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  • MS Fram anchoring up outside Ilulissat seen from an Air Zafari flight in Greenland. By Mads Pihl

Greenland’s overwhelming nature

And how humans have survived in it for so long

GREENLAND MAKES YOU FEEL SMALL

Whether you’re coming to Greenland for the first or tenth time, at some point you will come to understand and embrace the phrase locals love to say: “Greenland makes you feel so small”.

This is not because you have shrunk in stature or anything like that. The reason is that from the moment you step off the ship or the plane, you’ll feel the vast and mighty nature of Greenland through its never-ending fjords, its dramatic skies, and powerful environmental elements. And then you’ll feel like you’re but a speck in the universe.

"From the moment you step off the ship or the plane, you’ll feel the vast and mighty nature of Greenland through its never-ending fjords."

Continues further down the page...

Package Tours

Disko Line: Day trip to Eqip Sermia

Disko Line

Day trip to Eqip Sermia

Experience the beautiful Eqi glacier that runs into the fjord north of Ilulissat.

FROM €327
Arctic Umiaq Line: Discover Greenland from the sea

Arctic Umiaq Line

Discover Greenland from the sea

The coastal ship Sarfaq Ittuk sails from southern Greenland up along Greenland’s west coast to Disko Bay.

FROM 500 DKK
Disko Line: Whale Safari

Disko Line

Whale Safari

Take a whale safari in Disko Bay and have a unique experience.

FROM €160
Greenland by Topas – Summer tour: Disko Island, Icebergs and Eqi Glacier

Greenland by Topas

Summer tour: Disko Island, Icebergs and Eqi Glacier

Experience Disko Island’s glaciers, Disko Bay’s huge icebergs and legendary whales, then further north, Eqi Glacier's deafening calving events.

FROM €3,617
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CRUISING GREENLAND

Greenlanders were traditionally a nomadic people hunting and moving by kayak and the larger boat, the umiaq, so cruising in Greenland is a very natural way to experience the country.

In a way, if you sail between small settlements, say, from Uummannaq to Ukkusissat, you might follow some of the unmarked routes taken by the ancient Inuit when hunting or migrating.

You might also experience the power of the natural forces when sailing.

Tip: Take it like a Greenlander and adapt to what is thrown at you. Miles of compact ice floes that refuse to melt away, or strong gales that insist on blowing might slow the vessel down or may force your captain to change original plans. Rest assured that this is all in a day’s work of a ship cruising in the Arctic. This is particularly the case for expedition ships that venture in Greenlandic waters; they constantly adapt to the shifting elements and new opportunities that arise out of them (like changing route to follow a pod of whales that swim by)!

HOW YOU GET CLOSE TO NATURE IN GREENLAND

  • Polarcirkel Boat excursions

  • Kayaking amongst the icebergs

  • Whale watching

  • Sleeping out on deck

  • Northern lights

  • Flightseeing

  • Trail running and hiking

  • Village visits set in remote destinations

  • Remember...

    … safety comes first and your expedition crew will provide you with directions as to how to navigate your excursion in a secure and sensible manner.

HOW YOU CAN EXPERIENCE GREENLAND’S NATURE ON A CRUISE SHIP

You will never feel as close to nature as you will when you zip around sea on small, fast and agile Polarcirkel Boats or paddling via kayak. Venture closer to gigantic icebergs, and feel the temperature cool a few notches when you are nearby.

Who knows, a whale might also pop by to say hello – and sometimes the whales will swim so close that you will be able to hear them spouting!

Sleeping outside on deck under the midnight sun is also another way you can experience nature in Greenland. Some cruise ships like Hurtigruten’s MS Fram offer this service complete with hot chocolate and thick down sleeping bags. Further on in the sailing season from late August, it might even be possible to view the dancing northern lights.

You can also try hiking or trail running while on land. Greenland offers many stunning land-based hikes of various levels. Or for a real treat, try a flightseeing or helicopter tour and see the land, villages and nature by air. In Ilulissat, you even have the chance to land near a glacier and walk on ice!

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

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By Tanny Por

Tanny Por is Head of International Relations at Visit Greenland with responsibility for international market development, press and PR. She loves building and nurturing ideas and connections that will help to contribute to the sustainable tourism future of Greenland. Her favourite experience of Greenland is one winter in East Greenland where she saw purple northern lights overlooking the icefjord one completely silent evening!

https://thefourthcontinent.com/

Editors' pick

Icecampers. Photo by Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland

9 tips for your East Greenlandic adventure

Unlock East Greenland's Travel Tips! Where time slows, nature whispers, and adventure awaits. Anna, a local resident, shares her 9 tips.

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  • #Boat Tours
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  • #Inuit Culture
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Aurora Cabins 3. Photo by Hotel Arctic

15 Unique places you can overnight in Greenland

Discover Greenland's Diverse Range of Unique Overnight Options: Glass Igloos, Beachfront Stays, Snow Igloos, and Glacier-View Huts.

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Smiling man on kayak. Photo - Jorgo Kokkinidis, Visit Greenland

Celebrating Our Achievements

We are humbled and thrilled to receive numerous prestigious awards that recognize our commitment to sustainable tourism and responsible travel.

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Photo by Rebecca Gustafsson - Drone

Flying drones in Greenland

Greenland Drone Flying Rules: Know the regulations for private and commercial flights based on drone size. Fly responsibly.

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