Locals travelling with the Sarfaq Ittuk
Request a quote Coastal Ship - West Greenland

9 days west coast incl. 3 days on board Sarfaq Ittuk

 from 880.00 €
Request a quote Coastal Ship - West Greenland

9 days west coast incl. 3 days on board Sarfaq Ittuk

 from 880.00 €

How many people are you?

Adults Children < 12 years

The trip you chose is offered from May to October. Within this given time, when can you travel?

Start
End

What accommodation level do you prefer?

Should we include international flights?

Yes No

From what airport do you want to fly?

We can customise this trip for you. What activities would you like to add?

On a 2,5 hour boat trip you will sail among the gigantic icebergs in Disko Bay in the evening sun. These frozen giants calved from the most productive glacier of the Northern Hemisphere, the Sermeq Kujalleq. It annually calves 45km³ of ice into the UNESCO Icefjord. Sailing around the gigantic icebergs in the evening sun is a fantastic experience. Remember to bring warm clothes.

It is a big day today. You came here to see glaciers and icebergs. And you do not mean the small ones, you mean the massive ones. Well, we promise - this is what you are going to see. Standing in front of the enormous Ilulissat Icefjord will make you feel small and humble. An endless amount of ice pushing down from the glacier Sermeq Kujalleq towards the sea, where ice is calving constantly creating those majestic icebergs floating in Disko Bay. Here, at the Ilulissat Icefjord World Heritage Site, we also stop at Sermermiut, an abandoned Inuit settlement, which had been used by Saqqaq, Early Dorset and Thule cultures. Our guide will give you insights of the Inuit culture and will answer your questions.

We leave Ilulissat early in the morning and sail north in the direction of Eqi Glacier. Very few places in Greenland are as breathtaking as Eqi. On the way we will sail around the most impressive icebergs in the Northern Hemisphere. We will sail close the massive glacier wall, turn off the engines for about an hour, enjoy some lunch as well as the breathtaking view of the calving glacier. In the afternoon we make our way back to Ilulissat.

In the morning you will sail to the small settlement of Oqaatsut (Rodebay) located north of Ilulissat. During the boat tour you will have the opportunity to gaze at the most impressive icebergs of the Northern Hemisphere. The settlement once was a popular trading post and was called Rodebay (red bay) by Dutch whale hunters in the 18th century. A local lunch is included at the small restaurant “H8”, which is located in one of the old colonial buildings. You will have time on to explore the picturesque settlement with its colourful houses and go on a short hike around the area before sailing back to Ilulissat.

You will visit a local handcrafts woman at her house where she is revealing glimpse into her traditional skills. In the past the Inuit only wore clothes made from animal skin or fur since these were warm and hard-wearing and ideally adapted for Arctic climate. The Inuit saying “A man is what his wife makes him” shows the great deal of responsibility the women carried by carefully choosing the skins and perfectly processing them into clothes that protected people in the harsh arctic winter. You will come to know how these skilled and talented artists were creating the traditional Inuit clothing as well as the festive national dress and also enjoy coffee and cake together. By joining this tour you support the local women community and contribute to the preservation of Greenlandic handcraft.

In the evening, you go for an impressive kayaking trip among the gigantic icebergs in Disko Bay. The activity consists in kayaking along the coast of Ilulissat, from where you can see big icebergs coming from the Ilulissat Icefjord. You experience this breathtaking scenery in the most natural and traditional way. Just you and your kayak, paddling as Inuits used to so and some still do. Nonetheless all the safety measures are included: the best equipment in the market (clothing that enables you to swim in freezing waters and the most safe and stable kayaks) and if that were not enough, our kayak instructors have the highest qualifications and lots of experience kayaking in Arctic regions (to participate in this trip max height is 2m and weight is 110kg).

In the morning you will be transferred by boat to the small settlement of Oqaatsut. Here we will go kayaking in Disko Bay. Before we start, you will get a short introduction to kayaking and then we will practice a bit just off the coast of Oqaatsut. We then head towards the icebergs. We will paddle among the icebergs in the bay and enjoy the spectacular views surrounding us. We will have some refreshment in Oqaatsut before we take the boat back to Ilulissat (to participate in this trip max height is 2m and weight is 110kg).

A guide takes you on a historical tour through all of the neightborhoods in Nuuk. The tour starts (either in car or bus) in 'Qinngorput' the newest suburb in Nuuk, where you will hear about everything from architecture to the everyday life of the town's 16,000 inhabitants. From Qinngorput we go 'back in time’ through the 70’s buildings in the suburb of Nuussuaq, through the 50s apartment buildings in the city center, the colorful typehouses in 'Nuutoqaq' and finally ending the tour in the colonial harbor where it all started when Hans Egede arrived in the 1700th century. This historical insight to the city will give you a greater understanding of the conditions and customs of this country. During the trip there will be plenty of opportunities to stop and take pictures or take a short walk up to the Hans Egede Statue next to the Cathedral. The tour can conveniently end ar the national museum of Nuuk, where you can easily spent a couple of hours.

A Targa boat takes us to Kangersuneq/Icefiord through Qoornoq passage. After about 2 hours boat tour we arrive to the mouth of Kangersuneq/Icefiord where we have the view of Narsap Sermia Glacier. After lunch we will continue to Qoornoq an abandoned settlement. In Qoornoq you can walk around and get a feeling of how life was in a settlement.

In the afternoon we take you to beautiful Qooqqut. Qooqut can be reached by sailing for 1 hour into Nuuk Fjord. Arriving at beautiful Qooqqut surrounded by impressive mountain peaks we will go fishing for 20 minutes and take the freshly caught fish to the famous restaurant up here to be cooked. Qooqqut itself used to be a sheep breading station but the old buildings have now been restored and turned into a high quality restaurant. At the restaurant you will enjoy your Greenlandic dinner (not included, choose à la carte) before we take you back to Nuuk by boat, where we should land around 21:00 hours.

Further information

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Locals travelling with the Sarfaq Ittuk
Equipment list Coastal Ship - West Greenland

9 days west coast incl. 3 days on board Sarfaq Ittuk
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Copy Link Download / Print
Equipment list Coastal Ship - West Greenland

9 days west coast incl. 3 days on board Sarfaq Ittuk

Below is an equipment list with items we highly recommend you bring on the journey. To enjoy the trip to the fullest, comfortable and good equipment is essential. So be a bit picky about what you bring on our trip, make sure it is adequate for arctic conditions.

Clothing & Footwear

  • Non-cotton, wool long sleeves and tights (base layer)

    Base layers are designed to keep you warm despite they might be wet from sweating, for example - therefore they must not be cotton but instead a lightweight wool or other fast-drying fiber. Base layers will also keep you warm if, for example, your outer layers are not entirely windproof or waterproof. If there is one thing to stress, it is that having several light layers to choose from, or use in combination with each other, is far more valuable for regulating body temperature than having one or two heavy layers that might make you too cold or too hot, but never just right. It is recommended to bring a selection of long-sleeve shirts and pants for lightweight base layers, so you have a few extras.

  • Wool sweater, fleece or PrimaLoft jacket (mid layer)

    A wool layer is always nice to have as additional warmth. It should not be your heaviest winter sweater, but just something you feel could make you warm and cosy if you had a persistent chill. It is recommended to bring a light- to medium-weight wool sweater or a fleece or prima loft jacket.

  • All-purpose or fleece pants (mid layer)

    When you are on land, and if it’s dry, the waterproof pants (outer layer) layer won’t be necessary, but you’ll need more than a base layer. It is recommended to bring a pair of light, loose breathable pants as a sort of all-purpose pants. Fleece pants can be useful if you easily feel cold. Jeans are strongly discouraged.

  • breathable light jacket (outer layer)

    When you’re on land, and if it’s dry, the waterproof jacket layer won’t be necessary, but you’ll need more than a base layer. It is recommended to bring a light jacket, or even a vest. Lightweight puffy jackets work well.

  • windproof & waterproof jacket and pants (outer layer)

    Whether it’s to protect you from wind and rain on land or from ocean spray while sailing, having good outer layers to protect against the elements will make the difference between a pleasant and unpleasant trip. It is recommended to bring both a windproof/waterproof jacket and a pair of windproof/waterproof rain pants. Gore-Tex is a leading manufacturer of breathable and waterproof layers.

  • warm hat and light (fleece) gloves

    A bit of wind, a mammoth iceberg nearby, and even fog can have more effect on the air temperature than you might imagine, and it can be magnified when sailing or standing a few hundred meters above sea level. Even though it is summer and there is not a single patch of snow to be found, you still need to be prepared with a few of the more ‘wintery’ items. It is recommended to bring a warm hat and gloves. As a light version, a buff to wear around the head or neck is also useful.

  • hiking boots

    Footwear is of the utmost importance in Greenland. It must be comfortable yet supportive, as it is what protects your feet and will keep you going all day long. So bring your favourite hiking boots, that you will likely use across all sailing and hiking activities, on all days. Good hiking boots have high ankles support, are waterproof or water-resistant and are non-skid / have a sole with good traction (good for both rocky terrain and wet boat decks). It is good if they are worn-in as it is not ideal to break in brand new shoes and have blisters on the first day.

  • comfort footwear

    We recommend supportive sneakers/running shoes, that you will use on arrival and departure day, as well as for the evenings.

Other gear

  • 60-80 litre backpack or duffle bag

    It is recommended to pack your gear in a backpack. Many of the towns have simple dirt- or rocky roads which are not exactly ideal for pulling luggage with wheels. If you do not own a backpack, prefer a duffle bag over a hard shell suitcase.

  • 20-30 litre daypack

    For maximum versatility, it is recommended to bring a small daypack to hold an extra layer or two and your water bottle during short excursions.

  • sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, base-cap

    In summer in Greenland, the midnight sun is out 24 hours a day. Couple this never-ending daylight with the fact that there are no trees for shade - as well as with the reflection off the water and nearby icebergs - and you’ve got yourself the equation for some fierce sun exposure. It is recommended to bring sunscreen, lip balm and sunglasses, and, if you like, a hat with a visor.

  • bug repellant, head net & after bite

    The Arctic summer is notorious for small pesky insects like mosquitos and flies. They will not be a problem when sailing, but once we hit land, they’ll surely find us soon enough. Only a light breeze will give natural respite from the bugs. It is recommended to bring bug repellent, after bite and a mosquito head net. Not very fashionable, but oh-so-functional. Please note: it should be possible to purchase bug repellent in the local Pisiffik grocery store, pending product availability, however it will be the strong, chemical, non- environment-friendly stuff. If you prefer a natural-based product, you should bring your own.

  • water bottle

    Make sure you stay hydrated. So it is recommended to bring your own water bottle or CamelBak to fill up with the freshest, cleanest, tastiest water you can find at convenient streams and waterfalls - or at the faucet, if you want to be like the rest of the world.

  • camera/binoculars

    There’s going to be no less than 10,000 amazing things to see and remember - icebergs that look different from every angle, diving whale flukes, flocks of birds gathering around a fishing boat for free giveaways, small colourful houses perched at the edge of the hill and the world and fantastic geological rock formations. It is recommended to bring whatever camera or looking device you wish, whether that’s a smartphone, snazzy camera, or selfie stick.

  • sleeping bag

    in case you have chosen the "couchette & hostel category" for this trip, please remember to bring a sleeping bag (comfort range around +10°C/50°F). Customers who have booked the "cabin & accommodation with private facilities" category do not need to bring a sleeping bag.

Rentable

  • blanket (DKK 150)

    Staying onboard the coastal ship Sarfaq Ittuk in couchette category you can buy a blanket, which can be taken with you and used in future travel. You can book and pay for the blanket at the info counter of the ship.

In case you have any further questions regarding the equipment to bring to the tour please do not hesitate to contact us.

Locals travelling with the Sarfaq Ittuk
FAQ Coastal Ship - West Greenland

9 days west coast incl. 3 days on board Sarfaq Ittuk
FAQ Coastal Ship - West Greenland

9 days west coast incl. 3 days on board Sarfaq Ittuk
Visit Greenland - Mads Pihl
Individual tour

Coastal Ship - West Greenland

9 days west coast incl. 3 days on board Sarfaq Ittuk

Difficulty level: Easy from 880.00 €
Request a quote

On this trip you will sail with the coastal ship ‘Sarfaq Ittuk’ from Nuuk to the famous Disko Bay. Travelling with the locals on board the coastal ship will give you a great insight into the life of the Greenlanders. In Nuuk, the capital of Greenland we will have time to explore the city and learn about the history and the culture of the Inuit. On the way to Ilulissat, the city of Icebergs, you will stop at small settlements and witness the locals at the ports welcoming or bidding farewell to family and friends. In Ilulissat you can explore the breathtaking area, enjoy the view on the most impressive icebergs in the Northern Hemisphere and go on exciting day tours.

Rough summary

Day 1:

Arrival in Nuuk

Day 2:

Day at leisure in Nuuk

Day 3:

Embarkation on board the coastal ship in Nuuk

Day 4:

Sailing: Maniitsoq - Sisimiut

Day 5:

Sailing: Aasiaat - Arrival in Ilulissat

Day 6-8:

Days at leisure in Ilulissat

Day 9:

End of the trip in Ilulissat

Prices and dates

Price per person:

1 June to 1 September: Double Single
Couchette & hostel 975 1250
Cabin & acc. w. private facilities 1830 2805
2 September to 30 September: Double Single
Couchette & hostel 880 1155
Cabin & acc. w. private facilities 1635 2510

Dates:

Wednesdays, May 15, 2019 – September 30, 2019 (available)

Further details

Price includes:

  • 2 nights in Nuuk
  • sailing on board Sarfaq Ittuk from Nuuk to Ilulissat
  • 4 nights in Ilulissat

Type of trip:

This pre-arranged adventure is an individual trip, meaning you are discovering Greenland on your own but joining selected guided group activities during your stay. You will receive comprehensive travel information such as where and when to meet for the activities.

Minimum age:

10

About accommodation:

Couchette & hostel: In Nuuk & Ilulissat in hostel in double or single room with shared facilitates (bed linen included), on board the Sarfaq Ittuk in couchette in dormitory in sleeping bag accommodation with shared facilitates.

Cabin & accommodation with private facilities: In Nuuk in a 3 local star hotel in room with private facilities including breakfast, on board the Sarfaq Ittuk in a private cabin with private facilities, in Ilulissat in a 3 local star hotel in standard room with private facilities including breakfast.

The ship Sarfaq Ittuk

The vessel was built in 1992 and modernised and lengthened in the winter of 1999/2000. It is now 73 meters long and 11 meters wide. With her engine of 2000 hp the vessels steams at a speed of 13 knots. The crew counts 22 people. The vessel has café, stern saloon with panorama windows, playroom and a hospital clinic to be used in case of injuries and emergency situations onboard. The vessel's capacity is 239 passengers. The overnight accommodation facilities are distributed on 104 cabin beds with private bath and toilet, and 135 couchettes. The couchettes are without private facilities and have access to lockable cabinet showers in communal areas. 'Det Norske Veritas' has classified the vessel for sailing in icy waters.

Options

If you are interested in adding one or more of our tour options to your request, just mark it with

On a 2,5 hour boat trip you will sail among the gigantic icebergs in Disko Bay in the evening sun. These frozen giants calved from the most productive glacier of the Northern Hemisphere, the Sermeq Kujalleq. It annually calves 45km³ of ice into the UNESCO Icefjord. Sailing around the gigantic icebergs in the evening sun is a fantastic experience. Remember to bring warm clothes.

It is a big day today. You came here to see glaciers and icebergs. And you do not mean the small ones, you mean the massive ones. Well, we promise - this is what you are going to see. Standing in front of the enormous Ilulissat Icefjord will make you feel small and humble. An endless amount of ice pushing down from the glacier Sermeq Kujalleq towards the sea, where ice is calving constantly creating those majestic icebergs floating in Disko Bay. Here, at the Ilulissat Icefjord World Heritage Site, we also stop at Sermermiut, an abandoned Inuit settlement, which had been used by Saqqaq, Early Dorset and Thule cultures. Our guide will give you insights of the Inuit culture and will answer your questions.

We leave Ilulissat early in the morning and sail north in the direction of Eqi Glacier. Very few places in Greenland are as breathtaking as Eqi. On the way we will sail around the most impressive icebergs in the Northern Hemisphere. We will sail close the massive glacier wall, turn off the engines for about an hour, enjoy some lunch as well as the breathtaking view of the calving glacier. In the afternoon we make our way back to Ilulissat.

In the morning you will sail to the small settlement of Oqaatsut (Rodebay) located north of Ilulissat. During the boat tour you will have the opportunity to gaze at the most impressive icebergs of the Northern Hemisphere. The settlement once was a popular trading post and was called Rodebay (red bay) by Dutch whale hunters in the 18th century. A local lunch is included at the small restaurant “H8”, which is located in one of the old colonial buildings. You will have time on to explore the picturesque settlement with its colourful houses and go on a short hike around the area before sailing back to Ilulissat.

You will visit a local handcrafts woman at her house where she is revealing glimpse into her traditional skills. In the past the Inuit only wore clothes made from animal skin or fur since these were warm and hard-wearing and ideally adapted for Arctic climate. The Inuit saying “A man is what his wife makes him” shows the great deal of responsibility the women carried by carefully choosing the skins and perfectly processing them into clothes that protected people in the harsh arctic winter. You will come to know how these skilled and talented artists were creating the traditional Inuit clothing as well as the festive national dress and also enjoy coffee and cake together. By joining this tour you support the local women community and contribute to the preservation of Greenlandic handcraft.

In the evening, you go for an impressive kayaking trip among the gigantic icebergs in Disko Bay. The activity consists in kayaking along the coast of Ilulissat, from where you can see big icebergs coming from the Ilulissat Icefjord. You experience this breathtaking scenery in the most natural and traditional way. Just you and your kayak, paddling as Inuits used to so and some still do. Nonetheless all the safety measures are included: the best equipment in the market (clothing that enables you to swim in freezing waters and the most safe and stable kayaks) and if that were not enough, our kayak instructors have the highest qualifications and lots of experience kayaking in Arctic regions (to participate in this trip max height is 2m and weight is 110kg).

In the morning you will be transferred by boat to the small settlement of Oqaatsut. Here we will go kayaking in Disko Bay. Before we start, you will get a short introduction to kayaking and then we will practice a bit just off the coast of Oqaatsut. We then head towards the icebergs. We will paddle among the icebergs in the bay and enjoy the spectacular views surrounding us. We will have some refreshment in Oqaatsut before we take the boat back to Ilulissat (to participate in this trip max height is 2m and weight is 110kg).

A guide takes you on a historical tour through all of the neightborhoods in Nuuk. The tour starts (either in car or bus) in 'Qinngorput' the newest suburb in Nuuk, where you will hear about everything from architecture to the everyday life of the town's 16,000 inhabitants. From Qinngorput we go 'back in time’ through the 70’s buildings in the suburb of Nuussuaq, through the 50s apartment buildings in the city center, the colorful typehouses in 'Nuutoqaq' and finally ending the tour in the colonial harbor where it all started when Hans Egede arrived in the 1700th century. This historical insight to the city will give you a greater understanding of the conditions and customs of this country. During the trip there will be plenty of opportunities to stop and take pictures or take a short walk up to the Hans Egede Statue next to the Cathedral. The tour can conveniently end ar the national museum of Nuuk, where you can easily spent a couple of hours.

A Targa boat takes us to Kangersuneq/Icefiord through Qoornoq passage. After about 2 hours boat tour we arrive to the mouth of Kangersuneq/Icefiord where we have the view of Narsap Sermia Glacier. After lunch we will continue to Qoornoq an abandoned settlement. In Qoornoq you can walk around and get a feeling of how life was in a settlement.

In the afternoon we take you to beautiful Qooqqut. Qooqut can be reached by sailing for 1 hour into Nuuk Fjord. Arriving at beautiful Qooqqut surrounded by impressive mountain peaks we will go fishing for 20 minutes and take the freshly caught fish to the famous restaurant up here to be cooked. Qooqqut itself used to be a sheep breading station but the old buildings have now been restored and turned into a high quality restaurant. At the restaurant you will enjoy your Greenlandic dinner (not included, choose à la carte) before we take you back to Nuuk by boat, where we should land around 21:00 hours.

Flight connections

Flights to Greenland are not included.
Fly to Nuuk via Reykjavík/Iceland or through Kangerlussuaq via Copenhagen/Denmark.
Return flight from 950 EUR per person can be added to your package.

Open map

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Nuuk - visit of the capital

Today you arrive in Nuuk. Night in Nuuk.

Day 2: Nuuk

You will have the day at leisure Nuuk. You can explore the capital, visit the National Museum and see the mummies found in the north of Greenland, and take a walk at the hold harbour as well as visiting the culture center, Katuaq or join one of the guided excursions we have available in the options. Night in Nuuk.

Day 3: Nuuk - coastal ship departure

You will have the day at leisure Nuuk. In the evening, you will leave Nuuk on board the coastal ship, Sarfaq Ittuk. Night on board.

Day 4: Maniitsoq - Sisimiut

The further north we sail, the higher and steeper the mountains are. Today we will pass the Arctic Circle before we arrive in Sisimiut, which is the most northern town in Greenland free of ice all the year around. Night on board.

Day 5: Aasiaat - Ilulissat

Today, you will arrive in the famous Disko Bay. After a short stop in Aasiaat, we will continue to sail north towards Ilulissat, the town of the icebergs. Shortly before we arrive in Ilulissat, we will pass by the impressive Icefjord, Kangia, filled with enormous icebergs. You will have the afternoon at leisure in Ilulissat to visit the town and enjoy the amazing view of the icebergs. Night in Ilulissat.

Day 6 to 8: Days at leisure in Ilulissat

You will have 3 days to discover the famous Disko Bay. You can explore the beautiful area and the incredible icebergs. You can also check out our guided excursions in the options. Nights in Ilulissat.

Day 9: End of the trip in Ilulissat

Today your trip ends in Ilulissat after unforgettable days in the Arctic.

Schedule Sarfaq Ittuk

10 May - 27 September Day Arrival Departure
Nuuk Friday - 21:00
Maniitsoq Saturday 07:00 08:00
Kangaamiut 11:30 11:45
Sisimiut 19:00 21:00
Aasiaat Sunday 08:00 08:30
Ilulissat 13:00 -

What our customers say

All adventure trips are undertaken on the responsibility of its participants. Greenland Tours does not assume any responsibility for accidents which are caused by its customers or can be traced to their own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realise that all outdoor activities carry an inherent risk.