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Arctic Autumn Adventure 8 days
Visit: 8 days around Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut
Visit two classical yet very different places in Greenland. First, we explore the Greenland Ice Sheet in Kangerlussuaq, and then we fly to Sisimiut, one of the most authentic and beautiful places in Greenland.
Air Greenland flies you from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq – ahead of you is a 4½-hour hour flight and an eight-day autumn adventure. A guide from the local excursion office greets you on arrival and helps with your transfer and check-in at Hotel Kangerlussuaq which is situated right in the airport.
After check-in, the guide is in charge of an information meeting. At the meeting, you receive information about the town, the area, dining, and excursion options.
After the meeting, it is time for the first excursion of the excursion package.
Sightseeing in Kangerlussuaq
Experience the settlement and the area around the town. Kangerlussuaq is a former American airbase, now Greenland’s main airport. We learn all about its exciting history, from World War II, through the Cold War, to a modern international airport. The area around Kangerlussuaq has Greenland’s longest road network, and we make our way around to several interesting places and encounter the amazing Greenlandic nature.
We drive to the harbor and take in the fjord, we pass Kellyville, a small science park 12 kilometers from the airport, and we are given a tour of the old base area. Naturally, we visit the settlement’s kennel, where we come face-to-face with the Greenlandic sled dog. This tour allows you to gain a quick overview of the town and the surrounding area.
Today, you are left to your own devices, and the beautiful hinterland is just asking to be explored. If you have purchased the optional excursion package, the first stop on the program is Point 660.
The Greenland Ice Sheet, Point 660
Kangerlussuaq is known for its proximity to the Ice Sheet, and this is a guided tour to the giant Greenland Ice Sheet that is the size of Western Europe.
In a 4×4 bus, we make our way through a beautifully diverse area, and close to the inland ice, we pass the Russell Glacier and a fantastic moraine landscape. At the end of the road, we walk over to the Ice Sheet and climb up onto it, which is a unique experience. You spend some time in this vast icy universe before returning to the vehicle. During the trip, there is a good chance of spotting reindeer and musk oxen.
Northern lights tour
On clear evenings, we often have the most beautiful northern lights in Kangerlussuaq. We drive out into the countryside, away from all artificial lighting, and let nature begin her show.
Later, we drive back and gather in a cozy atmosphere while the guide tells you all about the northern lights and the many Greenlandic myths created about the northern lights through the ages. A delicious cup of “Greenlandic coffee” will also be served.
Today, you have time to yourself and, if you have purchased the excursion package, you’ll be heading out to the Russell Glacier.
The Russell Glacier
Across partially off-road terrain, we drive the exciting route to the spectacular Russell Glacier. With its vertical walls of ice up to 40 meters high, the glacier is an impressive sight. The surroundings are spectacular, and there is a good chance of spotting musk oxen and maybe even rock ptarmigan and snow hares.
Your journey now takes you to the coastal town of Sisimiut, around half an hour west of Kangerlussuaq. The hotel bus picks you up at the airport, and you check in at the four-star Hotel Sisimiut, which will be your comfortable base for the next four nights. After check-in, there is an information meeting with the local guide. As in Kangerlussuaq, you receive information about the town, the area, dining, and excursion options, and have any excursions you have pre-booked confirmed. It is also possible to book excursions at the meeting.
If you have booked the excursion package, there is a culture-historical tour of the town by bus after the meeting.
Guided bus tour of the town
The bus tour of Sisimiut is a good introduction to the town and local life. The tour starts at the old heliport, which was the only airborne way into Sisimiut until 1998. The site is currently used as a dog kennel and the building as a youth club.
On the way through town, we stop at the fish and meat market, where today’s freshly caught fish and animals are to be found. We drive up to the highest vantage point of the town, offering impressive views to the south. We pass the town hall on the way to the south of the city, where many of the original hunting and fishing houses can still be seen. Finally, we visit the old part of the town in the center, where the original buildings from colonial times in the 1700s today house the museum.
This day in Sisimiut is spent at your leisure. There are many ways to amuse yourself with nature in the mountains and the culture in the towns and, at Hotel Sisimiut, there are various excursions available to purchase.
Another lovely day to explore Sisimiut. If you have purchased the excursion package, a culture-historical walk is on the agenda today.
Cultural-historical walk
In spite of the vastness of Greenland, people have chosen to settle in the same areas through the ages. Tele Island, Sallinnguit, is one of those places where past and present meet. Various Inuit cultures have inhabited the area for the past 4,000 years. Objects can still be found here today that testify to this, side-by-side telecommunications installations that have given the town its modern name, Tele Island.
Learn about the Inuit before the arrival of the Europeans. See the ruins and enjoy the beautiful views of the town and the ancient hunting grounds.
On this, your last day in Sisimiut, you can do whatever takes your fancy. You could pay a visit to the museum which offers local history but also cultural, historical treats that give you a real sense of what life used to be like in all parts of Greenland.
You can revisit the places you found most interesting, or you can dawdle about the town, soaking in the atmosphere, and buy the last souvenirs – or perhaps something else entirely. You can even enjoy outdoor hot tubs at the hotel!
And so your Greenland adventure comes to an end. It’s back to Denmark, and forward with the clocks, so it’s early evening when we arrive back in Copenhagen.
Inclusion
- Return flight Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq – Sisimiut with Air Greenland
- Transfers
- 3 nights at Hotel Kangerlussuaq (private bath/toilet)
- 4 nights at Hotel Sisimiut (private bath/toilet)
- Breakfast
- Welcome dinner at Hotel Sisimiut (excl. beverages)
- Food and beverages onboard the Air Greenland flight Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq
- Welcome meetings in Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut with local English-speaking guides
- All flight/transportation taxes and fees known to Greenland Travel at the time of publishing
- 20 kg of checked baggage and 8 kg of cabin baggage
Exclusion
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Excursions (we recommend booking our Excursions Package)
- Travel Insurance
Note
Point of arrival and departure is Copenhagen.
There will be a connecting flight from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq inclusive in the package.
Escorted Experience
- Fixed Dates
- Modern Airconditioned Vehicle
- First Class Hotels
Tour Category
Tour Vehicle
Car or Small Van AC
Tour Guide
Local English only guide
