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  • Northern Lights. By Mads Pihl

Will the Northern Lights be under your Christmas tree?

If you are looking for an unconventional Christmas gift, a shimmering green curtain of celestial light might be just the ticket.

If you are looking for an unconventional Christmas gift, a shimmering green curtain of celestial light might be just the ticket. A trip to see the northern lights in Greenland is a unique experience which you are not likely to forget in a hurry.

The Northern Lights are one of the world’s most spectacular meteorological phenomena. They are steeped in legend and mythology. For example, it is said that when the Northern Lights dance around the sky, it means that the spirits are playing football with the skull of a walrus.

If you see the Northern Lights, you will understand the imagination and the ‘fear’ that has inspired these legends. This vast – and utterly silent – tapestry of celestial colour is tantamount to a supernatural experience!

The Northern Lights are one of the world’s most spectacular meteorological phenomena.

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Package Tours

Greenland Travel: Winter adventure! Vacation in a snowy paradise

Greenland Travel

Winter adventure! Vacation in a snowy paradise

Sail on Ilulissat Ice Fjord and see the icebergs. Go dogsledding. See northern lights. Walk the Ice Cap. Go explore! Greenland is waiting

FROM €2,020
Greenland Travel: Dream trip to an Arctic Paradise

Greenland Travel

Dream trip to an Arctic Paradise

Get an experience of a lifetime! See Disco Bay in all its glory. Go explore! See whales, calving glaciers, majestic icebergs and much more

FROM €4,030
Greenland Travel: A world class weekend trip

Greenland Travel

A WORLD CLASS WEEKEND TRIP

Take a break from the noise of everyday life. Go dog sledding, watch the northern lights and sail on the icefjord amongst giant icebergs

FROM €1,730
Greenland Travel: Short Break! Winter days in fantastic surroundings

Greenland Travel

SHORT BREAK! Winter days in fantastic surroundings

Go dog sledding, walk on the ice cap and see the impressive Russel Glacier. Get a break from your busy days with a winter adventure

FROM €875
Show More

SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS ON CHRISTMAS

We recommend you go to Kangerlussuaq (which is only a four and a half hour flight from Denmark) or Ilulissat in Disko Bay. Both towns are wonderful places to see the Northern Lights from November to March. Local tour agencies arrange trips out to see the Northern Lights.

HEAD OUT INTO THE NIGHT IN ILULISSAT WITH A HEADLAMP ON YOUR FOREHEAD

You will be going on a 20-30 minute hike from the old helipad to Holms Bakke. Your guide will tell you stories about the Northern Lights.

Hopefully, the Northern Lights will appear while you stand and gaze out over the Ice Fjord.

On the way, you will get to enjoy some coffee, tea or a so-called ‘Greenlandic coffee’. There will also be hot chocolate for the children.

NO ARTIFICIAL LIGHT IN THE NIGHT SKY OVER KANGERLUSSUAQ

On cloudless nights, Kangerlussuaq often has the most beautiful Northern Lights for you to experience.

You will be heading out into the wilderness where there is no artificial light and where nature will often put on a magnificent display.

You will then head back for a cosy gathering. Your guide will tell you about the Northern Lights and the many Greenlandic myths that the Northern Lights have inspired through the ages. You will also be served a tasty cup of ‘Greenlandic coffee’.

THE NORTHERN DAWN

Did you know that “Aurora Borealis” is the magical sounding Latin name for the celestial phenomenon of the Northern Lights, and that it was the Italian scientist Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) who first used the term which best translates as “The Northern dawn”?

If you go on a winter holiday in Greenland, you will very likely get to see the Northern Lights no matter where you are in the country.

This article is written in corporation with Greenland Travel and Air Greenland.

Local providers

Photographers hiking for the perfect photo stop by the Ilulissat icefjord in North Greenland. Photo by Paul Zizka

Tuugaaq Travel

Phone: (+299) 59 72 51More information
A coffee break in front of an iceberg on a PGI Greenland kayak trip in Greenland. Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland

Nuuk Explorer

NUUK, Hans Egedesvej 29,
3900,
Phone: +299 54 56 90More information
Tourists photographing arctic fox next to ice sheet. Photo by Diskobay Tours

Diskobay Tours

Qasigiannguit,
3951,
Phone: +299 26 60 38More information
North Safari Travel - mopa expedition

North Safari Travel

Kangerlussuaq, Boks 152,
3910,
Phone: +299 29 92 14More information

Nuuk Adventure

Nuuk,
3900,
Phone: +299 26 27 28More information
Photo by Greenland Fiord Tours

Greenland Fiord Tours

Uummannaq, P.O. Box 91 91,
3961,
Phone: +299262626More information
Snowmobile and dogsledding in East Greenland. Photo by Tasiilaq Tours - Visit Greenland

Tasiilaq Tours

Tasiilaq, Postbox 837, Akitterni B-1501,
3913,
Phone: +299 25 23 02More information
Dogs on a dog sledding trip near Ilulissat in Greenland fanning out in typical west Greenlandic fashion. Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland

Albatros Arctic Circle

Kangerlussuaq, Mittarfiit Aqq.
3910,
Phone: +299 84 16 48More information
Three men enjoying the sun in front of Nanu Travel Tourist Office. Photo by Nanu Travel

Nanu Travel

Ittoqqortoormiit, Postboks 4  Mikip Aqqutaa B-186 ,
3980,
Phone: +299 99 12 80 More information
Nuuk Water Taxi Boat. Photo by Aningaaq R Carlsen

Nuuk Water Taxi

Nuussuaq, Qarsaalik 25A,
3905,
Phone: +299 54 56 90More information
Room with double bed at Hotel Nattoralik Bed and Breakfast in Aasiaat. Photo by Hotel Nattoralik Bed and Breakfast

Hotel Nattoralik Bed and Breakfast

Aasiaat, Sannerut 7,
3950,
Phone: +299 89 21 21 / +299 53 65 53More information
Greenland Travel 01

Greenland Travel

Copenhagen, Wilders Plads 13 A,
1403,
Phone: +45 33 13 10 11More information
MS Fram from Hurtigruten docked alongside in Sisimiut, Greenland. Photo by Mads Pihl, Visit Greenland

Greenland Cruises

Sisimiut, P.O. Box 342
3911,
Phone: +299 54 97 48More information
Saling vessel between icebergs in Greenland. Photo by Blue Ice Explorer, Visit Greenland.

Blue Ice Explorer

Narsarsuaq, Box 58
3923,
Phone: +299 66 54 99 / +299 49 73 71More information
Hytten Amaroq from outside. Photo by Asimut Tours and Camp, Visit Greenland

Asimut Tours and Camp

Nuuk, Postboks 153
3900,
Phone: +299 55 34 04More information
Uummannaq and the heart-shaped mountain. Photo by Uummannaq Seasafaris ApS, Visit Greenland

Uummannaq Seasafaris APS

Uummannaq, Qernertunnguamut B -909 Box 118,
3961,
Phone: (+299) 565 982More information

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