Overview:
Greenland is, to sum it all up: A world of its own. Located on the west coast of Greenland – 300 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle – the famous Ilulissat Ice Fjord is filled with icebergs from “Sermeq Kujalleq”, which is the most productive glacier in the northern hemisphere. The town of Ilulissat is an exciting mix of Inuit culture, modern life and thousands of sled dogs pulsing under the magical light of the midnight sun. Are you looking for your Arctic holiday dream to come true, you should combine a visit to Iceland with a getaway to Ilulissat. But beware – you might want to come back here!
Holiday price is from £ 4,135 per person based on availability and two people sharing a twin or double room. Single supplement availble upon request.
2024 Departure Dates:
| Departure |
Return |
| 21 Jun |
26 Jun |
| 02 Jul |
07 Jul |
| 19 Jul |
24 Jul |
| 30 Jul |
04 Aug |
| 13 Aug |
18 Aug |
| 16 Aug |
21 Aug |
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Welcome to Iceland
Arrival to Iceland and overnight at a 3* airport hotel in Keflavik incl. breakfast. We can of course quote you for an overnight stay in Reykjavik, for any number of nights and your preferred hotel standard incl. airport transfers. Please let our team know if you'd like to extend your stay in Iceland.
Day 2: Welcome to Ilulissat
Fly directly from Reykjavik to Ilulissat. You are picked up at the airport, and we will drive you to the Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat. The flight is in it self quite an adventure as you cruise in low altitude over the Inland Ice Cap as you prepare for landing in Ilulissat. After arrival, a guide from our local excursion office will welcome you and inform you about the different excursions available but also about experiences you can make on your own during your stay in Ilulissat.
Hike to the Ice Fjord and the abandoned Sermermiut settlement
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 people and their traditions before the Europeans came to Greenland. See the ruins and touch the permafrost with your own hands. 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 the first time they 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.
Welcome dinner at Hotel Arctic.
Day 3: Whale safari & Midnight sailing at Ilulissat Icefjord
Whale Safari
It is a great experience to get close to large animals like whales. There are 15 species of whale in Greenland. During the summer it is normally the humpback, the common minke whale and the fin whale, we see. The whales swim the entire Disko Bay during the summer; sometimes close to the town, sometimes in the ice fjord or up north by the island, Arveprinsens Ejland.
We are in constant radio contact with the fishermen and the hunters about the whales and their whereabouts. The humpback, with its characteristic fin, is the one we see most often.
Later, it is time to get ready for the next optional excursion. The midnight sun makes the days very long, and you will feel full of energy to explore and take advantage of the entire day.
The sunny nights can only be experienced north of the Arctic Circle where the sun during summer never sets behind the horizon. In Ilulissat, the midnight sun is present from May 22 to July 24, but also throughout August, there will be very bright nights.
Sailing among the icebergs
Almost every visitor in Ilulissat chooses to try this boat trip among the icebergs at least once. Every day, more than 40 million tonnes of ice flow out into the fjord. The floating icebergs are gigantic, sometimes wider than 100 meters and with a height up to 100 meters above the water surface as well.
These giants pile up at the end of the fjord, providing you with a great opportunity to sail among them. You should not miss out on this exceptional experience when visiting Ilulissat. The icebergs are a wonderful sight in every kind of weather; in the sunshine, the contrasts are very clear, whereas the blue shades are strikingly beautiful when it is cloudy, and the midnight sun casts a unique glow on the icebergs during the night.
Taking the boat trip on a bright night is an extraordinary experience. Remember to bring warm clothes – otherwise, sealskin clothing is available for rent.
Day 4: Boat Trip to Eqi Glacier
Today, you can explore the town of Ilulissat or go with us on a boat trip to the Eqi Glacier.
Full-day trip to the calving Eqi Glacier
Only a few places in Greenland are as beautiful as the Eqi Glacier, which runs into the fjord 80 kilometers north of Ilulissat. It is possible to get very close to the glacier by boat and experience huge pieces of ice breaking off. The sounds are thunderous, and the sight of chunks of ice crashing into the water is astonishing.
We sail in modern, comfortable boats during the excursion to Eqi Glacier. The route takes us north along the coast, passing Bredebugt, the settlement of Oqaatsut and the big fjord system called Pakitsoq, where whales and seals are often spotted.
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 is an all-day excursion where you will have a good opportunity to immerse yourself in the experience and fully enjoy the boat trip through the ice-filled waters.
Remember to bring warm clothes – otherwise, sealskin clothing is available for rent.
Farewell dinner at Hotel Arctic.
Day 5: Return flight to Iceland
After breakfast, it’s time to return to Iceland. Having spent some memorable days in this Arctic paradise, it is time for you to fly back to Reykjavik. We guarantee that you will go home full of memories that will stay with you longer than any other holiday you have been on – at least that is what other travelers tell us.
You will get a last impression of the huge icebergs in the Ilulissat Ice Fjord with a stunning view from the air above the entire area as you take off in the direction of Iceland.
Day 6: Farewell Iceland
After breakfast at the airport hotel, you can make your way to the departure terminal for your final return flight home. Alternatively, you can choose to extend your trip with a few nights in Iceland.
After breakfast at the airport hotel, you can make your way to the departure terminal for your final return flight home. Alternatively, you can choose to extend your trip with a few nights in Iceland.
Package Includes:
- Return flights from London or Manchester to Reykjavik (other UK airports upon request)
- 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveller (up to 20 kg)
- First and last night's accommodation in a 3* Keflavik Airport Hotel
- Return flights from Keflavik International Airport to Ilulissat
- Transfers between airport and hotel in Greenland
- 3 nights at Hotel Arctic 4* with private facilities
- Breakfast at the hotels
- Welcome dinner at Hotel Arctic
- Farewell dinner at Hotel Arctic
- Welcome meeting - all local tour guides are English speaking
- Excursion package incl.:
- Whale Watching Ilulissat (3, 5 hours)
- Hike to Sermermiut by Ilulissat Icefjord (2 hours)
- Midnight sailing at Ilulissat Icefjord (2,5 hours)
- Day cruise to the Eqi glacier (6-12 hours)
- 24 hour emergency service
- ATOL protection
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