Itinerary:
Day 1: Kangerlussuaq
Kangerlussuaq is the main gateway to Greenland and a settlement in the Sisimiut community. Slightly less than 600 people live and work in Kangerlussuaq (the long fjord). The airport was built by the Americans during World War II and was operative as an American base until 1992. Today, Kangerlussuaq is a commercial airport.
The Kangerlussuaq dock is about 12 kilometres from the airport, and transport to the docks is by bus. There is no harbour in Kangerlussuaq that can accommodate the MS Fram and therefore embarking the ship requires the use of the ship's shuttle boats (Polar Cirkel boats).
At Kangerlussuaq Airport our Expedition Team will be at your disposal. It is advisable to bring rainproof jackets, trousers and mosquito repellent in your hand luggage to wear during the transfer to the MS Fram.
Day 2: Sisimiut
Sisimiut has a population of about 5.200 inhabitants and is the second largest town in Greenland. The main trade is fishing, and the town accommodates a large fleet of trawlers, a shipyard and a fish factory. Sisimiut is the southernmost of the towns on the western coast of Greenland where sleigh dogs can be found. It is set in rolling countryside and the town centre lies at the foot of a steep hill.
Participation in excursions in Sisimiut requires reasonably good physical condition apart from the boat trip. The settlement visit will focus largely on the old part of the town down by the harbour, and on the local centre of activity, the harbour itself. Our Expedition Team will be at your disposal at different locations of the settlement. The MS Fram normally docks at the quayside in Sisimiut. After docking in Sisimiut we will experience a kayak show, which demonstrate old hunting techniques alongside the ship.
Day 3: Qeqertarsuaq
Qeqertarsuaq is situated on the old volcanic island of Disko, and is the only town on the island. The population is around 1 100, about 60 whom live in the town’s only settlement, Kangerluk. Qeqertarsuaq means “The Big Island”, and the most important industry in the town is fishing and sealing though whaling once used to play an important role.
The town is set in wonderful surroundings at the foot of impressive Basalt Mountains. The Arctic Station is situated here, which is a part of the Copenhagen University studying Flora and Fauna in Greenland. There will be PolarCirkel boat transfer from the ship to Qeqertarsuaq and our Expedition Team will be at your disposal at different locations of the walk. A small local café is open for you during the stay.
Day 4: Uummannaq/ Ukkusissat
The town of Uummannaq is situated in scenic surroundings at the foot of the 1 170 meter tall, heart-shaped mountain. The municipal borough of Uummannaq has a population of about 2 650 of whom 1.400 lives in the town and the rest in the remaining 7 Settlements in the borough.
Hunting and fishing are the main trades in the town, and the most important species of fish is the halibut. The halibut-processing factory is the town's major source of employment. You may visit the town with amongst other things, the magnificent church and the old turf house that was lived in until 1989. There will be Polar Cirkel boat transfer from the ship to Uummannaq.
Ukkusissat
We will be calling Ukkusissat in the evening. This settlement is set in wonderful scenery nestling between the magnificent mountains of the municipal borough of Uummannaq. There are about 190 inhabitants in the settlement, all of whom make a living from hunting and fishing. Ukkusissat (soapstone), was named after a nearby soapstone deposit which has been mined by Inuit craftsman for centuries, using the much sought-after soft stone to produce oil lamps, pots and pans. Ukkusissat was also a starting point of Alfred Wegeners expedition with horses. Life in a small village is the topic for the walk. Going ashore in Ukkusissat requires the use of the ship's PolarCirkel boats.
Day 5: Eqip Sermia
The glacier Eqip Sermia has a front edge about five km long that calve icebergs into the open ocean. Today you have an outstanding possibility to experience a glacier and sense the greatness of the nature.
We will use the ship's tender boats to go ashore in this beautiful area near by the glacier. Passengers in relatively good physical condition will be able to hike in the area.
All who want to go ashore are welcome to join us for a BBQ dinner with a terrific view over the glacier.
Day 6: Ilulissat
Icebergs are called Ilulissat in Greenlandic, and it comes as no surprise to anyone who has been here that this is the town’s name. This is the third largest town in Greenland with a population of about 5000. Ilulissat is set in marvellous surroundings at Ilulissat Isfjord that in 2004 was inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Here enormous icebergs run aground at the mouth of the fjord, just outside of town. They originate from the Jakobshavn Glacier, one of the most productive glaciers in the northern hemisphere. Ilulissat is the metropolitan centre of the Disko Bay area and this aspect will be the theme of the settlement visit, together with the town's long-standing history.
The most important trades in Ilulissat are fishing and tourism. The conditions will decide if MS Fram will dock at the quayside in Ilulissat or shuttle with the Polarcirkel boats. Our Expedition team will be at your disposal at the points of interest.
Day 7: Itilleq
In the early afternoon we reach the small settlement Itilleq. Itilleq means “the hollow” and was founded in 1847 on another island, but was later moved one kilometer east to its present location. The village is located about 50km south of Sisimiut in the head of the Itilleq Fjord. Around 130 people live here, who are mainly engaged in hunting and fishing.
The island has no freshwater, and for this reason Itilleq makes use of a facility for forming freshwater from seawater. The church here has and interesting history: It was built in Thule (Umanak- North Greenland) in 1930 and was moved to Itilleq in 1963.
As its name suggests, the village is situated in a hollow, majestically surrounded by high mountains and glaciers, and it can truthfully be called the Arctic Circle Village as the Arctic Circle is indeed found only 200 metres to the south.
Day 8: Kangerlussuaq
Kangerlussuaq is situated in the end of the Kangerlussuaq fjord. The settlement/airport lies just north of the Arctic Circle and is one of the best places to observe native wildlife. In the early 1960’s musk oxen were introduced to Kangerlussuaq from North East Greenland, and today they count over 5 000. You will leave the MS Fram in the morning to discover Kangerlussuaq and participate on an included bus tour to the ice cap.
The above is subject to availability at time of booking and subject to the terms and conditions of ITT (International Travel & Tours CC). The above is based on current air-fares and exchange rates. Fluctuations in air-fare and/or exchange rate will be calculated at time of payment.
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