Greenland Eclipse-Aurora Getaway

Lots of travelers dream of visiting Greenland, and now Sky & Telescope will take you there — to be awed by dramatic glaciers, beautiful auroras, and a deep partial solar eclipse not long after sunrise.

Here’s a tempting trip for adventurous travelers. By special arrangement with Greenland Travel, Sky & Telescope invites you to witness a deep partial solar eclipse on March 29, 2025, from Ilulissat on Greenland’s western coast. Then revel in the spectacular glacier-dominated landscape around you by day — and gaze skyward for colorful auroras at night.

This arctic adventure is still being planned, but we expect to begin offering reservations in just a few weeks. In the meantime, keep reading to see what awaits you (details are subject to change):
• Itinerary for our 6-day tour of Ilulissat
• What is and isn’t included; what conditions to expect
• Pricing, Terms, and Conditions
• Enter your name and email address below to be notified when you can make a reservation:

Highlights of the Tour

Deep Partial Solar Eclipse
When the Moon and Sun converge on March 29, 2025, a partial solar eclipse will be observable from the North Atlantic Ocean, northeastern Canada, and parts of Europe. From Ilulissat on Greenland’s western coast, 85% of the Sun’s disk will be covered, observable just 11° above the eastern horizon. You can choose to view the eclipse steps from your hotel room, which is perched on a hill overlooking the town, or find another spot nearby with a dramatic arctic landscape spread before you. According to meteorologist Jay Anderson, a check of more than two decades of weather stats shows that this eclipse would have been visible from Ilulissat about 70% of the time.

Northern Lights
With solar maximum predicted for late 2024, next March should provide excellent circumstances for viewing the aurora borealis. Ilulissat has a latitude of 69° — it’s north of the Arctic Circle — and dates near the March equinox are statistically most likely to have auroral displays. The planned itinerary includes a nighttime trek (about 2½ hours long) to the summit of a mountain outside of town with a commanding view of the beautiful polar landscape. Of course, it will be near new Moon, so with luck, the clear polar night will reveal itself with twinkling stars and dancing Northern Lights.

Sailing Among Icebergs
The Ilulissat Icefjord was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 because of its natural beauty and the importance of the fast-moving Jakobshavn Glacier. Every day, more than 40 million tons of ice flow out into the fjord. The icebergs are gigantic, sometimes measuring more than 350 feet wide and 200 feet tall. These giants gather at the end of the fjord, providing you with a great opportunity to sail among them.

Doglsedding
Who hasn't dreamed of racing along the snow on a dogsled? The experience can’t be explained — it must be experienced! This trip usually takes place on a flat plain near Ilulissat. In addition to the sled driver, you’ll be one of two participants on each sled. And all the dogs are different, some fast and others slower. Although this excursion is included in the tour, it’s not recommended for those with neck or back problems.

Accommodations for the Tour

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Itinerary for Greenland Eclipse-Aurora Getaway

Date	Itinerary at a Glance	Accommodation	Meals
Wednesday, March 26	Depart for Copenhagen	(overnight flight)	(aloft)
Thursday, March 27	Copenhagen to Ilulissat	Hotel Arctic	D
Friday, March 28	Excursions in Ilulissat	Hotel Arctic	B
Saturday, March 29	Partial Solar Eclipse	Hotel Arctic	B
Sunday, March 30	Excursions in Ilulissat	Hotel Arctic	B
Monday, March 31	Ilulissat to Nuuk	Hotel Hans Egede	B
Tuesday, April 1	Nuuk - Copenhagen* - home	—	B

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What the Tour Does/Doesn’t Include

The tour includes:
• Round-trip airfare between Copenhagen and Ilulissat
• Nightly accommodation in high-quality hotels
• Private group transfers from airport to hotel and to airport on return
• Package of excursions while in Ilulissat: dogsledding, polar night explorer, sailing among icebergs, city walk
• Lectures and discussion from a S&T representative on the main tour
• Pre-trip planning information and resources

The tour does not include:
• International airfare to/from Copenhagen
• Passport and visa fees
• Trip Cancellation and Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
• Medical insurance and COVID-19 testing, if applicable
• Medical or quarantine expenses
• Airport transfers if not arriving or departing with the group
• Hotel accommodation for extra nights before or after the tour dates
• Individual excursions or deviations from the scheduled tour
• Meals or beverages not listed in the detailed itinerary
• Personal expenses (room service, laundry, email, wi-fi, telephone calls, etc)
• Excess-baggage fees

What Conditions to Expect on the Tour

This exclusive Sky & Telescope expedition is designed for travelers who are interested in witnessing a deep partial solar eclipse, viewing the aurora borealis from near-perfect conditions, and experiencing Grenearenland’s superb natural landscapes.

To enjoy this experience, participants must be in good physical and mental health and be able to keep up with the pace of the group or the excursions chosen. Participants requiring extraordinary assistance must be accompanied by someone who can and will provide all required assistance.

Late March is very cold in Ilulissat, and average temperatures average 17°F during the day and 5°F at night.  You will need to bring clothing, footwear, and equipment suitable for frigid conditions.

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Estimated Pricing for This Tour

Pricing (per person)	Two per Room	One per Room
Greenland Eclipse/Aurora Getaway (Mar. 27-Apr. 1, 2025)	~$3,900	~$4,200

• NOTE: No reservations are being accepted at this time. To indicate your interest in participating, and to be notified when reservations are being accepted, sign up here:

• Questions: Please contact Kelly Beatty at [email protected]