DAY TO DAY PROGRAM
Day 1: Copenhagen – Nuuk (B/-/-)
Departure from Copenhagen Airport at 10:45 AM, arriving in Nuuk at 12:35 PM local time. Take a taxi to Hotel Hans Egede, where you’ll spend the first 2 nights.
After check-in, a local guide will take you on a guided city tour of the capital, where we will dive into the history of Nuuk and the rich Greenlandic culture. We will make several stops along the way, including the parliament, the national museum, some of the most prominent statues, and the picturesque viewpoint at Myggedalen.
At the parliament, we will pause briefly to provide insights into Greenland’s history and highlight some of the busts and paintings on display. Afterward, our tour continues down Tuapannguit to reach the new promenade, which stretches along the entire coastline of Nuuk. It’s a lovely path leading down to Nuup Saava, also known as Kolonihavnen, from where you can enjoy views towards Kangeq, where Hans Egede originally settled.
Next, we proceed to a small viewpoint, which often features on postcards from Nuuk. It’s a beautiful photo spot with the old colorful houses and the iconic Sermitsiaq mountain in the background.
In the evening, we recommend dining at Restaurant Sarfalik. If the sky is clear, make sure to keep your eyes open as night falls; Nuuk lies right in the middle of the ‘northern lights belt,’ and it’s not uncommon to see the northern lights above the capital.
Day 2: Nuuk – Day at leisure (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. You have the day at your leisure. We highly recommend a boat tour; the Godthåbsfjord is breathtaking, and there are several exciting tours to choose from:
- Ice fjord sailing: On this excursion, we sail deep into Nuuk’s ice fjord, where a thick layer of sea ice forms during the winter. Our goal is to get as close to the sea ice as possible. We will stop the engine here, and if conditions allow, we will walk on the ice. For the brave, there’s an opportunity for winter swimming in the sea. We sail in heated cabin boats with indoor seating for everyone. There’s also the possibility to move around on deck and enjoy the view, though it can be chilly in winter, so we provide blankets. Coffee, tea, and cocoa are included, but bring your own lunch. The tour takes about 6 hours and costs DKK 2,100,- per person.
- Qoornoq – the abandoned settlement: Qoornoq is also called “Bear Island” because its shape from the air resembles a bear. We sail through the beautiful Nuuk fjord before arriving at the old settlement, which today functions as a summer house area and is a popular vacation spot for residents of Nuuk – and it’s easy to see why! Qoornoq, with its proximity to the ice fjord, offers fantastic views, often complemented by the sight of icebergs. After a walk, we return to the boat and sail south, passing the waterfall on the backside of Sermitsiaq Island, before returning to Nuuk. The tour takes about 5 hours and costs DKK 1,495,- per person.
- Boat tour to Kapisillit: We sail deep into the eastern part of Nuuk’s fjord system, which features some of the world’s oldest mountains. It’s also where many local artists find precious materials for their crafts. Upon arrival in Kapisillit, we take a walk to the church, where we have a stunning view of the fjord. The settlement has around 40 permanent residents, and the schoolchildren receive their education via Skype from Nuuk. The tour takes about 7 hours and costs DKK 1,995,- per person.
A northern lights boat tour can also be arranged (DKK 949,- per person). For the more active, we also recommend a snowshoe hike to the viewpoint (called ‘The Descent’) – the hike takes around 5-6 hours and costs DKK 1050,- per person.
Day 3: Nuuk – Ilulissat – City Tour (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. Take a taxi to the airport, from where your journey continues north to the town of icebergs, Ilulissat. Already during the flight, you can see icebergs stretching as far as the eye can see. You will be picked up at the airport and driven to Hotel Hvide Falk, which is centrally located in Ilulissat with a view over Disko Bay.
Today, one of our guides will meet you, welcome you to Ilulissat, and go over the program for the coming days with you. Afterward, you will explore Ilulissat further, as the guide takes you on a cultural and historical walking tour to give you a good introduction to the town. The tour will pass by the old colonial harbor, Knud Rasmussen’s House, Zions Church, and the fish market where local fishermen sell their catch.
The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Day 4: Ilulissat – Sermermiut hike & Icefjord Cruise (B/-/-)
Breakfast at Hotel Hvide Falk. The morning offers one of the world’s most beautiful hikes through the Sermermiut Valley. At the end of the valley, you’ll gaze out over the famous Kangia Ice Fjord, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. In Sermermiut, you will also see remnants of ancient Inuit settlements, dating back 4,500 years.
Lunch is on your own.
In the afternoon, it is time to take to the seas, and we will depart for the Ice Fjord cruise. At slow speeds we will cruise through the waters littered with icebergs of all shapes and sizes. It gets cold at sea, so take extra warm cloth. Use the layer system, so you can alway put on or take off another layer of cloth – and don’t forget your camera!
Day 5: Ilulissat – Day at Leisure (B/-/-)
Breakfast at Hotel Hvide Falk, day at your leisure. It’s possible to book a dog sledding tour, with the following options available:
Sled tour – 2 hours:
– Sled ride around the local area
– Difficulty: Easy
– Price per person: from DKK 1,700,- (Typically, two people share one sled).
Sled tour – 3 hours:
– Sled ride into the backcountry
– Difficulty: Moderate
– Price per person: from DKK 2,000,- (Typically, two people share one sled).
Sled tour – 4 hours:
– Sled ride deep into the backcountry, reaching the inner fjord where locals fish
– Difficulty: Moderate
– Price per person: from DKK 2,500,- (Typically, two people share one sled).
You can also get inspired for excursions by taking a look at our excursion package, which we offer in collaboration with our local branch: Ilulissat Adventure (owned by Arctic Friend).
Day 5: Ilulissat – day at leisure
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you are mostly on your own in Ilulissat. We recommend a visit to the local museum or the art museum. You will also have plenty of time to hike around town and enjoy the views of the ice fjord. Or maybe do a sightseeing tour in helicopter or small plane – or what about staying overnight in an igloo or a small settlement?
It’s also possible to join a northern light snow shoe hike, where we are out and away from Ilulissat to spot that northern light without any light pollution from Ilulissat. 2,5 hours DKK 495,-
Day 6+7: Ilulissat – Day at Leisure (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a day at leisure in Ilulissat. We recommend visiting one of the town’s three museums. You will also have time for a hike along the Ice Fjord and to browse the shops in Ilulissat, where many sell Greenlandic handicrafts. If you’re feeling more adventurous, there’s the option to book an overnight stay at Igloo Lodge*) or at a small local village hotel north of Ilulissat. Contact us for more information.
We also offer other activities, which you can find in our experience catalog at Ilulissatadventure.com. One of our special recommendations is the Arctic panoramic sauna, a wonderful way to warm up after a cold day. In the sauna, we provide a mix of essential oils, water, and towels for your comfort. The sauna can accommodate eight people and can be booked for private use or shared with others.
We highly recommend renting a pair of cross-country skis, poles, and boots for a day and exploring the local cross-country ski trail on your own, where the local ski club skis with views of the Ice Fjord.
Daily ski rental: DKK 450,-
If skiing isn’t your thing, you can also book a guided snowshoe tour along the Ice Fjord – with options for a 3-hour or 5-hour tour.
– 2-3 hour tour: DKK 425,-
– 4-5 hour tour: DKK 750,-
Day 8: Ilulissat – Nuuk – Copenhagen (B/-/-)
Breakfast at Hotel Hvide Falk. The morning flight will take you from Ilulissat to Nuuk. From Nuuk, you will continue your journey to Copenhagen around midday, arriving in Copenhagen in the evening.
EXTRA EXCURSION OPTIONS IN ILULISSAT:
Stay the night in Igloo Lodge*)
Day 1: Go by snow cat to Igloo Lodge from Ilulissat, where you stay the night in a snow igloo. The temperature will be around 0 degrees, and you will get nice sleeping bags to keep you for for the night. If it gets too cold, there is a room for you in the heated cabin, where you also find toilet facilities.
Possible purchases for the afternoon: Dog sledding tour, Snowmobile tour or Snowshoe tour. Please ask for the price.
Day 2: After breakfast, we will go back to Ilulissat by snow cat.
The trip includes: Lunch and dinner day 1 and breakfast day 2.
Price per person in double: DKK 2500,- // 3500,- in single
