Your cruise
Silver Wind · 8-night Northern Europe round trip from Nuuk
Sep 10 – Sep 18 · 8 nights ·
Day 1 Nuuk (board) · Day 2 Sisimiut · Day 3 Kronprinsen Ejland · Day 3 Qeqertarsuaq · Day 4 Ilulissat · Day 5 Eqip Sermia Glacier · Day 6 Evigheds Glacier · Day 7 Islay · Day 8 Maniitsoq · Day 9 Nuuk (step off)
What you do Glide through Nuuk's dramatic icefjord aboard a private vessel, threading past cathedral-sized icebergs calved from the Greenland Ice Sheet. A breathtaking, utterly remote wilderness experience unlike anywhere on earth.
What to expect Depart the colonial harbour on a well-equipped expedition boat, your knowledgeable local guide narrating the glaciology and Inuit relationship with this frozen landscape. The fjord narrows as walls of luminous blue-white ice tower overhead, with only the crack of calving glaciers breaking the silence. Wildlife sightings — humpback whales, Arctic seabirds, even the occasional polar fox on the shoreline — are common in season. Hot drinks and local snacks are served as you drift among the bergs.
Good to know Pre-book directly as private and small-group slots fill fast. Tour typically runs 3–4 hours; confirm departure time against your all-aboard. Dress in windproof, waterproof layers — the fjord is dramatically colder than the town. Nuuk has a long port day (8 AM–11 PM), so timing is very flexible.
Versus the ship tour Small-group or private charter means you linger at the most spectacular bergs, drift in near-silence, and have the icefjord almost entirely to yourselves — a pace and intimacy impossible on a larger vessel.
What you do Journey by boat to the hauntingly beautiful deserted island settlement of Qoornoq, a ghost village framed by fjords, wildflowers, and icebergs. One of Greenland's most evocative and seldom-visited shore experiences.
What to expect The boat ride through Nuuk's outer fjord system is itself spectacular, threading between drifting ice and granite peaks. Landing on Qoornoq, you explore the colourful wooden houses and old church of a settlement once populated by Greenlandic hunters and fishermen. Your guide recounts the island's layered history — Inuit, colonial Danish, and modern Greenlandic — with rare insight. After the walk, enjoy a traditional Greenlandic coffee and snack in one of the restored wooden houses.
Good to know Wear sturdy, waterproof footwear — the terrain is uneven and can be wet. Tours run approximately 3–4 hours; well within Nuuk's long port window. Book directly in advance, especially in peak summer season (July–August).
Versus the ship tour Access is by small boat only, ensuring an exclusive, unhurried landing on an island where the last permanent residents left decades ago — your guide brings the ghost village vividly back to life with first-hand Arctic history.
What you do An intimate guided walk through Nuuk's storied Colonial Harbour, the National Museum, and Katuaq Cultural Centre — anchored by a curated tasting of authentic Greenlandic cuisine. Culture, history, and flavour in one seamless experience.
What to expect Begin at the iconic Katuaq Cultural Centre — its wave-shaped facade a masterpiece of Arctic architecture — before strolling to the UNESCO-recognised Colonial Harbour, where 18th-century painted wooden houses cluster around the waterfront. The National Museum of Greenland reveals extraordinary mummified Qilakitsoq finds, ancient kayaks, and Inuit artefacts collected over centuries. The tour culminates in a curated Greenlandic tasting: expect mattak (whale skin), dried musk ox, and perhaps a warming Greenlandic coffee.
Good to know The 3-hour tour is perfectly paced for a morning start, leaving your afternoon free for the fjord. Pre-book: group sizes are intentionally limited. Comfortable walking shoes required; most surfaces are paved or well-maintained paths.
Versus the ship tour Led by a passionate local expert in groups deliberately kept small, this tour goes beyond the surface — your guide's personal connection to Greenlandic culture unlocks stories, flavours, and perspectives no self-guided visit can replicate.
What you do Board a sturdy, heated closed boat for a private-feel fjord safari through Nuuk's wild outer archipelago — tracking humpback whales, harp seals, and colossal drifting icebergs. Greenland's Arctic wildlife at its most accessible.
What to expect From Nuuk's harbour you push out into the vast Nuuk Fjord system — the world's second-longest fjord complex — with a guide whose wildlife knowledge is encyclopaedic. Harp and ringed seals bask on ice floes, while humpback whales are a regular summer sighting. The boat weaves between icebergs of every hue, from brilliant white to deep glacial blue, as your guide explains the science and Inuit lore of this frozen world. Hot drinks are served throughout.
Good to know Runs approximately 2–3 hours; ideal as a morning or early-afternoon excursion. The closed boat means no specialist clothing required, but a warm jacket is still recommended. Book directly in advance.
Versus the ship tour The enclosed, heated cabin means all-weather comfort, while the small group size allows the captain to divert instantly to wherever wildlife activity is most dramatic — a flexibility simply not possible on larger excursion vessels.
What you do Venture beyond Nuuk to the edge of the Greenland Ice Cap — the world's second-largest body of ice — and set foot on a frozen wilderness that covers 80% of the island. A once-in-a-lifetime encounter with planetary-scale nature.
What to expect A scenic overland transfer (and in some variations, a helicopter or small aircraft leg) delivers you to the edge of the ice sheet, where the transition from tundra to infinite white is a profound, almost otherworldly moment. Your guide explains glaciology, climate science, and the ancient Inuit knowledge of ice travel, making the experience as intellectually rich as it is visually staggering. You'll walk on the ice itself — crunching across a surface that is in places over 3 kilometres deep. The return journey passes through the striking Arctic tundra landscape surrounding Nuuk.
Good to know Nuuk's 8 AM–11 PM port window makes this full-day adventure feasible. Advance booking is essential; confirm logistics (transport type, duration) directly with the operator. Warm, layered clothing and waterproof boots are mandatory — your operator will advise on a full kit list.
Versus the ship tour Expert-led private or very small-group access to the ice cap interior, with a qualified Arctic guide who tailors the experience to your pace — whether you want to hike further onto the ice or simply absorb the staggering silence and scale.
What you do Paddle a sea kayak through Nuuk's glassy fjord waters as the Arctic sun dips low, illuminating drifting icebergs in extraordinary golden light. An intimate, meditative encounter with Greenland's wilderness that stays with you forever.
What to expect Your certified Arctic guide fits you with a dry suit and runs a thorough safety and paddling briefing before launching into the fjord's sheltered waters — accessible and welcoming for beginners and experienced kayakers alike. The low Arctic sun casts long golden shadows across bergs the size of houses, their underwater portions glowing turquoise beneath you. Harbour seals often follow curiously alongside, and the only sound is your paddle and the occasional deep crack of ice. On return, warm drinks and a debrief around the harbour complete the evening.
Good to know Nuuk's late all-aboard (11 PM) makes an evening kayak session uniquely possible — a truly extraordinary use of Arctic summer light. No prior kayaking experience necessary. Dry suits are provided. Book well ahead as evening slots are extremely popular in peak season.
Versus the ship tour Groups are kept deliberately tiny — typically four to eight paddlers — ensuring a silent, unhurried experience where you set your own pace alongside a certified Arctic guide, drifting within touching distance of ice formations most visitors only see from a boat deck.
What you do Glide among cathedral-sized icebergs calving from the world's most productive glacier under the golden Arctic midnight sun. This open-boat cruise into the UNESCO-listed Icefjord is Ilulissat's single most breathtaking experience — and utterly unrepeatable.
What to expect Board a small, purpose-built open vessel and head directly into Disko Bay as the low midnight sun paints every iceberg amber and rose. Your local skipper navigates between towering turquoise walls of ice, pausing so guests can photograph, listen, and simply absorb one of Earth's most surreal landscapes. The fjord is extraordinarily active — calving events, walls of meltwater and the eerie silence between groans make this a profoundly moving experience. Groups are kept small, ensuring an unhurried, private atmosphere on the water.
Good to know Departs late evening (approx. 22:00–23:00) to catch the midnight sun — confirm your ship's all-aboard time before booking. Wrap up warmly; temperatures drop sharply on the water even in summer. Book directly via Guide to Greenland well in advance, as cruise-season slots fill quickly.
Versus the ship tour An intimate open boat puts you just metres from house-sized icebergs — close enough to hear them crack and groan. The late-evening departure captures the most extraordinary golden light, with far fewer visitors on the water than during the day.
book direct with World of Greenland (Guide to Greenland) → · the full guide →
What you do Journey by private charter boat to Eqip Sermia — one of Greenland's most dramatically active calving glaciers — for an awe-inspiring front-row view of a living ice wall up to 200 metres tall. Few experiences on Earth match watching billions of tonnes of ancient ice collapse into the sea.
What to expect Your private vessel departs Ilulissat harbour and heads north through Disko Bay, passing extraordinary icebergs en route to the Eqi glacier front. Arriving at the vast, electric-blue ice wall, you anchor as close as safety permits and witness — and hear — enormous seracs crashing into the sea with explosive force. Your experienced local captain provides context on the glacier's retreat and Greenland's changing ice sheet. The return journey through iceberg-studded waters feels almost meditative after the drama at the glacier face.
Good to know Full-day Eqi expeditions require an early start — confirm departure time against your ship's all-aboard. Private charters should be arranged weeks in advance during cruise season (June–August). Dress in insulated, windproof layers; the glacier generates its own cold microclimate.
Versus the ship tour A fully private charter means the vessel, the skipper, and the itinerary are entirely yours — you set the pace, linger as long as you wish, and get as close as safely possible to the glacier's thundering ice face. No shared-group schedules, no rushed departures.
book direct with Ilulissat Water Tours (Guide to Greenland) → · the full guide →
What you do Paddle a sea kayak through a silent flotilla of icebergs in Disko Bay as the evening light turns everything to gold. This small-group guided experience delivers an intimate, human-scale encounter with the world's most spectacular floating ice — utterly bucket-list.
What to expect After a brief safety briefing and fitting with dry suits, you launch from the shore and paddle into the iceberg-scattered bay with an expert local guide leading the way. The low evening sun throws long, dramatic shadows across the ice, and the colours shift from white to turquoise to deep blue as you move between the bergs. Your guide narrates the geology, ecology and Greenlandic cultural significance of the ice throughout. No previous kayaking experience is required — the guides match pace to the group.
Good to know Departs in the evening to capture the best light; confirm exact timings with the operator. Dry suits are provided, but wear a thermal base layer underneath. Book early — this is the most in-demand paddle experience in all of Greenland during cruise season.
Versus the ship tour A kayak puts you at water level, entirely surrounded by ice — you feel the cold radiating off each berg, hear the constant drip and crackle, and glide in silence that no motorised vessel can match. Groups are strictly small, making this one of Ilulissat's most exclusive and personal experiences.
book direct with World of Greenland (Guide to Greenland) → · the full guide →
What you do Walk the UNESCO-listed Icefjord trails to the ancient Sermermiut settlement — one of the Arctic's most significant archaeological sites — with icebergs the size of skyscrapers as your backdrop. This private guided hike fuses 4,000 years of human history with the planet's most dramatic frozen landscape.
What to expect The trail descends from the edge of Ilulissat into the valley of Sermermiut, where ruins of ancient turf houses are visible among the wildflowers. Your guide contextualises the archaeological layers — from Norse contact to 18th-century abandonment — while the icefjord stretches out before you, choked with bergs calved from the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier just kilometres away. The main overlook offers one of Greenland's most photographed panoramas: a seemingly endless procession of blue-white ice towers. The round hike takes approximately 2–3 hours at a leisurely pace.
Good to know Trailhead is a short walk from the town centre. Wear sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots; the path is well-maintained but can be muddy. Private guide should be pre-booked directly — ask for a morning departure to beat day-visitor crowds and allow maximum time before all-aboard.
Versus the ship tour A private local guide brings Sermermiut to life — explaining the successive Saqqaq, Dorset and Thule cultures who lived here and why Greenlandic hunters kept returning to this precise spot for millennia. With a private guide you set your own pace, stopping as long as you wish at each overlook above the icefjord.
What you do Charter a private boat across the Ilulissat Icefjord to Ilimanaq — a tiny, centuries-old Greenlandic settlement of just 50 souls — for an utterly authentic encounter with Arctic life, framed by some of the world's most spectacular iceberg scenery.
What to expect The 30-minute private boat crossing alone is extraordinary — the icefjord passage threads between colossal icebergs grounded in the shallows, with unobstructed views back to the icefjord mouth. Arriving in Ilimanaq, the settlement's ochre and red wooden houses cluster around a tiny harbour used by subsistence hunters and fishermen. A local guide walks you through the history of the settlement, the rhythms of Greenlandic life today, and the impact of a changing Arctic. There is time to simply sit, photograph, and absorb the profound stillness of one of the world's most remote communities.
Good to know The crossing takes approximately 30 minutes each way; allow 3–4 hours total. Private charters must be arranged well in advance — contact the operator directly to confirm availability on your port day. Bring layered clothing; wind on the water can be fierce.
Versus the ship tour As a fully private charter, the boat and schedule belong entirely to your group — lingering among icebergs on the crossing, exploring Ilimanaq's colourful colonial-era buildings, and connecting with local residents without the pressure of a group timetable. Almost no one reaches Ilimanaq independently.
book direct with Ilulissat Water Tours (Guide to Greenland) → · the full guide →
What you do Visit the Bjarke Ingels Group–designed Icefjord Centre, one of the world's most architecturally stunning museums, perched directly above the UNESCO Icefjord with panoramic floor-to-ceiling views of the glacier and its icebergs. An immersive deep-dive into Greenland's ice, climate and culture.
What to expect Enter through a structure that mirrors the surrounding landscape in both material and form — raw local stone and natural timber creating a seamless dialogue with the ice outside. The permanent exhibition uses stunning photography, film and interactive science displays to tell the story of Sermeq Kujalleq, the world's most studied and fastest-moving glacier. Outdoor viewing decks and walkways extend directly over the fjord rim, delivering unparalleled iceberg panoramas in all weather. A café on site serves Greenlandic-inspired refreshments — a welcome warm-up after time on the decks.
Good to know Located a pleasant 15-minute walk from the town centre along the icefjord trail. No pre-booking required for individual entry, but check seasonal opening hours at icefjordcentre.com. Pair with the Sermermiut hike (same trail) for a full half-day experience. Allow 1.5–2 hours inside.
Versus the ship tour The building itself is a masterpiece — its curving wooden walkways extend out over the icefjord edge, positioning you literally above the UNESCO site. The exhibitions use state-of-the-art immersive technology to explain the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier's role in global sea level, making this as intellectually enriching as it is visually overwhelming.
We don't hold nightly rates for Sisimiut yet, so the stay and the car are links rather than numbers. The flight is priced live.