Disko Bay Umanak Arctic Greenland Whale Watching Wildlife Sailing Voyage Expedition Cruise- Aqua-Firma

Greenland Sailing Voyage - Disko Bay - Umanak

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Onboard a beautiful three-masted sailing schooner, this voyage will take you on a fascinating journey through some of the most spectacular Arctic landscapes in the world. Glistening glaciers, enormous ice grottos and colossal icebergs set the scene while we go in search of whales, bird colonies and delve into West Greenland's historic past.

This sailing voyage commences and concludes at Ilulissat, an important Greenland town, home to around 5,000 inhabitants, 6,000 dogs and set in the forefront of the world's fastest moving (up to 25 metres per day) and most post productive glacier in the Northern Hemisphere, the Jakobshavn Glacier. The Midnight Sun guarantees 24 hours a day sunlight, which allows for greater chances of spotting wildlife and in particular whales, as well as providing more time to appreciate the beauty of the surrounding landscapes.

Sailing along the fringe of the Jakobshavn Glacier, in the mouth of Disko Bay and weaving through the multitude of icebergs that are produced from it, the first point of call is Avangnardlit. Upon reaching Avangnardlit's peak, breathtaking views over the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jakobshavn Isfjord are the ultimate reward.

Sailing north of Disko Island, we will encounter the bird colonies at Qullissat and keep an eye out for minke and bowhead whales as we pass the Nuusuaq Peninsula. Greenland waters are one of the only places in the world to see beluga, narhal and bowhead whales, all three of which are the only whales that remain in Greenlandic waters in the winter months: therefore any sighting of these species will be particularly memorable.

Situated on the northern side of the Nuusuaq Peninsula, Qilakitsoq provides a fascinating insight into the history of the Thule culture as well as the cultures and traditions that still exist there today. In Uummannaq, local inhabitants rely greatly on seal hunting as their main source of income and on dog sledges as their principal mode of transport. The waters around this area are often frequented by fin whales, meanwhile on land, reindeer, - West Greenland's most widespread land mammal, are a common sight.

The fascinating geological formations combined with the breathtaking Greenlandic landscapes on this voyage are a sight to be seen. With the use of inflatable zodiacs, otherwise hard to reach places can be explored in greater depth. There will also be plenty of opportunities to explore on land, with a plan to partake in a least two onshore hiking excursions per day. The western side of Qaqugdlugssuit is home to not only the stunning Sermeq Sikardleq glacier, but also a fulmar colony.

Back in 1930, German Explorer Alfred Wegner came to Uvkusigssat to study polar air circulation, an expedition that eventually cost him his own life. Here we can retrace some of his steps as he sought to venture across the Greenland ice-cap - a lasting monument from the last ice age.

A circumnavigation of Upernivik provides awe inspiring views of 2000 m high glaciers and towering mountains. Upon reaching Illorsuit, it is not difficult to see why this stunning location inspired American artist Rockwell Kent to produce his famous painting around a century ago.

The area in and around Karrats Fjord is home to a wealth of wildlife and is also a great area for whale watching. A trek to the southern tip of Svartenhuk leads to a picturesque valley awash with Arctic tundra and dotted with lakes, where geese can be spotted. There are also chances here to spot Greenland's largest land mammal - the musk oxen.

Naajat, on the north side of Oqaatsut is home to more than 10,000 breeding pair of kittiwakes, which are best observed via zodiac cruising and upon land.

This sailing voyage is the ideal choice for anybody wishing to be astounded by gargantuan icebergs, overwhelmed by the magnificence of the Greenland ice-cap and seeking to encounter some of West Greenland's most incredible wildlife.

Photographs kindly provided by Rinie Van Meurs & GTB

Expedition Cruise - Carbon Climate Neutral - Svalbard - Arctic Voyage - Greenland - Spitsbergen - Climate Change - Rainforest4Climate and Forest Credits Rainforest Concern - Responsible Travel holidays - Rembrandt

Day 1
We arrive in Aasiaat from Reykjavik by chartered plane. Aasiaat, is settlement which was created in the 17th century to support the whaling at the mouth of Disko Bay. Its port is ice free from late spring to early winter.

Day 2
Today we sail along the large Jakobshavn Glacier with its enormous icebergs. South of it we climb the hill at Avangnardlit from which we have a fantastic view across the Jakobshavn Isfjord, which is a World Heritage site. In the afternoon we pay a visit to Illulissat if the port is not blocked by ice.

Day 3
At the north side of Disko Island we land at Kugangup Innarta, a seabird cliff at the east side of a valley with a row of Pingo's (periglacial phenomena), and take a walk into the valley.

Day 4
At Uummannaq, we approach High Arctic waters. Seal hunting is still an important source of income for the local people and they also have many dogs which haul their sledges in winter. We will also visit the nearby Qilakitsoq site, on the north coast of the Nuussuaq Peninsula, where some years ago a family of mummified Thule culture people from the 15th Century was found.

Day 5
We sail to Akugdleq with its fantastic geological formations creating a desert like image. Along the west side of Qaqugdlugssuit, noted for a Fulmar colony, we reach the huge glacier Sermeq Sikardleq where we plan a zodiac excursion along the front.

Day 6
In the settlement of Uvkusigssat, Alfred Wegener, the great German explorer had his base from where he ventured to the Greenlandic icecap. Later that day we will land at the head of the fjord, where he began his ascent of the icecap. The Scheideck Glacier which 80 years ago ended at the coast has retreated about 10 km inland. In the same area we will see Marmorilik with Black Angel zinc and lead mine high in the mountains.

Day 7
Sermeq Avanggardleq in the Perdlerfiup Kangerdlua is another glacier which has retreated considerably. It is about a half an hour walk before you come to a stunning lake in which icebergs drift around and where you see huge ice grottos.

Day 8
Today we circumnavigate Upernivik ø and sail through narrow fjords surrounded by mountains of over 2000m and glaciers at all sides. We land in Illorsuit on Ubekendt Ejland, where the American artist Rockwell Kent made his famous painting of Greenlandic life, a century ago.

Day 9
We land at Schades øer at the mouth of the Karrats Fjord. The mouth of this fjord is a good area for spotting whales. Later we land on the southern tip of Svartenhuk in a valley with low Arctic tundra full of lakes and geese. Muskoxen have been transferred to this area and have adapted very well.

Day 10
In the early morning we land at Bjørnefaelden, a Norse ruin at the western tip of Nuussuaq Peninsula.

Day 11
At Naajat, on the north side of Oqaatsut, we cruise with zodiacs along a Kittiwake colony of more than 10,000 breeding pairs. Near Antlagia we have a fine opportunity to land and watch the Kittiwakes. In the afternoon we sail toward Aasiaat.

Day 12
We arrive in Aasiaat. At mid-day we fly from Aasiaat to Reykjavik by chartered plane.