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.

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.

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 traveler, 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.

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.

We will spend two full days journeying southward until we reach the fjords just north of Disko Bay, where we will visit areas unexplored earlier in our voyage. Indulge in the amenities of Ocean Explorer: the two-story, light-filled library at the bow of the ship; two outdoor Jacuzzis, sauna and fitness center; our unique observation areas on Decks 7 and 8 that allow for higher, longer-view landscape photography; and stylish lounges where you can share a drink with new-found friends while enjoying even more incredible views.

We arrive in Uummannaq Fjord in the morning and cruise toward the community of Uummannaq, which, in Greenlandic, translates to “heartshaped,” inspired by the dramatic mountain that rises above the town. Visiting this remote community is a rare privilege. We reach town by Zodiac and may be greeted by locals—and the eversmiling chief of police. It’s been said that smiles in Uummannaq are as common as drifting icebergs. Winding roads take you past colorful homes before reaching a meadow of turf houses and a stone church. You can visit the local museum and artisan market for a glimpse of life in northern Greenland. Another nearby museum honors artist Rockwell Kent, who was inspired by the landscapes of Uummannaq Fjord and Disko Bay. You may choose to join a guided walk or explore on your own. Several homes may open for kaffemik—a social gathering with warm drinks, light snacks, and a chance for locals and visitors to connect. Rest assured, the people of Uummannaq will be curious about your part of the world. Shy smiles and translated conversations are natural parts of these authentic cultural exchanges—and often become some of the most memorable moments of your time in this remote Greenlandic community. A parting gift from one local fisherman: “Keep life simple—simple is beautiful.”

Ilulissat, located in Disko Bay, is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Icefjord, which serves as the thoroughfare for countless icebergs calved from the world’s fastest-moving glacier, Sermeq Kujalleq. A small boardwalk leads to an elevated overlook, where you can view bergs of all sizes spread out before you. The overlook, a rocky outcropping, gives the feeling of standing at the edge of town and the beginning of a vast wilderness. Looking out over the ice evokes a humbling sense of scale. As you explore, notice the Arctic cotton grass and summer wildflowers thriving in theslong daylight hours. The inner harbor often holds evidence of the icefjord’s reach, with drifting icebergs mingling among fishing boats and skiffs. The town itself is well worth exploring, and has become one of Greenland’s top destinations. Recent years have brought growth— colorful homes now sit beside new restaurants, boutique hotels and small businesses. History buffs will be excited to know Ilulissat is the birthplace of Arctic explorer Knud Rasmussen, who traveled by dog sled from Greenland to Alaska (and briefly Siberia) during the Fifth Thule Expedition (1921–1924). Fluent in Kalaallisut, he moved slowly, learning from and documenting the Circumpolar Inuit he met—considered one of the Arctic’s greatest expeditions. The dramatic landscapes around Ilulissat inspired Rasmussen’s life of exploration. And as we approach town, watch out for whales, which occasionally frequent the iceberg-laden waters.

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