These journeys from Iceland and Canada will convey Greenland’s surroundings, fjords and shoreline somewhat nearer to the doorstep.
Coming nose to nose with Greenland’s centuries-old glaciers is far simpler to handle than you suppose. Whereas that may be arduous to consider about one of the vital untouched locations on the planet, Greenland isn’t out of attain. These 4 routes imply you may start an Arctic journey from accessible hubs like Toronto or Ottawa in Canada and Reykjavik in Iceland. Any one in every of these journeys is a chance to create a core reminiscence crammed with surroundings that solely the bare eye can respect.
Picnic on the foot of Greenland’s most lovely fjord
The West Greenland Gems: Fjords, Icebergs and Tradition journey from Reykjavik lasts 12 days. You’ll be able to hop on a flight to Iceland and head over Arctic waters in direction of Greenland the subsequent day.
Uummannaq is simply one of many many locations which can be simply accessed on this journey. It’s thought of the soul of north Greenland and is understood for its heart-shaped mountain.
Few folks on the planet can say they’ve had an opportunity to discover Ummannaq Fjord – a 100-mile-long fjord system with winding valleys and channels positive to awe. The encompassing city will play proper into the Greenland of your creativeness: brightly colored houses dotted alongside the shoreline, icebergs floating within the background and sleeping below the northern lights.
Different locations on this journey embrace Disko Bay, a preferred space for iceberg gazing and whale watching. The explorer in you’ll respect stopping off at in any other case distant landmarks: The Sermeq Kujalleq glacier (a UNESCO World Heritage Web site) and the Torsukatak Fjords.
You’ll additionally take pleasure in native tastings in Sisimiut – Greenland’s journey and mountain climbing hub. And break bread over a picnic with the townspeople of Manitsoq, which is dwelling to Eternity Fjord. Whereas this journey has many highlights, this fjord is taken into account Greenland’s most lovely, and the grand finale earlier than heading dwelling.
Uncover Norse ruins and thousand-year-old traditions
The Greenland Explorer: Sail and Soar the Alpine Arctic journey affords some severe bang in your buck. In 11 days, you’ll uncover all the pieces that makes Greenland what it’s in a single clear swoop. Assume iced spectacles, stretches of shoreline, a gentle stream of Arctic wildlife and somewhat style of native historical past, tradition and village life.
After being transferred to Keflavik Airport in Reykjavik, you’ll fly out to Narsarsuaq. A mountain climbing haven because of all of the valleys, this settlement has a inhabitants of about 123 folks. It’s thought of the gateway to south Greenland’s Norse ruins, glaciers and considerable wildlife. Positioned on the fringe of the Greenland Ice Sheet, this southern area is one other UNESCO World Heritage website, because of historic Norse and Innuit farming traditions.
All through the journey, you’ll enterprise from east to west, cruising via areas just like the Arctic Patagonia. As you discover fjords, islets, inlets and different pure landmarks, you’ll be taught concerning the communities that when lived amongst them. For instance, 1000’s of years in the past, Lindenow Fjord – identified by its Greenlandic identify, Kangerlussuatsiaq – was dwelling to teams of Inuit hunters and fishermen.
As you make your method via the fjords and villages of Arctic Patagonia and meet the locals, you’ll expertise traditions like searching and fishing via their tales, music and meals.
Gape at glaciers all day lengthy
If you happen to name Toronto dwelling, you’re already one step nearer to Greenland. If not, Toronto is an excellent handy metropolis you may shortly get to straight from many locations in Europe and North America. The 13-day Excessive Arctic Explorer: Greenland to Canada pairs Greenland with Canada and kicks off with a direct flight to Kangerlussuaq in Greenland. This tiny city has a inhabitants of simply 500. Right here, you’ll hop onboard Intrepid’s Ocean Endeavour and start your crossing of the Arctic Circle surrounded by snowy mountains and glaciers.
There are some spectacular stops deliberate on this journey. The Sisimut Coast is a stretch of fjords, islands and mountains that can fill your cup greater than as soon as. Higher but, make the most of getting off board and stretching your sea legs with a hike alongside the shoreline’s pure websites whereas studying about Saqqaq, Dorset, Thule and trendy Inuit individuals who have referred to as the Sisimiut area dwelling for 4500 years.
After exploring Greenland, you’ll see a facet of Canada away from metropolis life. This second half of the journey will take you to locations like Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet), a small Inuit group. Mittimatalik is dwelling to Tununiq Arsarniit Theatre Group, artists who inform tales with drum dancing and throat singing. After that, you’ll spend 5 days exploring landscapes round Tallurutiup Imanga Nationwide Marine Conservation Space (Lancaster Sound) whereas conserving an eye fixed out for narwhal, beluga and bowhead whales who prefer to feed round right here.
Maple syrup meets iceberg sightseeing
The Excessive Arctic Explorer: Canada to Greenland journey begins in Ottawa and takes you to most of the similar spots because the journey above, however saves Greenland in direction of the tip with an opportunity to discover Ilulissat. This vibrant coastal city is a UNESCO website famend for icebergs and views. If you happen to’ve been dreaming of Greenland, Ilulissat is probably going the image you’ve in your head.
Ilulissat means icebergs, and even in case you’ve seen loads of icebergs earlier than, likelihood is you haven’t seen something like the enormous ones that come by right here – some as much as a kilometre tall!
Illulissat Icefjord is the place the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier calves into the ocean. Studied for over 250 years, it’s one of the vital lively glaciers on the planet. Consequently, greater than 35 billion tonnes of ice go via this spot yearly, creating the world’s quickest ice stream. The mixture of all this culminates in an precise phenomenon.
Illusiat can also be wealthy in Inuit tradition and has a budding meals scene for people whereas being a preferred feeding spot for whales.
Uncover extra of Intrepid’s small group adventures to Greenland.
