West Greenland: Exploring the Far North

Arrive in the Icelandic capital and make your way to the group hotel near Keflavik airport, included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. You will have the rest of the day to explore this fascinating city, known for its Norse history and stunning architecture. If you do plan to visit Reykjavik, allow for a one-hour transfer to and from the airport area.

After breakfast, guests and their luggage will be transferred to the airport for the charter flight to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Upon arrival, guests will be transferred to their ship, Ocean Explorer.

Congratulations, you’ve crossed 66°33’ north latitude. On our first-off ship excursion in the Arctic, we’ll visit Sisimiut, a community rich with 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 through this vibrant town dotted with 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, peaceful pace. You may hear children laughing, sled dogs barking, and locals exchanging greetings. 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. Today’s activities feature a locally guided town walk that includes admission to the museum, and a taste of local Greenlandic food. You will also be able to converse 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 the 780-meter (2,550 feet) 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. Guests can also book our Mountain Bike Adventure Option. Led by local partners, this biking tour includes the town harbor area as well as the tundra surrounding Sisimiut.

In September, Disko Bay is bathed in an ethereal autumn light—a phenomenon specific to the high latitudes. Giant icebergs drift with the currents, many of which can be seen in nearby Illulisat Icefjord, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 because of its outstanding natural beauty and its significance in understanding ice-cap glaciology. You’ll quickly realize that icebergs come in all shapes and sizes— some of them larger than Ocean Explorer. Disko Island shelters the expansive bay, where we hope to make landfall at or near the small community of Qeqertarsuaq. Colorfully painted homes dot the gentle rocky slopes of this quiet community, which moves at a pace set by the changing seasons, the tides, and the steady rhythm of small skiffs heading out from the harbor into the vast surrounding landscape. The sea horizon here feels endless. Icebergs drift past—some bound for Baffin Island, Labrador, or even Newfoundland—reminding us of our vast, interconnected world. From this point, we begin to leave behind the more populated regions of West Greenland and push farther northwards. Shortly after lunch, we set a course northward toward Ultima Thule—the extreme far north.

There’s a good chance you will wake up surrounded by icebergs and mountainous landscapes to the east. We continue our push north, arriving at the beautiful community of Upernavik around midday. Although much farther north than most Greenland communities, Upernavik is relatively large, with a population topping 1,000, most of whom live in brightly painted homes that climb the hillside from the sea. The signature quiet of the town amplifies the lap of waves on rock, barking sled dogs, children’s laughter, and the hum of ATVs. Down in the small harbor, you may see fishermen and hunters heading out or just returning from sea. Although Upernavik is an active harbor town, the pace is noticeably slower than in Sisimiut. There’s a deep connection to the sea and sea ice. Here, we’ll meet friendly, welcoming locals—proud of their home and local culture. We may visit the grave of Navarana, the wife of famous Arctic explorer Peter Freuchen, who was buried here in the 1920s. Navarana, a seasoned Arctic traveller, joined her husband and Knud Rasmussen on numerous expeditions, using her vast knowledge to guide them through the coastlines, ice, and cultures of northern Baffin Bay. We aim to leave Upernavik after dinner to continue our epic journey to the high north.

Reaching Ultima Thule, at the highest latitude on our voyage, is no small feat—it requires covering great distances at sea. Today you’ll be able to relax on board, gaze out at the horizon, spot icebergs and possibly marine mammals. Our Expedition Team will host a variety of presentations as they recap recent experiences and set the stage for what lies ahead. Sea days also offer opportunities to connect with fellow travelers from around the world—united by a shared passion for Arctic travel. Conversations flow easily here, many leading to lifelong friendships.

Today marks the northernmost point of our journey, in the region of Kap Alexander and Smith Sound—the famous narrow body of water separating Greenland and Canada by less than 55 kilometers (35 miles). On clear days, both coastlines may be visible from Smith Sound. This dynamic area is shaped by drifting sea ice from the Arctic Basin. Conditions vary daily—packed sea ice one day, open water the next. Your Expedition Team will navigate accordingly to make the most of our time in Kap Alexander. We may Zodiac cruise here, immersed in the remote, far-north landscapes—where drifting ice, resilient wildlife, and distant mountains of Greenland and Canada surround us. Shore landings may be possible in places few have ever set foot. In early September, migratory birds often gather, and other iconic Arctic species— polar bears, muskoxen, Arctic foxes, and belugas—are sometimes spotted. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but always worth watching for. Reaching this latitude is a rare privilege, and you’ll feel just how different it is here compared to regions 1,000 nautical miles to the south. While daylight hours still offer warmth by day and Northern Lights when darkness falls, you’ll sense the polar night approaching—ready to return and cloak this region in darkness for months. Here, time isn’t marked by conventional sunrises or weekdays, but by polar extremes. Take a moment to look north, deeper into Smith Sound, and let your imagination follow the Arctic wilderness as it stretches into the Arctic Basin and across the polar ice to Siberia. This is a place where nature—not the clock—sets the rhythm.

Today, we disembark in Kangerlussuaq, formerly known as Søndre Strømfjord, and transfer you to your charter flight to Reykjavik, where you’ll spend the night in your included hotel, both of which are included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package.

Today, after breakfast, make your way independently to the airport for your f light home, or continue your personal travel plans as prearranged.