Greenland Tour from India: Visa, Season and Planning

Greenland is the world’s largest island, and most of it is covered in ice. The travel is on the coast: huge icebergs, deep fjords, small Inuit settlements and, in winter, the northern lights. This guide is about planning a Greenland trip from India. For a first-hand look at East Greenland, read our Greenland travel guide.

Greenland at a glance

• Best for: icebergs, fjords, Inuit culture and the northern lights
• Summer season: hiking, boat trips and wildlife
• Winter and shoulder months: the northern lights
• Getting there: usually via Copenhagen or Reykjavik
• Visa: Greenland has its own entry position, so check before you book

Where to go in Greenland

Ilulissat

On the west coast, known for its icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Boat trips take you among enormous icebergs that break off the glacier.

Nuuk

The capital, on the west coast. It is the best place to learn about Greenlandic culture, and the starting point for many boat trips and hikes.

East Greenland

Remote villages, fjords and mountains, much quieter than the west. Read about the Sermilik fjords.

What you can see and do

• Boat trips among icebergs and fjords
• Hiking in summer, from short walks to multi-day treks
• Visits to Inuit settlements, where you can learn about local life
• Dog sledding and winter activities in the colder months
• Northern lights from autumn into winter

Summer or winter?

• Summer: long days, open fjords, hiking and boat trips among icebergs. It is the easiest season for first-time visitors.
• Winter: snow, dog sledding and a chance of the northern lights. It is colder, darker and harder to plan, so allow more flexibility.

Planning notes

• Greenland is remote and flights are limited, so book early and allow spare days for weather delays.
• The currency is the Danish krone, and the main languages are Greenlandic and Danish. English is used in tourism.
• West-coast towns such as Ilulissat are the simplest way to start. East Greenland is wilder and takes more planning.

Do Indians need a visa for Greenland?

Greenland is not part of the Schengen area. The official Visit Greenland site says a Schengen visa does not by itself give you the right to enter, so you need to apply for permission to enter Greenland specifically. Applications go through the Danish embassy. Rules for Indian citizens can change and third-party sites disagree, so check the current position before you book.

When to go

Summer is the season for hiking, boat trips and wildlife. Winter and the shoulder months are better for the northern lights. Weather and ice can change plans, so build in time.

Getting there from India

Flights are usually via Copenhagen or Reykjavik. Plan for at least one connection and an overnight stop in some cases. Towns in Greenland are not linked by road, so you move between them by plane or boat.

What to pack

• Layers, including a warm insulated jacket
• Waterproof boots and gloves
• Insect repellent for summer hikes
• A good camera and spare batteries, because cold drains them

Plan your Greenland trip

We do not list fixed Greenland departures yet. We design trips to order, around the season and the region you most want to see. See our Greenland page or use the Plan Your Trip form.