Greenlandic Winter Wonderland

Discover a real winter wonderland. Venture into the heart of arctic and discover the sublime tranquillity of Disko Bay. Try dog-sledding, winter Nordic walking with dogs and snowmobiling. Spend two nights in a tiny Greenlandic village, a remote settlement where friendly locals embrace the winter months. Conditions permitting, this remote northern village can be ideal for observing the Northern Lights over the ice sheet. An adventure for travellers who seek unique and unforgettable moments in a delightful winter wonderland.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 Oqaatsut

    Oqaatsut It is a scenic flight over snow-capped peaks to ilulissat airport - we will great you at the airport and travel a further 20 kilometres north together. Depending on the conditions we will travel by boat or snowmobile across the floe ice or through iceberg filled waters to find the isolated settlement of Oqaatsut. This tiny village is home to only about 45 people who live in traditional coloured houses. Enjoy a presentation of the trip to come and a hot meal prepared by your guide. Our basic accommodation here at the end of the world has breathtaking views of the ice sheet and icebergs.

    Accommodation: Hostel
    Transport: By boat and/or snowmobile

  • Day 2 Nordic Hiking

    Nordic Hiking Snowshoes on and dogs harnessed up, set off to explore your surroundings like Eskimos before, by nordic walking with dogs - a unique experience of trust and sharing. Progress over the ice floe, discover Greenlandic seal hunting and cod fishing techniques and learn essential polar explorer skills. Conditions permitting, you should be able toenjoy the aurora borealis from the comforts of our warm accommodation tonight.

    4 to 5 hours of snowshoeing with dogs
    Accommodation: Hostel

  • Day 3 Dog-sledding

    Dog-sledding Meet our local mushers and dogs who will help us master the art of Greenlandic dog sledding. This traditional activity is still used to transport game across the ice during hunting trips. We set off across the ice in twos with our own pack of beautiful dogs to explore the fascinating and surprisingly varied universe of the ice sheet. Look out for seals basking in the sun on the icebergs. We wave goodbye to our dog sleds at the foot of the valley, strap on our snowshoes and hike back through the hills enjoying majestic views over the bay.

    2 hours dog-sledding and 3 to 4 hours snowshoeing
    Accommodation: Hotel in Ilulissat

  • Days 4 to 5 Ilulissat

    Ilulissat 2 days to enjoy the unique atmosphere of Ilulissat; its bay of giant icebergs, arctic lights, and colourful houses.

    Optional activities with English-speaking coaches:

    - Snowshoeing along the UNESCO-listed Icefjord: An exceptional snowshoe hike to the famous Icefjord. Walking through the Sermermiut Valley, gradually discover the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Fjord. Huge ice cathedrals remain trapped in the fjord, frozen by the pack ice, creating the most striking panoramic views.
    Price: 135 €. Duration: 5h.

    - Snowmobile Outing (2 / snowmobile): Depending on the snow, ice and weather conditions, your choices will be between a trip back to Oqaastut, north of Ilulissat, or to go further into the mountains where a succession of viewpoints over Ilulissat, Disko Bay and the cap await. Price: 205 €. Duration: 3h-3h30.

    Accommodation: Hotel in Ilulissat
    (This can be shortened to one day if you have less time)

  • Day 6 Final morning

    Final morning Enjoy a morning at leisure in Ilulissat - a final chance to visit Ilulissat Museum or to buy souvenirs in this iconic Greenlandic town which is home to as many sled dogs as people!

Please note that this itinerary, including walking distances and times, is indicative. Our guides aim to provide the adventure that is best suited to the weather, your interests and the demands of the group. Please be aware that in order to achieve this, changes to the program may be made.

Other trips you may like

Snowshoeing in Greenland
Winter Adventure Greenland: Explore the unparalleled magic of Greenland, the land of ice, in the winter. Observe the dancing Northern Lights, discover snowmobiling and go snowshoeing on Greenlands ice sheet... Immerse yourself in a rustic Inuit world far from the stresses of modern day life...

Period & budget

When to travel?

The best period for travelling is during the following months:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Price

Two people, prices from: €1,395

The budget is an indication of the price per person, subject to availability. Your local agent will send you a customized quote with the exact price. The price can vary according to availability, level of services, period of travel, number of participants, booking time frame and other items.

Included

  • All transfers as detailed in the itinerary
  • 2 nights in hostel accommodation, Oqaatsut
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast, Ilulissat
  • A day dog sledding with professional guides
  • A day nordic winter hiking with professional guides

Not included

  • International Flights
  • Registration fee: €18 (free for under 12s)
  • Insurance
  • Food

Additional Options
  • Snowshoeing along the UNESCO-listed Icefjord from 135 € for 5 hours
  • Snowmobile Outing (2 / snowmobile) from  205 € for 3h-3h30

Terms and conditions

Booking conditions

Booking a trip with Altai Greenland implies acceptance of the terms and conditions of sale. Each customer is required to complete a registration form and, subject to availability at the time of registration, travellers are expected to pay a deposit of 30% of the total price to complete their booking. Payments can be made online or by bank transfer. You will receive an e-mail with your booking confirmation.

Invoice procedure

Once your booking is confirmed you will receive an invoice by e-mail. The full balance of the trip must be received at least 30 days before your departure date. We reserve the right to cancel your booking, free of charge, if this deadline is not respected.

Cancellation policy

If for any reason you have to cancel your trip, Altai Greenland requires written confirmation of your decision. The money you have paid will then be refunded according to the following deductions:
  • Cancellation received more than 30 days prior to the departure date: a sum of €50 per person will be retained
  • Cancellation received 30 to 21 days before the departure date: your deposit, 30% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received 20 to 14 days before the departure date: 50% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received 13 to 7 days before the departure date: 75% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received less than 7 days before the departure date: 100% of the total trip price will be retained

Special cases:
Please note that, regardless of the date of cancellation or modification if you have agreed to pay for services such as hotel reservations, flights or additional activities, these services are usually non-refundable so additional fees may apply.
Fixed airfares: if your airline ticket was issued in advance, often done to avoid significant surcharges, you will be charged 100% of any non-refundable fees if you wish to change or cancel your flight plan.
Fixed in-country costs: early charges for firm bookings will be charged if you cancel or modify your trip.Insurance costs: if you have taken out comprehensive or cancellation insurance, the cost of insurance is due and cannot be refunded.

Please note that fees apply according to the date we receive your cancellation or modification request in writing.

If we have to cancel a departure due to an insufficient number of participants, you will be informed no later than 21 days before departure and a full refund will be issued, you will not be entitled to further compensation. We reserve the rights to cancel departures due to exceptional circumstances which may impact the safety of participants. Such circumstances include those amounting to 'force majeure' in which case participants will receive a full refund but they will not be entitled to any compensation.

Changes to travel contract

If you wish to make a change to your booking please contact Altai Greenland in writing; you will be expected to pay any fee which might arise from this change. In the event of unforeseen external events, Altaï Greenland may change some aspects of the travel contract. If any changes are necessary you will be informed as quickly as possible.

Pricing

The prices on our website are updated regularly and all of the prices we advertise are accurate when published. We reserve the rights to make changes to any of these prices. Before you make a booking we will give you the up-to-date price of your chosen holiday including any supplements, upgrades or additional activities you may have requested. If the number of travellers is fewer than the indicated number of participants on the website, a small group surcharge may be applied. For all of our trips we include details of services, prices and what is/is not included but please be aware that changes to the prices may be necessary in accordance with exchange rates or price changes of various components of the journey.

Contract transfer

If you are unable to travel for any reason, you can transfer your booking to another person in which case our modification conditions apply. Both the transferor and transferee will be jointly and severally liable for payment of the total holiday price and other associated expenses. Some airline carriers treat name changes as cancellations and you may be required to pay for the cost of a new ticket.

Practical info

Staff

All activities are lead by our qualified guides. They are all English speaking outdoor practitioners with a passion for everything Greenlandic. Please note that this adventure takes place in an isolated polar environment which can be hostile - your guide will explain safety rules which must be followed.

Food

You should have the opportunity to try Greenlandic delicacies including fresh fish.

Accommodation

Ilulissat
Standard hotel accommodation.

Oqaatsut
We sleep in a rustic village refuge in the heart of the traditional Greenlandic settlement. There is no running water so we use water from a fountain. Showers are found in a village communal house for a small fee (€2). We use shared dry toilets which are the only facilities in a number of small Greenlandic settlements.

Transportation

This trip includes transfers by boat and/or snowmobile.

Budget & exchange

The currency in Greenland is the Danish Krone (DKK)
Please budget for a meal in Oqaastut, traditional food in a local restaurant: €25-€70 / 200-500DKK

Supplied equipment

We provide you with all of the technical equipment you will need for the activities in this adventure including:
  • Warm snow boots (Sorel)
  • A quality winter jacket and overtrousers (to wear in addition to, not instead of, your warm clothes)
  • Snowshoes/skis
  • Walking poles

Vital equipment

  • At least 3 sets of good thermals - top & long johns, one for activities, one spare set and one pair for sleeping in
  • A ski mask
  • A warm wind and waterproof jacket
  • Suitable warm  trousers - windproof ski style, soft shell or fleece lined mountaineering trousers are ideal
  • Suitable underwear, t-shirts and walking trousers
  • Warm jumper(s) and jacket(s)
  • Quality sunglasses (glacier glasses)
  • Sun cream for face and lips (not water based, water freezes)
  • A headtorch and spare batteries
  • Warm thick socks
  • Gloves - multiple pairs of under and over gloves - think warm, waterproof and windproof
  • A warm hat
  • A balaclava
  • Appropriate neck wear like a warm buff
  • Any personal medication
  • Towel & toiletries
  • A thermos/suitable water bottle
  • A sleeping bag liner
  • Warm snow boots

Material

We prefer that you do not wear cotton clothing, including underwear, when participating in activities. When cotton gets wet from water or sweat it ceases to insulate and it does not dry fast. The best materials for outdoor activities are fast drying materials like polyester or materials which are warm when wet like wool. The most powerful materials against the wind and rain are 'breathable' materials like Gore-Tex or Nikwax.

Our advice for keeping warm
Winter in Greenland can be very cold, please think carefully about what clothes you bring, although we will provide warm outer layers, the layers you wear next to your skin make the biggest difference. We recommend:
  • No cotton
  • Bring dry spares of everything, even underwear and gloves
  • Wear multiple layers including:
    1. A warm breathable base layer
    2. A second thermal layer
    3. Wind and waterproof protective out layer (we provide an additional quality jacket and over trousers)

Helpful equipment

You may also consider packing
  • A pair of warm comfortable shoes for evenings in town
  • A swimsuit if you want to test Icelands hot springs/pools during your stopover or the saunas of Ilulissat
  • Extra gloves/overgloves
  • An extra jumper/fleece jacket
  • A warm sleeping bag liner
  • Energy bars
  • Wetwipes
  • Blister plasters 
  • A suitable camera
  • Plastic bags for wet/dirty clothing
  • A small inflatable pillow
  • Tissues

Luggage

Please bring a small rucksack to use as a day bag. You can bring this as hand luggage on the aeroplane. You will carry your lunch, water, spare layers and any personal medication with you each day in this bag. You will also need a larger bag to store your other clothes and belongings in, please ensure that this is a soft bag like a ruckack or holdall rather than a hard cased suitcase because it is more practical. We recommend packing all of your clothes in plastic bags so that they stay dry in the event of bad weather.

Medicine

Your guide is a trained first-aider and will carry a full first aid kit at all times during the trip. We recommend that you bring a small personal first aid kit containing any medication you may need such as inhalers, plasters, antiseptic and painkillers.

Passport

Most travellers require a passport that is valid for at least three months after the return date. It is your responsibility to confirm your specific passport requirements and please be aware that proof of onwards travel may be required.

Visa

Most travellers do not need a VISA to travel to Greenland but proof of onwards travel may be required. It is your responsibility to confirm your specific visa requirements.

Mandatory vaccines

There are no specific health risks.

Health information & recommendations

It is your responsibility to check that your personal health insurance covers everything in this trip. A consultation with your doctor is a prerequisite for any trip.

Weather

This trip runs during March and April when temperatures normally range from -30°C to -10°C (-22°F - 14°F). Generally speaking Greenland is not very windy and we can anticipate calm weather with snow showers and perhaps sleet. Near the ice sheet temperatures can be very cold and there can be gusts of wind of up to 15 miles per hour. The air is low in humidity which means that the temperatures do not feel as cold as you might imagine and that the views are amazing - it appears that you can see further!

The length of the day varies significantly throughout the year. The shortest day of the year is 21st December with no sunlight! The longest day, with 24 hours of sunlight, is 20th June. During March and April we can expect 16-20 hours of daylight. You can see the midnight sun from May - July and the Northern Lights year round when is is dark. 

Electricity

Greenland uses Northern European electrical standards (50Hz/220 volts) and the standard Europlug socket with two round prongs.

Local time

Most of Greenland uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)/ Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) -3; most areas use Daylight Saving Time (DST).

Topography

Area: 836,300 mi²
Population: 56,186 inhabitants (2016)
Capital: Nuuk
Languages: Kalaallisut or West Greenlandic, Danish is also widely used
Regime: Part of the Kingdom of Denmark but politically autonomous

Part of the continent of North America, Greenland is the largest island on Earth and it is covered by the largest ice sheet in the world outside of antarctica.

Sustainable tourism

As adventure and wilderness travel experts who run trips to some of the most remote parts of the world, we take responsible tourism very seriously.

We respect the ‘Leave No Trace’ outdoor ethical code and try to explore this beautiful location whilst causing minimal environmental damage.

The Leave No Trace policy can be summarized in 7 simple steps which we hope you will follow during ourtrip...
  1. Be prepared
  2. Stick to trails and camp overnight right
  3. Stash your trash and pick up waste
  4. Leave it as you find it
  5. Be careful with fire
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Over the years we have built up good relations with our local suppliers and we are keen to support local businesses as much as possible. We are a small company and we pay our local partners and suppliers directly insuring fair rates.

Our small group sizes not only provide a more intimate adventure but also cause less impact on the environment and local communities.

We expect all who travel with us to support and uphold our Sustainable Tourism philosophies.
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Elodie

My local agent
Elodie

  • Outdoor activities enthusiast
  • Adventure travel expert
  • Logistics expert
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Region
Disko Bay
Activity
Northern lights Winter
Duration
6 days
Code
EGROL7VA
Price
From €1,395
Level
2/5
Comfort
2/5

Strengths

  • Discover the tranquility of Greenland in the winter
  • Enjoy traditional Greenlandic winter activities - dog sledding, Nordic winter walking and snowmobiling
  • Comfortable hotel accommodation and two nights in an isolated settlement

Required level

2 - 5 hours of activity per day. Please note that the cold can be tiring.

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