Name: Greenland: Cycling from Ice to Sea
Brand: SpiceRoads
SKU: GRL-CIS

Trip Profile

We ride a total of 162 km over 5 cycling days, following a point-to-point route from Kangerlussuaq across Greenland’s interior to the coastal town of Sisimiut. The riding begins inland and progresses steadily west, crossing open tundra, lake country, and fjord landscapes before reaching the sea. The cycling takes place over five consecutive days, forming a continuous interior-to-coast crossing. Daily distances vary, reflecting the terrain and logistics of the route. After completing the ride in Sisimiut, the program includes a 4-hour boat tour exploring historic Inuit campsites and hunting grounds within the UNESCO-listed Aasivissuit–Nipisat area. The trip is fully supported, and your guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you always know what is coming up in terms of distance and difficulty. This makes a tremendous difference, as does the constant supply of water and refreshments along the way.

Suitability: This tour is suitable for riders with solid fitness and prior off-road riding experience who are comfortable spending multiple consecutive days on the bike in a remote environment. The riding itself is non-technical and does not require advanced trail skills, but the trip is demanding due to cumulative fatigue, back-to-back riding days, and the remoteness of the route. Most nights are spent in tented camps with simple facilities, including no showers and dry toilets, and riders should be prepared for variable weather, exposure, and limited recovery comforts between days. During summer, daylight hours are long and nights can remain bright, so you may wish to bring an eye mask to help with sleep, especially during the camping nights. This trip is best suited to riders who value endurance, adaptability, and the experience of a true interior-to-coast crossing over technical trail difficulty or luxury accommodations. The support vehicle is always nearby to offer refuge to any weary cyclists.

Biking Conditions: The riding follows established trails and tracks across Greenland’s interior, with surfaces varying between hard-packed ground, rocky sections, and softer tundra terrain. Conditions can change from day to day depending on weather and ground moisture, and riders should expect occasional uneven or rough patches typical of remote, unpaved routes. The terrain is non-technical and rideable throughout, without sustained technical features, but the surface can be slow and requires steady control rather than speed. Due to the exposed Arctic environment, wind and weather can influence riding conditions at any time. We generally ride rain or shine, though based on the guide’s discretion or your level of comfort, modifications to the planned route can be made. It’s all part of the adventure.

Accommodation: Accommodation on this trip reflects the progression of the journey from Greenland’s interior to the coast. During the riding days, most nights are spent in tented camps set beside lakes and valleys along the route. Camps are simple and functional, with shared facilities suited to a remote Arctic environment. After completing the ride in Sisimiut, the trip concludes with a stay at Hotel SØMA, offering warm rooms and access to Nordic sauna and spa facilities. This transition provides a comfortable setting to rest and recover after several days on the trail, before the final coastal activities.

Nuts & Bolts

Bikes

Mountain bikes are included in this tour. A limited number of e-mountain bikes are available to rent at additional cost; pricing and availability are listed in the tour pricing section. You are also welcome to bring your own mountain bike. If you do so, please ensure it is in excellent mechanical condition and suitable for remote, off-road riding.

Bike Repairs

Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.

Safety

Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.

Guides

You will be led by a local English-speaking guide and if the group is 9 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.

The Nitty Gritty

Passports and Visas

Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. It is not a member of the European Union or the Schengen Area. While citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand do not require a visa for tourism, specific rules apply to those who do require visas for Denmark. A standard Schengen visa is not valid for travel to Greenland unless it is specifically endorsed for Greenland. All travellers must ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended date of departure. ETIAS requirements for Denmark do not currently extend to Greenlandic territory.

Health & Insurance

No specific vaccinations are mandatory for entry. It is advisable to be current on standard boosters such as Tetanus and Hepatitis A/B. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory and must specifically cover high-altitude or remote Arctic trekking, cycling, and emergency medical evacuation. Medical facilities are available in larger towns like Nuuk and Ilulissat, but infrastructure is extremely limited in remote settlements. Evacuation from the backcountry is complex and costly.

Weather

The prime window for cycling in Greenland is exceptionally short, restricted to the Arctic summer months of July and August. During this period, temperatures typically range between 5°C and 15°C. This is the time of the Midnight Sun, where 24-hour daylight allows for maximum flexibility. However, weather can be highly unpredictable, with sudden sea fogs or strong "piteraq" winds. High-quality, expedition-grade waterproofs and thermal layers are essential, even when the sun is shining.

Food

Greenlandic cuisine is defined by what can be hunted or fished from the surrounding Arctic waters and tundra. Traditional staples include dried cod, halibut, and shrimp. Reindeer (caribou) and muskox are common meat sources, often served in hearty stews known as Suaasat. Fresh produce is limited and mostly imported, meaning meals often focus on protein and preserved items. All dietary needs are managed as effectively as possible given the remote logistics; please notify us at the time of booking.

Drink

Tap water in Greenland is exceptionally pure, often sourced directly from melted glacier ice or mountain streams. Coffee is the heart of the kaffemik tradition and is served strong and frequently. Alcohol is regulated and can be expensive due to high import taxes. Local breweries in Nuuk and Ilulissat produce unique craft beers using glacial water. Please note that alcohol during meals is not included in the tour price.

Solo Travellers

SpiceRoads welcomes solo adventurers and does not charge a mandatory single supplement. We arrange for you to share a room or cabin with another traveller of the same gender. If no match is available, you receive your own sleeping space at no additional cost. Given the remote nature of the accommodation in Greenland, which often includes small guesthouses or expedition camps, space is at a premium and room-sharing is a standard part of the experience.

Extra Expenses

Greenland is one of the most expensive destinations in the world due to the extreme logistics of transport and imports. Budget for personal incidentals such as Tupilaks (traditional soapstone or bone carvings), high-quality woollen wear, or optional boat excursions to see calving glaciers. Tipping is not a standard part of Greenlandic culture, though rounding up for exceptional service in restaurants or for your expedition crew is appreciated.

Money

The currency is the Danish Krone (DKK). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in the main towns, supermarkets, and hotels. However, in smaller, remote settlements and for local artisanal purchases, the economy is cash-based. ATMs are available only in the larger towns. It is essential to withdraw a sufficient supply of Krone before departing for the more isolated segments of the journey.

General booking info

If this is the tour for you here's what you need to do to confirm your place:

FLEXIBLE BOOKING CONDITIONS

Booking a SpiceRoads cycling adventure is easy and we try to do everything possible to make sure you have full flexibility and peace of mind. We do not require a deposit to hold your place on a tour and once full payment has been made your money is protected in our client account and you have the flexibility to cancel or change your booking if needed.

CONFIRMING YOUR BOOKING

Just complete our online booking form or send your booking details offline (email or post), and we will confirm your participation. No deposit is needed to confirm your place on a SpiceRoads tour.

You are advised to read our Booking Conditions in full before you make your payment and should you require further clarifications of any of the conditions below, please email us or call our office.

TRIP STATUS

There is a minimum number of participants (usually 2) required to enable the trip to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to Depart'. Once a trip is guaranteed to depart you are free to book your flights and make other travel arrangements. If the trip status is ‘Limited’ will mean we have only a small number of spaces available for booking. If you are unsure about the trip status, please email us or call our office.

BOOKING ONLINE

From the tour page, click the 'Book Now' link. All departures for this tour will appear, just select the date you'd like to travel. For the next steps, you'll need to know the names of the people travelling. If you wish you can also provide extra details such as passport numbers, height (for bike hire), or you can add that later by logging into Manage My Trip (we'll set up an account for you automatically if you don't already have one). Our system will contact you from time to time to fill in the missing information, as it will be required before departure. However, if the trip that you are booking offers a child discount, you will have to fill out the date of birth of each rider (so we can calculate the appropriate discount).

If you are having any problems please send us an email, or give us a call (+66 026 3295) and one of our travel specialists will assist you with your booking.

BOOKING OFFLINE

Just call us or send an email indicating which trip you want to join and we will happily send you a list of questions and process your booking for you.

DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS

We do not require a deposit or full payment to book a place for you on a tour.

The balance of the tour’s cost (final invoice) will need to be paid 60 days before the departure date with fees for any bicycle rental(s), single supplement(s) and extra hotel nights.

In the case where a booking is made when there are less than 60 days until the tour departure date, the tour’s cost should be paid in full within 72 hours of receiving an invoice from SpiceRoads. Payment can be made by credit card using our online payment gateway or by bank transfer. When making payment online you will need to confirm that you have read these booking conditions during the "checkout" process, which equates to agreeing to the terms of services and stipulations as indicated in this document.

In all cases, tour fees need to be paid “in full” before participation in a tour. No person(s) will be allowed to join a tour without fully settling their invoice and receiving a confirmation number from SpiceRoads.

The exception can be made for last-minute miscellaneous fees that can be paid locally (visas, additional local hotel bookings, etc.) can be settled on the day of arrival.

FULL FLEXIBILITY FOR TOUR CANCELATIONS

If the tour is cancelled or postponed by SpiceRoads because we didn't make the trip numbers and the tour can’t run, we will make a full cash refund (by bank transfer or on your credit card).

If the tour is cancelled for any other reason, including due to Covid related travel restrictions, we will give you a full credit (with no deductions for admin or any other small-print item) to use on any SpiceRoads tour with no time limit. (Exceptions being flights, special permits and other non-refundable items and these will be advised when booking the trip).

Before paying for your tour, you can cancel your booking with no charge and up until 40 days before departure, you can change your booking to another travel date or move your booking onto another SpiceRoads tour with no charges.

If you need to cancel after you have made full payment, please see our cancellation policy.

Loyalty Riders Club

For those who have been on several long tours with us, we reward customer loyalty by offering repeat customers a special discount off the tour price (excludes single supplement and bike rental). If this is your fourth scheduled tour or more you will receive a 5% discount. If this is your eighth scheduled tour or more we will extend a 10% discount. The discount will be reflected in your online booking, but please contact us if any questions. Loyalty discounts cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Note: Only tours of 7 days or more will be applicable for a loyalty discount.

International Flights

International flights, to and from the start and finish points are not included in the tour price. Once your tour is Guaranteed to Depart you can book your flight. Please contact us for advice before arranging flights for the best arrival and departure times. We would only cancel a trip for an extreme circumstance, but in that case, where we cancel your trip, we cannot be liable for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made. Please claim any losses from your travel insurance that you acquired when you booked your holiday.

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Trip Profile

Day 1: Meet in Kangerlusssuaq & Ride Into the Big Fjord

We meet in Kangerlussuaq, the main starting point of the Arctic Circle Trail, a backcountry route that runs from Greenland’s interior to the coast at Sisimiut. The settlement lies just north of the Arctic Circle, in an open inland landscape shaped by proximity to the Greenland Ice Sheet and the long fjord that connects it to the sea. Flights usually arrive in the first part of the day, making same-day arrival feasible and allowing time to explore the town and have lunch before the ride begins. After introductions and final preparations, we start riding directly from Kangerlussuaq. The route begins near the fjord and then moves inland, marking the start of the interior crossing. Today’s ride focuses on settling into the trail surface and the pace of traveling by bike across remote terrain. By the afternoon, we reach our first camp, where the support team has already set up tents and prepared the site. We spend the evening settling into camp and sharing a first meal, beginning the rhythm of riding by day and moving camp each night as the journey toward Sisimiut gets underway.

Tented camp

Dinner

Ride 18km

+304m

-229m

Day 2: Across the Arctic Circle Plateau

Today is the longest riding day of the trip as we continue along the Arctic Circle Trail across Greenland’s interior plateau. The route covers a broad stretch of open terrain, linking lake country and wide valleys as we move steadily west. We ride through open interior terrain, passing lakes, streams, and low-lying ground, with long sections where the landscape changes gradually. With no settlements along the way, the focus stays on holding a steady pace and managing the distance. By the afternoon, we reach our next remote camp. We settle in for the night and rest after a full day on the trail.

Tented camp

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ride 49km

+680m

-635m

Day 3: Between the Fjords

Today’s ride passes through a section shaped by multiple fjord systems, as we continue along the Arctic Circle Trail. The route follows valleys and waterways as it threads between fjords, with the terrain changing gradually over the course of the day. Today’s ride passes through areas such as Aqquitikitsoq, where the trail moves between open ground and narrower passages influenced by the surrounding landscape. The focus remains on steady progress as we continue westward toward Sisimiut. By the afternoon, we reach our next camp and settle in for the night after another full day on the trail.

Tented camp

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ride 40km

+449m

-560m

Day 4: The Great Tasersuaq Lake

We continue along the Arctic Circle Trail through Greenland’s interior, riding through open terrain shaped by lakes, streams, and low hills. Today’s route passes through the region of Tasersuaq, a large inland lake located roughly midway between Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut and one of the major geographic landmarks along the crossing. Tasersuaq, whose name means “large lake” in Greenlandic, sits in a broad basin bordered by mountains and the edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet. The wider area has long formed part of inland travel and hunting routes, with traces of historic Inuit activity found across the surrounding landscape. By the afternoon, we reach our next camp. We settle in for the night and rest after another full day on the trail, continuing the westward journey toward Sisimiut.

Tented camp

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ride 31km

+791m

-890m

Day 5: To Sisimiut and Disko Bay

We set out from camp for the final riding day, following the Arctic Circle Trail toward Sisimiut. The route leaves the interior behind and moves through valleys and fjord-influenced terrain as the landscape gradually opens toward the coast. As we approach Sisimiut, the trail gives way to views over the sea and the outer reaches of Disko Bay, marking the end of the interior crossing. We ride the final kilometers into town, completing the journey from Greenland’s inland tundra to the coast. After arriving in Sisimiut, we check in at Hotel SØMA, where lunch is served. After several nights of camping, warm rooms and access to Nordic sauna and spa facilities offer time to rest and recover. The afternoon is free to explore town or relax at the hotel. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Hotel SØMA Sisimiut

Breakfast, Lunch

Ride 24km

+511m

-587m

Day 6: Inuit Hunting Grounds by Boat

Today we explore the coast around Sisimiut by boat, shifting from the interior landscapes of the trail to the waters that connect Greenland’s settlements. The route follows nearby fjords and islands within the UNESCO-listed Aasivissuit–Nipisat cultural landscape, an area shaped by long-standing movement between ice, land, and sea. We travel by small boat to coastal sites that once supported Inuit hunting and seasonal living. At several locations, we go ashore to see remains of earlier settlements and hunting grounds, where the relationship between people, coastline, and resources is still visible in the landscape today. The waters around Sisimiut are active and rich. Seals and seabirds are commonly seen along the coast, and the boat journey offers a close view of the marine environment that continues to support local life. We have lunch during the boat tour. After returning to Sisimiut, the afternoon is free to explore town, walk along the harbor, or relax by the sea. In the evening, we come together for a farewell dinner in town.

Hotel SØMA Sisimiut

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Sisimiut departure

After breakfast, the tour comes to an end. We arrange transfers to Sisimiut Airport for onward flights. If you would like to stay a little longer, it is possible to extend your time in Sisimiut. Hotel extensions and private transfers can be arranged at additional cost. Let us know your plans and we’ll help organise the details.

Breakfast

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.

Nuts & Bolts