Ilulissat, the Capital of Ice and the Iceberg Alley – 2027
11-day trip
and 10 nights
From €12 500
per person
Polar yacht
Nanook
Comfort
3 stars
Activities
Wildlife viewing. Hikes/excursions.
Difficulty
Easy
Temperature
5° on average
Kilometres
3200
From the Iceberg Alley to North of Thule
Located in the heart of Greenland’s west coast, Ilulissat is the starting point for a deep immersion into one of the most spectacular polar landscapes. Over the course of 10 days, you’ll explore a region shaped by ice, where immense icebergs from the Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier drift slowly through the bay, offering a magnificent parade of ice cathedrals. In these rich waters, encounters with whales add to the excitement of every voyage.
Aboard the Grand Nanook, an intimate expedition vessel limited to 12 passengers, you’ll take the time to explore fjords, glaciers, and remote villages, getting up close to the landscapes and local life. Ilulissat, the true tourist hub of Greenland, is also a prime gateway to the Inuit communities of the West, whose traditions endure amid the vastness of the Arctic.
Following in the footsteps of the great French polar expeditions, this extended voyage immerses you in the history and power of the ice sheet. A comprehensive and immersive experience that captures the full richness and grandeur of Greenland.
May 20–30, 2027
May 30–June 9, 2027
Starting at €12,500 per person
Our itineraries are subject to weather and ice conditions.
From the Iceberg Alley to North of Thule
Located in the heart of Greenland’s west coast, Ilulissat is the starting point for a deep immersion into one of the most spectacular polar landscapes. Over the course of 10 days, you’ll explore a region shaped by ice, where immense icebergs from the Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier drift slowly through the bay, offering a magnificent parade of ice cathedrals. In these rich waters, encounters with whales add to the excitement of every voyage.
Aboard the Grand Nanook, an intimate expedition vessel limited to 12 passengers, you’ll take the time to explore fjords, glaciers, and remote villages, getting up close to the landscapes and local life. Ilulissat, the true tourist hub of Greenland, is also a prime gateway to the Inuit communities of the West, whose traditions endure amid the vastness of the Arctic.
Following in the footsteps of the great French polar expeditions, this extended voyage immerses you in the history and power of the ice sheet. A comprehensive and immersive experience that captures the full richness and grandeur of Greenland.
May 20–30, 2027
May 30–June 9, 2027
Starting at €12,500 per person
Our itineraries are subject to weather and ice conditions.
Highlights of your trip
Days 1 & 2: Ilulissat
Airport pickup. Ilulissat is the “capital of ice.” The Isfjord is filled with giant icebergs stretching 60 km and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit to the museums.
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Eqi Glacier
The Eqi Glacier, which originates from the ice cap, has a very active glacier front. Paul-Émile Victor and the French Polar Expeditions landed there between 1948 and 1958.
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Uummannaq
Located at the foot of a heart-shaped rocky outcrop beneath which icebergs drift by. A church surrounded by turf houses, Santa Claus’s summer cottage, and a museum featuring exhibits dedicated, among other things, to the mummies of Qilakitsoq.
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Upernavik - The Ice Fjord
Upernavik offers a fabulous view. The town was the starting point for attempts to traverse the Northwest Passage. We sailed through the fjord, where giant icebergs gather. Further north, Melville Bay is a nature reserve.
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Sea Ice - Inuit Community
Sea ice and a stop in a small Inuit community.
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Qeqertaq
Qeqertaq, a community of hunters and fishermen. Sailing among the icebergs toward Ilulissat.
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Ilulissat - Return
Ilulissat, transfer to the airport.
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ACTIVITIES
- Hiking
- Zodiac Excursions
- Wildlife Viewing
LANGUAGES
A 100% French-speaking tour led by a team of tour guides and a Grands Espaces expedition leader.
CLIMATE
- Average temperature: +5°C.
FORMALITIES
For European and Swiss nationals:
- Valid passport
ITINERARY
CLOTHING
You’ll be traveling to the polar regions, so it’s important to be properly equipped. You’ll be spending time outdoors and aboard Zodiacs, where you may get wet from rain or sea spray. We recommend:
- Waterproof parka
- Waterproof fleece pants or waterproof overpants
- Lightweight sweater
- Thick sweater
- Long-sleeved T-shirt
- Sunglasses
NOTE
To fully enjoy wildlife viewing as well as the scenery, we strongly recommend that you bring a good pair of binoculars.
FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
For great wildlife photos, we recommend a lens with a focal length of at least 200mm.
THEY EXPLORED THE ARCTIC WITH US:
Jeannine K. – Journey Beyond Thule, August 2025: I’ve returned from this trip deeply moved. Both by the way it unfolded and by the wonderful encounters I had with fellow passengers, Greenlandic locals, the local flora and fauna, the lectures—each one more enriching than the last—and the fascinating passion of our guides.
Elizabeth P. “Journey Beyond Thule,” August 2025: Very well-organized and a wonderful journey of discovery in Greenland.
CHECK OUT OTHER REVIEWS IN OUR GUESTBOOK
NANOOK
The ship was built in 1968 in Denmark for traffic control missions in the North Sea: its bow and hull were designed to withstand the roughest seas.
It is 53.5 meters long and 10 meters wide, with a draft of 3.35 meters; an ocean-going vessel built for major expeditions. Thanks to two engines producing 2,200 CV, its cruising speed is 11 to 12 knots, with a maximum speed of 16.2 knots.
With an ice class of 1B, it can navigate easily through regions covered by pack ice. It is staffed by 6 officers and crew members, a chef, and two polar tour guides on board. It is equipped with 2 Zodiacs for excursions, as well as expedition cruise gear.
The 9 passenger cabins, ranging from 8 to 16 m², feature: twin or double beds, a desk, armchairs, storage space, and a private bathroom with toilet and shower. The yacht accommodates a maximum of 12 passengers.
The vessel underwent a complete restoration between 2020 and 2024 at the Lech Walesa shipyards in Gdańsk by its Norwegian owner, under the direction of Italian architect Marco Coppola and Christian Kempf, a polar expert and expedition leader.
The cabins were redesigned and a panoramic observation lounge was added, making this sturdy and elegant vessel a must-see in the Arctic, where it will begin sailing in 2025.
Would you like to know what to expect on one of our cruises?
CHECK OUT OUR TRAVEL LOGS:
Cruise Beyond Thule Aboard the Ocean Nova – 2025
> Cruise Beyond Thule Aboard the Ocean Nova – 2023
Price:
- Twin/double beds, portholes, 14 m²: €12,500 per person
- Twin/double beds, portholes/windows, 14 m² to 17 m²: €13,500 per person
- Superior cabin, twin/double beds, windows, 16 m²: €15,900 per person
- Single cabins, portholes, 9 m²: €15,900 per person
PRICE INCLUDES
-
Full-board cruise
-
Transfers according to the Grands Espaces flight schedule
-
French-speaking tour guides
-
Travel assistance and repatriation insurance,
-
A selection of beverages
-
Boots and wetsuits provided on loan.
THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
-
Scheduled flights to and from Ilulissat
-
Comprehensive insurance
-
Drinks not included in the selection
-
Tips
-
Personal expenses.
Western Greenland by Valentin Pilate, photographer and videographer
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