2 West Greenland travelers stand on a rocky hillside overlooking a small town with colorful buildings beside an icy bay.
Family of white sled dogs with curled tails & thick fur play among green arctic tundra, seen on a West Greenland cruise.
Tail fin of humpback whale with black & white skin in front of iceberg in orange light at dusk in Greenland.
West Greenland traveler on the Disko Bay to Uummannaq cruise stands on deck of ship & views blue icebergs.
Woman walks a singletrack trail among green tundra while hiking along a secluded bay on a sunny day in West Greenland.
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Polar Regions Arctic Cruise

West Greenland’s Disko Bay to Uummannaq: Icebergs, Whales & Inuit Culture

Explore West Greenland from the unique 12-passenger ship MS Balto. Visit remote settlements, meet the welcoming people living there, learn more about their fascinating culture and leave a small footprint.

Begin in the Disko Bay area, known for its diverse and astonishing landscape, including unique geological formations, deep fjords, springs and caves, magnificent towering icebergs and impressive glacier faces. Continue up the stunning Vaigat strait and onwards to the breathtakingly beautiful fjords and areas north of Uummannaq. The rich waters are likely to introduce you to several whale species, such as humpback, minke or pilot whales, as you navigate in between enormous icebergs under the midnight sun. 

Travel aboard the MS Balto expedition yacht in a group of merely 12 passengers for a completely different and much more intimate experience of Greenland. This ship features a mix of classic maritime charm and modern Scandinavian design, with cozy and inviting social spaces plus a unique onboard sauna.

Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Greenland small ship cruisesArctic cruises and Arctic trips.



Itinerary

Disko Bay to Uummannaq - Icebergs, Whales & Inuit Culture Itinerary

These west Greenland cruises operate round-trip from Ilulissat, with a flexible itinerary to take advantage of weather and wildlife sightings. Highlights include visits to Inuit settlements, whale watching, and taking in rarely visited fjords and gigantic icebergs.

Route map of West Greenland Disko Bay to Uummannaq cruise, round-trip from Ilulissat along mid-coast West Greenland.
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Day 1
Embark Ilulissat, Greenland

Arrive independently to the town by the ice fjord, Ilulissat. As soon as you arrive, the breathtaking natural scenery captivates, showcasing hills, glaciers and a bay dotted with icebergs. The remoteness from your everyday life is obvious! In the afternoon, board the ship. After a safety orientation, venture into Disko Bay, sailing in the low sun amidst a wondrous parade of icebergs of thousand shades of blue. Overnight, sail across the bay and anchor past the glacial waterfalls by Qeqertarsuaq on the south side of Disko Island. Keep in mind that this is truly an expedition voyage, and your itinerary largely depends on weather, calving activity and amounts of ice. Where possible, you will go on Zodiac excursions or make landings.

Accommodations

MS Balto

Meals

dinner

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Days 2 - 9
Expedition Cruising

Enjoy breakfast with a view of the volcanic cliffs of Disko Island. It is unique in its geology and lush vegetation and stands out in the otherwise ice-packed bay. Greenlandic legend says it is because the island was moved here from the south by two kayaking seal hunters, and when it entered Disko bay a witch from Ilulissat cast a spell on it to ground. The island invites to beautiful hikes and the columnar basalt rocks show the island’s volcanic history.

Pay a visit to Qeqertarsuaqthe settlement on the islandto explore the beautiful nature around the town and the colorful town itself.

As you leave Qeqertarsuaq, cruise close to the eastern side caves, which is also a place where one can often witness humpback whales feeding. Occasionally you might hear the mighty thundering of a large ice calving across the bay. Continue up the picturesque Vaigat Strait and en route, pass by some magnificent glacier fronts and navigate between myriad icebergs.

There are many impressive and active glaciers in this part of Greenland. One of the glaciers you might explore is Eqip Sermia, which is one of the most active glaciers in Greenland. It is a powerful experience to hear the explosive sound of the air being released as the glacier calves.

When you proceed northwest on the Vaigat strait, striking high cliffs and enormous icebergs surround. Round the corner of the Nuussuaq peninsula, which separates Disko Bay from the Uummannaq Bay. This area is known to be home to numerous different species of animals, such as whales, seals, walrus, reindeer and foxes.

Anchor in front of the secluded village of Niaqornat, better known as “the village at the end of the world.” The village is home to a population of approximately 50 people; several of them are proud hunters, displaying narwhal horns, walrus skulls, polar bear skin and antlers around their huts. This offers a unique opportunity to get an understanding of the local culture, of which you need to respect and aim to learn more!

Approaching Uummannaq Island is a sight to behold in any weather, on a clear sunny day or with heart-shaped mountain or coastal cliffs rising above the strips of fog. You most likely will have the company of whales spraying near the ship. According to the myth, a piece of each visitor’s heart will remain on the Uummannaq Island, always trying to summon him or her back. Whether it’s the magic mountain that dominates the landscape of the island or the singing children ashore that are magnetizing, is left to be unsaid.

Aim to visit the town of Uummannaq with its old settler houses, church, museum and remains of failed Arctic expeditions in the area.

As you continue east, approach several highly active glaciers, from which numerous blue-shifting icebergs are thrown into the sea. Very few vessels venture here and many of the fjord systems are still unnamed. The crew of your ship, who have had the fortune of travelling in this area, describes it as one of the most stunning landscapes of north Greenland.

When you start to proceed southwest, you are likely to be treated with magnificent shows of enormous icebergs and the events they doturning, exploding and maybe dumping lakes of water in the sea. We continue via the rarely visited western side of Disko Island, visiting fjords full of geological wonders.

Accommodations

MS Balto

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 10
Disembark Ilulissat, Greenland

In the morning, disembark in Ilulissat for homebound flights.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

9 nights on board the vessel indicated in the itinerary, all meals on board, coffee and tea around the clock, an experienced expedition leader and a knowledgeable guide, guiding ashore and talks on board, all excursions and activities, all passenger taxes, harbor fees and AECO fees.

Exclusions

Any airfare; airport transfers; travel and cancellation insurance, and insurance of any kind; gratuity to the ship’s crew; and personal expenses such as bar charges.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 25% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 181 days – full refund, minus a 15% administration fee
180 to 90 days – 100% of deposit
89 t0 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The Disko Bay to Uummannaq cruise begins and ends in Ilulissat, Greenland (JAV). Both AdventureSmith and the ship operator highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues, and AdventureSmith strongly suggests that a flexible air ticket be held for your journey there in case you need to change your travel arrangement following any weather-related flight delays. Transfers in Ilulissat are not provided. Travelers should make their own way to the port on day of embarkation and to the airport upon disembarkation.

Disembarkation is after breakfast on the final day of the itinerary. Plan flights to depart Ilulissat anytime on the final day, however, AdventureSmith again strongly suggests that a flexible air ticket be held for your journey home in case you need to change your travel arrangement following any weather-related delays for incoming flights. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Note: Most airports are very small in Greenland and airlines flying there are few and flights do not arrive daily. For these reasons it advised to add extra hotel nights in connection to outbound and/or inbound flights. Flight tickets to Greenland can be expensive. It is highly recommended to book changeable tickets and remember to book flight tickets well in advance.

Activities

There are no added-cost activities available on your Disko Bay to Uummannaq cruise. Guided shore excursions, village visits, walks, wildlife spotting and Zodiac cruises are included in the fare and will be offered to all passengers during each voyage. Every day there will be excursions on land, weather and ice permitting.

Room Configuration

MS Balto features two dedicated single cabins without a supplement. Double cabins are not available to book for single occupancy, however single travelers wishing to book on a “sharing basis” may do so at no additional cost in the Superior cabin (two twin beds) upon availability.

Families & Children

Children 12 years and older at time of travel are welcomed on this cruise. There are no child discounts.

Travel Insurance

Emergency medical evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip (the ship operator does not have a required minimum, so it’s recommended to discuss the appropriate coverage with your insurance company). Trip cancellation insurance is optional but highly recommended. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. For best value and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, consider purchasing a policy at time of booking. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditionswildlife encountered and the captain’s discretion. Flexibility is the key to the success of any Arctic expedition.

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

Jun 10 - Jun 19, 2025
MS Balto • 10 days
From $12290USD
Per Person
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Jun 19 - Jun 28, 2025
MS Balto • 10 days
From $12290USD
Per Person
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Jun 28 - Jul 07, 2025
MS Balto • 10 days
From $12290USD
Per Person
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Jul 16 - Jul 25, 2025
MS Balto • 10 days
From $12290USD
Per Person
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Accommodation

Learn About the Small Ship on Your Itinerary

Yacht
MS Balto

Access Greenland as few travelers can—from a classy 12-passenger yacht with mahogany wood, polished brass, colorful tile and clean Scandinavian lines. Join likeminded travelers for an intimate arctic expedition with rare amenities such as a sauna and dedicated single cabins.

Book with the confidence that comes from experience.

100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip.

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West Greenland’s Disko Bay to Uummannaq: Icebergs, Whales & Inuit Culture

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