Spring Tour of West Greenland | 8 days | Visiting Ilulissat, Nuuk & Sisimiut
Tour Type
Vacation Package
Available
May
Duration
8 days
Difficulty
Easy
Start town
From Copenhagen
Description
Daily itinerary
Included
Useful information
Terms of service
Imagine sailing up the west coast of Greenland on a small passenger ferry that primarily carries locals, visiting the capital of Greenland, exploring the massive icebergs of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ilulissat Icefjord – all on the same trip.
Join us for this 8-day spring adventure that enables all of this while visiting three different Greenlandic towns, including a full day in the capital city. With flights, the ferry, 4-star hotel accommodation, local guided tours, and a farewell dinner at one of the country’s best restaurants included, we take care of all of the details, so you can relax and enjoy your visit to the world’s largest island.
Book your place to explore Greenland’s history, culture, and incredible landscapes by selecting a date and clicking on Book Now.
Activities
Boat Tour
City Tour
Iceberg Views
Icecap & Glacier hiking
Settlement Visit
UNESCO Site
Attractions
Disko Bay
Ice Sheet
Ilimanaq
Ilulissat Icefjord
Point 660
Day 1
Arriving in Greenland
You will have your first view of the Greenland Ice Sheet (the second-largest in the world after Antarctica) as we fly over it on our 4.5-hour journey from Copenhagen to Nuuk.
Please note that departure times are subject to change by the airline.
Once we have checked into our hotel and have had the introductory briefing,
NUUK CITY TOUR
Continue your journey with the first introduction to Greenland and Nuuk city!
During this excursion, our guide will introduce you to the key sights of Nuuk, including the old Colonial Harbour (home of the National Museum, the Nuuk Local Museum, the hunter's market, and one of the many impressive statues that can be found in the city), and the main pedestrian street where you can find the mall, several shops, and cafes, and the architecturally stunning Katuaq Cultural Centre.
The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you wish - perhaps revisiting one of the places already introduced in more detail, exploring Greenlandic art at the Nuuk Art Museum, or shopping for souvenirs in one of the many boutiques.
At night, the hotel offers a lovely welcome dinner (drinks excluded).
Day 2
Nuuk fjord trip and boarding local ferry
After a nice breakfast, we head out to the harbour.
NUUK FJORD SAFARI
You will join 2-hour boat tour to the heart of Nuuk's stunning natural landscape with a scenic boat trip to Sermitsiaq Mountain. Rising dramatically from the clear Arctic waters, Sermitsiaq is the iconic sentinel of the Nuuk Fjord and a must-see landmark in Greenland. Witness spectacular waterfalls cascading down the steep slopes, enhancing the wild, lush beauty of the fjord.
Late evening, we will board the Sarfaq Ittuk coastal ferry for our relaxed journey north towards Ilulissat. Departure is at 9 PM. We encourage you to spend as much time watching the scenery from either the rear lounge or one of the decks as we sail along the Greenlandic coastline.
Day 3
Sailing to Sisimiut
The coastal ferry is exactly that. A ferry that makes short stops at several towns and settlements along the west coast of Greenland. This morning we will stop briefly in Maniitsoq and Kangaamiut, and while we can't disembark, it is always fun to watch the bustle of the harbor and loved ones greeting each other. The landscape between Maniitsoq and Kangaamiut is particularly spectacular, and we encourage you to rug up and head out on deck for the best views.
In the evening, we will arrive in Sisimiut (Greenland's second-largest town) for a longer port of call.
SISIMIUT CITY TOUR
In Sisimiut, we have time to visit the museum, located in the heart of the oldest part of town, before re-boarding and continuing our journey north.
Day 4
Arriving at Disko Bay
We wake up near Disko Bay, and it won't be too long before we start seeing the massive icebergs for which this part of Greenland is famous. We spend the next few hours crossing the enormous bay, passing many of the gigantic ice sculptures and the Icefjord itself as we approach Ilulissat.
Once we've checked into our hotel, and after an introductory briefing, we will head out on a guided tour of Greenland's third-largest town.
ILULIASSAT CITY TOUR
We will pass by some of the oldest houses in Ilulissat, the famous almost 250-year-old Zion's Church, and the museum as we orient ourselves with the town and learn a little of its history.
Day 5
Exploring the UNESCO area
SERMERMIUT SETTLEMENT WALK:
This morning we will hike out to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ilulissat Icefjord, where we will see more of the enormous icebergs for which Ilulissat is famous. These are stranded on an underwater moraine at the mouth of the fjord and block the passage of ice out into Disko Bay. Occasionally, one of them will melt enough to form a hole in the barrier they create across the fjord to release the smaller pieces of ice stuck behind them.
We will also visit the old Sermermiut settlement - a site that has been extremely important to countless generations of Greenlandic people due to its position beside the Icefjord.
You have the afternoon to explore Ilulissat.
BOAT TOUR AMONG THE ICEBERGS
Must tour to do when you are in Ilulissat! We will board our cruise for an unforgettable journey through the icebergs in the evening. Seeing these gigantic ice sculptures from the waterline is the only way to appreciate just how big they are.
Day 6
Free day to explore or visit Ilimanaq settlement
Days 6 and 7 may be swapped due to weather and other scheduling constraints.
One of these days is yours to simply relax at the hotel or explore Ilulissat according to your interests. For example, you may wish to return to the museum, visit the art gallery, enjoy a coffee and cake downtown, go souvenir shopping or hike back out to the Icefjord.
On the other day, we will visit Ilimanaq, a small, still-functioning settlement on the other side of the Icefjord. Traditionally a hunting and fishing community, several of its oldest buildings have been carefully restored, and now tourism also plays an important role. We will spend about 3 hours in Ilimanaq, starting with a guided tour to learn a little about the history and development of the settlement. We will also enjoy tea and coffee and have time for individual exploration before heading back to Ilulissat.
Day 7
Free day to explore or visit Ilimanaq settlement
If we did not go to Ilimanaq the day before, we will do so today. Otherwise, explore Ilulissat at your leisure, or simply relax at the hotel with its incredible views of Disko Bay and the Icefjord.
During the evening, we will gather in the hotel's high-quality restaurant for a farewell dinner to celebrate our adventures in Greenland.
You can also by an additional Helicopter Tour. Icefjord and Glacier From Above!
Witness the raw power and immense scale of the Ilulissat Icefjord from the best possible vantage point: above. Our exclusive 1.5-hour helicopter ride puts the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the colossal Kangia Glacier directly in focus.
Day 8
Traveling home
Today is a day of travel as you return with a flight from Ilulissat to Copenhagen via Nuuk. Although it is time to say goodbye for this trip, we are certain you will return to Greenland in the future - perhaps to enjoy the winter and experience a land covered with snow next time.
Included
Return flights: Copenhagen - Nuuk
Food and beverages on the Copenhagen - Kangerlussuaq - Copenhagen flights
20kg of checked baggage and 8kg of cabin baggage
Flight: Ilulissat- Nuuk
Coastal ferry: Nuuk - Ilulissat (2 nights in a cabinwith a private bathroom) with MS Sarfaq Ittuk (Arctic Umiaq Line)
Full board on the coastal ship from Saturday morning to Sunday lunch (excl. beverages)
Transfers to and from hotels on arrival and departure
1 night at Hotel Hans Egede (private bath/toilet)
4 nights in Hotel Arctic with private facilities
Breakfast
Welcome dinner in Nuuk (excl. beverages)
Farewell dinner in Ilulissat (excluding drinks)
Food and beverages onboard the Air Greenland flight Copenhagen – Nuuk b/w
Guided city tours in Nuuk, Sisimiut and Ilulissat
Guided hike to Sermermiut settlement in Ilulissat
The Ice Fjord Centre and museums in Ilulissat
Visit to sled dogs
Tour leader
Fjord safari in Nuuk (2 hours)
2,5 hours sailing among the icebergs in Ilulissat
5 hours day trip to Ilimanaq
Not included
Travel Insurance
Single traveler supplement, mandatory if traveling alone
Lunches or dinners other than those specifically stated
Flight supplement
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 clothing. 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). In addition, the outer layer must be warm and windproof.
Warm hat, thick windproof gloves, buff or scarf
Insulated boots or hiking boots with multiple pairs of socks
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)
Please note that departure times are subject to change by the airline.
If traveling alone, you must choose the single room supplement when booking this tour.
Depending on the availability of flights to Greenland, a flight supplement may apply.
Trips to Greenland are always subject to weather conditions. As a result, delays and flight cancellations can happen. We therefore strongly recommend that you do not book onward international flights directly after your trip to Greenland. Instead, give yourself at least one extra day to make an international connection. We also recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover any expenses should your flights be delayed or canceled due to bad weather.
The airlines that fly to Greenland only allow 20 kg of checked-in baggage. If you go over this limit, there is a fee (often strictly enforced) for the extra weight.
It is important to bring cash in Danish Krona to Greenland. While credit cards are accepted in larger locations (e.g., hotels, supermarkets), they may not be accepted elsewhere. In addition, foreign currency is often not accepted.
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.
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