Greenland glacier cruise traveler in yellow coat stands atop snow-covered mountain looking down on turquoise fjord & large glacier.
2 Greenland glacier cruise travelers in yellow coats stand over mountain bikes on top of green overlook with fjord below.
2 Greenland glacier cruise guests in yellow jackets walk through Arctic town with colorful homes on a sunny day.
Woman in yellow jacket & PFD with camera in hands sits in helicopter looking at small expedition ship out the window & smiles.
Greenland glacier cruise travelers walk boardwalk over gold tundra towards large white glacier in distance on a sunny day.
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Polar Regions Arctic Cruise

West Greenland Ice Odyssey: Glaciers & Icebergs

Immerse yourself along the dramatic coast of West Greenland, exploring deep into fjords and stunning islands. This Greenland glacier cruise 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 that your ship 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 to encounter whale species, such as humpback, minke and fin whales.

Aboard the technologically-advanced, 199-guest Ultramarine, take advantage of 20 quick-launching Zodiacs to create the quintessential Arctic experience. This modern, purpose-built polar expedition vessel comes equipped with specialized, cutting-edge safety features to provide added security in remote Arctic environments.

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



Itinerary

West Greenland Ice Odyssey: Glaciers & Icebergs Itinerary

This Greenland glacier cruise sails round-trip from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, bookended by charter flights connecting Reykjavik, Iceland.

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Day 1
Arrive 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.

Accommodations

Hotel TBA

Meals

n/a

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Day 2
Fly to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland & Embark

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. Your cruise operator’s core belief in working closely with local partners will enhance every experience as you explore alongside local experts. Plus the team will draw on collective knowledge and expertise to deliver incredible experiences.

Accommodations

Ultramarine

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 3 - 5
Disko Bay

Disko Bay is a wide, southeastern 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. You 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 you are encouraged to explore it via one of the many marked hiking trails.

Another area to 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, the expedition team will consider utilizing the ship’s twin-engine helicopters to get you in the air to appreciate the immensity of this region.

Accommodations

Ultramarine

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 6 - 8
Qeqqata

Qeqqata (meaning center) 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 2 days your expedition team will work with local partners to curate a balance of community and wilderness-focused activities. You are likely to visit Sisimiut, where you can wander 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.

Farther south, your 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 expedition team has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the people of Itilleq, who often gather and invite visitors to play a pick-up game of soccer or football.

Accommodations

Ultramarine

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 9
Disembark Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, Fly to Reykjavik, Iceland & Overnight

Today, disembark in Kangerlussuaq, formerly known as Søndre Strømfjord, and be transferred to your charter flight to Reykjavik, where you’ll spend the night in your included airport hotel.

Accommodations

Airport Hotel TBA

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 10
Depart Reykjavik, Iceland

Today, you can make your way home at your leisure or continue your independent explorations of Iceland.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Mandatory Transfer Package ($1,495 for 2025; includes one night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Reykjavik; group transfer from the Reykjavik hotel to the airport on Day 2; charter flight from Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq; group transfer from the Kangerlussuaq airport to the ship; group transfer from the ship to the Kangerlussuaq airport on disembarkation day; charter flight from Kangerlussuaq to Reykjavik; group transfer from Keflavik Airport to group hotel on Day 9; one night’s post-expedition airport hotel accommodation in Reykjavik); shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping; all meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board; beer, wine, standard spirits and cocktails during dinner and bar service hours; complimentary WiFi; all shore landings per the daily program; leadership throughout the voyage by experienced expedition leader; all Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program; formal and informal presentations by expedition team and special guests as scheduled; photographic journal documenting the voyage; a pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings; official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep; coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock; hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin; all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; all luggage handling aboard ship; Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person; Greenland voyages cruise passenger tax.

Exclusions

International airfare; arrival and departure transfers, except where listed in the Mandatory Transfer Package; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above; meals ashore unless otherwise specified; baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended; excess-baggage fees on international flights; mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned; laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges unless specified; phone charges; voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew; additional overnight accommodation; any adventure options.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 25% of the total trip cost is required when booking 181 days or more prior to departure. A second deposit of 25% of trip cost is due 180 days prior to departure. Bookings made 180 days or less prior to departure require a deposit of 50% of total trip cost. The balance of the trip price is due 120 days prior to departure. 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 121 days – 100% of deposit
120 to 91 days – 75% of total trip cost
90 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

(For expeditions booked prior to October 15,2024: Please refer to your invoice for your payment and cancellation terms.)

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 West Greenland Ice Odyssey cruise begins and ends in Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Plan flights to arrive to Reykjavik anytime on Day 1 of the itinerary and make your way to the included hotel. Embarkation is on Day 2 in Kangerlussuaq with an included transfer from the airport to the ship. Disembarkation is between 7:00 and 8:00am on Day 9 of the itinerary in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, followed by a return charter flight to Reykjavik. Plan flights to depart Reykjavik on Day 10 of the itinerary anytime after breakfast; however, AdventureSmith strongly suggests that a flexible air ticket be held for your journey home in case you need to change your travel arrangement following a delay of the return flight from the Arctic. Airport transfers in Reykjavik are not included and cannot be pre-arranged through the cruise operator. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Internal Flights

Group charter flights between Kangerlussuaq and Reykjavik are required on this trip’s itinerary; see the Mandatory Transfer Package information listed in this trip’s Inclusions. There is a luggage limit which will be detailed in your final documents. Should you have additional luggage, it can be stored at the hotel in Reykjavik (subject to availability). There is no option to pay for additional luggage. On Day 9 of the itinerary, the ship is scheduled to arrive at the pier between 7:00am and 8:00am local time. Disembarkation follows breakfast, with a transfer to the airport for the return charter flight to Reykjavik.

Activities

Various optional activities may be available on your West Greenland Ice Odyssey cruise, for guests aged 16 and older. The sea kayaking program must be reserved in advance. One-time paddling excursions are available for those who want something less in-depth than the full sea kayaking program; no experience is necessary. Each departure’s first paddling excursion may be pre-booked and all subsequent outings are booked on the ship. Please contact AdventureSmith to reserve activity space with your booking. Sea kayaking is $795; one-time paddling excursion is $295; mountain biking is $195; the culinary Tundra to Table experience is $125; hiking is included and flightseeing is included.

Room Configuration

Select double-occupancy cabins may be available for single occupancy with a single supplement fee. Solo travelers willing to share can reserve a triple or twin-shared cabin, where you will be matched with a person of the same gender. If the other cabin berth goes unsold, you will be guaranteed the double rate. Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin may do so at 1.7x (2x for Premium cabins) the per-person listed rate in select cabins based upon availability. Premium Cabins are as follows:
Ultramarine: Deluxe Balcony Suite, Terrace Suite, Penthouse Suite, Owner’s Suite & Ultra Suite

Families & Children

At date of embarkation, a minimum age restriction of 8 years and minimum height and weight requirements (weight of 64lbs or 29kg and 48 in. or 1.2 m. tall) must be met. Children under 16 years of age must be supervised by a parent/guardian at all times, and may not participate in adventure options.

Travel Insurance

Emergency evacuation insurance to a maximum benefit of up to $500,000 USD per paying traveler provides coverage between the first and last day of ship-based travel and is included in the cost of this trip. For ship- and land-based trips, additional days of travel pre- and post-expedition are not covered. Travelers are responsible for having adequate international medical coverage prior to embarkation, with a minimum benefit of $50,000 USD. In addition, we highly recommend our travelers also protect their investment with travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and other benefits. 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

Rates are variable per remaining availability and are subject to change.

Aug 10 - Aug 19, 2025
Ultramarine • 10 days
brown kayaking icon depicting offered kayaking activity A brown kayak paddle icon depicting a one-time paddle activity option brown bicycle activity icon
From $7690USD
Per Person
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brown kayaking icon depicting offered kayaking activity Kayaking
A brown kayak paddle icon depicting a one-time paddle activity option One-Time Paddling
brown bicycle activity icon Biking
Accommodation

Learn About the Small Ship on Your Itinerary

Expedition Ship
Ultramarine

The new Ultramarine 199-passenger polar ship is purpose-built for safety and far-off exploration in Antarctica and the Arctic. Dual helicopter pads and an incredible 70-day cruising range allow access to the hardest-to-reach places.

Deal

Current Deals on This Trip

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Offer expires December 31st, 2024
Save Up To 30% On Select 2025 & 2026 Iceland & Greenland Expedition Cruises

Book early and save. Secure your cabin on select 2025 or 2026 Iceland and Greenland cruises and save 5-25% off.

Expert Review

Reviews from Our Experts So You Know What to Expect

Andrew Browning • December 1st, 2023
Expert Aboard: Ultramarine Ship Review

Read a detailed ship review from our expert who was aboard Ultramarine, plus see traveler ratings on everything from the food & helicopters to his Greenland itinerary highlights.

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.

Extend Your Trip

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West Greenland Ice Odyssey: Glaciers & Icebergs