www.greenland-travel.com
Introduction to Greenland
– how to make your dream trip a reality
We know a place…
And we’d really like to show you that place –
that place being the world’s most beautiful
destination: Greenland. We offer tours to
Greenland all year round, giving you the best
of every season. From the mild winds of
the midnight sun, the bright colours of late
summer, the dark nights and the dancing
Northern Lights of autumn to the sled dogs
and crackling snow of winter.
Wilders Plads 13A
DK-1403 Copenhagen
Denmark
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Introduction to Greenland
We’ve picked the best for you
In this guide, we introduce you to the best of Greenland and give you some useful practical tips on choosing
a tour to Greenland. Read about:
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How to get to Greenland and around and about when you’re there
Popular places in Greenland
The most popular experiences in Greenland
Choice of season
What next?
HOW TO GET TO GREENLAND
Greenland is the largest continent in the world, and 85% of it is covered in ice! Journeys between towns and
villages are not by road, as we are accustomed to. Planes, helicopters and ships are used to travel the long
distances from town to town.
For shorter, local trips, the Greenlanders sail during the summer. In winter, they also use dog sleds and
snowmobiles – today, however, the dog sled is mainly used for the sake of the experience.
Fly from Copenhagen or Reykjavik
There are two major airports in Greenland, the largest of which is located in Kangerlussuaq, just north of
the Arctic Circle. All flights from Copenhagen, Denmark, land here. The onward journey continues on board
smaller domestic flights. The direct route from Copenhagen to Greenland takes 4–5 hours, whether you are
flying to Kangerlussuaq or Narsarsuaq in South Greenland.
Flights from Iceland depart from Reykjavik. From there, you can fly to Ilulissat or Nuuk on the west coast,
Narsarsuaq in South Greenland or Kulusuk in East Greenland. If you are visiting Iceland, it is a unique
opportunity for you to visit to Greenland as part of your trip.
Air Greenland
Air Greenland is Greenland’s national airline, which operates the routes from Copenhagen and Reykjavik, as
well as almost all domestic routes. When you fly with Air Greenland from Copenhagen (non-stop), you get
service with full catering, baggage included and in-flight entertainment. Air Iceland also flies from Reykjavik.
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Introduction to Greenland
POPULAR PLACES IN GREENLAND
Greenland is the world’s largest island, stretching 2,670 km from north to south, and if you’ve never been
to Greenland before, choosing where to go may seem a little daunting. The size of Greenland does, of
course, rule out experiencing the entire island in one trip, but we guarantee you that you will find plenty to
experience – and have something to come back to!
For the sake of simplicity, we have divided Greenland into three areas, according to the most popular areas to
visit: West Greenland, South Greenland and East Greenland.
We generally recommend that you “make do” with one area, as there is simply too much to see and do, and
too much travelling around – making it rather pricey – if you try to do more.
West Greenland
West Greenland is the part of Greenland that attracts most visitors and it actually covers the entire west
coast from north to south. Disko Bay in North Greenland is a hugely popular destination where you can
experience the giant icebergs.
A trip here can be combined with a visit further south to Sisimiut, Kangerlussuaq and/or Nuuk, for example,
as they are all located on the west coast. Kangerlussuaq is the largest airport in Greenland, making it a
natural place to start – and what’s more, it is close to the inland ice.
North and West Greenland – UNESCO World Heritage Sites
North Greenland is midnight sun and dog sledding territory; a cornucopia of Arctic experiences with massive
icebergs, some of the world’s fastest moving glaciers and Ilulissat Icefjord, which was awarded a place on
the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites. This is where you will find the colossal icebergs you have seen on
television and in pictures.
If this is your first visit to Greenland, Disko Bay is the “safe” choice if you want to experience huge icebergs,
glaciers and small settlements north of the Arctic Circle. If you are travelling in winter, you can also see the
Northern Lights and really get an idea of how dog sleds are used as a means of transport in Greenland.
Due to the large volume of visitors to Disko Bay, you have every opportunity to enjoy excursions throughout
the year, but despite attracting the most tourists, the area is far from “touristy”. We recommend, for
example, booking some of the excursions from home to be sure of their availability.
West Greenland is also home to Greenland’s largest towns: The capital Nuuk, with some 15,000
inhabitants, and the relatively large (by Greenlandic standards) towns of Sisimiut and Ilulissat with around
5–6,000 inhabitants.
East Greenland – unspoiled and full of contrasts
East Greenland is stunningly beautiful and off the main tourist path, but still relatively well-organised when it
comes to good accommodation and excursions.
East Greenland is raw, unspoilt and wonderfully full of contrasts, with gentle flower valleys, towering
mountains, huge icebergs and a culture that is more isolated than the rest of Greenland.
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Introduction to Greenland
Most of our trips to East Greenland are combined with a few days in Iceland. The journey is typically from
Reykjavik to Kulusuk and then by helicopter to the lovely little town of Tasiilaq. East Greenland is where the
world-famous Arctic Team Challenge is held every year.
East Greenland is one of the most sparsely populated areas of Greenland, apart from the National Park
and northern Greenland near Thule. The population of East Greenland lives a relatively isolated existence
compared to the rest of Greenland and the culture is not as affected by modern trends, as in other parts of
Greenland.
South Greenland
South Greenland is generally a great place to hike and, contrary to what many people believe, has steep
mountains, lots of icy fjords and, not least, hot springs. Getting around in South Greenland is easy as the
distances from town to town are relatively short. You can really enjoy a varied holiday in South Greenland,
visiting a multitude of towns and settlements.
Experience guarantee – whatever you choose
No matter what you choose, you are promised an unforgettable experience. You can choose whether you
want to see a lot of different places in one trip, or concentrate on fewer places and really get to know them.
POPULAR EXPERIENCES IN GREENLAND
Dog sledding, the Northern Lights, the ice, the whales and the pioneering people
The so-called Big Arctic Five experiences (and many more) await you in summer or winter in Greenland.
Whether you’re exploring the ice, marvelling at the Northern Lights, sailing among the whales on the fjords or
meeting the people of Greenland on land, sea or in the air, you are promised an adventure only few get to try.
Dog sledding
Dog sledding is offered north of the Arctic Circle. The season starts in February and continues until April.
Dog sledding is an experience of a lifetime and one not to be missed when visiting Greenland in the winter.
You will be dressed in warm clothes and ride with a Greenlandic driver out into the endless, snow-covered
mountain landscapes.
There are tours from one hour up to several days, sleeping in primitive cabins and tents (polar equipment
is available to rent). Whether you choose a short tour or long tour, the experience is the same. As soon as
the sled starts to glide over the crackling snow, you are filled with the special feeling of gliding through the
landscape. Nothing compares to this!
The Northern Lights
The Northern Lights can be experienced in most parts of Greenland and are best viewed on a clear, dark
night from September until early April.
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Introduction to Greenland
The undulating, mythical and magical Northern Lights will surprise and amaze you, and Greenland is the
perfect place to experience the phenomenon – in the midst of the great outdoors, where the mountains and
the snow are lit up by the light show of reds and greens. Greenland is one of the best places in the world to
experience the Northern Lights. There is very little artificial light and the skies are often clear, creating the
best conditions for seeing them.
The ice
Walk on the inland ice through untouched landscapes and sail among giant icebergs – all year round.
You cannot fail to be fascinated by the sheer scale and the power and beauty of the inland ice. The icebergs
are calved from the glaciers before heading off on their long ocean voyages – unique, magnificent works of
nature. You can walk on the ice at Kangerlussuaq and sail to glaciers in most of Greenland almost all year
round. Ilulissat Icefjord is world-famous thanks to its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The whales
Experience the giants of the ocean at close range on boat trips on the icy fjords. There are a lot of whales
in the summer in particular, but even in winter, you can sometimes be lucky enough to encounter wintering
whales. May is a great time to experience the Greenland right whale near Disko Island in Disko Bay
Sailing in Greenland is a wonderful experience in itself, but a whale popping up close to the boat is the icing
on the cake. Humpback, finback and minke whales can be seen along most stretches of coastline, often
swimming quite close to towns and settlements.
The Pioneering People
Meet the people of Greenland, in a country steeped in the pioneering spirit of the past and present.
Greenlanders are a welcoming, dynamic people, who for generations have lived from nature and in the heart
of it. The scale and grandeur of the nature instils the local people with a sense of calm and an admirable
respect for the elements. Greenland attracts adventurers from all corners of the globe, and they are
welcomed by a nation of pioneers who show them the way, building bridges from tradition to modern life.
THE SEASONS IN GREENLAND
Each season in Greenland is wonderful in its own way, but some experiences are seasonal.
Summer in Greenland from mid-June to late August is short and intense. Spring and autumn are also
intense, and it is fascinating how quickly it changes from winter to summer. Winter, on the other hand, lasts
a little longer, depending on where you are in Greenland.
It is difficult to recommend one season over another, but we generally recommend that you distinguish
between winter experiences and the rest of the year.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Winter
Apr
May
Spring
Jun
Jul
Summer
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Aug
Sep
Oct
Autumn
Nov
Dec
Winter
Introduction to Greenland
Winter and late autumn in Greenland
In winter, you can see the Northern Lights and ride on a dog sled in a landscape covered in snow and ice.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no snow in Greenland in the summer. So if you want to experience
Greenland dressed in its winter clothing with sled dogs running across the crackling snow and frosty days,
winter is the time to visit.
Late autumn is in October and November and you stand a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights then.
At this time of year, you can never be sure of how much snow will fall, so we recommend that you travel in
the winter months if you want to be certain of being able to go dog sledding.
Summer, spring and autumn in Greenland
Travelling at this time of year, you get long, light days with temperatures that are far higher than in the
winter. If you enjoy rambling, the summer months, and to some extent September, are a good time to visit.
Spring may be too wet for longer hikes due to melting snow.
Generally speaking, more outdoor activities are possible during the warm months, and this is also when you
can experience the whales, sail along the coast and simply spend more time outdoors.
It is 2,670 km from the north to the south of Greenland, so there is also great variation in the seasons. For
example, winter lasts for nine months in Qaanaaq (Thule) in the far north, and just three months in South
Greenland.
Consult the chart to see when you can experience the most popular activities. Please be aware that it varies
according to where you are in Greenland.
Experiences and season (based on a stay in Disko Bay)
Jan
The Northern Lights
Dog sledding
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Feb Mar Apr May Jun
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Whales
Sailing between the icebergs
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Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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The midnight sun
The Inland Ice
Jul
✔
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Check sunrise and sunset times in Greenland here.
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✔
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✔
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Introduction to Greenland
WHAT NEXT?
You now know the basics about Greenland. If you feel like seeing more, you now have these options:
Be inspired by our website
At
greenland-travel you will always find the latest updated information and current travel deals.
This is also where you can sign up to receive our newsletter and download more exciting travel guides.
Watch fabulous films and see 360-degree photos
Enjoy a number of incredibly beautiful 360-degree films, filmed in Greenland – it’s almost as good as being
there!
Watch the films on our website.
Contact a travel expert
If you wish to talk or e-mail with a “real person” about your options, you are always more than welcome to
contact us for advice. Call, e-mail or chat with us. We’re here to help.
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Meet us
Read about our travel consultants you can meet at the office and our guides you may come face to face with
“in the field”:
Meet our travel consultants
Meet our travel guides
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Introduction to Greenland
Greenland Travel knows the way
Whether you are looking for a complete package deal or a customised trip, we have the solution for you. We
also organise trips for special groups, conferences and club excursions. Whatever you choose, we promise to
create a unique travel experience and give you the trip of a lifetime!
We have more than 30 employees in Denmark and Greenland, and we are – in all modesty – the world’s
biggest Greenland specialist, so we know what we’re talking about. Greenland Travel is part of the Air
Greenland group. We are also the co-owner of two excursion companies: World of Greenland and World of
Greenland Arctic Circle, so we are helping to develop and ensure high quality excursion options.
WHY OUR CUSTOMERS CHOOSE US
• Greenland specialist
We are the world’s biggest specialist on Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and the Arctic, and our
senior travel consultants have many years’ experience in our destinations.
• G
uidance you can trust
We’ve been there! We wouldn’t dream of selling a holiday to a destination we didn’t know.
• Good service
98% of our customers recommend us due to the good service we offer.
• Assurance
We are a member of The Association of Danish Travel Agents and Tour Operators and we are an
IATA agent – your assurance of a serious travel agency.
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Introduction to Greenland