If you love to go out on adventures but only have limited time, this tour is something for you. On this trip, you are going to visit Ilulissat and other magical highlights of what Greenland has to offer – and over a short time!
First, you will fly to Ilulissat, the town of icebergs, where the landscape will sweep off your feet. The best part is you will have the breathtaking landscape right in front of you at the 4-star Hotel Arctic where you will stay. The perfect base for this unique extended weekend.
If you are traveling in the winter period from January to April your tour will include 1,5 hours dogsledding experience in Ilulissat. This includes the rent of clothes and boots with 2 people per sled.
You will travel in autumn when the season is characterized by peace after a brief and hectic summer. During autumn, nature in Greenland shows itself with sunny days, draping the mountains in shades of yellow-brown with an intensity that often surpasses the midnight sun of summer, to dramatic autumn storms, appealing with their harsh beauty but also requiring proper clothing.
Make sure to save a spot in your calendar for this journey of indulgence to Greenland and recharge your batteries.
Activities
Boat Tour
City Tour
Hiking
Attractions
Disko Bay
Ilulissat Icefjord
Sermermiut
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Day 1
Arriving to Ilulissat & city walk
Departure from Copenhagen is during the morning, and after approximately 4,5 hours of flight, you will set foot on the largest island in the world, Greenland. Following a brief stop in Nuuk, you will continue toward Ilulissat on a smaller plane. It is a beautiful 45-minute flight, which allows you to take in the magnificent Arctic landscape.
During the approach to Ilulissat, the city will appear as a colored dot in the middle of the snowy landscape. The colored houses stand in stark contrast to the rugged mountains, and you can look forward to the next days filled with icebergs, nature clad in the beautiful autumn colors.
The bus from Hotel Arctic will pick you up at the airport and bring you to the hotel where you check-in. Here, you will meet one of the guides who will brief you about Ilulissat, the area, dining, and the excursions.
Guided town walk
The first excursion is a guided tour around Ilulissat. You will learn about the history of the Ilulissat and experience its many interesting aspects. A major aspect is the many sled dogs that live in Ilulissat. Most of the dogs stay outside of the town at a large dog site if they are not roaming the terrain.
On this evening, you will have a lovely welcome dinner in the hotel’s amazing restaurant (drinks not included).
Day 2
Walk to Sermermiut and Icefjord sailing
Beautiful iceberg vistas are the setting for the old settlement of Sermermiut. It is located 1,5 kilometers south of Ilulissat. For 4,000 years, different Inuit cultures lived in the settlement. On this tour you will hear the story about the Inuit people’s life and traditions before the Europeans came to Greenland, see the ruins and touch the permafrost with your own hands!
On this hike, you will also pass by “Kællingekløften” where you can enjoy the magnificent view of the Ice Fjord. During the hike, there will also be time to talk about flora, fauna, geology, and the story behind the omnipresent ice.
Sailing among icebergs
Today you will join an amazing 2-2,5 hours sailing experience, with a heated cabin.
With more than 40 million tons of ice flowing out into the fjord every day, a boat trip among the icebergs is a must at least once. The gigantic icebergs can be more than 100 meters on each side and with a height of up to 100 meters above the water's surface. These giants strand at the end of the fjord, and that gives you a good opportunity to sail among them. An unforgettable experience!
Northern Lights Safari
Available from September 22nd to March (not possible in April)
When the sky is clear on cold nights, you can see the most beautiful northern lights over Ilulissat. It is without a doubt one of the most spectacular phenomena and you have to see them for yourself. You are going to drive away from the city lights and go to a place where the darkness is most intense. Your guide will tell you all about the causes of the phenomenon. Moreover, you will get tips and tricks to enable how to take the best pictures of the northern lights.
Day 3
Dogsledding tour
For a thousand years, the Inuit have relied on this elegant, unchanged form of transport—a simple wooden sled powered by a dedicated team of Greenlandic dogs. Witness this powerful, enduring relationship between musher and dogs as you glide silently over the snow. This is the authentic Arctic experience you've been searching for.
Our standard 1,5 hour trip outside Ilulissat. Each sled carries the driver and two guests (you may share with another traveler). Minimum age is 12 years.
Day 4
Leasure day
Today you will have an opportunity to enjoy an easy day before travelling.
Disko Bay is by far one of Greenland’s most popular tourist destinations - and for good reasons. The beauty of the place with all of its ice, the many cultural attractions, and the interaction between the traditional way of life and modern city life.
Visit Icefjord center, museum, Zions church or just relax and enjoy the views.
Day 5
Flights from Ilulissat to Nuuk and Copenhagen
After an adventurous extended weekend, it is time to say goodbye to Ilulissat. Greenland has most likely at this point made quite an impression on you that will spark a special feeling and flash a series of indelible mental images whenever you hear the word 'Greenland' mentioned in the future.
You depart from Ilulissat via Nuuk, arriving in Copenhagen during the evening.
Practical information
Flight times (local time)
Departure from Copenhagen at 8:20 am
Arrival back in Copenhagen at 10:00 pm
Please note that departure times are subject to changes.
Included
Return flights Copenhagen – Nuuk – Ilulissat
20 kg of checked baggage and 8 kg of cabin baggage
Food and beverages on board the Air Greenland flight Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq
Return transfer between airport and hotel
4 nights at Hotel Arctic with a private bath and toilet
Breakfast
Welcome dinner at Hotel Arctic (excluding drinks)
Welcome meeting with local English-speaking guide
2 hours a city walk in Ilulissat
2-2,5 hours Sailing tour among the icebergs
2 hour Walk to Sermermiut in UNESCO area
Dogsledding tour (1,5 hours) (January -April)
Northern lights tour (September-March)
Not included
Single room supplement
Travel Insurance
Lunch
Dinner
Eqi tour (available from June to the middle of September)
Northern lights tour (available from 22nd of September)
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)
Water bottle
Additional Information
Hotel Arctic
Greenland’s most famous hotel is the Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat. It is located with an incredible view over the town of Ilulissat, the Ice Fjord, and Disko Bay. Hotel Arctic is the world’s northernmost 4-star hotel and features a 5-star conference center. The hotel is located just outside the town, approximately a 15-minute walk from the town center (app. 1.5 km from the central intersection in town).
The hotel has two great restaurants and a large terrace outside which is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine while the sun shines its golden glow at midnight over the icebergs at Ilulissat Ice Fjord.
NOTE: The hotel offers airport transfers, but there are no transfers in connection with excursions or such.
Practical information
Flight times (local time)
Departure from Copenhagen at 8:20 am
Arrival back in Copenhagen at 10:00 pm
Please note that departure times are subject to changes.
Baggage included
20 kilos of checked baggage and 8 kilos of cabin baggage (max. dimensions of cabin baggage: 55 x 40 x 23 cm).
Travelers with reduced mobility and wheelchair users
This tour is not recommended for people with reduced mobility and wheelchair users. Please note that this advice is not based on medical knowledge, and ultimately it is your own responsibility to decide if a tour is the right tour for you.
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.
1 review for A long weekend in the Arctic to remember | 5 days | Ilulissat
Rated 5 out of 5
Jessica Smith –
Loved this tour!
Sailing and seeing icebergs was amazing but also we enjoyed the view from the hotel to the icefjord and the city.
We even seen Northern lights from the hotel window!
Flights from Ilulissat to Nuuk and Copenhagen
Jessica Smith –
Loved this tour!
Sailing and seeing icebergs was amazing but also we enjoyed the view from the hotel to the icefjord and the city.
We even seen Northern lights from the hotel window!