groenland kangerlussuaq aurores boreales neige hiver o-nord

Adventure North of the Arctic Circle

REGION
Greenland
THEME
Aurora borealis, Culture, Stay
ACTIVITIES
Dogsledding, Ice cap, Snowmobile
DURATION
10 days
DIFFICULTY
Easy

Under clear blue skies and piercing white snow, amidst packs of sled dogs, and with a chance to witness the Northern Lights unfold in the nighttime sky, this journey offers a multitude of opportunities to create an incredible winter adventure in the Arctic!

Kangerlussuaq on the Greenland Ice Cap

You’ll spend the first two days in Kangerlussuaq. Situated in a white ice desert, your Arctic winter experience will be awe-inspiring. Free-roaming musk oxen and reindeer are other typical features of the landscape, and if you’re lucky, you might catch sight of some of these Arctic animals in their natural habitat.

Arctic Adventure in Sisimiut

The journey continues to Sisimiut, where you’ll spend the next five days. This picturesque town lies just inside the Arctic Circle. It’s the northernmost Greenland town with a ice-free harbor throughout the winter season, and at the same time, it’s the southernmost town with sled dogs. With 5,500 inhabitants, Sisimiut is Greenland’s second-largest town and boasts an interesting mix of industries, including fishing and dog sledding, while young people study to become Arctic engineers.

Arctic Winter

Clean, fine snow is abundant here in winter. In February and March, you can experience a true Arctic winter in Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut, with average temperatures dropping to around minus 15 degrees Celsius. During cold spells, temperatures can plummet to minus 30-40°C. Fortunately, it’s never as cold as it seems, thanks to low humidity, bright sunshine, and clear blue skies.

Dog Sledding and Northern Lights

There are many ways to explore winter-clad Sisimiut, and you’ll have ample opportunities to try dog sledding, hiking, cross-country and alpine skiing, boat trips, museum visits, and observing local artists at work. And once the day is done, settle into the hotel’s hot tubs and turn your gaze upward to marvel at the magic of the Northern Lights unfolding in the sky. A true Greenlandic winter adventure!

Highlights:

  • Fun winter activity holidays
  • Traverse the tundra and walk ON the Greenland Ice Cap
  • Admire the Northern Lights
  • Don’t miss a trip to the impressive Russell Glacier
  • Enjoy an authentic dog sledding excursion
  • Discover local life and colorful houses of Sisimiut

DEPARTURE DATES

January 22, 29, 2023
February 19, 26, 2023
March 05, 12, 19, 2023

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES
Group: 8-10 people

Detailed program

DAY 1 | PARIS / COPENHAGEN

Departure for Copenhagen on regular SAS flights. Free transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Hotel Imperial or similar in Copenhagen.

DAY 2 | COPENHAGEN / KANGERLUSSUAQ

groenland kangerlussuaq eglise couleur hiver o-nord

DAY 2 | COPENHAGEN / KANGERLUSSUAQ

Free transfer to the airport. Flight to Greenland. Arrival in Kangerlussuaq. Transfer to the hotel.

Once you have checked in at Hotel Kangerlussuaq, the guide will convene everyone for an information meeting. You will receive practical advice about the village, the region, places to eat and hang out, and here you can confirm any excursions you may have booked from home. After the meeting, you can explore at your own pace or join the guided tour of Kangerlussuaq and its surroundings.

Kangerlussuaq Tour (optional)

Kangerlussuaq is a former American airbase. Today, the former airbase is Greenland’s main airport. The guide will share fascinating stories about the base’s origins, from World War II to the Cold War, and its transformation into a modern international airport. The area around Kangerlussuaq has the longest road in Greenland, and here we will see several interesting places and encounter the great Greenlandic nature. We head towards the harbor to enjoy the view of the magnificent fjord. The journey also takes us past Kellyville, a small research settlement, 12 kilometers from the airport and through the former base area. We will also visit the local dog kennel where you can get better acquainted with Greenlandic sled dogs. The scenic drive offers plenty of opportunities to admire the beautiful landscape and acclimate to the cold.

You can have dinner either at the hotel’s cafeteria or restaurant, or at Roklubben restaurant, beautifully located on the shores of Lake Fergusson, about four kilometers from the airport. Roklubben serves delicious cuisine combining local produce and international flavors. Transportation to and from Roklubben restaurant will be arranged by our guide.

DAY 3 | FREE DAY IN KANGERLUSSUAQ OR OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Ice, ice, and more ice! The name Point 660 doesn’t do justice to this beautiful spot on the edge of the ice cap. Here, about 37 kilometers from Kangerlussuaq, the road ends and all further travel is on foot in the Arctic winter landscape.

Tonight, you can join a Northern Lights tour. The trip to Point 660 and the Northern Lights tour are included if you purchase the excursion package.

Greenland Ice Sheet, Point 660 (optional)

groenland kangerlussag calotte glaciaire hiver randonnee o-nord

Kangerlussuaq is renowned as the gateway to the ice cap. This day is dedicated to a guided tour of the immense ice cap, which is the size of Western Europe. We travel aboard 4×4 vehicles through beautiful and varied terrain. Approaching the ice cap, we will pass by the Russell Glacier and an astonishing moraine landscape. At the end of the road stands the ice cap itself, providing a truly unique experience.

We will spend some time in this vast white world before returning to our vehicles. Feeling the extreme cold and letting your eyes wander over the seemingly endless ice surface is an indescribable experience. This journey offers many opportunities to spot reindeer and musk oxen.

Northern Lights in Kangerlussuaq (optional)

In the evening, those who wish can participate in an excursion dedicated to observing the Northern Lights.

groenland sisimiut aurores boreales hiver neige nuit polaire o-nord

On evenings with clear skies, we often witness the magnificent Northern Lights (also known as auroras borealis). During this excursion, we head to an area where artificial light does not hinder our view of the spectacular natural light show. The guide will provide further insights into the phenomenon of the Northern Lights and the many myths that have surrounded it through the ages. Additionally, the guide will demonstrate how to “create” Northern Lights while preparing incredibly delicious Greenlandic coffee for your enjoyment.

DAY 4 | FREE TIME IN KANGERLUSSUAQ OR OPTIONAL ACTIVITY

Today, you have free time to explore Kangerlussuaq at your leisure. Alternatively, if you have purchased the excursion package, you will embark on a tour to discover the impressive Russell Glacier.

The Russell Glacier (Optional)

groenland kangerlussuaq glacier russell hiver neige randonnee o-nord

Driving partially off-road, we take the fascinating road to the spectacular Russell Glacier through the Arctic tundra landscape. The glacier is a breathtaking sight with its vertical ice walls rising up to 60 meters. We get close enough for superb photo and video opportunities. The surroundings are truly stunning, and there are good chances of spotting wild musk oxen and perhaps even ptarmigans and Arctic hares.

DAY 5 | FLIGHT TO SISIMIUT AND OPTIONAL ACTIVITY

The journey continues to the coastal town of Sisimiut, located about a half-hour flight west of Kangerlussuaq. The hotel bus picks you up from the airport and takes you to the 4-star Sisimiut Hotel, which will be your comfortable base for the next five nights. Check-in is followed by an information meeting with the local guide. During the meeting, the guide will talk about the town, the region, places to eat and go out, and you can confirm the excursions you booked from home. It’s also possible to book excursions at the meeting. If you have purchased the excursion package, the information meeting will be followed by a cultural and historical bus tour of the city, giving you an insight into life in the north of the Arctic Circle.

Bus Tour (Optional)

The journey starts at the old heliport, which was one of the only gateways to Sisimiut until 1998. Today, the landing site is used as a dog sled kennel, and the building is a clubhouse for local youth. Our tour through the city will stop at the local market teeming with freshly caught fish and game. We pass by the town hall to inspect the original hunting and fishing houses that still exist today. We continue to the highest viewpoint in the city to admire the impressive view to the south. Finally, we visit the old town in the center where the original colonial-era buildings from the 1700s now house the city museum.

DAY 6 | FREE DAY IN SISIMIUT OR OPTIONAL ACTIVITY

Today is yours to enjoy in Sisimiut. With nature at your doorstep and the town’s culture and shops, there are plenty of entertainment options, but the Sisimiut Hotel also offers a range of excursions – and outdoor hot tubs! If you purchased our excursion package in advance, today you will enjoy a short two-hour dog sledding tour.

Two-Hour Dog Sledding Trip (Optional)

groenland sisimiut chiens meute traineau neige nuit polaire o-nord

Dog sledding is a truly authentic activity in Greenland. For thousands of years, the hunter and his dogs have lived and worked together in this harsh yet beautiful part of the world. The sled dog is therefore an important element of Greenlandic culture and was once the only means of transportation when the landscape is frozen and covered in snow. This is where you will experience total peace, with only the occasional interruption of the sled driver shouting orders to his dogs. You will be sitting on the sled while admiring the landscape, so make sure to wear warm clothing. The sled ride will take you to the foot of Niujarfik, a natural stop before the steep ascent northeast of Sisimiut. There will be a short break before the return journey – the perfect time to take photos while the sled driver untangles the cables. The price does not include the rental of polar clothing and boots, and there will be two people on each sled.

This sled excursion gives you a taste of dog sledding. If you think you can handle more of the winter life with dogs, the hotel can arrange a longer trip for you. You can organize it during your stay in Sisimiut.

DAY 7 | FREE DAY IN SISIMIUT

groenland sisimiut hiver neige nuit polaire o-nord

Today, you have the option to join excursions from the hotel or explore on your own in the second largest city in Greenland.

DAY 8 | FREE DAY IN SISIMIUT OR OPTIONAL ACTIVITY

groenland sisimiut ville hiver neige ocean maisons colorees o-nord

On your last day in the wonderful city of Sisimiut, you can go on a winter safari by snowmobile.

Winter Safari (optional)

Enjoy the breathtaking mountain scenery surrounding Sisimiut. During this excursion, you’ll be comfortably seated in a snowmobile sled, taking in the grandeur of nature from the valley to the mountaintop. The tour takes you through vast snowy mountain landscapes and the Kangerluarsuk Tulleq fjord. There will be plenty of photo opportunities along the way. A packed lunch will be enjoyed on the hillside with the Davis Strait in the background.

DAY 9 | FLIGHT SISIMIUT / KANGERLUSSUAQ / COPENHAGEN

Your adventure in Greenland is coming to an end – for now, at least. You will return to Denmark, where it will be early evening when you arrive in Copenhagen.

Free transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the Imperial Hotel or similar in Copenhagen. Overnight

DAY 10 | COPENHAGEN / PARIS

Breakfast. Free transfer to the airport. Flight to Paris on SAS regular flights.

End of our services

 

HOTEL KANGERLUSSUAQ

The Kangerlussuaq Hotel is located as centrally as possible, in the airport building itself, so you’ll need to pick up your luggage and take it to the reception to check in. All rooms are spacious and offer views of the so-called Kitchen Mountain or views of the city and surroundings.

The hotel boasts a highly regarded restaurant and cafeteria, which is the meeting place for all locals in the area and the 220,000 passengers who transit through Kangerlussuaq each year.

HOTEL SISIMIUT

groenland sisimiut hotel hiver maisons colorees montagnes o-nord

The Sisimiut Hotel is a cornerstone of Greenland’s second-largest city. You’ll find the hotel at one end of the main street of the town, and it’s so close to the splendid nature you’ll find in the hinterland of Sisimiut. Especially in winter, it’s a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with good trails for alpine activities and, of course, dog sledding.

The hotel offers comfortable accommodation and a delightful restaurant, Brasserie & Restaurant Nasaasaaq. There’s also a lovely spa with two outdoor hot tubs for you to enjoy the warm water after a good hike or skiing outing. The Sisimiut Hotel is the perfect home base if you want to experience one of the most exciting cities in Greenland.

The hotel features a French-inspired à la carte restaurant.

Travel periods

Departures from 22/01/2023 to 28/03/2023

Prices

From 3,095€VAT included
Ask for a quote

Pricing information

Price for children aged 2 to 11 years: Please contact us.

OUR RATES INCLUDE:

  • Regular SAS flights Paris/Copenhagen/Paris
    in Economy class T
  • Airport taxes €156 (current, subject to change)
  • 2 nights in double/twin room at the Imperial
    Hotel Copenhagen or similar, including breakfast
  • Roundtrip flights Copenhagen/Kangerlussuaq/Sisimiut
    (checked baggage 20kg, hand luggage 8kg)
  • Airport transfers in Greenland
  • 3 nights in double/twin room at the Kangerlussuaq Hotel
  • 4 nights in double/twin room at the Sisimiut Hotel
  • Breakfasts included
  • Welcome dinner at the Sisimiut Hotel (excluding drinks)
  • Snacks and drinks on board the flight
  • Air Greenland flight Copenhagen to Kangerlussaq
  • Welcoming in the cities by an English-speaking local guide
  • Services of a guide for optional activities
  • Complimentary travel assistance insurance

OUR RATES DO NOT INCLUDE:

  • Meals
  • Excursions (we recommend booking our excursion package)
  • Any service not mentioned in the “our rates include” section
  • Cancellation insurance
  • “PREMIUM” Multi-risk insurance (please contact us)

Good to know

Excursion Package with 7 Excursions

This excursion package offers a wide range of fantastic and exciting experiences during your trip:

  • Kangerlussuaq Tour (1.5 hours)
  • Greenland Ice Cap Excursion, Point 660 (5 hours)
  • Greenland Ice Cap Excursion, Russell Glacier (4 hours)
  • Northern Lights Tour in Kangerlussuaq (2 hours)
  • Sisimiut Tour (2 hours)
  • Dog Sledding in Sisimiut, two persons per sled (excluding clothing and boots rental) (2 hours)
  • Winter Mountain Safari in Sisimiut on snowmobile (1 hour)

Price: €630 per person

Our excursion packages consist of the most popular excursions and are tailored to fit into your trip’s daily itinerary. We recommend booking the package when making your travel reservation. If booked later, a processing fee of €30 will be added to the price, and the package may be subject to availability.