9 days / 8 nights
Kangerlussuaq • Kangerlussuaq • Copenhagen
This Hurtigruten expedition along Greenland's west coast is a fascinating meeting with the Inuit culture and the stunning land they inhabit. Only accessible by boat, the small settlements give you a genuine picture of Greenlandic life. The spectacular scenery and Midnight Sun provide a stunning backdrop for the voyage.
Highlights
Beginning your journey in Kangerlussuaq, you depart aboard the superbly appointed MS Fram, as she makes her way along the beautiful Søndre Strømfjord, towards Greenland's second largest town, Sisimiut. Here you will get the chance to discover the town's turbulent past.
The voyage continues on to the ice strewn waters of Disko Bay to the once thriving whaling port of Qeqertarsuaq. A walk into the fabulous Blæsedalen presents you with a majestic panorama of mountain peaks, cascading waterfalls and a possibility to explore the Arctic tundra.
The Hurtigruten ship then takes you north, towards the remote communities of Uummannaq and Ukkusissat. Stopping to visit the tiny community of Ukkusissat you will get an inside view of the true value of life in these remote Arctic regions, before turning south where the majesty of Eqip Sermia (Sermia means glacier in Greenland) stands before you.
At Ilulissat you will get the chance to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sermermiut and come across the cathedral-like icebergs of the Jakobshavn Glacier, vast sculptures of ice that clamour to reach the open seas of Disko Bay. This must surely be the sparkling jewel in this most dazzling of crowns. There are options to explore this region by boat or helicopter, or a walk to the nearby ancient settlement of Sermermiut reveals an Inuit presence believed to date back some 3500 years.
Your last stop is Itilleq where you will get the chance to meet the locals and try their 'Greenlandic Cake' over a cup of coffee before continuing back to Kangerlussuaq.
Itinerary
Day 1 Copenhagen / Kangerlussuaq : Begin your Greenland experience in Copenhagen with a specially chartered flight to Kangerlussuaq, the main gateway to Greenland. Situated close to the majestic inland ice that covers more than 80 % of Greenland, this desert-like place is home to only 600 people.
Day 2 Sisimiut : Sisimiut is the second largest community in Greenland. Here you'll find fishing trawlers, a shipyard and a busy fish processing factory. We recommend a visit to the arts and crafts workshop close to the pier. Here you may watch the local craftsmen create traditional jewellery and purchase local souvenirs.
Day 3 Qeqertarsuaq : Qeqertarsuaq is situated on the old volcanic island of Disko and plays host to the Arctic Station, part of Copenhagen University, studying flora, fauna and the climate. Enjoy a stroll along the beach with its grounded icebergs or join the highly recommended walking tour to Blæsedalen, an area rich in high Arctic flora.
Day 4 Uummannaq / Ukkusissat : The town of Uummannaq is situated in scenic surroundings at the foot of a 1170m heart-shaped mountain. Here, you may join a walking tour, or just stroll around this beautiful town on your own. In the evening you will be calling at Ukkusissat, a traditional hunting and fishing settlement of about 190 welcoming inhabitants.
Day 5 Eqip Sermia : The five kilometre glacier front of Eqip Sermia is constantly calving icebergs. Here you will have an outstanding possibility to experience the glacier and sense the grandeur of nature.
Day 6 Ilulissat : Ilulissat means iceberg in Greenlandic, and this town lives up to its name. The most productive glacier in the Northern Hemisphere, Sermeq Kujalleq feeds enormous bergs into the Ilulissat Icefjord. As a result this area is an UNE SCO's list of World Heritage sites.
Ilulissat Icefjord, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Located on the west coast of Greenland is the Icefjord, here you can witness Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the fastest and most active glaciers in the world. The combination of a huge ice-sheet and the dramatic sounds of a fast-moving glacial ice-stream calving into a fjord covered by icebergs makes for a dramatic and awe-inspiring natural phenomenon.
Day 7 Itilleq : This small isolated settlement close to the Arctic Circle is home to about 130 inhabitants who make their living by traditional fishing and hunting. Itilleq always welcomes us for an active stay in their settlement to give you a closer understanding of their culture.
Day 8 Kangerlussuaq : In the early 1960's 27 Musk oxen were introduced to Kangerlussuaq from north east Greenland and today their numbers are over 10,000. You will have time for a closer look at the area before your evening flight to Copenhagen.
Day 9 : Arrive in Copenhagen where your tour ends.
DEPARTURES 2012 :
10, 17, 24 June
1 July
Heart of Greenland - PRICES : 2012Move cursor over cabin grade for description.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin Grade | June / July | ||
| I | Twin | Brochure Price | 4574 |
| Inside |
Single | Brochure Price | 7191 |
| FJ | Twin | Brochure Price | 4863 |
| Outside Superior |
Single | Brochure Price | 7697 |
| N | Twin | Brochure Price | 4863 |
| Outside |
Supp* | Brochure Price | 7697 |
| U | Twin | Brochure Price | 5151 |
| Outside |
Single | Brochure Price | 8202 |
| F | Twin | Brochure Price | 5555 |
| Outside Superior |
Single | Brochure Price | 8909 |
| M | Twin | Brochure Price | 6075 |
| Suite | Single | Brochure Price | 9818 |
| MG | Twin | Brochure Price | 5364 |
| Grand Suite | Single | Brochure Price | 10324 |
All above prices are in £s per person based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin cabin/room.
YOUR HURTIGRUTEN VOYAGE PRICE INCLUDES :
- Voyage in cabin grade of your choice including full board.
- Return economy flights from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq including current taxes and surcharges.
- Transfers and excursions in Kangerlussuaq.
- Suites also include a selection of drinks with meals on board and flights in business class between Copenhagen and Kangerlussuaq.
- Wind and waterproof jacket.
- Landings in Polarcirkel boats.
- Lectures by expedition team.
- Free tea and Coffee / CD log
NOT INCLUDED :
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Luggage handling
- Optional excursions
- Gratuities
ADD A FLIGHT PACKAGE - Price from £348 per person
FLIGHT PACKAGE PRICE INCLUDES :
- Return Economy class flights from London Heathrow to Copenhagen including current taxes and charges.
NOT INCLUDED :
- Travel insurance.
- Regional departures and upgrades may be available at extra cost.
