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Summer, Sun and Icebergs in Greenland

Summer, Sun and Icebergs in Greenland - Photo 1
Summer, Sun and Icebergs in Greenland - Photo 2
Summer, Sun and Icebergs in Greenland - Photo 3
Summer, Sun and Icebergs in Greenland - Photo 4
Summer, Sun and Icebergs in Greenland - Photo 5
Summer, Sun and Icebergs in Greenland - Photo 6

Unforgettable Greenland Tour Package from New York!

This is a unique opportunity to experience how life in the Arctic is lived entirely on nature’s terms. On this eight-day visit, you will get up close and personal with nature. You will see the capital Nuuk, Eqi Glacier, and ice, ice, and even more ice in Ilulissat and Disco Bay, beautifully complimented by Greenland’s unique culture and traditional lifestyle in contrast to the influence of the modern way of life.

The contrasts in Greenland are best experienced during the summer when a dense mist can suddenly replace bright sunlight—brown mountains with hints of green versus icebergs in shades ranging from pale opaque to turquoise. Deserted, pristine areas are right next to towns with characteristically brightly colored houses. The light is also unique, especially with the midnight sun’s soft glow around the clock.

Tour Itinerary

A 4-hour flight from Newark to Nuuk, the capital ogf Greenland, offers a convenient and direct route to one of the world’s most remote destinations. This service operates once weekly during the summer season, from June to September, making it easy for travelers to access Greenland’s breathtaking landscapes.

Upon arrival in Nuuk, passengers are greeted by stunning views of Greenland’s rugged coastline and its capital city, known for its vibrant culture and surrounding natural beauty. This flight opens the door to an unforgettable Arctic adventure. Spend the night in Nuuk.

  • Nuuk iconNuuk
  • Shuttle Transfer iconShuttle Transfer

Early In the morning, take a flight to Ilulissat.  The name "Ilulissat" means icebergs, which is rather self-explanatory once you get to see the beautiful Ice Fjord and the numerous icebergs majestically floating around in the fjord lit up by an almost magical light caused by reflections of the sun.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Ilulissat City Walk: History, Culture and Traditions (included)

With this guided cultural and historical tour, you will gain a better understanding of Greenlandic culture and history and a greater perspective on your experiences in Greenland.

Ilulissat, the third-largest town in Greenland, was founded in 1741. It has more than 5,000 inhabitants and 2,500 sled dogs. The guide will tell you about the town's history, local culture, and the peculiarities of life 300 km north of the Polar Circle. During the tour, you will visit the hunters at their trading posts and the fishermen at the harbor. You will also see the birthplace of the famous polar explorer Knud Rasmussen.

Whale Safari (included)

It is a great experience to get close to large animals like whales. There are 15 species of whales in Greenland. During the summer, we normally see the humpback, the common minke whale, and the fin whale. The whales swim the entire Disko Bay during the summer, sometimes close to the town, sometimes in the ice fjord, or up north by the island, Arveprinsens Ejland.
We are constantly in radio contact with fishermen and hunters about the whales and their whereabouts. The humpback, with its characteristic fin, is the one we see most often. Today, you also have the opportunity to try kayaking in the country that invented kayaks.

  • Breakfast  iconBreakfast
  • Ilulissat iconIlulissat
  • Shuttle Transfers iconShuttle Transfers

Ilulissat lies at the mouth of the 50-kilometer long and world-famous Ilulissat Ice Fjord, which in 2004 was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ice is enthralling and can be experienced at sea, on land, and from the air.

Sermermiut: Hike to the Old Settlement by the Ice Fjord (included)

Beautiful icebergs provide the setting for the old settlement of Sermermiut, 1.5 kilometers south of Ilulissat. For 4,000 years, different Inuit cultures lived in the settlement, and today, you can still see some of the remains of their presence.

Hear the story about the life of the Inuit people and their traditions before the Europeans came to Greenland. See the ruins and touch the permafrost with your own hands. On this hike, we pass “Kællingekløften,” where you can enjoy the magnificent view of the Ice Fjord before heading back again. During the hike, there will be time to talk about flora, fauna, geology, and, not least, the story behind the omnipresent ice.

Sailing Among Icebergs (included)

The midnight sun makes the icebergs glow in a unique play of colors that people return to experience again and again. Midnight sun in Ilulissat lasts from late May to late July.

Sailing during the night with the sun still shining is a fantastic and unusual experience. Almost every visitor to Ilulissat ends up going on this leisurely iceberg cruise at least once. Every day, more than 40 million ton of ice flow out into the fjord. The floating icebergs are gigantic, sometimes measuring more than 100 meters wide and long – and with a height of up to 100 meters above the water surface as well. These giants gather at the end of the fjord, providing you with a great opportunity to sail among them.

The icebergs are a wonderful sight in every kind of weather; in the sunshine, the contrasts are very clear, the blue shades are strikingly beautiful when it is cloudy and the midnight sun casts a unique glow on the ice during the night. Taking the boat trip on a bright night is an extraordinary experience.

Remember to bring warm clothes – otherwise, sealskin clothing is available for rent.

  • Breakfast iconBreakfast
  • Ilulissat iconIlulissat

Day Trip to Eqi the Calving Glacier (included)

Only a few places in Greenland are as beautiful as the Eqi Glacier, which spills into the fjord 80 kilometers north of Ilulissat. It is possible to get very close to the glacier by boat and experience huge pieces of ice breaking off. The sounds are thunderous, and the sight of ice crashing into the water is astonishing.

We sail in modern and convenient boats during the excursion to the Eqi Glacier. The route takes us north along the coast, passing Bredebugt, the settlement of Oqaatsut, and the big fjord system called Pakitsoq, where whales and seals are often spotted. Further along the route, we pass through the Ataa Strait, surrounded by steep mountains with bird life and waterfalls. Our boats, reinforced for sailing in icy waters, will remain in front of the glacier for approximately two hours and wait for the ice to calve. Meanwhile, a delicious lunch will be served. This all-day excursion lets you immerse yourself in the experience and enjoy the boat trip in the ice-filled water.

  • Breakfast / Lunch iconBreakfast / Lunch
  • Ilulissat iconIlulissat

Spend the first half of the day walking in Ilulissat, last-minute shopping, or simply resting before your flight from Ilulissat to Kangerlussuaq, lasting about 50 minutes and offering stunning views of Greenland’s icebergs, fjords, and mountains. These scenic flights on small aircraft provide a unique experience. Upon arrival in Kangerlussuaq, check-in to Polar Lodge, located right next to the airport.

  • Breakfast  iconBreakfast
  • Kangerlussuaq iconKangerlussuaq

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. 

Standing on the ice sheet is a unique experience, but embarking on a mini-expedition is an even greater adventure. This excursion follows the program of the Inland Ice Point 660 tour but includes approximately 4 hours to explore the ice sheet in depth. Most people only reach a few hundred meters into the ice sheet, but it’s worth going further. A breathtaking landscape of icy valleys, ridges, crystal blue streams, rivers, waterfalls, and lakes formed by meltwater reveals itself the deeper you go. With crampons and trekking poles, everyone can participate. It’s no more demanding than walking in hilly terrain at home. We’ll find a scenic spot on the ice where we’ll have lunch – and drink water directly from a meltwater lake! The journey to and from the ice sheet offers beautiful landscapes that we pass by bus, with the opportunity to see reindeer, musk oxen, and Arctic birds and plants. Remember to bring a warm jacket and good hiking boots.

  • Breakfast  iconBreakfast
  • Kangerlussuaq iconKangerlussuaq
With a fjord on one side and the massive Greenland Ice Sheet bordering the other, Kangerlussuaq is surprisingly one of the most ice-free tracks of land in all of Greenland. Its location is a paradise for both reindeer and musk oxen, who thrive in this environment due to the relatively mild, stable and dry climate and the abundance of food.

The trip takes place on one of our tough, off-road 4WD coaches, which are outfitted to accommodate transport in the Arctic’s summer and winter terrain. We will follow a route through the beautiful tundra landscape, while the guide tells us about the surrounding flora and fauna.

With a bit of luck, we will observe musk oxen roaming freely in their natural habitat around Kangerlussuaq and learn about these incredible creatures. Musk oxen can be aggressive and charge without warning, so we are unable to confirm how closely we can observe their behavior. However, the guide will always bring a pair of binoculars, ensuring you have a chance to watch these impressive animals.

We will also be on the lookout for other wildlife in the area, such as reindeer, and learn about the tundra’s vegetation and flowering plants, including the dense scrub that grows on the south-facing rocky slopes and the wooded thickets of arctic willow that thrive along the rivers and streams.

Geologically-speaking, Kangerlussuaq’s history dates back 2.8 – 2.7 billion years, and at least once, the area has been completely frozen over in ice from Kangerlussuaq to the coastal town of Sisimiut. This is evidenced by the area’s rigid, moraine landscapes and in the generally lower geological reliefs, in comparison to the geological mass that lies to the north. In other words, the geological structure of Kangerlussuaq’s mountain landscapes has been eroded by ice through the ages. Today, the height of the largest rounded hills in the area do not exceed 700 meters.

On this excursion, we often drive up to the American-named mountain of Tacan. It is a mountain south of Kangerlussuaq that offers fantastic panoramic views of the valleys, rivers, Kangerlussuaq and even parts of the Greenland Ice Sheet.

We will take a few breaks during the excursion, so you can stretch your legs while enjoying the peacefulness, the fresh air and views of the distant horizon.

  • Breakfast iconBreakfast
  • Kangerlussuaq iconKangerlussuaq

Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, is a small but fascinating city with a mix of modern Nordic life and deep Inuit traditions. Since it’s surrounded by stunning Arctic landscapes, sightseeing here is as much about nature as it is about culture.

Sightseeing Suggestions in Nuuk:

  1. National Museum of Greenland – A must-visit for history lovers. It has well-preserved mummies from the Thule culture, plus exhibits on Greenlandic history, art, and traditions.

  2. Nuuk Art Museum – A small but interesting museum showcasing both classic and contemporary Greenlandic art, including sculptures and paintings.

  3. Katuaq Cultural Center – Nuuk’s architectural gem and cultural hub. It hosts concerts, films, and exhibitions, plus a cozy café to relax in.

  4. Kolonihavnen (Old Colonial Harbor) – The historic part of Nuuk with colorful wooden houses, old colonial buildings, and a scenic waterfront.

  5. Hans Egede’s House & Statue – The home of the Danish-Norwegian missionary who founded Nuuk in 1728. His statue offers a great view over the city.

  6. Nuuk Cathedral (Church of Our Saviour) – A charming red wooden church from 1849, located in the city center.

  7. Qornok Settlement – A short boat ride away, this abandoned fishing village is a great spot to see Greenlandic history and nature up close.

Nature & Outdoor Activities:

  1. Fjord Cruises – Nuuk sits at the entrance of one of the world’s largest fjord systems. Boat tours offer breathtaking views of mountains, waterfalls, and even icebergs.

  2. Hiking Lille Malene & Store Malene – These are two of the best hikes near Nuuk, offering stunning panoramic views of the fjords and surrounding wilderness.

  3. Whale Watching & Northern Lights – Depending on the season, you can see humpback whales in the fjords or catch the Northern Lights from September to April.

  4. Skiing & Snowshoeing – In winter, Nuuk is a great place for cross-country skiing and other Arctic adventures.

It’s a small city, so you can see a lot in just one day!

  • Breakfast  iconBreakfast
  • Nuuk iconNuuk

Aftre breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Newark, or you may continue to Reykjavik, or Copenhagen to extend your trip further.

  • Breakfast iconBreakfast
  • Transfer to the airport iconTransfer to the airport

Customer reviews

Lee and Trudy Goff 26 March 2025
Hi, Susie! Here are some of our "after-action" comments: Cruise: The Hurtigruten's MS Midnotsol was outstanding in all aspects. We were able to change our evening dinner hour to 6:30PM without problems. Especially liked the port schedule and ID card system. However, due to other passengers' early booking for excursions, we were unable to sign up for the ones we had wished to go on. They were all booked. Flight: Although we had no problem in the short time between landing and continuing on to Oslo, the baggage didn't keep up with us and we were in Oslo 2 days without them. Thankfully, they arrived before we flew up to Kirkenes. Perhaps more time is needed between flights so that baggage can keep up with passenger. All other connections and seats were great. Hotels: You selected the best locations and quality of hotels. Great breakfasts! We especially liked the Hotel Clarion after "Norway in a Nutshell". We just walked out of the train terminal and there was out hotel in front of us practically and very close to the bus terminal, where we needed to go to get to the airport the following morning. Nutshell: Had no problems going to different means of transportation, train, bus, ferry, train, train. City Tours: Lots of walking. Took tours by bus in Oslo and Bergen. We liked Kirkenes. Tours in Kirkenes were booked. Clock Work: Everything went well, to include the transfer of bags from Bergen to Oslo--great idea. Recommend "Lonely Planet" and Rick Steves' "Snapshot". You are authorized to use us as a reference on the Norway trip. Susie, thank you, thank you, thank you! We were very pleased. Lee and Trudy Goff
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