HIGHLIGHTS
- Join
an epic adventure in Greenland and experience summer in the Arctic on
our classic Disko Bay voyage
- Marvel
at gigantic icebergs, meet the locals and experience Inuit culture and
witness the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Icefjord
- Embark
our state-of-the-art vessel Ocean Albatros for an adventure through
West Greenland
- Enjoy
the local culture, architecture and lifestyle, all governed by the
harsh yet beautiful conditions of the Arctic
- Meet
the friendly locals of Greenland and discover more about their ancient
culture.
- Venture
northwards, to the sweeping basalt mountains and weird rock formations
of Qeqertarsuaq, and onwards to Uummannaq, our northernmost point on
the 'Greenlandic Riviera'
- And
then head southwards into the heart of Disko Bay, witnessing the
astounding spectacle of Eqip Sermia Glacier, before arriving in
Ilulissat, Greenland's most visited town
- Ilulissat
is home to the mind-boggling UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat
Icefjord, a vast fjord choked with ice produced by the northern
hemisphere's largest glacier. Nowehere else in the world can you
experience such incredible icebound scenery along with friendly local
hospitality
- From
Ilulissat, we will return to Kangerlussuaq via the small village of
Itilleq, where visitors can experience the hunting and fishing
traditions by which locals still thrive
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | Category F | Category G | Category E | Category D | Category C | Category C SP | Category C XL | Category B | Category A | Polar Premium Suite | Polar Family Suite |
|---|
| Aug 16, 2025 | Aug 23, 2025 | 7,195 | 11,195 | 9,595 | 8,995 | 9,895 | 10,295 | 10,795 | 12,595 | 15,295 | 16,995 | 18,795 |
| Aug 23, 2025 | Aug 30, 2025 | 6,595 | 10,295 | 8,895 | 8,295 | 9,095 | 9,495 | 9,895 | 11,495 | 13,995 | 15,595 | 17,195 |
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Category F | (Mid-range)
Category C SP | (High-end)
Polar Family Suite |
|---|
| Aug 16, 2025 | Aug 23, 2025 | 7,195 | 10,295 | 18,795 |
| Aug 23, 2025 | Aug 30, 2025 | 6,595 | 9,495 | 17,195 |
ITINERARY
DAY
1: KANGERLUSSUAQ, GREENLAND - EMBARKATION
On
the first day of our expedition, we board our flights bound for
Kangerlussuaq on the west coast of Greenland.
Situated
at the head of a 160km long fjord of the same name, Kangerlussuaq is
Greenland's only inland town, and was established as
Søndrestrom Air Base/Bluie West-8 by American troops in
1941. Existing largely to service the airport, the town of
Kangerlussuaq itself retains a strong 'Cold War' feeling, hinting at
its extensive American military use before it was signed over to the
Greenlandic Government in 1992. Today Kangerlussuaq is Greenland's
largest air hub, with flights arriving daily from Denmark and around
the country. It's stable climate and lack of fog makes it ideal as an
airport, but it exhibits some of the most varied temperatures in the
country, commonly registering the highest summer and lowest winter
temperatures due to its inland location.
Upon
arrival in Kangerlussuaq, you will be transported to the small port
located west of the airport, where the Ocean Albatros awaits at anchor.
Zodiacs will transfer us the short distance to the ship, where you will
be checked in to your stateroom. After the mandatory safety drill,
enjoy dinner and a glass of champagne as we set sail a course for
adventure through the 160-kilometre Kangerlussuaq fjord.
DAY
2: SISIMIUT - GREENLAND'S SECOND CITY
After
breakfast, Ocean Albatros will arrive in the colourful city of
Sisimiut. With around 5,400 inhabitants, it is Greenland’s
second largest city, and one of the most interesting to explore.
Paleo-Inuit people have lived around Sisimiut on and off since 2,500
BC, arriving in waves of migration from Arctic Canada. Remnants of turf
huts and tent camps from this time can be found thorughout the vast
back country which surrounds Sisimiut, including on Tele Island, a
short pleasant walk from the harbour.
In
1756, Count Johan Ludvig Holstein established a colony here and called
it “Holsteinsborg”. The oldest part of Sisimiut
features town houses from this era, and the oldest dates back to 1756.
One of the most culturally significant buildings is the Blue Church,
built in 1775, now a landmark in the city’s historical museum
district, arguably the best preserved in Greenland, and the perfect
place to discover the Greenland of old.
Nowadays,
Sisimiut is an important hub of education and industry, and local
factories process the bulk of fish caught in the country
(Greenland’s largest export). The fish processing plant in
the harbour is one of the largest in Greenland, and among the most
modern in the world. Just beyond the harbour sits the headquarters of
KNI, the government-operated company which resupplies the many small
settlements throughout Greenland - a vital service in a country with so
many remote communties.
The
busy city centre of Sisimiut offers a glimpse of what daily life is
like in 21st-century Greenland, where seal hunts and smartphones
collide. Take a refreshing stroll around Spedjesø and take
in an exhibition at the city's cultural centre Taseralik, explore the
region's fascinating heritage at the city museum, or visit the Artists
Workshop, where savvy shoppers can purchase traditional artworks direct
from the artist. As evening falls, we will leave Sisimiut and set a
course for the iceberg studded waters of Disko Bay (Qeqertarsuup Tunua)
as Ocean Albatros sails for Qeqertarsuaq.
DAY
3: QEQERTARSUAQ, DISKO ISLAND
Nestled
below Disko Island’s 1,000-metre mountains, we pull into port
in a beautifully sheltered natural harbour. The place was aptly named
Godhavn (“Good Harbour”) in Danish, while its
Greenlandic name “Qeqertarsuaq” simply means
“The Big Island”.
For
most of Greenland’s modern history, Godhavn was the political
and economic capital of North Greenland (while Godthåb, now
Nuuk, served this role in Southern Greenland). Its importance was due
to the vast economic activity generated by whaling in Disko Bay, the
preeminent Arctic industry since the 16th Century. As the whaling
industry collapsed in the early 1900s, Godhavn lost its political
status as all government functions moved south to
Godthåb/Nuuk, and the town was forced to reinvent itself,
changing its name to Qeqertarsuaq in 1979 . Today, hunting and fishing
are the main industries in Qeqertarsuaq, while tourism is becoming
increasingly important. Ferries arrive in the town daily in summer from
around Disko Bay, while in winter, access is only by helicopter from
nearby Ilulissat.
Qeqertarsuaq’s
sweeping red-and-black basalt mountains are radically different to the
rolling granite hills which characterize much of Greenland, and provide
a much richer soil. Despite being situated well above the Arctic
Circle, this rich volcanic soil and the area’s mild
microclimate make it much more green and lush compared to the rest of
the country. Locals from all over Disko Bay come to the island in
summer to hunt and collect angelica, herbs and mushrooms, and the
stunning rock formations and black sand beaches attract visitors from
all over the world. The town itself is typically Greenlandic, with
quaint multicoloured homes, a splendid museum, and the unique octagonal
church nicknamed 'God's Inkpot' (built in the Norwegian stave style).
With excellent hiking opportunities, friendly locals, and a fascinating
place in regional history, Qeqertarsuaq has a lot to offer.
On
the afternoon of our day on Disko Island, we will reposition our vessel
slightly to the east and launch our fleet of Zodiacs to explore the
coast of Kuannit. Kuannit means 'Angelica' in Greenlandic, referring to
the herb which grows abundantly on the rich south-facing slopes of the
island. This stretch of coastline is one of Greenland's best kept
secrets; with lush greenery dripping with water from mountain springs,
spectacularly weird basalt rock formations riddled with caves and
waterfalls, and plenty of sapphire-blue icebergs, this section of coast
is one of the most spectacular in the Arctic.
From
Kuannit, we will set a northerly course towards Uummannaq.
DAY
4: UUMMANNAQ - THE GREENLANDIC RIVIERA
The
small city of Uummannaq sits perched precariously at the foot of a
massive mountain. Like the rest of the area, here the mountain reaches
vertically out of the icy depths, punching 1170m into the clear blue
sky. Uummannaq mountain (translated from Greenlandic as
“heart shaped”) is a true Greenlandic icon, and is
a mecca for climbers who visit from all over the world. The city itself
occupies a small area of flatter ground at the foot of the mountain,
founded by Danish colonists in 1763 – some of the original
buildings from this era can still be visited in the harbour-front area.
More recently, Uummannaq has become famous in Scandinavia as the home
of Santa Claus – the small turf house belonging to the
festive hero himself can be reached via a pleasant (if challenging)
2-3h hike out of town.
As
for many towns in Greenland however, the Inuit history of the area
reaches back much further. At some point around the year 1600, a group
of Inuit women and children died in the area (possibly in a boating
accident). They were lovingly laid to rest in a rocky cairn under a
cliff on the mainland overlooking Uummannaq at a site called
Qilakitsoq, protected from the rain and snow, but exposed to the dry
Arctic wind which mummified their bodies. They were rediscovered in
1972 by two brothers from Uummannaq (possibly on the advice of elders
in Uummannaq, who had preserved rumours of the site for centuries). The
mummies were taken to Denmark for analysis before being returned to
Greenland, where today they rest in the National Museum in Nuuk. The
small museum in Uummannaq did not have the facilities to house such an
important find, but several artefacts such as clothing from the
archaeological site (as well as a plethora of finds from before, during
and after the Qilakitsoq period) are displayed, along with a cabinet of
curiosities from the city’s brief mining boom.
Uummannaq
itself is a lively little town. Expect to see enterprising locals
selling handicrafts in the grassy town square, while others sell their
catch in the local fish market - always a fascinating sight. Watch
fishermen bait their long lines as they head out in search of halibut,
or load up with provisions for hunting trips deep into the vast
fjordlands outside town.
Ensure
you are on Ocean Albatros’ outer decks during our sail-out
from Uummannaq – the deep clear blue iceberg-studded waters
of the fjord and the dramatic vertical mountains around the city offer
some of the best views in Greenland. With a calm microclimate and
round-the-clock summer sunshine, not for nothing is this staggeringly
beautiful area nicknamed the Greenlandic Riviera!
DAY
5: EQIP SERMIA GLACIER
From
Uummannaq, we return to the heart of Disko Bay, setting sail towards
Eqip Sermia.
Eqip
Sermia (a typically descriptive Greenlandic name meaning 'the Glacier
at the End of the Fjord') is a relatively small glacier compared to
many in Greenland, although it is still a truly vast river of ice,
flowing directly from the Greenland Ice Sheet. It is also one of the
most active, and ice tumbles off the vast glacier-front almost
constantly. Watching the vast cataracts of ice fall into the ocean is a
sight which has to be seen to be believed, and the comfortable viewing
decks of Ocean Albatros offer the best possible platform to do so...
Perhaps with a specially crafted cocktail in hand!
If
conditions allow, we will launch our fleet of Zodiacs to approach this
vast river of ice, and hopefully experience the roar of the glacier's
frequent calvings at sea level (from a safe distance of course)!
From
Eqip Sermia, we will reposition slightly southwards during the evening
towards Ilulissat, the largest city in Disko Bay and the Iceberg
Capital of the World.
DAY
6: ILULISSAT - ICEBERG CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
This
is it. This is why visitors from all over the world come to Greenland.
Translated from Kalaallisut simply as ‘icebergs’,
Ilulissat is rightly known the world over as ‘the Iceberg
Capital of the World’. Surely no other city on Earth occupies
such a spectacular natural setting.
Situated
within a short walk of the harbour lies Ilulissat Icefjord,
Greenland’s most famous site. Choked with city-sized icebergs
so closely packed one could almost walk across to the other side,
Ilulissat Icefjord stretches 70 km from its outlet in Disko Bay near
the city of Ilulissat back to the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier. This is the
single largest glacier on Earth outside Antarctica, draining 13% of the
Greenland Ice Sheet, and producing 10% of all the ice in the Northern
Hemisphere (enough water to supply the annual needs of the entire
United States). These mind-blowing statistics, together with the
indescribably beautiful scenery, have secured the Ilulissat Icefjord
designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
While
archaeological finds detail the long Inuit habitation of the area, the
modern town has steadily flourished in the 280 years since its
establishment; legendary Arctic explorer, Knud Rasmussen was born in
Ilulissat, and his childhood home now houses the city museum. Today,
Ilulissat is Greenland’s third largest town, with more than
4,500 inhabitants, and is undoubtedly Greenland’s tourism
capital, with more hotel rooms than even Nuuk. The city offers
excellent amenities to visitors, with fresh locally caught seafood
served in the city’s cafes and restaurants, and excellent
shopping – look out especially for the Artist’s
Workshop above the harbour, where you can buy handmade artworks direct
from the artist. The city typically experiences dry sunny weather
throughout the summer, and there are a variety of well-marked hiking
routes around the Icefjord, with options to suit all abilities.
During
the visit you will have the opportunity to join a boat trip with a
local captain to the Icefjord (optional excursion – charge
applies). The journey takes about two and a half hours and is
considered the best way to experience the magic of Ilulissat Icefjord
up close. If a hike or a trip by boat does not present enough
excitement, there is also the opportunity to join a flightseeing
excursion in fixed-wing aircraft over the Icefjord (optional excursion
– charge applies).
Please
note the boat and flight excursions to the Icefjord are not included in
the general tour price. Refer to Price Information for further details.
DAY
7: THE SETTLEMENT OF ITILLEQ
The
settlement of Itilleq, which translates roughly as "the Crossing Place
from the Sea” nestles at the foothills of the mountains and
and fjords which line central Greenland's backcountry. Situated just
north of the Arctic Circle, Itilleq is one of the many tiny villages
dotting the coast of Greenland. The settlement is situated in the heart
of the Aassivisuit-Nipisat UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was
inscribed due to its ancient Inuit hunting heritage, documenting the
entire habitation history of Greenland.
While
the turf houses and hide tents have been replaced by colourful modern
houses, the lifestyle here has changes little since the Inuit first
arrived in Greenland. The local highways are the water and the ice, and
the sea and tundra continue to nourish the locals, as they has for
thousands of years. Arctic char, reindeer and muskoxen are typical
catches, and are all plentiful in the area.
Despite
this ancient heritage, locals in Itilleq are still firmly in the modern
world, with smartphones, speedy wifi and satellite TV. However, the
people of Itilleq remain justly proud of their ancient heritage, and
continue to move their culture forward in a modern fast paced world.
Locals are pleased to show off their piucturesque town, and visitors
are greeted with typical warm Greenlandic hospitality.
After
departing Itilleq, we will head slightly south and enter the 160km-long
Kangerlussuaq Fjord.
DAY
8: KANGERLUSSUAQ, GREENLAND - DISEMBARKATION
During
the night, we will sail up the 160-kilometer/100 mile Kangerlussuaq
Fjord. After breakfast aboard the ship, we will bid a fond farewell to
the ship's crew, Expedition Team and fellow travellers before shuttling
ashore by Zodiac.
Due
to Kangerlussuaq’s military history and present-day role as
an important air travel hub, Kangerlussuaq remains fairly isolated from
Greenland’s rich cultural traditions, in comparison to other
regions. While you still find cultural experiences when visiting
Kangerlussuaq, the most impressive attraction is the surrounding
nature, which is just beckoning to be explored. The town itself was
largely constructed by the American military in the 1950s, and this
small airport town has retained something of its Cold War atmosphere.
Your Arctic adventure and time in Greenland concludes as we board the
flight from Kangerlussuaq back to the southern world.
MV Ocean Albatros (Luxury Expedition, 184-guests)
With a total of 94 comfortable staterooms and suites, all with unobstructed sea view, most with their own balcony, the Ocean Albatros has definitely become one of the most popular expedition cruise vessels in the world. Like it's sistership the Ocean Victory it offers two restaurants, a wellness area, an Albatros Nordic Bar, an open deck dining facility, a modern lecture lounge, and other state-of-the-art amenities. The vessel has more than a 50% lower carbon footprint than traditional expedition vessels and is one of the most environmentally friendly, implementing the Green Initiative Program, ensuring both absolute comfort and sustainability for our guests. The Ocean Albatros also offers a unique panorama sauna, and even more dedicated solo travel cabins without a single-supplement.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 8-day/7-night
cruise on Ocean Albatros in a shared outside double room with a private
bathroom in chosen category
- Flights
between Copenhagen - Kangerlussaq - Copenhagen via Keflavik and Group
Transfer between Kangerlussaq Airport and the vessel. Value: USD
1300/pax return.
- English-speaking
expedition staff
- Guided
walks with the expedition team
- Nature
hikes and Zodiac cruises per itinerary
- Information
briefings and lectures by the expedition team
- Selected
excursions and experiences in port, as per itinerary
- Special
photo workshop
- Full
board on the ship
- Dinner
drink package
- Free
coffee, tea, and afternoon snacks on the ship
- Welcome
and Farewell cocktail parties
- Taxes,
tariffs, and landing fees
- Digital
visual journal link after the voyage, including voyage log, gallery,
species list, and more
EXCLUSIONS
- Extra
excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary (or stated as
paid extras)
- Single
room supplement and cabin upgrades
- Meals
not on board the ship
- Beverages
(other than coffee and tea and dinner-drink package)
- Tips
for the crew (we recommend USD 16 per person per day)
- Personal
expenses
- Travel,
cancellation, and senior insurance
- Anything
not mentioned under ’Inclusions’
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Zodiac
Cruises
- Icefjord
Flight Seeing
- Lectures
- Boat
Trips
