The Ultimate Greenland Explorer
The green South Greenland with its fascinating Viking history enchants on this journey as well as the famous and legendary Disko Bay with its magnificent ice scenery. The northern part of the west coast with its remote fishing villages also gives an insight into life in lesser known parts of the world.
Tour Itinerary
Welcome to the capital of Greenland
Your adventure with HX begins with a morning flight from New York to Nuuk.
After landing in Nuuk, you’ll be transferred to your hotel, your home for the following night in Greenland´s colourful and compact city.
Enjoy an exquisite dinner at the hotel´s own restaurant, where classic Danish dishes are combined with local Greenlandic flavours.
For a late evening walk, you could head down to the old part of town by the waterfront, where you’ll find Nuuk Cathedral and the statue of Hans Egede standing on a hill. Standing proudly in the water below is Nuuk’s beautiful and iconic Mother of the Sea statue.
Explore Nuuk and surroundings
In the morning, you’ll head to Colonial Harbour, known locally as Kolonihavnen, home to some of the city's oldest buildings, including the Hans Egede House, built in 1728 and now a historic monument.
From here, we board a small boat for a scenic ride up Nuuk Fjord to a remote, abandoned settlement where you'll enjoy a delicious lunch surrounded by breathtaking Arctic landscapes.
Your small boat will navigate the pristine waters of Nuuk Fjord, flanked by steep mountain walls, as it takes you to Qooqqut, a former sheep farm now home to an inviting restaurant. Along the way, the boat will stop for a chance to try catching your own fish, which will be expertly prepared at the restaurant in Qooqqut.
In the afternoon, the boat will return you to Nuuk, where your expedition ship awaits you in the harbour. Settle in, attend the safety briefing, and enjoy a welcome dinner as your voyage begins.
Getting ready for adventure
Sailing towards the Arctic Circle, you’ll have time to get acquainted with the AECO rules and recommendations regarding operations and landings in the fragile Arctic environment. Make sure you attend these mandatory presentations if you want to join planned landings as we head north.
You will also have time to settle in, enjoy the ship’s state-of-the-art facilities and join the first lectures on Greenland-related topics, including the Citizen Science projects run on board the ship.
At some point during the sailing, we will cross the Arctic Circle, entering the lands of the Midnight Sun at the height of summer.
See the jaw-dropping beauty of nature’s artworks
Today, we reach Disko Bay, a haven for whales and other wildlife. The water here is dotted with icebergs in many shapes and sizes, and they all come from one place – the Ilulissat Icefjord. This spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site regularly tops the list of things to see and do in Greenland. Today, you’ll find out why. Enjoy the scenery as you walk along the wooden gangway to the breathtaking ice fjord.
Marvel at giant icebergs floating placidly in the deep blue water as they take on different hues of white, gray and blue. All photographers, regardless of skill, will return to the ship with enviable images. Back in pretty Ilulissat, visit the Icefjord Centre to learn about the ice in this fascinating area. You can also go on a hike to Sermermiut to take in incredible views.
Beyond the Nuussuaq peninsula, distances start to mean everything, because it’s here that Greenland’s ‘Far North’ begins. At this latitude, life proceeds at a slower pace. Weather and ice conditions run the show, and any successful landing that we attempt depends on the ability of the captain to safely navigate waterways – especially when a summer fog descends. All in all, it’s the perfect setting for our expedition.
The beauty of the land and the relative productivity of the environment here have attracted people since the first settlers came down the coast more than 4,000 years ago. Intriguing archaeological sites are silent witnesses to the ability of Arctic people to thrive in such a harsh environment. It is in this area that the famed Qilakitsoq mummies were discovered.
Potential activities around here include stops at small communities such as Uummannaq – a beautiful island town with a heart-shaped mountain – or Ukkusissat. We may visit the archaeological site of Qilakitsok, go on nature landings or attempt ice-cruising in the inner fjords with our small boats (RIBs).
Beyond the Nuussuaq peninsula, distances start to mean everything, because it’s here that Greenland’s ‘Far North’ begins. At this latitude, life proceeds at a slower pace. Weather and ice conditions run the show, and any successful landing that we attempt depends on the ability of the captain to safely navigate waterways – especially when a summer fog descends. All in all, it’s the perfect setting for our expedition.
The beauty of the land and the relative productivity of the environment here have attracted people since the first settlers came down the coast more than 4,000 years ago. Intriguing archaeological sites are silent witnesses to the ability of Arctic people to thrive in such a harsh environment. It is in this area that the famed Qilakitsoq mummies were discovered.
Potential activities around here include stops at small communities such as Uummannaq – a beautiful island town with a heart-shaped mountain – or Ukkusissat. We may visit the archaeological site of Qilakitsok, go on nature landings or attempt ice-cruising in the inner fjords with our small boats (RIBs).
Get closer to the awesome power of nature
Grandeur is the key word here. Disko Bay is one of those places that people dream about. And with good reason – the deep blue waters here are scattered with icebergs in all shapes and sizes. Some of them are truly immense, weighing over seven million tons, and the ice fjord pumps out more water in the form of glacial ice in a day than New York City uses in a year.
Traditional communities, massive glaciers, and seemingly endless stretches of wilderness await us during our exploration of the region. Over the next days, we aim to show you the wonders of the bay, including Vaigat Sound, Disko Island, and the eastern fjords. Of course, Mother Nature has the upper hand, so we’ll always be ready to adjust our plans to the local weather and ice conditions.
Get ready for nature landings in our small boats (RIBs), cruising in between floes and icebergs, spotting whales from the deck, and listening to interesting talks by the Expedition Team. On landings, keep your eyes open and maybe you’ll catch sight of a reindeer herd, a fast-moving Arctic fox, or a powerfully built gyrfalcon.
Get closer to the awesome power of nature
Grandeur is the key word here. Disko Bay is one of those places that people dream about. And with good reason – the deep blue waters here are scattered with icebergs in all shapes and sizes. Some of them are truly immense, weighing over seven million tons, and the ice fjord pumps out more water in the form of glacial ice in a day than New York City uses in a year.
Traditional communities, massive glaciers, and seemingly endless stretches of wilderness await us during our exploration of the region. Over the next days, we aim to show you the wonders of the bay, including Vaigat Sound, Disko Island, and the eastern fjords. Of course, Mother Nature has the upper hand, so we’ll always be ready to adjust our plans to the local weather and ice conditions.
Get ready for nature landings in our small boats (RIBs), cruising in between floes and icebergs, spotting whales from the deck, and listening to interesting talks by the Expedition Team. On landings, keep your eyes open and maybe you’ll catch sight of a reindeer herd, a fast-moving Arctic fox, or a powerfully built gyrfalcon.
Get closer to the awesome power of nature
Grandeur is the key word here. Disko Bay is one of those places that people dream about. And with good reason – the deep blue waters here are scattered with icebergs in all shapes and sizes. Some of them are truly immense, weighing over seven million tons, and the ice fjord pumps out more water in the form of glacial ice in a day than New York City uses in a year.
Traditional communities, massive glaciers, and seemingly endless stretches of wilderness await us during our exploration of the region. Over the next days, we aim to show you the wonders of the bay, including Vaigat Sound, Disko Island, and the eastern fjords. Of course, Mother Nature has the upper hand, so we’ll always be ready to adjust our plans to the local weather and ice conditions.
Get ready for nature landings in our small boats (RIBs), cruising in between floes and icebergs, spotting whales from the deck, and listening to interesting talks by the Expedition Team. On landings, keep your eyes open and maybe you’ll catch sight of a reindeer herd, a fast-moving Arctic fox, or a powerfully built gyrfalcon.
Visit modern towns on the edge of the wilderness
The central west coast of Greenland is a land of contrasts. It’s home to some of the longest fjords in the country and a sprinkling of settlements, including the second-largest town on the island. However, the vastness of the land makes this stretch of the coast a sparsely populated region, where huge distances are the norm, and the sense of remoteness and isolation is just a part of daily life.
On our journey south, we’ll visit communities where traditions are still alive, including Sisimiut, which lies 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle. This modern town has grown up alongside very ancient remains that date back more than 4,000 years. If you want to learn more about the ancient Saqqaq culture, make sure to visit the interesting local museum. If you’re looking for a special souvenir, pick up a scarf, hat or mittens made of qiviut, the inner wool of a musk ox, said to be 10 times warmer than sheep wool.
Visit modern towns on the edge of the wilderness
The central west coast of Greenland is a land of contrasts. It’s home to some of the longest fjords in the country and a sprinkling of settlements, including the second-largest town on the island. However, the vastness of the land makes this stretch of the coast a sparsely populated region, where huge distances are the norm, and the sense of remoteness and isolation is just a part of daily life.
On our journey south, we’ll visit communities where traditions are still alive, including Sisimiut, which lies 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle. This modern town has grown up alongside very ancient remains that date back more than 4,000 years. If you want to learn more about the ancient Saqqaq culture, make sure to visit the interesting local museum. If you’re looking for a special souvenir, pick up a scarf, hat or mittens made of qiviut, the inner wool of a musk ox, said to be 10 times warmer than sheep wool.
A small capital in a grandiose setting
Today, as we arrive at Nuuk, you will say a fond farewell to MS Fridtjof Nansen, her crew, the Expedition Team and the new friends you will have made. The lively capital of Greenland is a metropolis compared to all other towns in the country you have visited over the last couple of weeks. If you have time before flying back home, it is a fascinating window onto modern Greenland.
From here, you'll catch a flight back to New York, taking with you a wealth of fantastic memories that will no doubt endure.
