DAY TO DAY PROGRAM
Day 1: Copenhagen – Nuuk + city walk (-/-/-)
From Copenhagen, there is a direct morning flight to Nuuk with arrival around noon. In Nuuk, you will be accommodated at Hotel Hans Egede, which is centrally located in the city. Nuuk is the original Inuit name and means “the point” in Danish. The name describes the area where the city was founded. Nuuk is located at the mouth of the fjord system Nuup Kangerlua (Godthåbsfjorden), which is one of the largest fjord systems in the world, covering about 9,000 square kilometers.
Once you are settled in, it is time for a guided city walk in the capital, where you will delve into the history of Nuuk and the rich Greenlandic culture. Several stops will be made along the way, including at the Parliament, the National Museum, and some of the most prominent statues, as well as the scenic viewpoint at Myggedalen. At the Parliament, there will be a short stop to provide insight into Greenland’s history and highlight some of the busts and paintings on display. The tour then continues down Tuapannguit to reach the new promenade that stretches along Nuuk’s entire coastline. It is a lovely path down to Nuup Saava, also known as the Colonial Harbor, from where you continue to a small viewpoint, whose panorama is often featured on postcards from Nuuk. It is a beautiful photo spot with the old colorful houses and the iconic Sermitsiaq mountain in the background.
Day 2: Nuuk – Guided hike to the Viewpoint (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, we’re heading out on an unforgettable hike into Nuuk’s stunning backcountry, where you’ll get a truly unique experience in the heart of Greenland’s nature. We descend into the enchanting Paradise Valley, crossing small, trickling streams before following the larger river up into the mountains, where we can admire several dramatic waterfalls.
The route is well-marked and the path is clear, but please note that the terrain can be challenging. We’ll climb to around 400 meters in elevation, so good fitness and endurance are required — but the reward is a breathtaking view that makes every step worthwhile! We’ll enjoy the view while having lunch (not included), before heading back to the city.
Day 3: Nuuk – Narsarsuaq (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel before continuing south by plane to Narsarsuaq, where you’ll stay at Hotel Narsarsuaq for the next 3 nights. Breakfast is included. You can spend the day exploring the settlement or visit the small museum, founded in 1991, which tells the story of the area’s time as the American Blue West One base. The museum features a large collection of photos and objects from the base, which was in operation from 1941 to 1958. Also, stop by the Blue Ice Café, where you can buy hiking maps, grab a coffee, or ask questions about the coming days.
Day 4: Narsarsuaq (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. Go on a self-guided hike to the impressive Narsarsuaq Glacier, an outlet of the mighty Greenland Ice Sheet. The glacier is located just 8 kilometers from Narsarsuaq and is reached via a beautiful trail through the Flower Valley – a landscape rich in Arctic plants and colorful flowers during the summer months.
The path winds uphill, and after an ascent of about 300 meters, you reach a plateau with a magnificent view of the ice. From here, the hike continues with another half hour down to the edge of the glacier itself, where you can truly feel the presence of the ice. The return follows the same route back to Narsarsuaq, giving you another chance to enjoy the views and the tranquility.
Day 5: Qassiarsuk (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, you will be picked up at your accommodation and taken by boat to Qassiarsuk – also known as Brattahlid, where Erik the Red settled in the year 982. Here, you can visit the well-preserved Norse ruins and the small museum on your own (entrance not included).
From Qassiarsuk, you hike along a gravel road to the sheep farm Tasiusaq by the ice-filled Sermilik Fjord. The route takes you through rugged and beautiful terrain with small lakes and the chance to spot sea eagles. From Tasiusaq, you follow a trail along a fjord arm filled with icebergs to the neighboring farm, Nunataaq. From there, you return to Qassiarsuk via a gravel road. The total hike is approximately 20 km. Back in the village, you return by boat to Narsarsuaq.
Day 6: Narsarsuaq – Qassiarsuk – Sillisit (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. From Narsarsuaq, you sail again to Qassiarsuk, where the hike to Sillisit begins. The route follows a gravel road of about 15 km through beautiful, open landscapes, while your luggage is transported by car or boat.
Sillisit is wonderfully located with a view of the Qooroq Ice Fjord – a lush little corner of South Greenland, where you will be warmly welcomed by the local sheep farming family. You will stay here for 2 nights and have the option to purchase a homemade dinner (must be ordered in advance, before arrival in Narsarsuaq).
Day 7: Sillisit (B/-/-)
Breakfast. The area around Sillisit offers several beautiful hikes. If the weather is clear, you can summit Naajat Mountain (590 m), the prominent viewpoint south of the farm with an antenna at the top. The trail follows sheep paths most of the way (the route is not marked), and from the top, you are rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view.
Another option is to follow the gravel road across the peninsula to the sheep farm Kangerlua, about 8–9 km away. The route winds through open landscapes and ends at Sermilik Fjord, where icebergs drift quietly by – a truly beautiful hike. Sillisit is also the perfect place to relax, enjoy the tranquility, and let the experiences from the past days sink in. Or perhaps have a pleasant conversation with the family about life on a Greenlandic sheep farm.
Day 8: Sillisit – Itilleq – Igaliku (B/-/-)
Breakfast. Boat transfer from Sillisit to Itilleq, where your luggage will be collected and transported by ATV to our accommodation in Igaliku. We will walk the route ourselves, carrying only our small daypacks. The hike to the village follows the ‘King’s Road,’ a short walk of about 4 km. Igaliku is the former bishop’s seat of Greenland, where the 500-year-old Norse ruins have blended with the small village of 40-50 inhabitants.
About Igaliku:
The scattered stone houses are located on a sheltered, lush plain at the base of a deep blue fjord. Surrounded by rugged and barren mountains, Igaliku exudes a unique atmosphere and tranquility that can truly be appreciated only after spending more than just a day visit.
Igaliku Village Hotel offers everyone the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a Greenlandic village. The village hotel may not be five-star luxury, but it is very cozy and comfortable, and with delicious meals served at the café in the same building, you will have a “five-star” experience!
Day 9: Igaliku (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. Igaliku was the bishop’s seat of the Norse (Gardar) for about 300 years (around 1100-1400), and the ruins from this period are impressive. In 1782, the Norwegian Anders Olsen settled here with his Greenlandic wife Tuperna and tried to establish himself as a cattle herder, marking the beginning of Igaliku’s more recent history.
Today, Igaliku is the starting point for some of the most beautiful and varied hikes in South Greenland. One of these is the hike along the river to Lake 90 and further up to the plateau (17 km round trip). From here, there is a fantastic view of the Qooroq fjord’s mouth, with all the stranded icebergs on the moraine and the mighty glacier at the bottom of the fjord. This hike is also exciting for geology enthusiasts, as there are great opportunities to find both mountain crystals and the shimmering “moonstone” (Labradorite). Another popular hike is the “Waterfall Hike” (about 15 km), which goes up into the mountains south of Igaliku, following a series of waterfalls down to Tunulliarfik Fjord. For the more adventurous, this hike can also be combined with a manageable summit, Nuuluk (823 m), just south of Igaliku (about 10 km).
Day 10: Igaliku – Narsarsuaq – Copenhagen (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. Boat transfer from Itilleq to Narsarsuaq, where you will fly back to Copenhagen.
