Greenland Winter Highlights: Nuuk and Ilulissat

Sightseeing in Nuuk (included)
Your city tour begins with a visit to the Greenland National Museum, where you’ll discover fascinating artifacts from every period of Greenland’s history. After about 30 minutes exploring the exhibits, the tour continues through Kolonihavnen, home to many of the original 17th- and 18th-century houses. Along the way, you’ll pass Hans Egede’s house, the evocative Mother of the Sea sculpture, and the controversial statue of Hans Egede near the Greenland Cathedral.

Next, you’ll experience local life at Kalaaliaraq, the traditional market where fresh fish, seal, and reindeer are sold. From there, the tour takes you past Greenland’s government buildings before concluding at Katuaq, the Cultural Center—right in the heart of Nuuk. Here, you’ll find excellent shopping opportunities and plenty of exciting activities to explore on your own.

In the evening, treat yourself to one of Nuuk’s many wonderful restaurants and enjoy the city’s unique culinary flavors.

• Breakfast
• Hotel Hans Egede 4*

Flight to Ilulissat
We now continue our journey with a 45-minute flight to Ilulissat, offering breathtaking views of the icy landscape, endless white expanses, and the raw grandeur of Greenland’s wilderness.

As the plane descends, the town of Ilulissat appears almost out of nowhere. Colorful houses dot the snowy hillsides, standing in vivid contrast to the surrounding peaks. Ahead lie days filled with ice, sled dogs, and Arctic adventure—blended with the cultural traditions of one of Greenland’s most iconic towns.

Upon arrival, we check in at the beautifully located Hotel Arctic. During the welcome information meeting, you’ll learn more about the town and the many excursions available.

Guided Tour of Ilulissat (included)
Founded in 1741, Ilulissat is today Greenland’s third-largest town, home to more than 4,500 people. On this guided walking tour, your guide will share stories about the town’s history and introduce you to daily life in this northern community.

No visit to Ilulissat is complete without hearing the calls of sled dogs. Thousands of them live on the town’s outskirts in large dog enclosures—unleashed puppies playing under their mothers’ watchful eyes, while the older dogs eagerly await their next sledding adventure.

The tour also includes a visit to the harbor, where you’ll meet local fishermen, and to the hunter’s trading post “Brættet”, the traditional marketplace. You’ll see the town’s charming church, and stop at the birthplace of Knud Rasmussen, Greenland’s most famous polar explorer.

Northern Lights Tour (included)
In the evening, join Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) Tour, one of the most mesmerizing natural spectacles of the Arctic.

We’ll head into the wilderness beyond the town, where the stars shine brightly in the stillness of the night. Out here, away from artificial lights, you’ll have the best chance to witness the aurora’s shimmering dance across the sky. Along the way, your guide will share Greenlandic myths and legends about the Northern Lights, making the experience both magical and meaningful.

Good to know:

• This tour runs only in clear weather. If the sky is overcast, the excursion may be canceled the same day. We will try to reschedule, and if that isn’t possible, you’ll receive a full refund.

• Even on clear nights, the Northern Lights are not guaranteed—nature always decides the final outcome.

• Breakfast
• Hotel Arctic 4*

Disko Bay is one of Greenland’s most popular destinations—not only for its spectacular ice but also for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and the fascinating blend of traditional and modern life. Here, racks of kayaks stand side by side with satellite dishes, perfectly symbolizing this meeting of past and present.

Hike to the Sermermiut Settlement (included)
Just 1.5 km south of Ilulissat lies Sermermiut, an ancient settlement where Inuit cultures lived for over 4,000 years. On this guided hike, you’ll hear stories about the daily life and traditions of the indigenous people long before Europeans set foot in Greenland. Walking among the ruins, you can literally touch the permafrost beneath your hands and feel the history in the landscape. The trail leads to “Kællingekløften”, a viewpoint with breathtaking panoramas of the Icefjord, before looping back to town.

Dog Sled Ride (included)
Few experiences capture the spirit of Greenland as powerfully as a dog sled ride—a thousand-year-old Inuit tradition. A simple wooden sled, a skilled musher, and a team of eager dogs pulling you across the snow: this is pure Arctic adventure.

The tour usually takes place on the flat plain near Ilulissat. Two participants ride each sled alongside the driver. If booked individually, you may share with another traveler, and speeds may vary between sleds depending on the dogs’ pace.

Important to know:

• Minimum age: 12 years

• Not recommended for guests with neck/back issues or limited mobility

• Breakfast
• Hotel Arctic 4*

Sailing Among Icebergs (included)
No visit to Ilulissat is complete without a boat trip among the icebergs. Every day, more than 40 million tons of ice break off the glacier and flow into the fjord. The scale is staggering—some icebergs stretch over 100 meters in length and width, with towering peaks rising more than 100 meters above the water’s surface. Out on the water, these giants gather at the fjord’s mouth, creating a surreal floating landscape that is both majestic and humbling. Gliding silently between them is an unforgettable experience, and for most visitors, it is the highlight of their stay in Ilulissat.

Igloo Lodge (optional)
On Days 5–6, you’ll have the rare opportunity to experience a true Arctic adventure—spending the night in a real igloo, with unique excursions included.  Nestled at the foot of the mountains, Igloo Lodge features five spacious igloos, each accommodating two guests. Inside, reindeer pelts and warm winter sleeping bags cover the beds, while candlelight provides a cozy glow. The temperature inside the igloo hovers around the freezing point—remarkably comfortable compared to the minus 20°C temperatures outside. For those who prefer more comfort, there is also the option of staying in a heated cabin. Meals are served in a separate wooden cabin, which also houses a simple outhouse-style restroom. Sleeping in an igloo is more than just a novelty—it’s a step into the traditional Arctic way of life, offering silence, simplicity, and a touch of magic under Greenland’s winter sky.

The trip to Igloo Lodge itself is also exciting. You are driven in a snowcat for about an hour into the Ilulissat hinterland with amazing views along the way. You will be met at the cabin with coffee and lunch. Afterward, you will have afternoon coffee with cake, dinner, and evening coffee followed by a look outside to see if the northern lights are out. Then you can retire to your igloo, and, in the morning, breakfast is served and, finally, there’s the snowcat trip back to civilization.

Please notice: If you’ve purchased the outdoor package, you’ll ride on a dog sled at Igloo Lodge instead of in town. It’s a bigger sled, so there are three of you on the sled instead of two.

• Breakfast
• Hotel Arctic 4* or Igloo Lodge

• Breakfast
• Hotel Arctic 4*

Offering one final view of the Ice Fjord and the captivating icebergs, the flight will take you back to Nuuk and onwards to Copenhagen where you will arrive in the evening.

• Breakfast
• Hotel Arctic 4*