East Greenland/Iceland

in a changing world

Iceland & East Greenland Tour 2010

You note the bays and harbors filled with icebergs as you fly in, but soon see the small villages of Kulusuk with its brightly colored houses. They’re modern looking with electricity, running water, and people are talking on cell phones. You notice the dogs whose barking fills the air, see sleds in the front yards, and soon realize that this is a traditional hunting society. The little harbors are full of boats which seem too small to travel with the icebergs which are swept inland along the rugged rock coast.

Its’ been only 100 years since the first Europeans “discovered” East Greenland! Ice and landscape has long kept it isolated from the rest of the country -- even today, East Greenland consists of only two towns and the worlds largest national park. East Greenlanders speak a distinctive dialect and have cultural traditions and crafts which are uniquely different from the rest of Greenland..

Yet because of its proximity to Iceland, East Greenland is the place most visitors find easiest to get to. We can suggest several different ways to sample East Greenland, from a day tour from Iceland, a multi day exploration of Kulusuk and Ammassalik, or through a great and 7 or 9 day combo packages with a few interesting days in Iceland and then some days in East Greenland. Hardest part is choosing the package that’s best for you.

Iceland and East Greenland - two northern islands - one icey, one green.

Enjoy some of the best of these northern islands with their amazing diversity of nature and culture. Whether you start with some days exploring Iceland - with it boiling water spouts, geothermal springs and mighty waterfalls or devote yourself to exploring East Greenland’s ice filled fjords and ancient Inuit culture, you’ve got a very interesting adventure awaiting you.

This page outlines a tour that combines both Iceland and East Greenland in a 7 day trip.

We’ve packaged these tours with flights to and from Iceland from the US (European connections are also available) airport transfers, and everything else you need to make a very interesting, enjoyable holiday. You'll have comfortable accommodations, great guides, some free time for your own exploration and the trip of a lifetime!

Iceland and East Greenland Combo

Overnight flight to Iceland
Travelers from North America leave for Iceland on an overnight flight with an early morning arrival at Keflavik Airport in Iceland. Leave the US on Icelandair flights from Boston, New York (JFK) and Minneapolis. (Seattle and Toronto are options, too, ask for prices). European travelers can leave at a later time.

Day 1
Welcome to Iceland!

You’ll have a ticket for the Flybus shuttle which will deliver you to your hotel in Reykjavik. You’ll have the day to enjoy Iceland’s capitol and we’ll provide lots of info on how to enjoy Reykjavik. We’ll give you some ideas on restaurants, as lunch and dinner are on your own during your Iceland days.

Day 2

Off to Greenland

You’ll take a cab to the domestic airport in Reykjavik. Here you’ll have a mid morning flight to Kulusuk, with lunch during the two hour flight. Upon landing you’ll have a short helicopter ride to Ammassallik, where you’ll be meet by your guides, who take you to the Hotel Ammassallik for check-in and an informational meeting. You’ll have three nights here -- there will be time for some of the optional excursions. Breakfast and dinner are included every day. Some day tours include lunch.

Your guide and hotel staff will advise on and book the optional excursions. As with everything in Greenland, the availability of these is affected by the weather!

Days 3 & 4

Explore Ammassalik

You’ll have a full day to explore this area, isolated to much of the world until the last century. Some day tour options are listed below.

Day 5

This morning there’s some time to see a bit more, and then the return flight to Reykjavik, with lunch on the plane. You’ll need to take a cab to your hotel and then you can settle in for your Iceland experience. This might be a good night to sample some of Iceland’s more upscale restaurants, and if you're hardy, some of its famous nightlife.

Day 6

Golden Circle

Today you’ll take in the “must see” sights of Iceland on the Golden Circle Tour - Geysir, Gullfoss, and then national park at Thingvellir, home of Europe’s first parliament in the ninth century. There will be a lunch stop and you’ll be back in Reykjavik late afternoon.

Day 7

Blue Lagoon and home

A good way to make a relaxed departure. After breakfast you’ll be picked up at your hotel and taken to the Blue Lagoon, in the midst of the scenic Reykjanes peninsula, where you’ll have a bit of time to soak, before heading out to Keflavik airport in time for your plane.

Some optional excursions in Kulusuk, which can only be booked locally!

Easy Hike to the Village of Kap Dan. A guided walk from the hotel through the village and up to a viewpoint, learning about culture, nature and everyday life. Lasts about 3 hours; DKK 200

Drive to View Point- From the hotel along a mountain track a short scenic ride to a mountaintop overlooking the Arctic Ocean and the Kulusuk Island. Lasts about 2 hours; DKK 295

Apusiaajik Glacier by boat

An unforgettable trip huge icebergs to the impressive Apusiaajik Glacier. Lasts about 2 hours; DKK 395

Some optional excursions in Tasiilaq, which can only be booked locally!

City walk of Tasiilaq- history, museum and harbor ; Lasts about 2 1/2 hours; DKK 200

Walk to the "Valley of Flowers

easy pace, beautiful views; 2.5 hours; DKK 200

Iceberg Cruise-

By boat through the ice filled fjord near Angmagssalik, Lasts 2 hours; DKK 395

Boat trip to the village of "Ikateq"

through the ice filled fjord of Sermilik to a deserted hunting village; 5-6 hours;

DKK 595

Helicopter flight

to the "Mitivagkat Glacier

Up 1000 meters where the views can’t be topped! 1 hour, DKK 1600

Currency in Greenland is the Danish Kronur (DKK) which is quite readily available in Iceland. While credit cards are also widely accepted in Greenland, you should make a point to get some DKK before leaving Iceland. See www.xe.com for exchange rates

Dates & Prices:

Dates: The 7 day/6 night Iceland and East Greenland tour starts daily except Sundays Like all of our tours, it can be added on to any other Iceland Adventure! Prices below are for departures between June 15 and August 20.

The price for this 7 day/6 night Iceland and East Greenland Adventure in a comfortable 3 star hotel in a very convenient location is $3777 per person, double occupancy or $4262 single. These prices are subject to hotel availability. We can always upgrade accommodations, just give us a call!

Price includes round trip airfare, including fuel surcharge & US departure taxes from Boston, New York, Minneapolis. Add $110 per person from Seattle. Also includes transfers to and from Keflavik Airport, 3 nights in Iceland in double rooms in hotels with private bath, breakfast every day, 3 day tours with hotel pick up and drop off, Air Iceland flights to and from Kulusuk, with Icelandic departure taxes, helicopter flight between Kulusuk and Ammassaliik, 3 nights in double rooms in East Greenland with private bath, breakfast and dinner, local guide to assist with airport transfers and excursion booking. Not included in the price are travel insurance, meals other than breakfast in Iceland, lunches in Greenland, domestic airport transfers in Iceland, optional excursions in Greenland which can only be booked locally.

Accommodations in Greenland

Hotels in Greenland are modern with comfortable rooms, often with good views, TV and private baths. Most hotels have a restaurant and full bar. Breakfast and dinner are included in the multi-day tours, with lunch available locally. Many day tours include lunch and others offer an opportunity to purchase it at a reasonable price.

Is 7 Days too short? This tour is also available as a 9 day tour - with 3 days in Iceland on your arrival, then to East Greenland, for two nights in Kulusuk, and two in Ammassallik, before heading back to Iceland for a last night’s stay.

Had we all the time in the world -- this would be our first choice of tour!! Call for pricing.

Many of our Greenland programs are available during the shoulder season of June 1 - 14 and August 25 - September 15. Ask for those prices.

All bookings in Greenland are subject to Special Conditions, to which you must agree when booking!

Special Conditions! Arctic weather and limited capacity in Greenland may cause traffic delays resulting in interruptions, limitations or changes in the itinerary. This may result in extra expenses to cover meals, hotel accommodation and/or transportation not foreseen in the program. Such expenses have to be paid directly by travelers themselves. The tour operator cannot accept any responsibility, economic or otherwise for such changes.

Flying is the only way to travel between communities in most of Greenland. The aircraft that serve Greenland fly from one remote area to another and any delays at one airport is telegraphed through the system. Because of this, we build some flexibility into any Greenland program.. Travel between Iceland and Greenland can be uncertain as well, so we never schedule a flight back to the US from Iceland on the same day as you return from Greenland. Most packages include a final night’s accommodations in Iceland - and if not, we’ll be happy to arrange that for you.

Please note: There are no flights between Iceland and Greenland on Sundays, so a tour can neither start nor end on Sunday.

Download a PDF of the itinerary of the Iceland and East Greenland Tour

East Greenland alone without much time in Iceland

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