Greenland

Greenland is a mysterious Arctic destination, boasting gigantic icebergs, snow-capped mountain peaks and stunning tundra landscapes. Greenland is the largest island in the world. The island is a constituent territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and has its own parliament and government. Inuit people are the indigenous inhabitants of Greenland. Ice fishing, dog sledding and hunting animals and mammals is a way of life in Greenland. Inuit villages, situated along a rocky coastline, showcase colorful stilt houses and picturesque harbours. Greenland possesses ice-covered landscapes, an untamed nature, enduring traditions, a vibrant culture and a resilient spirit.

Travel Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

Note: We arrive at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) the day before and stay one night in the airport hotel. Our selected Greenland Cruise Package includes a chartered flight from the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, France to the Kangerlussuaq Airport, Greenland.

Upon arrival at the Kangerlussuaq Airport, we degust the local cuisine for lunch and tour the town of Kangerlussuaq. Large trucks traverse from the airport toward the Kangerlussuaq Bridge (Watson River Bridge), a passage crossing the Watson River. We drive to the Aasivissuit – Nipisat UNESCO World Heritage Site, an Inuit Hunting Ground and a cultural landscape. Enroute, we observe reindeer, muskoxen and Arctic plants. We hike a short distance toward the Kangerlussuaq Glacier, then drive back to the Kangerlussuaq pier and board the cruise ship.

Day 2 – Sisimiut

In the morning, we explore the town of Sisimiut, located north of the Arctic Circle in Western Greenland. Sisimiut was inhabited by Saqqaq, Dorset and Thule people before its Danish colonization in the 18th century. We visit a small fishing port and the Sisimiut Museum that encompasses colonial houses. A few souvenir shops located across the town feature products made by local artisans. A short walk from the Sisimiut Museum leads to the Taseralik Cultural Center. Here, we sample the local cuisine, such as muskox, whale, seal and our preferred Arctic shrimps.

Day 3 – Icebergs

We welcome the day with a beautiful sunrise. Our itinerary includes a discovery of Eqi Glacier, a massive glacier located in Western Greenland. Unfortunately, the weather and ice conditions prevented us from approaching Eqi Glacier. Instead, we enjoy an excursion in Zodiac boats, observing a large number of icebergs floating in the surrounding Arctic waters. The Greenlandic icebergs have many crevasses, feature turquoise colors at their base and show blue-colored lines on the body of the icebergs.

Day 4 – Uummannaq

In the morning, we visit Uummannaq, a beautiful town surrounded by the Uummannaq Fjord and mountain peaks. After the cruise ship anchors offshore, we take Zodiac boats to Uummannaq Harbour. We observe colorful houses situated along the rocky coastline. Greenland Dogs are stationed near the houses and on the rocky islets. The Uummannaq Museum summarizes the history of the region, the polar expeditions and the local culture. We visit the Uummannaq Church and Inuit Peat Houses, the traditional Greenlandic houses. A walk across the town reveals unspoiled nature, imposing mountains and a scenic lake. Early afternoon, we return to the cruise ship for lunch. An afternoon lecture explores “The Geology and Geomorphology of Greenland”.

Day 5 – Disko Bay, Ilulissat Icefjord

In the morning, our cruise vessel arrives in Disko Bay, a beautiful place populated with gigantic icebergs. An excursion aboard a local boat explores the natural beauty of Disko Bay. We observe massive walls of white ice with shades of blue and turquoise colors. A few small vessels and fishing boats traverse Disko Bay. The foggy weather creates perfect conditions for a Greenland Cloudbow. After the excursion, we return to the cruise ship for lunch.

In the afternoon, we take Zodiac boats to the Ilulissat Harbour, then a bus transfer to the Ilulissat Icefjord Centre. The Ilulissat Icefjord Centre has a collection of archeological artifacts. Starting at the Ilulissat Icefjord Centre, a wooden boardwalk follows along the tundra landscape, passes the Sermermiut archeological site and leads to the Ilulissat Icefjord. The Ilulissat Icefjord is a spectacular landscape of floating ice sculptures and turquoise meltwater pools formed by the melting ice.

Day 6 – Qeqertarsuaq and Kuannit

Today, we explore the natural wonders of Disko Bay. In the morning, we take Zodiac boats to the black sand beach, then begin a multi-kilometer hike to the Qorlortorsuaq Waterfall. The hiking trail traverses rugged terrains and a tundra landscape, covered with Arctic low-growing vegetation. The captivating waterfall cascades from the cliffs covered in a lush vegetation. We hike back to the village of Qeqertarsuaq, visiting a small harbour and the Qeqertarsuaq Museum. After the visit, we return to the cruise ship for lunch.

In the afternoon, we take Zodiac boats to Kuannit, a spectacular coastline with lush vegetation and steep basalt columns. We approach large caves and traverse under a huge stone arch. Kuannit is a natural wonder of Greenland, surrounded by massive icebergs floating in Arctic waters.

Days 7 – Evighedsfjorden

In the morning, we listen to the lecture titled “Arctic Archaeology, outlining the ancient settlements of Inuit people. We enjoy lunch on the ship’s outdoor deck as the cruise ship navigates the Evighedsfjorden “The Fjord of Eternity”. An afternoon excursion in Zodiac boats explores the rugged coastline and a massive glacier. Afterward, we disembark at the beach and hike up the mountain to get a closer view of the glacier, the mountains and the surrounding Arctic waters.

Day 8 – Kangerlussuaq, Greenland Departure

After breakfast, we disembark the cruise ship, then transfer to the Kangerlussuaq Airport and fly to the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Note: Upon arrival at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), we stay one night in the airport hotel and fly home the following day.

Special Places

Greenland is the largest island in the world. It is situated in the North Atlantic Ocean and has the largest ice sheet in the Northern Hemisphere that covers the majority of the island. Greenland was colonized by Denmark in the 18th century, came under the protection of the U.S. during the World War II and became self-governing entity in 1979. Greenland, a constituent territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has its own parliament and government. The Greenlandic language is the official language but Danish and English languages are spoken in the administrative functions. Greenland’s population is around 56,000 and Nuuk is the capital city of Greenland. The Danish Krone is the official currency of Greenland.

The Inuit people are the indigenous inhabitants of Greenland. Saqqaq, Independence I, Dorset people are the earlier Paleo-Inuit people who migrated from northern Canada and Siberia to the Arctic. Thule people replaced the Paleo-Inuit and are direct ancestors of the present-day Inuit people. Ice fishing, dog sledding and hunting animals and mammals is a way of life in Greenland. Muskoxen, a massive mammal with horns and long brown coat, is used for food and qiviut wool. The seals and whales are a high-protein and nutritious food source. The skin of seals and whales is used to make traditional Greenlandic clothing and hunting suits. The Greenland Dog, a breed of husky sled dog, is used for hunting and transport. The Greenland Dog can withstand the harsh climate and navigate challenging terrains.

Greenland is a mysterious Arctic destination, boasting gigantic icebergs, snow-capped mountain peaks and stunning tundra landscapes. The wilderness of Greenland serves as the natural habitat for diverse wildlife, including Arctic hares, muskoxen, Arctic foxes, reindeer, falcons and eagles. Polar bears are mainly found on the eastern coast and in the northern and northwestern parts of Greenland.

Greenland’s tundra, shaped by the fjords, lakes and coastal glaciers, supports a diverse plant life. Greenland has an Arctic climate, defined by cold winters and cool summers. The low-growing shrubs like mosses, dwarf birch and lichens thrive in the Arctic climate. Greenland’s Inuit villages, situated along the rocky coastline, boasts colorful stilt houses and picturesque harbours. Greenland possesses ice-covered landscapes, an untamed nature, enduring traditions, a vibrant culture and a resilient spirit.

Kangerlussuaq

Kangerlussuaq is a scenic town located to the north of the Arctic Circle in Western Greenland. Located at the east side of the Kangerlussuaq fjord, Sondrestrom Air Base is a former United States Air Force base in Greenland, founded in 1941 and closed in 1992. Greenland transformed the base into a civilian settlement and into the Kangerlussuaq Airport. The Kangerlussuaq International Airport is the gateway to expedition cruises discovering the unspoiled wilderness of Greenland.

Kangerlussuaq is a perfect base to explore the Aasivissuit – Nipisat UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Inuit Hunting Ground and a cultural landscape. The area includes a portion of ice sheet and a glacial valley, featuring beautiful glacially-sculpted terrain. The west coast of Greenland showcases unspoiled landscapes, arctic wildlife and tundra vegetation, featuring low-lying shrubs and flowering plants. Kangerlussuaq is a place to encounter diverse wildlife, including muskox, reindeer and birds.

Sisimiut

Sisimiut is a small town located north of the Arctic Circle in Western Greenland. Sisimiut was inhabited by the Saqqaq, Dorset and Thule people since thousands of years. Sisimiut was founded as a Danish colony in the 18th century. The town encompasses a small fishing port, a collection of colorful stilt houses, the Sisimiut Museum and a few souvenir shops. The Sisimiut Museum includes colorful colonial houses and educates about the town’s culture. A collection of buildings includes the Bethel Church situated atop the hill and the Turf House, a reconstruction of a Greenlandic style house.

A short walk from the Sisimiut Museum leads to the Taseralik Cultural Center. The cultural center is situated on the shore of a small lake and hosts the degustation of the local cuisine organized by our cruise.

Eqi Glacier and Icebergs

Eqi Glacier is a massive glacier, located in Western Greenland north of Ilulissat. Eqi Glacier is a multi-kilometer wide calving glacier located along the Greenlandic coast. The glacier is accessible by boat and an ideal destination to observe large pieces of ice break off into the fjord. During our journey, the weather and ice conditions prevented us from approaching Eqi Glacier. The west coast of Greenland is defined by the large number of icebergs. The icebergs are massive pieces of ice that break off from the Greenland Ice Sheet and float in the Arctic waters. An excursion in Zodiac boats enables a closer view of the iceberg’s crevasses and different colors.

Greenland’s icebergs feature turquoise color at their bases and a “blue line” on the icebergs body. The phenomenon of blue ice is caused by the pressure from compressed glacier ice that forces out air bubbles, absorbing the red and yellow wavelengths and scattering the blue wavelengths. The compression process results in ice showing vibrant blue-colored lines.

Uummannaq

Uummannaq is a beautiful town located north of the Arctic Circle on the small Uummannaq Island in Western Greenland. The scenic town is surrounded by the Uummannaq Fjord and majestic mountain peaks. The Uummannaq Region, inhabited by Inuit people since the 15th century, preserves its fishing and hunting traditions. The cruise ship anchors offshore, revealing colorful houses situated along the rocky coastline. The town’s community still uses dog sleighs to go ice fishing and to move around the settlements. The Greenland Dog, a breed of husky sled dog, is valued for its endurance and its ability to traverse difficult terrains in extreme climate. The working dogs are tied up near the houses and on the rocky islets. The young puppies are allowed to roam freely and follow us as we explore the town.

The Uummannaq Museum is located in the house built in the 19th century for the doctor’s assistant and later functioned as a hospital. The museum summarizes the history of the region, the polar expeditions and the local culture. The 20th century Uummannaq Church was built using granite blocks. Peat Houses, preserved national historical buildings, are traditional Greenlandic houses built using peat and stone. Peatlands are wetlands comprising peat derived from a decaying plant material, a carbon-rich soil. In the past, peat was used in building houses, in heating homes and in cooking food. A walk across the town leads to the Arctic landscape of unspoiled nature, imposing mountains and a scenic lake.

Greenlandic and Danish children believe that Santa Claus lives near the town of Uummannaq. Flemming Jensen produced a Danish children’s show called “The Elf Gang in Greenland” that featured Santa Claus’ traditional Greenlandic style house. Thanks to a Danish Christmas show that belief is well preserved.

Disko Bay and Ilulissat

Disko Bay, located to the east of Baffin Bay in Western Greenland, is densely populated with gigantic icebergs. The Ilulissat Icefjord, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, consistently produces and supplies ice into Disko Bay. The Jakobshavn Glacier, also known as Sermeq Kujalleq is located at the western end of the Ilulissat Icefjord. An excursion in the local boat explores the natural beauty of Disko Bay.

Massive walls of white ice show different textures and shades of blue and turquoise colors. The scenery of the frozen landscape seemingly changes every minute. At first, we enjoy a blue sky and strong sunlight. Then suddenly, we traverse through a thick fog, limiting visibility. A few small vessels and fishing boats traverse Disko Bay. We observe a fishing boat surrounded by a large number of birds. As the fog dissipates, we notice a beautiful Greenland Cloudbow, a white-colored bow formed when the sunlight interacts with a small size of droplets in the fog.

Ilulissat is a picturesque town and a fishing harbour, located on the western coast of Greenland. Massive icebergs floating in Disko Bay surround the town. When the cruise ship anchors offshore, we take Zodiac boats to Ilulissat Harbor, showing colorful houses along the rocky coastline. We transfer by bus from Ilulissat Harbour to the Ilulissat Icefjord Centre, a starting point for hiking trails to the Ilulissat Icefjord.

The Ilulissat Icefjord Centre is an impressive structure opened in 2021, exhibiting archeological artifacts using prisms of glass. Starting at the Ilulissat Icefjord Centre, a wooden boardwalk follows along the tundra landscape and passes the Sermermiut archeological site, an ancient Inuit settlement. The Ilulissat Icefjord, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a collection of icebergs created by the Jakobshavn Glacier, also known as the Ilulissat Glacier (Greenlandic Language: Sermeq Kujalleq), the fastest glacier in the world. The Ilulissat Icefjord is a spectacular landscape of floating ice sculptures and turquoise meltwater pools formed by the melting ice.

Qeqertarsuaq and Kuannit

Disko Island, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Disko Bay, is the largest island in Greenland. The island shaped by volcanic eruptions, is surrounded by large icebergs floating in Arctic waters. Qeqertarsuaq is a small village and seaport situated on the southern coast of Disko Island. The beauty of Qeqertarsuaq lies in its black-sand beaches and stunning volcanic rock formations. In the morning, we take Zodiac boats to the black sand beach, then begin a multi-kilometer hike to the Qorlortorsuaq Waterfall.

The hiking trail traverses a rugged terrain and tundra landscape. It is a gray and dreary day, yet the spectacular nature shines with beauty. Arctic low-growing vegetation beautifies the expansive landscape. The captivating waterfall cascades from the cliffs covered in lush vegetation. We hike back to the village of Qeqertarsuaq, observing the scenic harbour and the colorful houses. The Qeqertarsuaq Museum educates about the history and culture of the region. The exhibits summarize the colonial life and the whale hunting traditions.

Kuannit is a spectacular coastline with steep basalt columns. An afternoon excursion in Zodiac boats reveals a sloping terrain, a vibrant greenery and volcanic cliffs. The lush green slopes are covered by mosses, flowers and edible Angelica plant. The thermal springs and waterfalls are a constant water source, creating nutrient-rich habitats. The rock formations are solidified lava shaped over millions of years ago. The Zodiac boats approach large caves and navigate under a huge stone arch, enabling a closer view of the massive basalt columns. Kuannit is a natural wonder of Greenland, surrounded by massive icebergs floating in Arctic waters.

Evighedsfjorden

Evighedsfjorden “The Fjord of Eternity”, or Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord in Greenlandic language, is located a few kilometers south of Kangerlussuaq. It is nestled in the middle of snow-capped mountain peaks and the glaciers. The cruise ship navigates through the beautiful fjord and arrives in front of the glacier. The sunshine is plentiful and the sky is blue.

An excursion in Zodiac boats shows a contrasting scenery of untamed nature. The white and grey surfaces of the glacier glitter along turquoise waters. After Zodiac cruising in a beautiful fjord, we disembark at the beach and climb the mountain for a closer view of the glacier. The rocky terrain is beautified by flowering plants and wild berries. Evighedsfjorden showcases the natural beauty and wilderness of Greenland.

Favorite Adventures

Arctic Plants

Glaringly beautiful plants thrive in a remote wilderness of Greenland. Cotton Grass, native to the Northern Hemisphere, is a flowering plant growing in Arctic tundra of Greenland. Arctic Harebells, blue or purple bell-shaped flowers, are widespread in Arctic North America, including Greenland. The coastline of Uummannaq in Western Greenland is adorned with Arctic Chamomile, defined by bright white flowers with a yellow center. The hiking route to the Ilulissat Icefjord overlooks a magnificent tundra landscape covered by low-growing shrubs, such as Arctic Moss and Dwarf Birch distinguished by its red leaves. Disko Bay is a volcanic and nutrient-rich environment.

The hiking trail leading to the Qorlortorsuaq Waterfall is surrounded by resilient tundra plants. The rugged terrain is dominated by Arctic Moss, Reindeer Lichen, Arctic Willow and other flowering plants. Evighedsfjorden is a beautiful fjord nestled amidst the mountains and glaciers. A steep hiking trail toward the cliffs shows diverse flowering plants and black crowberries. Greenland’s tundra is the habitat for a variety of Arctic plants that adapted to the harsh climate and ice-covered terrain.

Selected Cuisine

Greenlandic Cuisine

Inuit people, the indigenous inhabitants of Greenland, preserve the hunting and fishing traditions. The Greenlandic cuisine utilizes traditional food preservation techniques and incorporates international culinary influences. The offshore excursions to Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut include an education and a degustation of the local cuisine. Suaasat is a traditional soup made with seal meat, potatoes and simple seasoning. Greenlandic communities preserve a variety of meat and fish, using smoking, salting and drying techniques. The air-dried Arctic char, cod and halibut are nutritious food source during the winter season. Greenland cooked shrimps, wild-caught in Arctic waters, have a sublime flavor.

Inuit communities obtain protein and nutrients by consuming a variety of meat, such as muskox, reindeer, whale and seal. Arctic berries, including crowberries, blueberries, juniper berries and bearberries, are harvested and used to make diverse dishes and beverages. The Greenlandic cuisine is an acquired taste but Greenland shrimps and Arctic berries are delectable foods. Exploring Greenland on a luxury cruise ensures a culinary gourmet experience, featuring a classic French cuisine.

Preferred Accommodations

Le Boréal – Cruise Ship

Le Boréal is a luxury expedition cruise ship, operated by the French cruise line company Compagnie du Ponant. The vessel utilizes cutting-edge technologies and has an ice classification “1C”, equipped for expeditions in polar regions. Le Boréal is elegant, intimate and pleasing to the senses. The vessel is a floating luxury boutique hotel with balcony cabins, a stylish décor, a heated pool and a luxury spa. La Licorne is a stylish restaurant serving refined French and international cuisine. La Boussole has a relaxed atmosphere and offers buffet-style meals and an outdoor seating.

Our selected cruise is a lovely introduction to the mostly ice-covered island. We explore picturesque Inuit villages and the stunning natural wonders of Greenland. Le Boréal is a beautiful cruise ship, combining luxury lodging, gourmet experiences and adventurous expeditions.