DAY TO DAY PROGRAM
Day 1: Copenhagen – Ilulissat(-/-/-)
Departure from Copenhagen in the morning, and arrival in Ilulissat around noon, local time. The flight is via Nuuk. Even at the inflight over the ice fiord, you will be able to spot floating icebergs far into the horizon. Transfer to the hotel is included. Sleep at the centrally located Hotel Hvide Falk, where you are offered private facilities – breakfast is included.
After check in, you get an exciting introduction to Ilulissat – or Jakobshavn, as the city is called in Danish. On a cultural city tour, you will get to know the city and its exciting history. The highlights on this tour is the old colonial port, the Zion Church and Knud Rasmussen’s house.
Day 2: Sermermiut Hike and Icefiord cruise (B/-/-)
This morning, you will go on one of the world’s most beautiful hiking trips to the beautiful Sermermiut valley. The valley has for millennia been inhabited by Inuit tribes, and at the end of the valley is the famous icefiord, which is now protected by UNESCO. Lunch on your own account and the afternoon is at leisure.
In the evening it’s time for one of the highlights: the midnight tour to the icefjord, where you will experience the midnight sun and see how the rays reflect on the up to 80 meters high icebergs. Hot drinks are served on board before heading back to Ilulissat. The trip takes about 2 hours.
Day 3: Ilulissat day at leisure (B/-/-)
The day is free for you to enjoy Ilulissat on your own. It is possible to sign up for additional excursions. Check out the various options available in Ilulissat.
Day 4: Embark on the coastal boat (B/-/-)
After 3 days with a lot of great experiences, it is now time to digest the experiences onboard the coastal ferry M/S Sarfaq Ittuk, departing at 10.30. You begin the beautiful trip, by sailing out of the bay, and between Ilulissat and Qeqertarsuaq there is a good chance of seeing Humpback whales playing in the ocean. In addition to whales there are a myriad of different seabirds. The area has amongst other things, one of the world’s largest population of Terns.
Today’s ports: Qeqertarsuaq (15:30-18:00) and Aasiaat (22:00-22:30).
Day 5: At sea (-/-/-)
In the morning you reach Sisimiut where the town’s trademark, “Kællingehætten”, towers behind the town and forms a fascinating background for the Greenlandic wooden houses for which the town is known. Later, the ship docks in the town of Maniitsoq. The trip through the Eternity Fjord (Evighedsfjorden) is one of the most magnificent landscapes in Greenland. The boat passes high mountains and there is a rich bird life with several bird falls nearby.
Today’s ports: Sisimiut (09.30-11.00), Kangaamiut (17.45-18.00) and Maniitsoq (21.30-22.30).
Day 6: Nuuk (-/-/-)
Today you have plenty of opportunity to go exploring in Greenland’s capital Nuuk. It is recommended to visit the old colonial harbor and the National Museum. The coastal boat is in the harbor from 07.30 – 17.00, so there is also time for a hike around the Lille Malene mountain – or Quassussuaq, as it is called in Greenlandic. Remember never to walk in the mountains alone.
At 17.00 the boat leaves Nuuk to explore the Nuuk fjord for the next day.
Day 7: Nuuk Fjord – Nuuk (-/-/-)
Today is spent in the world’s second largest fjord system – Nuuk Fjord (Nuup Kangerlua). The fjord system is approx. 240 km south of the Arctic Circle and stretches 160 km inland towards Greenland’s large ice sheet. The boat is back in Nuuk at 17.00, where it lies until it departs south at 21.00.
*Some departures with the coastal boat have 5 nights onboard while others have 4 nights onboard. Day 7 is the difference between the two departures. Look at the bottom of the page for specific departure dates and length.
Day 8: At sea (-/-/-)
This is the last full day on board the coastal boat, and we have now reached the South Greenlandic waters that offer gentle and lush hills. It was here that Erik the Red and the Norse chose to settle in the year 982.
Today’s ports: Qeqertarsuatsiaat (06.00-06.15), Paamiut (14.00-15.30) and Arsuk (22.30-22.45).
Day 9: Arrival at Qaqortoq (-/-/D)
At 08.00 the ship arrives in South Greenland’s ‘capital’, Qaqortoq. You will be picked up by boat and sail to the village Igaliku (via Itilleq), which of many are described as the most beautiful village in Greenland. Here you go on a 4 km hike along the King’s Road and from the last hill, you will have the most beautiful view of the village, surrounded by green fields, colorful houses and the blue fiord. This isolated community is home to approx. 40 hospitable locals. Here you will get an intimate first hand experience of the daily life in a Greenlandic village or settlement. Your overnight at the Country Hotel, where all meals are included.
About Igaliku:
The scattered stone houses are situated on a sheltered, fertile plain, at the bottom of a very blue fiord and surrounded by harsh and barren mountains. There is a very special atmosphere and peace in Igaliku, which you will experience, if you stay more than a day.
Igaliku Country Hotel offers everyone the opportunity to experience the atmosphere in a Greenlandic village. The hotel is not a multi-star luxury hotel, but it is very cozy and comfortable, with delicious meals served in the café, so you get a ” multi- star ” experience!
Day 10: Igaliku – Qassiarsuk – Narsarsuaq – Copenhagen (B/-/-)
After breakfast, you will hike back along the “King’s Road ” to Itilleq. The road is named after King Frederik the 9th who visited back in 1952 and the road was made in connection with his visit. Your luggage will be transported in a tractor. You sail to Qassiarsuk , primarily a place for sheep keepers, where Erik the Red more than 1000 years ago settled and formed ” Bratta “. The reconstructions show exactly how people lived back then. You then continue to Narsarsuaq in the afternoon, where the flights leaves to take you back to Copenhagen.
