Greenland Expedition

Tikilluarit! Welcome to Greenland. Your adventure begins in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe wander the streets of the Old Nuuk neighbourhood and see the Hans Egede Church and Hans Egede statue, both named after the missionary who founded the settlement. History buffs will want to visit the national museum to view the famous Greenlandic mummies, too, which were found under a rock outcrop in 1972 by two brothers who were ptarmigan hunting. After your meeting, maybe head out for an optional welcome dinner with the group.

This morning, take a leader-led walking tour of Nuuk. After you get your bearings and see some of the city’s sites, you’ll meet with a local storyteller to learn about Greenland’s mythology. Hear stories about the local legends and mythological creatures like the Mother of the Sea, the Mountain Walker, the Sun and Moon and many others. Your storyteller will also talk about their background and where their interest in monsters began. After, you’ll have a free afternoon – maybe take a short hike in the backcountry or take a boat tour through the city’s fjord. As it doesn’t get dark in the evenings, boat tours are a great way to spend an evening! (B)

This morning, you’ll catch a flight to Ilulissat, which literally translates to ‘icebergs’ and is home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ice Fjord. When you arrive, you’ll head out on a leader-led walking tour of the town. Learn about the history of the town, visit the port to learn about the local fishing industry and pass by a wooden church and history museum. Walk by the local shops and the artisans bone carving workshop to learn about the century old traditions and their meaning in the inuit culture and belief. Later, enjoy a kaffemik experience – step into a local’s home and get a feel for what it's like to live like a Greenlander, especially through the art of kaffemik! More than just coffee and cakes, this tradition of a hot drink and a sweet treat promotes community, connection and the enjoyment of life. (B)

Today you’ll explore one of Ilulissat’s most important cultural and natural landmarks with a visit to Sermermiut, the ancient settlement overlooking the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk along the marked trail through the Arctic landscape while learning about how people once lived here and relied on the fjord for hunting and daily life.

Continue to the Icefjord Centre, where interactive exhibitions explain the story of Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the fastest-moving glaciers in the world and the source of the icebergs drifting through Disko Bay. From the outdoor walkway, enjoy views over the fjord and take in the scale of this unique landscape before returning to town in the afternoon. (B)

Today, you’ll take a transfer to the port, then the ferry to Qeqertarsuaq (Disko Island). The city and the island have the same name, which in Greenlandic means ‘the big island’. Pass by more icebergs – this may just be one of the most spectacular public ferry rides ever – along the way. When you arrive, take a guided walking tour with your leader to learn about the island’s history and what modern life is like above the polar circle. Qeqertarsuaq was founded in 1773 as a whaling station and today has about 850 inhabitants. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free – ask your leader where to grab the best local fare. (B)

Today, you’ll embark on a 10 km guided hike through some of Qeqertarsuaq’s most scenic and culturally significant landscapes, with Kuannit and the Qorlortorsuaq waterfall as your main destinations. Starting in the town center, you’ll pass the striking black volcanic sand beach and the famous football pitch. From there, you’ll head into the wild to reach Kuannit—a stunning coastal area named after the Angelica plant (Kuanni). It’s a quiet, soulful place where crashing waves and dramatic cliffs offer a vivid glimpse into Greenland’s geological history. Your next stop will be Qorlortorsuaq, a small but powerful waterfall. If you’re lucky, you may spot seals feeding in the nearby waters. Though Kuannit is one of the island’s best-known landmarks, its peaceful surroundings and sparse crowds make for an intimate and immersive nature experience. (B/L)

Today you’ll head out and cruise to the Qasigiannguit settlement. Ilulissat sits at the mouth of the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier – a source of many of the icebergs in the North Atlantic – so this is the perfect spot for total iceberg exploration. During your tour of the town from the water, look out for seals and whales. Visit Greenland's oldest wooden house, built in 1734, enjoy lunch while you learn about the area’s cultural traditions. (B/L)

This morning, take the ferry back to Ilulissat. When you arrive, enjoy a free afternoon to relax and recharge after a full two days of hiking. You could also take an optional sea-kayaking tour through the icebergs or go whale watching! You could also head out on an iIce fjord boat tour and cruise through the incredible landscape at a leisurely pace. During the months of the midnight sun (when the sun never completely sets), there is plenty to do to really soak up the magic of this remote location! (B)

With no further activities planned after breakfast, your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay, it’s important to request any additional accommodation well in advance due to limited availability and high demand in the summer months. (B)