WONDERS OF GREENLAND AND ICELAND

Day 1: Chennai-Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq
On arrival Kangerlussuaq. Check-in at the hostel in Kangerlussuaq (Old Camp or Polar lodge). If possible we will try to get you a seat on the evening departure from Copenhagen in order to keep the cost low.Overnight stay at Kangerlussuaq.

Day 2: Ice Cap
Morning on your own in Kangerlussuaq, and just over midday we leave for the ice cap. The trip is done by 4WD vehicles, which will take you through the Arctic tundra. On our way to the ice cap there will be plenty of possibilities to spot wildlife. We can get pretty close to the ice cap itself by the 4WD, but we will have to walk the last part up over the final ridge, from where we will get the first great views over the vast ice cap. It stretches hundreds of kilometers in all directions, and is indeed the last remains of the last ice age.If you look at the mountains during the trip to the ice cap, where there is no longer ice, you can easily see how the ice has formed and softened the edges of the mountains.Overnight stay at Kangerlussuaq.

Day 3: From Kangerlussuaq to Ilulissat: Briefing and city walk
Flying north for about an hour you will reach Ilulissat. Today, you will be met by our guide in Ilulissat, who will welcome you and brief you on your stay in Ilulissat. Afterwards you will go on a historical walk through town, where you will get a solid introduction to Ilulissat – the third largest town in Greenland. We will walk past the old colonial harbor, (the wood -board) where the local fishermen sell their daily catch, the house of Arctic Explorer Knud Rasmussen and the Zion Church. Overnight stay at Ilulissat.

Day 4: Ilulissat – Hiking in the UNESCO National Park close to the ice fiord
Today we will hike into the national park, where we will see remains from early Inuit cultures and get spectacular views over the impressive Kangia ice fjord. 10% of the entire ice flow from the inland ice and comes through this narrow strait, which produces more than 40 meters of icebergs per day. In fact it was quite likely an iceberg from this fjord, that sank the Titanic! Bring a lunch bag and continue the hike on some of the amazing hiking trails in this area. Overnight stay at Ilulissat.

Day 5: Ilulissat – Ice fjord Cruise
First part of the day is at leisure – it’s possible to book extra trips. In the evening we head out for a cruise on the ice fjord. At about 10pm we will depart from Ilulissat and head out to the ice fjord. During the next couple of hours we will cruise among huge icebergs and enjoy the evening sun reflecting on the ice. Overnight stay at Ilulissat.

Day 6: Ilulissat – Oqaatsut by boat
Today you’ll go by boat to the small settlement, Oqaatsut. Oqaatsut is a little village with only 27 inhabitants. The place was originally named “Rodebay”, after the Dutch whalers, who caught their whales in this area. Today it’s a charming little settlement with a small hostel, hotel and 2 restaurants. Tonight you are staying the night at Oqaatsut.

Day 7: Oqaatsut – over night stay in the settlement
Leisure time – you have the day to yourself, where you can soak up the atmosphere of the small settlement. The tranquility of the area and the silence is an immense contrast to the busy life in the western world, and offers great options to kick back and read a good book. If you want, however, you have the option to rent a kayak or to go fishing. staying the night at Oqaatsut.

Day 8: Hiking from Oqaatsut – Ilulissat
With your backpack and map you hike back to Ilulissat. The hike itself is about 23 km long and in a casual pace, it will take you about 7-8 hours. If you want to, you can take a taxi when reaching the airport, then you only have to walk 17 km. The route is marked with cairns and orange dots. You will cross small streams crossing through the landscape and pass by some of the few Summer houses in the area. At all times you will have the water on your right hand side, making it easy to navigate.If you don’t feel like hiking back to Ilulissat, you have the option to get a boat transfer back to Ilulissat In Ilulissat you will stay at our guesthouse. Overnight stay at Ilulissat.

Day 9: Ilulissat -Nuuk
Breakfast in the hotel.Today you will join a 3-hour puffin safari by boat to an island near Nuuk, where you can see a colony of Puffins also known as Sea parrots as well as Razorbills (a type of auk) in their natural habitat.These unique birds have colorful beaks and have been a favorite theme in Greenlandic art for a long time. The crew will be very careful not to get too close and move slowly as not to disturb the birds nesting and trying to hatch their eggs.Overnight stay at Nuuk.

Day 10: Nuuk -Reykjavik Iceland
You’ll land in Keflavík, the main airport serving the capital, Reykjavík. The city is approximately a 45-minute drive away, and along the way, you can start to see some of the volcanic landscape that makes up much of Iceland.Proceed to visit world-famous Blue Lagoon, this Icelandic geothermal pool offers pure relaxation in its mineral-rich waters. There’s a lot to see in the city, including the beautiful Hallgrimskirkja Church, which has a wonderful view from the top, and the Sun Voyager statue, which makes for some fun photo opportunities.Overnight stay at Reykjavik.

Day 11: Reykjavik -The Golden Circle-Vik
After breakfast drive to visit to the Golden Circle. Start in Þingvellir National Park (also referred to as Thingvellir National Park), which is 50 km (30 mi) from Reykjavík.Þingvellir National Park is home to Iceland’s only cultural UNESCO site. The Alþingi, the world’s oldest parliament, was established in the 10th century in what is now the national parkAfter exploring the volcanic majesty of Þingvellir National Park, your next stop on the Golden Circle tour should be to see the intriguing Geysir area. Here, hot spring water bubbles up and out from the Earth’s crust, creating spectacular displays of steam that shoot out of the ground.From here, drive over to one of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls, Gullfoss. Climb the path to the top of the falls and witness the Hvítá river plunging down the gorge at up to 141 cubic meters (5,000 cubic feet) per second.Overnight stay at Vik.

Day 12: Scenic southeast Iceland
After breakfast ,procced to southeast coast of Iceland is adorned with black sand beaches, secret lagoons, ice caves, the country’s highest mountain, and Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull. The south coast is where the landscape varies between windswept beaches, dramatic cliffs, and imposing glaciers.To get up close and personal with this corner of Iceland, stop off in the Vatnajökull National Park and visit Skaftafell. It’s where you’ll find the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, a lake filled with icebergs.These chunks of ice are strewn on Fellsfjara, also known as Diamond Beach, because the glittering icebergs sit on the black sands like huge jewels.Diamond Beach, Breidamerkursandur, at sunsetSkaftafell is also a great place to hike. Pick from challenging routes around Iceland’s highest mountain Hvannadalshnúkur, or novice paths that take in the scenery at a gentler pace.Overnight stay at Vik.

Day 13: Waterfalls and black sand beaches
After breakfast ,proceed to most awesome black sand beach, Reynisfjara. It features towering basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar rock formations that rise from the ocean.From here, travel to Dyrhólaey, where the land juts out into the ocean and provides stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and coastline. You can see the curious ‘arch with the hole’, and you may even be able to spot eider ducks. These year-round residents are popular with bird watchers.Dyrhólaey on the Reynisfjara black sand beachAfterwards, continue inland to visit Skógafoss, one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland. It has a spectacular 60 m (197 ft) drop and is known for almost always having at least one rainbow visible in the spray. You can walk right up to the falls, but bring your waterproofs if you want to get close.later drive to Reykjavik ,overnight stay at Reykjavik.

Day 14 :Reykjavik-Departure:
After breakfast ,check out hotel,do some last minute shopping at locals,say final bye to Iceland and Greenland then drop at airport to connect flight to guest destination.

***HAPPY TOUR ENDS WITH SWEET MEMORIES***