Greenland Itineraries

Highlights of Greenland in 8-10 Days

Greenland is expansive and largely untouched, with its largest city capping out at roughly 16,000 in population. The best way to see it is via sea and river vessel, with land excursions for hiking and learning about ancient cultures.

Day 1, Reykjavik: Spend a day exploring Iceland’s capital. Enjoy a dip in the Blue Lagoon, and a local meal in any one of Reykjavik’s up and coming restaurants

Day 2, Apelfjord: sea kayaking, hiking with incredible views of the tundra

Day 3, Brogetdal: Enjoy the “multicolored valley” with its fascinating colorful mountains and geological oddities. See Waltershausen Glacier, named for Baron Wolfgang Sartorius von Waltershausen an explorer who sought the North Pole in the mid 1800s.

Day 4, Blomsterbugten: beautiful views, bright colored rocks and landscapes, and potential wildlife viewing

Day 5, Ella Oya: termed a “hikers paradise” enjoy rewarding views after challenging hikes through arctic landscape. Go through the marine channel Antarctic Sund, past ice formations and cliffs.

Day 6, Itoqqortoormiit: Learn about ancient native inuit cultures, still alive today in Greenland’s northernmost community. When skies are clear, this is an ideal Northern Lights viewing area.

Day 7, Scoresbysund: Ancient Thule settlement, enormous icebergs, and more stunning arctic scenery in Sydkap

Day 8, Rypefjord: Iceberg Graveyard, birdwatching

Day 9, Denmark Strait to Iceland: Whale watching, birdwatching

See All Greenland in 8-10 Days Trips

Greenland in Winter, 5 Days

Without a doubt the best time to view the Northern Lights, winter in Greenland is worth toughing out the cold temperatures. (Plus side: the opportunity to shop for more cool adventure gear and clothing!)

In addition to spectacular Aurora Borealis views, winter in Greenland means dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, spotting musk ox and polar foxes and - you may not expect this - tons of sunshine and beautiful blue sky days (albeit short days). When the sun goes down, don’t fret - it’s time to seek out the Northern Lights.  

Day 1, Kangerlussuaq: After arrival, head out to the Greenland Icecap by car, looking for wildlife along the way, including reindeer and musk ox.

Day 2, Sisimiut: Tour the museum and markets of Greenland’s “adventure hub,” perhaps fitting in a nap so you can stay awake for the glorious Northern Lights show around midnight. The sky here is normally clear and there’s no urban light pollution to speak of, so the views are mesmerizing.

Day 3, Sisimiut: Head out on a Greenland dog-sledding expedition with a commanding team of Greenlandic sled dogs. This slower mode of travel will fully immerse you in the winter wonderland and pristine landscapes of Greenland.

Day 4, Sisimiut: Trade in your dog sled for a snowmobile and venture out to the Greenland backcountry - from the top of Solbakken to the remarkable Aappilattorsuaq to the K6 Vantage Point.

Day 5: After one more night’s viewing of the Aurora Borealis, head back to Kangerlussuaq and home.

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Greenland in Summer, 5 Days

Looking for a different kind of summer vacation? Head to Greenland in the warm months (relatively speaking) and enter a dreamland of icebergs, turquoise rivers, open plains, mountains, reindeer and untrammeled wilderness.

With a small population and more than two-thirds of the island covered in ice, Greenland is heaven for those who prefer a quiet, off-the-beaten path adventure.

Day 1, Ilulissat: Take a guided walk through the city, dining at one of the many gourmet restaurants in town (with fresh-from-the-fjord seafood, no less), then take a midnight cruise to the renowned icefjord. The midnight sun makes for a dramatic view of the massive icebergs shed by the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier.

Day 2, Ilulissat: Explore at your leisure, picking some of the popular Greenland activities, including the Hunter’s Settlements in Rodebay or Ilimanaq, feeding the dogsled huskies, helicoptering to the icecap, hiking around the iceford or embarking on a Greenland whale safari.

Day 3, Equ Glacier: The staggeringly beautiful Equ Glacier is a top Greenland sightseeing excursion, approached by boat so that you may get as close as possible and hear the sounds of icebergs calving and thunderously crashing into the water below.

Enjoy a served lunch while you spend a couple hours in full view of the glacier, taking in as much of the calving action as possible. To and from, keep an eye out for Greenlandic whales and seals and the birdlife of the Pakitsoq fjord system and Ataa Strait.

Day 4, Ilulissat: More opportunities to sightsee in and around Ilulissat. Visit the Ilulissat Museum to learn more about local-born explorer Knud Rasmussen and Greenlandic history.

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