Summer Holidays in Greenland

We fly from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq with Air Greenland.

The first sight of Greenland is truly unique. During a 4.5 hour flight you will have a chance to enjoy the first sight of nunataks and the Ice Sheet.

When you arrive, a local guide from our partner office will greet you and assist you with check-in. You will stay at the centrally located Hotel Kaangerlussuaq while still being close to the amazing Arctic nature. The guide will tell you about the location and the trips offered at the information meeting.

Kangerlussuaq is attractively placed between soft hills and adjacent to the Ice Sheet, making it the ideal location for seeing and stepping onto the famed Ice Sheet, which spans more than 80% of Greenland. This afternoon's excursion is your program. 

Excursion to the Greenland Ice Sheet Point 660 (included)

The Greenland Ice Sheet is the second largest ice sheet in the world and covers 80 percent of Greenland and has, at all times, attracted expeditions and researchers. It is a truly unique experience to look at the enormous field of ice and feel the forces of nature. Powerful 4x4 vehicles will transport us across a breathtaking environment of mountains, plains, and semi-desert regions. We drive across a spectacular moraine environment towards the Ice Sheet. We walk to the Ice Sheet and onto the massive ice cap at the end of the road. Before returning to our vehicles, we spend some time exploring the world of ice. There is a fair chance of seeing reindeer, musk oxen, and a variety of birds and flora depending on the season. In the evening - Welcome dinner at Roklubben in Kangerlussuaq

Overnight in Kangerlussuaq (B, D)

After breakfast, we fly from Kangerlussuaq to Nuuk, where we board the coastal vessel Sarfaq Ittuk. 

The Greenland National Museum with its famous mummies and the colonial harbor

The tour will offer some popular attractions in Nuuk, including the beautiful arts center Katauaq and the Greenland National Museum,  whose façade is designed to resemble  the northern lights, the beautiful old town, and Hans Egede statue overlooking the fjord, the old colonial harbor, and the mountain range in the distance.

In the afternoon, explore the town on your own. Local arts and crafts, everything from small, delicate earrings to sealskin fur coats are offered on souvenier shops and boutique stores.

Sail north together with the Greenlanders by the coastal vessel

Tonight, we start our two-day sailing aboard aboard the ship Sarfaq Ittuk, heading towards Ilulissat. Sarfaq Ittuk sails up and down along the west coast and is used by locals and tourists. As the vessel stops in the coastal towns, there is a wonderful atmosphere of reunion and activity.

During the voyage, the scenery can be admired from the indoor panoramic lounge at the back of the vessel or from many outdoor spaces with comfortable deck chairs.

Sailing in Greenland can be quite chilly, but it is always an incredibly beautiful event! Remember your camera, binoculars and of course warm clothes. The speed is nice and slow, allowing you to admire the amazing scenery.

Overnight onboard ship Sarfaq Ittuk (B, L, D)

In the morning we will stop in Maniitsoq and Kangaamiut, but you will not disembark. You will be able to watch the life in the harbor and the village from the deck.

A visit in Greenland’s second largest town, Sisimiut

In the evening, around 18:00, the ship arrives at Sisimiut, the second largest town in Greenland with a population of around 5,500 inhabitants. The town's atmosphere is welcoming and authentic. The colorful houses provides a stark contrast to the surrounding rocky area.

In Sisimiut, we walk through the old and lovely district with the original colonial buildings, and visit the local museum showcasing the life and heritage of the past and present. After this wonderful stop, we re-embark the coastal ship and continue north.

Overnight onboard (B, L, D)

Admire the sight of the icebergs, as we approach Ilulissat. They vary in color, and range in size from large lumps to huge ice towers floating in the one and only Disco Bay.

We arrive in Ilulissat in the afternoon at 13:00. From the harbor, we transfer to the Hotel Arctic for check in. During a welcome briefing, a local guide will tell you about exciting activities and excursions in the area. Ilulissat means icebergs in Inuit, which is quite self-describing once you see the magnificent Ice Fjord with icebergs majestically floating around, lit up by a magical light caused by the reflection of the sun.

We tour the city with the locat guide. Learn about the history and culture of the city,  pass the harbor and the old colonial houses, local museum, beautiful and simple Zion’s Church.

Overnight in Ilulissat (B)

In the morning, free time to enjoy Ilulissat on your own, or joining a optional activity, or a hike to Sermermiut, an old settlement right at the mouth of the icefjord where giant icebergs have stranded on an old moraine, or simply wander about on your own, have a drink at a cozy café, and find a quiet place where you can watch the omnipresent icebergs.

Sailing among the icebergs (included)

In the evening, sail through icebergs that, regardless of the weather or time of year, will steal your breath away. In the summer, the midnight sun lies low on the horizon, making it difficult to distinguish between night and day. Reflections of the soft, warm light turn the icebergs and mountain peaks orange, and the ocean almost purple.

Today, a whale safari is included in your tour.

Whale safari among icebergs in the Disco Bay (included) 

Most people are astonished at how amazing it is to sail so close to a giant whale. Greenland's waters are home to 15 different whale species. During the summer, we usually encounter humpback whales, minke whales, and fin whales. Throughout the summer, whales swim about Disko Bay, sometimes close to the town, sometimes in the Ice Fjord, and sometimes up north towards the Crown Prince Islands. We have radio contact with the town's fishermen and sealers, who provide us with information about whales in the bay. We nearly always find them this way. The most common is the humpback whale, which has a distinctive tail.

In the afternoon, you may also go kayaking in the country that invented the kayak.

Kayak Experience in Ilulissat (optional)

Inuit have been kayaking in Greenland seas for over a thousand years, and you can, too. The kayak floats gently through the ocean, and you can see massive icebergs forming all around you. The midnight sun gives the ice a distinct color. The stunning blue tones of the icebergs will be extremely visible in overcast weather. We might even see whales if we're lucky. All tours are conducted in stable double kayaks, with a boat near by. The journey will last approximately 3.5 to 4 hours, with at least two of those hours spent at sea.

Overnight in Ilulissat (B)

Spend your final day in Ilulissat however you like. If you've never flown in a helicopter before, now might be the time. The helicopter carries you at a low height across the Ice Fjord and its massive icebergs. The vista of the 6-kilometer-wide glacier edge provides a grandiose experience. Helicopter rides are not included in our program but can be ordered independently; please contact us about pricing and availability.

You may also walk in Knud Rasmussen's footsteps at the local museum and complete your journey in Greenland with a shopping spree in the local stores and souvenir shops.

Day tour to calving Eqi Glacier (optional)

Only a few places in Greenland are as stunning as the Eqi Glacier, which flows into a fjord 80 kilometers north of Ilulissat. Boats can approach extremely close to the glacier and witness massive chunks of ice falling off. The sounds are deafening, and the sight of ice falling into water is breathtaking.

During the visit to the Eqi Glacier, we sail in modern and convenient boats. The path takes us north along the coast, past Bredebugt, Oqaatsut, and the large fjord system known as Pakitsoq, where whales and seals are frequently observed. We continue on through the Ataa Strait, which is bordered by steep mountains teeming with bird life and waterfalls. Our boats, which are reinforced for ice sailing, will remain in front of the glacier for about two hours, waiting for the ice to calve. In the meantime, a delectable meal will be served. This is a full-day adventure that allows you to fully immerse yourself in the experience and enjoy the boat ride on the ice-filled water.

Please keep in mind that the boat ride to and from the glacier can take anything from 2 to 5 hours in each direction. It is determined by the boat used on the particular day.

In the evening, there will be a goodbye dinner at the hotel.

Overnight in Ilulissat (B, D)