Discover the gateway to Greenland’s Arctic magic with our carefully curated 3-day private tour based in Ilulissat. 

Perfect for a first taste of Greenland’s natural wonders and traditions, this journey combines iconic sights with authentic experiences at a relaxed and immersive pace. From gliding past towering icebergs and hiking ancient Inuit trails to connecting with Greenlandic culture and wildlife, every moment is designed to leave you in awe. 

With your private guide and thoughtfully arranged experiences, you’ll explore both the dramatic landscapes and the human stories that make this part of the Arctic so unforgettable.

Destinations on Our 3-Day Greenland Tour

Day 1 – Arrival & Arctic Orientation
Arrive in Ilulissat with a private transfer, scenic drive, and cultural introduction to this vibrant coastal town.

Day 2 – Icefjord Cruise & Northern Lights
Cruise among Ilulissat’s towering icebergs, hike the historic trails of Sermermiut Valley, and (in winter) watch the Northern Lights dance across Arctic skies.

Day 3 – Arctic Wildlife & Local Life
Enjoy a private dog sledding adventure (winter) or boat safari (summer), meet Greenlandic sled dogs or fishermen, and depart with a final look at the breathtaking ice-choked coastline.

Day 1: Arrival & Arctic Culture

A Warm Welcome to the Arctic’s Edge!

Today marks your arrival in Greenland’s breathtaking western coast. From the first glimpse of the ice-studded sea to the colorful homes dotting the tundra, you’ll be immersed in the spirit of Ilulissat. 

Your private driver ensures a smooth transition from the airport to the heart of Arctic life, offering stories and stops that begin your journey into Greenlandic culture.

Guided Ilulissat Town Walk

After checking into your hotel and having a chance to refresh, you’ll set out on a private guided walking tour of Ilulissat’s charming town center. 

Although small in size, Ilulissat pulses with history, tradition, and everyday Greenlandic life. Your guide will lead you through brightly painted streets, explaining the stories behind important landmarks like the historic Zion Church—the largest wooden building in Greenland—and the home of famed Arctic explorer Knud Rasmussen.

Along the way, you’ll pass local markets, sled dog enclosures, and artisans’ workshops, where traditions such as bone carving and seal skin sewing are still practiced. Your guide will share not only historical anecdotes but also personal insights into modern Greenlandic culture, touching on topics such as the challenges of Arctic living, the balance between tradition and progress, and the community’s profound respect for nature.

This gentle-paced tour is filled with opportunities to ask questions, take photographs, and begin understanding the unique heartbeat of a town built both on ice and enduring spirit. It’s a perfect first glimpse into Greenland’s human side—one that most visitors rushing to the icebergs often miss.

Greenlandic Cuisine Tasting Walk

In the late afternoon, you’ll embark on a relaxed Greenlandic tasting experience, the perfect way to connect deeper with local culture through its flavors. 

Accompanied by your guide, you’ll visit small cafés, traditional eateries, and even a cozy private kitchen or two (depending on seasonal availability) to sample Greenlandic specialties.

Expect to try dishes like freshly caught halibut or Arctic char, local reindeer sausage, and perhaps a bowl of mattak—whale skin and blubber, traditionally prepared for special occasions. 

For the less adventurous, there will be milder options, such as Greenlandic tapas, berry preserves, or savory cakes made with seaweed and coastal herbs. Your guide will share the history and stories behind each tasting, from ancient hunting traditions to modern culinary innovation.

The atmosphere is relaxed and warm, often feeling more like visiting friends than being at a formal tasting. It’s an excellent way to cap off your first day in Ilulissat—learning how, in Greenland, even food carries the story of survival, resilience, and deep respect for the surrounding land and sea.

Day 2: Icefjord Adventures & Arctic Nature

Day 2 dives fully into Ilulissat’s dramatic natural world, from the timeless flow of ancient glaciers to the flickering magic of the Arctic night sky. 

Adventure and awe await on land, water, and (season permitting) under the stars.

Private Ilulissat Icefjord Cruise (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

The activities get underway as you board a private boat for an unforgettable cruise through the Ilulissat Icefjord—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Greenland’s most astonishing wonders. 

Your experienced captain and guide will navigate through a shifting maze of icebergs, some towering as high as 15-story buildings, freshly calved from the massive Sermeq Kujalleq glacier.

With a flexible route designed around the day’s best light and iceberg formations, you’ll have countless chances for photography, quiet observation, and storytelling from your guide about the ancient ice, Arctic ecosystems, and local legends surrounding the “birthplace of icebergs.” 

Depending on the season, you may also spot seals lounging on floating ice, whales passing in the deeper fjord waters, or seabirds riding the cold updrafts. This is a slow, peaceful journey—designed to immerse you completely in Greenland’s icy heart.

Guided Sermermiut Valley Hike

After a break back in town, your exploration continues with a guided hike through the historic Sermermiut Valley. Once home to successive waves of Inuit cultures for over 4,000 years, this glacially carved valley offers not only sweeping views of the Icefjord but also a powerful sense of timeless human connection to the land.

Your private guide will walk you along easy, well-maintained trails, pausing to reveal hidden archaeological remnants of ancient dwellings, explain the vital relationship between early Greenlanders and the ice, and share legends passed down through generations. 

At the final viewpoint, you’ll gaze out over an endless river of white and blue, where massive icebergs silently drift toward the open sea. It’s an extraordinary place to reflect, photograph, and feel the immense, living history of this landscape.

Northern Lights Watch (Seasonal – Autumn/Winter)

If you are visiting between September and April, your day concludes with a magical evening outing to seek the Northern Lights. 

After dinner, your private guide will collect you for a drive just beyond Ilulissat’s small town lights to carefully chosen viewpoints offering open Arctic skies and unobstructed vistas to the north.

With warm drinks in hand—often a local herbal tea or cocoa—you’ll settle in to watch as green, purple, or pink auroras dance overhead. Your guide will explain the folklore surrounding the lights in Greenlandic culture, offer photography tips if you wish to capture the display and help interpret the subtle shifts and patterns across the sky. 

Day 3: Arctic Wildlife & Local Traditions

Your final day captures the spirit of Greenland’s living culture and wild nature—whether gliding over frozen tundra behind a dog team or cruising the fjords in search of whales. 

Private Dog Sledding Adventure

As day breaks, your driver will be waiting to take you to one of Greenland’s most iconic experiences with a dog sledding journey across the snowy landscapes, led by an experienced local musher. 

Wrapped in warm furs and blankets, you’ll glide over frozen lakes and through quiet valleys, hearing only the rhythmic panting of the dogs and the soft crunch of the sled on snow. Your guide will share the deep history and techniques behind this traditional form of Arctic travel, which has shaped life in Greenland for centuries.

Visit to Local Sled Dog Kennel or Fisherman’s Dock Walk

Following your main adventure, deepen your understanding of Greenlandic life with an intimate cultural visit. 

In winter, you’ll visit a family-run sled dog kennel, meeting the robust Greenlandic dogs up close. Your guide will explain their training, role in Arctic life, and the unique relationship between musher and team—an ancient partnership that remains vital in remote communities to this day.

In warmer months, enjoy a guided stroll through the working docks of Ilulissat. Here, colorful boats bob alongside the pier, laden with fresh fish, seals, or halibut, and local fishermen share stories about the rhythms of life on the Arctic seas. It’s a living window into a traditional economy still deeply tied to nature’s cycles and the shifting seasons.

Private Transfer with Cultural Photo Stops Before Departure

Before your departure, your driver-guide will offer time for final photo stops or short walks at favorite scenic points. You might pause at a clifftop lookout gazing over iceberg-dotted waters, visit a small artisan craft market for handmade souvenirs, or simply savor a few last moments breathing the crisp Arctic air.

Your private transfer will bring you comfortably back to Ilulissat Airport, where you’ll bid farewell to Greenland, carrying memories of vast ice landscapes, ancient traditions, and the profound beauty of this remarkable Arctic world.