Join this perfect combination tour exploring the capital of Greenland and ice-filled Ilulissat in Disko Bay.
The memory of the very first time you breathe in the crisp and frosty air as you get off the plane in Nuuk will stick with you forever. It is a very special experience that is reinforced by the sight of the snow-covered rocky landscape.
The best months for a vacation during winter in Greenland are from late January to April. Temperatures range from around 5-30 Celsius below zero. However, due to the dry air, the coldness does not feel so rough. Another great feature of the Greenlandic winter is the magical northern lights!
If you are searching for a tour where winter, fantastic nature, and culture are combined, look no further. In addition, you will also have an infinite amount of motifs to be captured by your camera as you also will visit the incredible town of Ilulissat. Here you can marvel at the enormous icebergs, the fascinating Ice Fjord, and sled dogs.
Choose the day for your adventure and book it now!
Activities
Boat Tour
City Tour
Dog Sledding
Hiking
Northern Lights
Attractions
Disko Bay
Dog Sled
Northern Lights
Nuuk Fjord
Day 1
Arriving in Nuuk and enjoying Nuuk Fjord tour
From Copenhagen we fly with Air Greenland to Nuuk, it is 4,5 hour fly to the capital of Greenland!
After you check-in in the hotel, you will have an information meeting where the guide will give you tips on what to experience in Nuuk, where to eat, and what to see while you are here.
You will join a 2-hour boat trip with a closed boat to Nuuk Fjord. Enjoying the view of Nuuk and breathtaking mountains and the fjord. If you are lucky you will be able to spot some wildlife along the way and maybe some icebergs.
Enjoy cup of tea or coffee with a view of Nuuk landmark- Sermitsiaq mountain and famous waterfall.
Day 2
Northern lights in Nuuk!
Today is at your disposal and their are many beautiful excursions in the hinterland the invites you.
Sightseeing walk in Nuuk
You will join a city tour which includes a visit to the Greenland National Museum. We will have approximately 30 min in the museum and when we will continue to see Hans Egede’s house, the sculpture of the Mother of the Sea and the controversial statue of Hans Egede at the Greenland church. We will also pop up to ‘Kalaaliaraq,’ the traditional market where locally caught fish, seals, and reindeer are sold.
You will have time before your Northern lights tour, we would advice having dinner before your Northern lights tour.
Evening Northern Lights tour by boat
On evenings with a clear sky, the breathtaking northern lights/Aurora Borealis are likely to appear. On this tour, you will go out to sea where artificial light does not prevent you from seeing the amazing northern lights.
Afterward, the guide will tell you more about the phenomenon and the myths it has created throughout time. You will be in heated cabin boat so don't be afraid of the cold, you can just get in and out of the cabin when you want.
Day 3
Travelling to Ilulissat
Next stop: Ilulissat. It is a 45-minute flight giving you a perfect chance of really enjoying the beautiful icy landscape.
During the approach to Ilulissat, the town seemingly occur right in the middle of nowhere. The colorful houses vie for attention among the snow-covered peaks and you can look forward to the next few days full of ice, winter, and dogsleds – combined with cultural highlights.
You will check in at the beautifully situated Hotel Arctic. Here, there will be a following information meeting where you get to hear more about Ilulissat and you itinerary for the next days to come.
Guided tour of Ilulissat
Ilulissat was founded in 1741 and is today the third largest town in Greenland with more than 4,500 inhabitants. The guide will tell you about the history of Ilulissat, and you will experience the town’s many exciting sides. Seeing and hearing some of the many thousands of sled dogs is not possible to miss out on. Most of them live on the outskirts of the town in large dog spaces.
You will visit the fishermen down at the harbor and the hunters at their trading post called “Brættet.”. Moreover, you will see the church and the birthplace of the famous Polar explorer, Knud Rasmussen. Two-hour city walk is a perfect introduction to Ilulissat!
Day 4
Guided walk to the UNESCO site
Today you will join a guided hike to the UNESCO area and for the rest of the day you will have time to enjoy your day in a cafe, visit museums, or go shopping.
Walk to the Sermermiut Settlement Dogsledding
Beautiful icebergs provide the setting for the old settlement of Sermermiut which is located 1,5 kilometers south of Ilulissat. You will see where for 4000 years, different Inuit cultures lived in the small settlement.
Hear the story about life of the indigenous people and their traditions before the Europeans arrived in Greenland. See the ruins and touch the permafrost with your own bare hands. On this hike, you will also pass by “Kællingekløften” where you can enjoy the magnificent view of the Ice Fjord before hiking back to Ilulissat. It is easy 2 hours guided hike that everyone can do!
Dogsledding
You will embark on a wonderful 1,5 hours experience with Greenlandic sledge dogs!
The dog sled is one of the biggest trademarks of Greenland. An Inuit tradition, going back thousands of years. You will not find many other means of transportation that has survived for so long without changes. The experience is impossible to explain and it is something you have to try for yourself. The musher and his dogs will take you over the thick ice on the fjord so you will have a truly Greenlandic experience.
Day 5
Sailing to Ilulissat icefjord
Disko Bay is one of Greenland’s most popular tourist destinations. Firstly, due to the icebergs, but also because of its beauty and its many cultural attractions. Today you will have time to explore the town on your own and join must-do sailing tour among the icebergs!
Sailing among icebergs
Almost every person who visits Ilulissat chooses to go on this boat trip among the icebergs - at least once. Every day, more than an incredible 40 million tons of ice flow out into the fjord.
You will be sailing with a closed boat so you can enjoy crispy air autside as well as get warm in the cabin. During the 2, 5 hours tour you will enjoy incredible views. The floating icebergs are so gigantic that they sometimes measure more than 100 meters wide and long - and with a height of more than 100 meters above the water surface as well! These giants icebergs gather at the end of the fjord.
This exceptional experience is something you should not miss out on when visiting Ilulissat.
Day 6
Explore Ilulissat on your own
Spend your day by exploring Ilulissat on your own. If you want, you can visit one of the traditional arts and crafts workshops to look for souvenirs made from seal or tooth and bone.
There are also many hikes to try. You can for instance walk along the road to the airport, where you will pass by a typical Greenlandic cemetery. There are also opportunities for tours in the mountains, but it can be a little difficult to walk here because the snow can be deep. In that case, you can also go snowshoe tour which is fun to try!
Spend your last day in Ilulissat by experiencing the atmosphere and life in the town. Go back in time and learn about the rich history at the museum that originally was Knud Rasmussen’s place of birth. Fishermen and hunters at the open market will give you an idea of the many exciting Greenlandic food products – and it does not get any fresher than this!
At the restaurants in Ilulissat, you can try out some local specialties such as Greenlandic sushi, deep-fried “ammassats” (small fish), whale and seal, and the cafés offer freshly-baked cakes. This is highly recommended!
Offering one final view of the Ice Fjord and the captivating icebergs, the flight will take you back to Nuuk and onwards to Copenhagen. You will arrive in Copenhagen in the evening.
Included
Return flight Copenhagen-Nuuk with Air Greenland
Food and beverages onboard the Air Greenland flight Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq
20 kilos of checked baggage and 8 kilos of cabin baggage
Return flight Nuuk-Ilulissat with Air Greenland
Transfers from the airport to the hotel.
2 nights at Hotel Hans Egede Express with private facilities
5 nights at Hotel Arctic with private facilities
Towels and bed linen at hotels and hostels
Breakfast all days
Welcome dinner at Hotel Arctic (drinks and beverages are not included
Two information meetings with local English-speaking guides
2 hours Boat tour in Nuuk Fjord
Sightseeing walk in Nuuk (2 hours)
Northern Lights boat tour (3 hours)
Dogsledding trip in Ilulissat (rental of warm clothes and boots, 2 persons per sled, 1,5 hours tour)
Sailing among the icebergs in Ilulissat (2,5 hours)
2 hours city walk in Ilulissat
2 hours Sermermiut hike (UNESCO area)
Not included
Travel insurance (recommended while traveling in Greenland)
Lunch & Dinner
Single traveler supplement (mandatory for traveling alone)
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
Flight schedule (local times)
Departure from Copenhagen 10:45 am
Return to Copenhagen 10:00 pm
Please note that departure times are subject to change by the airline.
Hotel Hans Egede Express (HHE express)- Nuuk accommodation
HHE Express is located in the city center of Nuuk. The hotel is close to cafes, shopping, and sightseeing options.
The rooms are simply furnished with comfortable beds. Bed linen and towels are included. It has wifi in all areas of the hotel, 24-hour reception and a small cafe shop on the first floor.
Please note: It is not possible to have two twin beds at Hotel Hans Egede Express.
Hotel Arctic- Ilulissat accommodation
Greenland’s most famous hotel is the Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat. It is located with a fantastic view of Ilulissat town, the Ice Fjord, and the incredible Disko Bay. Hotel Arctic is the world’s northernmost 4-star hotel. The hotel is just outside the town and is approximately a 15-minute walk from the town center.
The hotel has two really great restaurants and there is a large terrace outside the restaurant which is almost made for enjoying a glass of wine while the sun shines its golden glow at midnight over the icebergs at Ilulissat Ice Fjord. A sight to remember!
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 Perfect winter tour with snow and ice | Ilulissat & Nuuk | 8-days
Rated 5 out of 5
Beth & Frank –
We loved this tour!
Perfectly planned, great communication before purchase. We had a great time and dogsledding with beautiful dogs and seeing Northern lights was the highlight of our visit in Greenland!
We would definitely recommend this trip.
Best wishes from Beth & Frank
Beth & Frank –
We loved this tour!
Perfectly planned, great communication before purchase. We had a great time and dogsledding with beautiful dogs and seeing Northern lights was the highlight of our visit in Greenland!
We would definitely recommend this trip.
Best wishes from Beth & Frank