8 Days of Spring In The Arctic | West Greenland & Disko Bay
Tour Type
Vacation Package
Available
April - May
Duration
8 days
Difficulty
Easy
Start town
From Copenhagen Ilulissat Kangerlussuaq
Description
Daily itinerary
Included
Useful information
Terms of service
Experience two of Greenland’s most phenomenal travel destinations on this 8-day vacation package during the Arctic spring. This fully organized vacation package takes you to the Arctic Circle and beyond, as you will be visiting Kangerlussuaq in West Greenland and Ilulissat in Disko Bay.
Arriving in Copenhagen for this Greenland exploration, all you have to do is make your way to the airport for check-in at the Air Greenland counter and board the Airbus 330-200 to Kangerlussuaq. From here, we take you across the North Atlantic Ocean and the Greenland Ice Sheet to arrive in Kangerlussuaq, West Greenland. In Kangerlussuaq, you will spend two days exploring the glacial landscapes and fauna. First on a tundra safari, spotting for wildlife, and secondly on an ice cap hike on the Greenland Ice Sheet.
After two eventful days in Kangerlussuaq, we take you even further north to Ilulissat in Disko Bay. Ilulissat is known as the capital of icebergs, as it neighbours the UNESCO World Heritage, Ilulissat Icefjord. Here the ice retracts from the Isua Glacier into the Icefjord and out to Disko Bay, passing Ilulissat. The voyaging icebergs create an otherworldly scenery outside of Ilulissat, that you can enjoy from almost anywhere in town. You will spend your time exploring the best of Ilulissat, including the UNESCO World Heritages Ilulissat Icefjord, Sermermiut Valley and the settlement of Ilimanaq.
Click on the Itinerary tab to read more information about each day of the tour, and then reserve your place on this Greenland Adventure by pressing Book Now.
Activities
Boat Tour
Glacier Hiking
Iceberg Views
Settlement Visit
UNESCO Site
Wildlife Observation
Attractions
Disko Bay
Ice Sheet
Ilimanaq
Ilulissat Icefjord
Point 660
Day 1
Into The Wild
You embark on your Greenland adventure from Copenhagen, Denmark. From here you will fly to Kangerlussuaq by the Arctic Circle.
Flying into Kangerlussuaq is an experience in itself, as you will be overlooking the Greenland Ice Sheet on a clear sky day. An impressive sight to see the beautiful seracs and meltwater lakes from a bird’s-eye view.
You are welcomed by our local representative and led to your overnight accommodation at Hotel Kangerlussuaq.
Check-in is immediately followed by a trip to Kangerlussuaq hinterland for a tundra-safari.
Kangerlussuaq is the best destination in Greenland for watching wildlife. Musk ox, caribou, Arctic foxes and hares are permanent residents of the Kangerlussuaq backland.
By bus, you head out of town on a dirt road to scout for the unique fauna, that lives off the tundra. The landscapes you will come across on this tour are mainly arctic desert, tundra, beautiful lakes and the Kangerlussuaq river that runs through Kangerlussuaq Fjord.
The animals are wild animals that roam free. We try to get as close as possible, while also respecting their natural habitat.
Day 2
Destination: The Greenland Ice Cap
There are two destinations in Greenland, from where you can reach the Greenland Ice Sheet by car. Luckily for you, Kangerlussuaq is one of them.
Your second day in Greenland brings you on top of the Ice Cap. By car, you head out of Kangerlussuaq and onto the dirt road from the day before. But you continue further inland, to be precise, 25 kilometers into the wild. You ascend onto the Ice Cap at Point 660. On the ice cap, you get the chance to hike around and get a sense of the infinite size of the ice cap, which covers 80 pct. of the country’s surface.
Another highlight of our trip is the Russell Glacier, which we will pass back and forth to the ice cap. You can enjoy an otherworldly scenery of glacial ice, rising steeply into the backdrop - mountains of turquoise glacial ice, contrasting the tundra.
Day 3
Capital of Icebergs
You depart for the second part of this trip by flight to Ilulissat, Disko Bay.
Ilulissat is beautifully situated by the mouth of the UNESCO world heritage, Ilulissat Icefjord.
As a result of this unique location, locals and guests can luxuriate themselves with views of voyaging icebergs, originating from the world’s most active glacier, the Isua glacier.
These icebergs can be as tall as up to 60-100 meters above sea level and are often so heavy they strand in the Icefjord.
While staying in Ilulissat, you will be accommodated in Hotel Arctic – a beautiful 4-star hotel that overlooks Disko Bay and its ever-changing scenery for icebergs. All rooms hold a private bathroom including a shower, hairdryer, and toiletries. Free Wi-fi and breakfast are included.
Transfer to the hotel, as well as check-in, is followed by an information meeting with our local representative. Your guide will give you hot tips about the best restaurant venues, optional excursions and information about the town.
Day 4
An Ilulissat Introduction
Your first full day takes you on a proper introduction to the UNESCO World Heritages in Ilulissat. You will be visiting the beautiful Sermermiut Valley, which rests on the shores of Ilulissat Icefjord.
The valley has been occupied by different migrations of Inuit, and the earliest settlement dates as far back as 4000 years. On this tour, you will be visiting the remains of an old settlement and followed by a short hike to the viewpoint by Nakkaavik to overlook the otherworldly scenery of the Icefjord. Walking to and from the valley, your guide will give you an insight into the pre-colonial history of the valley and its former residents.
Day 5
Evening On Ilulissat Icefjord
By evening, you will head out on the Icefjord by boat to witness the Icebergs of Ilulissat Icefjord illuminated by the orange and red rays of the midnight sun. A spectacular natural phenomenon, that transforms the white and blue nuanced seascape into an even more awe-inspiring scenery.
The midnight sun can be experienced from late May to the end of July. On our departures outside of this travel period, the Icefjord is covered in the colours of the Greenlandic sunset.
Day 6
Free time in Ilulissat
Your 6th day in Greenland lets you put your touch on your Greenland adventure.
Combine your lust for adventure with an interest in history and book an optional city walk, or look through our selection of day tours in Ilulissat
Day 7
Out Of Town Settlement Exploration
Your 7th day in Greenland brings you south of Ilulissat to the small settlement of Ilimanaq.
You will head out of Ilulissat by boat, passing the Icefjord, and sail for about 15 kilometres.
In the settlement, your knowledgeable guide takes you on an insightful settlement walk, where you will learn about the settlement’s history and what life is like above the Arctic circle. During the tour, your guide will serve coffee and tea.
Before the industrialization of Greenland, Ilimanaq was a traditional fishing village. Today the settlement has been restored as a cultural heritage, bringing together tourism, fishery, nature, colonial architecture and Greenlandic culture.
The tour has a duration of approximately 5 hours.
Day 8
Spring has come to an end
Your Greenland adventure has come to an end, and we bid you farewell at Ilulissat Airport. From Ilulissat you fly south, back to Kangerlussuaq, to catch the flight to Denmark.
Flights from Greenland are sometimes subject to delays due to bad weather. We, therefore, recommend that you do not book your flight departure to where you are heading next on the same night.
Included
Flights Copenhagen - Kangerlussuaq - Copenhagen
Food and drinks on Copenhagens flights
20 kilos of checked luggage and 8 kilos of hand luggage
Airport transfers in Kangerlussuaq
2 nights at Hotel Kangerlussuaq (private room w. bathroom/toilet)
1 x breakfast in Kangerlussuaq
1,5h Tundra Safari with 4x4 weel bus in Kangerlussuaq
Tour to Greenland Icecap, Point 660 in Kangerlussuaq
FlightKangerlussuaq - Ilulissat b/w
Airport transfers in Ilulissat
5 nights at Hotel Arctic
Breakfast at Hotel Arctic
Welcome dinner at Hotel Arctic (drinks and beverages are not included)
Tour to Sermermiut Valley- UNESCO World Heritage site in Ilulissat
Sailing tour to Ilulissat Icefjord (2,5 hours)
Sailing tour from Ilulissat to Ilimanaq settlement (5 hours)
Historical Citywalk Ilulissat
Not included
Accommodation, transfers and food in Copenhagen
Travel Insurance
Lunches or dinners other than those specifically stated
Excursions other than those listed in this itinerary
Unexpected expenses as a result of weather conditions (including difficulties or cancellations due to ice or weather conditions) or flight or boat delays
Please note extra charges for room upgrades can accrue after the booking as the availability of accommodation is very limited.
What to bring
Warm winter wear. Ideally, you should dress in layers: at least one thermal underwear layer (top and bottom), activity layer (e.g. hiking pants and shirt), and insulation layer (e.g. fleece or down jacket). The outer layer must be proper winter gear which typically has lots of insulation and is windproof. Think ski jacket and pants if you come from a warmer climate.
Warm hat, thick windproof gloves, buff or scarf
Insulated winter boots
Sunglasses and sunscreen - snow is very bright and even the winter sun can cause sunburn
Camera with extra batteries (the cold drains the batteries faster)
Day pack
Water bottle
Our customers are the foundation of Guide to Greenland so we make great efforts to provide you with the best possible service. We are located in Greenland and cooperate with everyone involved in the Greenlandic tourism industry. We are therefore perfectly placed to quickly react to changes or new wishes you may have to ensure you have the trip of a lifetime.
BOOK EARLY The earlier you book your trip, the better the prices will be, and the more likely you will be able to book the tour you want for the dates/times you want.
Package tours can be sold out more than half a year in advance (note that Guide to Greenland does not include international flights in packages, except where indicated from Iceland or Denmark). Day trips may sell out closer to your arrival date, but for popular destinations, certain dates/times can also sell out months in advance. We recommend that you secure all of your experiences by booking them well in advance of your trip.
CANCELLATIONS All cancellations must be made via e-mail.
Although Guide to Greenland is committed to ensuring the best protection and service for our customers in the event of a cancellation, we are obliged to charge cancellation fees. This is in accordance with Greenland travel industry business practices. Details can be found in our general cancellation policy
Note: Due to COVID-19, a temporary cancellation policy applies. You can find it in the footer of the website under the “Terms & Conditions”.
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