Greenland: Disko Bay and Beyond (Ocean Victory)

Hej! Welcome to Denmark. Your adventure begins straightaway with an included flight to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland’s only inland town and a key air hub with a rich Cold War history. When you arrive, take your first Zodiac ride to the Ocean Albatros, settle into your cabin, complete a safety drill, and then toast with champagne as you set off through the stunning Kangerlussuaq fjord.

Today, you'll visit Sisimiut, Greenland’s second-largest city, with around 5400 residents. Inhabited since 2500 BC by Paleo-Inuit peoples, the area holds ancient remains on nearby Tele Island – you may hike there if you wish. Founded as Holsteinsborg in 1756, Sisimiut features well-preserved historic buildings like the Blue Church from 1775, situated in the city’s charming museum quarter. The city blends traditional and modern Arctic life – take some time to explore the cultural centre, Taseralik, the city museum and the famous art workshop, and be sure to taste some Greenlandic delicacies.

Explore Disko Island’s basalt coast by land and Zodiac today, and spend time in Qeqertarsuaq, set beneath towering basalt mountains. Once a centre of North Greenland’s whaling industry, the town now relies on hunting, fishing and a growing tourism sector. Wander among colourful houses and unusually lush vegetation, supported by the island’s volcanic soil and mild microclimate, or take in the surrounding hiking country. This afternoon, head out by Zodiac to explore the coastline around Kuannit, where tundra, caves and waterfalls meet drifting icebergs. Then, continue north towards Uummannaq.

Uummannaq sits at the foot of its striking 1170 m (3839 ft) 'heart-shaped' mountain – a true Greenlandic landmark. Founded in 1763 by Danish colonists, the lively town has a rich Inuit heritage. Locals sell traditional handicrafts in the town square and fresh fish at the bustling market and are strongly connected to their traditional lifestyle. Visit the museum for an insight into local history or hike to Santa’s house – another famous local landmark. As you sail into Uummannaq Fjord, take in breathtaking views of the iceberg-studded waters and towering peaks beneath the endless midnight sun.

Eqip Sermia (a Greenlandic name meaning 'the Glacier at the End of the Fjord') is a relatively small glacier for Greenland, although it is still a truly vast river of ice, flowing directly from the Ice Sheet. It's also one of the most active, and ice constantly tumbles off the vast glacier-front. If conditions allow, you'll take a Zodiac toward the icy massif and hopefully experience the roar of the glacier's frequent calvings at sea level (from a safe distance of course!).

Enter a land of ice today in Ilulissat ('icebergs' in Kalaallisut), the stunning Iceberg Capital of the World. It's home to the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord, which is accessible on a gentle walk from the harbour. This 70 km (43.5 mi) fjord leads to Sermeq Kujalleq, the largest glacier outside Antarctica, which drains 13 percent of the Greenland Ice Sheet and produces 10 percent of the Northern Hemisphere’s icebergs. Founded 280 years ago and the birthplace of legendary Arctic explorer Knud Rasmussen, Ilulissat is Greenland’s third-largest town, rich in culture and adventure, with lots of local seafood on offer, vibrant markets and elegant art galleries. The hiking trails around the Icefjord are a must-do, or perhaps you'd like to try a thrilling boat or flightseeing tour to witness the raw power of the ice up close.

Today, you'll visit Itilleq ('the Crossing Place from the Sea'), a picturesque village nestled among mountains and fjords just north of the Arctic Circle. Located at the edge of the Aassivisuit-Nipisat UNESCO World Heritage site, it preserves a rich Inuit hunting heritage dating back thousands of years. Modern colourful houses have replaced turf huts, but locals still rely on Arctic char, reindeer and muskox. Warm Greenlandic hospitality welcomes you into this wonderfully homely hamlet.

As your journey concludes, sail up the 160 km (99.4 mi) Kangerlussuaq Fjord. Disembark by Zodiac after a fond farewell to the Expedition Team and crew of Ocean Albatros. Though Kangerlussuaq is more known for its Cold War-era military roots and role as a transport hub than its cultural heritage, its surrounding wilderness offers striking natural beauty. Hop on a flight from Kangerlussuaq to the airport in Copenhagen, Denmark, where your Arctic adventure comes to a close, with lasting memories of Greenland’s wild landscapes and rich culture.