Compare Disko Bay - Bowhead Whales by Oceanwide Expeditions vs A taste of Greenland tour by 50 Degrees North

Day 1: We will embark our vessel s/v Rembrandt van Rijn in Aasiaat, in the late afternoon

We arrive in Aasiaat from Kangerlussuaq by chartered plane. Aasiaat, is a settlement which as 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.

Day 2: We expect to see our fist Greenland Whale in the Disko Bay area

Today we are at the mouth of the Disko Bay, surrounded by rich waters, which attract both seabirds and whales. We expect to see our fist Greenland Whale. In the evening we spend the night in Fortune Bay, where there are warm springs.

Day 3: When we sail south of Godhavn, gives us good opporunities to spot Greenland whales

Another day of opportunities to see Greenland Whales, when we sail south of Godhavn. In the afternoon we sail to the mouth of the Jakobshavn Isfjord with its enormous icebergs, where we will float for a few hours.

Day 4: We intend to land at Narujuk and Modderbugt to observe a population of birds typical to the High Arctic

In the morning we land at Flakkerhuk, on the east side of Disko Island, making our way through waters dominated by huge icebergs. We intend to land at several points along the coast, like Narujuk and Modderbugt to observe a population of birds typical to the High Arctic, with species such as Long-tailed Skua, Turnstone and Grey Phalarope. The birds breed on a beautiful tundra landscape backed by basalt cliffs. Later in the day we may also pay a visit to Saqqaq, famous because of the remains of dwellings of the Saqqaq Culture, 4000 years ago. Some miles to the west are cliffs with Cormorants and a beautiful hidden lagoon with remains of turf houses.  An alternative is to sail into Ata Sund to the glacier front of Eqip Sermia

Day 5: We will try some landings in Nordfjord and Qasigissat, in a lush tundra landscape

In the morning in Davis Strait we may catch a glimpse the edge of the Baffin Bay sea-ice, some tens of miles west of Disko Island. We will try some landings in Nordfjord and Qasigissat, in a lush tundra landscape near lakes in valleys surrounded by basalt cliffs. At Qasigissat there are accessible populations of ducks and geese.

Day 6: In the evening we cruise along Queqertaq Island (1000 m high) with the largest Northern Fulmar colony in Greenland

In Diskofjord we sail into the Kuanerssuit Fjord toward some warm springs. Near Sioraq settlement, where the people keep sledge dogs, we also visit a Thule dwelling site with large turfhuts in a great setting. In the evening we cruise along Queqertaq Island (1000 m high) with the largest Northern Fulmar colony in Greenland.

Day 7: Our last day of opportunities to see Greenland Whales when we sail south of Godhavn to Hunde Ejlands

Another day of opportunities to see Greenland 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.

Day 8: Our final morning. We will disembark the ship in the morning 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 the voyage cost).

Day 1 - Arrive into Ilulissat and transfer to your fjord side hotel

Arrive into Ilulissat. Meet & greet by a local guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in. After a welcome information meeting, head out for a guided city walk. This small town is known for the Ilulissat Icefjord and for huge icebergs that float around the Disko Bay, shed by the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier. Trails run to the Sermermiut settlement for dramatic views over the ice. The Ilulissat Museum traces the area’s history and the life of local-born explorer Knud Rasmussen. The area is home to thousands of Greenland dogs, used for dogsledding.

Day 2 - Ilulissat

Ilulissat is the third largest town municipality in Greenland with more than 5000 inhabitants. About 4500 people lives in the town Ilulissat and 500 people live in the four remaining small settlements: Ilimanaq, Oqaatsut, Qeqertaq and Saqqaq.

Three hundred kilometres north of the Polar Circle, Ilulissat lies beautifully situated close to one of the world's largest glaciers – Kangia. The glacier produces about 20 million tons of ice each day, all floating into the Ilulissat Icefiord and the Disko Bay. All this ice is a good basis for fishing for Halibut which is the main occupation in Ilulissat. Due to the unique ice and landscape, the area of Kangia and the Icefiord has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 2004.

You have several days, at the start and end of the trip, in Ilulissat with time to join some of the many optional excursions, allowing you the freedom to choose what you want to see and do. You can enjoy helicopter flights over the Icecap and visit remote settlements where fishing and hunting still continues as it has for centuries.

Optional excursions and activities during your stay in Ilulissat, some of which are short and can fit after your day's activities:

• SUP paddle boarding surrounded by Icebergs
• Kayaking
• Arctic Fishing
• Private wellness sauna by the fjord
• By Helicopter to the Ice Cap (operation depends on weather and helicopter capacity)
• Food tour with local ingredients gathering
• Hunter's Settlement - Ilimanaq
• Feeding the huskies
• Long hikes around the Icefjord
• Glacier adventures and photo sightseeing by airplane
• Evening Icefjord & iceberg boat trips
• Dinner cruises around the icebergs

Day 3 - Day trip to Eqi Glacier

Few places in Greenland are as beautiful as the Eqi Glacier, which ends in the fiord 80 kilometres north of Ilulissat. It is possible, by boat, to get very close to the glacier and experience huge pieces of ice breaking off. The sounds are enormous and the sight of the icebergs, crashing into the water, is breathtaking.

We sail in modern and convenient boats during the excursion to Eqi. The route goes north along the coast passing Bredebugt, the settlement of Oqaatsut and the big fiord system called Pakitsoq, where whales and seals are often seen. Further on is the Ataa Strait, which is surrounded by steep mountains with bird life and waterfalls. Our ice secured boats lie approximately 2 hours in front of the glacier and wait for the ice to calve, while a delicious lunch is served. This all-day excursion is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in a true Greenland experience including an unforgettable boat trip through ice filled water.

Please note:

The length of the boat trip to and from the glacier can last between 2 - 5 hours each way. It depends on the boat used the given day. The stop in front of the glacier lasts approximately 2 hours.

Days 4 - 5 - Exploring Ilulissat with Whale Safari

The next two days are free for activities around Ilulissat. Included is a cruise to see whales. You will search for the giant of the sea, and chances for seeing the humpback whale is very good in summer time. Spend time cruising among the icebergs in the search of the whales and hopefully see them before we return to Ilulissat. Please be aware that whales can not be guaranteed on the tour, but an amazing tour in the arctic surrounded by icebergs we promise you.

Other options for your stay are SUP iceberg sightseeing, hiking, arctic fishing, arctic sauna and kayaking. If you wish to book a helicopter flight over the Icecap, please organize this with us before departure.

Day 6 - Depart Ilulissat

You are transferred to the airport in the mid-morning for the flight from Ilulissat.