Disko Bay and Inuit villages
8 Days - Le Boreal
This itinerary is your chance to embark on an 8-day expedition cruise to Greenland. In Kangerlussuaq, aboard Le Boréal, you will embark for an unforgettable journey in the heart of the most magnificent Arctic landscapes.
from NZD $17522pp
Prices displayed after discount
Book by 3 January 2025
Home » 8 Day Le Boreal: Disko Bay and Inuit villages
Itinerary Highlights
- Visit traditional villages and encounter the Inuit people.
- Disko Bay, listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, to see the Northern Hemisphere’s largest icebergs.
- Landscapes: fjords, jagged mountains, glaciers, tundra, sheer cliffs and polar ice cap.
- Wildlife: arctic terns, musk oxen, whales and seals.
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Embarkation day - Paris/Kangerlussuaq
- Day 2: Evighedsfjorden
- Day 3: Sisimiut
- Day 4: Paul-Emile Victor Base Camp, Eqi Glacier
- Day 5: Akulleq/Uummannaq
- Day 6: Disko Bay
- Day 7: Qeqertarsuaq - At Sea
- Day 8: Disembarkation Day - Kangerlussuaq/Paris
Day 1: Embarkation day - Paris/Kangerlussuaq
After arriving in Paris, you board your flight to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. The flight might take around 4-5 hours to reach the remote town. At 6 pm, you will transfer to the pier to board the vessel that will take you on your Arctic expedition.
From 1941 to 1992, the town of Kangerlussuaq in Greenland was home to an American military base. Nowadays, thanks to its international airport, it has become a transit point for travellers seeking adventure in the Far North. Located to the north of the Arctic Circle, this town is the starting point of magnificent discoveries surrounded by unspoiled nature. Indeed, just a few dozen kilometres from there it is possible to get close to the Greenland ice sheet, the largest body of ice in the Northern Hemisphere. From Kangerlussuaq, admire also the superb landscapes of tundra in autumnal colours, where Arctic hares, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, reindeer, falcons and eagles live.
Day 2: Evighedsfjorden
Your ship glides slowly along the water towards the west coast of Greenland, to enter Evighedsfjorden, just a few kilometres south of Kangerlussuaq. Evighedsfjorden means “the fjord of Eternity”, and for good reason: just when you think you’ve reached the end of this stretch of sea measuring over 100 kilometres in length, it seems to go on forever, as though to bring even more pleasure to those sailing in it. The spectacular scenery ranges from glaciers to tundra with an abundant flora, and jagged cliffs where numerous bird species have taken up residence. Take the time to observe the white-tailed eagles and the colonies of seagulls and black-legged kittiwakes flying overhead in the area.
Day 3: Sisimiut
During your cruise, we invite you to discover Sisimiut, founded in 1756 and the second largest town in Greenland. This small town is typical of Greenland, boasting bewitching panoramas: here and there, colourful stilt houses dot the undulating landscape, and the small fishing port stands as the gateway to an icy realm. As for the town centre, it is home to a number of historic buildings, a small church and a museum which retraces the history of the Inuit people, as well as many craft shops. When your ship drops anchor here, you will set out to meet the locals in a typically arctic atmosphere.
Day 4: Paul-Emile Victor Base Camp, Eqi Glacier
"The most beautiful place in the Arctic" is how Paul-Émile Victor described Greenland, a land of great icebergs and of towering ice formations calved by the giant glaciers of the polar ice cap. The Eqi Glacier is one of the region’s most impressive sights. Here, the silence is broken only by the roaring and cracking of the ice. It is impossible to know if one is shivering from cold or from the sheer thrill of being here... Imagine the vast outline of a glacier, its translucent crystals glowing with an ice-blue fire in the sunlight. Paul-Émile Victor’s shelter cannot be overlooked; it was from here that the French Polar Expeditions’ anthropological and geographic explorations set off in the 1950s.
Day 5: Akulleq/Uummannaq
In the curve of Uummannaq Bay, opposite a narrow passage between two islands, you will discover the moonscape of the small desert island of Akulleq. The ochre yellow and orange of this mineral site look ablaze under the sunshine of the polar summer. From the island’s summit you will be able to contemplate a panoramic view of the bay’s magical landscape and its huge icebergs with surprising shapes.
The “heart-shaped” rock overlooking it is what inspired the name of the island and village of Uummannaq, where the locals will welcome you with their incredible sense of hospitality and humour, essential to their survival in these northern lands. Seven Inuit villages also dot this territory where people still get around on dog sleighs or in kayaks. Mingling tradition, respect for nature and modernity, the authentic and lively atmosphere that reigns nowadays in this region inhabited since the 15th century will win over visitors, as will the magnificent landscapes that compose it, a mix of peninsulas and of peaks standing more than 2,000 metres tall.
Day 6: Disko Bay
To the east of Baffin Bay, discover Disko Bay, scattered with countless icebergs produced by the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From your ship, admire the majestic ballet of these ice giants as they slowly drift across the dark waters. This site is a natural marvel of Greenland, and is also renowned as an observation point for the region’s many humpback whales. The encounters with wild fauna and stunning landscapes in the heart of this spectacular and fragile nature will be pure moments of wonder for you.
Day 7: Qeqertarsuaq - At Sea
On the southern coast of Disko Island, Qeqertarsuaq is one of just two small villages on this island the size of Corsica. Its isolation makes it an observation post popular among naturalists since the beginning of polar exploration and the set-up, in 1906, of the Arctic Centre research facility. During a cruise exploring the natural wonders of Greenland, the potential encounters with wild fauna, such as the humpback whale, and the stunning basalt landscapes will be pure moments of wonder for you. In the heart of this spectacular and fragile nature, enjoy the breath-taking views of the grandiose and varied landscapes of Disko Island and Disko Bay.
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Day 8: Disembarkation Day - Kangerlussuaq/Paris
On the final day of our arctic adventure we invite you to enjoy an early morning breakfast. It was time to disembark from the ship and make your way to Kangerlussuaq airport. A short flight from Kangerlussuaq took us to the heart of the City of Love, Paris.
From 1941 to 1992, the town of Kangerlussuaq in Greenland was home to an American military base. Nowadays, thanks to its international airport, it has become a transit point for travellers seeking adventure in the Far North. Located to the north of the Arctic Circle, this town is the starting point of magnificent discoveries surrounded by unspoiled nature. Indeed, just a few dozen kilometres from there it is possible to get close to the Greenland ice sheet, the largest body of ice in the Northern Hemisphere. From Kangerlussuaq, admire also the superb landscapes of tundra in autumnal colours, where Arctic hares, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, reindeer, falcons and eagles live.
Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|---|
18 Aug 2025 - 25 Aug 2025 | NZD $17522pp | 10% Christmas Offer on Top of Displayed Prices | |
Superior Stateroom | NZD $17522pp | 10% Christmas Offer on Top of Displayed Prices | |
Deluxe Stateroom | NZD $18667pp | 10% Christmas Offer on Top of Displayed Prices | |
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4 | NZD $20289pp | 10% Christmas Offer on Top of Displayed Prices | |
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5 | NZD $21111pp | 10% Christmas Offer on Top of Displayed Prices | |
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6 | NZD $22089pp | 10% Christmas Offer on Top of Displayed Prices | |
Deluxe Suite | NZD $29267pp | 10% Christmas Offer on Top of Displayed Prices | |
Prestige Suite - Deck 5 | NZD $38244pp | 10% Christmas Offer on Top of Displayed Prices | |
Prestige Suite - Deck 6 | NZD $40044pp | 10% Christmas Offer on Top of Displayed Prices |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Superior Stateroom
21m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, individually-controlled air-conditioning, shower, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service and WiFi access.
Deluxe Stateroom
18m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, shower, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service and WiFi access.
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4
18m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, shower, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service and WiFi access.
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5
18m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, shower, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service and WiFi access.
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6
18m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, shower, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service, WiFi access and butler service.
Deluxe Suite
27m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, shower, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service and WiFi access.
Prestige Suite - Deck 5
36m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, 8m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, shower, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service and WiFi access.
Prestige Suite - Deck 6
36m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, 8m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, shower, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service, WiFi access and butler service.
Owner's Suite
45m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, located on deck 6, French design, panoramic views, individually-controlled air-conditioning, bathtub and shower, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, desk with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service, WiFi access, 1 private transfer (round trip: airport - hotel - port)
Le Boreal Deckplan
Specifications
- Length: 466 ft
- Beam: 59 ft
- Draft: 15.3 ft
- Cruising speed: 14 knots
- Ice class: 1C
- Classification: Bureau Veritas
- Flag: French
- Guest decks: 6
- Guest capacity (double occupancy): up to 264 pax
- Guest capacity Antarctica: 200 pax
- Normal crew size: 140
- Fleet of expedition Zodiac®: (Mark V HD)
- Gross tonnage: 10 944 UMS
- Electric motors: 2 x 2300 KW
- Installed power: 6 400 KW
- Construction: Fincantieri-Ancône-Italy
Whats included?
- Economy class flight from Paris to Kangerlussuaq.
- Economy class flight from Kangerlussuaq to Paris.
- Transfers mentioned in the programme. English-speaking assistance.
- Captain’s welcome cocktail and gala dinner
- Bilingual French/English expedition team
- Water sports activities (except scuba diving) using the ship’s equipment, when permitted by local authorities and confirmed by ship Master according to safety and sea conditions onsite
- Presentations by noted naturalists and other experts
- Complimentary polar parka for you to keep
- Complimentary boot rental
- Park entry fees into protected areas
- Accommodation in your selected stateroom
- Landings and zodiac outings
- A full meal plan
- Open Bar: beginning with boarding, and during the duration of the cruise, a wide selection of drinks (mineral water, soft drinks, wine, beer, Charles Heidsieck champagne, spirits, coffee, tea) is served on request and at any time of the day. Certain premium alcoholic beverages on the menu are not included in the Open Bar.
- Free Wi-Fi internet access 24 hours a day
- Port taxes
What’s not included?
- Airfares unless otherwise specified
- Airport entrance/departure taxes,
- Passport, visa, and immigration fees
- Additional hotel nights
- Port charges
- Beverages other than the ones mentioned
- Laundry services, hair salon and à la carte Spa treatments
- Personal expenses, on board medical consultations and drug prescriptions
- Cancellation/luggage/assistance/repatriation/medical insurance(s)
- Travel Protection Plan
- Gratuities
- Any items not mentioned as included