The world’s largest island, Greenland’s scenic coasts, and glacier-carved landscapes are normally experienced via expedition cruises. But, starting November 2024, new flight routes into Nuuk’s international airport will allow intrepid adventurers to touch down at the edge of the Arctic Circle and then explore on foot.
“For the savvy, curious traveler itching to explore the uncharted, we predict they will embrace exploring land-based Greenland,” said Ayaka Hasegawa, PR manager at luxury, experiential travel company Black Tomato.
New for 2025, the operator’s overland Greenland itinerary will focus on immersive, educational experiences that “are sensitively designed, respectful of locals, and intended to support communities,” said Hasegawa.
Among the field-trip style adventures on offer, travelers can learn to catch arctic char with bare hands, sail on a traditional schooner boat up the coastline, mountain climb, dog sled, take RIB boats to visit local communities, and sleep beneath ethereal polar skies at cozy glamping sites. Witnessing the UNESCO-inscribed Ilulissat ice fjord and Greenland’s unique flora and fauna rank high on travelers’ wish lists, but the company also hopes to shine a light on the island’s unique culinary heritage.
“Gourmet dining in Greenland is a lesser-known treasure, with incredible local chefs showcasing bastions of impressive culinary skills, with an acute focus on using locally sourced ingredients,” added Hasegawa.
Backroads’ new Hiking and walking tour of Iceland and Greenland (June to September 2025) is another land-based option for travelers looking to combine Iceland and Greenland. The itinerary begins with three nights in Iceland, based in Grindavik, before flying to Greenland, where adventures include hiking the coastline from Oqaatsut to the edge of the Ilulissat ice fjord.
