Autumn Feelings in Greenland

8 days in three towns and on the coastal ship Sarfak Ittuk

This magnificent journey to Greenland offers you the unique combination of traveling by both domestic flight and coastal vessel along the west coast of Greenland as well as experiencing the most popular locations and towns in Greenland. All in the company of one of our knowledgeable tour guides who will make sure you get as much as possible out of your trip. We have selected the best experiences for you to explore; the Greenland Ice Sheet in Kangerlussuaq, the quirky capital of Nuuk, and not least Ilulissat in the Disko Bay area with the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the world-famous Ilulissat Ice Fjord.

AS we travel in the late summer, a season characterized by peace after a brief and hectic summer. Autumn also showcases a multitude of sides to Arctic nature; from beautiful sunny days, draping the mountains in shades of yellow-brown with an intensity that often surpasses the midnight sun of summer, to dramatic autumn storms, appealing with their harsh beauty but also requiring proper clothing.

As we travel further south, the nights become darker, and you might be fortunate enough to experience northern lights, a fascinating natural phenomenon. Also, the night sky is crammed with stars because Greenland is far less affected by light pollution than in Europe, Asia, or North America.

We have designed this journey to allow you to explore Greenland by yourself, but with the added benefit of our tour guide who will accompany you all the way, providing information, stories, guided tours, and practical help.

Highlights

  • Walk ON the Inland Ice Cap 
  • See the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ilulissat Ice Fjord with its magnificent icebergs up close 
  • Go in search of Arctic wildlife by boat and on foot 
  • Experience the capital Nuuk 
  • Sail along the dramatic coastline 
  • Cruise among gigantic icebergs 
  • Everything wrapped in stunning Arctic autumn colors 

Included

  • Return flight Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq with Air Greenland
  • Flight Kangerlussuaq – Nuuk with Air Greenland
  • Flight Ilulissat – Kangerlussuaq with Air Greenland
  • Coastal ship Nuuk – Ilulissat with MS Sarfaq Ittuk (Arctic Umiaq Line)
  • Transfers
  • 2 nights in a cabin at the coastal ship (private bath/toilet)
  • 1 night at Hotel Kangerlussuaq with private bath/toilet
  • 4 nights at Hotel Arctic (private bath/toilet)
  • Breakfast
  • Full board on the coastal ship – from Saturday morning to Sunday lunch (excl. beverages)
  • 1 lunch sandwich in Kangerlussuaq
  • 1 welcome dinner at Restaurant Roklubben in Kangerlussuaq (excl. beverages)
  • Farewell dinner at Hotel Arctic (excl. beverages)
  • Food and beverages onboard the Air Greenland flight Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq
  • Guided sightseeing tours in Nuuk, Sisimiut, and Ilulissat
  • Guided hike to the old settlement Sermermiut by the Ice Fjord
  • Tour guide
  • All flight/transportation taxes and fees known to Greenland Travel at the time of publishing
  • 20 kg of checked baggage and 8 kg of cabin baggage

Not included

  • Meals not listed above
  • Travel Insurance
  • Excursions (we recommend pre-booking one of our excursion packages)

Day program

Destination Arctic Circle
Day 1:
Flight from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq and optional trip to the Ice Sheet

We fly from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq with Air Greenland’s Airbus. The first sight of Greenland is truly special, and will undoubtedly set you up for the adventures that await. In Kangerlussuaq, we check in at the Hotel Kangerlussuaq, which is situated within the airport complex.

After being welcomed by the tour guide, you get the chance to visit the impressive Ice Sheet.

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

Kangerlussuaq is known for its proximity to the Ice Sheet, and this guided tour takes you to the giant Greenland Ice Sheet that is the size of Western Europe.

In a 4×4 bus, we make our way through a beautifully diverse area, and close to the inland ice, we pass the Russell Glacier and a fantastic moraine landscape. At the end of the road, we walk over to the Ice Sheet and climb up onto it, which is a unique experience. You spend some time in this vast icy universe before returning to the vehicle. During the trip, there is a good chance of spotting reindeer and musk oxen.

Daniel Gurrola - Visit Greenland
Day 2:
Flight to Nuuk. Sightseeing tour and accommodation on the coastal vessel

After breakfast, we fly from Kangerlussuaq to Nuuk, and before boarding the coastal vessel Sarfaq Ittuk, there is time for some sightseeing.

The landmark of Nuuk, the Sermitsiaq mountain, gives you a majestic welcome and the fantastic fjord system reflects the wild nature, which provides the most incredible setting for this small metropolis. Nuuk’s more than 17,500 inhabitants benefit from more than 100 kilometers of asphalt roads. But although the town is busy, nature is not far away, and most citizens use nature actively all year round.

The Greenland National Museum with its famous mummies and the colonial harbor

During the tour, you will be introduced to the most popular attractions, including the Greenland National Museum, the beautiful arts center Katauaq – whose façade is shaped like the northern light – and the equally beautiful old district with the statue of Hans Egede looking across the old colonial harbor, the fjord, and the mountain range in the distance.

Use the rest of the afternoon to explore the town on your own. If you are looking for local arts and crafts, a wide selection can be found in the souvenir shops of the city, selling everything from small, delicate earrings to sealskin products.

Heading north with the coastal vessel, together with the Greenlanders

At night, we go on board the ship Sarfaq Ittuk and ahead lie two days onboard, heading towards Ilulissat. Sarfak Ittuk sails up and down along the west coast and is also used by Greenlanders themselves. As the vessel docks in small coastal towns, there is a wonderful atmosphere of activity and joyful reunion.

During the voyage, the passing scenery can be taken in from the indoor panoramic lounge located at the back of the vessel or from the many outdoor areas where you can enjoy the clean air from a deck chair.

Sailing in Greenland can be a chilly affair, but it is incredibly beautiful! Remember warm clothes – as well as your camera and binoculars. The speed is leisurely, allowing you to fully relax and enjoy the changing scenery.

Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland
Day 3:
At sea, stop at Sisimiut with guided town walk

During the morning we will call at both Maniitsoq and Kangaamiut, and whilst there won’t be time to disembark, it is always exciting to stand and watch life on the harbor and in the village from the deck.

A visit in Greenland’s second largest town, Sisimiut

We will arrive at Sisimiut at around 6:00 PM. Sisimiut is the second largest town in Greenland with slightly more than 5,500 inhabitants. The atmosphere in the welcoming city is warm and intense, oozing of authentic Greenland. The color palette of the houses provides a stunning contrast to the dramatic and rocky backdrop.

In Sisimiut, we visit the local museum. Along the way, we walk through the old district with original colonial buildings, which the museum is also part of. At the museum, you get an insight into life in the town through the ages.

This is a wonderful break on the sailing trip. We re-embark Sarfak Ittuk and continue northwards.

Beate Ulich
Day 4:
Day at sea before arrival at Ilulissat and guided sightseeing tour

As we approach Ilulissat, there is every reason to enjoy the sight of the icebergs. Some are just large-scale lumps of ice while others are almost towering above you. What a welcome and introduction to the magnificent Disko Bay.

We check in at Hotel Arctic which boasts magnificent views of the phenomenal Ilulissat Ice Fjord, which in 2004 was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

At the following briefing, you can hear more about the city and the many excursions into the interesting area.

Lead by a local guide, we tour the town, allowing you to get more familiar with Ilulissat. You will be given an introduction to the history and culture of the place and will pass the museum, the old colonial houses, the beautiful and simple Zion’s Church, and the lively harbor.

Ilulissat means icebergs, which is rather self-explanatory once you 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.

Ruth Gundahl Madsen
Day 5:
Day at leisure in Ilulissat. You can join optional excursions: Hike to the old settlement Sermermiut by the icefjord and sailing among the icebergs

Enjoy Ilulissat at your own pace. You may wish to wander about on your own, drink a caffé latte at a cozy café, and find a quiet place where you can enjoy the view. There is a reason why this beautiful town is one of the most visited places in Greenland: The impressive Ilulissat Ice Fjord. The icebergs can be experienced by sea, by land, and from the air. We recommend joining a hike to Sermermiut, an old settlement right at the mouth of the Ice Fjord where giant icebergs have stranded on an old moraine.

Hike to the old settlement Sermermiut by the Icefiord

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. Hear about the life of the Inuit people and their traditions before the Europeans came to Greenland. Depending on the time of the year you arrive, you may be able to see the ruins and touch the permafrost with your own hands.

Sailing among the icebergs (optional)

In the evening, you can take a lovely cruise between the icebergs that – regardless of the weather – are guaranteed to take your breath away. The midnight sun is low on the horizon, and it can be difficult to tell night from day. Reflections from the soft, warm light give the icebergs and mountain tops an orange tinge, and the water becomes almost purple.

Anders Peter Amsnæs
Day 6:
Explore Ilulissat on your own or with a guide or join an optional whale safari

Whale safari among icebergs (optional)

Most people are surprised just how great an experience it is to get up close to a animal as enormous as the whale. In the waters of Greenland, 15 species of whale are seen.

During summer and autumn, we normally get to see the humpback whale, minke whale, and fin whale. The whales swim around the entire Disko Bay throughout the summer, sometimes near the town, other times in the ice fjord or up north by the Crown Prince Islands. We have radio contact with the fishermen and sealers in the area, who are our sources of information about whales in the bay. This way, we almost always spot them. The humpback whale, with its characteristic tail, is the one we see most often.

Jette Schwarz
Day 7:
Explore Ilulissat on your own or with the guide or join an optional boat trip to the Eqi Glacier

Spend the last day in Ilulissat as you wish. If you bought the excursion package deluxe, you are going to the Eqi Glacier today.

Day tour to the calving Eqi Glacier (optional / included in the excursion package deluxe)

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 icebergs crashing into the water is astonishing.

We sail in modern and convenient boats during the excursion to Eqi. The route takes us north along the coast passing Bredebugt, the settlement of Oqaatsut and the big fjord system called Pakitsoq, where whales and seals are often spotted. Further along the route, we pass through the Ataa Strait, which is surrounded by steep mountains with bird life and waterfalls. Our boats, which are reinforced for sailing in icy waters, will remain in front of the glacier for approximately two hours and wait for the ice to calve. Meanwhile, a delicious lunch will be served. This is an all-day excursion where you will have a good opportunity to immerse yourself in the experience and fully enjoy the boat trip in the ice-filled water. Duration: 6-12 hours.

Please note: The length of the boat trip to and from the glacier may last between 2 – 5 hours each direction. It depends on the boat used the given day.

You can also follow in the footsteps of Knud Rasmussen at the local museum and end your stay in Greenland with a shopping trip at the stores and souvenir shops.

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

Greenland Travel
Day 8:
Return flights from Ilulissat to Kangerlussuaq and Copenhagen

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 travelers tell us.

Map

Kangerlussuaq

Nuuk

Sisimiut

Ilulissat

Kangerlussuaq

Hotels on this tour

Hotel Kangerlussuaq

The Hotel Kangerlussuaq is located as centrally as possible, in the airport building itself, so you have to pick up your luggage and carry it to the reception to check in. All rooms are spacious and have a view of the so-called Kitchen Mountain or views of the town and the surroundings.

The hotel has a restaurant and a very famous cafeteria, which is the meeting place for all the inhabitants of the area and the 220,000 passengers who pass through Kangerlussuaq every year.

Hotel Kangerlussuaq
Tankeqarfiup aqq.
3910 Kangerlussuaq

M/S Sarfaq Ittuk

The ship was built in 1992 and was modernized and extended in 2000. She now has a length of 73 meters and a width of 11 meters. With an engine of 2000 HP, the ship has a max speed of 13 knots. The crew is 22 people. The ship has a café, a lounge with panoramic windows, a playroom, and a hospital clinic in case of injuries and acute illness on board. The ship’s capacity is 274 passengers.

Cabins

The cabins are designed for 1-4 people. Each cabin is approx. 9.9 square meters (approx. 321 square feet) and contains a table, a chair, a wardrobe, and 220-volt sockets. There is an en suite bathroom and toilet, and bed linen and towels are included. All cabins are exterior cabins and have sea views.

The cabins are located on decks 3 and 4. You will be allocated a place of accommodation upon boarding. You will not be staying with strangers; only with those with whom you are booked.

Safety onboard
Sarfaq Ittuk (the coastal ship) is designed for sailing in polar waters and holds the highest safety standards.

Hotel Arctic

Greenland’s most famous hotel is Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat. It is located with a fantastic view of Ilulissat town, Ilulissat Ice Fjord, and Disko Bay. Hotel Arctic is the world’s northernmost 4-star hotel, and on top of that, the hotel features a 5-star conference center. The hotel is located just outside the town, approximately a 15-minute walk from the town center (app. 1.5 km from the central intersection in town).

The hotel has two great restaurants, and the large terrace outside the restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine while the sun shines its golden glow at midnight over the icebergs at Ilulissat Ice Fjord.NOTE: The hotel offers airport transfers, but there are not transfers in connection with excursions or such.

Hotel Arctic
Mittarfimmut Aqq. B-1128
3952 Ilulissat

Optional purchases

Practical information

Flight schedule (local times)

  • From Copenhagen 10:00 AM
  • Return flights arrive in Copenhagen at 09:00 PM

Please note that departure times are subject to change by the airline.

Please notice
Children travel at the same price as adults.

Departure on September 28, 2023, ia a guaranteed departure.

Guide languages
English and Danish.

Packing List
Find the packing list for your trip here.

Baggage included
20 kilos of checked baggage and 8 kilos of cabin baggage (max. dimensions of cabin baggage: 55 x 40 x 23 cm).

Travelers with reduced mobility and wheelchair users
We do not recommend this tour for people with reduced mobility and wheelchair users. Greenland Travel’s advice regarding difficulty levels on our excursions is intended for travelers who are not disabled. We are always happy to provide you with information on the suitability of the trip, taking into account the specific needs you may have. Please note that our advice is not based on medical knowledge, and ultimately it is YOUR responsibility to decide if a tour is right for you.

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Autumn Feelings in Greenland

8 days in three towns and on the coastal ship Sarfak Ittuk

Experience the yellow, red, and brown shades of the mountains in Greenland’s late summer. See the Ice Sheet at Kangerlussuaq, the capital of Nuuk, and the Ilulissat Ice Fjord. Includes coastal boat trip.

From
Sold out
per person in double room
September to October  | 8 days  | 7 nights Travel id: 9048 Departure from Copenhagen Guaranteed departure | incl. tour guide
Optional experiences
Ice SheetCultureIcebergsWhalesafari

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You are always welcome to contact us if you have any questions regarding your trip or if you need advice or guidance.

We strive to respond to inquiries within 24 hours on weekdays.

You can call us at: +45 3313 1011