The Magnificent Autumn Light in Greenland

6 Days in Nuuk and Ilulissat

Autumn in Greenland is something truly special. The air is crisp, the light is golden, and the chance of seeing the northern lights dancing above the mountains is high. With this affordable package tour, you have a unique opportunity to explore both the capital Nuuk and the iconic Ilulissat — without compromising on comfort or experiences.

The daily programs below are based on the actual trip and the optional excursion package.

Tour operator: Greenland Travel

Highlights

Experience Greenland’s unique autumn light, sought after by photographers every year
See the season’s first northern lights over the mountains of Ilulissat or the fjords of Nuuk
Meet sled dogs, sail among icebergs, and hike in UNESCO-protected nature

Included in the Trip

Round-trip flights Copenhagen – Nuuk
Round-trip flights Nuuk – Ilulissat
1 night at Hotel Hans Egede Express in Nuuk
4 nights at Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat
Transfers between the airport and the hotel in Greenland, round-trip
Meals and beverages on the Copenhagen – Nuuk flights (round-trip) with Air Greenland
Breakfast
Welcome dinner at Hotel Arctic (beverages not included)
Welcome meeting in Nuuk
Information meeting in Ilulissat
20 kg checked baggage and 8 kg carry-on on all flights
All taxes and fees known to Greenland Travel at the time of publication

Not Included

Other meals
Excursion package (available for purchase)
Travel insurance

Day program

Day 1 Flight Copenhagen – Nuuk, check-in, and optional city tour

You arrive in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk — a city where modern life meets Arctic nature. At the airport, you are welcomed by our local representative, who ensures a smooth transfer to the centrally located Hotel Hans Egede Express.

City tour (part of the excursion package)

After check-in, you can join a guided city tour introducing you to the town’s history, architecture, and everyday life — from the old Colonial Harbor to modern cultural venues.

In the evening, we recommend dinner at one of the town’s cozy restaurants, where Greenlandic ingredients and views of the fjord set the tone for the journey ahead.

Elia Locardi - Visit Greenland

Day 2 Flight Nuuk – Ilulissat. Check in at Hotel Arctic, welcome dinner. Optional city tour and northern lights safari

After breakfast, you continue north to Ilulissat — the town by the Icefjord. Even during landing, you get a preview of what awaits: gigantic icebergs floating in Disko Bay. You are met at the airport and transferred to Hotel Arctic, where you check in.

City tour (part of the excursion package)

After a brief information session with our local representative, you can join a guided tour of the old town, where you will learn about Knud Rasmussen, the fishing culture, and daily life in a town shaped by ice.

In the evening, a welcome dinner is served at Hotel Arctic (beverages not included).

Northern Lights Safari (part of the excursion package)

When darkness falls, a magical northern lights safari awaits — an evening excursion focused on finding, understanding, and photographing Greenland’s northern lights.

Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland

Day 3 On your own or Sermermiut

You can spend the day on your own or go on some excursions.

Hike to Sermermiut (part of the excursion package)

The day begins with a guided hike to Sermermiut — an ancient settlement with more than 4,000 years of history. You follow wooden walkways through the Arctic landscape and end at a breathtaking viewpoint overlooking Ilulissat Icefjord. It is a place where silence speaks and where you truly feel the presence of history.

In the afternoon, you may visit some of the town’s museums, such as the Knud Rasmussen Museum or the Ilulissat Art Museum.

Jason C. Hill - Visit Greenland

Day 4 On your own or Icefjord Cruise and sled dogs

Today you can join one of the absolute highlights of the trip: a boat tour among the iconic icebergs of Ilulissat Icefjord — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But first, you will meet Greenland’s famous sled dogs.

Meet the sled dogs (part of the excursion package)

In the afternoon, you can visit the Greenlandic sled dogs — an authentic experience where you get close to the animals and learn about their role in Arctic life.

Icefjord Cruise (part of the excursion package)

Join a memorable boat tour among the gigantic ice formations and gain a whole new appreciation for the power and beauty of the ice.

The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Carmen Huter - Visit Greenland

Day 5 On your own or boat trip to Ilimanaq

After breakfast, you may explore on your own or join today’s optional excursion.

Boat trip to Ilimanaq (optional add-on)

Today, you can take part in a boat trip past the mouth of the Icefjord to the small settlement of Ilimanaq. About 50 people live here, and you will have the chance to experience settlement life up close. You visit a local family where food and coffee are served, gaining insight into daily life, traditions, and the warm hospitality of Greenlandic communities.

After the visit, you return to Ilulissat by boat.

Gustav Thuesen - Visit Greenland

Day 6 Return trip to Copenhagen via Nuuk

After breakfast, it is time to begin your journey home. You fly from Ilulissat to Nuuk and then onward to Copenhagen — richer in experiences and with a camera full of icebergs, northern lights, and Arctic memories.

Iurie Belgurschi - Visit Greenland

Hotels on this tour

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

Excursions (Optional purchases)

Excursion Package with 6 Excursions

Price from: 310,- EUR

Our excursion packages feature popular experiences tailored to the daily itinerary of the trip.

City tour in Nuuk (2 hours)
City tour in Ilulissat (2 hours)
Meet the sled dogs (1½ hours)
Northern Lights safari (1½ hours)
Sermermiut hike (2 hours)
Icefjord Cruise (2½ hours)

Good to Know

We recommend booking the package at the same time as your trip. If you book later, there is a risk that the excursion package may be sold out.

Day Trip to Ilimanaq

Price from: 190,- EUR

Join us for a visit to the beautiful and welcoming village of Ilimanaq, located 15 kilometers south of Ilulissat. Your guide will take you on a tour through the village, where we’ll visit a local family and enjoy a light lunch along with a warm cup of coffee or tea. Afterward, we board the boat and sail the scenic route back to Ilulissat.

Duration: Approximately 5 hours

Includes: Guided storytelling, sandwich, coffee, and tea

Good to know

We recommend booking this excursion when you reserve your trip, as it may sell out quickly if booked later.

Practical information

Flight schedule (local times)

Departure from Copenhagen at 10:00 am
Return, arrival in Copenhagen at 9:25 pm

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

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.