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Discover the Heart of Greenland

Discover the Heart of Greenland

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Description

If you think you’ve seen it all, Greenland still surprises
Like no other polar destination, Greenland offers close interaction and unique cultural experiences together with breathtaking nature. In the Disco Bay area, colourful villages cling to rough, rocky hills surrounding the inland ice. 80% of Greenland is covered by ice and we recommend you always have your camera handy as icebergs of every imaginable shape and size may appear at any time.

“Kalaallit Nunaat” – Land of the People
Enjoy exploring rarely visited settlements, lively towns and the abandoned solitude of Qullissat. Touch an iceberg with your bare hands and marvel at the power of nature in Ilulissat Icefjord. With daily landings and excursions including kayaking, hikes and other activities, you will discover the authentic Greenland and meet the people that call this wilderness home. At many of our stops, you are welcomed into open homes for a traditional “kaffemik”, providing a fascinating insight into local lives.

Giants of the sea
The Disco Bay area is also home to a large number of whales. Some of them live here, while others travel all the way from the Caribbean during summer. There is a very good chance to encounter Humpback, Fin and Greenland whales.

Please Note: Your voyage rates include return economy flight Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq

Trip Name
Discover the Heart of Greenland
Days
12
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Length: 114m Passenger Capacity: 276 Built: 2007 MS Fram is designed for sailing in polar waters, holds the highest safety standards and is the perfect size for optimum nautical manoeuverability and guests' comfort. With space for only 276 guests, you are sure to get to know many of your fellow travellers. You will share stunning sights and memories of a lifetime long after returning home. The Norwegian word Fram means ‘forward’ – lifting expectations of the voyage at hand. MS Fram was built in 2007 with one mission in mind - to bring her guests closer to nature, wildlife and unforgettable experiences. As well as offering numerous lounges in which to relax, our more active guests can use our well-equipped gym. Meanwhile, on deck, our Jacuzzis guarantee you surreal memories when passing the towering icebergs of Antarctica or Greenland.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - The gateway to Greenland
Your flight from Copenhagen arrives in the evening in Kangerlussuaq where MS Fram is waiting for your embarkation.
Day 2 - Days 2 - 10 - The land of Midnight Sun and dog sledges
As we start cruising north, you can look forward to encountering gigantic icebergs, fjords and spectacular landscapes, as well as small villages and larger towns. Sisimiut is situated 40 km north of the Arctic Circle. The name means “the people living in a place where there are fox dens”. This is the second largest town in Greenland, a modern settlement that maintains ancient traditions. Our optional shore excursions include hikes, boat trips and sightseeing. You can also watch local artists sculpt jewellery and crafts from bone, leather and metal, or taste Greenlandic specialities in a local restaurant. Qeqertarsuaq is the only town situated on the old volcanic island of Disco. Greenlandic legend says that two seal hunters were annoyed that the island stood in their way. Using a single hair from an infant, they towed the island up north behind their kayaks. A witch in Ilulissat did not like this lush, green island approaching, and cast a spell on it to run aground. This verdant island in the midst of ice offers amazing Arctic experiences. Join optional excursions like a guided town tour, kayaking or an ice cruising boat trip. If you like archaeology and history, you should definitely pay a visit to the local museum. Feel free to stroll around the settlement on your own. Qasigiannguit is dubbed the “Pearl of the Disco Bay" and is Greenland's forgotten paradise. Nature still dominates everyday life here. The settlement is home to one of the oldest houses in Greenland. It was built in 1734 and is today the town’s museum with some of Greenland's finest ancient artifacts and exciting collections. Join a settlement walk, visit the museum and the local church or stroll around and discover the settlement on your own. The town of Uummannaq is situated in scenic surroundings at the foot of a heart-shaped mountain. Our optional excursions include meeting the locals or taking a tender boat excursion to a landing at Qilakitsoq where mummies from the Thule era were found. In Ukkusissat the local citizens await at the pier and provide entertainment with song and dance, before proudly escorting us to their village. Illorsuit lies at the mouth of the Uummannaq Fjord. There are only 90 people living in this traditional hunting and fishing community. You may find that many houses dry whale meat and fish on the front porch, right next to the laundry. This is a scenic outpost rarely visited by tourists. We may also visit a location near Saqqaq, around 70°N, 51°W, that was without an official name until 2013. The place has special significance to Friederike Bronny, one of our Expedition Team members. As a young geologist student, she spent a year in a tent in this small valley. She also visited the spot several times later as an Expedition Leader. A few years ago, MS Fram was planning to land here, and the captain needed to inform the authorities. Unfortunately, this particular site didn’t have a name. So the captain said, ‘At Hurtigruten we call it “Camp Frieda”.’ Not long after, the authorities relayed back that, from that moment on, Camp Freida would be the official name of the position. Witness the true power of nature on a visit to the Eqip Sermia Glacier, which calves icebergs into the open ocean. We will use the ship’s tender boats to go ashore in this beautiful area. If you're feeling more active, you can take a short hike on your own in the area. Everybody who goes ashore is invited to a barbecue dinner with a beautiful view over the glacier. Ilulissat is set in the stunning scenery of the Ilulissat Icefjord. The area was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. Just outside the town, at the mouth of the fjord, you can often see enormous icebergs that have run aground. They originate from the Jakobshavn Glacier, one of the most productive glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere. These mighty icebergs are unique and no two are alike. Marvel at how they change from white and blue to shades of orange and red when the iceberg surface is struck by the midnight sun. Hear the icebergs’ soundtrack of cracking and rumbling, as the sounds echoe from one end of Ilulissat to the other. We offer a variety of optional shore excursions such as hikes, historic town walks and a boat tour to the Icefjord. Itilleq means "the hollow", and as its name suggests, this small settlement is situated in a hollow, majestically surrounded by high mountains and glaciers. With the Arctic Circle passing just 200 metres south of the village centre, Itilleq can rightly claim the title of ‘the Arctic Circle Village’. The 130 people who live here are mainly engaged in hunting and fishing activities. The island has no fresh water, so its inhabitants have to use a facility that makes fresh water from seawater. The town's church has an interesting history: It was built in Thule (Umanak, North Greenland) in 1930 and was moved to Itilleq in 1963.
Day 3 - Day 11 - See the Ice Sheet up close
As we reach Kangerlussuaq, your expedition with MS Fram has come to an end. Take the opportunity to join a final excursion to the Greenland Ice Sheet. This vast icy wasteland stretches 1,500 miles north and reaches heights of up to 3,200 metres above sea level. The road to the edge of the Ice Sheet boasts beautiful natural scenery, ranging from Arctic desert and tundra with low growing shrubs, to hilly terrain offering breathtaking views over the landscape. Your plane to Copenhagen leaves late in the evening.
Day 4 - Day 12 - The stylish capital of Denmark
You arrive in the Danish capital early in the morning and may even have the time to explore "Wonderful, Wonderful Copenhagen" before you head home.
Day 5 - Please Note:
This is an expedition where the elements rule, and the weather, wind and ice conditions will determine our final schedule. Safety is paramount and the captain will decide the sailing itinerary during the voyage. Therefore, this itinerary is just an indication of what you can experience, and why every expedition with us is unique.

Trip Dates

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Inclusions

    • Enjoy amazing Arctic experiences in the Disco Bay area
    • Explore giant icebergs, fjords, wildlife and spectacular landscapes
    • Get an authentic experience of Greenland and the people living here
    • The Midnight Sun ensures daylight during the entire trip

Map