From Keflavik International Airport, we fly with Icelandair to Narsarsuaq, which is beautifully situated in South Greenland’s oasis of rough mountains, green and verdant plains, icy fjords, glaciers, Viking ruins, and a highly developed agricultural community.

We stay at Hotel Narsarsuaq, which is located on the doorstep of the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage area and with the immense nature right outside your window . After check-in and dinner, those who up for a good walk can go along on a hiking trip towards Signal Hill. There is a breath-taking view of the airport area, Brattahlid, and the Ice Sheet. For those who don’t want to go all the way to the top, the view is still beautiful.

At night, we will have a dinner in the hotel restaurant (drinks not included).

Today we go on some great excursions.

Qassiarsuk/Brattahlid

In the morning, we transfer by boat into the area of Kujataa to Qassiarsuk located at the bottom of Tunulliarfik, at the exact place where Erik the Red settled when he discovered this green land in 985. We will visit the restored ruins of Erik the Red’s settlement, Brattahlid, and see reconstructions of his longhouse and his wife Thorhildur’s church. Both reconstructions were built in 2000 to mark the 1000th anniversary of Leif Eriksson’s discovery of America and the introduction of Christianity in Greenland. At the same time, they also built a reconstruction of a traditional Inuit peat house.

Thorhildur’s Church was the first Christian church on the American continents. You can see the horseshoe-shaped outline of the original church as well as the reconstruction of it.

On the guided tour, you get a great insight into life in South Greenland 1,000 years ago. There will be plenty of time to experience Qassiarsuk. We suggest that you enjoy your lunch in the small Café Brattahlid (not included).

Igaliku/Gardar

We continue by boat into the beautiful Qooroq Fjord to the landing site Itilleq from where we will walk on a gravel road for one hour to Igaliku, the old King’s Road (after Danish King Frederik IX’s visit in 1952). Igaliku is a beautiful sheep farming settlement at the head of the Igaliku Fjord, surrounded by a lush, green landscape and steep, barren hills in the background. Here, the Norsemen established their Gardar bishopric.

The remnants of the small cathedral are now visible between the colorful houses and vegetable gardens. Today, approximately forty people live in Igaliku, primarily working as sheep farmers . We will spend two nights in the quaint country hotel with a perfect view of the azure fjord.

The wonderful area invites us to take a guided hiking trip north of Igaliku to a fantastic vantage point with a view of the Qooroq glacier and the Greenland Ice Sheet in the background. The Qooroq glacier produces no less than 200,000 tons of ice every 24 hours! On the way, we pass a small lake where there are excellent opportunities to find moonstones. Other hiking routes are also possible – for example to the roaring waterfalls or Nuluk hill.

Like Qassiarsuk which we visited yesterday, Igaliku is a part of the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site . This is due to the many Norse ruins in the area, but also because, in the last century, the farmers have created a unique agricultural area in the Arctic.

Today, we sail to Qaqortoq, a wonderful trip through fantastic scenery with icebergs, cliffs and maybe a chance to spot sea eagles and seals. We make a stop at Hvalsey, which is yet another relic from Greenland’s past. The ruins of a Norse church and a vicarage with a hall are visible today. In addition to being the best-preserved Norse ruin, Hvalsey is also the last known testimony to the lives of the Norse in Greenland. In 1408, there was a wedding in the church, and this is the last written testimony of the Norse presence in Greenland. At that time, the climate had begun to get colder in the area, so more and more Norse people emigrated from the country, and their presence quietly died out.

Qaqortoq

We arrive at Qaqortoq early in the afternoon, and you will be staying at Hotel Qaqortoq. From the hotel, there is a nice view of the harbor, and inside the hotel, you can study fine pieces of artwork made by local artists.

After check-in at the hotel, we will take a walk around town. The picturesque town is located between the Qaqortoq Fjord and the great lake Tasersuaq. The town is characterized by colorful houses, gardens with flowers and herbs, a fountain from the 1930s and the modern stone sculpture project Stone and Man carved directly into the cliffs.

Today it is time to experience Qaqortoq on your own, and there is plenty to see and do. At the tourist office, you can get a map of the Stone and Man sculptures scattered around town. Take a walk over the river and visit the open fish and meat market and the charming museum, which is also the oldest house in town, built in 1804.

In Qaqortoq, you will have a choice between these two opportunities before you board the coastal ship and sail north along the coast.

Hiking in the hinterland of Qaqortoq with the guide

Qaqortoq has a beautiful hinterland surrounding Lake Tasersuaq (The Great Lake). The hike around the lake is 8 kilometers (5 miles), and today, you can go on this trek with your guide. It’s a beautiful walk, and if you’re up for it, you can also dip your feet in the lake. Near Qaqortoq, children often swim in the lake in the summer, so putting your feet in the water isn’t as scary as it may sound.

Another alternative is a visit to the hot springs on the island of Uunartoq. Please note that the two excursions take place at the same time, so you won’t be able to do both.

Hot springs excursion (optional)

At Uunartoq, ‘The Hot Place’ in Greenlandic, you can relax in one of nature’s wonders. Here on this small island, 38 degrees Celsius (100,4 F) hot water rises from the underground. While large icebergs float by in the fjord next to the springs, you can sit back in this natural pool and enjoy the view.

The excursion itself takes place by boat to the island, which is about 50 kilometers south of Qaqortoq.

At 9:30 pm, we board the coastal ship Sarfaq Ittuk. You can now relax, enjoy the view of the coastline from a vantage point, looking for whales and seals. Along the way, we get an impression of life along the west coast of Greenland at a pleasant, leisurely pace.

The coastline varies with desolate areas, rocky landscapes, icebergs of different sizes and colors with the beautiful reflections of the sunlight. There will be time to sit back and enjoy the view, a good book or maybe strike up a good conversation with some of the locals who also sail along the coast with the ship.

We arrive into Nuuk in the early morning at approximately 7:30 AM and transfer directly  to the 4-star Hotel Hans Egede. It has great views of the surrounding mountains. You will have breakfast at the hotel, and then it’s time to explore our Arctic capital.

Sightseeing tour with the Greenland National Museum and the old colonial harbor

On the tour, you will be introduced to the major attractions such as the Greenland National Museum, which houses an outstanding ethnographic collection from all Inuit cultures and the world-famous mummies from Qilakitsoq. We visit the architectural highlight; Katuaq  Culture House with a facade shaped like the northern lights. We also walk through the charming old town with the statue of Hans Egede, which overlooks the old colonial harbor, the fjord, and the mountains in the background. We will also pass the local fish and meat market.

You can spend the afternoon on your own. If you are looking for Greenlandic handicrafts, there is a great selection in the city’s souvenir shops, ranging from delicate earrings to seal fur coats.

The hotel sits in the heart of Nuuk, and you have the opportunity to explore the nearby area on your own. Streetlights, buses, and lots of cars give off an immediate impression of a busy city, but the amazing scenery and endless horizon automatically put the bustling city life into perspective.

Like all other towns in Greenland, you live near nature, but with lots of imprints of modern life. With its approximately 17,500 inhabitants, Nuuk is a big city in comparison with other Greenlandic towns. Many new homes are built every year, and the commercial scene is vibrant.

Finally, Nuuk also boasts an excellent art museum, where the permanent exhibition contains many paintings by the famous Greenland painter Emanuel A. Petersen (1894-1948).

Boat trip to Qooqqut – catch your lunch (optional) (not available on the tour departing on August 10)

At 3:30 PM, we depart from Nuuk on a boat trip to the lovely Qooqqut Nuan’ Restaurant. However, this is no ordinary restaurant visit.

We sail through the vast fjord system behind Nuuk, which is the second largest fjord system in the world. In the Qooqqut Fjord, we stop the engine and try to catch our lunch. Today, there will be no complaints that the fish is not fresh!

Qooqqut lies in a wonderful valley in the Qooqqut Fjord. The mountains surrounding the valley are up to 2,000 meters high. One of Nuuk’s most respected chefs moves here in the summer and serves the most amazing dishes. For lunch, we get to eat our own freshly caught fish.

As something rather unique in Greenland, trees are scattered beautifully in the area behind the restaurant. Consider taking a small hike for a good photo opportunity while the chef is at work with your fish.

After lunch, we go back to the boat and return to Nuuk, where we arrive around 9:00 PM.

The trip to Qooqqut has to be booked before going to Greenland.

We fly from Nuuk to Ilulissat and will stay at Hotel Arctic or Hotel Ilulissat. Both hotels have a beautiful view of the Icefjord.

Ilulissat is the Greenlandic word for icebergs and is Greenland’s third largest town. Approximately 4,500 inhabitants and about 2,500 sled dogs are fortunate enough to live in this amazing town at the mouth of the 45 kilometer-long, and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Ice Fjord. Ilulissat’s location almost 300 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle means that the midnight sun rules until mid-July. It never gets completely dark – everything is shrouded in an orange, almost magical hue.

Town walk

In the afternoon, we go on a guided tour where the guide will introduce you to modern life in contrast to the traditional hunting life that is still thriving in the town.

Sermermiut

Today’s program also offers a hike to the former Sermermiut settlement located beautifully at the mouth of the Ice Fjord. Due to its excellent fishing conditions, this has been the preferred settlement in the area for several thousand years. The last residents did not move from Sermermiut to Ilulissat until the 1850s when Ilulissat had already existed for more than 100 years. It is a beautiful walk along the fjord with a view of icebergs of all shapes and sizes.

Sailing among icebergs (optional)

The midnight sun makes the icebergs glow in a unique play of colors that people return to experience repeatedly.

Sailing at night with the sun still shining is a fantastic and unusual experience. Almost every visitor to Ilulissat goes on this leisurely iceberg cruise at least once. More than 40 million tons of ice daily flow out into the fjord. The floating icebergs are gigantic, sometimes measuring more than 100 meters wide and long – and with a height of up to 70 meters above the water’s surface. These giants run aground at the mouth of the fjord, providing you with a great opportunity to sail among them.

Remember warm clothing – or rent a polar suit, because even in the summer, it is cold on the water when you sail among the icebergs, especially in the evening.

Today, we will sail northwards from Ilimanaq to the calving Eqi Glacier. Look out for seals and whales. As we reach Eqi, the boat sails close to the impressive glacier front, where you may be lucky enough to witness small calvings.

Glacier Lodge Eqi

Afterwards, we go ashore at Glacier Lodge Eqi, located in the middle of the Arctic wilderness with beautiful direct views of the glacier. We will spend the next two nights in small cozy one-room wooden cabins for one or two persons.

The standard cabins have no running water or sewerage facilities. This is part of the concept! The cabins are equipped with a gas stove for heating and candles as a light source. All meals are served in Café Victor.

If you wish you can upgrade to Comfort cabins, which have private facilities and electricity – ask when you book your holiday!

Your guide organizes hiking trips in the area, including trips to the lagoon and the moraine, which offers a spectacular view of the Eqi Glacier. The area provides numerous hiking opportunities, and it is up to you whether to join a hiking trip or perhaps relax amid the harsh and desolate, yet beautiful landscape – perhaps out on the cabin’s terrace.

The day is free at leisure or you can go on a hike.

Hiking to the moraine

You can hike 4-5 hours from Glacier Lodge to the moraine at Eqi Glacier. The hike is not too difficult, but it is a bit hilly, and you should be prepared to cross a small river and then climb up the mountain a bit to get the right view of the board from the moraine edge. Once you’ve done that, you’ll get the most amazing view of the giant glacier.

At noon, we will sail back to Ilulissat with arrival late in the afternoon. Enjoy the passing scenery while looking out for whales. Fin whales and humpback whales, among other species are often spotted in this area.

When you return from Glacier Lodge Eqi, you will once again stay at Hotel Arctic, but this time, you stay two nights in the Aurora cabins. The cabins are 20 square meters (215 square feet) and have great facilities and a stunning view of Disko Bay. They are named after the Northern Lights, which you can experience in Greenland during the winter months, but the cabins are just as beautiful in the summer. Under the midnight sun, you can gaze out over the illuminated landscape and feel how the boundaries between night and day are momentarily blurred.

From the end of May, the midnight sun takes its permanent place in the sky, merging day and night. Although not all departures have the midnight sun, you will still experience very beautiful, bright nights.

This day is at your disposal. There are many options for hiking in the Ilulissat area, and your guide can give you some good tips. Generally, it is as if Greenland is made for hiking, and there are routes of all difficulty levels. Read more about hiking in Greenland and Ilulissat here.

A whale safari among icebergs is one of many optional excursions on offer.

Whale Safari – surrounded by icebergs in the Disco Bay (optional)

It is a great experience to get close to large animals like whales. There are 15 species of whales in the waters around Greenland. During the summer, we usually see humpback, common minke whale, and fin whale. The whales swim in the entire Disko Bay during summer – sometimes close to town, sometimes in the Ice Fjord or up north by the island called Arveprinsens Ejland. We are in constant radio contact with fishers and hunters, who are our source of information about the whales and their whereabouts. The humpback whale, with its characteristic fin, is the most commonly sighted whale on these safaris.

Today, you will sail to Ilimanaq and stay overnight in the stunning cottages at Ilimanaq Lodge. You go there by boat in the early afternoon and sail past the mouth of the Ice Fjord before we arrive at the port of Ilimanaq about one hour later.

The cabins at Ilimanaq Lodge are amazing. They offer two floors with beds upstairs. When you wake up in the morning, you step down into the living room, sit on the couch, and watch the small fishing boats breaking the crystal-clear water. You may enjoy a cup of coffee on the terrace and wave to a whale that blows water into the air as if to say good morning. Ilimanaq Lodge unites magnificent nature experiences with luxurious comfort.

Once you are checked into your cabin, you will hear more about the village. Ilimanaq lies 15 kilometers south of Ilulissat and has approximately 50 inhabitants. Ilimanaq’s houses are painted in many stark colors as a contrast to the surrounding landscape. Ilimanaq is a traditional Greenlandic village where the main industries still are hunting and fishing.

Afterward, you can relax completely, take a walk in the quiet village, and enjoy the view from your terrace.

You will dine in a historic building from 1751 in one of the world’s most remote restaurants. Here, you’ll be served a delicious three-course menu created largely with delicious local ingredients.

2-star Michelin KOKS Tasting Menu (optional)

Restaurant KOKS was supposed to be in Ilimanaq for only two seasons, from 2022-2023, but it has been so successful that they have decided to stay for yet another summer. This gives you the opportunity to upgrade your dinner to a KOKS Tasting Menu (you can order the wine or juice menu separately on-site). This is a fantastic 2-star Michelin experience. In 2022, the Danish equivalent to Financial Times, Børsen, named it the “best eating experience in the Danish Realm.”

Breakfast is served in the restaurant the next morning. You need to check out of your cabin by 10 am, and you can leave your suitcases at the reception. Now you have the option of various excursions on your own – or you can buy other excursions locally. You have free reign, as lunch is a sandwich that you can enjoy wherever you like. This could be on a hike in the beautiful hinterland, in the cozy conference rooms above the reception, or something else entirely.

We return to Ilulissat by boat in the afternoon.

There is also the option of an exciting extra excursion to go glacier hiking, among other things.

Ilimanaq Glacier Adventure

On this exciting trip, you will sail in a speedboat, drive off-road with ATVs, and trek on a glacier! We sail south from Ilimanaq to Itilliup Ilua. Here, we are set off on a very wide sandy beach, and from here, we drive off-road in all-terrain ATVs to the Tasiusaq Fjord. We now sail deeper into the fjord until we reach a place with two glaciers, and the Greenland Ice Sheet can be seen.

We go ashore and enjoy a packed lunch and the great view. After this, we trek and finally climb onto the huge ice sheet.

This tour is not recommended if you have severe neck or back problems, and participants must be 12 years old.

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

It is time to say goodbye to Greenland. We fly from Ilulissat to Keflavík International Airport in Iceland.