Natural hot spring with weathered small building beside fjord with large white icebergs & mountains behind in Greenland.
Group of muskoxen with long brown fur & horns stand in autumnal tundra, seen on a southern Greenland cruise.
Small group of hikers stand atop a rocky outcrop overlooking a fjord with deep blue water flanked by rocky mountains.
Large iceberg with natural arch & striations of blue & black rises out of calm sea, seen on a South Greenland cruise.
Small beige carved characters with peaked heads, large eyes & wide mouths sit on display in a South Greenland museum.
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$13590USD
Starting At
12
Days
Jul
Aug
Polar Regions Arctic Cruise

South Greenland’s Gems, Hot Springs, History & Icebergs

On these south Greenland voyages, choose to explore the gems of the west coast or the hot springs, history and icebergs of the east coast. Both itineraries are served by the micro-cruise ship 12-guest MS Balto, and promise Inuit culture, stunning fjords and possible whale sightings.

On the southbound itinerary, cruise along the west coast for fascinating stories of ancient history, cultural legends and natural wonders. Sail through a region known for its humpback feeding grounds, Norse history, Inuit culture, geological wonders, harsh bounty and beauty. Travel from the ice-crowned north to the jagged mountains and green pastures of the south.

On the northbound itinerary, cruise along the east coast to experience an area that is as rich in history and culture as it is in natural wonders. Sail through a region known for Norse explorers, Inuit culture, hot springs, whales and amazing scenery. Explore the pointy mountains of Prince Christian Sound and continue along the wild, beautiful and unexplored eastern coastline, ending in the Sermilik Fjord area and the town of Tasiilaq, with its icebergs in all shapes and sizes, as well as the stories and myths of the local Tunumiit culture.

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 cruises, Arctic cruises and Arctic trips.



Itinerary

Ilulissat to Narsarsuaq—Gems of the West Coast Itinerary

Cruise southwest Greenland, moving south from Ilulissat’s ice-filled fjords to Narsarsuaq’s jagged mountains and green grasslands.

Route map of South Greenland cruise southbound from Ilulissat to Narsarsuaq with the cruise route shown.
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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. You are now on a voyage in true expedition style and your exact route is dependent on weather and ice, so the itinerary must be kept flexible!

Accommodations

MS Balto

Meals

dinner

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Days 2 - 11
Expedition Cruising Through History

Continue to explore the ice-choked Disko Bay area, before heading south. Be constantly on the lookout, since you are very likely to sail through humpback feeding grounds. Also pass the small and colorful houses of Aasiaat. As you continue via an inland passage towards Sisimiut, sail amongst small islands, fjords and cliffs. You might pay a short visit to wander the streets, or you might opt for the surrounding wild fjords with an abundance of cod and various whale species. During hikes you might see reindeer, musk ox and foxes.

As the ship leaves the ice-filled fjords behind, only random icebergs will pass your way. Pass by Sermersuut Island and possibly enter the magical Kangerlussuatsiaq fjord (the fjord of eternity), where huge mountains up to 6,562 feet (2,000m) rise straight from the ocean.

Then reach Nuuk. The capital’s setting is stunning, and the bay is sometimes visited by minke and pilot whales. Pay a visit to the National Museum, Greenland’s largest museum of cultural history. The collections come from all over the country, brought from various archaeological and small museum displays over recent years, and the visit gives great insight into the many different cultures of Greenland.

Our journey continues south towards the fjords around Qaqortoq. En route we hope to stop by the abandoned mining town of Ivittuut – one of the few places in the world to have discovered naturally occurring cryolite. During a hike here we have good chances of seeing muskox.

Nearby is the Ikka fjord. The legend says that the Inuit people drove invaders out onto the thin ice and when the ice gave way, the invaders died in the ice-cold water. If you look closely, you can catch a glimpse of their petrified remains on the bottom. The figures on the bottom are made of ikaite, an unusual form of chalk or limestone that is formed under an enormous pressure. Only about five other findings of ikaite have been observed around the world.

The places we are travelling through on this voyage have many stories to tell. One is of the Inuit’s great respect of and symbiotic relationship with environment and animals. During periods of weather change and animal numbers declining, amulets and fishing or hunting artefact became objects of great beauty and artistry. Of respect and love for the animals, who give themselves to sustain the Inuit life and culture, offerings are made to the Sea Goddess Sedna, to release the animals’ souls. Still today, Inuit carry a small jug of fresh water when hunting seal. After a seal is killed it is given fresh water, so its spirit will not go thirsty. We will have many opportunities to learn about stories and legends, different eras and people that migrated to Greenland, conflicts and the ultimate demise of the once powerful Norse civilisation.

We reach Qaqortoq, the largest city in Southern Greenland, beautifully situated on the mountain slopes and surrounded by fjords. We venture into Eriksfjord, named after Erik the Red, a Norse explorer believed to have founded the first settlement in Greenland. During a landing we visit Brattahlid, the estate he established at the end of the 10th century. We also hope to explore the hot springs of Uunarteq and enjoy a bath in these warm-tempered natural bathtubs, with breath-taking views of mountain peaks and drifting icebergs.

Accommodations

MS Balto

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 12
Disembark Narsarsuaq, Greenland

At the end of Eriksfjord is Narsarsuaq, a small village with approximately 150 inhabitants. Here is where you’ll disembark, continue to the airport and begin your journey home.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

11 nights on board the vessel indicated in the itinerary, post-cruise transfer to Hotel Narsarsuaq, all meals on board, coffee and tea on board, 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; transfer in Ilulissat; 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 Ilulissat to Narsarsuaq cruise begins in Ilulissat, Greenland (JAV) and ends in Narsarsuaq, Greenland (UAK). 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. A transfer in Ilulissat is not provided. Travelers should make their own way to the port on day of embarkation. Disembarkation is after breakfast on the final of the itinerary. Plan flights to depart Narsarsuaq anytime on the final day. 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 Ilulissat to Narsarsuaq 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. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. 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 conditions, wildlife encountered and the captain’s discretion. Flexibility is the key to the success of any Arctic expedition.

Narsarsuaq to Tasiilaq—Hot Springs, History & Iceberg Parade Itinerary

Cruise southeast Greenland, moving north from Narsarsuaq’s jagged mountains and green grasslands to Tasiilaq’s Sermilik Fjord area with icebergs of all shapes and sizes.

Route map of South Greenland cruise northbound from Narsarsuaq to Tasiilaq with the region & cruise route both shown.
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Day 1
Embark Narsarsuaq, Greenland

Independently arrive in Narsarsuaq and embark the ship. You are now on a true expedition cruise. Your exact route is dependent on weather and ice, so the itinerary must be kept flexible!

Accommodations

MS Balto

Meals

dinner

Read More
Days 2 - 10
Expedition In Depth

Sail out through Eriksfjord, named after Erik the Red, a Norse explorer believed to have founded the first settlement in Greenland around year 980, after being banished from Iceland for manslaughter. Plan to go ashore at Brattahlid, the estate he established at the end of the 10th century.

Also aim to visit Hvalsey Church, one of the best-preserved Norse ruins in Greenland.

Stop in Qaqortoq, the largest town in South Greenland with a population of around 3,200. Qaqortoq is beautifully situated on a mountainside and surrounded by magnificent fjords. This part of Greenland has many stories to tell. Learn about the Inuit culture and their great respect and symbiotic relationship with the environment and animals.

Many of the stories originate from times of great weather changes and declining animal numbers, and they used objects from hunting and fishing to create artistic objects and amulets. There is great respect and love for animals, which are sacrificed, and the sea goddess Sedna is worshipped for releasing the souls of animals. Even today, the Inuit carry a small jug of fresh water with them when they hunt seals. After killing a seal, they give it fresh water to keep its soul from going thirsty. Have the opportunity to hear many stories and legends, and to learn about different eras and the people who have migrated to Greenland.

This part of Greenland offers much more than history and culture. Set foot on rarely visited islands and watch for playful whales. Also hope to visit one of the many sheep farms in southern Greenland. In Uunartoq, have the opportunity to relax in one of the natural hot springs, while admiring the breathtaking views of mountain ranges and drifting icebergs.

Then continue your journey south. Through the western mouth of Prince Christian Sound, slowly make your way into this extraordinary fjord system. Here you are surrounded by a mountainous landscape with peaks of up to 6,562 feet (2,000m) and steep cliffs plunging into the fjord. See the similarity to the fictional landscape of Mordor from Lord of the Rings. Look out for harbor seals, ringed seals and whales.

You have now reached East Greenland and are travelling along a wild and unspoiled coastline. Plans are very dependent on the weather and ice conditions, and your itinerary will be adapted accordingly. A couple of days will be spent mostly at sea. You are likely to see a parade of icebergs drifting south on the strong currents, and you will marvel at mighty glacier walls plunging straight into the sea. Along the coast, hope to explore one of the rarely visited fjords. Perhaps stop at Umivik Bay, from where Fridtjof Nansen began his East to West trek across Greenland in 1888.

When you arrive in the vast Sermilik fjord system, be greeted by icebergs of all shapes and sizes. Most of these come from the Helheim glacier in the center of the fjord, which produces some of the largest icebergs in Greenland. Sermilik Fjord is 56 miles (90km) long and cuts through a rugged landscape of towering glaciers and jagged peaks. The beauty around is stunning! Anchor in beautiful spots and keep an eye out for whales. Perhaps the ice will let us through to the small village of Tiilerilaaq. The wooden houses are beautifully situated, with the great Sermilik Fjord in the background. Here the local Inuit culture and traditional hunting and fishing activities play an important role in the way of life. Here you have the chance to go on a nice hike to get an overview of the Sermilik Fjord and its icebergs!

Visit the town of Tasiilaq. With a population of just under 2,000 it is the largest settlement in East Greenland. There is an older and different Inuit culture here, where shamanism and indigenous culture are much more alive than in other parts of Greenland. During your expedition here, learn more about local myths and legends, such as that of the Tupilaqs. In Greenlandic Inuit religion, a tupilaq was a vengeful monster created by a witch doctor using various objects such as animal bones, skin, hair or tendons. Tasiilaq is also known for its art scene, where local artists create prints, sculptures and textiles, usually depicting animals, landscapes and traditional stories from the region.

Accommodations

MS Balto

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 11
Disembark Kulusuk, Greenland, Fly to Reykjavik, Iceland & Overnight

Disembark in Kulusuk and head to the airport for your flight to Keflavik, and check into the group hotel (included in the flight and hotel package).

Accommodations

Hotel TBA

Meals

breakfast

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Day 12
Depart Reykjavik, Iceland

Today bid your farewells and return home or onwards for new adventures.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

Read More
Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

10 nights on board the vessel indicated in the itinerary, all meals on board, coffee and tea on board, 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

Mandatory Flight & Hotel Package ($1,290 for 2025; includes group transfer from the ship to the Kulusuk airport on disembarkation day; ticket for the regularly scheduled flight from Kulusuk to Reykjavik; group transfer from Keflavik Airport to group hotel hotel on Day 11; one night’s post-expedition hotel accommodation in Reykjavik); flights to Narsarsuaq to start the trip and home from Reykjavik (Keflavik) to end the trip; 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 Narsarsuaq to Tasiilaq cruise begins in Narsarsuaq, Greenland (UAK) and ends in Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF). 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. A transfer in Narsarsuaq is provided, from Hotel Narsarsuaq, for guests who have independently arranged a pre-cruise overnight there; otherwise travelers  should make their own way to the port on day of embarkation.

Disembarkation is after breakfast on Day 11, followed by a group charter flight to Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF) with an included hotel overnight. Plan flights to depart Reykjavik anytime on the final day. 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.

Internal Flights

A group flight (on a regularly scheduled flight) from Kulsuk to Reykjavik is required on this trip’s itinerary; see the Mandatory Transfer Package information listed above under Exclusions. Ask your Adventure Specialist for any luggage limits on the flight from Kulusuk. On Day 11 of the itinerary, disembarkation follows breakfast, with a transfer to the airport for the flight to Reykjavik.

Activities

There are no added-cost activities available on your Narsarsuaq to Tasiilaq 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. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. 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 conditions, wildlife encountered and the captain’s discretion. Flexibility is the key to the success of any Arctic expedition.

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

Jul 25 - Aug 05, 2025
MS Balto • 12 days
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From $13790USD
Per Person
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Aug 05 - Aug 16, 2025
MS Balto • 12 days
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From $13590USD
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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South Greenland’s Gems, Hot Springs, History & Icebergs

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