West Coast and Disko Bay Adventure | 8 Days

Flight from Copenhagen to Nuuk & Northern Lights tour by Boat

We fly from Copenhagen to Nuuk. Ahead of us is a 4.5-hour flight.

Flight schedule (local times)

• Departure from Copenhagen 10:45 AM

Please note that departure times are subject to change by the airline.

We will check in at Hotel SØMA, and after you will join a welcome meeting with a local guide.

Northern lights tour in Nuuk

In the late evening, join a 3-hour Northern Lights boat tour in Nuuk. Where we will sail into the darkness and enjoy beautiful night views, and if we are lucky we will see Northern lights.

City walk tour and accommodation on the coastal vessel

After breakfast, the next stop will be the capital of Nuuk. The very first sight of Nuuk will be the Sermitsiaq mountain which gives you a majestic welcome and the mindblowing fjord system reflects the wild nature, which provides the most incredible setting for this small metropolis. Nuuk’s more than 17,500 inhabitants benefit from more than 100 kilometers of asphalt roads. But although the town is busy, nature is not far away!

The Greenland National Museum with its famous mummies and the colonial harbor

During this tour, you will be introduced to the most popular attractions, including the Greenland National Museum, the beautiful arts center Katauaq, 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.

You can use the rest of the afternoon exploring Nuuk 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.

Heading north with the coastal vessel, together with the Greenlanders

At night, we go on board the ship 'Sarfaq Ittuk' and set the course toward Ilulissat which is a two days sail. Sarfak Ittuk sails up and down along the west coast and is also used by Greenlanders themselves. 

During the voyage, 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 where 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 leisurely, allowing you to fully relax and enjoy the changing scenery.

At sea, stop at Sisimiut with a guided town walk

During the morning, we will call at both Maniitsoq and Kangaamiut, and whilst there won’t be time to disembark, it is always very interesting to watch life on the harbor and in the village from the deck!

A visit to Greenland’s second-largest town, Sisimiut

The boat will be at Sisimiut at around 6:30 PM. Sisimiut is the second-largest town in Greenland with slightly more than 5,500 inhabitants. The atmosphere in the welcoming and colorful city is warm and intense.

Guided Sisimiut walk 

In Sisimiut, you can visit the local museum. Along the way, you will walk through the old district with original colonial buildings, which the museum is also part of. At the museum, you get an insight into life in the town through the ages of Sisimiut.

This is a wonderful break on the sailing trip. We re-embark Sarfak Ittuk and continue northwards.

Day at sea before arrival at Ilulissat and guided sightseeing tour

When approaching Ilulissat, there is every reason to enjoy the sight of the enormous icebergs. Some are just large-scale lumps of ice while others are almost towering above you. That is a pretty crazy way to enter the magnificent Disko Bay!

You will check in at Hotel Arctic which boasts magnificent views of the phenomenal Ilulissat Ice Fjord.

At the following briefing, you can hear more about Ilulissat and the many excursions into the interesting area.

City walk in Ilulissat 

Lead by a local guide, you will explore the town, allowing you to get more familiar with Ilulissat. You will be given an introduction to the history and culture of the place and will pass the museum, the old colonial houses, the beautiful and simple Zion’s Church, and the lively and charming harbor.

The word 'Ilulissat' means icebergs, which is rather self-explanatory once you 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.

Day at leisure in Ilulissat and sailing among the icebergs

Enjoy Ilulissat at your very own pace. You may wish to wander about on your own, drink a caffé latte at a cozy café, and find a quiet place where you can enjoy the amazing view!

Sailing among the icebergs

In the evening, you can take a lovely cruise between the icebergs that – regardless of the weather – are guaranteed to take blow your mind. 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. This is just something else!

Hike to Sermermiut and meet Greenlandic dogs 

Guided hike to Sermermiut by the Icefjord

The guide will take you to the Sermermiut settlement next to Ilulissat icefjord. It is an east view in the UNESCO area. Hiking to Sermermiut and seeing those massive icebergs drifting in the Icefjord must be truly awe-inspiring.

Meet Greenlandic dogs 

Visiting the sled dogs and learning about their lives in Northern Greenland sounds fascinating, especially with so many dogs in Ilulissat! It's interesting to hear about their strength and how they live outdoors year-round in that climate. It really highlights their importance to Greenlandic culture.

Visit village of Ilimanaq

Escape to the picturesque village of Ilimanaq, just 15 kilometers south of Ilulissat. You will sail through Ilulissat Icefjord, so you will have the opportunity to enjoy the views of the icebergs.

Join your guide for a delightful tour through this welcoming community. You'll have the special opportunity to visit a local family, offering a unique glimpse into daily life in Greenland. Enjoy a light lunch (sandwich) accompanied by a comforting warm cup of coffee or tea in their company.

Following our village exploration, we'll embark on a scenic boat journey back to Ilulissat, allowing you to soak in the stunning coastal views.

Duration: Approximately 5 hours

Included: Guided storytelling, sandwich, coffee, and tea

Spend the last day in Ilulissat as you wish!

Return flights from Ilulissat to Nuuk and Copenhagen

Bringing home a wealth of experiences from this amazing land, you will fly to Copenhagen via Nuuk, arriving at Copenhagen Airport in the evening.

Flight schedule (local times)

• Return flights arrive in Copenhagen 10:00 PM

Please note that departure times are subject to change by the airline.

You will without a doubt bring home a lot of memories that will stay with you longer than any other holiday you have been on – at least that is what other travelers tell us!