Disko Bay & Inuit Villages

From 1941 to 1992, the town of Kangerlussuaq in Greenland was home to an American military base. Nowadays, thanks to its international airport, it has become a transit point for travellers seeking adventure in the Far North. Located to the north of the Arctic Circle, this town is the starting point of magnificent discoveries surrounded by unspoiled nature. Indeed, just a few dozen kilometres from there it is possible to get close to the Greenland ice sheet, the largest body of ice in the Northern Hemisphere.

From Kangerlussuaq, admire also the superb landscapes of tundra in autumnal colours, where Arctic hares, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, reindeer, falcons and eagles live.

During your cruise, we invite you to discover Sisimiut, founded in 1756 and the second largest town in Greenland. This small town is typical of Greenland, boasting bewitching panoramas: here and there, colourful stilt houses dot the undulating landscape, and the small fishing port stands as the gateway to an icy realm. As for the town centre, it is home to a number of historic buildings, a small church and a museum which retraces the history of the Inuit people, as well as many craft shops. When your ship drops anchor here, you will set out to meet the locals in a typically arctic atmosphere.

The Eqi Glacier is one of the most active in Greenland. Here, the silence is broken only by the roaring and cracking of the ice. Imagine the vast outline of a glacier, its translucent crystals glowing with an ice-blue fire in the sunlight.

Eqi Glacier is often referred to as the calving glacier as you are guaranteed to see small and large pieces of ice breaking off the five kilometre wide glacier. Visitors are able to see Paul-Émile Victor’s shelter where the French Polar Expeditions’ anthropological and geographic explorations set off in the 1950s.

In the curve of Uummannaq Bay, opposite a narrow passage between two islands, you will discover the moonscape of the small desert island of Akulleq. The ochre yellow and orange of this mineral site look ablaze under the sunshine of the polar summer. From the island’s summit you will be able to contemplate a panoramic view of the bay’s magical landscape and its huge icebergs with surprising shapes.

Uummannaq, located on a small island in northwestern Greenland, is renowned for its breathtaking Arctic landscapes and vibrant Inuit culture. The town is named after the heart-shaped mountain that dominates the skyline, offering a stunning backdrop to this picturesque settlement.

Visitors to Uummannaq can explore the surrounding fjords, glaciers, and icebergs, which are perfect for boat tours and kayaking. The area is also known for its rich wildlife, including seals, whales, and seabirds. The Uummannaq Museum provides insights into the local history and traditions, showcasing artefacts related to hunting, fishing, and Greenlandic culture.

Disko Bay is scattered with countless icebergs produced by the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From your ship, admire the majestic ballet of these ice giants as they slowly drift across the dark waters. This site is a natural marvel of Greenland, and is also renowned as an observation point for the region’s many humpback whales.

Visitors can choose to explore the bay by small boat, to head ashore to stroll through the town of Ilulissat or to enjoy a walk to the idyllic Sermermiut valley. Ships will anchor offshore and tenders will be provided to the shore.

On the southern coast of Disko Island, Qeqertarsuaq is one of just two small villages on this island the size of Corsica. Its isolation makes it an observation post popular among naturalists since the beginning of polar exploration and the set-up, in 1906, of the Arctic Centre research facility. During a zodiac cruise you will have the chance to explore the natural wonders of Greenland, meet its wildlife such as the humpback whale and contemplate the basaltic organ landscapes that offer pure moments of wonder for you. In the heart of this spectacular and fragile nature, enjoy the breath-taking views of the grandiose and varied landscapes of Disko Island and Disko Bay.

The Dutch were the first to come and hunt whales on this island they called “isle of dogs” - Kitissuarsuit in Greenlandic. Indeed, when they arrived there in the summertime, the inhabitants had left the island, leaving behind their dogs, and moved to the neighbouring fjords for a season of fishing. Kitissuarsuit is considered to be the larder of the small town of Aasiaat, which is further away from the fishing areas, and the villagers still live self-sufficiently thanks to the marine resources, while trying to keep their age-old traditions alive.

Your ship glides slowly along the water towards the west coast of Greenland, to enter Evighedsfjorden, just a few kilometres south of Kangerlussuaq. Evighedsfjorden means “the fjord of Eternity”, and for good reason: just when you think you’ve reached the end of this stretch of sea measuring over 100 kilometres in length, it seems to go on forever, as though to bring even more pleasure to those sailing in it. The spectacular scenery ranges from glaciers to tundra with an abundant flora, and jagged cliffs where numerous bird species have taken up residence. Take the time to observe the white-tailed eagles and the colonies of seagulls and black-legged kittiwakes flying overhead in the area.

Located in western Greenland, Kangerlussuaq is the country's main air transport hub. Thanks to an American military base turned international airport it has become a transit point for travellers seeking adventure in the Far North.

Just a few dozen kilometres from here it is possible to get close to the Greenland ice sheet, the largest body of ice in the Northern Hemisphere. From Kangerlussuaq, visitors can also admire the superb landscapes of tundra in autumnal colours, where Arctic hares, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, reindeer, falcons and eagles live.