Ship
Meals Included: Dinner
Copenhagen - Kangerlussuaq (Greenland). Included flight from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq, one of the main settlements on Greenland, with a population of around 500. Here you can take a stroll around the town on your own until embarkation time at 3pm.
We will transfer to the harbour and board the ship by Zodiacs that ferry us to the ship anchored about one kilometre out into the fjord. Check into your stateroom and after a safety briefing, enjoy a glass of champagne and dinner as we set sail.
Day 2: Exploring Sisimiut
Location: Exploring Sisimiut
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Ocean Albatros Ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Kangerlussuaq - Sisimiut. This morning we dock at Sisimiut, Greenland's 'second city'. Enjoy taking in the highlights of the settlement including the historical colonial quarter, 18th century Blue Church and the oldest house in town, which dates back to 1756, when Count Johan Ludvig Holstein established a colony here.
Later, take the chance to explore the Spedjesø, offering many activities such as an exhibition in the cultural center Taseralik, learning about heritage in the city museum or browsing traditional crafts from the Artists workshop.
After our exploration, we set sail, heading north towards Disko Bay. Cruising on magical fjords, we pass small villages and towns on the coast. Keep your eyes peeled from the observation deck in search of whales and dolphins. As we are now in the Arctic Circle, the nights will be bright, and you can spot gigantic icebergs from the nearby Ilulissat Icefjord floating by in the midnight sun.
Day 3: Disko Island & Qeqertarsuaq
Location: Disko Island & Qeqertarsuaq
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Ocean Albatros Ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sisimiut - Qeqertarsuaq - Uummannaq. Today we dock at the southern tip of Disko Island, in the natural harbour of Qeqertarsuaq. The town has a rich history, and was once an economic hub for the now-banned whaling industry. During our visit, we wander through town, taking in the octagonal church, multicoloured homes and fascinating local museum.
In the afternoon, our vessel is re-positioned to the east to explore Kuannits' coastline. There are plenty of magnificent sights along the way, such as lush greenery, flowing mountain springs, peculiar basalt rock formations, and a vast array of spectacular icebergs.
After our time exploring Kunnait, we depart north towards Uummannaq.
Day 4: Uummannaq
Location: Uummannaq
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Ocean Albatros Ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Uummannaq. Wake up this morning 600km north of the Arctic Circle in Uummannaq, one of Greenland's most picturesque and sunny regions. Uummannaq means ‘place where the heart is’ and an impressive 1175m high heart-shaped mountain towers over this town which is located on a small island. There's time to explore the town before heading back to the ship for lunch. From the town there is an extraordinary vista comprising the island’s 1,000-meter tall rock faces, the snow-covered peaks on Nuussuaq peninsula to the south, and out across the fjord. In the fjord, icebergs of all shapes and sizes majestically float by on a course set by wind and current.
Day 5: Eqip Sermia Glacier
Location: Eqip Sermia Glacier
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Ocean Albatros Ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Uummannaq - Eqip Sermia glacier - Ilulissat. This morning the ship reaches the spectacular Eqip Sermia glacier, which is renowned for its jaw-dropping beauty. Admire this incredible natural wonder as we enjoy lunch on the sun deck. We will sail as close as possible to the ice’s edge – but at a safe distance to avoid any falling blocks of ice and crashing waves which can result from the calving glacier.
This afternoon we travel on to Ilulissat where we dock for the evening.
Day 6: Ilulissat
Location: Ilulissat
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Ocean Albatros Ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ilulissat is Greenland’s third largest town and its name literally translates to 'icebergs' in Greenlandic. In Disko Bay, which is located just off the coast of Ilulissat, gigantic icebergs rise from the freezing waters which have earned Ilulissat, the name of 'the Iceberg Capital'. These icebergs come from the Icefjord, which is located a half hour’s hike south of Ilulissat.
Today there's an optional boat trip to the Icefjord (optional and subject to an additional charge). The journey takes about two and a half hours in total, a great opportunity to take a closer look at the amazing ice-sculpted scenery. There is also an opportunity to arrange an optional flightseeing excursion over the Icefjord in a fixed wing aircraft.
Later in the day we leave Ilulissat behind and head out of Disko Bay to begin our return journey south.
Day 7: Sarfannguit
Location: Sarfannguit
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Ocean Albatros Ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ilulissat - Sarfannguit. Our port of call today is the tiny remote settlement of Sarfannguit. The hardy inhabitants here maintain a traditional Inuit lifestyle of hunting, trapping and fishing, although modern amenities such as internet and smartphones have made life easier.
Colourful houses covering the hillside with views across the water make this a little town a beautiful place to stop and thanks to good caribou hunting and fishing opportunities the settlement is relatively well off. Sarfannguit means 'small streams' in Greenlandic and is located on an island of the same name. On a walk though the village we will discover more about rural life in this challenging part of the world before returning to the ship. Setting sail, we head back towards Kangerlussuaq, taking in amazing views of the surrounding high mountains and steep valleys.
Change of Itinerary For 2025: The visit to Sarfannguit will be replaced with a visit to the settlement of Itilleq, which is another tiny village with a rich Inuit heritage.
Day 8: Kangerlussuaq
Location: Kangerlussuaq
Meals Included: Breakfast
Sarfannguit - Kangerlussuaq - Copenhagen. During the night we will have completed our passage through the 160km Kangerlussuaq Fjord. After breakfast aboard the ship, we will bid farewell to the ship's staff and the Zodiac boats will shuttle us to shore. There's an included group transfer to the airport and charter flight to Copenhagen (Denmark).
What's Included
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Accommodation
Ocean Albatros expedition ship -
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners - full board with complimentary coffee, tea and water
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7 nights aboard the Ocean Atlantic/Ocean Albatros expedition cruise ship in a shared outside double cabin with private facilities (other cabins available on request)
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Return flights Copenhagen - Kangerlussuaq
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Transfer from Kangerlussuaq airport to the port on day 1
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Services of the ship captain and crew, expedition team and English-speaking guides
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Guiding and lectures by our experienced expedition leader and team and a special photo workshop
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City tours in Sisimiut, Qeqertarsuaq, Uummannaq and Ilulissat
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Museum visits in Sisimiut, Qeqertarsuaq and Ilulissat and church visits in Qeqertarsuaq and Ilulissat
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Welcome and farewell cocktails
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Digital visual journal link after the voyage, including voyage log, gallery, species list and more!
What's Not Included
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International flights and visa
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Tips for the crew (we recommend USD 16 per person per day)
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Any meals not onboard the ship & any drinks (excluding tea and coffee)
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Pre and post tour accommodation, plus any airport or port transfers
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Optional excursions
Accommodation
Ocean Albatros
Having made her debut in November 2022 the Ocean Albatros is one of the most popular expedition cruise vessels in the world. With the highest Polar code 6 and Ice class 1A, the Ocean Albatros is ideal for small-ship expedition cruising in the Arctic, with a sturdy construction offering high stability in rough weather. For shore landings the ship has 18 motorized rubber ‘Zodiac’ boats, taking you to exciting areas that the larger vessel can't reach. This state-of-the-art vessel is also part of a new generation of low-energy vessels, ensuring it's environmentally friendly with a 50% lower carbon footprint than traditional expedition ships.
There are 95 comfortable cabins and suites on board, including 12 single cabins. All of the cabins are spacious with an en suite bathroom, sofa and a TV, with either portholes or windows, offering an unobstructed sea view. The higher category of cabins also have their own balcony.
On board you can soak up the scenery and spot wildlife from the viewing deck and observation lounge or head to the Sunpool Deck to enjoy the jacuzzi and pool bar. The spa boasts a unique panorama sauna and there's a gym if you want to work up a sweat. Enjoy tasty international cuisine in the two on board restaurants and relax with a drink in the Nordic bar after an incredible day spotting giant glaciers and icebergs.
Age Policy
12 or above
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Transfer from Kangerlussuaq airport to the port on day 1
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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