Greenland: An icy European wilderness

Cox & Kings is launching a range of new tours and experiences to Greenland, one of the last great unspoilt wildernesses left in northern Europe. A visit can be easily combined with any Iceland itinerary with regular flights from Reykjavik to various parts of Greenland.

The largest non-continental island in the world, Greenland is also one of the most sparsely populated, consisting of vast swaths of breathtaking wilderness mixed with a glacial coverage of approximately 84% of the island's landmass. With very few roads, transport is generally via boat or helicopter with flights offering the opportunity to glimpse the island's stunning topography of magnificent mountainscapes, glaciers and spectacular fjords.

Cox & Kings' series of itineraries and experiences range from a glimpse back in time to the hunter-gatherer customs and traditions of the Inuit, a trip by boat to watch glaciers calving ice into the sea or a helicopter flight over the Greenland ice sheet.

Kulusuk - 2 days / 1 night from £590 pp.

Known as the gateway to eastern Greenland, Kulusuk is situated on a small rocky island of the same name, surrounded by dramatic mountains, fjords and icebergs. With a population of approximately 300 people, the village residents follow a more traditional way of life. This 2-day itinerary to Kulusuk offers a taste of the amazing natural beauty of the area and the chance to view villagers going about their daily business, surviving among the harsh landscape.

This trip departs from Reykjavik daily from 1 May to 30 September 2013 except Sundays

Ilulissat - 3 days / 2 nights from £1,085 pp.

Situated at the mouth of the Ilulissat ice fjord in Disco Bay, Ilulissat is known for the breathtaking scenery that surrounds it and, in particular, the only sea-reaching glacier in Greenland, Sermeq Kujalleq. This 3-day itinerary to Ilulissat offers the opportunity to see icebergs as large as houses drifting in the icy seas as well as the dramatic sight of a calving glacier with accompanying thunderclap roar as the new berg enters the water.

This trip departs from Reykjavik from 1-30 June and 1-15 September on Tuesdays & Saturdays and from 1 July to 31 August daily except Sundays.

Ammassalik - 3 days / 2 nights from £1,025 pp.

One of the most isolated settlements in the world, the village of Ammassalik is situated in a fjord surrounded by mountains. It is home to the largest population centre on the east coast of Greenland, but has a population of approximately only 2,000 inhabitants. This 3-day itinerary to Ammassalik offers a taste of the amazing natural beauty of the area, including the spectacular helicopter flight from Kulusuk, which must rate as one of the most scenic flights anywhere in the world.

This trip departs from Reykjavik daily from 1 May to 30 September 2013 except Sundays.

South Greenland in a Nutshell - 4 days / 3 nights from £1,470 pp.

There are various historic Viking and Norse remains and sites relating to the first settlement of the island dotted around the area. Eric the Red is said to have chosen this part of the island for settlement when he first arrived on Greenland's shores. This 4-day itinerary to southern Greenland visits the two main southern towns of Qaqortoq and Narsarsuaq with the opportunity to fly by helicopter over the ice sheet, offering one of the most spectacular vistas anywhere in the world.

This trip departs from Reykjavik from 3 Jul to 4 Sept 2013 every Saturday.

All prices for the Greenland tours include return international flights from Reykjavik in economy class with Air Iceland. For a holiday in Iceland, Cox & Kings offers a range of escorted group and private tailor-made tours. A 4-day / 3-night short break at the Hotel Fron is priced from £445 per person including international flights, shared airport transfers and accommodation with breakfast daily.

For more information, visit coxandkings.co.uk.