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Summer Impressions of Greenland
Visit: Kangerlussuaq - Nuuk - Sisimiut - Ilulissat
Great summer tour with the best highlights: The Greenland Ice Sheet in Kangerlussuaq, the capital of Nuuk and the UNESCO world heritage site, the Ice Fjord in Disko Bay. Coastal boat trip included.
We fly from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq with Air Greenland’s Airbus. The first sight of Greenland is truly special, as you look forward to the eight days of excitement that awaits you. Upon arrival, we check in at the Hotel Kangerlussuaq.
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)
The Greenland Ice Sheet is the second-largest ice sheet in the world and covers 80 percent of Greenland and has always attracted expeditions and researchers. And with good reason: it is a truly unique experience to look at the enormous field of ice and feel the forces of nature. Along the way, we pass the spectacular Russell Glacier, another breathtaking sight with its vertical ice wall of up to 60 meters.
To round off the day, you will have a lovely welcome dinner at the Restaurant Roklubben (drinks not included).
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 an almost majestic welcome and the fantastic fjord system reflects the wild nature, which provides the most incredible setting for the small metropolis. Nuuk’s more than 17,500 inhabitants benefit from more than 100 kilometers of asphalt roads. 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 some 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 fur coats.
Heading north with the coasting vessel, together with the Greenlanders
This evening, we embark on the ship Sarfaq Ittuk and ahead lie two days aboard, cruising towards Ilulissat. The coastal vessel sails up and down the west coast and is also used by Greenlanders themselves. As the vessel docks in the coastal towns, there is a wonderful atmosphere of activity and joyful reunion.
During the voyage, the trip and 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 in which 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 nice and slow, fully allowing you to relax and enjoy the changing scenery.
During the morning we will dock in both Maniitsoq and Kangaamiut, but will not disembark. It is always exciting, though, 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 arrive at Sisimiut around 6:00 PM. Sisimiut is the second largest town in Greenland with slightly more than 5,500 inhabitants. The atmosphere in the welcoming town is warm and oozing of authentic Greenland. The color palette of the houses provides a stunning contrast to the undulating rocky area.
In Sisimiut, we visit the local museum. Along the way, we walk through the old, lovely district with the original colonial buildings, of which the museum is part. 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 vessel 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 over you. What a welcome and a fitting introduction to the magnificent Disko Bay.
We arrive in Ilulissat at 1:00 PM after a few hours of sailing. From the harbor, we are transported to Hotel Arctic where we check in. At the following briefing, you can hear more about the town and the many excursions into the interesting area. 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.
Lead by the guide, we tour the city, allowing you to get more familiar with Ilulissat. You will be given an introduction to the history and culture of the city and will pass the museum, the old colonial houses, the beautiful and simple Zion’s Church, and the lively harbor.
Enjoy Ilulissat at your own pace. There is a reason that this beautiful town is one of the most visited places in Greenland: The impressive Ice Fjord. The icebergs can be experienced by sea, by land, and from the air.
Hike to the old settlement Sermermiut by the Icefiord and walks in the town
Consider joining a hike to Sermermiut, an old settlement right at the mouth of the icefjord where giant icebergs have stranded on an old moraine. Along the way, we also visit the wonderfully beautiful Icefjord Center with exhibitions about ice and the UNESCO World Heritage area.
Alternatively, you can walk around on your own, drink a caffé latte at a cozy café, and find a quiet place where you can enjoy the view of the omnipresent icebergs.
Sailing among the icebergs (optional)
In the evening, 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.
You can spend the day on your own, or you can go on a whale safari if you have purchased the excursion package.
Whale safari among icebergs (optional)
Most people are surprised how great an experience it is to get up close to such a large animal as the whale. In the waters of Greenland, 15 species of whale are seen.
During summer, 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 of the town, who are our sources to 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.
Today you also get the chance to experience kayaking in the country that invented the kayak.
Kayak Experience in Ilulissat (optional)
Inuit have kayaked in the Greenland waters for more than a thousand years, and you can do it too. The kayak glides silently through the water, and you see the huge icebergs rising around you. The midnight sun gives the ice a unique hue. In cloudy weather, the beautiful blue colors of the icebergs will be very clear. With a little luck, we also meet whales. All tours take place in stable double kayaks, and a boat follows close by. The excursion takes about 3½-4 hours, and we will be at sea for at least two of those hours.
Spend the last day in Ilulissat as you wish. If you have never been in a helicopter before – maybe now is the time. The helicopter takes you across the Ice Fjord and its giant icebergs at low altitude. The view of the 6-kilometres wide glacier edge provide an experience of grand proportions.
OBS! The helicopter trips are not part of our package but can be purchased separately – contact us for prices and availability.
You can also follow in the footsteps of Knud Rasmussen at the local museum and end your stay in Greenland with a shopping trip in the local stores and souvenir shops.
Day tour to Eqi Glacier – the calving glacier (optional)
Only a few places in Greenland are as beautiful as the Eqi Glacier, which spills into in the fjord 80 kilometres 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, 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 full-day excursion where you will have a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the experience and fully enjoy the boat trip in the ice-filled water.
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.
There is a farewell dinner at the hotel in the evening.
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 return home with unforgettable 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 (private bath/toilet)
- 4 nights at Hotel Arctic (private bath/toilet)
- Food and beverages onboard the Air Greenland flight Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq
- Breakfast
- Welcome dinner at Roklubben in Kangerlussuaq (excluding. beverages)
- Full board on the coastal ship from Saturday morning to Sunday lunch (excluding beverages)
- Farewell dinner at Hotel Arctic (excluding. beverages)
- Guided sightseeing tours in Nuuk, Sisimiut, and Ilulissat
- Guided hike to the old settlement Sermermiut and the Icefjord Center by the Icefjord
- Tour leader
- All flight/transportation taxes and fees known at the time of publishing
- 20 kilos of checked baggage and 8 kilos of cabin baggage
Exclusion
- Meals not listed above
- Travel Insurance
- Excursions (we recommend pre-booking our Excursion Package)
Note
Highlights
- Get up and stand on the Greenland Ice Sheet
- Look for Arctic wildlife in the tundra and at sea
- Experience the Greenlandic capital Nuuk
- Cruise along the coastline of the world’s biggest island
- Enjoy the midnight sun
- Experience the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Icefjord
Optional tours 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
