Tour Description
Of the four seasons in Greenland, it's no secret that winter is the longest and most dominant. On the other hand, spring, summer and autumn are short. However, autumn contains a myriad of gifts in the form of golden foliage and the most exciting natural phenomena: the Northern Lights.
Nuuk is much more than Greenland's capital city. On this journey you’ll go to the most beautiful and darkest viewpoints around Nuuk to hopefully witness one of the most majestic natural phenomena in the Arctic. Your local guide will tell about various folk tales related to the Northern Lights in Greenland.
Ilulissat Icefjord is a beautiful and interesting place, regardless of the season. It has its own very special colours for each period, but the autumn offers the most dramatic colour contrast. The day often ends with blazing Northern Lights filling the sky.
Hightlights
- Possibility to view the Northern Lights in one of the world's most beautiful countries
- A scenic flight from Nuuk to Ilulissat
- Stay in one of Greenland's best-located hotels: Hotel Icefiord
- Explore a UNESCO World Heritage listed destination by land and possibly by sea
Price includes
Outbound and Return Travel
- Flights Copenhagen - Greenland, round trip
- Domestic flights Nuuk - Ilulissat, round trip
- Transfers between airport and hotel (Ilulissat)
Accommodation
- 1 night in Nuuk at Hotel Hans Egede Express
- 3 nights in Ilulissat at Hotel Icefiord ★ ★ ★
Meals
- Meals and beverages served on flights between Copenhagen and Greenland
- 4 x Breakfast at the hotel
Excursions and transport
- City walk in Nuuk
- Northern Lights tour in Nuuk
- City walk in Ilulissat
- Hike to Sermermiut near Ilulissat
Other
- Contribution to the Travel Guarantee Fund
- All taxes and fees
Price Does Not Include
- Pocket money and expenses for beverages
- Meals other than those listed under "Price Includes"
- Excursions other than those listed under "Price Includes"
- Tour leader (this trip is self-guided)
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Single room/cabin supplement, 2,000 DKK / 268 EUR
Travel safely to Greenland with Topas – we are with you every step of the way
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When you choose to travel with Greenland by Topas, you choose more than just transportation and accommodation. You choose a complete travel experience, where nature, culture, and personal guidance go hand in hand—before, during, and after your journey.
This is why many choose us:
Tailor-made journeys – with you at the center
We arrange package tours without a tour leader, but with a high degree of security and guidance. You travel independently, but you are never left on your own.
Experienced Greenland specialists
Our advisor, Line Vinterberg, who has led Topas group tours in Greenland, knows the country intimately and is ready to help you tailor your journey—whether you dream of Disko Bay, Narsarsuaq, or something entirely different.
Personal guidance – every step of the way
We assist you with planning, booking, and practical details, so you can focus on what matters most: your experiences in Greenland. You receive a well-prepared itinerary and access to experienced local partners along the way.
Local knowledge and strong partnerships
Topas has been organizing trips to Greenland since 1998 and today works closely with, among others, Disko Line, Blue Ice Explorer, and several hotels in Disko Bay—giving you access to the best experiences and facilities.
Safety and responsibility
Topas is a member of the Danish Travel Agency Association and part of the Travel Guarantee Fund. In addition, we are affiliated with the UN Global Compact and actively work with responsible tourism and sustainable values.
Detailed Itinerary
The program below is a recommended itinerary for the trip "Autumn and Northern Lights in Greenland".
The program is indicative and can be adjusted according to your choice of activities and hotels. The price listed is a guideline for the suggested trip and will vary depending on the season and your preferences. Upon inquiry, a specific offer for the trip will be prepared.
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Day 1: Copenhagen - Nuuk
You are flying with Air Greenland to Greenland’s capital, Nuuk.
Nuuk was founded in 1729 by the Danish-Norwegian priest and missionary Hans Egede. Since then, Nuuk has been a city in rapid development. It is clearly the place where “culture meets civilization” most vividly. Many bohemian artists live in Nuuk side by side with the ‘strict’ businessman. There is room for everyone here, and it is clear to see that the doctor and the cashier live side by side.
Read more about what the city has to offer.
Meals: Complimentary meals and beverages are served on the flight from Denmark to Greenland.
Activity on Day 1 (included)
City Tour with Guide
In Nuuk, we join one of our local guides and hear all about local city life, with quirky stories about Nuuk’s rapid development and a bit about all of Greenland. Our guide will talk about Nuuk’s history as well as Greenlandic culture. We make several stops along the way, such as at the parliament, some of the more famous statues, at the Myggedalen viewpoint, and not least at Niels Lynge’s House, which is a time capsule from the 1950s-60s.Read more about the activities.
Activity on Day 1 (included)
Northern Lights by Car
Towards the evening, we drive in a green hybrid car to the darkest and most beautiful viewpoints around Nuuk. We bring a thermos so we can enjoy a cup of tea, hot chocolate, or coffee at the stops where we are outside in the cold, hopefully catching a glimpse of one of the Arctic’s most majestic natural phenomena. The tour is led by a local guide who can share several folk tales about the aurora and tell you about the city’s history and culture. The northern lights are unpredictable, and we cannot guarantee that we will see them.Read more about the activities.
Included Accommodation
Hotel Hans Egede Express
Budget hotel within walking distance of Nuuk city, offering 108 rooms. The rooms are small but comfortable and functional. All rooms have private facilities, flat-screen TVs, and free wireless internet.Read more about the hotel.
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Upgrade Option
Hotel Hans Egede
★ ★ ★ ★It doesn’t get more central than this. When people talk about the city center, they mean HHE. This 4-star hotel meets all international standards for its rating and provides the perfect setting for a comfortable and professional stay.
Read more about the hotel.
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Day 2-4: Ilulissat
Most people who travel to Greenland want to see ice and icebergs. Today, you will fly to the capital of icebergs. The town is located at the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord and boasts the most fantastic backdrop of colossal icebergs that are continuously calved into the fjord from the most productive glacier in the Northern Hemisphere.
Read more about what Ilulissat has to offer.
Meals Day 2: Breakfast included
Meals Day 3: Breakfast included
Meals Day 4: Breakfast included
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Activity on Day 2 (included)
City Tour in IIlulissat
In the afternoon, a guided walking tour of the city is arranged. Here you will gain a good insight into everyday life and the structure of the town. The history offers fascinating stories, and it is almost inevitable that the focal point of the town is the Ilulissat Icefjord.Read more about the activity.
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Activity on Day 3-4 (included)
Sermermiut Hike
During your stay, a guided hike to Sermermiut will be arranged, offering views of the enormous icebergs in Kangia Icefjord. Sermermiut is a historic settlement where the three main Inuit cultures each practiced hunting and fishing—beginning with the Saqqaq people, who were the first to arrive in Greenland about 4,500 years ago, followed by the Dorset and Thule peoples.Read more about the activity.
Activity on Day 3–4 (suggestion)
Experiences on Your Own
The rest of the days are at your own disposal. In addition to visiting shops, going to cafés, visiting the arts and crafts workshop, or exploring museums, you can also join other excursions—including those with the northern lights as a theme. See the options in our description of Ilulissat.Sunday Tip: There is typically a Greenlandic church service at 10 a.m. This can be a remarkable experience, as there may be baptisms, weddings, or choir singing, where the beautiful Greenlandic national costumes are often worn. Zion’s Church by the water is stunningly located, still well attended for services, and serves as a natural gathering point for many locals. Some tourists have even been lucky enough to be invited to a kaffemik, giving them a unique opportunity to connect with the locals. If you are invited and plan to attend, remember to bring a small gift.
Read more about activity options in Ilulissat.
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Included Hotel
Hotel Icefiord
★ ★ ★The hotel is located right on the waterfront of Disko Bay, very close to the mouth of the icefjord—and with sea views from all 36 rooms, the name says it all: Hotel Icefiord. With modern facilities, a cozy atmosphere, and a restaurant serving local specialties, it is an ideal choice for those who want to experience Greenland’s unique nature up close.
Read more about the hotel.
Day 5: Return Journey. Ilulissat – Copenhagen
With hopefully plenty of northern lights captured in your memory—and perhaps on your camera—your northern lights journey now comes to an end. From Ilulissat, you’ll take a propeller plane to Nuuk and then continue on to Copenhagen with the Atlantic aircraft.
Takuss’ – see you again!
Meals: Breakfast included. Complimentary meals and beverages are served on the flight from Denmark to Greenland.
Extend Your Trip in Greenland?
Do you feel the trip is too short and wish to extend your journey? Whether it’s to another destination in Greenland, feel free to ask us. We have extensive knowledge of Greenland and can easily and quickly guide you.
Season and practical info
Greenland is a truly unique destination—magnificent, but not always easy to visit. That’s part of its charm. Our travel advisors are happy to help you tailor a journey that matches your wishes and interests. As part of our service, we will also guide you on the best time to plan your trip, ensuring you return home with the best possible experiences.
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When is the best time to travel?
This travel itinerary to Nuuk and Ilulissat is especially well-suited for the autumn months from September to November, when darkness and cold gradually return and the landscape transforms with dramatic colors. At the same time, the chances of experiencing the northern lights increase, as they unfold across the Arctic night sky.
In September, temperatures are still mild, often between 0 and 10°C, and autumn reveals itself in beautiful golden and reddish hues, especially around the Ilulissat Icefjord. The days grow shorter, and the soft twilight enhances the atmosphere of the open landscape. The first northern lights begin to appear as early as September, and the further into autumn you travel, the darker and more intense the experience becomes.
In October and November, temperatures are lower and snow begins to settle across the landscape. This creates a beautiful contrast between the white snow, dark mountains, and glowing sky—providing optimal conditions for spotting the northern lights. During this period, the experiences are characterized by tranquility, crisp air, and a deep connection to the rhythm of nature.
Autumn is also an ideal time to visit both Nuuk and Ilulissat: You have the opportunity to experience Greenland’s cultural life in the capital, combine it with UNESCO-protected nature in Disko Bay—and enjoy it all enhanced by guided tours, local stories, and Arctic hospitality.
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Northern Lights and Daylight
The northern lights (aurora borealis) are a phenomenon that occurs when solar winds are stronger than usual. These solar winds carry electrically charged particles. The particles are attracted to the magnetic poles (the North Pole = northern lights and the South Pole = southern lights).
This phenomenon happens year-round but, for natural reasons, can only be seen in darkness and clear weather. In Greenland, it is best experienced in autumn and winter. Of course, some places are better than others.
Read more about the northern lights here.
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Practical Information
There is only limited mobile coverage on this trip. Mobile phones can therefore only be used from time to time.
If you need a Greenlandic SIM card, we recommend Tusass eSIM packages. See prices and packages here (affiliate link).
Access to Electricity
Access to ElectricityIt is possible to charge digital camera batteries at the hotels (with your own charger). However, access to electricity cannot be provided during your stay at Glacier Lodge Eqi, as electricity is only produced for short periods during the day by a generator. Therefore, consider bringing extra batteries for this stay.
NOTE
Please note that the price of the trip is a starting price, as there may be additional charges for a more expensive flight ticket type or a different cabin/room standard, depending on availability at the time of booking. You are, of course, only committed to purchasing the trip AFTER you have confirmed any possible surcharge. The starting price is listed for the low season in Greenland.
We reserve the right to make changes. Please be aware that a trip like this depends on good weather conditions. Therefore, some changes to the program may occur. Delays and cancellations can happen, especially when traveling by plane or ship.
No compensation or reimbursement is provided for the first 24 hours of delays or travel changes due to external circumstances. We will strive to minimize any inconvenience and ensure an alternative program or make the extra waiting time as comfortable as possible.
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