Tour Description
Highlights
- See one of the world's smallest capitals, Nuuk
- Possibility to visit to the National Museum, where you can see the Qilakitsoq mummies
- A beautiful 3-day cruise along the west coast of Greenland with M/S Sarfaq Ittuk
- UNESCO World Heritage Listed destination Ilulissat Icefjord
- Stay active and awake under the Midnight Sun (JUNE and JULY)
- Observe the difference between a small settlement and big ‘cities’ like Nuuk and Ilulissat
- See the towns and settlements: Nuuk, Maniitsoq, Kangaamiut, Sisimiut, Aasiaat and Ilulissat
- Possibility to see whales and seals on the sailing trip up the coast
Price includes
Outbound and Return Journey
- Round-trip flights Copenhagen – Greenland
- Domestic flights Nuuk/Kangerlussuaq – Ilulissat, round-trip
- Transfers between airport and hotel (Ilulissat)
Accommodation
- Two nights in 2 person outside cabin (with private bath / toilet) aboard the coastal ship M/S Sarfaq Ittuk
- 4 nights in shared double room incl. breakfast in Ilulissat at Hotel Icefiord ★ ★ ★
Meals
- Meals and beverages served on flights between Copenhagen and Greenland
- 8 x Breakfast at the hotel in Ilulissat (day 7-10)
Excursions and Transport
- Guided citty walk in Ilulissat
- Guided hike to Sermermiut – Ilulissat
- Icefjord cruise in Ilulissat
Other
- Contribution to the Travel Guarantee Fund
- All taxes and fees
The price does not include
- Meals, except breakfast at Hotel Icefiord and meals on the Atlantic flight
- Accommodation in Nuuk (can be arranged)
- Excursions, except those specifically mentioned in “Price Includes”
- Tour guide (this trip is on your own)
- Travel cancellation insurance
- Single room supplement (Low season: Aprox 660 EURO / High season: 1.075 EURO)
If you need further information, please feel free to contact us.
Travel safely to Greenland with Topas – we are with you every step of the way
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 a cruise along the west coast of Greenland.
The program is intended as a guide and can be adjusted according to your choice of activities and hotels. The price indicated is a guideline for the travel proposal and will vary depending on the season and your preferences. Upon inquiry, a customized offer will be prepared specifically for your journey.
Day 1. Copenhagen - Nuuk
Fly from Copenhagen to Greenland’s capital city, Nuuk. As always in Greenland, a flight is a beautiful experience in clear weather, offering a different perspective of nature from above.
In Nuuk you’re on your own, but if you need help booking accommodation, transport and excursions, we’re ready to assist. If you’d like a shorter or longer stay in Nuuk, it can easily be arranged.
Day 2-3. Days on your own in Nuuk
Nuuk is a city in rapid development, full of contrast and experiences you won’t find elsewhere in Greenland.
The city has approx. 17,000 citizens, 5 primary and secondary schools, 1 independent school, high school, trade school, university, the home rule government, a court and the headquarters of many businesses.
A visit to the picturesque old colonial harbour offers a glimpse back in time, but you’ll also find the comforts of modern life in fashion boutiques, great restaurants and cafes, a cinema, swimming pool, art museum, a micro-brewery, the Katuaq Cultural Centre and the excellent National Museum.
Just a like any other ‘big city’, Nuuk also has a morning and afternoon rush hour, although the volume of traffic might be a little less than in other countries.
The town is surrounded by magnificent scenery, offering excellent excursion opportunities.
See Nuuk excursions here
Read more about what the town has to offer.
Day 4-5. Nuuk - Ilulissat with M/S Sarfaq Ittuk
Spend your final day in Nuuk sightseeing, shopping or visiting the National Museum.
This evening at 21:00 hrs (9 pm) your Arctic Umiaq Line ferry M/S Sarfaq Ittuk departs Nuuk and your sea adventure begins. Check-in opens from 20:00 hrs (8 pm). (Departure can vary during season)
You’ll be welcomed aboard by the ship's crew.
Café Sarfaq offers breakfast, lunch and dinner at fixed dining times, which are adapted to the day's port calls. Prices are reasonable.
Aktivitet på dag 5 (inkluderet)
Maniitsoq, Kangaamiut og Sisimiut
Arrival at 07:00 hrs (7 am) in Maniitsoq, previously called 'Sukkertoppen' in Danish.
If you’re awake for a quick city tour, we recommend you sign up. You can eat breakfast later. Maniitsoq means 'the place is uneven' – an apt name considering the town’s many stairs and bridges. It’s a lovely little town with beautiful views of the archipelago and mountains.
After Maniitsoq, continue north through Hamburger Sund to Kangaamiut. Kangaamiut's port is too small for the ship to dock, so passengers board a smaller boat from the ship to shore.
After Kangaamiut (around noon), the ship sails in the open sea towards Greenland's second largest city, Sisimiut. Arrival at 19:00 hrs (7 pm) and departure at 21:00 hrs (9 pm). The ship’s guide offers a good city tour of Sisimiut. (Please be aware that departure and arrival times can differ during the season).
Included stay
M/S Sarfaq Ittuk
The ship connects towns and settlements along the route between Qaqortoq in the south and Ilulissat in the north. The daily arrivals are often a highlight, with old friends and family members gathering on the quay to welcome passengers. Travellers will experience the warmth and hospitality of the Greenlandic people.Read more about the ship.
Day 6-9: Ilulissat
This morning you cruise into Disko Bay. While the sun is still low you can say good morning to Aasiaat at 08:00 hrs (8 am), where a half-hour stop is scheduled. You can make a quick visit to the black church and perhaps the assembly house, where Danish artist Per Kirkeby's farewell gift to the city hangs. In the summer of 1969, the artist Per Kirkeby created 24 paintings which were hung in the assembly hall. The assembly hall is closed, but you can easily view the paintings by looking through the windows.
As the cruise continues to Ilulissat, we recommend you dress in warm clothes to spend the rest of the voyage on deck. After departure from Aasiaat there are good chances to see humpback whales - the ship’s crew often make an announcement if they spot whales, so you don’t miss them.
The approach to Ilulissat starts at around 12:00 hrs as the ship zig zags between the impressive icebergs of Ilulissat Icefjord. Remember to have an extra charged battery for your camera, because you’ll need it today.
Arrival in Ilulissat at 13:00 hrs (1 pm) and transfer by hotel bus to your comfortable accommodation at Hotel Icefiord. The rest of the day is on your own. (Arrival to Ilulissat 1530 in autumn).
Ilulissat Icefjord was admitted to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2004 and was one of the first areas in the Arctic to be placed on the list. Although protected, we have special permits to sail among the icebergs and operate helicopter tours.Read more about what the town has to offer.
Meals day 6: Not included
Meals day 7: Breakfast included
Meals day 8: Breakfast included
Meals day 9: Breakfast included
Activity on Day 7 (Included)
City walk and Sermermiut hike
This morning you have a guided city tour to learn about the city's history, important buildings and everyday life.
In the afternoon, a nice hike to Sermermiut is arranged. A visit to Sermermiut, the old Inuit settlement at the icefjord mouth, is an absolute must. Observe at close range the impressive flow of ice and the view over the fjord, filled with icebergs as far as the eye can see.
Activity on Day 8 (Included)
Midnight cruise
Day free to relax, visit a local artisan’s studio, the museum and a sea of cosy shops.
Your Midnight Sun cruise starts at 22:00 hrs (10 pm). Be sure to dress warmly and have your camera ready with charged extra batteries and extra memory cards.
From 21 May to 24 July, the sun does not set. The special evening light gives the impression of an eternal sunset, without actually setting. Icebergs are impressive in all weather, but this light gives your iceberg photos a particularly radiant appearance.
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 speaks for itself: 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 10. Ilulissat - Copenhagen via Kangerlussuaq - Thursday
Savour your last look at Disko Bay and the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Ilulissat Icefjord, before your short flight to Nuuk. We hope the unique impressions and memories of a lifetime will inspired you to return to Greenland.
In Nuuk you’ll board Air Greenland's Airbus for your flight back Copenhagen.
As we say in Greenlandic, Takuss' - see you later!
Meals: Breakfast included. Free meals and beverages served on flights between Copenhagen and GreenlandNOTE! – Would you like to extend the journey?
If you’d like more days to fully explore and experience our wonderful part of the world, we have excellent knowledge of Greenland and can tailor an itinerary according to your wishes. Please contact us for information.
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.
When is the best time to travel?
July and August are the high season in Greenland. Temperatures are mild, and both land and sea are teeming with life. This is the best time to experience Greenland’s coastal wildlife, with good chances of spotting whales and seals from the deck of Sarfaq Ittuk. Ilulissat is at its most vibrant, and it is the perfect time to hike along the Icefjord or simply enjoy the view from the hotel terrace.
In September, the colours begin to change. The green landscape turns golden and reddish-brown, while the air becomes clearer and crisper. This is a quieter time to travel, when the days are still bright but the summer crowds have gone.
October to December brings shorter days and a beautiful winter atmosphere, especially in Ilulissat. Ships still operate at the beginning of the winter season, making it a special experience to sail along the coast as the first snow begins to settle. From late September onwards, you may also be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights, particularly during the dark hours of November and December.
Read more about the different seasons in Greenland.
Whenever you choose to travel, you will experience the contrast between Greenland’s capital, the coastal settlements and the world-famous ice-filled landscape of Ilulissat. This journey is perfect for those who want to see Greenland transform with the seasons – both at sea and on land.
Practical info
Mobile Phone
Mobile phone coverage is sparse during this trip, so there will only be limited opportunities to use your phone.
It’s possible to charge digital camera batteries at the hotels and at the ship (with your own charger).
Meals
Included meals are marked with B (breakfast), L (lunch), D (dinner) on each day.If meals are not included, these are marked with -.On Air Greenland flights between Denmark and Greenland, free meals and drinks are served on board. On domestic flights in Greenland, a cup of coffee and a biscuit is typically served.
IMPORTANT NOTE!
The programme is subject to change without notice. A trip like this is dependent on good weather. There may therefore be some changes in the programme. Delays and cancellations may occur, especially in air and ship transportation.
No compensation is granted for the first 24 hours of delay or travel changes due to external circumstances. We will strive to reduce the disruption as much as possible and endeavour to provide an alternative programme or fill the additional waiting time.