Summer, Sun and Icebergs in Greenland

Guided Walking Tour of Historic Nuuk
Discover Greenland's vibrant capital on a guided walking tour through the historic heart of Nuuk. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, you'll gain fascinating insights into everyday life in Greenland, hear entertaining stories about Nuuk's remarkable transformation from a small colonial settlement into a modern Arctic capital, and learn about the country's history, culture, and traditions. Your walk begins near Greenland's Parliament, where you'll hear about the nation's path to self-government and the significance of the artwork and monuments displayed in the entrance hall. From there, continue to the Tuapannguit district and stroll along Nuuk's scenic waterfront boardwalk, which follows the coastline and offers beautiful views across the fjord toward Kangeq, the site where missionary Hans Egede established Greenland's first colonial settlement in 1728. The tour continues to the charming Colonial Harbor, home to colorful wooden buildings, historic landmarks, and one of the city's most picturesque neighborhoods. Finally, climb to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the old town, where you'll enjoy spectacular views of Nuuk's iconic red and yellow houses with Sermitsiaq Mountain rising majestically in the background—one of the city's most photographed scenes. Along the way, your guide will be happy to share recommendations for local restaurants, shopping, Greenlandic handicrafts, museums, and other attractions to help you make the most of your stay in Nuuk.

Puffin Watching Tour by Boat 
Join us on a scenic boat excursion to the beautiful islands south of Nuuk in search of one of Greenland's most beloved seabirds—the Atlantic puffin. During the summer months, thousands of puffins return from the open ocean to nest on small offshore islands, making this one of the best opportunities to observe these charming birds in their natural habitat. 
Recognizable by their colorful beaks and distinctive black-and-white plumage, puffins stand only about 12 inches (30 cm) tall. They spend most of the year far out at sea, coming ashore only during the breeding season to lay their eggs and raise their chicks. As you cruise through the scenic fjords surrounding Nuuk, your guide will share fascinating information about puffins, Greenland's coastal wildlife, and the area's spectacular natural landscapes. In addition to puffins, you may also spot other seabirds, seals, and, occasionally, whales. Because puffins are wild animals, sightings cannot be guaranteed. Weather conditions, natural behavior, and other environmental factors all influence where the birds may be found on any given day. Throughout the excursion, your captain follows strict guidelines for approaching the nesting colonies, ensuring the birds are observed responsibly while minimizing disturbance to their natural habitat. This relaxing boat trip offers wonderful opportunities for wildlife photography and unforgettable views of Greenland's rugged coastline.

• Breakfast
• Hotel Hans Egede or similar

After breakfast, transfer to Nuuk Airport for your short domestic flight to Kangerlussuaq. Lasting approximately 45 minutes, this scenic journey offers spectacular aerial views of Greenland's dramatic landscapes. As the aircraft climbs above Nuuk, you'll enjoy sweeping vistas of rugged mountains, deep fjords, and countless lakes before crossing the vast, uninhabited interior of the island. As you approach Kangerlussuaq, the scenery changes dramatically. The towering peaks give way to broad glacial valleys, winding rivers, and the expansive Arctic tundra that surrounds the settlement. On clear days, you may even catch your first glimpse of the immense Greenland Ice Sheet stretching toward the horizon.

Located at the head of a 100-mile (160-km) fjord, Kangerlussuaq is known for its dry climate, stable weather, and exceptional wildlife. Originally established as an American air base during World War II, it remains one of Greenland's most important transportation hubs and serves as the primary gateway to the Greenland Ice Sheet. Upon arrival, your Arctic adventures begin immediately.

Tundra Safari by 4WD
Venture into the vast Arctic wilderness surrounding Kangerlussuaq on an exciting 4WD tundra safari. This two-hour excursion takes you beyond the town and into one of Greenland's richest wildlife habitats, where the open tundra, glacial rivers, and rolling hills create a stunning and ever-changing landscape. Accompanied by an experienced local guide, you'll travel along gravel roads and remote tracks while learning about the region's unique ecosystem, geology, and Arctic climate. Kangerlussuaq's dry weather and expansive tundra make it one of the best places in Greenland to observe wildlife in its natural habitat.

Keep your camera ready as you search for the iconic musk ox, whose ancestors have roamed Greenland for thousands of years. You may also encounter reindeer grazing on the tundra, Arctic hares, Arctic foxes, gyrfalcons, snowy owls, and a variety of migratory birds, depending on the season. Along the route, your guide will point out hardy Arctic plants and explain how wildlife has adapted to survive in this challenging environment.

Several scenic stops provide excellent opportunities to admire the sweeping views, photograph the rugged landscape, and experience the remarkable silence of the Arctic wilderness. On clear days, you'll enjoy spectacular vistas of distant mountains, glacial valleys, and meltwater lakes that stretch across the tundra.

This safari is an excellent introduction to Greenland's unique natural environment and a perfect complement to your visit to the Greenland Ice Sheet.

• Breakfast
• Hotel Kangerlussuaq or Polar Lodge

• Breakfast
• Hotel Kangerlussuaq or Polar Lodge

Spend the first half of the day exploring Kangerlussuaq, before your flight from Kangerlussuaq to Ilulissat. A 50-minute flight offers stunning views of Greenland’s icebergs, fjords, and mountains.  Upon arrival in Ilulissat, take a shuttle to your hotel.

Sailing Among Icebergs
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
• Hotel Hvilde Falk or similar
• Transfer

Ilulissat City Walk: History, Culture and Traditions
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
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
• Hotel Hvilde Falk or similar

Day Trip to Eqi the Calving Glacier
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
• Hotel Hvilde Falk or similar

Sermermiut: Hike to the Old Settlement by the Ice Fjord
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.

• Breakfast