East Greenland & Sermilik Fjord Small Group

Your small group east Greenland expedition begins in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik where, having arrived independently, you will check into the group hotel for a relaxing overnight stay in preparation for the adventures that lie ahead.

Please note: This expedition requires a mandatory transfer package which includes return flights between Reykjavik and Kulusuk in Greenland, hotel nights in Reykjavik before and after your voyage, and all transfers between hotels, airports and ship. This package is currently priced at $2,590 USD.

This morning you will have time to explore some of Reykjavik at your leisure to discover some of its many delights, before transferring to Keflavik for your flight to Kulusuk in the heart of East Greenland. Kulusuk means “the village with the mountain that looks like the breast of a bird”, referring to the beautiful Isikajia Mountain located directly behind the airport. After a brief exploration of Kulusuk, in the evening you will board the small but mighty M/S Balto expedition ship as your exploration of this remarkable area begins in earnest.

Now your adventures truly begin! In the company of a vastly experienced expedition team and a maximum of just 11 other passengers, you will enjoy an in-depth exploration of East Greenland and the mighty Sermilik Fjord, a remote and rarely-explored region that is made accessible to you by the unimposing size of your expedition ship. With just 12 passengers onboard, you will have unprecedented access to these areas and front row seats to some of the most incredible scenery on the planet.

As with all expedition cruises, your route here can not be guaranteed and will be dependent on weather and ice conditions, with your experienced crew taking these factors into account to chart a course each day for unforgettable adventures and experiences.

The first place we expect to visit will be the town of Tasiilaq where its 2000 inhabitants make it the largest settlement in East Greenland. Here you will have your first taste of Inuit culture as you meet the locals to learn of their local myths and legends which are unique even to Greenland, get a sample of the way of life here and immerse yourself in the vibrant local art scene. In the serenity of the Ammassalik fjord system the surrounding fjords offer excellent hiking opportunities, with hidden waterfalls and spectacular views, whilst the small settlement of Kuummiut offers another chance to immerse yourself in Inuit culture.

Moving further north, we will hope to reach the Ikateq fjord to make a landing at Bluie East Two, an abandoned military base from World War II that played an important role in serving as a refuelling and maintenance stop for aircrafts travelling between north America and Europe and to this day holds remnants of this time.

Throughout your time here you will get up-close to a number of majestic glaciers, of which Karale and Knud Rasmussen may be the most impressive. We will hope to witness the thundering calving of icebergs crashing into the sea here before moving on to the incredibly impressive Sermilik Fjord where more towering glaciers await. Stretching for over 90kms, the fjord offers magnificent landscapes of jagged peaks and a myriad of icebergs of all shapes and sizes, and leads to the Helheim glacier which produces some of the largest icebergs in all of Greenland.

After an in-depth exploration of Sermilik Fjord, as we exit the fjord we will visit tiny village of Tiilerilaaq to enjoy its unique setting where wooden houses perch beautifully upon the hills surrounded by the fjord creating the most picturesque scene. As we explore around the area and meet the locals, you may also enjoy a hike up to a wonderful viewpoint over the village and the surrounding iceberg fields. We will also hope to enter the Johan Peterson fjord to visit Qeertartivatsiaq Island to see its old Inuit ruins and make our way to one of few places where you can catch sight of the actual inland ice, although please know that it is often blocked by bountiful icebergs.

Throughout your time in East Greenland you will enjoy guided shore visits, hikes, Zodiac cruises and a search for Arctic wildlife including seals, various species of whale and Arctic foxes.

As your adventure nears its conclusion, after a leisurely breakfast onboard on day 9, you will disembark to enjoy one final excursion before bidding a fond farewell to your crew and transferring to the airport for your flight back to Reykjavik. Upon arrival in Reykjavik you will transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay. The following morning your itinerary will conclude.