Experience the soul of Greenland

Detailed Itinerary

All accommodation, excursions and experiences described in the itinerary are included in the price.

Included meals are marked on the individual days as Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner. Meals that are not included are not mentioned in the itinerary.

Drinks are not included with the included meals.

On Air Greenland flights between Denmark and Greenland, complimentary meals and drinks are served onboard.
On domestic flights in Greenland, a cup of coffee and a biscuit are typically served.

Day 1. Arrival in Greenland

With a flight from Denmark to Nuuk taking around five hours, you will land in the heart of the world’s smallest capital, surrounded by Greenland’s dramatic landscapes. After arrival and check-in, a guided city tour takes you around Nuuk, offering an in-depth introduction to the city, its history, culture and local life.

Over the next two days, Nuuk will be your base for exploration. You can combine visits to museums, cafés and galleries with outdoor experiences such as fishing in the fjord and hiking, all while taking in the city’s unique atmosphere and Greenlandic charm.

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Day 2. Fishing experience on the Nuuk Fjord

Today, a very special experience awaits on the Nuuk Fjord. We sail approximately 50 km through the magnificent fjord landscape, surrounded by majestic mountains and calm waters, to an abandoned settlement where a cosy restaurant is beautifully situated at the foot of the mountain. Along the way, you can try your hand at fishing and see if you can catch the day’s meal.

Upon arrival at the restaurant, the chef prepares the freshly caught fish, and you can watch as the fish is filleted and transformed into a delicious meal – a complete culinary experience in the middle of the rugged landscape. Even if the fishing is unsuccessful, the kitchen will provide alternatives. After dinner, we sail back to Nuuk, filled with impressions from the landscape, the sea and the flavours of the day.

After dinner, we sail back to Nuuk, filled with both culinary experiences and memories from a day in the majestic surroundings of the fjord.

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Day 3. Arrival in South Greenland

We continue by air to Qaqortoq, the largest town in South Greenland with around 3,500 inhabitants and an important educational centre. After checking in at the town’s cosy hotel overlooking the fjord and mountains, you can explore the town, which is known for its colourful houses and vibrant art scene.

The Stone & Man art project adorns the town’s rock faces with sculptures by artists such as Aka Høegh, making Qaqortoq feel like an open-air sculpture park. In the town square, you can admire Greenland’s oldest fountain and watch the activity at the open-air market, where the day’s catch of fish, seal and whale is sold while the town’s culture and daily life unfold around you.

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Day 4. The journey continues – to the quiet magic of Igaliku

From Qaqortoq, we continue by boat to Igaliku on a scenic journey of approximately one hour through the fjord. From the harbour, it is a short walk to the settlement hotel, where you will stay for the next three nights. The rest of the day is yours to explore Igaliku, one of Greenland’s most beautiful settlements.

The scattered stone houses are set on a sheltered, fertile plain at the end of a deep-blue fjord, surrounded by rugged, barren mountains. The area forms part of the remarkable Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Site, where nature and cultural history blend together in a spectacular landscape.

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Day 5. History, mountains and fjords

Igaliku is the starting point for some of the finest and most varied hikes in South Greenland. One route follows the river to Lake 90 and continues to the plateau, where you are rewarded with magnificent views over the mouth of the Qooroq Fjord, icebergs stranded on the moraine and the mighty glacier at the head of the fjord. The hike also offers fascinating geological discoveries, including rock crystals and the shimmering moonstone, labradorite.

Another popular route is the waterfall hike, which climbs into the mountains south of Igaliku before following a series of impressive waterfalls down towards the Tunulliarfik Fjord. For more ambitious hikers, the route can be extended with an ascent of Nuuluk (823 m), offering even more spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

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Day 6. Icebergs, UNESCO heritage and mountain hiking

The day begins with a scenic hike along the King's Road from Igaliku to Itilleq (4 km). The trail follows a gravel road, making the walk easy and enjoyable. From the floating pier in Itilleq, we continue by boat to the Qooroq Ice Fjord for an unforgettable journey among icebergs of every shape and shade. We stop with views of the calving glacier, switch off the boat engine and enjoy the silence – perhaps with a drink chilled by ice from the Greenland Ice Sheet, more than 1,000 years old.

From Qooroq, we continue to Qassiarsuk, also known as Brattahlid, where Erik the Red settled in AD 982. The Norse ruins are remarkably well preserved, and a visit to the Brattahlid Museum is highly recommended (entrance included). Today, around 40 people live in the settlement, mainly from sheep farming, while the community also has a school, church and village shop. Later in the day, we return to Igaliku, first by boat and then on foot along the King's Road, where another night awaits at the cosy settlement hotel.

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Day 7. Art and city life in the capital of South Greenland

After breakfast, we sail back to Qaqortoq, where we spend the final day of our journey in South Greenland's largest town. The day offers time to immerse yourself in art, culture and the town's distinctive Greenlandic atmosphere. Qaqortoq is known for its charming, colourful houses, cosy streets and vibrant art scene, particularly through the Stone & Man sculpture project.

You may also wish to visit local businesses such as Great Greenland, with its tannery and sewing workshop, or the Qaqortoq Museum, which tells the story of the town and South Greenland's cultural heritage. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, take a stroll along the harbour, admire the views across the fjords or enjoy a coffee at one of the town's cafés while soaking up the last moments of Greenlandic tranquillity. It is the perfect day to reflect on the journey's remarkable natural experiences and cultural encounters.

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Day 8. Journey home via Nuuk to Copenhagen

With your luggage filled with unforgettable experiences, memories of spectacular nature and new insights into Greenland's culture and history, it is time to return to Denmark. Thank you for travelling with us – or, as they say in Greenlandic: Takuss – see you again!

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Practical info

Guide

On this trip, you will be accompanied by a destination guide at each location you visit. Your guide has extensive local knowledge and is responsible for leading the planned activities during your stay. A destination guide will therefore accompany each of the included excursions and activities.

You will receive a clear itinerary with the time and meeting point for all guided experiences. The hotel reception staff will also be happy to suggest activities and sights to enjoy on your own between the organised excursions.

Duration and difficulty level

This is an 8-day trip rated Grade 1–2. The guided activities do not require a high level of fitness, and you are free to decide how much hiking you would like to do during your own free time. This makes it easy to tailor the trip to your own interests and preferences.

ACTIVITIES

In addition to the guided city walk in Nuuk, the programme includes several spectacular boat trips in both Nuuk and South Greenland. During these cruises, there are good opportunities to spot whales and icebergs. The boats are typically Targa vessels, offering plenty of space both indoors and on deck. As always, Topas uses only passenger-certified boats in Greenland.

Accommodation

Hotel Hans Egede Express
This budget hotel is within walking distance of central Nuuk and offers 108 rooms. The rooms are compact but comfortable and functional. All rooms have private bathroom facilities, a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi.

Hotel Qaqortoq
The phrase "Home – away from home" is more than just a slogan – it is the guiding principle of Hotel Qaqortoq and its staff. This four-star hotel enjoys one of the best locations in town, overlooking both the harbour and the town centre, making it a natural meeting place for visitors and locals alike. All rooms have private bathroom facilities.

Igaliku Hotel and Lodges
In the heart of the historic settlement of Igaliku, you will find Igaliku Hotel and Lodges, where Greenlandic hospitality meets beautiful natural surroundings. Surrounded by lush valleys and fjords, the hotel is an ideal base for exploring the area's Viking history, impressive hiking routes and peaceful atmosphere. We stay in twin rooms with shared bathroom and toilet facilities in the hallway.

Single Room 
Single rooms are available on this trip for the supplement stated under "Not included."

Meals

Included meals are marked on the individual days in the detailed itinerary as Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner. Meals that are not included are not mentioned in the daily programme.

Beverages are not included with the included meals.

On flights with Air Greenland between Denmark and Greenland, complimentary meals and beverages are served on board. On domestic flights in Greenland, a cup of coffee and a biscuit are typically served.

Flights and local transport

We are happy to provide flight times for the individual departures. Call us on +45 8689 3622 or send us an email at info@topas.dk. Flight times are always provided subject to change, as airlines may make adjustments.

Climate

Average temperatures in Narsarsuaq and the surrounding area range between 12°C and 17°C from June to September. The temperatures stated are 24-hour averages. Nights can be relatively cold, but once the sun gains strength during the day, temperatures can rise well above the averages indicated.

Thanks to the sunshine and the dry air, temperatures generally feel warmer than in the rest of Europe. Night-time temperatures can drop to around freezing in exposed areas. This time of year is typically characterised by clear weather, providing excellent visibility. Rain, however, is always a possibility.

Currency and credit cards

Wi-Fi and Mobile Coverage

Mobile coverage is available in the towns, but not necessarily outside the towns in the mountains or on the water. Therefore, mobile coverage is limited on this trip. Wi-Fi is available at the hotels. Please note that the connection can occasionally be unstable.

If you need a Greenlandic SIM card while in Greenland, you can read more here or contact your own provider.

Maps and travel literature

The following are best purchased locally:

South Greenland Hiking Map, Narsarsuaq 1:100,000
South Greenland Hiking Map, Narsaq 1:100,000

Alternatively, the above can be replaced by the overview map:
South Greenland – Eastern Settlement 1:250,000

Nature Guide to Greenland, Benny Génsbøl, Gads Forlag, 1999
Greenland's Animals and Plants, edited by Bent Gynther and Aqigssiaq Møller, Gyldendal, 1999

The Area

NUUK
Nuuk is Greenland's capital and largest city. Beautifully situated by the fjord and surrounded by mountains and the sea, it offers a unique combination of modern culture, Greenlandic history and spectacular natural scenery.

SOUTH GREENLAND – GREENLAND'S GARDEN
South Greenland is green, fertile and blessed with diverse scenery, featuring deep fjords and towering mountain peaks. Here, towns and countryside are never far apart. The region offers the greatest variety of landscapes in Greenland and includes all the classic highlights: icebergs, the Greenland Ice Sheet, fjords, lush mountains and picturesque, colourful towns and settlements. This makes South Greenland one of the very best hiking destinations in the country.

QAQORTOQ
Qaqortoq is the largest town in South Greenland, with approximately 3,500 inhabitants, beautifully situated between fjords and mountains. The town is known for its colourful houses, charming streets and vibrant cultural scene, including the *Stone & Man* art project, where sculptures have been carved directly into the rock faces. Qaqortoq combines history, art and modern life with easy access to spectacular nature, while the town museum and harbour provide a fascinating insight into local culture and history.

We stay at the town's cosy hotel.

IGALIKU
Only around 50 people live in the settlement of Igaliku, beautifully located at the end of the fjord and surrounded by mountains in striking shades of red. The nearby mountain Illerfissalik, famous for its "moonstones", is also found here. The area has a fascinating history dating back to the time when Erik the Red settled in South Greenland.

The landscape is truly unique: green mountains and brightly coloured houses stand side by side along the blue fjord. Many of Igaliku's sheep farmers are direct descendants of the Greenlanders who first cultivated the area around 100 years ago. Even a short walk in the surrounding hills is enough to spark an interest in the area's beautiful and colourful stones.

Igaliku has a small shop selling the essentials for life at these northern latitudes: sugar, clothing, petrol and tools.

Please note

The itinerary is subject to change. Please be aware that a trip like this depends on favourable weather conditions, and occasional programme changes may therefore be necessary. Delays and cancellations can occur, particularly with flights and boat transport. No compensation is provided for the first 24 hours of delays or itinerary changes caused by circumstances beyond our control.

Safety guarantee for trips to Greenland

Who travels on group trips with Topas?

On our group trips, you will meet everyone from solo travellers and singles to couples, friends and families. What brings the groups together is the desire to experience the world and be active as part of a great community. It is often the combination of active days, small achievements along the way and evening conversations around the dinner table that creates the foundation for a strong sense of togetherness.

If this is your first solo trip, it may feel like a big step for some people. But you will quickly discover that the group consists of people with the same curiosity and passion for travel as yourself.

Important to know

The trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Not sure whether the trip is right for you? Feel free to contact us before booking if you're unsure about the physical demands of the trip, or if you have specific physical, mental or social needs that may affect your participation. Together we can assess whether the trip is the right choice for you.

Packing list

We have prepared a packing list to assist you when packing for your journey. The packing list contains some general information as well as recommendations on what is useful to bring on this particular trip.

The packing list should be considered a guide to what you CAN bring, and not a list of items you MUST bring on the journey, as individual needs and preferences may vary. However, our experience shows that the items mentioned are useful to have with you.

Print packing list Download packling list as PDF

Luggage

On this trip, your luggage will frequently be transported between different locations. We therefore strongly recommend bringing a large backpack with a capacity of 50–80 litres. It should be large enough to hold all of your personal belongings. Alternatively, you may bring a waterproof duffel bag or sports bag. A suitcase is not suitable for this trip.

It is a good idea to pack your luggage so that it is waterproof. We recommend bringing a few heavy-duty rubbish bags or plastic bags to line the inside of your backpack or bag and keep your belongings dry.

You should also bring a daypack for the hikes. We recommend a backpack with a good carrying system, including a hip belt and chest strap, to reduce strain on your shoulders and back. If possible, bring your daypack as your carry-on luggage on the flight.

Boots

It is essential to bring sturdy hiking boots with a stiff sole (such as Vibram) and good ankle support to help prevent ankle injuries. Your boots should also be waterproof, as some sections of the route pass through wet terrain. Make sure your boots are well broken in before the trip.

We also recommend travelling in your hiking boots or packing them in your hand luggage, just in case your checked baggage is unexpectedly delayed.

Other footware

Lightweight footwear, such as trainers or sandals, is ideal for relaxing after a day's hike.

Water bottle

We recommend you bring a water bottle for the day trips.

Trekking poles

It is very individual how much benefit you get from using trekking poles and whether you choose to use one or two. You will need to find what works best for you. However, there are many advantages, and if the trekking pole(s) become inconvenient in certain terrain, they can easily be attached to your backpack — therefore, telescopic trekking poles are strongly recommended.
In general, the following benefits of trekking poles can be mentioned:

• They significantly improve balance on uneven and/or muddy terrain, in snow (mountain passes etc.) and when crossing streams.

• When used correctly, trekking poles significantly reduce strain on the knees, both during ascents and descents. This is especially relevant on high-route and summit hikes (grade 3-4 and above), where you often carry a heavier backpack and where the total elevation gain and hiking distance are considerable.

Trekking poles must be packed in your checked luggage during the flight. Remember to protect the tips to prevent damage to your luggage and other belongings.

Clothing for hiking

• 1 pair of thick hiking socks
• Optional: 1 pair of thin liner socks
• 1 pair of lightweight hiking trousers and/or hiking shorts
• Moisture-wicking underwear, preferably wool
• 1 lightweight wool jumper
• 1 warm jumper, fleece or lightweight down jacket
• Moisture-wicking T-shirts
• 1 windproof and waterproof jacket with a hood
• 1 pair of breathable waterproof trousers
• Warm hat
• Warm gloves or mittens

Other clothing

Sun protection

• 1 scarf for sun protection and cooler days
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Good-quality sunglasses
• Sunscreen and SPF lip balm

Miscellaneous

• Passport, currency, health insurance card and travel documents
• Money belt
• Toiletries
• Personal medication, as well as sports tape, blister plasters and, if required, a knee support
• If you take medication on a daily basis, we recommend bringing more than you need for the duration of the trip, as flights in the Arctic may be delayed.
• Binoculars
• Camera, charger and spare batteries if required
• Wet wipes
• Energy bars or your favourite snacks
• Pocket knife (must be packed in checked luggage when flying)
• Thermos flask with cup (approx. 0.5 litre) for coffee or tea on day trips
• Mosquito repellent (peppermint oil can also be useful)
• Mosquito head net (preferably used with a cap)
• Optional: a small sit mat for breaks during hikes and other outdoor activities