East Greenland and the Majestic Fjords near Sermilik

Discover the enchanting city of Reykjavik at your own pace. In the afternoon, drive to Keflavik, from where you will fly to Kulusuk Airport. The airport was built in 1956 by the US Air Force. In the evening you board your expedition ship and begin your exciting discovery tour.

During your expedition cruise, the exact route will be determined by weather conditions and the presence of ice. Some areas may be covered in ice and therefore not always accessible. Please note that the locations mentioned are only examples of possible destinations on this expedition cruise.

You will visit the town of Tasiilaq. With just under 2000 inhabitants, it is the largest settlement in East Greenland. Tasiilaq is home to an ancient and unique Inuit culture, where shamanism and indigenous culture are much more alive than in other parts of Greenland. During the expedition you will learn more about the local myths and legends, including the Tupilaqs. Tasiilaq is also known for its art scene, where local artists produce prints, sculptures and textiles, mainly depicting animals, landscapes and traditional stories of the region.

Finally, you will drive into the tranquillity of the Ammassalik fjord system and the small settlement of Kuummiut. This is a relatively unknown gem of East Greenland, nestled in the Ammassalik archipelago. The surrounding fjords, surrounded by high mountain peaks, offer perfect hiking opportunities with hidden waterfalls and spectacular views. Kuummiut has a rich Inuit heritage and you will have the opportunity to learn about traditional practices.

Further north is the Ikateq Fjord, where you could land at the abandoned World War II military base, Bluie East Two. It played an important role as a refueling and maintenance station for aircraft traveling between North America and Europe. Today it is no longer in use, but there are still some remnants such as abandoned fuel drums, buildings and vehicles.

Further east are two impressive glaciers: Karale and Knud Rasmussen. If you sail through this area, you will probably be able to hear and see the thunderous calving of these two very active glaciers

You continue into the mighty Sermilik Fjord. It stretches for 90 kilometers and cuts through a rugged landscape of towering glaciers and jagged peaks. You are surrounded by a multitude of icebergs of all shapes and sizes. Most of them come from the impressive Helheim Glacier at the deep end of the fjord, which produces some of the largest icebergs in all of Greenland. The beauty around you is breathtaking!

On the southern shore of the Sermilik Fjord lies the small village of Tiilerilaaq. The wooden houses are beautifully situated on a hill with the large Sermilik Fjord in the background. The local Inuit culture and traditional hunting and fishing activities play an important role in life here. Before you say goodbye, take a nice hike to get an overview of the surrounding landscapes and the many icebergs.

If the ice permits, you will enter the Johan Peterson Fjord. On the northern side of the fjord entrance is the island of Qeertartivatsiaq, on the southern shore of which we find Inuit ruins. At the head of the fjord there are several outlet glaciers from the ice sheet that drop directly into the sea. This is one of the few places where you can see the actual ice sheet, although you should know that it is often blocked by beautiful icebergs.

They are constantly on the lookout for Arctic foxes, seals and various species of whales.

After a good breakfast, you disembark in Kulusuk. You have one last tour ahead of you before heading to the airport and your flight to Keflavik. After your arrival in Iceland, you check into your hotel for a good night's sleep.

Now say goodbye and start your return journey home or set off on new discoveries.