These 8 days in three towns and on the coastal ship Sarfak Ittuk is something you will never forget! You can experience the highlights mentioned below:
Walk ON the Inland Ice Cap
See the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ilulissat Ice Fjord with its magnificent icebergs up close
Go in search of Arctic wildlife by boat and on foot
Experience the capital Nuuk
Sail along the dramatic coastline
Cruise among gigantic icebergs
Everything is wrapped in stunning Arctic autumn colors
Pretty cool, right?
This journey to Greenland gives you the unique combination of traveling by both domestic flight and coastal vessel along the west coast of Greenland as well as experiencing the most popular locations and towns in Greenland.
All in the company of knowledgeable tour guides who will make sure you get the best trip. The season for this vacation is characterized by peace after a brief and hectic summer. Autumn also showcases a multitude of sides to Arctic nature; from beautiful 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.
As you travel further south, the nights become darker, and you might be fortunate enough to experience northern lights! Also, the night sky is crammed with stars because Greenland is far less affected by light pollution than Europe, Asia, or North America.
This journey is designed to allow you to explore Greenland by yourself, but with the added benefit of tour guides who will accompany you all the way!
You will spend a lot of time on the boat, Sarfaq Ittuk. A ship build in 1992 and was modernized and extended in 2000. The ship has a crew of 22 people and has a café, a lounge with panoramic windows, a playroom, and a hospital clinic. There can be a total of 274 passengers. The cabins are designed for 1-4 persons and contain a table, chair, wardrobe, and 220-volt sockets. Lastly, and the best part, every cabin has a sea view!
Click on the Itinerary tab to read more information about each day of the tour, and then reserve by clicking on 'Book Now'.
Please note departures are guaranteed!
Day 1
Flight from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq and a trip to the Ice Sheet
You will fly from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq with Air Greenland’s Airbus. The very first sight of Greenland is really unique and something you will not forget. When arriving In Kangerlussuaq, you will first check in at the Hotel Kangerlussuaq, which is located at the airport.
After being welcomed by your tour guide, you get the chance to visit the incredible Ice Sheet.
Excursion to the Greenland Ice Sheet, Point 660
Kangerlussuaq is known for its proximity to the Ice Sheet. A 4×4 bus will take you through a beautifully diverse area, and close to the inland ice, you will pass the Russell Glacier and a fantastic moraine landscape. At the end of the road, you will walk over to the Ice Sheet and climb up onto it, which is a really cool experience.
You will spend some time in this vast and icy universe before returning to the bus. Moreover, there is a good chance of spotting reindeer and musk oxen on this trip!
Day 2
Flight to Nuuk. Sightseeing 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.
Day 3
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 6:00 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.
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 4
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.
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 5
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!
Day 6
Explore Ilulissat and whale safari among icebergs
Most people are surprised by just how great an experience it is to get up close to an animal as enormous as a whale. In the waters of Greenland, 15 species of whale are seen.
During summer and autumn, you can normally get to see the humpback whale, minke whale, and fin whale. The whales swim around the entire Disko Bay throughout the summer, sometimes near the town, other times in the ice fjord or up north by the Crown Prince Islands. We have radio contact with the fishermen and sealers in the area, who are our sources of information about whales in the bay. This way, we almost always spot them! The humpback whale, with its characteristic tail, is the one we see most often and it is a sight you will never forget.
Day 7
Explore Ilulissat on your own
Spend the last day in Ilulissat as you wish!
Day 8
Return flights from Ilulissat to Kangerlussuaq and Copenhagen
Bringing home a wealth of experiences from this amazing land, you will fly to Copenhagen via Kangerlussuaq, arriving at Copenhagen Airport in the evening.
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!
Included
Return flight Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq with Air Greenland
Flight Kangerlussuaq – Nuuk with Air Greenland
Flight Ilulissat – Kangerlussuaq with Air Greenland
All flight/transportation taxes and fees known at the time of publishing
20 kg of checked baggage and 8 kg of cabin baggage
Coastal ship Nuuk – Ilulissat with MS Sarfaq Ittuk (Arctic Umiaq Line)
Transfers
2 nights in a cabin at the coastal ship (private bath/toilet)
1 night at Hotel Kangerlussuaq with private bath/toilet
4 nights at Hotel Arctic (private bath/toilet)
Breakfast
Full board on the coastal ship – from Saturday morning to Sunday lunch (excl. beverages)
1 lunch sandwich in Kangerlussuaq
1 welcome dinner at Restaurant Roklubben in Kangerlussuaq (excl. beverages)
Farewell dinner at Hotel Arctic (excl. beverages)
Food and beverages onboard the Air Greenland flight Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq
Guided sightseeing tours in Nuuk, Sisimiut, and Ilulissat
Guided hike to the old settlement Sermermiut by the Ice Fjord
Tour guide
5 hours tour to Greenland Ice Sheet, Point 660
2 hours sailing among the icebergs in Ilulissat
3 hours Whale watching boat tour in Ilulissat
Not included
Meals not listed above
Travel Insurance
Anything else not listed in included section
What to bring
Day backpack
Woolen underwear
Fleece trousers or heavy sweatpants
Sweater or heavy shirt
Overall trousers
Thin socks
Thick woolen socks
Warm sweater
Big windproof jacket
Hat
Thick woolen gloves
Big padded mittens
Sunglasses
Lip balm
Camera
Binoculars
Head torch
Extra storage and batteries for the camera
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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