We fly into the airport in Narsarsuaq and continue to Qaqortoq, the largest city in Southern Greenland with approximately 3200 inhabitants. It is beautifully situated on the mountain slopes and surrounded by magnificent fjords. We board M/S Balto in the afternoon and venture south. We 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.

We are now on a true expedition cruise. The area around Qaqortoq has many stories to tell. We learn more about the Inuit cultures and their 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, the conflicts and ultimate demise of the once powerful Norse civilisation.But this part of Greenland offers much more than history and culture! It also invites us to natural hot springs, bird cliffs, remote islands and deep fjords characterized by high mountain peaks and playful whales. We explore the area’s hot springs and enjoy a bath in these warm-tempered natural bathtubs, with breath-taking views of mountain peaks and drifting icebergs.We continue south towards Prince Christian Sound. Wildlife in this area is rich, whales are frequently seen around the fjord entrances and ringed and bearded seals can be seen basking in the sunlight. We travel into the extraordinary and narrow fjord system of Prince Christian Sound through its rugged western entrance. A mountainous landscape surrounds us with steep cliffs plunging into the fjord and peaks rising up to 2000 meters. And when it is time to exit the fjord in the east, the resemblance to Mordor, in Lord of the rings, is striking.When entering East Greenland, we sail along a wild and uncharted coastline. The currents are carrying a parade of icebergs south. Glacier faces goes straight into the ocean and there are many deep and unexplored fjords. Weather and ice decides our course of exploration.As we reach the large Sermelik Fjord system near Tasiilaq we are greeted by icebergs of all shapes and sizes, in a never-ending spectrum of blue and we collect some glacier ice for our drinks. This fjord system is awe-inspiring and could be explored for days. We make several remote anchorages, visit a hunting village and are constantly on the lookout for orca pods!We continue to the town of Tasiilaq via a secret passage. With its 2000 inhabitants it is the largest settlement in East Greenland. It is home to an older and different Inuit culture, where shamanism and native culture is much more vibrant and alive than in other parts of Greenland. During our expedition here, we will organise story telling of local myths and legends, as the one about tupilaqs. In Greenlandic Inuit religion, a tupilaq was an avenging monster fabricated by a practitioner of witchcraft or shamanism by using various objects such as animal bone, skin, hair or sinew. If lucky we get to witness some ritual or singing.

In the morning we disembark at Kulusuk airport for homebound flights.

Our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and wildlife as well as permissions and restrictions from local authorities. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sites this region of Greenland has to offer. We always strive to maximize your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!