Greenland’s West Coast – Culture and Contrasts

We arrive independently to the town by the ice fjord, Ilulissat. As soon as we arrive, the breathtaking natural scenery captivates us, showcasing hills, glaciers, and a bay dotted with icebergs. The remoteness from our everyday life is obvious! In the afternoon we board M/S Balto. We are now on a voyage in true expedition style and our exact route is depending on weather and ice and the itinerary must be kept flexible!

We continue to explore the ice-choked Disko Bay area, before we head south. We are constantly on the lookout, since we are very likely to sail through humpback feeding grounds. We also pass the small and colourful houses of Aasiaat. As we continue via an inland passage towards Sisimiut, we sail amongst small islands, fjords and cliffs. We might pay a short visit to wander the streets, or we might opt for the surrounding wild fjords with an abundance of cod and various whale species. During hikes we might see the iconic muskox.As we now leave the ice-filled fjords behind, only random icebergs will pass our way. We pass by Sermersuut Island and might enter the magical Kangerlussuatsiaq fjord (the fjord of eternity), where huge mountains up to 2000 metres rise straight from the ocean.We then reach Nuuk. The capital’s setting is stunning, and the bay is sometimes visited by minke and pilot whales. We pay a visit to the National Museum, Greenland’s largest museum of cultural history. The collections come from all over the country, brought from various archaeological and small museum displays over recent years and the visit gives us great insight into the many different cultures of Greenland.Our journey continues south towards the fjords around Qaqortoq. En route we hope to stop by the abandoned mining town of Ivittuut – one of the few places in the world to have discovered naturally occurring cryolite. During a hike here we have good chances of seeing muskox.Nearby is the Ikka fjord. The legend says that the Inuit people drove invaders out onto the thin ice and when the ice gave way, the invaders died in the ice-cold water. If you look closely, you can catch a glimpse of their petrified remains on the bottom. The figures on the bottom…

We disembark, continue to the airport in Qaqortoq and begin our journey home.

Our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and wildlife as well as permissions and restrictions from local authorities. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sites this region of Greenland has to offer. We always strive to maximize your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!