Overview:
A trip to Greenland is an experience entirely on nature’s terms and on this 8-day visit, you will get up close and personal with nature.
The Ice Cap and glaciers in Kangerlussuaq as well as ice and even more ice in Ilulissat beautifully accompanied by Greenland’s unique culture and traditional lifestyle contrasts starkly with the modern way of life. The contrasts in Greenland are best experienced during summer months where bright sunlight can suddenly be replaced by a foggy mist. Brown mountains with hints of green are juxtaposed with icebergs in shades ranging from pale opaque to turquoise. Deserted, pristine areas sit right next to towns with their characteristically brightly coloured houses. The light is also unique – especially with the Midnight Sun's soft glow around the clock. All in all, you should prepare to be overcome by the forces of nature!
Holiday price is from £ 3,925 per person based on availability and 2 persons sharing a standard double/twin room throughout.
Single supplement is from £ 1,280.
2024 Departure Dates:
| DEPARTURE |
RETURN |
| 26 May |
04 Jun |
| 30 May |
08 Jun |
| 02 Jun |
11 Jun |
| 06 Jun |
15 Jun |
| 09 Jun |
18 Jun |
| 13 Jun |
22 Jun |
| 23 Jun |
02 Jul |
| 27 Jun |
06 Jul |
| 04 Jul |
13 Jul |
| 07 Jul |
16 Jul |
| 11 Jul |
20 Jul |
| 21 Jul |
30 Jul |
| 04 Aug |
13 Aug |
| 18 Aug |
27 Aug |
| 22 Aug |
31 Aug |
| 29 Aug |
07 Sep |
| 05 Sep |
14 Sep |
| 08 Sep |
17 Sep |
| 12 Sep |
21 Sep |
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Welcome to Denmark
Arrive at the Danish Capital and enjoy your day in wonderful Copenhagen. Overnight at a Copenhagen airport hotel, as you will be having an early start tomorrow.
Day 2: Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq. Welcome Meeting & Optional Excursion to the Ice Cap
Air Greenland flies from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq, giving you 4½ hours to prepare yourself for your encounter with a truly unique world. During the flight, you can enjoy a meal, a movie as well as the first sight of nunataks and the Ice Sheet.
Upon arrival, a guide from our local partner will welcome you and assist with check in. You stay at centrally located Hotel Kangerlussuaq yet still on the doorstep of the fascinating Arctic nature. At the information meeting, the guide will tell you about the area and the excursions available.
Kangerlussuaq is beautifully situated between soft hills and close to the Ice Sheet and is therefore perfect the perfect place to see and step onto the legendary Ice Sheet, which covers more than 80 % of Greenland. If you have purchased any of our Excursion Packages, this afternoon’s trip is included.
If you have purchased the Excursion Package:
OPTIONAL: Greenland Ice Sheet, Point 660
(included in all excursions packages)
Powerful 4×4 vehicles will take us through an incredibly beautiful landscape, between mountains, plains, and semi-desert valleys. Near the Ice Sheet, we drive through a fantastic moraine landscape.
At the end of the road, we walk to the Ice Sheet and onto the enormous ice cap. We spend some time exploring the world of ice before returning to our vehicles. There are good chances of spotting reindeer, musk oxen and, depending on the season, many species of birds and flowers.
Day 3: Flight Kangerlussuaq – Ilulissat. Check-in & Optional Guided Town Walk
The tour continues by plane to Ilulissat. Ilulissat means icebergs, which is rather self-explanatory once you get to see the beautiful Ice Fjord and the numerous icebergs majestically floating around in the fjord lit up by an almost magical light caused by reflections of the sun.
Upon arrival, you will go to Hotel Arctic, beautifully situated with a view across the Disko Bay. Even the most experienced traveler is blown away by this unique sight. At the subsequent information meeting, a guide will tell you about Ilulissat and the wide range of excursions available. You are now prepared for the next couple of days filled with adventures.
Excursions & activities with a guide or on your own
There are many options for excursions arranged by our partners or some you can do on your own. If you like to hike, there are many opportunities. However, we recommend that you join some of the guided boat tours where you will get to see the Disko Bay and experience the huge icebergs and the stunning surroundings of the bay. We offer 3 comprehensible excursion packages for this holiday which includes the ideal tours for this tour.
If you have purchased any of the excursion packages, it’s time for your first outing in Ilulissat.
OPTIONAL: Cultural, Historical Guided Tour
Some people might think: “We can just take a walk around the town on our own.” And yes, you probably could but, with this guided cultural, historical tour, you will get an enhanced understanding of the Greenlandic culture and history, which will give all your other experiences in Greenland a greater perspective.
Ilulissat was founded in 1741, and today it is the third largest town in Greenland with more than 4,500 inhabitants and 2,500 sled dogs. The guide will tell you about the history of the town, Greenlandic culture and contemporary life 300 kilometres north of the Polar Circle. We will visit the fishermen at the harbour and the hunters at their trading post. We also see the church and the famous Polar explorer Knud Rasmussen’s birthplace.
At night, you will have a lovely welcome dinner in the hotel’s amazing restaurant (drinks not included).
Day 4: Ilulissat - Hike to Ilulissat and Midnight Sailing
Ilulissat lies at the mouth of the 50-kilometer long and world-famous Ilulissat Ice Fjord, which in 2004 was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ice is enthralling and can be experienced at sea, on land, and from the air.
OPTIONAL: Hike To the Old Settlement by The Ice Fjord
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.
Hear the story about the life of the Inuit people and their traditions before the Europeans came to Greenland. See the ruins and touch the permafrost with your own hands. On this hike, we pass “Kællingekløften” where you can enjoy the magnificent view of the Ice Fjord, before heading back again. During the hike, there will be time to talk about flora, fauna, geology, and not least, the story behind the omnipresent ice.
OPTIONAL: Sailing Among Icebergs
The midnight sun makes the icebergs glow in a unique play of colors that people return to experience again and again. Midnight sun in Ilulissat lasts from late May to late July.
Sailing during the night with the sun still shining is a fantastic and unusual experience. Almost every visitor to Ilulissat ends up going on this leisurely iceberg cruise at least once. Every day, more than 40 million ton of ice flow out into the fjord. The floating icebergs are gigantic, sometimes measuring more than 100 meters wide and long – and with a height of up to 100 meters above the water surface as well. These giants gather at the end of the fjord, providing you with a great opportunity to sail among them.
The icebergs are a wonderful sight in every kind of weather; in the sunshine, the contrasts are very clear, the blue shades are strikingly beautiful when it is cloudy, and the midnight sun casts a unique glow on the ice during the night. Taking the boat trip on a bright night is an extraordinary experience.
You should not miss out on this exceptional experience when visiting Ilulissat. Remember to bring warm clothes – otherwise, sealskin clothing is available for rent
Day 5: Whale Safari or kayaking, Surrounded by Icebergs in the Disco Bay
OPTIONAL: Whale Safari
It is a great experience to get close to large animals like whales. There are 15 species of whale in Greenland. During the summer it is normally the humpback, the common minke whale and the fin whale, we see. The whales swim the entire Disko Bay during the summer; sometimes close to the town, sometimes in the ice fjord or up north by the island, Arveprinsens Ejland.
We are in constant radio contact with the fishermen and the hunters about the whales and their whereabouts. The humpback, with its characteristic fin, is the one we see most often.
Today you have the opportunity to try kayaking in the country that invented the kayaks.
OPTIONAL: Kayak Experience in Ilulissat
Inuit have kayaked in the Greenland waters for more than a thousand years and you can do it also. The kayak glides silently through the water and you see the huge icebergs rising around you. The midnight sun gives the ice a unique hue. In cloudy weather, the beautiful blue colors of the icebergs will be very clear. With a little luck, we also meet whales. All tours take place in stable double kayaks and a boat follows close by. The excursion takes about 3½ - 4 hours, and we will be at sea for at least two of those hours.
Day 6: Adventures in & around Ilulissat
Today the program varies depending on which excursion package you have bought (if any).
OPTIONAL: Day tour to Eqi Glacier – the calving glacier
Only a few places in Greenland are as beautiful as the Eqi Glacier, which spills into the fjord 80 kilometers north of Ilulissat. It is possible to get very close to the glacier by boat and experience huge pieces of ice breaking off. The sounds are thunderous, and the sight of ice crashing into the water is astonishing.
We sail in modern boats, which are safe for sailing in ice-filled waters, and spend approximately two hours in front of the glacier front, waiting for calvings to happen. Lunch is served in fron of the glacier.
The journey length to and from Eqi Glacier depends on the boat type and can vary between two and five hours one way. After our time in front of the glacier, we dock at Port Victor around 2:00 PM, which is the landing at Glacier Lodge Eqi. Some people will get off, others will get on, and then we will return to Ilulissat.
If you have bought an overnight package at Glacier Lodge Eqi, you will disembark at Port Victor.
OPTIONAL Luxury Excursion Package: Overnight Stay in Glacier Lodge Eqi
You have the option of staying overnight in Glacier Lodge Eqi. Accommodation is in Comfort Cabins with excellent views. Dinner, breakfast, and lunch are included in the price.
Please note that we cannot guarantee availability, so contact us directly to check available dates. Glacier Lodge Eqi is a very popular option and usually books out quickly, so the sooner you book, the better! Please note that you do NOT have to check out of your room in Ilulissat, even if you choose to book an overnight in Glacier Lodge Eqi.
At approximately 2:00 PM, the boat will arrive at Port Victor, the ‘harbor’ at Glacier Lodge Eqi. Only those staying at Glacier Lodge Eqi will get off the boat; the rest remain on board. On land, the camp guides will greet you and show you to your cabin. During an information meeting, coffee and cake will be served, after which the rest of the day is free for leisure.
All meals are served in Cafe Victor. The café also sells beverages such as soft drinks, beer, wine, and sweets.
Day 7: Day Tour to Eqi, Glacier Lodge Eqi
Today’s program depends on which (if any) Excursion Package you have purchased.
Day at leisure in Ilulissat for those with the Standard Excursion Package (or no excursion package). You can stroll around town and feel the atmosphere; there are museums to explore, gentle strolls, or shops to help you find souvenirs. Whatever you decide, sit and marvel at the unforgettable Ice Fjord views!
If you have purchased the Luxury Excursion Package, you will spend the day at Eqi and return to Ilulissat later this afternoon.
OPTIONAL Luxury Excursion Package: Hike to the Eqi Glacier and sail to Ilulissat
As you wake up in the middle of Arctic nature, you can look forward to a hearty breakfast before you have the option of joining a guided hike around the small lagoon at the southern end of the glacier. There are often large flocks of geese in the lagoon in the breeding season. The trip goes further up the moraine, where we can look down into the enormous glacier cracks only a few meters away. From here, we will also get an overview of the glacier front and hopefully see more impressive calvings from the glacier.
Departure from Port Victor is at approximately 2:15 PM. You will sail back to Ilulissat via the same route we took yesterday. Coffee/tea and cake will be served in the late afternoon. The estimated return to Ilulissat is around 7:00 PM. Seals and whales are often spotted during the trip.
Day 8: Ilulissat or cruise to Oqaatsut
There is much to see and do in Ilulissat, and some of our guests take the opportunity, on Day 8, to relax and enjoy the serene calmness of the views offered from the hotel.
If you wish to keep exploring, head to Arctic Excursions for ideas. They sell day trips for many smaller local operators, which you can book online or in the lobby of Hotel Arctic.
One of the popular choices is a day trip to the small settlement of Oqaatsut, which is 20 kilometers north of Ilulissat.
OPTIONAL: Day cruise to Oqaatsut
We sail from Ilulissat and enjoy a 30-minute cruise on the iceberg-filled waters to Oqaatsut. Upon arrival, your guide will take you on an exploratory walk around the settlement, where we stop by the church, the primary school, and the small fish factory.
You will learn about everyday life in a tiny settlement, the local community, and Oqaatsut’s heritage as a former Dutch whaling station (Oqaatsut is also known as Rodebay, a name given to the place by the Dutch whalers).
We end our walk by the small Restaurant H8 Explorer, where we will enjoy lunch made with local ingredients. After lunch, you may wish to walk around the area some more or enjoy the peaceful quiet, which can only be found in small communities such as Oqaatsut. The surroundings are breathtakingly beautiful, and we return to Ilulissat with bellies full of local delicacies and our minds brimming with memories.
Please note: This excursion cannot be booked on the tour departing on May 24, 2024.
Day 9: Ilulissat - Kangerlussuaq - Copenhagen
Offering one final view of the Ice Fjord and the captivating icebergs, the flight will take you back to Kangerlussuaq and onwards to Copenhagen where you will arrive 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 travelers tell us.
Overnight in a Copenhagen airport hotel.
Day 10: Farewell Denmark
Breakfast at your hotel and return flight back to the UK. We can of course assist in arranging extra nights in both Denmark and even Sweden (a short 20 minute train ride from the airport)
Optional Excursion Package: Standard
Our excursion packages consist of the most popular excursions and are adapted to the day program of your trip. We recommend that you book the package when you book your trip. By booking later, a handling fee of EUR 30 will be added and the package might be sold out. This excursion package consists of:
- Excursion to the Ice Sheet, Point 660 (5 hours)
- Hike to Sermermiut by Ilulissat Ice Fjord (2 hours)
- Midnight sailing at Ilulissat Ice Fjord (2½ hours)
- Whale watching in Ilulissat (3½ hours)
- Day cruise to the Eqi Glacier (6-12 hours)
- Town walk in Ilulissat (2 hours)
Price: £ 895 per person
Optional: Kayak Experience in Ilulissat
June to August
The Inuit invented the kayak. On this kayaking excursion you will see the giant icebergs and, with a little luck, we also meet whales. All tours take place in stable double kayaks and a boat follows close by. If you have serious back pains or shoulder problems, for your own safety you cannot go on this excursion. Minimum age 12 years. At least two hours on the water.
- Transfer from to and from the kayaks
- Internationally approved kayak instructor
- All kayaking equipment
- Safety instructions
- Coffee and tea
Price: £ 200 per person
Optional: Boat trip with lunch at Restaurant H8 in Oqaatsut
We sail from Ilulissat to Oqaatsut, where the guide will show you around the village. After the tour, we will have lunch at Restaurant H8 Explorer. Hereafter, there is plenty of opportunity to hike in the area before we sail back to Ilulissat.
- Boat trip Ilulissat-Oqaatsut and back
- Sightseeing in Oqaatsut
- Lunch at Restaurant H8 Explorer (excluding drinks)
Price: £ 210 per person
Optional Luxury Excursion Package: Glamping at Eqi Glacier Lodge
Please note: Bookable on departures from June 14 to September 2, 2024, both days inclusive
This excursion package offers you fantastic experiences in Arctic nature. Here you can set your feet on the Ice Sheet near Kangerlussuaq, go boating under the midnight sun in Ilulissat and learn much more about culture and history. A unique experience is the boat trip to the calving glacier Eqi and an overnight stay at Glacier Lodge Eqi. The wilderness tents at Glacier Lodge Eqi offer a great view over the calving Eqi Glacier.
You have the option of staying overnight in Glacier Lodge Eqi. Accommodation is in cabins or tents with excellent views. Dinner, breakfast, and lunch are included in the price. All meals are served in Cafe Victor which also sells beverages such as soft drinks, beer, wine, and sweets.
- Excursion to the Ice Sheet, Point 660 (5 hours)
- Town walk in Ilulissat (2 hours)
- Hike to Sermermiut by Ilulissat Ice Fjord (2 hours)
- Midnight sailing at Ilulissat Ice Fjord (2½ hours)
- Whale watching in Ilulissat (3½ hours)
- Overnight stay in tent or cabin at Glacier Lodge Eqi
- Glacier view hike at Eqi Glacier (3-4 hours)
The price covers the above-mentioned excursions and 1 night in a wilderness tent at Glacier Lodge Eqi:
- Price per adult in a shared double wilderness tent: £ 1,200 pp
- Price per adult in a shared double Comfort cabin: £ 1,330 pp
Package Includes:
Return flights from London Gatwick to Copenhagen on Norwegian
- Return flight Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq
- Return flight Kangerlussuaq - Ilulissat
- 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveller (up to 20 kg)
- 2 nights’ accommodation at the Quality Airport Hotel DAN, Copenhagen airport
- 1 night at Hotel Kangerlussuaq, Kangerlussuaq
- 6 nights’ at Hotel Icefiord, Ilulissat
- Information meeting
- Breakfast daily
- 24 hour emergency service
- ATOL protection
- All taxes
- Return flights from London Gatwick to Copenhagen on Norwegian
- Return flight Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq
- Return flight Kangerlussuaq - Ilulissat
- 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveller (up to 20 kg)
- 2 nights’ accommodation at the Copenhagen airport hotel
- 1 night at Hotel Kangerlussuaq, Kangerlussuaq
- 6 nights’ at Hotel Arctic, Ilulissat
- Information meeting
- Breakfast daily
- 24 hour emergency service
- ATOL protection
- All taxes
Not Included:
- Travel insurance
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Excursion packages.
Enquire now »