Extraordinary Landscapes
Explore Sermilik (‘place with glaciers’), the second largest fjord system in East Greenland.
East Greenland and Sermilik Fjord Expedition
Discover the beauty of Greenland’s Isolated east.
| Start date | End date | Days |
Prices from
ex. flights |
Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/09/25 | 18/09/25 | 10 days | £9,819 pp | £1,968 | Local Guides | 12 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
| 04/08/26 | 13/08/26 | 10 days | £9,850 pp | £2,540 | Local Guides | 12 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
| 18/08/26 | 27/08/26 | 10 days | £9,850 pp | £2,540 | Local Guides | 12 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Venture into one of the last uncharted areas of the Arctic, where just 3,500 people live in small settlements scattered amongst the Ammassalik and mighty Sermilik fjord systems of East Greenland.
Onboard the 12-berth M/S Balto, access glaciers that feed directly from the Greenland Ice Sheet, navigating waters filled with icebergs calved from Helheim Glacier, one of Greenland’s most active. Hike through alpine meadows of blackberries, crowberries, and blueberries, and visit deserted Inuit hamlets and ex-US military base Bluie East Two.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
M/S Balto
Live aboard a classic vessel with only 11 other clients onboard and seven outside cabins.
Activities
Shore landings to remote settlements and an abandoned World War II base, zodiac excursions and hiking.
Inuit Communities
Meet the Inuit people of Tasiilaq and visit the workshop of a Greenlandic tupilak carver.
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Day 1
Reykjavik, Iceland
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Day 2
Reykjavik-Kulusuk, Greenland
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Day 3
Sermilik Fjords
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Days 3-8
Sermilik Fjords
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Day 9
Kulusuk-Reykjavik
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Day 10
Reykjavik
Day 1
Reykjavik, Iceland
On arrival into Keflavik International Airport, transfer to your hotel for the first night of the trip.
Day 2
Reykjavik-Kulusuk, Greenland
In the morning, spend free time exploring the city before transferring to the airport for an afternoon flight to Kulusuk, Greenland. That evening, board the 12-berth M/S Balto marking the start of the expedition.
Day 3
Sermilik Fjords
Although the exact route is determined by the weather and ice conditions, the cruise aims to begin with a visit to the town of Tasiilaq, East Greenland’s largest settlement. Learn about Inuit culture on a guided tour of the town, visit a local art shop and experience a kaffemik social gathering at the local church.
Days 3-8
Sermilik Fjords
Sail the Ammassalik fjord network, visiting the small community of Kuummiut which translates as “those that live by the river” in Greenlandic. Continue north to the Ikateq fjord for a land excursion to Bluie East Two, an abandoned World War II military base where fuel drums, buildings and vehicles lie rusting in the wilderness.
Sail to the Karale and Knud Rasmussen glaciers, listening for the thunder of ice calving. Venture into the Sermilik fjord, a 90-kilometre stretch of icebergs, glaciers and ice-choked fjords, and visit the isolated hamlet of Tiilerilaaq. If ice allows, venture into Johan Petersen Fjord where Inuit ruins sit on the shores of Qeertartivatsiaq Island. Throughout the expedition, keep an eye out for Arctic fox, seals and whales.
Day 9
Kulusuk-Reykjavik
Back in Kulusuk, disembark M/S Balto and head out on an ice cave excursion. To get there, take a boat and then hike across the glacier to the cave. Return to Kulusuk for a city tour before ending the day with a farewell dinner and a flight back to Keflavik for the final night.
Day 10
Reykjavik
Head to the airport for onward travel home.
Activities
What to Expect
This 10-day expedition is all about exploring the remarkable landscapes around the Sermilik and Ammassalik fjord systems. Expect shore landings to abandoned settlements and World War II military base Bluie East Two, polar plunges, hiking and zodiac cruises through iceberg fields and ice-choked fjords fed by the colossal Greenland Ice Sheet. Departing in August and September, there’s a chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
The Local People
Inuit Culture
With a population of just 3,500 people, 3,000 of whom live in and around Tasiilaq, East Greenlanders have learnt to live in remarkably isolated communities that are deeply connected to the land and the sea. Meet members of local Inuit communities who welcomingly share their heritage centered around hunting, storytelling and art. See Tasiilaq residents perform traditional choir chants and drum dances about life in the region and living through the Arctic seasons.
Classic vessel
M/S Balto
Built in 1975 as a government service ship, M/S Balto is a beautiful vessel that was restored into a 12-berth passenger polar expedition ship. All seven spacious cabins have ensuite bathrooms and the guest deck has a small sauna and cold shower. An open-bridge policy and limit of 12 passengers creates a relaxed and friendly atmosphere onboard, and her small footprint allows the ship to navigate through narrow fjord systems, reaching isolated landscapes and communities. Two onboard zodiacs offer shore landings that aren’t possible on larger vessels.
Includes / Excludes
Important Information
Activity Level
Light Activity
Single Supplement
Travelling on your own? Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places provides security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.
Flexibility
To allow flexibility, our group tours do not include international flights as standard. We can arrange international flights on your behalf, please get in touch with our travel experts for a quote. All international flights from the UK are ATOL protected.
What is included
- Two nights accommodation in Reykjavik the day before and after the expedition
- Return flights from Keflavik (Iceland) to Kulusuk (Greenland)
- Airport transfers
- Kulusuk ice cave excursion and city tour
- Seven nights onboard M/S Balto, including all meals
- Accompanied by an expedition leader and guide throughout
- All activities whilst onboard, including zodiac and land excursions
- Insightful talks onboard the ship
- Harbour fees
What is excluded
- International flights to and from Iceland
- Gratuities
- Items of personal nature, such as alcoholic drinks
- Travel insurance
Other available dates
For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 880 980
| Start date | End date | Days |
Prices from
ex. flights |
Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/09/25 | 18/09/25 | 10 days | £9,819 pp | Local Guides | 12 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
| 04/08/26 | 13/08/26 | 10 days | £9,850 pp | Local Guides | 12 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
| 18/08/26 | 27/08/26 | 10 days | £9,850 pp | Local Guides | 12 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
| 08/09/26 | 17/09/26 | 10 days | £9,850 pp | Local Guides | 12 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
| 15/09/26 | 24/09/26 | 10 days | £9,850 pp | Local Guides | 12 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Reserve your place on this group tour
Our travel experts have a wealth of first-hand knowledge, so if you have any questions about this expert-led group tour, please get in touch. They would love to help. We hope you can join us on this tour.
01285 880 980Send us an enquiry
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