Disko Bay & Thule

Depart the U.S. for your overnight flight to Copenhagen

Arrive in Copenhagen and board your charter flight to Kangerlussuaq. From Kangerlussuaq you will transfer from the airport to the ship for embarkation. Transportation to the ships dock 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 PolarCirkel boats. At Kangerlussuaq Airport our Expedition Team will be at your disposal. It is advised to bring rainproof jackets, trousers and mosquito repellent in your hand luggage to wear during the transfer to the MS Fram.

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 who 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 the 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. [B/L/D]

The town of Uummannaq is situated in scenic surroundings at the foot of the 3,838 foot 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 PolarCirkel boat transfer from the ship to Uummannaq. [B/L/D]

When we sail along the northwest coast in "Davis straits" against "Lauge Koch coast", from 71 to 76 degrees north, we cross the point for the northernmost habitations. In these harsh and remote areas, settlements and nature constantly fight for its existence. A series of lectures will be held onboard related to this area of Greenland during the day.

Greenlanders have lived in the settlement now known as Dundas for the last 900 years, and the Danish explorer Rasmussen founded the trade post in 1910. The Greenlandic settlement of Thule located at the base of mountain Dundas, was moved to the Red Cliff Peninsula, in the spring of 1953. Dundas Village is protected by Denmark and specifically excluded from areas under US Air Force control. In 1963 the area was given official status as Thule, the 17th municipality of Greenland and the northernmost community in the world. Dundas trade post, at the base of mountain Dundas, closed down in 1985, and nowadays nobody lives in this settlement. In Dundas you can go ashore and take a walk in the old settlement. You may here see the remaining from Knud Rasmussens old trading post. It is also interesting to walk to the other side of the peninsula where you find the remains of old turf huts from the former settlement. [B/L/D]

Situated only 846 miles from the North Pole, Siorapaluk, is the most northerly natural community in the World. The settlement was founded in 1933 and is known for its beautiful surroundings and geology. Siorapaluk, means little Sands and was named after the small sandy beach in front of the village. This will be the northernmost landing on this trip. The church, museum and shop are open for you to visit. [B/L/D]

We will sail as far north as possible and hope to reach 80 degrees north. This will depend on ice and weather conditions that are impossible to predict. [B/L/D]

The Qaanaaq (or Thule) district was the first part of Greenland to be colonised by Inuits from the west. The district is among the northernmost inhabited places on earth and has a population of around 1000. It is also the last bastion of US military in Greenland. Hunting for seal, whale and polar bear the traditional way is the only occupation in the town and the small settlements. Here we may visit the "Ultima Thule" souvenir shop with genuine and original artwork and crafts from the Qaanaaq district. [B/L/D]

A series of lectures will be held on board on topics related to history and wildlife in the area. [B/L/D]

Upernavik was founded in 1772, and means place of spring because the hunters moved here after spending the winter further inland. It is situated nearly 497 miles north of the Arctic Circle, and more then half of the municipality's 3,000 inhabitants live in ten settlements spread along a coastal stretch of 279 miles. Here the primary occupation is fishing for Greenland halibut, but hunting still plays a decisive role for employment in the settlements. Polar bear hunting is also done in this area. [B/L/D]

The glacier Eqip Sermia has a front edge about 16,404 feet long where icebergs break 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. [B/L/D]

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 center 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. [B/L/D]

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 center 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. [B/L/D]

During the day we will sail into this beautiful fjords, surrounded by majestic mountains and glaciers. Here you may see the highest peal in West Greenland, Naparutaq, which looms about the northern side of the fjords. Evighedsfjorden ("the eternityfjord") is one of these majestic places on earth were you really feel small in comparison to nature itself. If conditions are good we will go for PolarCirkel cruise along the glacier front in safe distance or land ashore for a short hike. Also note the surprising diversity in flora at this particular fiord. [B/L/D]

Return to Kangerlussuaq, situated in the end of the Kangerlussuaqfjord (big fjord). You will leave the MS Fram in the morning to discover Kangerlussuaq and participate on an included bus tour to the ice cap. After your tour you will transfer to the airport for your charter flight to Copenhagen. [B]

Arrive in Copenhagen. You will have the option of staying overnight in Copenhagen or taking a flight back to the U.S. [B]

Meal codes: [B] Breakfast [L] Lunch [D] Dinner
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