DAY TO DAY PROGRAM
Day 1: Copenhagen – Nuuk – city walk (-/-/-)
In the morning, the flight departs from Copenhagen to Greenland with Air Greenland, headed to Nuuk. Take a taxi to Hotel Hans Egede, where you will spend your first night.
After check-in, a local guide will take you on a guided city tour of the capital, where we will dive into Nuuk’s history and the rich Greenlandic culture. We will make several stops along the way, including at the parliament, the national museum, some of the most prominent statues, and the picturesque viewpoint at Myggedalen.
The rest of the day is free for you to explore Nuuk on your own. It is also possible to add a boat trip into the beautiful fjords behind the city.
Day 2: Kangerlussuaq – Ilulissat – City tour + ice fjord cruise (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a self-arranged taxi back to the airport. From there, fly to the iceberg town of Ilulissat, where, even during the approach, you can see icebergs stretching as far as the eye can see.. Transfer to the hotel in Ilulissat is included. Sleep at the centrally located Hotel Hvide Falk, where you are offered private facilities and view of the ice fjord from the restaurant.
Today, we will take you on a historical walk through town, where you will get a solid introduction to Ilulissat – the third largest town in Greenland. We will walk past the old colonial harbor, “brættet” (the wood-board) where the local fishermen sell their daily catch, the house of Arctic Explorer Knud Rasmussen and the Zion Church.
In the evening we will sail out and meet the icebergs on an ice fjord cruise. To sail among the giant icebergs, gives a whole other perspective to the massiveness of these giant bodies of ice. It gets cold out on the ocean, so bring warm clothes, hat and gloves too.
Day 3: Ilulissat – Sermermiut Valley by the UNESCO-site (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. The first part of the day offers one of the most beautiful hikes, you will ever experience! Sure there are harder treks out there, with formidable views, but nothing quite like this: Towering icebergs floating by as we walk into the valley of Sermermiut. Not too long ago several Inuit settlements called this their home, and it’s still possible to see some of their household remains.
We will walk to the Kangia icefjord, which came under UNESCO protection in 2004, a spectacular site. It is said that it was an iceberg from this very glacier front, which sank the Titanic. 10% of the entire ice spill, which happens in Greenland, exits through this narrow straight and very few glaciers in the world produce more or bigger icebergs than this place.
Day 4: Ilulissat – Qeqertarsuaq with the coastal ferry across the Diskobay (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we’ll take the public boat towards the Disko Island.The boat ride takes around 2,5 hours crossing Disco Bay with lots of icebergs and good chances to spot whales on the way. You will pass by the huge basal cliffs of the Disco Island before you arrive in the town, Qeqertarsuaq. The town is also called “Godhavn” which translates in to Good Harbour. This refers to, that Qeqertarsuaq at all times have been an attractive location for whale hunting, thus a ‘good harbour’.
In Qeqertarsuaq you will stay at the small hotel.
Day 5: Hike to Kuannit – return to Ilulissat (B/L/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we’ll do one of our absolute favorite hikes in Greenland; hike to Kuannit, which is located approx 5 km east of Qeqertarsusaq. On the way well pass the heliport and ‘Arctic Station’ (part of University of Copenhagen). We’ll also pass the soccer field – properly the located soccer field in the world!
We’ll cross the Red River and hike takes us a bit up, so we have a onderfull view over the Disko Bay and the enormous icebergs floating by – sometimes we even see whales from here.
At Kuannit we’ll stop for lunch and coffee/tea, and the guide til will explain about the basalt formations and the tempered water springs. We might also taste wild growing angelica; the namesake of Kuannit and a traditional ingredient in the Greenlandic kitchen.
In the even afternoon you have a boat back to Ilulissat and arriving late you will have a beautiful midnight sun against the ice fiord. Accommodation is again at Hotel Hvide Falk.
Day 6: Ilulissat – Day at leisure in Ilulissat (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today is a day to relax and we have given you time to absorb all the impressions so far. We recommend a visit to the local art museum, Knud Rasmussen Museum or the spectacular Icefiord Center. You will have plenty of time to hike around town, and check out the many smaller shops, some of which sell local handicrafts.
You can also hike to UNESCO-site around the ice fjord – there are 3 marked routes, and they are all wonderful.
If you are curious for other kinds of excursions you can find more options here. Ilulissat Adventure is our local department in Ilulissat, owned by Arctic Friend.
Day 7: Disko Bay Explorer trip – visit the settlement Oqaatsut (B/L/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. Then it is time to visit the small settlement of Oqaatsut (Dutch name: Rode Bay). You will meet up in the harbour, where you will start today’s trip with a 35 minutes boat trip to Oqaatsut. It is a beautiful trip, and you will pass large icebergs, small hunter’s cabins and maybe whales. Today the main activity in Oqaatsut is fishing and hunting, but tourism is also an important part of the life in the settlement. Life seems in many ways peaceful and balanced. Oqaatsut has a church, a common house for special occasions and celebrations, a school and of course a local store where you can buy (almost) everything!
In Oqaatsut, you will enjoy a lunch at a local family or in one of two local restaurants and a guided walk around the settlement. In the afternoon you will go back to Ilulissat. On the way we will try to spot for whales.
Day 8: Eqi glacier and free time – optional excursions in the area (B/L/D)
We start the day with breakfast at the hotel before sailing up through the beautiful Ata Fjord to the impressive calving glacier Eqi. We enjoy lunch in front of the glacier while keeping our eyes and ears open.
We will disembark, and you will be accommodated in a lovely glamping tent with a spectacular view of the iconic glacier. From the terrace, you can enjoy the tranquility and the breathtaking sight of the calving glacier. Toilet and shower facilities are available at Café Victor. If you wish, you can upgrade to a cabin with a private bathroom – ask for price.
The afternoon is free for you to explore on your own, with the option to book additional excursions.*
NOTE: The landing at Eqi is not wheelchair accessible. The cabin village is located on a hill 100 meters above the water, so we recommend that you bring your luggage in a backpack, as the ascent does not allow for wheeled luggage. Please store any excess luggage in Ilulissat and only bring what you absolutely need. Full board is provided at Café Victor during your stay, but this does not include beverages. Note that outside drinks are not allowed in the café, and the cabins do not have kitchen facilities.
Day 9: Eqi glacier and free time – optional excursions in the area (B/L/D)
Breakfast at Café Victor. Today is free for you to explore on your own, and you can easily hike in the area without a guide. There are also many wonderful additional experiences you can book, such as:
– Hike to the Delta: This hike takes you to the edge of the delta, where the landscape opens up, offering a fantastic view of the delta. On the way out and back, you’ll also enjoy a great view of the Eqi glacier. The hike starts at 16:00, is approximately 4 km long over rugged terrain, and takes about 3-4 hours. Coffee or tea will be served along the way. Remember to dress appropriately. Price per person: DKK 400,- – this can also be done on day 1.
– Glacier Sauna: On the outskirts of the lodge area, with a fantastic view of the fjord and the calving glacier, you will find our sauna with a large panoramic window. Adjacent to the sauna is an ice-cold outdoor shower and a “natural pool,” where you can dip into cold, fresh meltwater from the ice cap. Price per person: DKK 200,- for 1 hour. Note – the sauna accommodates 6 people, so you may have to share the sauna with other guests. Swimwear or underwear is required.
– Hike to the Ice Cap: A long and incredibly varied hike that showcases multiple landscapes: lush lowland, windy highland, moraines, and, not least, the ice cap with crevasses, streams, and glacier wells. We will follow in the footsteps of Paul-Émile Victor all the way to the ice cap. The hike takes 10 hours and requires good mobility. Price per person: DKK 1250,- and it will be conducted with a minimum of 4 participants.
Day 10: Return Eqi – Ilulissat (B/L/-)
After breakfast, a guided hike to the moraine is included, which you shouldn’t miss. The tour departs at 08:00, is approximately 8 km long over rugged terrain, and takes about 3-4 hours. Along the way, we will encounter a lagoon, and at the top of the moraine, you may be lucky enough to see the glacier calving up close. A cup of coffee or tea will be served along the way, and you’ll have the option to bring a packed lunch.
In the afternoon, the boat will sail south to Ilulissat. Arrival in the “big city” is around 18:00/19:00 (depending on the boat), after which we will be driven to Ilulissat square. Accommodation at Hotel Hvide Falk.
Day 11: Ilulissat – Day at leisure (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. This is your last day in Ilulissat to enjoy as you prefer best by exploring on your own or perhaps you would like some extra excursions. If you are curious for other kinds of excursions you can find more options here. Ilulissat Adventure is our local department in Ilulissat, owned by Arctic Friend.
Day 12: Return journey Ilulissat – Nuuk – Copenhagen (B/-/-)
Early flight from Ilulissat takes you back to Nuuk, from where we fly back to Copenhagen where we will arrive in the evening (local time).
