We fly from Copenhagen to Nuuk. Ahead of us is a 4,5-hour flight and an 8-day adventure.

After you check in and unpack in your room at Hotel SØMA, the guide will hold an welcome meeting. After the meeting, it’s time to get to know Nuuk at your own pace and get ideas for what to do today.

Nuuk has only 19,500 inhabitants, but you’ll experience a vibrant “big city” as it is a government city with many cultural and educational institutions. Nuuk is growing constantly and is now about 10 kilometers from end to end. You’ll find concerts, theater, museums, and exhibitions. Sports are central to many, so you can go hiking, skiing, sailing, running, strength training, yoga, and even swimming.

You can read more about Nuuk here.

After the information meeting at the hotel, we will explore the city.

City tour of Nuuk, Greenland National Museum

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.

At night, try one of Nuuk’s many great restaurants or cafés.

Experience Nuuk on your own. Shopping and culture

The rest of the afternoon, you are on your own to explore Nuuk. There are cafés and restaurants and many shopping opportunities. You’ll find a great selection of shops offering Greenlandic handicrafts and Greenlandic design. Nuuk is the best place to look for original Greenlandic design since the selection here is greater than in the other towns in Greenland. However, you can also find unique and beautiful things in Ilulissat.

Departure by the coastal ship Sarfaq Ittuk and sailing northward

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.

The northern lights on the starboard

We head out in the evening and, if it is a cloudless night, there is a good chance to see the northern lights from the deck. There is something special about Greenlandic nature. It’s rough and rugged, but also beautiful, and you will quickly feel like you are a part of it.

If it is too cold on the deck, you can also see the northern lights from the panoramic lounge. However, we can already reveal that it is not the same to see the northern lights from the inside. This time of the year, it is cold to be outside on a ship, but it’s also incredibly beautiful. Pack your warm clothes!

In the morning, we dock in Maniitsoq for 30 minutes and then we  continue with the ship further up the coast of Greenland.

At around 6.30 pm, we arrive in Sisimiut after an unforgettable coastal voyage. The hotel bus picks you up at the airport, and you check in at the four-star Hotel Sisimiut, which will be your comfortable base for the next five nights. After check-in, there is an information meeting with the local guide. As in Nuuk, you receive information about the town, the area, dining, and excursion options, and have any excursions you have pre-booked confirmed. It is also possible to book excursions at this meeting.

In the evening, enjoy a delicious welcome dinner at your hotel (drinks not included).

Arctic Spa Experience

During your stay in Sisimiut, you can relax in the hotel’s Arctic Spa – hot tubs set under the open sky. Soak in the warm water even when the air is crisp and icy.

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.

After breakfast, there is a culture-historical tour of the town by bus after the meeting.

Guided bus tour of the town

The bus tour of Sisimiut is a good introduction to the town and local life. The tour starts at the old heliport, which was the only airborne way into Sisimiut until 1998. The site is currently used as a dog kennel and the building as a youth club.

On the way through town, we stop at the fish and meat market, where today’s freshly caught fish and animals are to be found. We drive up to the highest vantage point of the town, offering impressive views to the south. We pass the town hall on the way to the south of the city, where many of the original hunting and fishing houses can still be seen. Finally, we visit the old part of the town in the center, where the original buildings from colonial times in the 1700s today house the museum.

Cultural-historical walk

In spite of the vastness of Greenland, people have chosen to settle in the same areas through the ages. Tele Island, Sallinnguit, is one of those places where past and present meet. Various Inuit cultures have inhabited the area for the past 4,000 years. Objects can still be found here today that testify to this, side-by-side telecommunications installations that have given the town its modern name, Tele Island.

Learn about the Inuit before the arrival of the Europeans. See the ruins and enjoy the beautiful views of the town and the ancient hunting grounds.

Sisimiut is full of opportunities to explore on your own. But if you’ve purchased the excursion package, two very different adventures are on the program today:

Meet the Greenlandic Sled Dogs (part of the excursion package)

Love dogs? This tour is ideal for families and anyone curious about Greenland’s unique sled dogs. You’ll get an introduction to their history and importance in Arctic life and have the chance to pet the dogs and take photos. If there are puppies, you’re in for a treat!

The Greenland sled dog is a remarkable breed, known as the most enduring in the world and closely related to the ancient wolf. These hardy animals have enabled human life in the Arctic for centuries. Today, fewer than 14,000 remain worldwide. By visiting our center, you help preserve this unique breed and its cultural legacy.

Please note: Always respect the dogs and follow your guide’s instructions for your safety and theirs.

Northern Lights & Wilderness by ATV (part of the excursion package)

Join us for an evening ATV adventure into the stunning Nasaasaaq Valley outside Sisimiut. We head out after a short introduction to the Northern Lights and a safety briefing. Our first stop is at the base of the iconic Nasaasaaq Mountain, where the group gathers before continuing into the heart of the valley.

Surrounded by darkness and towering peaks, we switch off the engines to soak in the silence and the dazzling lights above. Your guide will serve a warm drink and share stories about this incredible natural phenomenon. On the way back, we make a brief stop to admire the shimmering lights of Sisimiut – a striking contrast to the remote wilderness we’ve just explored. The tour takes about 1.5 hours.

Another lovely day to explore Sisimiut alone – or come along on a boat tour.

Sea safari in Sisimiut (part of the excursion package)

We sail out into the archipelago and fjords around Sisimiut and enjoy the stunning views of the mainland and Mount Nasaasaaq behind Sisimiut. Out here, we also get a glimpse of sea life with all the sea birds. If we’re lucky, we might also see seals and whales.

Spend your last day in Sisimiut however you wish. Revisit a favorite spot, wander through town, shop for souvenirs, or enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. You may also visit the museum, which offers insight into local history and Greenland’s culture.

If you’ve added the excursion package, one final experience awaits:

Mountains & Campfire – Culinary Wilderness Tour (part of the excursion package)

Take part in a heartwarming tour through Greenland’s dramatic autumn and winter landscapes. We travel from Sisimiut into the mountains toward the Arctic Circle, passing golden autumn hues or pristine winter whites.

Our destination is the cozy Kisaq Lodge, nestled at the foot of Mount Kangerluarsunnguaq. Here, you’ll prepare a traditional Greenlandic meal over an open fire – possibly with musk ox, reindeer, and delicious local sides. Enjoy your meal indoors or on the terrace, surrounded by wild nature.

A frozen waterfall cascades from the mountainside into a serene lake in winter. As darkness falls, the lights of Sisimiut twinkle in the distance – a perfect ending to an unforgettable day.

Autumn brings a calm energy, and the mountains glow red and orange. Your guide will share fascinating stories, from ancient whaling to local traditions, enriching this taste-filled, soul-soothing journey.

And so your Greenland adventure comes to an end. It’s back to Denmark via Nuuk – with our bags full of memories.