Overview

Ilulissat is the Greenlandic word for “icebergs” and because of its close proximity to the picturesque Ilulissat Icefjord, it is Greenland’s most fascinating destination to visit on the west coast. With a population of about 4,600, the town is the seat of the municipality of Ilulissat, and also the third largest settlement in Greenland.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 |  Welcome to Greenland!

Evening flight departure Iceland to Ilulissat, Greenland. A transfer shuttle will be waiting at the airport to drive you to your hotel where you stay during your adventure in Greenland. Welcome!

Day 2 | Learn about Greenland’s fascinating culture and meet your first icebergs on a boat trip

Breakfast at the hotel. You start your day with exploring Ilulissat on an interesting, culture-historical guided walk that will give you an enhanced understanding of the fascinating Greenlandic culture and history. You will learn about the history of the city, the Greenlandic culture and modern life 300 km north of the Arctic Circle. Among the highlights along the way are the important fishing harbour and the hunters trading post “Brædtet”; the church and the house where the famous explorer Knud Rasmussen was born.

In the afternoon you head out to sea on a boat tour among the famous icebergs of Disco Bay. Throughout the year, more than 48 km3 of ice flow into the fiord. The result is gigantic, impressive icebergs, which can reach a height of more than 100 meter (just alone above the water surface!). These giants strand at the end of the fiord, giving us the opportunity to sail among them.

The icebergs are beautiful in every kind of weather. In sunny weather they glitter in shiny white, the blue shades are best seen when it is cloudy and the midnight sun casts a unique, warm glow on the icebergs.

The icebergs are Ilulissat’s icon and sailing among them is an absolute must-do when visiting Ilulissat. An incredible nature experience that you won’t forget.

Day 3 | Encounter Greenland’s most important animal – the Husky dogs

After breakfast you will visit Ilulissat’s Sled Dog Center. You will learn about the role and importance of the Husky dog for the Greenlandic culture and society. You will be able to see see the equipment used for dog sledding, hunting, Ice fishing and night over stays on the Ice Fiord. And you will hear some exciting stories from tours and daily life with the dogs.

If there are any puppies, you may have the opportunity to pet them. You will also be able to meet some of the adult sled dogs close up.

In the afternoon you will explore the little settlement Oqaatsut with approx. 25 inhabitants residing in an area 18 km north from Ilulissat, which is approximately half an hour of sailing. On the route there is plenty to look at, partly the 70 million year old volcanic Disko Island to the port side (or west) and the mainland on the starboard side outward.

Oqaatsut is an incredibly beautiful village to enjoy and explore . H8 Explorer is a restaurant offering delicious Greenlandic food, and taking time to enjoy your evening meal there will give your sailing trip the authenticity of something even rarer: the silence and grandeur of a small area surrounded by magnificent nature.

Day 4 | Ice, Ice Baby! Meet giant Eqi Glacier

After breakfast just another highlight is waiting for you today: You will meet the famous Eqi Glacier face to face. By boat it is possible to get very close to the glacier and hopefully experience pieces of ice breaking off. The sounds are enormous and breath-taking.

On the way we pass tiny settlements, steep fields, beautiful waterfalls and icebergs in incredible shapes and colours. If you are lucky you might even spot seals and whales on the way. You will enjoy a lunch in front of the glacier for 2 hours before heading back to Ilulissat.

Day 5 | Hiking to a UNESCO site and time to say Goodbye in the evening

This morning you explore Greenland’s nature by foot. Beautiful icebergs set the scene for the old settlement Sermermiut, located one and a half kilometers south of Ilulissat. For 4000 years, different Inuit cultures lived in this settlement and today you can still see remains that indicate their presence. Your local guide will tell stories about Inuit people’s life and traditions before the Europeans came to Greenland.

The walk is about 3 km in total and easy level on a wooden to protect the area against wear.

In the evening a shuttle will pick you up and bring you to the airport for your night flight to Iceland.

Day 6 | Night flight and arrival to Iceland

Arrival to Iceland in the early morning and onwards flight to your home or extension in Iceland

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All images courtesy of © Nonni Travel