Voyage to the Inuit North

This comprehensive voyage offers us an unparalleled view of the scenic and cultural highlights of Greenland’s western coastline, from the magnificent Søndre Strømfjord to the remoteness of Qaanaaq, one of the northernmost settlements anywhere on Earth.

From Kangerlussuaq we sail along the breathtakingly beautiful Søndre Strømfjord to the thriving fishing community of Sisimiut. Visiting the traditional heart of this picturesque settlement, we continue north, deep into the spectacular wilderness of the Arctic. Here we find ourselves sailing through the deep icy waters of Disko Bay, a timeless landscape of magnificent mountains and floating giants, where whales and seals play amongst the towering ice sculptures. At Qeqertarsuaq we learn something of the history, flora and fauna of this old ‘capital’ and former whaling settlement, with on board lectures and guided walks. We also have the opportunity to hike in the spectacular Blæsedalen, without doubt one of the natural highlights of the area.

Continuing north we visit the remote settlements of Uummannaq and Ukkusissat, lying in the shadow of a heart-shaped mountain. The old turf houses and magnificent church at Uummannaq allow us a unique insight into the remarkable character of life in these harsh northern reaches, whilst further hikes in the surrounding area introduce us to the amazingly diverse flora that exists in the northern Arctic. Journeying ever deeper into the land of the Midnight Sun the scenery seems to take on an even more bewitching mantle, as we travel to the very extremes of human habitation, cruising along the ice edge to Qaanaaq. This is the true world of the Inuit, where life continues as it has for generations.

Turning south once more we enjoy informative lectures in the comfort of our superbly equipped vessel as we sail towards Upernavik, home to Apparsuit, the world’s largest bird cliff. The skies above are alive with the sight and sounds of thousands of guillemots, cormorants and black-legged kittiwakes, while Upernavik itself offers us superb views across the Davis Strait. At the formidable Eqip Sermia we have a chance to experience the awe-inspiring magnificence of a glacier at close quarters as our Polar Cirkel boats take us along the imposing edge of this most active of glaciers. One of the highlights of our journey is the spectacular Ilulissat Isfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose very name evokes the magnificent cathedrals of ice that are born of the magnificent Jakobshavn Glacier.

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