West Coast and Disko Bay Adventure | 8 Days

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!

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.

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 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 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!

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.

Explore Ilulissat on your own

Spend the last day in Ilulissat as you wish!

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!