Winter Experiences in Greenland

7 days in Kangerlussuaq and Ilulissat

Winter in Greenland is truly something special. The light is crisp, the air is clear, and the silence is almost complete. On this trip, you will experience two of Greenland’s most fascinating destinations – Kangerlussuaq and Ilulissat – combining the vastness of the Ice Sheet with the dramatic beauty of the Icefjord.

From Ice Sheet to Icebergs

From the moment you arrive in Kangerlussuaq, you’ll feel the contrast to everyday life. The landscape opens up into vast, raw expanses, bringing you close to one of Greenland’s greatest natural wonders: the Ice Sheet. Later, your journey continues to Ilulissat, where enormous icebergs drift slowly through the UNESCO-listed Icefjord – a sight that stays with you.

Kangerlussuaq – gateway to the Ice Sheet

The Kangerlussuaq area offers both remarkable nature and fascinating history. Here, you’ll find wide tundra landscapes, stable winter weather, and some of the best conditions in Greenland for viewing the Northern Lights.

Travel out to the Ice Sheet and stand on one of the world’s oldest and most impressive natural formations. Or experience the silence on a dog sledding excursion across the frozen landscape. In the evening, you may witness the Northern Lights dancing across the sky – an unforgettable experience.

Ilulissat – the world of icebergs

After your stay in Kangerlussuaq, you’ll continue to Ilulissat, where the landscape transforms. Here, ice dominates. The mighty Icefjord constantly produces new icebergs that drift into Disko Bay, creating a landscape in constant motion.

Explore the town, where modern life meets strong traditions, or join a hike to Sermermiut – a historic site inhabited for thousands of years. Even in winter, when the snow covers the remains, the stories remain vivid, and the views are breathtaking.

A boat trip among the icebergs is a highlight for many travelers. Here, you’ll experience the raw power of nature up close.

Experiences that stay with you

This journey combines active experiences with time to slow down and reflect. In Greenland, it’s not about doing as much as possible – it’s about experiencing as much as possible.
It may be the silence that leaves the strongest impression. Or the sled dogs, the Northern Lights, or your first step onto the Ice Sheet. Or simply the feeling of being in a place where nature still sets the pace.

Excursions

In connection with this trip, we offer a wide range of excursions carried out in collaboration with our local partners. Most excursions require a minimum number of participants to take place. To minimize cancellations, we therefore schedule the excursions on specific days during the trip. You can read more about the excursions in the daily itineraries below. The itineraries are not set in stone. Some excursions may be rescheduled depending on weather conditions, but we strive to complete the full program during the trip.

We strongly recommend booking the excursions with your trip to avoid them selling out later. Some excursions are very popular but can only be offered in limited numbers. If, contrary to expectations, an excursion is not carried out, you will, of course, receive a full refund.

Day program

Day 1 Flight Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq. Optional sightseeing

Your journey begins with a scenic flight from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq, where Greenland’s vast, snow-covered landscapes gradually come into view through the aircraft windows. The flight takes approximately 4½ hours, and anticipation builds as the adventure begins.

Upon arrival in Kangerlussuaq, you will immediately notice the unique Arctic atmosphere: the crisp air, the wide tundra landscapes, and the calm, unhurried pace that defines this place. A local guide will meet you at the airport, warmly welcome you, and introduce you to the area and the program ahead.

You will be accommodated at Polar Lodge, located very close to the airport terminal.

After check-in, you have the option to join a sightseeing tour.

Kangerlussuaq sightseeing (add-on)

Kangerlussuaq has a remarkable history and significance far beyond its size. On this sightseeing excursion, we explore the area and dive into its fascinating past. You’ll hear about the earliest settlements and follow the story through World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War, all the way to modern-day Greenland. Along the way, we visit key sites, including scenic viewpoints and former military facilities that still shape the landscape.

We also stop at a dog kennel, where you can see Greenlandic sled dogs up close and learn about their unique abilities and importance in Arctic life. As we travel through the open landscape, your guide will share insights into nature, wildlife, and the conditions that define this region.

The tour provides a deeper understanding of life in Kangerlussuaq – both past and present – and how people have adapted to living in the Arctic. You’ll encounter a community with great local pride and a unique place in Greenland’s history.

In the evening, we recommend dinner at the hotel restaurant or at Restaurant Roklubben, beautifully located by a lake just outside Kangerlussuaq.

Filip Gielda - Visit Greenland
Day 2 Kangerlussuaq. Optional dog sledding and Northern Lights tour

Today, you have the opportunity to join a dog sledding excursion. Alternatively, you can explore the area on your own, go for a walk, or relax with a good book.

2-hour dog sledding tour (add-on)

Today, you can experience a two-hour dog sledding excursion, dressed in warm sealskin clothing. Up to three people share each sled, making it a truly unique way to travel across the frozen fjord. Find your balance, lean back, and enjoy the scenery and fresh Arctic air. Be sure to keep your camera within reach.
In the evening, another memorable experience awaits.
Northern Lights tour (add-on)
In the evening, don’t miss the chance to see Greenland’s spectacular Northern Lights. Kangerlussuaq is one of the best places in Greenland to witness this phenomenon thanks to its stable climate. We drive away from the settlement into the darkness, hoping to see the dancing green aurora appear in the sky. This shimmering display of light is something you will never forget, adding another unforgettable memory to your journey.

Thomas Eltorp
Day 3 Optional excursion to the Ice Sheet

Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace, or you may choose to join an excursion to the Greenland Ice Sheet at Point 660.

Ice Sheet Point 660 (add-on)

Today offers a fantastic opportunity to visit the Greenland Ice Sheet and reach Point 660, where you can step out and walk on the ice itself. The journey takes you approximately 15 miles (25 km) from the town in a specially equipped vehicle, crossing a dramatic moraine landscape.

Your guide will explain the nature of the ice and its constant movement, and you’ll have the unique chance to stand on ice that is many meters thick and thousands of years old. Please note that the Ice Sheet is a dynamic environment so that access conditions may vary from year to year. However, you can always be assured that we operate in safe areas.

Flemming Deleuran
Day 4 Flight to Ilulissat. Optional town walk

Today, your journey continues with a scenic flight from Kangerlussuaq to Ilulissat. From the air, you’ll already enjoy spectacular views of Greenland’s dramatic landscapes. The flight takes less than an hour, and upon arrival, a bus will be waiting to ensure a smooth transfer.

You will be taken from the airport to Hotel Arctic, beautifully located with views over Disko Bay and the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord, where massive icebergs are grounded.

Town walk (add-on)

After check-in, you can join an exciting guided city tour. Ilulissat is a town with a rich history and a strong connection to the impressive icebergs that define the area. Your guide will show you the main sights, including the charming old town, Zion’s Church, and the local museum, which offers insight into life in the Arctic. You’ll also have time to explore the cozy shops and cafés.

In the evening, a welcome dinner will be served at Hotel Arctic (excluding beverages).

Camilla Hylleberg - Visit Greenland
Day 5 Ilulissat. At your own pace or hike to Sermermiut

Today, you can explore Ilulissat at your own pace. The town offers several museums and a variety of shops with local crafts and souvenirs.

You may also take the opportunity to dive into Greenland’s history while enjoying breathtaking views over the Ilulissat Icefjord.

Hike to Sermermiut by the Icefjord (add-on)

Join a scenic hike to Sermermiut, a historic site just south of Ilulissat that has been inhabited for more than 4,500 years. In winter, the landscape is covered in snow, and the remains of ancient settlements are hidden beneath the surface. Instead, the stillness, light, and surrounding scenery become even more striking.

Along the way, your guide will share stories about the different Inuit cultures that have lived here, their traditions, and their ability to adapt to Arctic life. Even without visible remains, the area’s historical significance is deeply felt.

The hike offers some of the most breathtaking views in Greenland. You walk along the edge of the UNESCO-listed Icefjord, where massive icebergs drift slowly through the water. The route continues to the dramatic Kællingekløften gorge, where the landscape opens into a striking natural setting.

A winter hike to Sermermiut is an experience for both the senses and the imagination – a quiet journey through nature and history.

You may also consider visiting the beautiful Icefjord Center, located nearby.

Asa Steiners - Visit Greenland
Day 6 Ilulissat. Optional iceberg cruise

Today is your last full day in Ilulissat, and we highly recommend considering the most popular excursion in the area.

Iceberg cruise (add-on)

The day concludes with an unforgettable evening cruise on the Ilulissat Icefjord. On board a comfortable boat, you’ll sail among the majestic icebergs created by the immense Sermeq Kujalleq glacier.

The evening light casts golden and blue hues across the ice, creating a truly magical atmosphere. Your guide will share insights about the fjord and its significance while you enjoy a warm drink and take in this extraordinary scenery.

A day filled with experiences, where the beauty of nature and the charm of the town come together in perfect harmony.

Aninngaaq R. Carlsen - Visit Greenland
Day 7 Departure. Flight Ilulissat – Copenhagen

After several memorable days in Ilulissat, it is time to say goodbye to the Arctic winter. Perhaps your day begins with a quiet morning walk and one last view over Disko Bay, where icebergs drift slowly by – just as they have for thousands of years, and long after your journey ends. In Greenland, we are all visitors for a short while, while nature endures. It is a farewell to a place that is not only seen but truly felt.

You depart from Ilulissat and arrive in Copenhagen later the same evening – with your suitcase full of memories from a journey defined by silence, adventure, and extraordinary Arctic landscapes.

Stian Klo - Visit Greenland

Hotels on this tour

Hotel Arctic
Restauranten på hotel Arctic - Fotograf: Hotel Arctic
Hotel Arctic
Hotel Arctic sign

Hotel Arctic

Greenland’s most famous hotel is Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat. It is located with a fantastic view of Ilulissat town, Ilulissat Ice Fjord, and Disko Bay. Hotel Arctic is the world’s northernmost 4-star hotel, and on top of that, the hotel features a 5-star conference center. The hotel is located just outside the town, approximately a 15-minute walk from the town center (app. 1.5 km from the central intersection in town).

The hotel has two great restaurants, and the large terrace outside the restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine while the sun shines its golden glow at midnight over the icebergs at Ilulissat Ice Fjord.

NOTE: The hotel offers airport transfers, but there are not transfers in connection with excursions or such.

Hotel Arctic
Mittarfimmut Aqq. B-1128
3952 Ilulissat

Excursions (Optional purchases)

Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland
Alex Savu - Visit Greenland
Keld Ravn
Aninngaaq R. Carlsen - Visit Greenland
Filip Gielda - Visit Greenland
Henrik Møller Nielsen - Visit Greenland

Sightseeing (Kangerlussuaq)

Price from: 60,- EUR

Experience Kangerlussuaq – a former American air base and Greenland’s outdoor paradise. The tour passes the harbor, Kellyville, and the old base area, with a stop at the dog yard where you can get up close to Greenlandic sled dogs.

Your guide will share stories about the area’s history, the surrounding nature, and everyday life for the local community, showing why Kangerlussuaq is such a unique place in Greenland.

  • MIN. PARTICIPANTS: 2 persons
  • DURATION: 2 hours
Aninngaaq R. Carlsen - Visit Greenland
Alex Savu - Visit Greenland
Anders Beier - Visit Greenland
Ellen Fjellanger Schmidt
World of Greenland
Aninngaaq R. Carlsen - Visit Greenland

Dog Sledding, 2 hours (Kangerlussuaq)

Price from: 270,- EUR

Experience dog sledding in Kangerlussuaq on the flat, frozen fjord – ideal for a smooth and comfortable ride. Along the way, we enjoy the beautiful surroundings and witness the dogs’ strength and teamwork as the musher shares insights into their care and leadership.

Warm clothing and insulated boots are included to keep you comfortable even in cold winter conditions.

  • MIN. PARTICIPANTS: 2 persons
  • DURATION: 2 hours
Adam Lyberth - Visit Greenland
Aninngaaq R. Carlsen - Visit Greenland
David Trood - Visit Greenland
Stephanie Vermillion - Visit Greenland
Peter Lindstrøm - Visit Greenland

Northern Lights Excursion (Kangerlussuaq)

Price from: 75,- EUR

Experience the Northern Lights in Kangerlussuaq – one of the best places in the world to see them, thanks to clear skies, minimal light pollution, and spectacular surroundings. We drive out into nature to enjoy the green and colorful ribbons of light, while your guide shares stories about both the natural phenomenon and old Greenlandic legends.

After the experience, we gather in a cozy atmosphere for “Greenlandic coffee” and continue the conversation about the wonderful history and meaning of the Northern Lights.

  • MIN. PARTICIPANTS: 4 persons
  • DURATION: 2 hours
Keld Ravn
Kristian Paakjær
Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland
David Trood - Visit Greenland
Greenland Travel
Greenland Travel

Trip to the Ice Cap, Point 660 (Kangerlussuaq)

Price from: 105,- EUR

Experience the Greenland Ice Sheet at Point 660 with stunning views of the Russell Glacier and glacier outlets. The tour follows Sandflugtsdalen Valley with its meltwater river through varied landscapes of lakes, mountain tundra, and dunes before reaching the edge of the ice.

From the parking area, we walk approximately 500 meters onto the Greenland Ice Sheet and feel the immense, endless expanse of ice beneath our feet.

  • MIN. PARTICIPANTS: 4 persons
  • DURATION: 5 hours
Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland
Christina Lundbye
Henrik Møller Nielsen - Visit Greenland
Aninngaaq R. Carlsen - Visit Greenland

City Walk (Ilulissat)

Price from: 45,- EUR

Begin your experience with a deeper understanding of Greenlandic culture and history—adding valuable perspective to all your other experiences in Greenland.

Ilulissat was founded in 1741 and is today Greenland’s third-largest town, with more than 4,500 inhabitants. On this guided city walk, your guide will share insights into the town’s history, Greenlandic culture, and modern life 300 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. Along the way, we visit the fishermen at the harbor, the vendors at “Brættet,” and pass by Knud Rasmussen’s birthplace as well as the old wooden Zion Church.

  • MINIMUM PARTICIPANTS: 4 persons
  • DURATION: 2 hours

We recommend booking the tour at the same time as your trip. If you book later, you risk it being sold out. Please read more about the excursions in the daily programs above.

Ivar Eythorsson - Visit Greenland
Caroline Ellis Friis
Jan Lindahl
Asa Steiners - Visit Greenland
Anders Peter Amsnæs

Sermermiut Hike (Ilulissat)

Price from: 55,- EUR

The stunning icebergs of the Ilulissat Icefjord form the backdrop to the ancient settlement of Sermermiut, located about 1.5 kilometers south of the town. For 4,000 years, various Inuit cultures lived at this site, and many remains can still be seen today, bearing witness to their presence.

You can explore ruins from the time when Inuit lived here, and if you continue to the end of the boardwalk, you will also reach the so-called “Kællingekløften,” which became well known after season 4 of the TV series “Borgen,” much of which was filmed in Ilulissat.

  • MINIMUM PARTICIPANTS: 4 persons
  • DURATION: 2 hours

We recommend booking the tour at the same time as your trip. If you book later, you risk it being sold out. Please read more about the excursions in the daily programs above.

Aninngaaq R. Carlsen - Visit Greenland
Jette Schwartz
Anders Peter Amsnæs
Beate Ulich
Aninngaaq R. Carlsen - Visit Greenland
Stian Klo - Visit Greenland
Jesper Kunuk Egede

Icefjord Cruise (Ilulissat)

Price from: 95,- EUR

Experience the impressive icebergs of Ilulissat bathed in the unique light of the midnight sun. On this popular boat tour, we head out into the Icefjord, where large icebergs, calved from the Ilulissat Glacier, drift and ground at the mouth of the fjord.

Here, you will have the opportunity to sail close among these majestic ice formations and experience their scale and beauty up close. Please remember to dress warmly, as it can be chilly out on the water—even in summer.

  • MINIMUM PARTICIPANTS: 4 or 6 persons
  • DURATION: 2.5 hours

We recommend booking the tour at the same time as your trip. If you book later, you risk it being sold out. Please read more about the excursions in the daily programs above.

Practical information

Flight times (local time)

  • Direct flight Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq with departures at 9:00 am
  • Direct Ilulissat – Copenhagen with arrival in Copenhagen at 9:00 pm

Please note that departure times are subject to changes.

Packing List

Find the packing list for your trip here.

Baggage included

20 kilos of checked baggage and 8 kilos of cabin baggage (max. dimensions of cabin baggage: 55 x 40 x 23 cm).

Travelers with reduced mobility and wheelchair users

We do not recommend this tour for people with reduced mobility and wheelchair users. Greenland Travel’s advice regarding difficulty levels on our excursions is intended for travelers who are not disabled. We are always happy to provide you with information on the suitability of the trip, taking into account the specific needs you may have. Please note that our advice is not based on medical knowledge, and ultimately it is YOUR responsibility to decide if a tour is right for you.

Winter Experiences in Greenland

7 days in Kangerlussuaq and Ilulissat

On this trip, you will experience two of Greenland’s most fascinating destinations – Kangerlussuaq and Ilulissat – combining the vastness of the Ice Sheet with the dramatic beauty of the Icefjord.

Ice SheetIcebergsDogsleddingInuit Culture
From
1.995 EUR
per person in double room
7 days  | 6 nights
March-April
Departure from Copenhagen
Travel id 9029

Greenland Travel A/S is the tour operator of the trip, while Air Greenland solely acts as an intermediary. This means that all future contact regarding the trip will be directly with Greenland Travel, which is also responsible for the practical arrangements of your journey.

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Foto: tina-ravn-lauritsen

Do you need help?

You are always welcome to contact us if you have any questions regarding your trip or if you need advice or guidance.

You can call us at: +45 3313 1011