West Greenland Ice Odyssey: Glaciers and Icebergs
West Greenland Ice Odyssey: Glaciers and Icebergs
West Greenland Ice Odyssey: Glaciers and Icebergs
10 Days Starting and ending in Reykjavik, Iceland
Visiting: Kangerlussuaq, Disko Bay, Qeqqata
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PLS
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 199
Age range:
18-99
Interests:
Tour Overview
This trip features the best sites and ice-laden realms of West Greenland in just 10 days. You’ll have opportunities to visit such towns as Sisimiut, Ilulissat and possibly Ittileq, all rich in local culture. Find yourself coasting by massive glaciers and sculpted icebergs while enjoying all the comforts Ultramarine has to offer. At the peak of summer months, you’ll enjoy long sunny days, clear vistas, and opportunities to see ringed, harp and possibly hooded seals, as well as various Arctic birds, including the black guillemot, Arctic tern, northern fulmar and snow bunting. It’s also possible, in this region, to encounter whale species, such as humpback, minke and fin whales.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Reykjavik, Iceland
Arrive in the Icelandic capital and make your way to your included hotel. You will have the rest of the day to explore the city on your own.
Day 2 : Fly To Kangerlussuaq And Embark
Location: Kangerlussuaq
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning you’ll catch your charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, where you’ll board your vessel and begin your expedition. Get ready for a great adventure ahead! Expect a welcome and safety briefing from your Expedition Leader.
Day 3 - 5 : Disko Bay
Location: Disko Bay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Disko Bay is a wide, south-eastern inlet of Baffin Bay and is the largest open bay in western Greenland. Try to get out on deck as the ship navigates into this iconic bay where whales are often spotted. Disko Bay is full of exciting destinations to explore. We will almost certainly visit the community of Illulissat, which is situated at the head of outlet fjord for Sermeq Kujalleq (Jakobshavn Glacier), known for discharging 35 billion tons of ice each year. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, the fjord is immensely beautiful and we will encourage you to explore it via one of the many marked hiking trails.
Another area we will consider for this itinerary is the wild beauty of Equip Sermia or Torsukatak Fjords, located in the northeast corner of Disko Bay. Both of these remote areas offer fantastic vistas of large active glacial faces and provide plenty of opportunities for hiking, paddling, and Zodiac cruising. This is also an area where, if conditions allow, we will consider utilizing our twin-engine helicopters to get you in the air to appreciate the immensity of this region.
Day 6 - 8 : Qeqqata
Location: Qeqqata
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Qeqqata (meaning centre) municipality is Greenland’s second smallest administrative region. Situated in the middle of the country’s western coast, Qeqqata is home to almost 20% of Greenland’s populace, most of whom reside in Sisimiut and Maniitsoq.
During these two days your expedition team will work with our local partners to curate a balance of community and wilderness-focused activities. We are likely to visit Sisimiut, where you can wonder through the open air museum, participate in local tastings or join a hiking group to venture beyond the town limits along one of many incredible hiking trails on Sisimiut’s doorstep. This is where we will also offer the (paid) mountain biking activity.
Further south, our team will seek to take you beyond the ordinary and into these fjords for magical one-of-a-kind experiences, one of which is Eternity Fjord, which is home to the tallest mountains in all of West Greenland. Another fascinating community in this region is Itilleq. Surrounded by sea and mountains, Itilleq is located about a mile (2 km) above the Arctic Circle.
The Quark Expeditions team has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the people of Itilleq, who often gather and invite our staff and guests for a pick-up game of soccer or football.
Day 9 : Kangerlussuaq Disembarkation
Location: Kangerlussuaq
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, we disembark in Kangerlussuaq, formerly known as Søndre Strømfjord, and transfer you to your charter flight to Reykjavik, where you’ll spend the night in your included hotel.
Day 10 : End Reykjavik, Iceland
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, you can make your way home at your leisure or continue your independent explorations of Iceland.
What's Included
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Meals
5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners. -
All meals while on the ship
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Beer and house wine during dinner
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All accommodation
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All transport and listed activities
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Tour leader throughout and qualified Expedition Staff
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Mandatory transfer package including return charter flights between Toronto and Kangerlussuaq
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
Food
All meals while on the ship included.
Typical Meals
The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide variety of drinks from around the world on sale.
Breakfast: Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal.
Lunch: Three course set meal, or the occasional buffet or BBQ.
Dinner: Three courses with a starter of soup, salad or anti-pasto, a choice of three mains with at least one vegetarian and one seafood option and a dessert of sweet pudding or ice cream or fruit, tea and coffee.
Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this holiday - please do inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so that our local team can be well prepared.
Accommodation
The West Greenland Ice Odyssey: Glaciers and Icebergs voyage is offered on the Ultramarine which is a Polar Adventure Ship.
Polar Adventure Ships
These are small ice rated vessels well qualified for Polar waters. Intimate adventures are always more enjoyable with like-minded passengers and staff, so these voyages are for people who like flexible itineraries and plenty to keep them busy. Activities include frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking and many hours on deck in areas that other ships only dream about accessing. Food and staff are superb and every guest benefits from the technical advances of this superb fleet. Rest assured our Polar Adventure Ships enable any traveller to maximize their experience sensitively in the Poles.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes all transport and listed activities, with mandatory transfer package including return charter flights between Toronto and Kangerlussuaq. The journey begins with a flight to Kangerlussuaq, where you’ll board your vessel and embark on the expedition. The tour also includes helicopter excursions for a unique perspective of the region.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of activities can I expect during the West Greenland Ice Odyssey tour?
During the West Greenland Ice Odyssey tour, you can expect a variety of activities including frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking, and many hours on deck exploring areas that are typically inaccessible to other ships. There are also opportunities for hiking, paddling, and helicopter excursions to appreciate the vast landscapes.
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What is the accommodation like on the West Greenland Ice Odyssey tour?
The accommodation on the West Greenland Ice Odyssey tour is aboard the Ultramarine, a Polar Adventure Ship. These ships are small, ice-rated vessels designed for intimate adventures with flexible itineraries. They offer superb food and staff, and are equipped with technical advances to maximize the polar experience.
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Are meals included during the tour?
Yes, all meals while on the ship are included. The ship's galley offers a variety of international menus, including vegetarian options, with buffet-style breakfasts, three-course lunches, and dinners.
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Will there be opportunities to interact with local communities during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes opportunities to interact with local communities. For example, in Qeqqata, you can visit Sisimiut and participate in local tastings or join a hiking group. In Itilleq, guests often have the chance to engage with locals in activities like a pick-up game of soccer or football.
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What kind of wildlife might I see during the tour?
While navigating Disko Bay, you may have the opportunity to spot whales, as the bay is known for its marine life. The tour also offers a chance to explore areas with active glacial faces, which are habitats for various wildlife.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.