All in one! - The grand tour of Greenland from south to north

On this 14 day journey you will experience the incredible contrasts in the Greenlandic nature and the different living conditions in the south and north, in settlements and towns. Hiking trips in overwhelming silence and untouched nature. Green mountains and turquoise icebergs. Warm flower valleys and cold glaciers.

We start in the green southern Greenland with a few days stay in a small and very beautiful sheep farm settlement and visits to historical sites like Erik the Red's settlement and the Gardar bishopric.

The next experience on the tour is a 2 day trip on the coastal ship Sarfaq Ittuk along Greenland's spectacular west coast. During the sailing trip there is ample opportunity to look for seals and whales and enjoy life at sea, either behind the ship's panoramic windows or in a sheltered corner on the deck. We sail to Nuuk, Greenland's capital and commercial center and have a day to experience the exciting cultural offers Nuuk has to offer.
We continue northward to the icy paradise Ilulissat, which is famous for its gigantic icebergs and the incredible ice fjord. In winter time the dogsled is used daily – the town is therefore dominated by dogsleds and thousands of dogs longing for the first snow.

The amazing Eqi – the calving glacier - is the next stop. We stay in Ice Camp Eqi’s cozy cabins with direct view of the calving glacier front. The fantastic scenery provides for shorter or longer hikes, where the silence is intense. Back in Ilulissat you will on the last 2 days get the perfect ending to a breathtaking journey full of contrasts, uncrowded wilderness and a glimpse of the Greenlanders’ unique cultural perspective on life.

Day programme
Day 1 Copenhagen-Keflavik-Reykjavik Blue Lagoon-Narsarsuaq
Day 2 Cruise to Qassiarsuk-Itilleq walk to Igaliku
Day 3 Hiking around Igaliku-accommodation
Day 4 Boat transfer to Qaqortoq-town tour-accommodation
Day 5 On your own in Qaqortoq-aboard coastal ship
Day 6 At sea with coastal ship
Day 7 Nuuk-town tour-museum-hiking-accommodation
Day 8 Nuuk-Ilulissat-town tour-hiking-accommodation
Day 9 On your own in Ilulissat
Day 10 Cruise to Eqi-accommodation in cabins
Day 11 Hiking in Eqi-lagoon-ice cap
Day 12 Ilulissat accommodation
Day 13 On your own in Ilulissat-farewell dinner
Day 14 Ilulissat-Kangerlussuaq-Copenhagen

Et af de rekonstruerede nordbo-huse i Sydgrønland

Day 1 Copenhagen-Keflavik-Reykjavik Blue Lagoon-Narsarsuaq
We fly from Copenhagen to Keflavik in Iceland. Along the way from Keflavik to Reykjavik we will stop at the Blue Lagoon. Its hot water quickly makes you relax and the scenic beauty of the landscape and the clean, fresh air sharpen your senses. A wonderful start to the trip. From Reykjavik we fly with Air Island to Narsarsuaq, which is beautifully situated in South Greenland’s oasis of rough mountains, blooming plains, icy fjords, glaciers, ruins - and a well developed agriculture.

In Narsarsuaq we stay at Hotel Narsarsuaq, which lies with the immense nature right outside the door. After check-in we will go on a hiking trip to Signalhøjen (the signal hill) where there is a breathtaking view of the airport area, Bratthalid and the ice cap. In the evening we enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Meals included: Dinner

Day 2 Sailing trip to Qassiarsuk-Itilleq-hiking trip to Igaliku
In the morning there is boat transfer to Qassiarsuk located at the bottom of Tunuliarfik at the exact place where Erik the Red settled when he in 985 discovered the green land. We visit the well restored ruins of Erik the Red's settlement Brattahlid and reconstructions of his longhouse and his wife Thorhild’s church. Both reconstructions were built in 2000 to mark the 1000-anniversary of Leif Ericsson's discovery of America and the introduction of Christianity in Greenland.

On the guided tour you get a good insight into life in South Greenland 1000 years ago. There will be plenty of time to experience Qassiarsuk. We suggest that you enjoy your lunch in the small café Bratthalid.
From here we continue with a smaller boat out into the beautiful Qooroq fjord to the landing site Itilleq from where we walk one hour to Igaliku the old Kings Road (after the Danish King Frederik 9th’s visit in 1952) – from time to time you will be followed by an eagle. Igaliku is a beautiful sheep farm settlement in the bottom of Igaliku Fjord surrounded by green fields and steep, bare hills in the background and a lush and green landscape. Here the Norsemen established their Gardar bishopric.

The remnants of the small cathedral is now visible between the colourful houses and vegetable gardens. Today there is approx. 40 people in Igaliku that primarily live from sheep farming. We spend 2 nights in the hostel with a perfect view to the azure fjord.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 Day hiking trip around Igaliku
The wonderful area invites us to do a guided hiking trip north of Igaliku to a fantastic vantage point with a view of the Qooroq glacier and the icecap in the back ground. The Qooroq glacier produces no less than 200,000 tons of ice every 24 hours! On the way we pass a small lake where there are excellent opportunities to find moonstones. It is also possible to do a lot of other hiking trips – for example to the roaring waterfalls or Nuluk hill.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 4 Boat transfer to Qaqortoq - guided tour in town
Today we sail to Qaqortoq - a wonderful trip through fantastic scenery with ice bergs, cliffs and maybe sea eagles and seals. We pass Hvalsø – a beautifully situated church ruin with a view to the fjord Qaqortup Ima. We arrive at Qaqortoq early afternoon and stay at Hotel Qaqortoq. From the hotel there is a nice view over the harbour and inside the hotel you can study fine artwork by local artists. After check in at the hotel we will go on a trip around the town. The pittoresque town is situated in a pot between Qaqortoq fjord and the great lake Tasersuaq. The town is characterized by colourful houses, gardens with flowers and herbs, a fountain from the 1930s and the modern stone sculpture project Stone and Man carved directly into the cliffs.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5 On your own in Qaqortoq
Today it is time to experience Qaqortoq on your own and there is plenty to do. At the tourist office you can get a map of the sculptures scattered around in the town. Take a walk over the river and visit the open fish and meat market and the cozy museum, which is also the oldest house from 1804. Another wonderful trip is a visit to the hot springs Uunartoq. The lakes are situated on an island approx. 50 kilometer south of Qaqortoq near the settlement Alluitsup-Paa. It's a great experience to enjoy the warm water surrounded by huge mountains and floating icebergs. On the 2.5 hour boat trip, there are good chances to see whales frolicking.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6 At sea with coastal ship
Early morning we board the coastal ship Sarfaq Ittuk. You can now relax, enjoy the views of the coastline from the first row, keep a lookout for whales and seals. From the deck there is a perfect view to the amazing coast line with remote areas, hilly landscapes, icebergs in differenct sizes and colors and the reflection from the sun. The relaxed speed of the ship makes you forget time and allows you to reflect a bit over life.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 Nuuk-town trip-museum-hiking trip - accommodation
We arrive in Nuuk and stay at the seamen's home with the town’s most stunning harbor views - and lovely freshly baked cakes. The seamen's home is located very centrally in Nuuk and you might want to explore the nearby area a little on your own. With traffic lights, buses and lots of cars it seems to be a busy town, but the wonderful scenery and the endless horizon automatically set the town life in another perspective. As in all other towns in Greenland, you live in close harmony with nature but with plenty of inspiration from modern life.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8 Nuuk on your own
With its approx. 15,000 inhabitants Nuuk is a metropolis in comparison with other towns in Greenland. The construction industry thrives. Many new houses are built and the trade and restaurant life is lively.

You should consider a visit to the cultural center Katuaq, the open market (brættet), the old town and colonial port and the national museum where the famous mummies from Uummannaq are exhibited. Nuuk’s art museum is also worth a visit – the permanent exhibition includes many paintings by the renowned painter Emanuel A. Petersen (1894-1948).

Your guide will arrange a guided town tour including visit to the museums for those who are interested. For hiking enthusiasts there can be arranged an afternoon hiking trip around the beautiful mountain Lille Malene.

The hike is approx. 8-10 kilometer long and requires a good / normal physical condition and that you are accustomed to do hiking in fairly rough terrain. In return you'll experience a pristine, quiet wilderness with streams and rivers that trickles with fresh, cold water surrounded by mountains and overlooking the beautiful Nuuk Fjord.There are also good shopping opportunities and lots of cozy cafés.
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Day 9 Flight to Ilulissat-accommodation-on your own in Ilulissat
We fly from Nuuk to Ilulissat and stay at Hotel Arctic that offers a delightful view of the fjord. In the afternoon we will go on a guided tour where the guide introduces the modern life in contrast to the traditional hunting life that continues to thrive in the town.

Today's program also offers a hike to the former settlement Sermermiut located beautifully at the mouth of the ice fjord. Because of the good fishing conditions this has been the preferred settlement in the area for several thousand years. Only when the colony Jakobshavn had existed for over 100 years, the last residents moved from Sermermiut to Jakobshavn in 1850's. A beautiful walk along the fjord with a view of icebergs of all shapes.
Meals included: Breakfast

World of Greenland i Ilulissat

Day 10 Sailing trip to Eqi-accommodation in cabins
Today we sail up north to Eqi, the calving glacier. Keep a lookout for seals and whales. As we reach Eqi the boat sails close to the impressive glacier front, where you may be lucky to see small calvings.

Afterwards we go ashore at Ice Camp Eqi, located in the middle of the nature with beautiful views directly to the glacier. We spend the following 2 nights in small cozy one-room wooden cabins for one or two persons (no bunk beds and no sleeping bags).

There is no running water or sewerage system in the standard cabins. This is part of the concept! You will get a water bottle for use in the washstand and each cabin is equipped with a toilet bucket in a private toilet room. The cabins are equipped with a gas stove for heating and candles as a light source. All meals are served in Café Victor.

Your guide organizes hiking trips in the area, including trips to the lagoon and the moraine, which offers a spectacular view over the Eqi glacier. The area invites for numerous hiking opportunities, and it is up to you to decide whether to join a hiking trip or meditate amid the harsh, desolate and beautiful landscape - perhaps out on the cabin’s terrace.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11 Day hiking trip in Eqi-lagoon-ice cap
From the cabins we walk around the small lagoon, located south of the glacier and cross the river on an easy transition and proceed up the great moraine where we can see down into the glacier’s huge cracks. From here we can see a large part of the up to 80 meter high glacier front and see and hear mighty calvings. A wonderful trip in the middle of the wild paradise.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12 Ilulissat - accommodation
The morning is at your own disposal. Mid-day we sail back to Ilulissat with arrival late afternoon. Enjoy the passing scenery and watch out for whales! Fin whales, humpback whales and various other whales are often seen in this area! In Ilulissat Hotel Arctic opens its doors again.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Day 13 On your own in Ilulissat
Enjoy Ilulissat at your own pace! Go for a hike up in the mountains, capture the atmosphere of the town – either on your own or on an organized excursions.

Our local excursion office World of Greenland, with an office right in the heart of Ilulissat, offers a wide range of excursions: A sailing trip on the fjord during the day or in the evening under the dazing midnight sun is a wonderful experience when. The northern hemisphere's most productive glacier Kangia is only approx. 60 kilometer from Ilulissat and produces some of world's largest icebergs.

Only from a boat you will get a true impression of the size of these giants of ice. It is often also possible to book a helicopter ride to Kangia – an absolutely breathtaking experience. It is also possible to visit one of the nearby settlements on a boat trip – a unique insight into the everyday life in small isolated communities.
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Day 14 Ilulissat-Kangerlussuaq-Copenhagen
It is time to say goodbye to Greenland. We fly from Ilulissat via Kangerlussuaq to Copenhagen with arrival in the evening.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Further information about the tour (Click to udfold!)
- Suggested packing list
- Below is a suggested packing list for your summer tour to Greenland. Please contact us if you have any questions!
  
  Click to read and print the packing list