West Greenland Ice Odyssey Glaciers and Icebergs

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.

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.

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 (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.

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 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.