Ilulissat - 4 days
Take a trip to the Arctic and experience untouched wilderness and exciting traditional Inuit culture. Located on the west coast of Greenland, 300 kilometres above the Arctic Circle, the famous Ilulissat Icefiord is filled with icebergs from “Sermeq Kujalleq” which is the most producing glacier in the northern hemisphere. Ilulissat town is an exciting mix of Inuit culture, modern life and thousands of sledge dogs pulsing under the magical light of the midnight sun.
Tour Itinerary
A 3-hour flight from Reykjavik domestic airport (not Keflavik) to Ilulissat. Transfer to 4-star Hotel Arctic. After the welcome meeting with your local guide enjoy a guided city walk of Ilulissat, and afterwards, you have some time to explore the town, visit the local museum and observe Greenlandic life at the always busy harbour. Welcome dinner (2-course) is included at Hotel Arctic.
Around 22:00, we depart for a sunset cruise to the famous Ilulissat Icefiord that is the world’s largest ice sculpture park. The experience is overwhelming; lights and colours constantly change. Enjoy a late drink on “the real rocks”. Tour duration: about 3 hours. Dress warmly.
(Note: The season for midnight sun is approx. May 22-Jul 24. Outside this season the excursion is operated as an evening cruise with the beautiful sunset reflecting over the icebergs).
Welcome dinner
Hotel Arctic, in a standard (Puisi) room with shower/wc
Flight from Reykjavik domestic airport (not Keflavik) to Ilulissat
Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning departure for the one-day boat trip to Eqi – the calving glacier. The Eqi glacier runs into the fjord 80 km north of Ilulissat and is one of the most beautiful places in Greenland. It is possible to get very close to the 5-km wide glacier front and experience huge pieces of ice breaking off. The sound of an active calving glacier is quite remarkable, while the sight of icebergs toppling into the water is breathtaking. Afterwards, we continue to the small settlement of Oqaatsut/Rodebay. The local population of about 40 people is dependent on fishing and hunting; you experience an entirely different world compared to the nearby town of Ilulissat. Guided walk through the village before enjoying a local meal at the old trading station. For hundreds of years, Oqaatsut/Rodebay was a stopover place for Dutch whalers, who dragged the huge whales onto land here in the old village. The village, which lies in a beautiful natural setting just 15 km north of Ilulissat, has its school, church, shop and a single restaurant “H8”, which serves excellent meals in the old colonial building. Tour duration: about 7-8 hours.
- Breakfast & lunch or dinner
- Hotel Arctic, in a standard (Puisi) room with shower/wc
Breakfast at the hotel. By bus as far as the road goes. Guided walking tour to the old Inuit settlement Sermermiut located on the famous Ilulissat Icefiord that was inscribed on the UNESCO’s world heritage list in 2004. The ancient settlement of Sermermiut, 1.5 km south of the town, is surrounded by Ilulissat’s beautiful icebergs. Various Inuit cultures have lived here over the past 4,000 years, and you can still see remains from ancient times. Learn about local history and customs before Europeans arrived. See plots settled for thousands of year and admire the views across the majestic icebergs. Please wear proper boots or hiking boots.
The hiking distance is about 3 km (1,9 mls) round-trip; hiking time is about 1 hour. Terrain: mainly track bridge and a bit of uneven nature and rocky trail. Tour duration: about 3 hours.
Rest of the day free at leisure to hike along the Icefiord and explore the town of Ilulissat.
- Breakfast & farewell dinner
- Hotel Arctic, in a standard (Puisi) room with shower/wc
Breakfast at the hotel. Farewell coffee at the hotel with your guide.Transfer to the airport. Flight with Air Iceland from Ilulissat to Reykjavik Domestic Airport.
- Breakfast
- Flight with Air Iceland from Ilulissat to Reykjavik Domestic Airpor
Customer reviews
Thanks again for your good service.
Laura Blaise, France
