Why West Greenland?
Most visitors to Ilulissat - with its 4,000 people and more than 5,000 sled dogs, - find themselves marveling at sights they had never expected to experience. Between the dogs, the volumes of ice, the history, and the elements of an ancient respected culture, Ilulissat truly is a unique destination. If you appreciate the almost mystical qualities of light found in high latitudes, this place, naturally, flaunts those, too! From May 25 until July 23 the Midnight Sun is shines on Ilulissat. From May to September walking and sailing tours are the main options for excursions. Helicopter tours to the world-famous Kangia glacier are available all year round. The sight and sound of dogs is an eloquent statement of the importance of the dog sled as a means of transport, even in a large modern town as Ilulissat. The harbor is filled with fishing vessels showing the importance of fishing in the area. Only a couple of kilometers from town is the lush valley of Sermermiut which extends down to the ice fjord. In 1727, this was the site of Greenland's then largest settlement with 250 people. Later excavations have shown that this beautiful valley has been inhabited for thousands of years.
4 Days in Ilulissat - The Itinerary
Friday evening: Leave North America.
Saturday: After early arrival at Iceland’s Keflavik Airport you’ll take a shuttle to the domestic airport for your flight to Ilulissat. Upon arrival you’re met by your Arctic Adventure guide, who will get you to your hotel for check in, an information meeting, and a guided City walk.
Saturday thru Monday: Your stay at the Hotel Arctic includes a lovely room with private bath, as well as breakfast and dinner. Each day you can choose among optional excursions, or take time on your own to explore.
Tuesday: After breakfast at the hotel you’ll head to the airport for the midday flight back to Reykjavik - lunch during flight.
Overnight in Reykjavik at a hotel, which is included in the price. Last night out!
Wednesday: Return home with Icelandair, or continue with more Iceland adventures.
Day Tours available
5 Days in Ilulissat
- The Itinerary
Monday evening: leave North America
Tuesday: After early arrival at Iceland’s Keflavik Airport you’ll take a shuttle to the domestic aiport for your flight to Ilulissat. Upon arrival you’re met by your Arctic Adventure guide, who will get you to your hotel for check in, an information meeting, and a guided City walk.
Tuesday through Friday: Your stay at the Hotel Arctic includes a lovely room with private bath, as well as breakfast and dinner. Each day you can choose among optional excursions, or take time on your own to explore.
Saturday: After breakfast at the hotel you’ll head to the airport for the midday flight back to Reykjavik - lunch during flight. Spend your last night in Reykjavik at a hotel, which is included in the price. Last night out!
Sunday: Breakfast at the hotel then off to the airport for your flight home.
Day Tours Available
The location of Ilulissat is breathtaking (and the views from the Hotrl Arctic are the best!)- all year round huge icebergs raising more than hundred meters above sea level are stranded at the mouth of the fiord. These icebergs are all products of the mighty and most productive glacier in the northern hemisphere; The Ilulissat Glacier gives birth daily to 20 million tons of ice which also explains why it is included on the World Heritage list. The indicated prices are per person unless otherwise stated.
Prices may change without prior notice due to specific conditions at the time and place of the excursion. Please note that not all excursions are available during every tour-program that includes this destination. The fron desk will know the availibility and can make bookings for you,
The Icebergs of Sermermiut
By bus as far as the road goes. A beautiful walk along the UNESCO designated Ilulissat Ice Fiord to Sermermiut where traces from the 3 old Eskimo cultures still can be seen. Sermermiut is a fertile valley next to the Ice Fiord; here you can enjoy the flowers as well as the fantastic icebergs./Daily
*3 hours, DKK 350 (about $65) including refreshment
Hunter’s Settlement - Rodebay
By boat to the small settlement Oqaitsut/Rodebay with a local population of about 40 persons totally depending upon fishing and hunting - a quite different world compared to the nearby town of Ilulissat. Guided walk through the village before you enjoy lunch at the old trading station./Tue,Thurs, Sat, Sun
*6 hours DKK 1350 (about $240) including lunch
Midnight Cruise to the Ice Fjord
The midnight sun and the warm red colors reflecting in the gigantic icebergs is a fantastic sight. Cruise between the icebergs and enjoy a late Martini on “the real rocks”!Season for midnight sun is approx. 22may-24jul. Outside this season the excursion is operated as an evening cruise with the beautiful sunset reflecting over the icebergs./Daily
*3 hours DKK 700 (about $125)
Hunter's Settlement - Ilimanaq
By boat to the settlement of Ilimanaq, which is situated just south of the Kangia Ice Fiord. Ilimanaq has a population of approx. 80 persons mainly depending upon fishing and hunting. A completely different world compared to the town of Ilulissat. Upon arrival you’ll have a guided tour of the settlement before enjoying lunch with a local family./Mon,Wed,Fri
Can also be operated by night at a smaller surcharge of DKK 250 per person.
*6 hours, DKK 1350 (about $240) including lunch
Home Visit
Visit a Greenland home, enjoy the "Coffee-Mik" (a cup of coffee which by tradition is served to all visitors) and learn about Greenland and its population.
*2 hours, DKK 175 (about $36)
Eqip - The Calving Glacier
Eqip glacier is the only glacier in the Ilulissat area where you can often experience a glacier calving. Cruise in front of the 5 km wide glacier - enjoying lunch - and hope for the unique sight of an iceberg “delivery”. A lot of seabirds know from experience that any calving from the glacier will result in a huge meal as the new iceberg turns in the water, bringing a lot of sea animals to the surface./Daily
*8 hours, DKK 1995 (about $350) including lunch
Fishing tour
Sail to the fishing spot of the day, most probably near Bredebugt or at the mouth of the Ilulissat Ice Fiord. While waiting for your catch you’ll have time to enjoy your beautiful surroundings. By the end of the day you will hopefully bring home different sorts of fish like cod, halibut, redfish and catfish.
*4 hours, DKK 1300 (about $230)
Feeding the huskies
Ilulissat is sledge-area and the approximately 3500 dogs in town are still used for both work and fun every winter. We invite you to join the feeding of a dog team. You can see, feel, touch and most of all hear the howling of 20 hungry dogs. The owner will demonstrate the sledge and the harness and tell about life as a sledge dog in Greenland. Good shoes advised!
*1 hour, DKK 200 (about $36)
Icefjord photo sightseeing
This new service with Air Zafari offers a chance to observe the impressive landscape from above, in a quiet and comfortable aircraft.
This unforgettable shorter tour offers the flight in low altitude to the outer area of Ilulissat town and the underwater moraine at the mouth of Ilulissat Ice Fiord, where huge icebergs are stranded while waiting to get out further into Disko bay. Window seat is guaranteed for the best photo opportunity and every passenger is provided with Active Noise Reduction Headset.: 35minutes
Price: DKK 1595 (about $280)
Also avialable over the Northern Glacier
Whale Safari
You’ll go out by boat intoDisko Bay to spot whales. In the summer, humback whales come to Disko Bay to feed on the capelin, a small herring-like fish. As the humback whales are protected they are very
trusting and can often be enjoyed at close range. However, as this is not a zoo there is of course no guarantee for seeing the whales.*5 hours, DKK 1000 (about $175)
*Expedition times are approximate.
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2013 Price includes round trip airfare to Iceland , including fuel surcharge and departure taxes from Boston, New York, or Washington Dulles International Airport. Ask about Denver, Minneapolis, Anchorage, Seattle, and Toronto. Also includes most airport transfers, flights to and from Greenland, hotels with private baths, breakfast every day, dinner each night in Greenland, English speaking guides.
Not included in the price are meals other than breakfast in Iceland, lunches in Greenland, optional tours or excursions in Iceland and Greenland.
Accommodations: Hotel Arctic
The warm and welcoming four-star Hotel Arctic is set in the dramatic surroundings just outside Ilulissat and 1.5 kilometers from the airport. Most rooms have a magnificent view of the town and the fjord with its impressive icebergs. The hotel has been awarded the Green Key Award in recognition of its environmentally friendly management and has a professional, but relaxed atmosphere Restaurant, brassiere and bar with a panoramic view over the Ilulissat Ice fjord.
The hotel bus shuttles regularly between the hotel and town. |
