Disko Bay and Uummannaq, 2024

The planned itinerary

Ice and wind determine the daily schedule of the expedition. The itineraries mentioned here are therefore exemplary.

Day 1: Arrival in Iceland
Your Greenland trip starts with your arrival in Iceland. You will fly from your home airport to Keflavik (the airport of Reykjavik) in Iceland, where you will spend one night.

Day 2: Ilulissat
Today you fly from Keflavik to Ilulissat. Reception at the airport and transfer to your hotel.

Day 3: Embarkation in Ilulissat
In the afternoon, the small, cosy MS „Cape Race“, with only 12 guests, awaits you in the harbour. With its many painted timbers and historic details, it not only exudes the charm of classic tramp shipping, but is also able to call at the smallest and most remote bays. After a warm welcome from the crew and the obligatory safety briefing, you will move into your cabins.

Day 4 – Day 15: Disko Bay and Uummannaq
Depending on the weather, we explore the bay by boat or hike to Sermermiut („Inhabitants of the Glacier“), an old, abandoned settlement north of Ilulissat, which offers a fantastic view over the famous ice fjord. In the following days, your first glance on deck in the morning will be at the huge icebergs that dominate the image of Disko Bay and surprise you with an unimaginable variety of colours, shapes and dimensions. The ice giants originate from Jakobshavn Isbræ, one of the largest glaciers in the world; from there they enter the sea at a flow rate of up to 40 per day and the unimaginable quantity of around 50 cubic kilometres of ice per year. From a close, but of course safe distance, you will experience the roar of the breaking ice masses of the glacier Eqip Sermia, which flows directly into the sea and is considered the most active glacier in Greenland. Afterwards we continue to Aasiaat, one of the best places in Greenland for whale watching.

On the way north we visit the remote, abandoned mining town of Qullissat, which was abandoned in 1972. The forced relocation of the population made the place a symbol of Denmark’s problematic post-colonial policy in Greenland and the resulting social problems; the museum in Ilulissat works through this in detail.
The northern destination is Uummannaq, a town in the municipality of Qaasuitsup, located on a small island of the same name off the west coast of Greenland. The town has about 1,200 inhabitants and is known for its breathtaking natural landscape, including glaciers, icebergs and fjords. One of the main attractions is the Uummannaq Fjord. We explore this sensational nature not only by boat, but also on numerous short hikes. Overall, Uummannaq is a unique and beautiful destination that offers an insight into Greenland’s breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

Day 16: Return flight from Ilulissat to Iceland.
Disembark on the „Cape Race“ in Ilulissat and fly back to Iceland. Overnight in Keflavik at the airport.

Day 17: Return flight to your home town or extension in Iceland
Today you can take the return flight to your home airport. Alternatively, an individual programme extension in Iceland is possible – we will be happy to advise you.