DAY TO DAY PROGRAM
Day 1 – Saturday: Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq – Inland Ice (-/-/-)
Departure from Copenhagen in the morning, and arrival in Kangerlussuaq before noon, local time. In Kangerlussuaq you will stay at the local hostel Polar Lodge (or Old Camp).
At 1pm we are heading out to the ice cap, which is situated about 30 miles (40km) from Kangerlussuaq. We use 4wd busses to drive the rugged way through beautiful landscapes, formed by the extending and retreating ice cap throughout many years. This is actually where the ice stopped after the last ice age (about 12.000-15.000 years ago), during which the ice cap covered most of northern Europe. The round shapes of the mountains, really shows the true force of the ice. A truly magnificent view is guaranteed!
If conditions permit, we will be able to walk up upon the ice cap itself.
Back in Kangerlussuaq in the evening, we recommend eating at Restaurant Roklubben, which is situated beautifully at the lakeside of Lake Ferguson. Make dinner reservation at the reception, and arrange transfer (included when you have dinner).
Day 2 – Sunday: Kangerlussuaq – Ilulissat – City tour (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel, and afterwards we fly to Ilulissat. Even at the inflight over the ice fiord, you will be able to spot floating icebergs far into the horizon. Transfer to the hotel is included. Sleep at the centrally located Hotel Hvide Falk, where you are offered private facilities and view of the ice fjord from your room.
After check in, you get an exciting introduction to Ilulissat – or Jakobshavn, as the city is called in Danish. On a cultural city tour, you will get to know the city and its exciting history. The highlights on this tour is the old colonial port, the Zion Church and Knud Rasmussen’s house.
Day 3 – Monday: Sermermiut trek and Icefiord cruise (B/-/-)
This morning, you will go on one of the world’s most beautiful hiking trips to the beautiful Sermermiut valley. The valley has for millennia been inhabited by Inuit tribes, and at the end of the valley is the famous icefjord, which is now protected by UNESCO. Lunch on your own account and the afternoon is at leisure.
In the evening it’s time for one of the highlights: the midnight tour to the icefjord, where you will experience the midnight sun and see how the rays reflect on the up to 80 meters high icebergs. Hot drinks are served on board before heading back to Ilulissat. The trip takes about 2 hours.
Day 4 – Tuesday: Ilulissat day at leisure (B/-/-)
The day is free for you to enjoy Ilulissat on your own. It is possible to sign up for additional excursions. Check out the various options available in Ilulissat.
Day 5 – Wednesday: Embark on the coastal boat (B/-/-)
You have the morning to yourself. After 3 days with a lot of great experiences, it is now time to digest the experiences onboard the coastal ferry M/S Sarfaq Ittuk, departing at 19.30. You begin the beautiful trip, by sailing out of the bay, and between Ilulissat and Qasigiannguit there is a good chance of seeing Humpback whales playing in the ocean. In addition to whales there are a myriad of different seabirds. The area has amongst other things, one of the world’s largest population of Terns. Today you will port at Qasigiannguit between 22.30-23.00.
Day 6 – Thursday: Qeqertarsuaq – Aasiaat – Kangaatsiaq & Attu (-/-/-)
The day begins on the beautiful Disko Island, where the ship lies in the harbor for 3 hours – enough time to visit Qeqertarsuaq. The ship then continues south to Aasiaat and you can spend the morning on deck looking for whales as you cross the famous Disko Bay. After a few hours in Aasiaat, the ship now leaves Disko Bay, and the landscape gradually becomes more rugged and steep. Today’s port visits: Qeqertarsuaq (07.00-10.00), Aasiaat (14.00-16.30), Kangaatsiaq (19.30-19.45) and Attu (22.45-23.00)
Day 7 – Friday: Sisimiut – Itilleq – Kangaamiut & Maniitsoq (-/-/-)
You wake up in Sisimiut where the town’s trademark, “Kællingehætten”, towers behind the town and forms a fascinating background for the Greenlandic wooden houses for which the town is known. Later, the ship docks in the town of Maniitsoq. The trip through the Eternity Fjord (Evighedsfjorden) is one of the most magnificent landscapes in Greenland. The boat passes high mountains and there is a rich bird life with several bird falls nearby. Today’s port visits: Sisimiut (06.30-09.00), Itilleq (12.00-12.15), Kangaamiut (17.45-18.00) & Maniitsoq (21.30-22.30).
Day 8 – Saturday: Nuuk (-/-/-)
Today you have plenty of opportunity to go exploring in Greenland’s capital Nuuk. It is recommended to visit the old colonial harbor and the National Museum. The coastal boat is in the harbor from 07.00 – 17.00, so there is also time for a hike around the Lille Malene mountain – or Quassussuaq, as it is called in Greenlandic. Remember never to walk in the mountains alone.
At 17.00 the boat leaves Nuuk to explore the Nuuk fjord for the next day.
Day 9 – Sunday: Nuuk Fjord – Nuuk (-/-/-)
Today is spent in the world’s second largest fjord system – Nuuk Fjord (Nuup Kangerlua). The fjord system is approx. 240 km south of the Arctic Circle and stretches 160 km inland towards Greenland’s large ice sheet. The boat is back in Nuuk at 17.00, where it lies until it departs south at 21.00.
Day 10 – Monday: Qeqertarsuatsiaat – Paamiut – Arsuk (-/-/-)
This is the last full day on board the coastal boat, and we have now reached the South Greenlandic waters that offer gentle and lush hills. It was here that Erik the Red and the Norse chose to settle in the year 982. Today’s port visit: Qeqertarsuatsiaat (06.00-06.15), Paamiut (14.00-15.30) & Arsuk (22.30-22.45)
Day 11 – Tuesday: Narsaq – Qaqortoq – Citywalk (-/-/-)
At 11.30 the ship arrives in South Greenland’s ‘capital’, Qaqortoq. Here you have a single night at Siniffik Inn. We have arranged a tour of the city, so that you get a good introduction to Qaqortoq with its colorful houses and hilly roads. The city has a long and proud history and is undergoing rapid development. The afternoon is on your own – Arctic Friend recommends a look inside the South Greenland High School Education building. In the auditorium inside the building, one of Greenland’s greatest artists (Aka Høegh) has painted the beautiful “Resurrection” with Greenland’s nature and animals as the theme. In the evening we recommend you to try the Greenlandic coffee and be ready for a surprise.
The city itself is South Greenland’s largest with approx. 3,000 inhabitants, and one of Greenland’s most charming cities with a rich cultural life. Among other things, you can go exploring in the city and study the various motives carved into the rocks from the cultural project “Stones and People”, made by local and Nordic artists.
Today’s port visit: Narsaq (08.00-09.30)
Day 12 – Wednesday: Qaqortoq-Igaliku (B/-/D)
After breakfast you will be picked up by boat and sail to the village Igaliku (via Itilleq), which of many are described as the most beautiful village in Greenland. Here you go on a 4 km hike along the King’s Road and from the last hill, you will have the most beautiful view of the village, surrounded by green fields, colorful houses and the blue fiord. This isolated community is home to approx. 40 hospitable locals. Here you will get an intimate first hand experience of the daily life in a Greenlandic village or settlement. Your overnight at the Country Hotel, where all meals are included.
About Igaliku:
The scattered stone houses are situated on a sheltered, fertile plain, at the bottom of a very blue fiord and surrounded by harsh and barren mountains. There is a very special atmosphere and peace in Igaliku, which you will experience, if you stay more than a day.
Igaliku Country Hotel offers everyone the opportunity to experience the atmosphere in a Greenlandic village. The hotel is not a multi-star luxury hotel, but it is very cozy and comfortable, with delicious meals served in the café, so you get a ” multi- star ” experience!
Day 13 – Thursday: Igaliku – Qassiarsuk – Narsarsuaq – Copenhagen (B/-/-)
After breakfast, you will hike back along the “King’s Road ” to Itilleq. The road is named after King Frederik the 9th who visited back in 1952 and the road was made in connection with his visit. Your luggage will be transported in a tractor. You sail to Qassiarsuk , primarily a place for sheep keepers, where Erik the Red more than 1000 years ago settled and formed ” Bratta “. The reconstructions show exactly how people lived back then. You then continue to Narsarsuaq in the afternoon, where the flights leaves to take you back to Copenhagen.
