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Autumn Feelings in Greenland
Visit: Kangerlussuaq - Nuuk - Sisimiut - Ilulissat
Experience the yellow, red, and brown shades of the mountains in Greenland’s late summer. See the Ice Sheet at Kangerlussuaq, the capital of Nuuk, and the Ilulissat Ice Fjord. Includes coastal boat trip.
We fly from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq with Air Greenland’s Airbus. The first sight of Greenland is truly special, and will undoubtedly set you up for the adventures that await. In Kangerlussuaq, we check in at the Hotel Kangerlussuaq, which is situated within the airport complex.
After being welcomed by the tour guide, you get the chance to visit the impressive Ice Sheet.
Excursion to the Greenland Ice Sheet, Point 660 (optional)
Kangerlussuaq is known for its proximity to the Ice Sheet, and this guided tour takes you 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.
After breakfast, we fly from Kangerlussuaq to Nuuk, and before boarding the coastal vessel Sarfaq Ittuk, there is time for some sightseeing.
The landmark of Nuuk, the Sermitsiaq mountain, gives you a majestic welcome and the fantastic fjord system reflects the wild nature, which provides the most incredible setting for this small metropolis. Nuuk’s more than 17,500 inhabitants benefit from more than 100 kilometers of asphalt roads. But although the town is busy, nature is not far away, and most citizens use nature actively all year round.
The Greenland National Museum with its famous mummies and the colonial harbor
During the tour, you will be introduced to the most popular attractions, including the Greenland National Museum, the beautiful arts center Katauaq – whose façade is shaped like the northern light – and the equally beautiful old district with the statue of Hans Egede looking across the old colonial harbor, the fjord, and the mountain range in the distance.
Use the rest of the afternoon to explore the town on your own. If you are looking for local arts and crafts, a wide selection can be found in the souvenir shops of the city, selling everything from small, delicate earrings to sealskin products.
Heading north with the coastal vessel, together with the Greenlanders
At night, we go on board the ship Sarfaq Ittuk and ahead lie two days onboard, heading towards Ilulissat. Sarfak Ittuk sails up and down along the west coast and is also used by Greenlanders themselves. As the vessel docks in small coastal towns, there is a wonderful atmosphere of activity and joyful reunion.
During the voyage, the passing scenery can be taken in from the indoor panoramic lounge located at the back of the vessel or from the many outdoor areas where you can enjoy the clean air from a deck chair.
Sailing in Greenland can be a chilly affair, but it is incredibly beautiful! Remember warm clothes – as well as your camera and binoculars. The speed is leisurely, allowing you to fully relax and enjoy the changing scenery.
During the morning we will call at both Maniitsoq and Kangaamiut, and whilst there won’t be time to disembark, it is always exciting to stand and watch life on the harbor and in the village from the deck.
A visit in Greenland’s second largest town, Sisimiut
We will arrive at Sisimiut at around 6:00 PM. Sisimiut is the second largest town in Greenland with slightly more than 5,500 inhabitants. The atmosphere in the welcoming city is warm and intense, oozing of authentic Greenland. The color palette of the houses provides a stunning contrast to the dramatic and rocky backdrop.
In Sisimiut, we visit the local museum. Along the way, we walk through the old district with original colonial buildings, which the museum is also part of. At the museum, you get an insight into life in the town through the ages.
This is a wonderful break on the sailing trip. We re-embark Sarfak Ittuk and continue northwards.
As we approach Ilulissat, there is every reason to enjoy the sight of the icebergs. Some are just large-scale lumps of ice while others are almost towering above you. What a welcome and introduction to the magnificent Disko Bay.
We check in at Hotel Arctic which boasts magnificent views of the phenomenal Ilulissat Ice Fjord, which in 2004 was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
At the following briefing, you can hear more about the city and the many excursions into the interesting area.
Lead by a local guide, we tour the town, allowing you to get more familiar with Ilulissat. You will be given an introduction to the history and culture of the place and will pass the museum, the old colonial houses, the beautiful and simple Zion’s Church, and the lively harbor.
Ilulissat means icebergs, which is rather self-explanatory once you 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.
Enjoy Ilulissat at your own pace. You may wish to wander about on your own, drink a caffé latte at a cozy café, and find a quiet place where you can enjoy the view. There is a reason why this beautiful town is one of the most visited places in Greenland: The impressive Ilulissat Ice Fjord. The icebergs can be experienced by sea, by land, and from the air. We recommend joining a hike to Sermermiut, an old settlement right at the mouth of the Ice Fjord where giant icebergs have stranded on an old moraine.
Hike to the old settlement Sermermiut by the Icefiord
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. Hear about the life of the Inuit people and their traditions before the Europeans came to Greenland. Depending on the time of the year you arrive, you may be able to see the ruins and touch the permafrost with your own hands.
Sailing among the icebergs (optional)
In the evening, you can take a lovely cruise between the icebergs that – regardless of the weather – are guaranteed to take your breath away. The midnight sun is low on the horizon, and it can be difficult to tell night from day. Reflections from the soft, warm light give the icebergs and mountain tops an orange tinge, and the water becomes almost purple.
Whale safari among icebergs (optional)
Most people are surprised just how great an experience it is to get up close to a animal as enormous as the whale. In the waters of Greenland, 15 species of whale are seen.
During summer and autumn, we normally get to see the humpback whale, minke whale, and fin whale. The whales swim around the entire Disko Bay throughout the summer, sometimes near the town, other times in the ice fjord or up north by the Crown Prince Islands. We have radio contact with the fishermen and sealers in the area, who are our sources of information about whales in the bay. This way, we almost always spot them. The humpback whale, with its characteristic tail, is the one we see most often
Spend the last day in Ilulissat as you wish. If you bought the excursion package deluxe, you are going to the Eqi Glacier today.
Day tour to the calving Eqi Glacier (optional / included in the excursion package deluxe)
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 icebergs crashing into the water is astonishing.
We sail in modern and convenient boats during the excursion to Eqi. 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, which is surrounded by steep mountains with bird life and waterfalls. Our boats, which are 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 is an all-day excursion where you will have a good opportunity to immerse yourself in the experience and fully enjoy the boat trip in the ice-filled water. Duration: 6-12 hours.
Please note: The length of the boat trip to and from the glacier may last between 2 – 5 hours each direction. It depends on the boat used the given day.
You can also follow in the footsteps of Knud Rasmussen at the local museum and end your stay in Greenland with a shopping trip at the stores and souvenir shops.
At night, you will have a lovely farewell dinner in the hotel’s amazing restaurant (drinks not included).
Bringing home a wealth of experiences from this amazing land, we fly to Copenhagen via Kangerlussuaq, arriving at Copenhagen Airport in the evening.
We guarantee you that you will go home with a baggage full of memories that will stay with you longer than any other holiday you have been on – at least that is what other travelers tell us.
Inclusion
- Return flight Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq with Air Greenland
- Flight Kangerlussuaq – Nuuk with Air Greenland
- Flight Ilulissat – Kangerlussuaq with Air Greenland
- Coastal ship Nuuk – Ilulissat with MS Sarfaq Ittuk (Arctic Umiaq Line)
- Transfers
- 2 nights in a cabin at the coastal ship (private bath/toilet)
- 1 night at Hotel Kangerlussuaq with private bath/toilet
- 4 nights at Hotel Arctic (private bath/toilet)
- Breakfast
- Full board on the coastal ship – from Saturday morning to Sunday lunch (excl. beverages)
- 1 lunch sandwich in Kangerlussuaq
- 1 welcome dinner at Restaurant Roklubben in Kangerlussuaq (excl. beverages)
- Farewell dinner at Hotel Arctic (excl. beverages)
- Food and beverages onboard the Air Greenland flight Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq
- Guided sightseeing tours in Nuuk, Sisimiut, and Ilulissat
- Guided hike to the old settlement Sermermiut by the Ice Fjord
- Tour guide
- All flight/transportation taxes and fees known at the time of publishing
- 20 kg of checked baggage and 8 kg of cabin baggage
Exclusion
- Meals not listed above
- Travel Insurance
- Excursions (we recommend pre-booking one of our excursion packages)
Note
Highlights
- Walk ON the Inland Ice Cap
- See the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ilulissat Ice Fjord with its magnificent icebergs up close
- Go in search of Arctic wildlife by boat and on foot
- Experience the capital Nuuk
- Sail along the dramatic coastline
- Cruise among gigantic icebergs
- Everything wrapped in stunning Arctic autumn colors
Optional tours rates available on request.
Triple rate on request.
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
