ROL Cruise recommends…
The agricultural south
Unlike much of Greenland’s ice-covered landscape, the snow-capped peaks of the southern municipality of Kujalleq overlook lush green pastures. Vibrant settlements are found at the ends of dramatic fjords; sheep merrily grazing as farmers, hunters and fishermen provide delicious, super-fresh ingredients. Search for Norse and Inuit history as you explore the wildflower-strewn terrain on foot, or join a kayaking tour from Qaqortoq. Take a soak in the natural hot springs on remote Uunartoq or cycle past medieval Narsarsuaq.
A light show in the west
Culture and excitement are in abundant supply in Qeqqata, a western region on the Arctic Circle. Dog-sledding, skiing and snowmobiling from Sisimiut make for exhilarating and novel ways to sightsee the extreme countryside. In Maniitsoq, grab your binoculars and catch a boat for a spot of whale watching, then head to Kangerlussuaq to visit the ice cap and marvel at the spectacular glow of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). Experience urban cool in Nuuk by browsing the museums, shops and the Katuaq Cultural Centre in Greenland’s diverse capital.
Adventures in the north
Head to the municipality of Qaasuitsup to dog sled from Qeqertarsuaq, or to watch breaching humpback whales by the light of the midnight sun. Along the coast of Disko Bay you’ll discover a number of typically colourful towns with dramatic mountainous backdrops where hunting and fishing are the way of life. Colossal icebergs dominate the tranquil waters around Ilulissat, the home of an enormous icefjord, calved from Sermeq Kujalleq glacier. Take to the air and fly over the UNESCO World Heritage Site to appreciate its magnitude, or sail amongst the massive ice chunks to marvel at their extraordinary scale.
Eastern isolation
Greenland's National Park stretches across 375,000 square miles of north east Greenland, a remote expanse of ice cap and steep mountain ranges. Along with the eastern region of Sermersooq, Inuit cultures called it home for thousands of years, though today’s few permanent inhabitants are vastly outnumbered by Arctic animal species. Ice fjords, hiking, heliskiing and rich cultural offerings are the area’s main tourist draws, while scientific expeditions keep an eye on conservation and global warming.
