Greenland Hiking Adventure
Category
Active
Travel period
Summer
Trip type
FIT
Duration
15 Days / 14 Nights
This tour offers a guided hiking adventure through southern Greenland, following scenic trails and paths shaped by locals and roaming sheep. Accommodation includes guesthouses, small hotels, and a cozy camp. The journey features hikes beneath towering peaks, visits to Norse ruins, an ice fjord, and natural hot springs, as well as treks between settlements—an unforgettable Arctic experience.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Narsarsuaq
Flight from Copenhagen to Narsarsuaq, a gateway to South Greenland’s dramatic landscapes of mountains, fjords, glaciers, and Viking ruins. After check-in and dinner, an optional hike to Signal Hill offers breathtaking views of the airport, Brattahlid, and the Ice Sheet. Dinner and accommodation at Hotel Narsarsuaq.
Day 2: Qaqortoq
A morning boat journey to Qaqortoq, South Greenland’s largest town, arriving early in the afternoon. After check-in, a guided tour explores its key sights, including the ‘Stone and Man’ sculpture project, the town’s famous fountain, and the educational centres. Dinner at leisure in town or at the hotel. Accommodation at Hotel Qaqortoq.
Day 3: Qaqortoq
A full day to explore Qaqortoq independently. The tourist office provides maps of the Stone and Man sculptures scattered throughout town. Highlights include the open fish and meat market, the town’s museum housed in its oldest building (1804), and an optional 8 km hike in the surrounding hills. Alternatively, an excursion to the Uunartoq hot springs is available (not included).
Day 4: Hvalsey Church Ruin, Upernaviarsuk, Igaliku
Breakfast followed by a boat journey through Igaliku Fjord. The first stop is Hvalsey Church Ruin, Greenland’s best-preserved Norse site. From here, the journey continues to Upernaviarsuk, an experimental agricultural station and nursery cultivating vegetables for local markets. After a short walk, the final leg of the journey leads to Igaliku, a scenic sheep farming village home to the remains of a large Norse bishopric. Time to explore the village and ruins before dinner. Dinner and accommodation at Igaliku Country Hotel.
Day 5: Igaliku
After breakfast, time to explore the village and its historic Norse ruins. The distinctive Igaliku Stone, a unique reddish sandstone used in local construction, is a highlight. A 17 km hike to a plateau offers a panoramic view of the Qooroq Icefjord. Dinner and accommodation at Igaliku Country Hotel.
Day 6: Nuuk
A morning hike along King’s Road (4 km) leads to Tunulliarfik Fjord, where a boat transfer returns to Narsarsuaq. From here, a flight to Nuuk awaits. Upon arrival, a transfer to the hotel is arranged, with the rest of the day free for exploration. Dinner and accommodation at Hotel Hans Egede.
Day 7: Nuuk
A guided tour of Greenland’s capital includes the Greenland National Museum, Katuaq Culture House, and the charming old town with the Hans Egede statue. An optional boat excursion to Qooqqut (not included) offers a chance to fish and enjoy a freshly prepared meal in the fjord system. Accommodation at Hotel Hans Egede.
Day 8: Ilulissat
Flight from Nuuk to Ilulissat, Greenland’s third-largest town, whose name means “icebergs.” A guided tour introduces modern life alongside traditional hunting practices, followed by a hike to the historic Sermermiut settlement at the mouth of the Icefjord. In the evening, an optional midnight sun boat tour among the icebergs is recommended (not included). Accommodation in Ilulissat.
Day 9: Eqi Glacier
A boat journey northward to the calving Eqi Glacier, with opportunities to spot seals and whales. The boat sails close to the glacier’s towering face before arriving at Glacier Lodge Eqi. Accommodation is in simple yet cozy wooden cabins with no running water or sewerage, heated by a gas stove and lit by candlelight. Guided hikes explore the surrounding wilderness. Dinner and accommodation at Glacier Lodge Eqi.
Day 10: Eqi Glacier
A 4-5 hour guided hike to the glacier’s moraine offers a stunning vantage point over the ice front. The hike involves some river crossings and mild climbs but rewards with breathtaking views. Dinner and accommodation at Glacier Lodge Eqi.
Day 11: Ilulissat
A boat returns to Ilulissat in the afternoon, with time to enjoy the passing landscapes and look for whales, including fin whales and humpbacks. Accommodation in Ilulissat.
Day 12: Ilulissat
A free day to explore the Ilulissat area. Several hiking routes are available, and optional excursions include a whale safari in Disko Bay or a helicopter flight over Kangia Glacier (not included). Accommodation in Ilulissat.
Day 13: Ilimanaq
A boat journey to Ilimanaq passes the Icefjord’s mouth, arriving in the early afternoon. After check-in at Ilimanaq Lodge, a guided introduction to the village follows. The evening features a gourmet three-course dinner in a restored historic building from 1751. Accommodation at Ilimanaq Lodge.
Day 14: Ilulissat
Breakfast at the lodge before a morning at leisure. Options include self-guided hikes, relaxing in the village, or joining an optional excursion. Lunch is provided as a takeaway sandwich. The return boat to Ilulissat departs in the afternoon. Additional excursions, including glacier hiking, can be arranged. Dinner and accommodation in Ilulissat.
Day 15: Departure
Flight from Ilulissat to Copenhagen via Nuuk, marking the end of an unforgettable journey through Greenland.
Tour Details
Accommodation
1 night at Hotel Narsarsuaq
2 nights at Hotel Qaqortoq
2 nights at Igaliku Country Hotel (shared toilet/shower)
2 nights at Hotel Hans Egede in Nuuk
4 nights at Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat
2 nights at Glacier Lodge Eqi in private cabin
1 night at Ilimanaq Lodge in private cabin
MealsWelcome dinner in Narsarsuaq (excl. beverages)
Welcome dinner in Nuuk (excl. beverages)
Full board in Igaliku (excl. beverages)
Full board at Glacier Lodge Eqi (excl. beverages)
Full board at Ilimanaq Lodge (excl. beverages)
Breakfast all days
Farewell dinner at Hotel Arctic (excl. beverages)
Excursions & activities
Hikes with a tour guide
20 kilos of checked baggage and 8 kilos of cabin baggage
Optional excursions
Excursion to Uunartoq
Fish and Dish
Iceberg Safari Ilulissat
Ilimanaq Glacier Adventure (from Ilimanaq)
Whale Watching Ilulissat
Helicopter Tour. Icefjord and Glacier From Above!
Transport & Transfers
Flight Copenhagen – Narsarsuaq
Flight Narsarsuaq – Nuuk
Flight Nuuk – Ilulissat
Flight Ilulissat – Nuuk – Copenhagen
Boat Narsarsuaq – Qaqortoq
Boat Qaqortoq – Igaliku
Boat Itilleq (by Igaliku) – Narsarsuaq
Return boat Ilulissat – Glacier Lodge Eqi
Return boat Ilulissat – Ilimanaq
All transfers from airport to hotel
This is a sustainable trip
Local tip
We recommend trying Suaasat. It is a traditional Greenlandic soup, typically made with seal, reindeer, or fish, slow-cooked with rice, onions, and potatoes for a hearty and warming dish.