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10 days - Independent voyage along the West Coast of Greenland.
This tour takes in the essence of West Greenland starting in the picturesque town of Ilulissat, home of the UNESCO designated Ilulissat Ice Fjord. You will also visit the amazing Eqi glacier and stay in the unique cabins beside the glacier.
Boarding the coastal ferry south you stop at several towns along the way to Narsaq, on the shores of Narsaq Sund. Sailing plays a very important role in the Greenlandic infrastructure and a cruise along the West coast of Greenland is a fabulous way of experiencing this beautiful and varied country.
Sailing in Greenland is just as natural a part of everyday life as driving a car is for others. However, sailing in Arctic waters is often much more than just a question of getting from A to B. Sailing is a lifestyle and almost a law of nature in and around the world's largest island, where none of the towns are linked by roads.
Please note that all our itineraries, inclusions, dates and prices displayed on this website may change at any time. If you book an itinerary today and have this confirmed it will be the itinerary that is delivered to you. However, the online itinerary on our website may change in the meantime.
Coastal ship and boat to Eqi return
Flight tickets to/from start and end points, any airport taxes, travel insurance, visas, gratitudes and any items of personal nature.
There is no guide during the coastal cruise however there is information aboard the ship and films shown which are announced during the voyage. Note this itinerary starts every Tuesday.
Arrive into Ilulissat and 'meet & greet' with our partner and transfer to the hotel for check-in. In the early evening join a guided city walk of Ilulissat.
Ilulissat is the third largest town municipality in Greenland with more than 5000 inhabitants. About 4500 people lives in the town Ilulissat, and 500 people lives in the four remaining small settlements: Ilimanaq, Oqaatsut, Qeqertaq and Saqqaq.
300 kilometres north of the Polar Circle, Ilulissat lies beautifully situated close to one of the worlds largest glaciers – Kangia. The glacier produces about 20 million tons of ice each day, all floating into the Ilulissat Icefiord and the Disko Bay. All this ice gives at good basis for fishing for Halibut which is the main occupation in Ilulissat. Due to the unique ice and landscape, the area of Kangia and the Icefiord has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 2004.
Your time in Ilulissat allows you to join some of the many optional excursions. You can enjoy helicopter flights over the Icecap and visit remote settlements where fishing and hunting still continues as it has for centuries.
Optional excursions during stay in Ilulissat (see Trip Notes for details):
• The Icebergs of Sermermiut
• Hunter's Settlement - Rodebay
• Midnight Cruise to the Ice Fiord
• By Helicopter to the Ice Cap (operation depend on weather and helicopter capacity)
• Hunter's Settlement - Ilimanaq
• Home Visit
• Feeding the huskies
• Whale Safari
We travel out by boat to Eqi, 5 hours by boat through the Disko bay. Very few places in Greenland are as beautiful as the Eqi glacier, which comes out in a fiord about 80 km north of Ilulissat.
Departure from Ilulissat, in a modern and convenient tourist boats, is early. There is tea and coffee on the way and a light breakfast is served. At around midday, you arrive in front of the Glacier, the boat will stay in front of the glacier for approximately 1½ hour, while we hope to spot some amazing calvings and enjoy lunch.
Around 2pm, we land at Port Victor, the ”harbour” at Ice Camp Eqi. The camp guides will greet and show everybody their huts. Coffee and cake is served and practical information on the area is given. The rest of the day could be spent by joining the excursions that hike to the lagoon, the moraine and the glacier or enjoying the view from the huts.
You do not need to bring all your luggage along for these two days. We recommend that you only pack the most necessary in a day pack, since after arriving in Port Victor you have to carry you own luggage 400 m upwards to Ice Camp Eqi. Remember however it can be cold.
There are several options for hiking here to view all the angles of the Eqi Glacier. From the huts you can join an optional group hike around the small lagoon at the southern end of the glacier. There are often large flocks of geese in the lagoon in the breeding season. The hike goes further up the moraine where we can look down into the enormous cracks in the glacier few meters away from us. From here you will also get an overview of a large part of the 70m high glacier-front and see the impressive calvings from the glacier. If you wish to join the optional hike, please book early.
You return to Ilulissat where you have the evening and following morning to relax.
You have the morning at leisure in Ilulissat until afternoon transfer to the pier for embarking on a sailing voyage along the spectacular West Greenland coast on board the coastal vessel MV Sarfaq Ittuk.
Get ready for an experience of a lifetime as you will be sailing in beautiful clear water in scenic fjords with icebergs floating around you.
The coastal voyage south to Narsaq takes 4 days and 3 nights, and is a regular coastal service used by locals as well as travellers. On board you will meet the local population travelling from town to town to visit relatives and friends along the coast. Enjoy the incredible landscape as we leave the Arctic scenery and reach the green and more fertile South Greenland, rather than whales, watch for sheep along the way. The ship calls at the major towns and required settlements as it travels south.
The ship goes at the local's pace, with time to enjoy the view. There is a sense of community with families welcoming the ship at every port.
Accommodation on board is in comfortable twin share outside cabin with window and private bathroom/toilet.
Everyone travelling in the MV Sarfaq Ittuk have their meals in the restaurant/cafeteria. We have decided not to include the meals in the trip price, but give you the freedom to choose. This will also allow you to enjoy meals ashore when the ship docks at ports along the way. Bistro menu was fairly basic but the food presentation, quality and variety was very good. The bistro operated on limited time of 1 hour each for breakfast, lunch and dinner but snacks and drinks were available all throughout the day and evening. The pricing was reasonably expensive (like most of Scandinavia) but good value.
Please note that there is smoking on board this boat. Meal prices on board are as follows (note that prices are indicative only and may change without prior notice):
Following is your itinerary/schedule for the 4 day and 3 night voyage (schedule is indicative only and may change without prior notice due to local conditions):
Sailing schedule MV Sarfaq Ittuk
Sunday
Departure at 17:00 southbound cruise along the Greenlandic West Coast.
21:30 to 22:00 short stop in Aasiaat.
Monday
Sailing south along the Greenlandic West Coast.
09:00-11:00 Call at Sisimiut.
21:30-22:00 Short stop in Maniitsoq.
Tuesday
Sailing south along the Greenlandic West Coast.
06:30-09:00 Call at Nuuk
23:30-23:59 Short stop in Paamiut.
The Southern coast of Greenland is jokingly nicknamed "Sineriak Bananeqarfik" (Banana Coast) by the locals. Still far from a tropical paradise, this is the region which experiences the least extreme temperatures of Greenland. The area is characterized by its fjords and mountains; flowering plants, fertile lands and sheepfarms side by side with floating icebergs and glaciers.
Arrival into Narsaq is late in the evening, transfer to hotel and accommodation at Hotel Narsaq. Narsaq is a typical Greenlandic town with a small population that is decreasing dramatically every year. It is beautiful with it's coloured houses and icebergs framing the pictures. Local fjords are full of marine life, including whales, salmon, and seals. Other marine animals in Narsaq are harp seals and walruses.
This morning, transfer to Narsaq airport after breakfast.
All prices listed are per person, twin share double. Please note that 2024 prices are early indicative only. Note this itinerary starts every Tuesday.
**Off the beaten track travel in Greenland: **
Greenland is remote, rough & real. It offers unique experiences, however, here are a few things to be aware of when travelling in Greenland.
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Hot air ballooning in Lapland whilst watching the Northern Lights, hiking up volcanoes, glamping in Greenland, a private meeting with Santa or climbing three peaks in Norway - see our collection of unmissable travel experiences across our Nordic and Scandinavian region.
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The indicated prices are per person unless otherwise stated. Prices may change without prior notice due to specific conditions at the time and place of the excursion. Please note that not all excursions are available during every tour-programme that includes this destination. Please refer to the tour-programme for a list of excursions available on that particular tour.
1: City Walk Ilulissat
During a walk through town the guide tells about the history of Ilulissat. We will visit the fishermen at the harbour and the hunters at their trading post. We will show you the church and the house where the famous explorer Knud Rasmussen was born..
Duration: 2 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 250
2: Visiting the old settlement of Sermermiut
By bus as far as the road goes. A beautiful walk along the UNESCO designated Ilulissat Ice Fiord to Sermermiut where traces from the 3 old Eskimo cultures still can be seen.The different Inuit cultures have lived here during the last 4000 years, and today you can still find artefacts, which witness their presence. Hear the story about the life and the customs of the Greenlanders before the Europeans arrival; see the ruins, the kitchen mitten, and fell the permafrost with your own hands.
Duration: 3 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 250 including refreshment
3: Boat trip to Hunter's Settlement - Rodebay
By boat to the small settlement Oqaitsut/Rodebay with a local population of approx. 40 persons totally dependent on fishing and hunting - a quite different world compared to the nearby town of Ilulissat. Guided walk through the village before we will enjoy lunch at the old trading station. You can walk back as an option (6 hours one way).
Duration: 6 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 1020 including lunch
4: Midnight Cruise to the Ice Fiord
The midnight sun and the warm red colours reflecting in the gigantic icebergs is a fantastic sight. Cruise between the icebergs and enjoy a late Martini on "the real rocks"! Season for midnight sun is approx. 22may-24jul. Outside this season the excursion is operated as an evening cruise with the beautiful sunset reflecting over the icebergs. Remember to bring warm clothes or you can rent suit of sealskin.
Duration: 3 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 600
5: By Helicopter to the Ice Cap
As a new service you can now pre-book our helicopter excursion in Ilulissat. The tour includes a ground stop where you can leave the helicopter! Either in front of the glacier itself (long tour) or mid fiord overlooking the whole ice fiord (short tour). Actual tour depends on helicopter available. During the flight we cruise in low altitude over the Ilulissat Ice Fiord which is now on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Operation depend on weather and helicopter capacity.
55min. flying time + ground stop DKK 2895
30min. flying time + ground stop DKK 2400
6: Hunter's Settlement - Ilimanaq
By boat to the settlement of Ilimanaq, which is situated just south of the Kangia Ice Fiord. Ilimanaq has a population of approx. 80 persons mainly depending upon fishing and hunting. A completely different world compared to the town of Ilulissat. Upon arrival to Ilimanaq guided tour of the settlement before enjoying our lunch with a local family.
Can also be operated by night at a smaller surcharge of DKK 250 per person.
Duration: 6 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 800 including lunch
10: Feeding the huskies
Ilulissat is sledge-area and the approx. 3500 dogs in town are still used for both work and fun every winter. We invite you to join the feeding of a dog team. You can see, feel, touch and most of all hear the howling of 20 hungry dogs. The owner will demonstrate the sledge and the harness and tell about life as a sledge dog in Greenland. Good shoes advised!
Duration: 1 hour (approx.)
Price: DKK 125
11: Whale Safari
By boat we go out into the Disko Bay to spot whales. In the summer time humback whales come to the Disko Bay to feed on the capelin, a small herring-like fish. As the humpback whales are protected they are very trusting and can often be enjoyed at close range. However, as this is not a zoo there is, of course, no guarantee for seeing the whales.
Duration: 5 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 995 including lunch packet
The indicated prices are per person unless otherwise stated. Prices may change without prior notice due to specific conditions at the time and place of the excursion. Please note that not all excursions are available during every tour-programme that includes this destination. Please refer to the tour-programme for a list of excursions available on that particular tour.
1: City walk Narsaq
Walk through Narsaq where the guide will tell about the daily life in a Greenlandic town. We will visit the newer part as well as the old kayak harbour, where local hunters still bring in seals. A visit to one of the local stores and the local market show how the old way of life still is existing alongside the modern way of life. Lunch and visit to the little museum are also included.
Duration: 5 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 400 including lunch
2: Easy hike - The Dyrnas Peninsula
A leisurely hike including visit to a non-excavated Viking ruin, remains from the Eskimos as well as beautiful Arctic sceneries. This hike is not that demanding and most clients will be able to participate.
Duration: 3 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 300
3: By boat to the Inland Ice Cap
By boat across the ice filled Bredefiord to a fiord system northwest of Narsaq leading up to the impressive Twin Glaciers, where we go a shore on a small rock emerging from the glacier front. Here we will enjoy our packed lunch before continuing into another fiord with bird's cliffs and a big waterfall.
Duration: 4 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 1000 including lunch
4: Hike - The Dyrnas Peninsula and Kvanefjeld
Walk up along Narsaq river to the geological interesting area around the Kvanefjeld (Kvane Mountain). Here we might find the rare gem stone Tugtupit only to be found in this area and in a small part of Siberia. The Arctic scenery is amazing and the view incredible. Packed lunch included.
Duration: 5-6 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 600 including lunch
5: Half day by boat to Eskimo ruins
By boat across the Narsaq Sound among the numerous icebergs to a natural harbour where we go ashore to see the ruins of Eskimo dwellings and some "jumping stones" - a popular game in the old Eskimo world.
Duration: 3 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 600
6: Full day tour to Qaqortoq incl. city walk
We sail through the narrow Mato Strait to the biggest town in South Greenland called Qaqortoq. The old town centre from 1750s is still intact and all over the town the contemporary art project "Stone & Man" can be experienced with more than 40 sculptures made into the rocks. Lunch at the little, cosy restaurant Napparsivik which is one of the oldest houses on the old square.
On certain days we can offer helicopter transportation Narsaq-Qaqortoq v.v. Another way to experience the Greenland landscape when flying in low altitude in one of Air Greenland's helicopters DKK 550 one way per person.
Duration: 6-7 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 1100 including lunch
7: Greenland Buffet
Delicious Buffet with all the Greenland delicacy.
Price: DKK 350
8: Evening cruise
We sail into the fiords surrounding Narsaq to enjoy the beautiful evening light with all its pink and purple shades on the icebergs. With a little luck we might even see a whale coming into the area to feed on the capelin, a small herring-like fish.
Duration: 1½ -2 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 500