Nuuk and Ilulissat, Cruise along the West Coast

Nuuk is a city in rapid development, full of contrast and experiences you won’t find elsewhere in Greenland.
The city has approx. 17,000 citizens, 5 primary and secondary schools, 1 independent school, high school, trade school, university, the home rule government, a court and the headquarters of many businesses.
A visit to the picturesque old colonial harbour offers a glimpse back in time, but you’ll also find the comforts of modern life in fashion boutiques, great restaurants and cafes, a cinema, swimming pool, art museum, a micro-brewery, the Katuaq Cultural Centre and the excellent National Museum.
Just a like any other ‘big city’, Nuuk also has a morning and afternoon rush hour, although the volume of traffic might be a little less than in other countries.

The town is surrounded by magnificent scenery, offering excellent excursion opportunities.
See Nuuk excursions here

Nuuk is a city in rapid development, full of contrast and experiences you won’t find elsewhere in Greenland.
The city has approx. 17,000 citizens, 5 primary and secondary schools, 1 independent school, high school, trade school, university, the home rule government, a court and the headquarters of many businesses.
A visit to the picturesque old colonial harbour offers a glimpse back in time, but you’ll also find the comforts of modern life in fashion boutiques, great restaurants and cafes, a cinema, swimming pool, art museum, a micro-brewery, the Katuaq Cultural Centre and the excellent National Museum.
Just a like any other ‘big city’, Nuuk also has a morning and afternoon rush hour, although the volume of traffic might be a little less than in other countries.

The town is surrounded by magnificent scenery, offering excellent excursion opportunities.
See Nuuk excursions here

Spend your final day in Nuuk sightseeing, shopping or visiting the National Museum.
This evening at 21:00 hrs (9 pm) your Arctic Umiaq Line ferry M/S Sarfaq Ittuk departs Nuuk and your sea adventure begins. Check-in opens from 20:00 hrs (8 pm). (Departure can vary during season)
You’ll be welcomed aboard by the ship’s crew.
Café Sarfaq offers breakfast, lunch and dinner at fixed dining times, which are adapted to the day’s port calls. Prices are reasonable.

This morning you cruise into Disko Bay. While the sun is still low you can say good morning to Aasiaat at 08:00 hrs (8 am), where a half-hour stop is scheduled. You can make a quick visit to the black church and perhaps the assembly house, where Danish artist Per Kirkeby’s farewell gift to the city hangs. In the summer of 1969, the artist Per Kirkeby created 24 paintings which were hung in the assembly hall. The assembly hall is closed, but you can easily view the paintings by looking through the windows.

As the cruise continues to Ilulissat, we recommend you dress in warm clothes to spend the rest of the voyage on deck. After departure from Aasiaat there are good chances to see humpback whales – the ship’s crew often make an announcement if they spot whales, so you don’t miss them.

Ilulissat Icefjord was admitted to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2004 and was one of the first areas in the Arctic to be placed on the list. Although protected, we have special permits to sail among the icebergs and operate helicopter tours.

The approach to Ilulissat starts at around 12:00 hrs as the ship zig zags between the impressive icebergs of Ilulissat Icefjord. Remember to have an extra charged battery for your camera, because you’ll need it today.

Arrival in Ilulissat at 13:00 hrs (1 pm) and transfer by hotel bus to your comfortable accommodation at Hotel Icefiord. The rest of the day is on your own. (Arrival to Ilulissat 1530 in autumn).

This morning you have a guided city tour to learn about the city’s history, important buildings and everyday life.

In the afternoon, a nice hike to Sermermiut is arranged. A visit to Sermermiut, the old Inuit settlement at the icefjord mouth, is an absolute must. Observe at close range the impressive flow of ice and the view over the fjord, filled with icebergs as far as the eye can see.

Day free to relax, visit a local artisan’s studio, the museum and a sea of cosy shops.

Your Midnight Sun cruise starts at 22:00 hrs (10 pm). Be sure to dress warmly and have your camera ready with charged extra batteries and extra memory cards.
From 21 May to 24 July, the sun does not set. The special evening light gives the impression of an eternal sunset, without actually setting. Icebergs are impressive in all weather, but this light gives your iceberg photos a particularly radiant appearance.

Your last day in Ilulissat is free for optional excursions. The possibilities include boat trips, scenic flights or land excursions.
Look here for excursion info
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Day 10. Ilulissat – Copenhagen via Nuuk
Savour your last look at Disko Bay and the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Ilulissat Icefjord, before your short flight to Nuuk. We hope the unique impressions and memories of a lifetime will inspired you to return to Greenland.

In Nuuk you’ll board Air Greenland’s Airbus for your flight back Copenhagen.
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As we say in Greenlandic, Takuss’ – see you later!