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Greenland or "Kalaallit Nunaat" ("Land of the People") in the Greenlandic language, is the largest island in the world, it stretches from 60º to 83º north latitude. Kap Farvel, its southern tip, is located at almost the same latitude as the Shetland Islands in Scotland. The extreme north of Greenland is the northernmost point of land on our planet. Greenland is dominated by the second largest ice-sheet in the world; more than 80% of its surface area is covered by ice reaching a thickness of over 3000 meters (10,000 feet) in the interior. Although huge in size (2,166,000 km²), it is inhabited by less than 60.000 people. Greenland is geographically a part of the North American continent but has more social and political ties with Europe.

The coastline of Greenland is spectacular. Heavily indented with numerous fjords, the coastline consists of spectacular high mountains, 2000 meters (6500 feet) high cliffs and innumerable glaciers. The large glaciers produce the huge, cathedral-like ice-bergs that are abundant in Greenlandic waters. The largest fjord is Scoresby Sund and is more than 300 kilometres (185 miles) long.

The name Greenland was given by Eric the Red, a Norwegian-born Icelandic settler who was banished from Iceland around the year 982 after committing a murder. He found refuge in Greenland. When his exile was over, he returned to Iceland with stories of a green and fertile land to the north-west to lure potential settlers, hence the name Greenland. Although initially flourishing, the Icelandic settlements disappeared from Greenland around 1400, probably due to a climatic change, the Little Ice-Age. But the Norwegian settlers were certainly not the first humans to have lived on Greenland. For thousands of years Palaeo-Eskimos (the Dorset culture) had been living on the coasts of Greenland: they were finally replaced by Inuit (or Kalaallit as they call themselves in Greenland) around 1300 A.D. The Inuit now make up the majority of the Greenlandic population. The Inuit, the word means "men" in the Inuit language, are nowadays seen as the indigenous people of the North American Arctic. Inuit are traditionally subsistence hunters, living primarily from whales, walruses, Caribou, Musk Oxen, Arctic Foxes, Polar Bears and seals.

Please note; although we expect to be able to reach Greenland, nature does not give us a guarantee. Pack-ice is unpredictable and may prevent our ships to complete the planned itinerary.

The Greenlandic weather varies enormously depending on where you are on this vast island. Influenced by its high latitude, the gigantic ice-cap and the surrounding oceans and seas, Greenland has an Arctic to High Arctic climate. Still, East Greenland has on average 300 days of sunshine in the year. In August we can expect surprisingly warm daytime temperatures. In Scoresby Sund the average daytime temperatures are between 5 and 9ºC (41 and 48ºF) with the highest observed temperature being 21ºC (70ºF). On a sunny, windless day even 9ºC feels quite warm. By September, autumn rapidly begins to take a hold. Temperatures drop below zero, the sea in sheltered fjords begins to freeze, the winds strengthen and snow can be expected. Still, the low sun gives spectacular sunsets and the snow adds to the Arctic feeling.

Itinerary

We arrive in Aasiaat from Kangerlussuak by chartered plane (flight not included in the voyage cost. Aasiaat, is a 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.

We sail into Ata Sund to Eqip Sermia

At the western tip of Nussuaq Penisula we land at Bjørnefaelden assumed to be named after a bear trap from the Viking period.

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.

Qaumarajuk Fjord

We will land at the head of the Qaumarajuk Fjord, where Wegener began his ascent of the icecap. The glacier Scheideck which 80 years ago ended at the coast has retreated about 10 km inland. In the same area we will see Marmorilik with the Black Angel Mine for zinc and lead high in the mountains. Later we will have a zodiac cruise Sailing along the glacier front of the Perdlerfiup Sermia.

Upernivik Ø

We circumnavigate Upernivik Ø and sail through the narrow fjords of Inukavsait, surrounded by mountains of over 2000m and glaciers at all sides. At the head of the Kangerlussuaq Fjord we land at Nungutagssuak with Thule houses, a beautiful valley near a giant glacier front and in the valley a hanging glacier.

Schades Øer with Arctic Tern colonies

In the morning we make a zodiac cruise at 200m from Schades Øer with Arctic Tern colonies and sometimes Sabines Gulls. In the afternoon we sail along the south coast of Svartenhuk Peninsula and look into the valleys of Savik and Akunerit, where we sometimes see Musk Oxen. The west side of Akunerit has lakes with water birds like Canadian Goose. Also Arctic Skuas breed here.

Hareøen

On Hareøen we could make a landing at the northeast side at Umivinguaq a lovely little bay with Thule houses. Alternatively we land in Qasigissat, in a lush tundra landscape near lakes in valleys surrounded by basalt cliffs. It is a great area for ducks and geese.

Fortune Bay (Greenlandic, Kitdlit = whale bay) and Engkelsmanshavn

In Fortune Bay (Greenlandic, Kitdlit = whale bay) and Engkelsmanshavn we land near some warm ( 8 degrees C) springs, which create a lush vegetation. We have good opportunities to see Humpback Whales when we sail south of Godhavn to Hunde Ejlands, with a small Greenlandic settlement, old dwellings of Greenland’s Thule culture (dating from 11th century) and graves from 18th century European Whalers.

Arrival and disembarkation in Aasiaat

We arrive in Aasiaat. In the morning we fly from Aasiaat to Kangerlussuaq by chartered flight, and onward by scheduled flight to Copenhagen. ( flights not included in price)

Notes