Autumn in Greenland

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to the Kingdom of Denmark

Arrival in Copenhagen Airport and make your way to the airport hotel for your overnight stay. The hotel is located about 5 minutes’ drive from the airport and taxis are available from a taxi rank.

Day 2: Arrival at Kangerlussuaq and Optional Trip to Ice Sheet

We fly from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq with Air Greenland and, after a pleasant flight of about 4½ hours, we land in the middle of the Greenlandic tundra in Kangerlussuaq. After the welcome meeting, it is the time for excursions for those who have purchased the excursion package. We recommend that you add an excursion package to your trip which includes the most popular excursions, though it is also possible to explore on your own.

Excursion to the Greenland Ice Sheet, Point 660 (optional)

The Greenland Ice Sheet is the world’s second largest ice cap, and it covers 80% of Greenland. It is a unique experience to stand on the ice sheet. The trip to the ice cap is also spectacular in itself. We drive from Kangerlussuaq on a bus that looks like a monster truck bus. This way, we will easily get through the hilly terrain. We drive through an Arctic desert, and there is a likelihood that we will experience the area’s wildlife such as caribou, hares, foxes, and musk oxen.

At a distance, we see the impressive Russell Glacier which rises on the horizon. Our ultimate goal is Point 660, 37 kilometers from Kangerlussuaq, and located 660 meters above sea level. The bus stops at the edge of the ice, and we walk the last stretch up on to the actual ice cap. Now you will be standing on the largest glacier in the northern hemisphere!

Day 3: Flight to Nuuk, Sightseeing Tour and Accommodation on the Coasting Vessel

After breakfast at the hotel, we fly from Kangerlussuaq to Nuuk. Nuuk has about 17,500 inhabitants, which is significantly more than just two decades ago. Entirely new neighborhoods have been added since the year 2000. Although Nuuk is a busy place in a Greenlandic context, nature is never far away. We go on a city tour in Nuuk’s old center, and the first stop is the National Museum.

Greenland’s National Museum houses many relics, but the most amazing are without comparison the famous mummies from Qilakitsoq. They were found in North Greenland outside the town of Uummannaq by two brothers who were out hunting. They found eight freeze-dried and unusually well-preserved mummies under a rocky outcrop. Four of the mummies are now at home at the National Museum and provide a fascinating insight into the ancient Inuit culture in Greenland.

We continue our round trip of the old town. We visit the statue of Hans Egede, overlooking the old colonial harbor, the fjord and the islands that separate Nuuk from the Davis Strait. Then we move on to the beautiful building of Katuaq, the Cultural Center of Greenland, whose facade is shaped like the northern lights.

The rest of the afternoon, you are on your own to explore Nuuk. 

When the day draws to an end, we board the ship Sarfaq Ittuk. Departure is at 9 PM. Ahead of us are two days aboard the ship bound for Ilulissat. The coastal ship sails up and down the west coast and is very popular among the Greenlanders. When the ship docks in coastal towns, you will experience happy reunions when the locals pick up their long-awaited friends and family.

Day 4: At Sea with Lananding at Maniitsoq and guided town walk

In the morning, we dock in Maniitsoq. In Maniitsoq, we have a 3½-hour stay, so we have time for a town tour, often referred to as the Venice of Greenland in tourist brochures. That’s an exaggeration, but there are indeed many bridges in Maniitsoq.

Maniitsoq is a town with lots of personality and attractions. To experience a great town view, you must climb one of the many staircases in Maniitsoq. After walking 470 steps up to the “Eiffel Tower” (Sakkortusaavik), you’ll get an amazing 360-degree panoramic view! However, if you are not walking well on stairs, other options exist to see beautiful sights.

 We then continue with the ship further up the coast of Greenland. At around 10 pm, we arrive in Sisimiut. We’ll be here until 10:30 am tomorrow, so there will be time for a city tour.

Day 5: Town Walk in Sisimut and back at sea

After a night’s sleep on the ship, you can look forward to the breakfast buffet in the ship’s cafeteria. We now go on a guided town walk of Sisimiut. Sisimiut, Greenland’s second largest town has just over 5,500 inhabitants. There is a cozy atmosphere and an authenticity that is particular to Sisimiut. The town is surrounded by steep mountains, and the view is beautiful.

 At this point, we have crossed into the Arctic Circle, and we are in ‘Dogsled Country’. This means you will hear a lot of howling dogs. It’s exciting, intense, and a bit like travelling back in time when we all relied on animals to transport us around.

Aboard Sarfaq Ittuk, our journey north continues. Tonight, once again, we go on deck and gaze at the sky, hoping that the weather gods are with us and gives us lots of life-affirming northern lights. The name of our tour comes from this part of the journey; as we sail north along the west coast of Greenland, we hope to see lots of northern lights along the way.

Day 6: Arrival in Ilulissat and sightseeing

As Sarfaq Ittuk approaches Ilulissat, there will be many more icebergs in the water. Very large icebergs. They are significantly larger in the Disko Bay, and in the coming days, icebergs are at the core of our activities. Along with northern lights, of course.

Upon arrival in Ilulissat, we are picked up and driven to Hotel Arctic. Hotel Arctic lies on the outskirts of Ilulissat with a view of the Ilulissat Ice Fjord. The Ice Fjord was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2004.

After the information meeting with the tour guide, we go on a town walk where you get the opportunity to get to know Ilulissat. The tour guide gives you an introduction to the history and culture of the area. We also pass by the town’s museum which is housed in the world-famous polar explorer Knud Rasmussen’s birthplace. We see the old colonial houses, the almost 250 years old Zion Church and the city’s iconic and vibrant harbor.

Beautiful icebergs provide the setting for the old settlement of Sermermiut 1.5 kilometers south of Ilulissat. For 4,000 years, different Inuit cultures lived in the settlement and, today, you can still see some of the remains, which indicate their presence. We will also visit the Ice Fjord Centre.

Day 7: Visit Sled Dogs or optional excursions

After breakfast, we head towards the outskirts of town where the sled dogs reign. Here you can learn about life as a sled dog which is quite relevant in this city where thousands of dogs are waiting for winter so they can take their human owners out on traditional dogsleds to go hunting and exploring in the backcountry.

Boat tour to Ilulissat Ice Fjord (optional)

Sailing among the icebergs at the mouth of Ilulissat Icefjord is easily the most popular excursion in Greenland. On this excursion, we sail in a small boat towards the fjord where huge and beautiful masses of ice are stuck on a sandbar. They are stranded until they are melted enough and can move on or if a big wave will lift them and push them out of the fjord.

The boatmen know the area and are always sailing responsibly. They know the ice and know where the most impressive icebergs are found. At this time of year, the sun sits low in the sky so there will be some fine shading on the ice. Remember to bring your camera.

Day 8: Ilulissat on your own or optional boat trip

On your last day in Ilulissat, you can enjoy the town and its surroundings. If you have purchased the excursion package, you will go on an excursion to the beautifully situated settlement Oqaatsut north of Ilulissat.

Boat trip to Oqaatsut (optional)

Oqaatsut is a small village, beautifully situated approx. fifteen kilometers north of Ilulissat. The settlement was originally called Rodebay, as it was home to Dutch whalers for centuries. Even today, a whale is occasionally pulled ashore in the old settlement.

Oqaatsut has approx. 45 inhabitants and its own school, church, and grocery store. The school and the church are conveniently located in the same building, and it does not take a lot of effort to transform the school into a church on Sundays. Oqaatsut is especially known for its restaurant, H8, where a delicious meal of local ingredients is served.

On this excursion, you sail out from Ilulissat, and approx. half an hour later, you arrive in Oqaatsut. First, we go on a village walk, and then you will be served a delicious lunch in H8 (excluding drinks). Afterward, you will have time to walk around the village or in the surrounding area before the trip goes home again.

At night, you will have a lovely farewell dinner in the hotel’s amazing restaurant (drinks not included).

Day 9: Flight back to Copenhagen from Ilulissat

Bringing home a wealth of experiences from this amazing land, we fly to Copenhagen via Kangerlussuaq, arriving at Copenhagen Airport in the evening.

We guarantee you that you will go home with a baggage full of memories that will stay with you longer than any other holiday you have been on – at least that is what other travellers tell us.

Day 10: Farewell Denmark

Breakfast at your hotel and make your way to Copenhagen Airport in time for your return flight back to the UK.

Optional Excursion Package:

This excursion package contains the best experiences at hand. The great arctic nature outside Kangerlussuaq combined with the stunning Ice Fjord close to Ilulissat and a boat trip to the settlement of Oqaatsut.

•  Excursion to the Greenland Ice Sheet, Point 660 (5 hours)
• Boat tour to settlement Oqaatsut, with lunch (excl. drinks) (7 hours)
• Sailing at Ilulissat Ice Fjord (2½ hours)

Price: £ 480 per adult

This map uses Google Maps, so you can zoom and interact with it as we hope it is familiar to you.

For a larger version of this map which opens in a new window, click here

The lines shown give you an indication of our destinations and are not the exact route used.

You'll see...

• Copenhagen »
• Disco Bay »
• Dogsledding in Greenland »
• Ilulissat Icefjord UNESCO World Heritage Site 2004 »
• Northern Lights »

Will I see the Northern Lights?

Please scroll down to see the specifics for the country you wish to visit:

Iceland:
The Northern Lights are in the Northern sky from September through April but are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds. Like many of natures wonders, it’s ephemeral – they may be visible, they may appear for a bit and then be gone. But it’s worth it to be patient. Because they’re a winter event, you need to be prepared to wait outside, while looking for them. It’s best to dress very warmly, in layers, with good footwear, gloves, hats and whatever else will make you comfortable while you await this truly amazing event. The Northern Lights can be pretty spectacular, and for the best photos we recommend using a tripod. Much of Iceland offers a very a good chance to see the Northern Lights when conditions are right. Remember – the Northern Lights are natural phenomena, not guaranteed, but appreciated all the more for their elusive qualities.

Norway:
Northern Norway is one of the world's best places to experience the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). In Northern Norway, Northern Lights occur in up to 90% of every clear night in the period from late September to late March. Most Northern Lights occur in the time span from 6pm to slightly after midnight, with an absolute peak at around 10-11pm. 

In Norway, the area north of the Arctic Circle is prime aurora territory. The various destinations in the High North have a distinct personality, and are well worth exploring. Major places in Northern Norway are Tromsø, Kirkenes, Alta, Bodø, Lofoten and Vesterålen Islands and Svalbard.

Finland:
The best place to see the Northern Lights in Finland is in the Northern Lapland region, which is almost entirely located within the realm of the Arctic Circle. During the dark winter months here, when the sun rarely peaks its head over the horizon, you can expect to see the Finland Northern Lights with regularity, and other peak seasons include February through March and September through October. The most common colours of the Northern Lights are greenish-yellow and red.

The Finnish term for the Northern Lights, Revontulet, meaning fox fire, comes from an old tale where the fox was believed to swish its bushy tail on the snowy fell landscapes, throwing sparks into the air.

As mentioned, Lapland is the best place to see the Finland Aurora Borealis, with the Kilpisjarvi area offering the most abundant opportunities. The best time of the day to see the Finland Northern Lights is between 9 pm and 11:30 pm, though they are certainly not restricted to this time frame.

Sweden:
In Northern Sweden, the Northern Lights usually occur during the winter months through late March or early April, but they can be spotted as early as September in the Northernmost parts. Your best chance of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights is on cold winter nights when the sky is clear and cloudless. You need to be away from city lights, which dilute the effects of these natural phenomena, so head out into the countryside. On clear nights, the Northern Lights can be visible from most locations in Swedish Lapland, occurring between 6 pm to and 2 am, with the strongest shows happening between 10 pm and 11 pm. For those willing to brave the cold on winter nights, here are some of the best locations in Swedish Lapland for viewing these phenomena:

Abisko National Park
Abisko National Park, a couple of kilometers north of Kiruna, is a prime location for viewing the Northen Lights. The scientifically proven “blue hole” — a patch of sky over the Torneträsk lake that usually remains clear despite overcast weather in surrounding areas — gives Abisko its own micro-climate, which is suitable for catching the lights.

Jukkasjärvi and the Torne Valley
Not only does the village of Jukkasjärvi (population roughly 541) boast the world’s first ice hotel (rebuilt ever year from Torne River ice), it’s also one of the best regions to view the Northern Lights. ICEHOTEL organizes guided tours for guests which takes the to the Esrange Space Center located 30 minutes from Kiruna. You can dine at a wilderness camp and get the chance to scan the Arctic winter sky for aurora borealis.

Other regions in Swedish Lapland
As mentioned earlier, if weather conditions are just right (clear, dark, cold, and cloudless), you might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights from any location within subarctic and arctic Sweden — even close to larger towns such as Luleå, Jokkmokk, Arvidsjaur, and Gällivare.

Greenland:
The northern lights - or Aurora Borealis as it is officially known - actually occur all year round, but cannot be seen during the summer months in Greenland due to the midnight sun. The phenomenon is often seen around midnight and is best experienced on a dark, clear night in the period from September to the beginning of April. If you are travelling during this period, you can see the Northern Lights from anywhere in the country, whilst in South Greenland the northern lights can be seen from as early as the end of August.

Transportation

Railway mostly serves domestic routes and is used as an easy and quick way to get from the capital to major cities of the country. There are some international routes, like to Moscow and St. Petersburg, but time spent on the way will be quite long.

Buses are one of the most convenient ways to travel between the Baltic States. Eurolines will get you between Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn. One way tickets will cost £ 15 - £ 20 and approximate travel time is 5 hours between the cities. Ticket reservations in advance are recommended.

Taxis are the quickest and most convenient way of travelling round the city. You'll find them located close to the main hotels. Usually it's quite easy to catch a taxi on the street, however, it's much better and safer to order one by phone. Taxi costs in all of the Baltic countries and Poland are approximately the same and a ride in the centre of the city will cost you approx £ 5 - £ 7.  Taxis in Finland and Russia are considerably more expensive.  It is always a good idea to get your hotel to book a taxi for you and ask approximately how much the trip will cost before you get in.

We would not recommend you to take public transportation within the city, as it's usually crowded and it may cause you unnecessary anxiety about where to stop.