Arctic Umiaq Line A/S

Along the west coast of Greenland from Narsarsuaq till Ilulissat (Jakobshavn)

An amazing sailing trip along the west coast of Greenland.

The journey begins in the gentle and fertile southern Greenland, where the graceful sheep pastures stretches right down to the fiord.

Get close to the harbour environment in the smaller seaports, where the locals often gather when a ship comes in. This is a nice break in every day life at a small seaport, which is often blocked by ice several months at a time. The seaport is the place where families meet and separate, and where busy fishermen work at the catch of the day. During the sailing trip there are great chances of seeing whales and seals as they play under the surface of the sea and in between the icebergs.

On our way along the west coast, we cross the polar circle about 300 km south of Ilulissat, where it is possible to experience midnight sun until the middle of July. After 1,200 km of sailing we reach Ilulissat. Here we will stay at the Hotel Arctic, which is located at the top of a hill just above the town. It has an amazing view of the Disko bay and Ilulissat. The stay in Ilulissat offers plenty of opportunities of exploring the surroundings.

Day 1, Tuesday: Copenhagen – Narsarsuaq – Qaqortoq (Julianehåb)

Flight from Copenhagen to Narsarsuaq in the morning and direct transfer to the harbour from where you sail to Qaqortoq. En route you have an excursion to the village of sheep breeding: Qassiarsuk. We cross Erik’s Fiord by boat and go ashore at the same place as the Viking Erik the Red in the year of 982 built his farm ”Brattahlid”. This is also the place where the restored church “Thorkilde” stands. After the excursion we continue by boat to Qaqortog, with accommodation in Hotel Qaqortoq. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 2, Wednesday: Qaqortoq (Julianehåb)

Today you have a guided tour in Qaqortoq, which is one of the most charming towns of Greenland. The town center has a nice square and the oldest fountain in Greenland, as well as several beautiful colonial buildings dating back to the town’s foundation in 1775. Quaqortoq is the largest town of South Greenland with approx. 3000 inhabitants. The tour includes a visit at some of the stone sculpture from the exhibition: “Stone and Man” by the Greenlandic artist Aka Høegh. The sculptures and carvings from this interesting art project has been placed around the town and surrounding nature.

In the evening transfer to the harbour and board the coastal ship M/S Sarfaq Ittuk.

Day 3, Thursday: Arsuk - Paamiut (Frederikshåb) – Qeqertarsuatsiaat (Fiskenæsset) 

Today we will be northbound on the ocean along the west coast. Now that we are out of the fiord the chances of seeing whales increase and much of the time in between visits to the small seaports, will be spent on the look out for these giants of the sea.

The ship will call at the following ports today: Arsuk, Paamiut and Qeqertarsuatsiaat.

Day 4, Friday: Nuuk (Godthåb) 

Today you arrive to Nuuk where you spend the day. During your stay a guided city tour is arranged. En-route you will pass the house of culture, Katuaq, with its characteristic architecture. The tour ends round noon, and those of you who wish this, are offered a transfer back to the ship, BUT please note, that no lunch is served onboard this day. As no lunch is included today we recommend you to visit one of the many restaurants or cafes in Nuuk, but make sure to return to the ship in time for the 2-course dinner with Greenland specialities served onboard at 19.00 hours.

The ship calls at the following port today: Nuuk

Day 5, Saturday: Maniitsoq (Sukkertoppen) – Kangaamiut – Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg)

The journey continues north and we pass the polar circle. The further we come the steeper the mountain scenery becomes, and the area around Maniitsoq offers some of the most rough and beautiful nature in Greenland.

The ship calls shortly at Kangaamiut, and then continues to Sisimiut. During the visit in Sisimiut there will be a guided tour of the town. Sisimiut is the most northern town to be free of ice year round and at the same time the most southern town to house Greenlandic sledge dogs. The tour offers plenty of opportunities to see the dogs, as they relax in their summer spots around town. Each winter these dogs will pull several hundred kilo heavy sledges. The town also produces and sells beautiful Greenland art crafts.

The ship calls at the following ports today: Maniitsoq, Kangaamiut and Sisimiut.

Day 6, Sunday: Aasiaat (Egedesminde) – Ilulissat (Jakobshavn)

We arrive in the Disko Bay and enormous icebergs now mark the view. One iceberg lead to the next and depending on the height of the sun, they range in colors from cool blue to warm red and yellow shades. The area around Aasiaat offers rich opportunity to see humpback whales, so keep an eye on the surface of the sea.

Shortly before arrival in Ilulissat we pass the impressive ice fiord Kangia where enormous icebergs only wait to be pushed out to sea. If you listen carefully you can hear the ice creak and crack.

The ship will call at the following ports today: Aasiaat and at last Ilulissat, with arrival during the afternoon. From the harbor there will be transport to Hotel Arctic followed by an information meeting and a guided tour of the town.

Dinner included at the hotel in the evening.

Day 7-10, Monday-Thursday: Ilulissat (Jakobshavn)

The days are at your disposal for excursions and tours of your choice. We recommend midnight sailing to the ice fiord in a smaller boat. From the boat you can enjoy the extraordinary colors the sun create when it sets to the horizon. Two days are never alike and the scenery changes constantly. The excursion also takes place outside the period with midnight sun, which does not make the trip any less fantastic. Please book the excursions from home together with the rest of your trip as there are a limited number of seats available on each excursion.

Dinner included at the hotel each night. 

Day 11, Friday: Ilulissat (Jakobshavn)- Kangerlussuaq (Søndre Strømfjord)

In the afternoon transfer to the airport and departure to Kangerlussuaq. After a short stop we continue to Copenhagen.

Day 12, Saturday: Copenhagen
Early in the morning arrival to Copenhagen.

12 days/11 nights from DKK 27.995

Price per person: 

Double cabin 29495

Single cabin 34.495

Triple cabin 28.995

Quadruple cabin 27.995

Price includes:

Transport:

Flights Copenhagen-Narsarsuaq and Ilulissat-Kangerlussuaq-Copenhagen.

Sailing Narsarsuaq-Qaqortoq. Sailing Qaqortoq-Ilulissat onboard the coastal ship M/S Sarfaq Ittuk.

Transport to and from airports and seaports.

Accommodation:

1 night in Qaqortoq at Hotel Qaqortoq in a room with shower/toilet.

5 nights in Ilulissat at Hotel Arctic in a standard room with shower/toilet.

4 nights onboard the coastal ship in an outside cabin with shower/toilet.

Meals:

Half board (breakfast and dinner) in Hotel Qaqortoq and in Hotel Arctic

Full board onboard the ship, except Day 4, where no lunch is included.

Excursions:

English speaking guide onboard the ship.

Excursion from Narsarsuaq to Qassiarsuk. City tours in Qaqortoq, Nuuk, Sisimiut and Ilulissat. Guide on the excursions. Information meeting and guide service in Ilulissat.

Departure dates in 2009

Tuesdays: 30.06., 07.07., 14.07., 21.07. 28.07., 04.08. 11.08., 18.08.

For booking and further info: