Ilulissat: Disco Bay and Icebergs in the Midnight Sun

Ilulissat City Walk (included)

Together with a professional guide, you will visit the most charming places in the city. You will have a chance to explore the city while hearing fascinating facts and legends. In direct translation, Ilulissat is the Kalaallisut word for "Icebergs". The nearby Ilulissat Icefjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has made Ilulissat the most popular tourist destination in Greenland. You will be surprised how many stories are hidden in the streets, buildings, and corners of Ilulissat. Your charming guide will tell you what is special and unique about living in this city. 

Sailing Between the Icebergs (included)

At least once, almost every tourist to Ilulissat chooses to take this boat tour among the icebergs. More than 40 million tonnes of ice flood into the fjord every day. The floating icebergs are enormous, often exceeding 100 meters in width and reaching 100 meters above the water's surface. At the end of the fjord, these giants amass, giving you a fantastic opportunity to sail among them.

When visiting Ilulissat, you should not miss out on this beautiful experience. The icebergs are a stunning sight regardless of the weather; when the sun is shining, the contrasts are pretty distinct, while the blue hues are strikingly gorgeous when it is gloomy, and the midnight sun puts a unique light on the icebergs at night. The boat ride during the dazzling night is an extraordinary experience.

Remember to bring warm clothing; alternatively, you can rent sealskin apparel.

• Breakfast
• Hotel Arctic 4*

Boat Trip with Lunch at Restaurant H8 in the Settlement of Oqaatsut (included)

Join us on a day trip to the peaceful and unspoiled settlement of Oqaatsut, beautifully situated about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Ilulissat. To get there, we sail from Ilulissat on a scenic 30-minute boat ride among the enormous icebergs that have drifted from the Ilulissat Icefjord. Although the Icefjord is located south of Ilulissat, many of its icebergs continue drifting north, creating a spectacular landscape along the way.

Upon arrival in Oqaatsut, your guide will introduce you to the settlement. You’ll visit the church, the school, and the small fish processing plant while learning about everyday life in a remote Greenlandic community. You’ll also hear the story of Oqaatsut’s past as a Dutch whaling settlement—hence its other name, Rodebay.

The guided walk ends at Restaurant H8 Explorer, where you’ll enjoy a lunch prepared with fresh local ingredients. After lunch, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the surrounding landscape on foot. Or, if you prefer, relax and enjoy the silence and the unforgettable Arctic scenery before the boat returns to Ilulissat.

• Breakfast / Lunch
• Hotel Arctic 4*

Hike to the Ice Fjord and the Abandoned Settlement of Sermermiut (included)

Beautiful icebergs provide the setting for the old settlement of Sermermiut, 1.5 kilometers south of Ilulissat. For 4,000 years, different Inuit cultures lived in the settlement and, today, you can still see the remains, which indicate their former presence.

Hear the story about the life of the Inuit and their traditions before the Europeans came to Greenland. Visitors often ask if they can walk these treks themselves? The answer is yes. But it is our experience that most people prefer having a guide with them on their first hike in Greenlandic nature.

Furthermore, historic places will be pointed out on the way, and these can be difficult to find on your own.  You will have a coffee or tea break at “Kællingekløften” with a beautiful view of the Ice Fjord before you head back.

You can also experience a helicopter flight.

Ilulissat Icefjord and Glacier Seen From Above with Helicopter (optional add-on)

Ilulissat Ice Fjord and the Kangia Glacier are in focus on a 1½ hours helicopter ride that takes you right into the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. No boat or hiking trail can get this close to the huge glacier – and you will see it all from above!

The helicopter takes off from Ilulissat Airport and flies as low as safety and laws allow over mountains, lakes, rivers, and the Icefjord until we reach a mountain at the ice sheet’s edge. Here we have about half an hour to enjoy the view. Then, we fly over the glacier front and follow the Icefjord for 70 kilometers on our way back.

• Breakfast
• Hotel Arctic 4*

Full Day Eqi Glacier Excursion (included)

Today, you will sail to the famous calving Eqi Glacier. 80 kilometers north of Ilulissat, Eqi Glacier flows into the fjord. It is possible to approach the glacier by boat and witness enormous chunks of ice breaking off. The sound is loud, and the sight of ice shards crashing into the sea is astounding.

During the tour to Eqi Glacier, we sail aboard modern, comfortable boats. The path follows the coast to the north, passing Bredebugt, the settlement of Oqaatsut, and the Pakitsoq fjord system, where whales and seals are frequently observed. 

Lunchtime and watch the Ice Calve

Further along the route, we pass through the Ataa Strait, which is surrounded by steep mountains with bird life and waterfalls. Our boats, which are reinforced for sailing in icy waters, will remain in front of the glacier for approximately 2 hours and wait for the ice to calve. Meanwhile, a delicious lunch will be served. 

This full-day expedition during which you will have the time to immerse yourself in the experience and appreciate the boat ride through the ice-filled waters.

Remember to bring warm clothing; alternatively, sealskin apparel can be rented.

• Breakfast / Lunch
• Hotel Arctic 4*

Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Stroll through the colorful streets of Ilulissat, browse the local souvenir shops, or relax at a café while watching fishing boats and icebergs drift by. You could also go for a service at the church if there are seats available.

If you feel like stretching your legs, there are several beautiful hiking trails just outside town, offering spectacular views of the Icefjord. Or simply find a quiet spot and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this vibrant Arctic town under the endless summer daylight.

Kayak Experience in Ilulissat (optional add-on)

Inuit have kayaked in Greenland waters for more than a thousand years, and you can do it too. As the kayak glides silently through the water, you see the huge icebergs rising around you. The midnight sun gives the ice a unique hue. In cloudy weather, the beautiful blue colors of the icebergs are especially clear. With a little luck, we may even meet whales. All tours take place in stable double kayaks, and a boat follows close by. The excursion takes about 3½-4 hours, and we will be at sea for at least two of those hours. 

• Breakfast
• Hotel Arctic 4*

Whale Safari (included)
Getting near giant whales is a beautiful experience. There are 15 whale species in Greenland. We typically observe the humpback, the common minke whale, and the fin whale during the summer. At that season, the whales swim across Disko Bay, sometimes near the town, sometimes in the ice fjord, and occasionally north of the island Arveprinsens Ejland. We frequent radio contact with the fishermen and hunters regarding the whales' locations. The humpback, with its distinctive fin, is the species we encounter most frequently. Later, you have to prepare for the evening excursion. 

The midnight sun lengthens the days, and you will feel energized to explore and take advantage of the entire day.In the summer solistice, the sun never sets in the Arctic Circle, resulting in perpetually bright nights. Ilulissat's midnight sun is present from 22 May to 24 July, but there are also exceptionally bright nights in August.

• Breakfast
• Hotel Arctic 4*

Breakfast at the hotel. Farewell coffee at the hotel with your guide.Transfer to the airport. Flight with Air Iceland from Ilulissat to Reykjavik.

• Breakfast
• Transfers