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Western Greenland Explorer.

A great combination of places for the Arctic fan.
...and the best possible introduction to Greenland’s Arctic for everyone else

Visit three classical Greenlandic areas in one journey. The practical matters are taken care of for you and great local guides in Greenland help you make the most of your trip. There’s lots of optional excursions available - but you are completely in charge of how many Greenlandic experiences you wish to treat yourself to. The polar summer is brief and lively and encourages physical adventure as well as pure relaxation. There’s room for everything on this 8-day active holiday to three very different places.

Kangerlissuaq is at an inland area that comes to being a desert. Very little rain, quite a bit of sand. With enough vegetation to support musk oxen and caribou as well as Arctic foxes and hares. Not far from very impressive areas of the Inland Ice.

Ilulissat is the Inuit word for iceberg. Kangia (River of Ice) feeds twenty million tons of its glacial ice into Disko Bay every day!

Sisimiut is a pretty harbor town drenched in local culture, both contemporary and ancient. Great walking and some deep fishing .

Garnet rock
May - September -min. 6 participants
You’ll start towards Garnet Rock by going to the top of Tacan, and then down the hill past “The Big Salt lake” and to the Garnet Rock. Here, you can find blocks of stone rich in red garnets, which can easily be chipped away by using a hammer and chisel. Includes a picnic lunch, coffee and tea. Length: approx. 8 hours, incl. 2 hours at the Garnet Rock. Price incl. lunch: $ 90 Children under 12: $ 50 Please book at least one day in advance.

..and the best possible introduction to Greenland’s Arctic for everyone else Visit three classical Greenlandic areas in one journey. The practical matters are taken care of for you and great local guides in Greenland help you make the most of your trip. There’s lots of optional excursions available - but you are completely in charge of how many Greenlandic experiences you wish to treat yourself to. The polar summer is brief and lively and encourages physical adventure as well as pure relaxation. There’s room for everything on this 8-day active holiday to three very different places.

Day Tour Options in Ilulissat

Ice Fjord Voyage
All year -( if circumstances allow)  Level of difficulty: 1
Every day approximately 20 million tons of ice flow out into Ice Fjord from the Ilulissat Glacier, w hich is transformed into huge icebergs stretching up to 100 meters above the water, and many have grounded on the floor of the fjord.. This trip sails among these icebergs. An incredible experience that you should not miss when visiting Ilulissat. Bring warm clothing. Duration: 2½ hours Price: $ 75 incl. coffee/tea

Hike to the Old Settlement of Sermermiut
Year round Level of difficulty: 2
Different Inuit cultures have lived near Ilulissat over the past 4,000 years, leaving much behind. You’ll earn about local history and customs from the time before the Europeans arrived and visit spots settled for thousands of years. You can also admire the views across the rows of icebergs. Duration: 2.5 hours Price: $ 35 incl. guide and coffee/tea 

A Hike along the Ice Fjord
June - Sept, level of difficulty 3
Every day, all year round, approximately 20 million tons of ice flow out into Ice Fjord from the Ilulissat Glacier. This ice is transformed into huge icebergs that stretch up to 100 meters above the water, and some strand at the mouth of Ice Fjord on an underwater moraine. The hike will also pass the old settlement Sermermiut. Duration: 4-5 hours Price: $ 75 incl. guide, sandwich and coffee/tea 

Walk under the Midnight Sun - a trip to the Settlement at the Ice Fjord
June - Aug. Level of difficulty: 2 
The Midnight Sun lasts from May 24 to July 24. and it’s a wonderful experience to take a walk in it This tour covers the same ground as the Sermermiut day tour, but under the Midnight Sun! Your guide will tell about the ancient settlement of Sermermiut as you wander past it. Then continue past The Old Ladies’ Gorge and the ancient Inuit graves, which is followed by a snack at Holm’s Hill. Then proceed along the stunning

Ice Fjord,
while your guide talks about Greenland’s flora, fauna, geology and the huge volumes of ice in the area. The final part of the tour takes you through Qoororsuaq Gorge. Duration: 2.5 hours Price: $ 40 incl. guide and coffee/tea 

Walk to Observation Points on Qaqqarsuattat
 Season: June - Sept. Level of difficulty: 4 
You start by walking to Holm’s Hill, where the towns people assemble on January 13 each year to welcome back the sun. Then continue along the Ice Fjord with its huge icebergs, where a stop is made for lunch. Climb to the summit, 319 meters above sea level, while your guide talks about Greenland’s flora, fauna, geology and the huge volumes of ice in the area. Duration: 7-8 hours Price: $ 90 incl. guide, lunch and coffee/tea 

Eqi – Voyage to the Calving Glacier
 June 15 - Sept. Level of difficulty: 1 
The Eqi glacier calves right into the fjord 80 km north of Ilulissat and is one of the most beautiful places in Greenland. Sail to Eqi with a modern and comfortable tourist boat. The boat will get you close to the edge of the glacier so you can see the calving process. The sound of the active glacier is quite remarkable while the sight of icebergs toppling into the water is breathtaking. A good lunch and other refreshments are served. Duration: 8-10 hours Price: $ 270 incl. lunch, coffee/tea and a soft drink 

Evening Trip to Ice Fjord

May 24 - July 30 Level of difficulty: 1 
The light of the Midnight Sun casts a unique glow on the icebergs, which draws people back again and again. This walk goes very close to the icebergs, whose sheer magnitude can appear quite daunting. The midnight trip is an experience like no other. Remember to bring warm clothing and a camera! Duration: 2½ hours  Price: $ 85 incl. coffee/tea 

Ilimanaq – Voyage to a Greenland Village
 May - Oct. Level of difficulty: 1 
Barely a generation ago, most of the Greenland population lived in tiny villages, dotted along the coast like a string of pearls, but today most people live in towns. Ilulissat still has four thriving villages. One of these is Ilimanaq (Claushavn), which is south of the Ice Fjord and has many beautiful old colonial buildings and is famous for its excellent trout, caught in the Tasiusaq Fjord beyond the village. After an interesting boat ride to the village, you can get a meal for a reasonable price with a local family. Also, local guides offer tours round the village for DKK 150 pp. Duration: 5 hours Price: $ 115 incl. coffee/tea 

Cultural City Tour of Ilulissat
All year Level of difficulty: 1+ 
Ilulissat offers insight into Greenland old and new. The town was , founded in 1741 and boasts a fascinating history. You will see the fishermen in the harbor, and get a round trip in this picturesque town. Duration: 2.5 hours Price: $ 35 incl. guide

Helicopter to Ice Fjord & Inland Ice Cap
May 15 - September 2 Level of difficulty: 1 
From Ilulissat Airport you’ll head to the protected area around the Ilulissat Ice Cap. Mountain tops and lakes in all colors appear together with gigantic icebergs. You’ll have a 30 minute stop on the edge of the Ice Cap, where there is a magnificent view to the Inland Ice Cap, the Ice Fjord and the many gigantic icebergs. The flight back is at low altitude which gives a close-up look at the floating icebergs. Duration: 2 hours, 15 min (54 min. flying time) Price: $ 415 incl. transfer, guide and drink 

Oqaatsut – Voyage to a Greenland Village
May - Oct. Level of difficulty: 1 
For hundreds of years, Oqaatsut (Rodebay) was a stopover place for Dutch whalers, who dragged huge whales onto land in the old village. The village, which lies in a beautiful natural setting just 15 km north of Ilulissat, has a mere 50 inhabitants, its own school, church, shop and a restaurant “H8”, which serves an excellent lunch in the old colonial building. You can combine a visit to Oqaatsut with a hike to or from Ilulissat, sailing the other leg. Duration: 5 hours Price: $ 115 incl. coffee/tea 

Day Tour Options in Sisimiut

Culture and history tour to Teleøen
Season: June - Oct. Level of difficulty: 3 
Despite Greenland’s enormous size, the population has lived in the same few areas throughout the ages. On Teleøen Island, Sallinnguit, you find old and new as you see traces of the various Inuit cultures who have settled there over the past 4,000 years. See the ruins and admire the handsome views over the town and the ancient hunting grounds, and learn the history of the Inuit people before Europeans arrived. Duration: 2 hours Price: $ 35 incl. guide, refreshments and transfer 

Hike up Præstefjeldet
June - Aug. Level of difficulty: 4 
This is a beautiful hike offering views over the entire town and surrounding area. This south facing peak has plenty of vegetation featuring bushes, flowers and moss and provides majestic views across the town and “Kangerluarsuk Tulleq/ Første fjord. Duration: 5-6 hours Price: $ 80 incl. guide, transfer and refreshments 

Guided City Walk in Sisimiut
All year Level of difficulty: 1+ 
Get to know Sisimiut on a two-hour tour of the history, culture and modern everyday life in town. Visit the craft workshops of the old Royal Greenland Trading Company warehouse, go though the gate to the old town, made from a whale jawbone, see the museum in the old town with its gaily-painted houses from the colonial period In the fascinating open fish and meat market ”brættet” your guide will tell you all about local fishing traditions and the catch of the day. Head for the fur workroom where you can see sealskins being made into jackets, slippers and handbags, and watch musk wool spun Duration: 2 hours Price: $ 35 incl. entrance and guide 

City tour by bus
Season: All year Level of difficulty: 1 
Same as above, but with a bus trip to the city’s highest point from which there is a beautiful view. Duration: 1½ hour Price: $ 35 incl. guide 

Dinner with a Greenland family
Year round  Level of difficulty: 1
It is usually easier to chat over the dinner table which is why you are hereby invited to enjoy a traditional Greenland meal, including the national dish “Suaasat”. This is a soup made from seal, whale, poultry or lamb with onion, rice and potatoes. Over dinner you can find out all about family life in Greenland and any other questions you may like to ask. Duration: 2 hours Price: $ 50 incl.

Picnic with a view
June - Sept. Level of difficulty: 2 
Enjoy a delightful picnic in the valley to the east of Sisimiut! Your guide will tell you about the local flora and fauna as you sit back and admire Greenlands nature. Enjoy a picnic of local Greenland specialties with coffee brewed on the spot using water from a nearby stream. Duration: 3 hours Price: $ 50 incl. transfer, lunch, coffee/tea and guide 

Hike to Qiterlinnguaq
Season: Jun. - Aug. Level of difficulty: 4 
A beautiful hike in the valley east of Sisimiut, out to the vantage point Qiterlinnguaq from where you can see the mouth of “Første fjord” and far into the land. On the hike back there is a beautiful view of the ocean and Sisimiut. Remember mosquito net and spray. Duration: 6-7 hours Price: $ 80 incl. guide and lunch 

Kaffemik with a Greenland family
Season: All year Level of difficulty: 1 
Kaffemik is a tradition in Greenland. Literally meaning “please come to our house for coffee”, Kaffemik is more than just afternoon coffee. You will be invited into a Greenland home to d learn a bit about their way of life and to take part in a real Greenland experience - with coffee and Greenland cakes or buns, after which you swap tales. Duration: 1 hour Price: $ 35 incl. cake and coffee/tea. 

Hike the dog sledge track
Jun. - Sept. Level of difficulty: 4 
Enjoy a peaceful boat trip to the fiord Kangerluarsuk Tulleq, experience the powers of the tides at the narrow passage then disembark to start the hike. First, fill your water bottle with fresh cool creek water, then the hike back to Sisimiut will begin! The first part is the toughest, but you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful view of the fiord system and the sea rat the top. Up there, too a strange sight awaits - a UFO shaped cabin! This is used by the dog sledges during winter and it makes a good spot to enjoy a picnic lunch and a little rest. Then it’s all hiking is down hill to Sisimiut following the dog’s tracks of surrounded by a fantastic view of nature around Sisimiut. Duration: 8-9 hours Price: $ 235 incl. guide, boat trip, lunch and drinking bottle 

Catch your own dinner  
June - Sept. Level of difficulty: 1 
Food always tastes better outside, so what about catching it yourself? Fish for the red fish and cod in the area around Sisimiut, and every one will be shown how to clean their catch! The delicious fresh fish will be the centerpiece of a nice meal for everyone to enjoy Duration: 4 hours Price: $130 incl. fishing license and equipment, lunch

A Visit to the abandoned settlement Assaqutaq
June - Sept. Level of difficulty: 1
In the 60’s and 70’s many settlements in Greenland were closed and people had to move to the bigger cities to find jobs and to benefit from the modern facilities. Assaqutaq which is on the south side of Kællingehætten is one of those settlements. It is now used as a summer camp by the local schools and local people from Sisimiut come to the area to fish Ammassat, a small fish used as dog food. You’ll have a pretty boat ride to the village and while there, take a short hike passing the old fish factory, the summer camp and the beautiful old church. Duration: 2½ hours Price: $ 95 incl. transfer, coffee/tea 

Boat trip under the midnight sun
 June - Sept. Level of difficulty: 1 
A great chance to spot seals and whales! The boat takes you out of the harbor and past the abandoned settlement, Assaqutaq, where if allowed by time and tide you might go ashore and look around.Duration: 3 hours Price: $ 95 incl. transfer, coffee/tea 

Deep sea fishing
 Jun. - Sept. Level of difficulty: 1 
Experience the calm about deep sea fishing. It’s just you, a jig, the sea and the fish. Your captain will pick the best place for fishing depending on the tides - all you have to do is reel ‘em in. . Duration: 4 hours Price: $ 125 incl. transfer, coffee/tea 

The Daily Travel Itinerary

Day 1 – Monday
Depart from Baltimore (BWI) on Air Greenland at 10 AM and arrive in Kangerlussuaq five hours later. The Hotel Kangerlussuaq is in the same building as the airport, so it’s easy to check in, and then enjoy information meeting and welcome dinner. You’ll be just kilometers north of the Polar Circle and only about 15 miles away from the gigantic ice cap that blankets Greenland.

Day 2 - Tuesday
After Breakfast at the Hotel Kangerlussuaq, you can take optional excursions (see above)

Day 3 – Wednesday
After breakfast and check out, you’ll fly to Ilulissat, where you’ll be taken to the Hotel Arctic. Check in, and have an information meeting to explain your local options, and then join a walk through the town of Ilulissat after lunch. Enjoy the fine restaurant at the Hotel Arctic for a welcome dinner this evening.

Day 4 – Thursday
Day 5 – Friday
After breakfast at the Hotel, enjoy Ilulissat your own way- either with a choice of guided excursions, or explore on your own.

Day 6 - Saturday
After breakfast and check out, you’ll fly from Ilulissat to Sisimiut, then be taken to the Hotel Sisimiut. After check in, you’ll have an introductory meeting with your guides who will tell you about Sisimiut, the second largest town in Greenland. There are a multitude of optional excursions or you can just head for the mountains with rivers and lakes, fish, bird life and millions of flowers. The town itself is very interesting as you’ll discover in an afternoon walk - when you can experience how beautifully a town can be nestled within nature.

Day 7 - Sunday
After breakfast at the Hotel, you’ll have your choice of guided excursions, or explore Sisimiut on your own.

Day 8 - Monday
After breakfast at the Hotel Sisimiut, you’ll be transferred to the airport to fly back to Kangerlussuaq and then onwards to Baltimore.

The Price for the West Greenland Explorer tour is $4000. per person in standard double room.
Single travelers - $4450. per person
The price includes all flights, in Economy Class with taxes, between:
Baltimore – Kangerlussuaq – Ilulissat – Sisimiut - Kangerlussuaq – Baltimore,
2 nights at Hotel Kangerlussuaq in standard double room
3 nights at Hotel Arctic in standard double room
2 nights at Hotel Sisimiut in standard double room
Breakfast every day, welcome dinners at Hotel Kangerlussuaq and Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat
Transfer to/from airport in Ilulissat to Hotel Arctic
Transfer to/from airport to Hotel Sisimiut
Guide service from Greenland Travel
Information meetings in Kangerlussuaq, Sisimiut and Ilulissat
The price does NOT include lunches or dinners other than two listed, nor any optional local excursions or tours.

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