Arctic Light and Ice

Welcome to Greenland. Your trip begins in Nuuk, the country's small but lively capital, with a 6 pm welcome meeting. If you arrive early, wander through Old Nuuk, look for Hans Egede Church and the nearby statue, or visit the national museum to see the famous Greenlandic mummies found by two brothers while they were hunting ptarmigan in 1972. After the meeting, you may want to join the group for an optional welcome dinner and settle into the rhythm of the trip.

Included activities: Nuuk - Welcome Meeting.

Optional activities: Nuuk - Puffin watching boat tour - DKK1095; Nuuk - Nuuk backcountry hiking tour, half day, from - DKK2600; Nuuk - Nuuk Art Museum - DKK30; Nuuk - Greenland National Museum & Archives - DKK50.

Special information: Please make every effort to attend the welcome meeting. Your leader will collect insurance details and emergency contact information at this time. If you are delayed, contact your travel agent or hotel reception. Reception may have details about where the meeting will take place. If you would like to book an arrival transfer, contact your travel agent in advance.

Start the morning with a leader-led walk through Nuuk, getting a feel for the city, its neighborhoods and its everyday pace. Later, meet a local storyteller for a window into Greenlandic mythology. The stories may include the Mother of the Sea, the Mountain Walker, the Sun and Moon and other creatures that still shape the way people talk about this landscape. The afternoon is yours. You might hike outside town or take a boat tour through the fjord, and because summer evenings stay bright, the day can stretch beautifully.

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Fly north to Ilulissat, a name that translates to icebergs and fits the place perfectly. The town sits beside the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Icefjord, one of Greenland's signature landscapes. After arrival, join your leader for a walk through town. You will learn about local history, visit the harbor to understand the fishing industry, pass a wooden church and history museum, and stop near artisan bone-carving workshops where older Inuit traditions still carry meaning. Later, enjoy a kaffemik experience in a local home, where coffee, cake and conversation turn into a warm look at everyday life in Greenland.

Air Greenland's domestic luggage allowance for this flight is 20 kg checked luggage plus 8 kg carry-on. Your total travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

Today focuses on the landscape and long human history around Ilulissat. Visit Sermermiut, an ancient settlement overlooking the Ilulissat Icefjord, and follow a marked trail through Arctic terrain while learning how people once lived here and relied on the fjord for hunting and daily survival. Continue to the Icefjord Centre, where exhibitions explain Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the world's fastest-moving glaciers and the source of many icebergs drifting through Disko Bay. From the outdoor walkway, take in the size and stillness of this extraordinary place.

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Transfer to the port and board the ferry to Qeqertarsuaq on Disko Island. In Greenlandic, the name means the big island, and the ferry ride there can feel almost unreal, passing icebergs and open water on a route often described as one of the most beautiful public boat rides in the world. After arrival, take a guided walk with your leader and learn about the island's history and modern life above the Arctic Circle. Qeqertarsuaq began as a whaling station in 1773 and is now home to roughly 850 people. The rest of the day is free, so ask your leader where to find a good local meal.

Your total travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

Head out on a guided 10 km hike through some of Qeqertarsuaq's most memorable scenery. Starting from town, pass the black volcanic sand beach and the local football pitch before walking toward Kuannit, a coastal area named after the Angelica plant. Expect cliffs, waves, big Arctic air and a landscape that shows Greenland's volcanic and glacial story in the open. Continue to Qorlortorsuaq waterfall, a compact but powerful fall, and keep an eye on the nearby water for seals. This is one of Disko Island's best-known areas, but it still feels quiet, open and deeply personal.

Optional activities: Qeqertarsuaq, Disko Island - Siorasuit Black Sand Beach ice swimming and sauna - DKK200.

Special information: Your hiking time today will be approximately 4 to 5 hours with minimal elevation gain. The route is mostly gentle, but there are uneven and rocky sections. Check the packing list carefully and bring the items required for the hike.

Leave Disko Island and cruise to the settlement of Qasigiannguit. This region sits near the world of Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, one of the great sources of North Atlantic icebergs, so the boat journey becomes part of the experience. While touring the town from the water, look for seals and whales. You will also visit Greenland's oldest wooden house, built in 1734, and enjoy lunch while learning about local cultural traditions and the story of this small community.

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Take the ferry back to Ilulissat this morning. The afternoon is free, which is welcome after two active days outside. You may want to rest, walk through town, or add one last Arctic experience. Optional choices include sea kayaking among icebergs, whale watching, an Icefjord boat cruise or a midnight-sun sailing trip. In summer, when the sun never fully disappears, even the evening can feel like another chance to get outside.

Ilulissat - Icefjord Cruise - DKK695; Ilulissat - Midnight Sun sailing - DKK840; Ilulissat - Evening kayaking among icebergs - DKK1350; Ilulissat - Whale watching tour - DKK1195.

Special information: Your total travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

Your trip ends after breakfast in Ilulissat. A complimentary departure transfer is included, and if you want to stay longer, request extra accommodation well ahead of time, as summer rooms in Greenland are limited and often book out early.