A White Christmas in the Land of Icebergs

Your journey begins in Copenhagen as you board your flight to Ilulissat in Greenland. The flight takes approximately 4½–5 hours.

Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your comfortable hotel. An information meeting introduces you to the town, the surrounding area, and the excursion options available during your stay. At this time of year, daylight hours are limited, so the order of excursions may vary to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate. If there is not enough room for everyone on the boat on the same day, the sailing excursion will be rescheduled. The final itinerary will be adjusted to the prevailing conditions and reviewed during the information meeting.

After the meeting, you can join a guided walk through Ilulissat.

Guided Town Walk (included in the excursion package)

Ilulissat is Greenland’s third-largest town, and people have lived in the area for more than 4,500 years. Enjoy an informative walk through town and learn about its history, culture, and everyday life—knowledge that will enrich the experiences awaiting you over the coming days.

Take in the unique twilight that characterizes Ilulissat during the Polar Night. Although the sun does not rise above the horizon until January 13, the days are not completely dark. Snow, stars, streetlights, and the warm glow of Christmas lights create a magical atmosphere.

The famous polar explorer Knud Rasmussen spent his childhood in the building that today houses Ilulissat’s cultural history museum.

The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

Christmas Opening Hours in Greenland

During the Christmas holidays, many cafés, restaurants, and bars are closed, especially on December 25. If you would like snacks, cakes, or alcoholic beverages for your room, we recommend shopping on December 23, either in town or at the airport’s duty-free shop. Shopping opportunities may be limited during the holidays.

There is plenty to discover on your own in Ilulissat, and your guide has already introduced you to many of the possibilities during the information meeting. Today, you have the opportunity to experience some of them for yourself.

Hike to Sermermiut by the Ilulissat Icefjord (included in the excursion package)

Today’s excursion takes you to the former settlement of Sermermiut, which was inhabited for thousands of years thanks to its favorable location beside the Ilulissat Icefjord. Although the scenery is breathtaking, it was not the view that attracted the Inuit. The Icefjord provided abundant fishing and excellent seal hunting, creating the conditions that supported human settlement for generations.

As it is December, snow is likely to cover the trail leading from the edge of town to the Icefjord. The hike is approximately one kilometer (0.6 miles) along a path that may be snow-covered. While the remains of the ancient settlement are often hidden beneath the snow at this time of year, your guide will share fascinating stories about daily life in a Greenlandic settlement in earlier times. Along the trail, you will also enjoy spectacular views of the Ilulissat Icefjord.

Later in the day, a traditional Christmas lunch buffet and festive Christmas dinner await at the hotel.

Today, you have the opportunity to explore the town and the surrounding nature at your own pace.

Lunch and dinner are served at the hotel.

Northern Lights Excursion (included in the excursion package)

After dinner, we head out in search of one of nature’s most spectacular displays. On clear winter evenings, you have an excellent chance of seeing the northern lights dancing above Ilulissat. We leave the town behind and find a location with as little artificial light as possible. Your guide explains how the northern lights are formed, shares Greenlandic legends about this remarkable phenomenon, and offers practical tips for capturing the best photographs of the colorful display across the Arctic sky.

Please note that the northern lights are visible only on clear winter nights and cannot be seen when the sky is overcast.

Today, you bid farewell to your Arctic winter adventure and, via Nuuk, you fly back to Copenhagen, arriving in the evening.