Kangerlussuaq - Reykjavik Expedition West and East Greenland: through fjords, ice and time

In the magical Arctic light, the wonders of the west coast of Greenland will be illuminated north of the Arctic Circle. A vast and silent landscape, home to relics of a 4,500-year-old culture – seemingly almost forgotten by the world.

In Sisimiut, where the remarkable old town seems like a museum village, the oldest settlement traces date back over 4,000 years, deep into the Saqqaq culture. Join your experts to hike over rocks and through tundra – to relics from the whaling era. A hike to Tele Island will also take you back thousands of years to see ancient ruins and graves, crowned by magnificent views of Sisimiut and the coast.

Disko Bay will provide even more memorable moments. Ice sculptures in all manner of forms drift slowly through the vast area. Enjoy this natural spectacle from your front-row seat on deck – or take a Zodiac ride to the centre of the action. Illuminated by the sunlight, the ice gleams in a fascinating play of colours from white to azure blue. Depending on the local conditions, we will also visit the world-famous Ilulissat Icefjord. Here you can witness one of the most active glaciers in the world releasing majestic icebergs into the vastness of the fjord – an incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Arsukfjord is also a gem. In Greenlandic, “Arsuk” means “beloved place” – and you will soon see why on a hike along the fjord. Together with your experts, you will hopefully be able to see musk oxen in the expansive tundra. In the abandoned town of Ivigtut, in contrast, you will gain an insight into the era of mining – perhaps you will find yourself some cryolite and siderite souvenirs, which were mined here.

The ice-dependent passage through Prince Christian Sound – one of the most beautiful passages in Greenland, 64 km (40 mi.) long and in some places barely 500 m (1,640 ft) wide – offers an intoxicating monumental view of nature. Waterfalls and glaciers that reach into the turquoise-coloured water, as well as colourful fishing huts, will pass by you. A cry of “Whale up ahead!” could sound from the bridge at any time, and the many open deck areas provide the best opportunities for sightings.

The route along the south and east coasts of Greenland will set every explorer’s pulse racing. The ice shield on the coast of east Greenland only opens up at this time of year, providing you with rare insights.

In Skjoldungen Sound, you will be taken deep into a fantastic fjord landscape. On both sides of the ship, the mountains rise up steeply several hundred metres into the air. Glaciers and waterfalls line the route. The Zodiacs are put to water for a landing in Dronning Marie Dal. Dramatic mountains, wild and untouched nature – experience Greenland’s rugged beauty in its purest form on a hike. Always accompanying you will be your experts, who will tell you all about the vegetation, animal kingdom and geology.

It’s hard to imagine living in this inaccessible landscape. The small settlement of Tasiilaq will give you an impression of what it might be like. Raw, untouched, barely inhabited – with its rugged mountain and fjord landscape, this place is a hiker’s paradise. The working life of the Greenland Dog is also interesting: unlike in Lapland, the huskies here are pure working animals and have a much wilder character.

Ittoqqortoormiit, one of Greenland’s smallest communities, is like an Arctic haven of peace. A small museum will show you what the settlement was like in the past and bring Inuit history to life. Stroll through the village and past the football pitch to a view point with beautiful, far-reaching views.

One particular highlight of your expedition awaits you further north in Northeast Greenland National Park – the largest of its kind in the world and home to musk oxen, Arctic foxes and Arctic hares. Your ship follows a flexible course to the deep fjords. From the Zodiacs and from the deck, marvel at the mountain flanks of the Alpefjord towering up to 3,000 m (9,842 ft) above you. Equally majestic, the King Oscar Fjord will complete your unforgettable impressions of Greenland’s pristine beauty – perhaps even with a polar bear sighting. On Clavering Island, you will find traces of earlier expeditions on hikes with your team of experts.

After the lonely shores of the North Atlantic, you will return to civilisation in Reykjavik. Here, too, the proximity to nature is palpable: the sea, the clear air and the surrounding mountains characterise the townscape. Arriving late in the evening, the Icelandic capital is bathed in a tranquil light – ideal for ending your journey in a relaxed atmosphere. An evening stroll through the quietening town centre gives you the opportunity to soak up this special atmosphere and Nordic flair.