A classic tour to three locations in West Greenland: Kangerlussuaq, Sisimiut, and Ilulissat. Cross the Arctic Circle, visit the Ice Sheet near Kangerlussuaq and see Sisimiut’s beautiful coloured houses in the rocky landscape. Let the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Ice Fjord take your breath away. Stay in a unique, modern waterfront cabin with a view of Disko Bay at the remote Ilimanaq Lodge, located 15km south of Ilulissat. This is Greenlandic summer at its best, with midnight sun and contrasting impressions: green mountains and white icebergs. Stark sunlight and misty fog. Soft flower valleys and cool glaciers. Along the way, knowledgeable and friendly local guides will make sure you see the main sites.
Itinerary
Day 1 Copenhagen - Kangerlussuaq
Make your own way to the airport for your Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq flight. The first sight of Greenland from the air is truly special! Check in at Hotel Kangerlussuaq, right next to the airport. After being welcomed by a local guide, there is an information meeting at the hotel. Excursion to the Ice Sheet Point 660 (5hrs), the second largest ice sheet in the world and covering 80 percent of Greenland. It is a truly unique experience to look at the enormous field of ice and feel the forces of nature. Along the way, pass the spectacular Russell Glacier – another breathtaking sight with its vertical ice wall of up to 60m. Overnight at Hotel Kangerlussuaq.
Day 2 Kangerlussuaq - Sisimiut: Sightseeing by bus and Historical Hike
Flight from Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut. Check in to the centrally located Hotel Sisimiut for two nights. Information meeting at the hotel. Guided sightseeing tour by bus. Pass the open fish and meat market (Brættet), the city hall and visit the old town where the original colonial buildings from the 17th century now house the fascinating and authentic museum. Historical Hike to Tele Island, Sallinnguit - where ancient meets contemporary. Several Inuit cultures have inhabited the site intermittently for the past 4,000 years. Even today, you can find artifacts from those ancient settlements side by side with modern telecommunications installations that have given the island its present, Danish name. Hear the story of the Inuit people, see ruins from different periods and enjoy the beautiful views of the island and the historic hunting grounds.
Day 3 Sisimiut: Assaqutaq Settlement and Whales
Today a boat trip to the abandoned settlement of Assaqutaq, situated at the foot of Nasaasaaq’s south side. While strolling through the settlement, pass the old fish production factory, the summer camp, and the beautiful old church. The sea surrounding the settlement is also a playground for whales. 2nd overnight in Sisimiut at Hotel Sisimiut.
Day 4 Sisimiut - Kangerlussuaq - Ilulissat: Town Walk and Hike to Sermermiut
Flight from Sisimiut to Ilulissat, via Kangerlussuaq. Upon arrival in Ilulissat, you will be picked up by Hotel Arctic’s bus, and as you approach the hotel, you can enjoy the hotel’s location at the edge of the town, overlooking the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Ice Fjord. Information meeting at the hotel. Enjoy a guided tour of the town; your guide will introduce you to a place where modern and traditional life meet and show you the old part of town, with buildings from the very start of the Danish trading station, as well as the busy fishing harbour, the old church and the museum. Then a guided light hike to Sermermiut; Sermermiut means "the glacier dwellers," and for more than 4,000 years, different Inuit cultures inhabited this fertile valley, about 1.5km from the centre of Ilulissat, where you can enjoy the wildflowers as well as the view of the magnificent icebergs. The hike is an easy one along a boardwalk and path. Overnight in Ilulissat at Hotel Arctic. Welcome dinner at the hotel tonight.
Day 5 Ilulissat - Ilimanaq
Early afternoon boat trip to Ilimanaq for an overnight stay at Ilimanaq Lodge. The 45min boat trip goes past the mouth of the Icefjord. The modern cabins at Ilimanaq Lodge offer amazing views of Disko Bay. Each cabin is equipped with private facilities, two floors with beds upstairs and a deck where you can enjoy the view and the sound of the waves breaking against the rocks. Ilimanaq Lodge unites magnificent nature experiences with comfort and Nordic furnishings.
Day 6 Ilimanaq - Ilulissat
Today you can choose from a guided walk around the settlement and hear more about Ilimanaq. Alternatively, you can go hiking in the area or participate in a cultural workshop. Return to Ilulissat by boat in the afternoon. Stay the next two nights in Ilulissat at Hotel Arctic.
Optional Ilimanaq Glacier Adventure: sail in a speedboat, drive off-road with ATVs, and trek on a glacier! By boat from Ilimanaq south to Itilliup Ilua. Here we are set off on a very wide sandy beach, and from here, we drive off-road in all-terrain ATVs to the Tasiusaq Fjord. Sail deeper into the fjord until we reach a place with two glaciers, and the Greenland Ice Sheet can be seen. Go ashore and enjoy a packed lunch and the great view. After this, trek and climb onto the huge ice sheet. Return to Ilulissat on a later boat. Duration 8hrs.
Day 7 Ilulissat: Whale Safari
Enjoy a Whale Safari by boat today. During summer, whales swim in the entire Disko Bay – sometimes close to the town, in the Ice Fjord or up north by Arveprinsens Ejland island. We are in constant radio contact with fishers and hunters, who are our source of information about the whales and their whereabouts. Optional Kayak Experience in Ilulissat. The kayak glides silently through the water, and you see the huge icebergs rising around you. Stable double kayaks are used, and a boat follows close by. Duration 3.5-4 hrs, including 2hrs at sea. Overnight in Ilulissat.
Day 8 Ilulissat - Kangerlussuaq - Copenhagen
Bringing home a wealth of experiences from this amazing land, fly to Copenhagen via Kangerlussuaq, arriving at Copenhagen Airport in the evening. On arrival at Copenhagen Airport your arrangements end.
2024 departures: Fridays 14 June - 23 August
Notes:
Tour costs are based upon a certain package price class on the included flights. If this class has sold out, the final price may be higher and will depend upon the availability of other classes at the time of booking.
