Ignacio Maza of Signature Travel Network recently sailed to Greenland on Silversea Expeditions’ Silver Wind. He is back with this report.
Over the past few years, Greenland has become a sought-after destination and one of the world’s last frontiers. Remote and unspoiled, Greenland is the largest island in the world and closest landmass to the North Pole. This self-governing Danish territory was not open to visitors until the 1950s, so for most travelers, it remains a mystery. It’s hard to grasp just how big Greenland is. Think larger than Mexico and more than three times the size of Texas. The vast majority of Greenland is an enormous ice sheet, over 1,500 miles long and about a mile high. There are no trees in Greenland, so landscapes are mostly ice, rock and moss-covered tundra. Most of the island is uninhabited, aside from fishing villages and small cities, mostly on the southwest coast.
Why visit? There are many reasons to visit Greenland, starting with spectacular landscapes. Greenland will take your breath away with its pristine, natural beauty. Imagine fjords that go on for miles, enormous glaciers and icebergs, majestic mountains and lakes, a rugged coastline, waterfalls crashing down mountainsides, and so much more. Of all the natural landmarks, nothing compares to Ilulissat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site called ‘the birthplace of icebergs’ by the native Inuits. Ilulissat is near the largest glacier in North America and one of the most productive, generating over 20 million tons of ice per day. To make sense of the enormous scale of the ice fjord, go out on a small boat and get up close to the giant icebergs. During my voyage, we saw a pod of whales feeding in the frozen waters — an amazing experience. I also recommend hiking to the visitor center outside the city limits, and continuing on the boardwalks to the edge of the glacier. For the ultimate experience, take a helicopter flight to grasp the enormity of Greenland’s ice sheet, and iceberg-filled Disko Bay. I also recommend sailing into dramatic fjords like Evighedsfjord on the west coast, and Skjoldungen in the east. Best of all, when you visit Greenland, you have wide open spaces to yourself. At a time when U.S. National Parks and nature reserves are overloaded, it’s a joy to experience this natural wonderland — without the crowds.
Cultural Pursuits
While in Greenland, take time to experience a rich Inuit culture and wander through the small towns of the southwest. The native Inuits came in waves from Northern Canada, starting at about 4,500 years ago. As you travel in Greenland, you will have the opportunity to experience the living Eskimo culture and the spirit of the ancestors that continues to this day. The best museums are located in Nuuk and in Nanortalik. Don’t miss the well-preserved mummies at the National Museum & Archives in Nuuk, frozen in time for over 500 years. You can also walk in the footsteps of the Vikings, who settled in Greenland around a 1,000 years ago and established a series of farmsteads along the southwest coast. The best-preserved remnants of Viking settlements are in Hvalsey, very much worth visiting.
Active Adventures
Did you know? Kayaking was invented in Greenland centuries ago. Traditionally, every Inuit had a custom-made kayak, to fit the owner’s measurements. During your visit, kayak in the fjords, in the open ocean, or next to glaciers and icebergs, and feel like a local resident. I also recommend going on a hike — long and short, easy and challenging, and always rewarding.
Because there are few roads in Greenland and air travel is limited and expensive, expedition cruises are by far the best way to explore Greenland’s coast and its remote locations.
the island kayak in the fjords, in the open ocean, or next to glaciers
and iceberg. (Courtesy Ignacio Maza)
I sailed to Greenland on Silversea Expeditions’ Silver Wind. The company has been in the expedition cruise business for almost 15 years. When you are traveling to the world’s remote corners, experience matters. Silver Wind is the perfect-sized expedition ship. It’s large enough to give you a choice of dining venues, swimming pool, gym, spa, and ample deck space; it is small enough you’ll feel at home right away and embarking/disembarking is easy and fast. Silver Wind was refurbished in 2020 and is looking better than ever. The ship has a nearly 1-to-1 staff to guest ratio, delivering an elevated level of service. The ship’s zodiacs carry only eight to 10 passengers, another plus. On Silversea Expeditions, every guestroom is a suite, starting at 240 square feet of space. Veranda suites offer 295 square feet, and go up from there. Over 90 percent of the Silver Wind’s suites have private verandas — a plus. For travelers who want more space, book Silver, Grand or Owner’s Suites, with up to 1,300 square feet of space and additional privileges on board. Tip: Some large suite categories can accommodate up to five guests, combining a connecting suite and using the sofa bed to accommodate the extra guest.
What else? Silversea Expeditions’ all-inclusive formula includes excursions (including kayaking), drinks, gratuities, butler service, transfers, as well as charter flights to remote destinations when booking the ‘door-to-door’ pricing. The only experiences not included on my Greenland voyage: Dining at La Dame (gourmet restaurant) and a helicopter adventure. There are other advantages of sailing on Silversea Expeditions, including a wide range of activities for different ability levels, more destinations worldwide and caring service from the moment you board the ship. I was also impressed with how stable Silver Wind is sailing the open ocean. The biggest selling point? Easily, the team of 28 expedition leaders on board, who are the heart and soul of Silversea Expeditions. On my sailing, we had marine biologists, ornithologists, naturalists, and experts on Inuit culture among the expedition team. Guides accompany guests on zodiac adventures, hikes, kayaking, as well as shoreside explorations.
What’s next? Silver Endeavor (formerly Crystal Endeavor) will join the Silversea Expeditions fleet in November of 2022. Stay tuned for more details of Endeavor’s itineraries in Antarctica (Winter 2022-2023), Arctic (Summer 2023) and beyond. In addition, Silversea has great 2023 itineraries to the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, South Pacific, and other great destinations.
Practical Advice
in the outskirts of the village of Nanotarlik. (Courtesy Ignacio Maza)
The keys to enjoying your expedition voyage are being flexible and packing the right gear. Expedition sailings are weather-dependent, and conditions can change quickly. When packing for the trip, prepare for any kind of weather. During my voyage, the temperature most days was in the high 40s/low 50s Fahrenheit, and evenings and early mornings around 40F. Silversea provides guests with a complimentary waterproof parka, knapsack and water bottle. I recommend packing warm layers you can easily put on/take off, such as Polartec. I also recommend waterproof pants, gloves and hiking shoes or hiking boots. Bring good sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent, as there are mosquitoes in certain parts of southwest Greenland during summer. In case of ‘wet landings’ (e.g., landing in remote settings without a pier/dock), you’ll need rubber boots. Order ahead from www.shiptoshoretraveler.com and the boots will be delivered to your clients’ suite before they board the ship.
A great resource: For help with your next Silversea Expedition booking, contact Rachel Woodward (rachelw@silversea.com), senior director of expeditions.
For active and adventuresome travelers looking for new horizons, there’s nothing like Greenland.
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