From Copenhagen Airport, your Air Greenland plane departs at 11:00 AM. We will land in Greenland at 11:40 AM local time. It is a direct flight to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, which takes about 4½ hours. Your local guide will welcome you.

Kangerlussuaq is located north of the Polar Circle, and as you take your first breath of Arctic air, you will feel something is different. The air is dry and crisp. As your plane approached Greenland, you got a view of the enormous white Ice Sheet from above, and now you are standing just 25 kilometers from it.

The airport and the settlement of Kangerlussuaq are surrounded by nature and is practically built upon Arctic tundra. Tundra is a term used for a type of landscape only found in the northern hemisphere. One of the characteristics of the tundra is permafrost. Permafrost signifies that the upper layer of the ground is permanently frozen. This phenomenon creates an interesting landscape, which we will explore today.

Central accommodation at Polar Lodge

The location of Polar Lodge is as central as possible, only a few meters from the airport and shops such as a supermarket, and a few shops selling arts, crafts and souvenirs.

Ice Cap excursion (optional)

In Kangerlussuaq, you are just 25 kilometers from the edge of Greenland’s Ice Sheet. Following the initial briefing, you can come along on an excursion to the Ice Sheet. This is an awesome experience! You can also explore the area and the settlement by yourself, but we recommend that you join us on this excursion to the Ice Sheet.

A custom-built bus takes us to Point 660 where you can walk on the ice itself. This tour is about 37 kilometers. We are 660 meters above sea level, but you do not sense that as you stand on the world’s largest sea of ice.

The excursion takes approximately 5 hours, and the drive to the ice takes about 2 hours with a few stops along the way. Coffee and tea will be served during the excursion. We recommend that you bring warm clothes and put some provisions in your backpack.

Summer in Kangerlussuaq

Summer in Greenland is short, intense and often quite hot. The air is dry, and 15 degrees in the sun will feel like a pleasant summer’s day. Due to its inland location, Kangerlussuaq has a continental climate. Kangerlussuaq is known for stable, warm days of summer, making the drive from the town to the Ice Sheet even more fascinating as you will sense how the temperature drops the closer you get to the edge of the ice.

Enjoy a Greenlandic dinner

In the evening, you can have dinner at one of the restaurants in town or cook your meal at Polar Lodge. We recommend a visit to Restaurant Roklubben, which is situated on Lake Ferguson, outside of town. Here, you can enjoy today’s specials or take a pick from the menu. The food is based on delicious local produce such as musk oxen, reindeer, and fish. Due to the time difference, a lot of people traveling from Europe or Asia will go to bed early on their first day. When it is 9:00 PM in Greenland, it is 1:00 AM in Central Europe.

This day offers varied experiences. We will leave the inland behind, traveling north towards the coast.

After breakfast, you will have time to explore the area before we continue north towards the Disko Bay. We will take a domestic flight to Aasiaat, arriving after midday. Flight time is around 45 minutes and takes place at a relatively low altitude, allowing you to get a great view of the landscape from above.

As we land in Aasiaat, we will be driven from the airport to the harbor. From here, we will be sailing to Qasigiannguit later. Before that, however, you have time to explore Aasiaat. Depending on your departure date, you have between one and four hours to spend here.

Aasiaat – the town at the archipelago

Aasiaat is home to about 3,000 people, which makes it the fifth largest town in Greenland. Aasiaat is an active town. The local fish plant propares crabs and prawns. The town also has a shipyard. Many of the townspeople work in the fishing and hunting industry. Therefore, the harbor in Aasiaat is a lively place with light blue fishing boats and the inevitable sound of seagulls. The colorful houses are idyllically situated on the rocks overlooking the skerries.

Boat ride to Qasigiannguit – the whale capital

Early afternoon, we will embark on a 4-hour boat ride in the south-eastern part of the Disko Bay. From the skerries, we will head north but mostly east towards the mainland. Next stop is the small town of Qasigiannguit. We will be sailing with Diskoline, arriving in Qasigiannguit at dinnertime.

As we approach Qasigiannguit, you will quickly spot Hotel Diskobay, which is beautifully situated on a point overlooking the harbor. The rocks behind the town are up to 450 meters tall and create a striking contrast to the coast. We will walk the short distance from the harbor to the hotel while your baggage will be transported.

Check-in at Hotel Diskobay

After we have checked in and a short briefing, you can look forward to dinner with a view. Hotel Diskobay offers a front-row view across the Disko Bay. You can even see the Disko Island 100 kilometers away. Hotel Diskobay is a relatively small hotel with an informal atmosphere. During summer, you can spot whales from the terrace as they swim right by, perhaps followed by a floating iceberg or two.

Look forward to spending two days in the small village where we will explore Qasigiannguit’s cultural offerings and the scenic hinterland.

Tour of the town and visit to the interesting museum

After breakfast, it is time to take a tour of the town. Qasigiannguit is an interesting town to explore, and we will be stopping by the local museum and an open settlement.

The museum displays a great number of unique local findings. On Sundays, the museum often hosts an “Open settlement” – an event arranged by volunteers from the town. They dress up in traditional sealskin clothes and make a display of many of the old traditions such as seal flensing, drum dancing, arts and crafts, skin clothes production and food cooked on an open fire.

Qasigiannguit – traditional Greenlandic culture

Qasigiannguit has about 1,300 inhabitants and is, therefore, a relatively large town by Greenlandic standards. It is a modern town with all that entails but the old village atmosphere is preserved. Sled dogs are a natural part of the townscape, and the harbor is a bustle of activity; boats set out to fish in the highly nutritious water near the giant icebergs and return with their catch.

Qasigiannguit means “the small, gaudy seals” as this place has been home to a great number of these animals. There are still a lot of seals in the area as well as many whales.

Qasigiannguit – the whale capital in Greenland

Qasigiannguit is also known as the whale capital among Greenlanders. A lot of humpback whales gather here in the southern part of the Disko Bay. In the summer months (May-September), you will often see whales blow water and waving their tails on the horizon. The whales will at times swim close to the coast, allowing you to spot them from the hotel terrace.

Boat ride to an abandoned village

In the afternoon, we are going on a boat ride to an abandoned village in the hinterland and Qeqertasussuk, an excavated settlement from the Saqqaq culture. The settlement is featured in an exhibition at the museum as it contains traces of early immigration in Greenland.

We will also sail to the abandoned village of Akulliit. Today, the place functions as a holiday area for families from Qasigiannguit. Here, we will take a coffee break and enjoy the picturesque scenery before returning to Qasigiannguit.

In the evening, you can choose whether you want to have dinner at the hotel or another restaurant in town.

Today, we will explore the surroundings by foot. The hinterland near Qasigiannguit offers great trails for hiking. If you do not wish to join the guided walk to the top of the Qaqqarsuaq mountain, you can take an alternative route through flatter terrain.

Hike to the top of Qaqqarsuaq

After breakfast, we pack our backpack for a day in the mountains. We will hike to the top of the Qaqqarsuaq mountain from the back where we are rewarded with an impressive view across the entire Disko Bay. If we are fortunate, we may also see some of the many musk oxen living in the area. The pace is slow, so everyone who is generally in good shape can participate. The hike takes about 4-6 hours.

Boat ride to Ilimanaq Lodge

After another eventful day, our journey continues north to Ilimanaq. We depart in the early evening and will arrive about two hours later. As we leave the natural harbor, we can catch one last glimpse of the town’s mountains.

As we approach Ilimanaq, we also get closer to the Ilulissat Ice Fjord. You will be able to see the large icebergs on the horizon. It is a breath-taking sight, which still impresses experienced travelers in Greenland.

In summer, the area is home to a great number of humpback whales, and we will keep an eye out for them. When a boat passes a school of whales, it is called having “contact.” If possible, the skipper will slow down when there is “contact” giving you time to enjoy the sight.

Ilimanaq Lodge – a room with a view of whales and icebergs

Ilimanaq is one of Greenland’s smallest villages. The contrast to Qasigiannguit is evident as the few, scattered houses appear. From the boat, we can also see the newly built lodges of Ilimanaq Lodge on the rocks off the coast. It consists of 15 smaller lodges, which are all beautifully situated just south of Ilulissat Ice Fjord.

All lodges overlook the Disko Bay. Each lodge is approximately 40 square meters and includes shower, toilet and modern furniture with a rustic, Nordic look. Moreover, each lodge is equipped with a terrace where you can take in the view to the sound of the waves washing against the rocks.

Restoration of the lodge

The lodges opened in the summer of 2017. The two listed buildings in town – the manager’s house and the former grocery store – have also been restored. They now serve as reception and restaurant to the lodges but also double as a museum and conference venue.

You will be staying in your private lodge just like on the rest of the tour. If you are traveling alone, you will get your lodge, and if you are travelling with someone, you will get to share a lodge.

When you have checked in, we recommend that you enjoy the splendid view from the terrace.

Read more about Ilimanaq Lodge.

Today, you will wake up to a view of icebergs. Enjoy it from your bed or take a seat in the living room sofa and watch the small fishing boats sail by. Step out onto the terrace and breathe in the crisp morning air, feel the heat from the sun and perhaps spot a whale.

Ilimanaq means expectation

Ilimanaq is Greenlandic for “expectation” or “likelihood.” And you can expect some unique experiences during your stay in Ilimanaq.

The village’s former Danish name is Claushavn, named after the Dutch whaling skipper Klaes Pietersz Thorp, who worked in the whaling industry here 1719-1732. Back then, the area was the most densely populated in Greenland, and small settlements were spread along the coasts.

Today, Ilimanaq is one of the smallest settlements in Greenland with approximately 50 residents. The many village houses in bright colors, sled dogs, dogsleds, and skin kayaks reveal that life is lived here as it has been for generations in Greenland.

Tour of Ilimanaq village

Ilimanaq is home to some of the oldest colonial buildings from the 18th century as well as a church from 1908. You will also find a fishing cabin, former coal storage, warehouses, and a former train-oil factory.

When you arrived in Ilimanaq, you were welcomed by the black-painted restaurant right beside the harbor area. Next to the restaurant is the reception of Ilimanaq Lodge. These two buildings have been restored in connection with the construction of Ilimanaq Lodge.

During the morning tour of the village, you will get an insight into the village history and the many interesting buildings and their historical function. You will also get a sense of how everyday life works in a small village in Greenland.

Hike to the Ilulissat Ice Fjord and the old burial site

If you are traveling with a tour guide, the guide will take you on this hike. If you are travelling on your own, a local guide will take you out. We will have lunch after the village tour and pack the backpack before putting on our hiking shoes.

Northern Houses (Nordre Huse) is located about six kilometers from Ilimanaq and is the destination for today’s hike. The excursion begins with a spectacular view from one of the hilltops north of the village. You can look across the Disco Bay and see the large icebergs in the Ilulissat Ice Fjord.

The amazing Greenlandic Ice Sheet

Along the way, we look for traces after early immigration, the so-called Thule culture, and we get close to one of the many hidden burial sites. After this, we will get another glimpse of the large icebergs in Ilulissat Icefjord from another hilltop. In clear weather, you can see the edge of the Ice Sheet 65 kilometers away.

From here, the edge of the Ice Cap resembles a wall of ice, unlike in Kangerlussuaq at Point 660 where the ice is flatter and spills out across the landscape.

At this point, the gigantic icebergs lie right in front of you. Silence is only interrupted by the sound of the icebergs that calve and move.

After breakfast in the restaurant, you can choose to join the one-day excursion to the secret fjord, including a glacier hike. This excursion is not included in the price of the tour and needs to be purchased separately.

Excursion to the secret Tasiusaq Fjord (option)

A magnificent excursion where you try ATV driving, fjord sailing and a glacier hike!

On this full-day tour, you will visit the glacier at the top of the Tasiusaq Fjord. Using off-road vehicles and a boat trip up the fjord, you will experience the spectacular nature of the area up to the Sarqardliup Glacier – part of Greenland’s enormous inland ice sheet. An action-packed multifaceted tour, in which you for a whole day will come to experience the many sides of Greenland’s environment. We will bring a pre-packed lunch and snacks.

After breakfast, we set out for an early departure toward Ilulissat – the town of icebergs. We are going on a spectacular boat ride passing the giant icebergs at the estuary of the Ilulissat Ice Fjord.

The Ilulissat Ice Fjord is listed as UNESCO World Heritage

If you have seen pictures from Greenland of large icebergs, they have likely been taken at Ilulissat Ice Fjord. During the boat ride, we will pass the enormous icebergs that can be as tall as 100 meters. After a 45-minute cruise, we arrive at the harbor in Ilulissat. On the way to the pier, we pass the town and are able to see Hotel Arctic, our home for the next few nights.

We [drive to the hotel to check in to yet another hotel boasting splendid views. All rooms have partial or direct view over the Disko Bay. The hotel is centrally located in walking distance from the town center. After we have checked in and had a short briefing, it is time for a guided walk around the town.

A guided walk around Ilulissat

Ilulissat is Greenlandic for “the icebergs,” and the town is located right next to the Ilulissat Ice Fjord, which is essential to life in the town. It is Greenland’s largest town with a population of approximately 4,500 people – or 7,000 souls if you include all the sled dogs as well. Ilulissat is an active town throughout the year.

The town was founded in 1741 by Jacob Severin, and the Danish name for the town used to be Jakobshavn. Today, Ilulissat is the tourism and business center of the Disko Bay. During summer, Ilulissat is the most visited tourist destination in Greenland. Many of the tourists come from cruise ships and spend a day here.

If the popularity of Ilulissat concerns you, please rest assured that for Greenlandic communities tourism is a positive. In Ilulissat tourism forms the basis for the many activities offered and the large supply of quality handmade arts and crafts. Moreover, Ilulissat is home to several exceptional restaurants.

During the tour of the town, we will visit the central part of town. The guide will tell you about the town history and the way of life in a modern Greenlandic town 300 kilometers north of the Polar Circle. We will be making several stops along the way – for instance, at the harbor and the market where the catch of the day is sold.

Experience Ilulissat on your own

In the afternoon, you have time to spend as you wish. You can visit one of the town’s museums. We recommend the Ilulissat museum, which was the birthplace of the great Arctic explorer Knud Rasmussen. Emanuel Petersen’s art museum is also worth a visit.

Beyond that, you can let yourself be tempted in the town stores and the local seal skin workshop. You can also enjoy some refreshments or a light meal in one of the cafés in the town center while soaking up the atmosphere.

In the evening, you will have a welcome dinner at Hotel Arctic.

Midnight boat trip among the icebergs (optional)

If you did not get enough of the icebergs in the Ilulissat Ice Fjord, you could go on a boat trip in the hue of the midnight sun. The midnight sun shines in Ilulissat from May 21 to July 24.

Each year, more than 48 cubic kilometers of ice flow from the Ilulissat Glacier and into the Ice Fjord. This results in enormous icebergs measuring up to several hundred meters on each side and towering up to 100 meters above sea level flowing toward the sea. At the mouth of the fjord, the icebergs run aground, allowing us to sail close to them while maintaining a safe distance, of course.

Today’s itinerary features another two interesting experiences, but you can also spend the day as you wish.

Light hike to Sermermiut by Ilulissat Icefjord

Sermermiut means “the glacier dwellers,” referring to the fact that the place used to be a settlement. For almost 4,000 years, different Inuit cultures inhabited the Sermermiut Valley. It is located approximately 1.5 kilometers from the center of Ilulissat, and the hike is an easy one. A path leads us all the way. Finding the remains of the former settlement is not easy though, at least not without our guide who knows the place.

A visit to Sermermiut is a must when going to Ilulissat. The view is incredible. You can see the Ilulissat Ice Fjord and masses of icebergs as far as the eye can see.

Whale safari in Greenland (optional)

There are a lot of different whales in Greenland – especially in the Disco Bay during summer. So, you can choose to spend today going on a whale safari that will take you very close to the whales in their element.

Greenlandic waters are home to about 15 species of whale. In summer, we will usually see the hunchback whale, the minke whale, and the fin whale. Despite its 18 meters and 30 tons, the hunchback whale is an acrobat among the large whales. It can leap out of the water and flip its tail and flippers. It is easily recognizable on its humpy dorsal fin and white flippers, and it usually lifts its tail when it dives.

Greenlandic buffet (not included in the price of the trip)

Several of the restaurants in town serve a Greenlandic buffet once a week. Ask your local guide upon arrival.

This day is free at leisure. We recommend a day trip to the calving Eqi Glacier 80 kilometers north of Ilulissat. If you are not in the mood for sailing, you have plenty of other options to choose from – our guide will be happy to advise you!

The calving Eqi Glacier (optional)

Near Eqi in Greenland, you can get close to a calving glacier front. The active Eqi Glacier is located 80 kilometers north of Ilulissat and by boat, it is possible to get close to the edge of the glacier and experience how large chunks of ice fall into the water. The crashes are deafening, and the sight of ice tumbling into the water is mesmerizing.

The trip to Eqi takes place on board comfortable tourist boats. We drift in front of the glacier for approximately two hours waiting for the glacier to calve. A nice lunch will be served on board. The total duration of the trip is 6-12 hours, depending on the boat used that day.

From the boat, you can also see Glacier Lodge Eqi, which is a small group of red lodges and a restaurant. Glacier Lodge Eqi is built by our subsidiary World of Greenland and based on several principles of sustainability. The lodges are heated via solar power, for example.

The boat trip takes us along the coast, passing many interesting places along the way. We will go past Bredebugt, the Oqaatsut village and the large Pakitsoq fjord system where whales and seals often play in the water. From there, we continue up through Ataa Sound, which is surrounded by tall, steep mountains with birdlife and waterfalls.

When we return to the hotel, the evening is yours to enjoy at one of the restaurants in town.

After many days with experiences of a lifetime, the journey goes south towards Copenhagen Airport, Denmark. However, you will get one final experience to bring home with you. On the plane from Ilulissat to Kangerlussuaq, you will get a chance to see the Ilulissat Ice Fjord from above.

Departing from Kangerlussuaq

We will fly from Ilulissat after breakfast, landing in Kangerlussuaq sometime before noon. Here, you will experience how the airport is filled with passengers, who – just like you – have flown in from the coast. The airport is bustling with anticipation when the plane from Copenhagen is approaching.

Greenland is a massive country, but with a population of about 56,000 people, many people know each other. You will witness joyful reunions at the airport. You might also bump into other travelers that you have met during your tour of Greenland. It is easy and natural to begin a conversation with strangers in Greenland.

Immaqa

Greenlanders often say ”Immaqa,” which means maybe. Traveling in Arctic regions is subject to some uncertainty.

The flight toward Copenhagen Airport is scheduled to depart at 11:40 AM. You will arrive in Copenhagen at 9:30 PM (on June 30th we leave Greenland a little earlier and arrive in Copenhagen at 8:00 PM).

The plane from Kangerlussuaq can be delayed, however, as it is normal to wait for passengers from the coast. Please bear this in mind when you plan your onward journey from Copenhagen Airport. We recommend that you spend the night in Copenhagen. It is easy to get to a hotel near the airport. Contact us for more information and to book.