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West Greenland Ice Odyssey: Glaciers and Icebergs

Arctic From 10 days From $10,792 USD

West Greenland Ice Odyssey Glaciers and Icebergs

Starting from

Reykjavík, Iceland

Ships

Ultramarine

Departures

1 Departure in August 2025

Expedition Overview

Immerse yourself along the dramatic coast of West Greenland, exploring deep into fjords and stunning islands. This trip features the best sites and ice-laden realms of West Greenland in just 10 days. You’ll have opportunities to visit such towns as Sisimiut, Ilulissat and possibly Ittileq, all rich in local culture. Find yourself coasting by massive glaciers and sculpted icebergs while enjoying all the comforts Ultramarine has to offer. At the peak of summer months, you’ll enjoy long sunny days, clear vistas, and opportunities to see ringed, harp and possibly hooded seals, as well as various Arctic birds, including the black guillemot, Arctic tern, northern fulmar and snow bunting. It’s also possible, in this region, to encounter whale species, such as humpback, minke and fin whales.

Highlights

We’ll take you deeper into Disko Bay and Eternity Fjords than any other operator

Experience the beauty of these landscapes from the air thanks to Ultramarine’s twin-engine H145 helicopters

Experience Greenlandic culture by exploring with local partners

Visit three of Greenland’s most picturesque, iconic regions in a single voyage

Join unique and immersive optional activities, such as mountain biking.

Find Your Ideal Itinerary

Duration: 10 days
Departing from: Reykjavík, Iceland
Ship: Ultramarine
Learn more about the ship
Starting from: $10,792 USD per person

Download Brochure

Arrive in the Icelandic capital and make your way to your included hotel. You will have the rest of the day to explore the city on your own.

This morning you’ll catch your charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, where you’ll board your vessel and begin your expedition. Get ready for a great adventure ahead! Expect a welcome and safety briefing from your Expedition Leader. Quark Expeditions’ core belief in working closely with our local partners will enhance every experience as we explore alongside local experts. We’ll draw on our team’s collective knowledge and expertise to deliver incredible experiences.

Disko Bay is a wide, southeastern inlet of Baffin Bay and is the largest open bay in western Greenland. Try to get out on deck as we navigate into this iconic bay where whales are often spotted. Disko Bay is full of exciting destinations for us to explore. We will almost certainly visit the community of Illulissat, which is situated at the head of outlet fjord for Sermeq Kujalleq (Jakobshavn Glacier), known for discharging 35 billion tons of ice each year. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, the fjord is immensely beautiful and we will encourage you to explore it via one of the many marked hiking trails.

Another area we will consider for this itinerary is the wild beauty of Equip Sermia or Torsukatak Fjords, located in the northeast corner of Disko Bay. Both of these remote areas offer fantastic vistas of large active glacial faces and provide plenty of opportunities for hiking, paddling, and Zodiac cruising. This is also an area where, if conditions allow, we will consider utilizing our twin-engine helicopters to get you in the air to appreciate the immensity of this region.

Qeqqata (meaning centre) municipality is Greenland’s second smallest administrative region. Situated in the middle of the country’s western coast, Qeqqata is home to almost 20% of Greenland’s populace, most of whom reside in Sisimiut and Maniitsoq.

During these two days your expedition team will work with our local partners to curate a balance of community and wilderness-focused activities. We are likely to visit Sisimiut, where you can wonder through the open air museum, participate in local tastings or join a hiking group to venture beyond the town limits along one of many incredible hiking trails on Sisimiut’s doorstep. This is where we will also offer the (paid) mountain biking activity.

Further south, our team will seek to take you beyond the ordinary and into these fjords for magical one-of-a-kind experiences, one of which is Eternity Fjord, which is home to the tallest mountains in all of West Greenland. Another fascinating community in this region is Itilleq. Surrounded by sea and mountains, Itilleq is located about a mile (2 km) above the Arctic Circle.

The Quark Expeditions team has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the people of Itilleq, who often gather and invite our staff and guests for a pick-up game of soccer or football.

Today, we disembark in Kangerlussuaq, formerly known as Søndre Strømfjord, and transfer you to your charter flight to Reykjavik, where you’ll spend the night in your included hotel.

Today, you can make your way home at your leisure or continue your independent explorations of Iceland.

Ultramarine

Ultramarine is designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, to discover new places, and immerse you in the best the region has to offer.

Ship Amenities

Ready Rooms
Polar Boutique
Ambassador Theater
Balena Restaurant
Bridge
Bistro 487
Tundra Spa
Tundra Sauna
Fitness Center
Panorama Lounge and Bar

Ship Features

40-day Operational Range
Four Embarkation Points
MAGS
Twin Engine Helicopters
Water-level Zodiac Hangar
Wraparound Deck

Your Life Onboard

This is polar exploration at its finest. Our ships are intimate, luxurious floating hotels, packed with exciting experiences.

Several guests standing on the deck of a ship, wearing their Quark Expedition Parks, looking out onto a polar landscape

Guests on the deck of a polar expedition ship, wearing Quark Expedition parkas, gathered around an expedition leader while everyone raises a glass of champagne in celebration against a backdrop of ice

A presenter stands in front of a large screen displaying educational content about polar regions, engaging the audience with visual aids and maps

Two people stand on a ship with their backs to the camera, wearing their Quark Expeditions parkas, looking out onto an icy landscape

Two people sit in an on ship library reading, with a backdrop of books on bookshelves

A ready room where Quark Expedition parks hang in their open lockers

Enjoy panoramic views while you mingle in our comfy lounges, or head outside and chat with fellow adventurers on the wraparound deck. Our social spaces foster connections & shared experiences.

Engage with world-class experts in our auditorium. Presentations cover wildlife, history, marine biology, ecology, & geology, to enhance your polar knowledge & excitement for exploration.

Enjoy onboard amenities, attend lectures, or watch for wildlife from our observation decks. Sea days offer a perfect blend of education, relaxation, and anticipation.

Find tranquility in our well-stocked library, perfect for reading or quiet contemplation. The glass-domed Observation Lounge offers a peaceful retreat to reflect & enjoy awe-inspiring polar views.

Prepare for off-ship excursions in our spacious mudroom. Kayak, paddleboard, or take a plunge in polar waters. Stay active onboard with our gym, outdoor track, and pool facilities.

What’s Included

Specialist Expedition Leaders

Our team is comprised of the most professional and passionate Expedition Leaders in the world, who bring a wide range of experience and expertise to every adventure.

Immersive Off-ship Activities

Itineraries are packed with adventure options designed to immerses travelers in the polar wilderness, enabling them to connect with the natural wonders of their surroundings.

On-Ship Experiences & Facilities

Designed for comfort and adventure, each ship accommodates no more than 200 guests. Facilities include comfortable cabins, exceptional dining options, wellness treatments, and breathtaking panoramic views of the polar landscape.

Food & Beverages

Premium dining, with a wide selection of options that accommodate a variety of dietary preferences.

Quark Expedition Perks

Complementary Wi-Fi, alcohol on all voyages, and the Official Quark Expeditions parka to take home.

Transfers

Select voyages include essential transportation and accommodation arrangements for guests, ensuring seamless travel to and from the expedition starting point.

International airfare & visa expenses, travel insurance, mandatory expedition gear, on-ship expenses, adventure options and trip extensions are not included.

Included Activities

Upgrade Your Expedition

Find out what add-on options are available for your expedition.

Adventure Options

These can be booked in advance at an extra cost. Activities vary by itinerary, destination and are weather permitting.

Mountain Biking – Arctic

Paddling Excursion in the Arctic

Sea Kayaking in the Arctic

West Greenland Ice Odyssey: Glaciers and Icebergs

Tundra to Table: Inuit Culinary Experience

Trip Extensions

Toronto, Canada

Before heading to the Arctic, take a few days in Toronto and the Niagara region. Spend a few days exploring the vibrant downtown and many culturally diverse neighbourhoods of Toronto, take in a live show or see the sights before adding an optional visit to the Niagara region. Here, you’ll stay in the lovely Niagara-on-the-Lake region and have a chance to visit some of its many award-winning wineries. We’ll also visit Niagara Falls and have a chance to dine overlooking this fabulous spectacle.

Possible Excursions

When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must consider the sea, ice and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. The following sites are a sample of what you may experience on your expedition, whether by ship, Zodiac cruise, helicopter, or shore landing.

Disko Bay

Erik the Red discovered a rich hunting ground in Disko Bay, far north from the Norse settlements in the south below the Arctic Circle. But long before Erik arrived, a paleo-Eskimo culture known as the Saqqaq, inhabited and thrived in this rich and stunning landscape.

Eqip Sermia

With an ice front of just under 2.5 miles (4 km), Eqip Sermia is a truly massive glacier, with huge chunks of ice seen— and heard—calving into the water below. Navigating the narrow sound on the way to the glacier requires traversing ice-clogged water, which produces an ethereal feeling as bergs grind against the ship’s hull.

Qeqertarsuaq

One of the oldest settlements in Greenland, Qeqertarsuaq was settled by whalers in 1773, but archeological evidence suggests that people lived here at least 6,000 years earlier. The town and surrounding area stand apart as the island’s only volcanic region. The area offers unusual geology and colorful landscapes, with particularly lush vegetation. More than half of Greenland’s plant species are found here, tucked between columns of basalt rock and black sand beaches littered with ice fragments. In town, you don’t want to miss Qeqertarsuaq’s Vorherres Bleaekhus, which hosts musical performances by resident artists. Local guides will also lead walking tours to visit the church, Qeqertarsuaq’s shopping area and businesses, and the local museum. If time and weather permit, there’s the chance of an extended hike to the incredible basalt columns 10 km down the coast. This hike isn’t for the faint of heart.

Ilulissat

Ilulissat (formerly Jakobshaven) lies approximately 350 km north of the Arctic Circle. With a population of over 4500, it is the third-largest city in Greenland, after Nuuk and Sisimiut. The city is home to more sledge-dogs than residents! Founded by Danish trader Jacob Saverin as a trading post in 1741, Ilulissat today is a center for shrimp-fishing in the region. Directly translated, “Ilulissat” is the Kalaallisut word for “icebergs.” The town is situated 2 km north of the legendary Ice Fjord, through which colossal icebergs travel out to sea. Ilulissat is also the birthplace of noted polar explorer and anthropologist Knud Rasmussen, Greenland’s revered native son. You’ll be able to enter the house where he was born in 1879 as it’s now a small museum dedicated to his achievements. From 1906 until the early 1930s, Kununnguaq, or “Little Knud,” devoted his life to Arctic studies. His greatest achievements included the Danish Ethnographical Expedition to Arctic North America, also known as the Fifth Thule Expedition, which enabled Rasmussen and his team to take archaeological, geographical and natural history data from Greenland right across the North American Arctic.

Sisimiut

The second-largest town in Greenland, Sisimiut is a place to stretch your legs. Inhabited for more than 4,000 years, Sisimiut has a history that is a mix of Saqqaq, Dorset and Thule cultures. The colorful wooden houses here are typical of Greenlandic communities today. Nasaasaaq, an impressive mountain, provides a scenic backdrop for this settlement.

Itilleq

Itilleq in Greenlandic means “a hollow,” which is where this village is situated, on an island without any freshwater. The village has approximately 130 inhabitants and offers picturesque views of colorful Greenlandic houses dotted along the rocky landscape. It’s also known as a welcoming community, where you might experience “kaffemik,” a Greenlandic tradition of inviting visitors in for coffee, cakes and conversation.

Departure Dates & Cabins

Polar Expedition Team Leader, dressed in warm outdoor gear, with a friendly expression

Ready For Your Expedition?

Our Polar Travel Advisor will recommend the best expedition itinerary to suit your requirements.

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Know Before You Go

For your personal safety—and to ensure you get the most enjoyment out of your polar adventure—please assess your mobility and medical requirements before booking. It is essential that guests have a high level of mobility to get in and out of Zodiac boats, and for off-ship activities such as hiking on uneven terrain. Our destinations are remote. Apart from our basic ship infirmary, it could take up to 72 hours to reach adequate medical facilities. For more details to help you assess your mobility and medical requirements before booking your voyage, please review Health & Safety.

Some of our expeditions have included transfers and these will be detailed in your Invoice and Trip Brochure.

Please note that if you have an airport transfer included in your trip, it is only available if you arrive on Day 1 of the itinerary. Please ensure your flight information on your Passenger Forms is up to date so our ground crew know when to expect you. There will be someone with a sign in Arrivals waiting for you. Please look for them and they will direct you to our group shuttle.

If you do not have included transfers, or you are arriving before Day 1, you will need to make your own way to the hotel. Most airports we travel in and out of have good taxi ranks in the Arrivals area, or you can often prebook a transfer online.

Packing is an exciting part of the trip for many of us. You will find a handy packing list towards the end of your Trip Brochure. You will have received a copy of this when you first booked. We also have two excellent videos, which you can check out here: What to Pack

Our Protection Promise allows you to make a purchase decision that will leave you worry-free in the event your plans change down the road. Please review details for each term in our Quark Expeditions Protection Promise.

Whether you are thinking of an expedition, or you’ve booked the trip of a lifetime with Quark Expeditions, review all our FAQs for comprehensive tips to help you prepare for the Polar Regions and how to make the most out of your voyage with the most experienced expedition team in the industry. If your specific question isn’t covered below, please reach out to your Polar Travel Advisor or helpful Client Experience Team at guest@quarkexpeditions.com.