svalbard cruise

West Greenland Photo Tour Introduction

Explore Disko Bay, one of the most photogenic places in Greenland, on this adventurous Greenland photo tour on an expedition vessel with 12 photographers. We will photograph the wild Arctic land and seascapes of West Greenland from ship and shore. As we sail through Disko Bay we will encounter Icebergs the size of cathedrals and have an opportunity to photograph actively calving glaciers.

Our plan is to visit remote, hard to get to Greenlandic settlements known for their colourful houses and also a ghost town on Disko Island. We will also have the opportunity to photograph wildlife which could include, Humpback whales, seals, Arctic foxes and Musk Oxen.

The trip is led by our local expedition leader and captain who has extensive knowledge of the area and photographer Chase Teron, who has years of experience scouting the perfect photography locations in Disko Bay. Travelling with our local guide will give you a rare chance to experience local Greenlandic culture free from the mass tourism of larger cruise ships.

The expedition vessel is equipped with a Zodiac which will be used for shore landings and can also be used to shoot from.

Greenland Photo Tour Highlights

  • Photograph the towering icebergs of Disko Bay up close.
  • Explore rarely visited Greenlandic settlements and a ghost town.
  • Get up close and photograph an active glacier from the ship and Zodiac.
  • Encounter Greenland’s wildlife. This trip has a good chance of encountering humpback whales from the vessel and musk oxen and Arctic foxes from the shore.
  • Numerous opportunities to photograph Greenlands wild Arctic landscapes from the ship and shore.
  • Develop your photography skills in the field with a highly experienced Arctic photographer.
  • Small, intimate group size of 12 photographers.
  • Comfortable, and capable liveaboard expedition vessel.

The Voyage

Day 1 Welcome aboard! Depart Ilulissat pm

Day 2 – 3 Explore Ilulissat Icefjord and Sermeq Kujalleq glacier

Day 4 Disko Island

Day 5 Abandoned mining settlement of Qullissat

Day 6-8 Uummannaq fiord system and remote settlements

Day 9 – 10 Exploring Disko Bay

Day 11 Disembark Ilulissat am

Greenland Photo Tour Day by Day

Day 1 to 3

Explore Ilulissat Icefjord and Sermeq Kujalleq glacier

Our Greenland photo tour departs from the town of Ilulissat in the afternoon. The overall schedule of the expedition is flexible and the aim is to open up as many photo opportunities as possible. We will spend the first 2 days in the area close to the Ilulissat Ice ford where we will spend time photographing the big ice of the world’s fastest-moving glacier – Sermeq Kujalleq. If conditions allow we will use the zodiac to get lots of opportunities to photograph the ice close up.

.2° N, .0° W

.8° N, .4° W

Days 4 & 5

Disko Island and remote settlements

As we continue north we will make landings on Disko Island which is known for its stunning wilderness and scenery. Our plan is to visit and photograph the remote abandoned mining town of Qullissat which was deserted in 1972. Here we will encounter abandoned houses which make an unusual and interesting photography subject set to the backdrop of large icebergs floating through Disko Bay.

Days 6 – 8

Uummannaq fiord system and remote settlements

We will spend several days exploring the area around Uummannaq Island, home to some of the most stunning scenery in west Greenland. We will visit the town of Uummannaq located above 70 degrees North to get a feel of what life is like living in the high Arctic.

.2° N, .0° w

Days 9 – 11

Exploring Disko Bay and return to Ilulissat

As we sail south we will spend some time exploring Disko Bay with further opportunities to photograph some of the largest icebergs on the planet and do shore landings. Disko Bay is one of the best places in Greenland to see minke, fin and humpback whales and we will spend lots of time on deck looking for shots.

After our 11-day Greenland photo tour, we will arrive in the town of Ilulissat. After breakfast and final goodbye, you will depart the vessel for your onward travel. Ilulissat airport has internal connections and international flights to Iceland.

Our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and wildlife. 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.

Inside This trip

Our trips are aimed at anyone with a passion for exploring the Arctic with a small group of like minded individuals on a comfortable small ship cruise and include :

expedition vesse kisaq

Expedition Vessel With 12 Guests

With the average expedition cruise ship now taking over 300 passengers, we believe smaller is better. When visiting small Greenlandic communities, you will get a far more authentic experience in a small group than a large group.

Expedition Leader and Guide

On this tour, we will be accompanied by an expedition leader and a photography guide who will share their passion and knowledge of Greenland throughout the trip. We offer the best guide to guest ratio available.

Zodiac landing craft for shore landings

Shore landings are the essence of every expedition and your guides will take you exploring to photograph ashore. The vessel is equipped with a landing craft and there is room for all guests so no waiting to go ashore. It offers the perfect opportunity to get close to icebergs, wildlife and glaciers.

Climate Compensated

Included in the cost of this trip is carbon offsetting. At Secret Atlas, we do everything we can to minimise the impact of our trips both on the environment and local cultures.

Meet Our Expert

chase teron photographer

Chase Teron
Wildlife and Landscape Photographer

Chase is a full-time wildlife and nature photographer, instructor and an environmentalist based in Canada. He has been a finalist for National Geographic Nature Photographer of the year twice. His photographs have been published by National Geographic, Canadian Geographic and freelances for International clientele including Canon. He looks forward to helping you develop your photography skills in the field.

Read More

Your Vessel

Expedition Motor Vessel Kisaq

expedition vesse kisaq

Step aboard M/V Kisaq an iconic expedition vessel.

Kisaq was originally built as a passenger ferry that was built to operate all year round in the harsh Greenlandic winters. One of Greenland’s most iconic expedition vessels, today she has been converted to a comfortable liveaboard vessel that spends her time exploring the west coast of Greenland.

Kisaq is skippered by local captain Taatsi who has decades of experience navigating Greenlandic waters, and plenty of stories to tell about the local area. The vessel is extremely well maintained and Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) certificated standards of safety and seaworthiness.

We love Kisaq as she is a very robust and capable vessel that provides us with the ideal platform to explore from. From a guest experience she is warm and comfortable, and whilst not luxurious, she offers an authentic experience in comparison to large cruise ships. She has 6 twin cabins with comfortable bunk beds, shared facilities, a warm saloon and large decks to enjoy the view from.

She is equipped with a Zodiac landing craft for shore landings.

  • A small group size of 12 ensures an intimate experience.
  • Local Greenlandic captain with years of experience exploring the local waters.
  • Warm and comfortable accommodation in twin cabins with bunk beds and shared facilities.
  • Hot Showers
  • Equipped with a Zodiacs for shore landings
  • Large deck space for photography
  • Large saloon
  • Ice-strengthened hull for travel in the polar regions
  • Full safety gear
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Greenland Photo Tour Dates and Prices

The prices quoted are per person. Twin cabins are based on double occupancy.

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Twin Cabin

A comfortable cabin that sleeps 2 in twin bunk beds with a sink located on the lower deck. Shared facilities with WC and shower are located on the deck above.

We would like to ensure our guests about our risk free booking policy.

As travel returns to normal we would like to ensure you we will do everything to make sure your trip goes ahead as planned.

If your trip is canceled by us you can rebook on another departure free of charge or receive a full refund with no questions asked.

If you can’t enter the departure country due to covid travel restrictions we will offer you a free rebooking on a future departure.

You can read our full policy here.

We offer payment via the following methods:

  • Credit card
  • Payment by bank transfer

Please let us know at the time of booking your preferred method.

A 30% deposit is taken at the time of booking with the final 70% payable 90 days prior to departure.

We highly recommend you take out comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking that also covers cancellation.

Solo travellers are welcome on all our voyages. We often host solo travellers, particularly on our photo voyages so the chances are you won’t be the only one. We offer the following accommodation options:

  • Option to share a twin cabin with another traveller of the same gender.
  • Option to have your own cabin for an additional supplement. Please contact us for this option as the price varies depending on trip and availability.

This trip is operated by Secret Atlas and is subject to the Secret Atlas terms and conditions of travel. You can read the full booking terms here.

Departure Location Ilulissat, Greenland
Arrival Location Ilulissat, Greenland
Trip Style Exploration
Physical Rating Medium
Maximum Group Size 12
Accommodation Comfortable twin cabins with bunk beds and shared facilities
Duration 11 Days
Time of Year July, August
Included
  • 10 nights on board MV Kisaq in twin share accomodation
  • 1 Expedition Leader and 1 photo guide
  • Guiding ashore and talks on board
  • All meals on board
  • Coffee and tea
  • All landing excursions
  • Rubber boots for shore landings
  • Transfers from hotel to vessel for embarkation + vessel to airport/hotel after disembarkation
Not Included
  • Flights and transfers from airport to hotel
  • Travel and cancellation insurance
  • The customary gratuity to the ship’s crew
  • Alcohol and spirits
  • Personal expenses such as bar and shop charges

If you have any questions about this Greenland photo tour please get in touch

Send a Message Eine Nachricht Schicken Send En Melding Request a Call Back

What Our Customers Say

On each journey we welcome customers from all corner of the globe, with a variety of different ages and backgrounds all united in their passion to experience what the Arctic has to offer

Pan – Business Executive from Italy

‘This is the closest you can come to a real expedition. We saw glaciers seals, whales, walruses and polar bears’

From an early age Pan dreamed of visiting the Arctic. At the age of 42 he made that dream come true by joining Secret Atlas on an expedition micro cruise.

Read his story

Annie – Interior Designer from the USA

‘The micro cruise experience felt like being on your own private boat. The crew were fantastic’’

Annie had always wanted to go an expedition in Svalbard and joined us as a solo traveler..

Read her story

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