South Greenland: Alpine Exploration by Helicopter

Arrive in Reykjavik and transfer independently to your hotel, which is included in the Charter Flight & Hotel Package. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to explore sites of the fascinating capital, which is known for its mix of modern architecture and Viking heritage. At 64°08’ north, Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost capital of an independent sovereign state.

As we cruise north across Denmark Strait, with views of Greenland in the distance, your Expedition Team will prepare you for the adventures ahead. Our polar presentations are an excellent way to learn about the storied history of the Arctic, its fascinating wildlife, geology, glaciology, ecology, and climate, and the incredible sights that await you. The team will also help you search for seabirds soaring around your ship, as well as whales that frequent the surrounding waters.

As we arrive in Greenland, towering f jords and hanging glaciers grab our attention, marking our first encounter with the remote east coast. This uninhabited region offers excellent opportunities for wildlife sightings, including humpback whales and the occasional polar bear. Depending on conditions, you may explore this iceshaped landscape by sea, land, and air— through Zodiac cruising, hiking, paddling, and heli-landings. Look forward to exploring the fjords of Greenland’s east coast, including Lindenow Fjord (Kangerlussuaq). Thousands of years ago, Paleo-Inuit hunters and fishermen lived in these isolated landscapes, sustained by the sea long before European explorers and mass settlements. Traces of their presence remain today, set against cascading glaciers and steep mountains. The fjords are where you can observe plenty of wildlife, especially marine mammals. Rare sightings of polar bears are also possible as they drift down from the north on sea ice floes propelled by the East Greenland Current. Humpback whales are often sighted when entering fjords as the shallowing seas bring an upwelling of nutrients to the surface. As we watch for wildlife, the alpine terrain invites exploration by sea, land, and air, offering a fully immersive experience of this remote icescape. Conditions permitting, activities may include heli-landings, hiking, paddling, Zodiac cruising, and shore landings.

We’ll transit through the scenic 105-kilometer-long Prins Christian Sund (Ikerasassuaq), and explore the dramatic fjords of South Greenland. Our team plans a visit to the village of Aappilattoq, where you can experience local culture, music, and traditional foods. The journey continues to Tasermiut Fjord—a 70-kilometer, cliff-lined waterway known as “Arctic Patagonia”— where overnight camping and excursions unfold among glaciers and towering peaks. The maze of fjords, sounds, islets, inlets, and skerries around Cape Farewell (Nunap Isua), Greenland’s southernmost tip, has a distinct character. Transiting Prins Christian Sund (Ikerasassuaq)—one of the world’s most scenic fjords—is unforgettable. Expect dramatic mountain and seascapes, with glaciers tumbling to the sea and striking views at every turn. This region is home to Southern Greenlanders living on the frontier, where migrating hunting peoples from the east eventually settled near European trading posts. The few villages in this southern region are known for communities that remain closely tied to hunting and fishing traditions. We hope to visit Aappilattoq, a close-knit Greenlandic Inuit community on the shores of Prins Christian Sund, where you’ll meet local partners and residents. Guests may have the opportunity to hear stories and music, sample traditional foods, learn about hunting practices, and perhaps even join a friendly game of soccer. Your time in Arctic Patagonia will allow you to marvel at the impressive glacier at its head, with rivers of ice tumbling toward the sea, and the imposing peaks of Nalumasortoq and Ulamertorsuaq that dominate the skyline, making for the most scenic backdrops to your hike or helicopter excursion.

Following in the footsteps of the Greenlandic Norse into the western fjords, it’s easy to see why Erik the Red chose this land and gave Greenland its name. In every direction, blue, ice-strewn waters meet lush valleys and blooming pastures. Warm microclimates deep within the f jords—rare across the Arctic—create surprisingly fertile landscapes. Farming traditions dating back to Viking times continue today, with families tending remote sheep farms and producing seasonal crops along the shores. This quiet, pastoral landscape is a sharp contrast to what comes next: the Greenland Ice Sheet. With an average thickness of 1,673 meters (5,489 feet) and a maximum depth of over 3,488 meters (11,444 feet) at its thickest point, the Greenland Ice Sheet covers approximately 80% of the island. You will enjoy sweeping aerial views of the world’s second-largest ice mass from your seat in one of our helicopters—and upon landing, experience something few others humans do: set foot on the Greenland Ice Sheet. Visitors often feel unprepared for the reality and scale of the Ice Sheet, where the absence of edges—as it stretches into the horizon—and the sheer physical presence of this ancient ice crackling underfoot transforms the abstract into something deeply tangible. Tamassa, meaning “Come in everyone” or “You are welcome,” is a unique onboard cultural exchange—offered on the same day as the Ice Sheet Experience—led by South Greenlanders themselves. Moving naturally through shared spaces onboard Ultramarine, local Greenlanders connect with guests through conversation, stories, hands-on workshops, food tastings, and performances. Tamassa, in this instance, invites Greenlanders into our home, the ship. You’ll also explore Kujataa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves a remarkable legacy of Norse and Inuit farming. We also hope to visit Qassiarsuk, a small settlement across the water from Narsarsuaq, where you can experience true South Greenland hospitality and gain insight into life at the edge of the Ice Sheet. Take time to visit the remains and reconstructions of Brattahlíð, Erik the Red’s estate and once the heart of the Norse Eastern Settlement.

We’ll head north along the spectacular west coast of Greenland on our way to Nuuk. As your Arctic adventure winds down, you can take in a polar presentation by our onboard experts, share your photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar, or watch a movie. This is a great opportunity to ask members of the Expedition Team any remaining questions you have about any aspect of your voyage.

After breakfast at your included hotel, make your way to Keflavik International Airport for your onward f light, or continue exploring Reykjavik at your leisure.