Focus on Ice and Snow

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

After you check in and unpack in your room at Hotel Hans Egede, it’s time to get to know Nuuk at your own pace and get ideas for what to do today and tomorrow.

Nuuk has only 20,000 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. Since it’s winter, the ski lift is a favorite spot for the city’s citizens.

You can read more about Nuuk here.

If you’ve purchased the excursion, it’s time for a boat trip on Nuuk Fjord.

Fjord adventure (add-on)

You’ll soon experience Greenland from the sea. It’s a wonderful boat trip, and we’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the views of some of the most beautiful mountains in the Nuuk Fjord.

We sail out of Nuuk and into the large fjord system, the second largest in the world. The mountains in the Nuuk Fjord are beautiful and rugged, many towering above the sea. On our way into the fjord, we sail past the city of Nuuk itself, and from the water, you get a sense of how big Nuuk really is.

We may also pass some beautiful icebergs. In the Nuuk area, they are not as big as in Disko Bay, but they are still beautiful and impressive.

After enjoying a cup of coffee or tea, we sail on, and, who knows, we might be lucky enough to see some wildlife. Out here in the fjord, we’re also closer to Sermitsiaq, the beautiful mountain that is one of Nuuk’s most famous landmarks.

Try one of the many wonderful restaurants Nuuk has to offer in the evening.

Today is at your own pace, and the beautifully situated capital city offers many exciting experiences.

If you have purchased the excursion, you can look forward to a city tour.

Sightseeing in Nuuk (add-on)

The city tour, a unique part of your excursion package, includes a visit to the Greenland National Museum. Here, you’ll have the privilege of seeing finds from all time periods and civilizations in Greenland. After about 30 minutes at the museum, we continue around the area called Kolonihavnen. This is where most of the original houses from the 17th and 18th centuries still stand. On the way we pass Hans Egede’s house, the sculpture of the Mother of the Sea and the controversial statue of Hans Egede at the Greenland Cathedral.

We then head to ‘Kalaaliaraq,’ the traditional market where locally caught fish, seals, and reindeer are sold.

Now, we head towards Greenland’s government buildings and then the Greenland’s Cultural Center Katuaq, where our tour ends. You’re now as central as you can be, with great shopping opportunities. And many other exciting things to do.

Nuuk offers many places to eat, so look around, ask your guide, or visit the hotel reception.

We now head towards Ilulissat. It is a beautiful flight giving you a perfect chance of really enjoying the beautiful icy landscape, the desolate expanse and grandeur.

During the approach to Ilulissat, the town seemingly pops up in the middle of nowhere. The colored houses vie for attention among the snow-covered peaks and you can look forward to the next few days full of ice, winter, and dogsleds – combined with cultural highlights from a very traditional Greenlandic town.

We check in at the beautifully situated Hotel Arctic, and at the following information meeting, we get to hear more about the town and the many excursions available.

The first excursion could be a guided tour of the town:

Guided tour of the town (add-on)

Ilulissat was founded in 1741 and, today, it is the third largest town in Greenland with more than 4,500 inhabitants. The guide will tell you about the history of the town, and you will experience the town’s many exciting facets. Seeing and especially hearing some of the many thousands of sled dogs is unavoidable. Most of them live on the outskirts of the town in large dog spaces – unchained puppies play under supervision by their mother, while the rest of the pack cannot wait to take you on a sled trip.

We will visit the fishermen at the harbor and the hunters at their trading post “Brættet.” We will show you the church and the birthplace of the famous Polar explorer Knud Rasmussen.

At night, there is another optional tour.

Northern Lights Tour (add-on)

The Northern Lights – also known as Aurora Borealis – are among the most enchanting natural wonders of the Arctic. On calm, clear winter nights, you might be lucky enough to witness this magical light show above Ilulissat’s dark horizon.

Join us for an atmospheric evening tour into the wilderness, away from the lights of the town. Out here, under the open sky filled with stars, we create the perfect setting for taking in the silence – and hopefully the dancing Northern Lights.

During the tour, we’ll talk about the aurora, share Greenlandic legends and myths, and explore the beauty of the Arctic night sky.

Good to know: This tour only runs in clear weather. If the sky is overcast, we will cancel the tour on the same day and do our best to find an alternative date for you. If that is not possible, you will receive a full refund.

Please note that the Northern Lights are not guaranteed even in clear weather – nature always has the final say.

Disko Bay is one of Greenland’s most popular tourist destinations. First and foremost because of the ice, but also because of its beauty, its many cultural attractions and the interaction between the traditional lifestyle and modern urban life. Racks with kayaks jostle for space with satellite dishes.

Hike to the Sermermiut Settlement (add-on)

Beautiful iceberg vistas 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 the story about life of the indigenous people and their traditions before the Europeans arrived in Greenland. See the ruins and touch the permafrost with your own hands. On this hike, we will pass “Kællingekløften” where you can enjoy the magnificent view of the Ice Fjord, before heading back again.

Dog sled ride (add-on)

The dog sled is one of the most famous Greenlandic icons and a thousand-year-old tradition for the Inuit. Not many vehicles have survived such a long period without changes in appearance and technology: a pack of happy dogs in harnesses tied to a simply constructed wooden sled. The experience can not be explained – it must be tried.

This trip usually takes place in flat terrain on a plain near Ilulissat. In addition to the sled driver, you are two participants on each of the sleds, so if you have booked the excursion on your own, you may share a sled with another person. However, all dogs are different, so if you are out with family and friends, we can not guarantee that you will be riding together on the entire trip as some dogs are fast, and others are not. This trip is not recommended for those with neck or back problems or if you are immobile. Participants must be 12 years and older.

If you purchased the overnight stay at Igloo Lodge, you have the chance to go an amazing boat trip tonight:

Sailing among iceberg (add-on)

Almost every visitor to Ilulissat chooses to go on this boat trip among the icebergs 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 more than 100 meters above the water surface as well. These giants gather at the end of the fjord, providing you with a great opportunity to cruise among them. You should not miss out on this exceptional experience when visiting Ilulissat.

If you purchased the excursion you can look forward to an amazing boat trip:

Sailing among iceberg (add-on)

Almost every visitor to Ilulissat chooses to go on this boat trip among the icebergs 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 more than 100 meters above the water surface as well. These giants gather at the end of the fjord, providing you with a great opportunity to cruise among them. You should not miss out on this exceptional experience when visiting Ilulissat.

If you have booked a night at Igloo Lodge, today you will go on the highlight of your trip:

Igloo Lodge (add-on)

On days 5-6, you can experience a real igloo where you will spend the night.

World of Greenland has been very successful with their summer lodges at the Eqi Glacier and in the settlement of Ilimanaq. Now, they also offer winter lodges in the shape of igloos. You will be taken on a snowmobile into the wonderful winter landscape where we hope to see the northern lights dance in the sky in the evening.

Here, at the foot of the mountains, you will spend the night in an igloo (with the possibility of staying in a heated cabin). Igloo Lodge consists of five spacious igloos, each of which accommodates two people. Reindeer pelts and warm winter sleeping bags are covering the beds. There are also candles on the bedside table, which means that the temperature is around the freezing point inside the igloo. It is comparatively warm compared to the minus 20 degrees Celcius/ minus 4 Fahrenheit outside. The wooden cabin by the lodge is where we will eat our meals. In the wooden cabin, there is also an outhouse type restroom.

The trip to Igloo Lodge itself is an adventure! You are driven in a snowcat for about an hour into the Ilulissat hinterland with amazing views along the way. You will be met at the cabin with coffee and lunch. Later, you will have an afternoon coffee with cake, dinner, and evening coffee followed by a look outside to see if the northern lights are out. Then you will stay overnight in an igloo, and, in the morning, breakfast is served and, finally, there’s the trip back to civilization.

Option on the afternoon on Day 5:

Walking among Giants (add-on)

Walking amongst Giants is a spectacular snowmobile excursion that takes guests deep into the winter landscape of Ilulissat. The tour starts at Igloo Lodge, from where you ride two by two on snowmobiles into the backcountry towards Aattartoq. After about 45 minutes of driving, you reach Aattartoq and the frozen fjord Sikuiuitsoq. Here, frozen icebergs rise straight out of the meter-thick sea ice in dramatic formations of blue and shining white. This is where you truly understand the name of the tour: you are literally moving among Greenland’s giants.

The area is also an active hunting and fishing ground. Small cabins provide shelter from the cold, while dog sleds and sled dogs rest on the sea ice nearby. After arrival, the snowmobiles are parked and there is plenty of time to walk out onto the sea ice among the icebergs and experience the Arctic nature up close. Along the way, the guide will also share insights into life as a hunter and fisherman in modern Greenland before the tour returns to Igloo Lodge.

Please note: If you’ve purchased dogsledding at Igloo Lodge, you’ll go dog sledding after breakfast on day 2 at Igloo Lodge. The sled is bigger, so there are three of you on it instead of two.

Spend the day exploring Ilulissat on your own. If you like, you can visit one of the traditional arts and crafts workshops to look for souvenirs made from seal or tooth and bone.

There are also many hikes to go on. You can, for example, walk along the road to the airport, where you pass a typical, Greenlandic cemetery. There are also opportunities for tours in the mountains, but it can be a little difficult to walk here because the snow can be deep. You can also rent snowshoes.

Please note: If you’ve stayed at the Igloo Lodge, you’ll return to Ilulissat after lunch.

Meet the Greenlandic Sled Dogs – A Living Arctic Tradition (add-on)

Step into the world of Greenland’s iconic sled dogs on this guided tour that brings you closer to one of the Arctic’s most enduring symbols. Learn about their deep cultural roots, their role in traditional life, and how they continue to adapt in a changing world.

Led by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll hear stories and insights about how these resilient dogs have helped shape life in the Arctic, from transportation and hunting to their continued relevance in today’s remote communities. You’ll gain a meaningful understanding of the special bond between humans and sled dogs in Greenland.

The tour takes place outdoors, where the dogs thrive in their natural habitat. Their thick coats protect them against the harsh cold, making them well-suited for the open environment – not as indoor pets, but as strong, working companions.

With the owner’s permission, you may approach selected dogs and experience the individual dog up close. We always prioritize your safety and the well-being of the animals, so any interaction is guided and respectful.

You’ll also get a chance to explore traditional sledding gear and learn how it connects past and present practices in dog sledding culture.

This tour is ideal for families and curious travelers of all ages looking for an authentic, educational experience focused on Greenlandic wildlife and tradition. It’s an encounter that will stay with you long after your journey ends.

Please note: For the safety and comfort of guests and dogs, approaching the animals without the owner’s permission is prohibited.

Spend the last day in Ilulissat experiencing the atmosphere and life in the town. Step back in time and learn about the rich history at the museum that originally was Knud Rasmussen’s place of birth. Fishermen and hunters at the open market give you an idea of the many exciting Greenlandic food products – it does not get any fresher than this.

Once your eyes have feasted on the fresh catch of the day, your tummy will probably rumble!  At the restaurants in Ilulissat, you can try local specialties such as Greenlandic sushi, deep-fried “ammassats” (small fish), whale and seal, and the cafés offer freshly-baked cakes. All your senses will get a work-out on this trip!

And you will never get tired of looking out across the Ice Fjord.

You can also join a helicopter flight.

Ilulissat Icefjord and Glacier Seen From Above with Helicopter (add-on)

Ilulissat Ice Fjord and the Kangia Glacier are in focus on a 1½ hours helicopter ride that takes you right into the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. No boat or hiking trail can get this close to the huge glacier – and you will see it all from above!

The helicopter takes off from Ilulissat Airport and flies as low as safety and laws allow over mountains, lakes, rivers, and the Icefjord until we reach a mountain at the ice sheet’s edge. Here we have about half an hour to enjoy the view. Then, we fly over the glacier front and follow the Icefjord for 70 kilometers on our way back.