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Ilulissat, Images of Ice

Magnificent Ilulissat Ice Fjord, West Greenland
Ilulissat, Greenland © Reinhard Pantke/Visit Greenland

This tour is the perfect introduction to the beauty of Arctic nature and to Inuit culture. Stay in Ilulissat, the town of the icebergs, a wonderful place with dramatic views of the World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Ice Fjord. Here you can experience both traditional Inuit culture and modern life north of the Polar Circle. Your tour arrangements include return flights, accommodation, a Walk to the Icebergs of Sermermiut and a Sunset Cruise Amongst the Icebergs airport transfers in Greenland and a guided tour of the town. To this you can add some great optional excursions including cruises to Eqi Glacier, visits to small hunters settlements, whale watching and more.

Itinerary

Choose from tours of 4 or 5 days, and departures from Reykjavik (Keflavik Airport) or Copenhagen. The itinerary shown below is for the 4 day tour.

Day 1 Copenhagen or Reykjavik - Ilulissat: Guided Town Walk and Welcome Meeting

Make your own way to the airport for your flight to Ilulissat. (If you fly from Copenhagen, your flight will go via a stop in Kangerlussuaq). On arrival in Ilulissat, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel, for an information meeting and briefing, followed by a short, guided town walk. Your guide will tell you about the history of Ilulissat and you will visit the old part of town and see buildings from the very start of the Danish trading era, as well as the busy fishing harbour, the old church and the museum. Then enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. Accommodation at Hotel Arctic or similar.

Day 2 llulissat: Walk to the Icebergs of Sermermiut and Cruise Amongst the Icebergs

Start today with a walk to the Icebergs of Sermermiut. We travel by bus as far as the road goes then enjoy a beautiful guided walk along the UNESCO designated Ilulissat Ice Fjord to Sermermiut, where traces from the 3 old Inuit cultures can still be seen. In this fertile valley next to the Ice Fjord, you can enjoy the flowers as well as the fantastic icebergs. Light refreshments are included.

Dinner at the hotel, then later this evening enjoy a Cruise Amongst the Icebergs. The Midnight Sun and warm red colours reflecting off gigantic icebergs is a fantastic sight. Cruise between the icebergs and enjoy a late drink on the 'real' rocks! The cruise includes light refreshments.

Day 3 llulissat: Day at leisure or optional excursions

A day to relax and explore on your own, or join one of the great optional excursions offered as follows, which must be pre-booked:

Home Visit - 1.5hrs: Come join a local family for a cup of coffee. The Greenlanders are famous for welcoming visitors into their homes, inviting everyone over for a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. The latest gossip is shared, and it will also be possible to see the national costume and learn about life so very isolated from the rest of the world.

Cruise to Eqi Glacier & Rodebay - 7hrs: This excursion combines a visit to the tiny settlement of Rodebay with a cruise in front of the 5 km wide Eqi glacier. The Eqi Glacier is very active so we hope for the unique sight of an iceberg 'delivery'! This area is also an excellent place for spotting whales and hopefully the gentle giants of the sea will put in an appearance. Lunch or dinner included.

Visit the Greenlandic Huskies - 1.5hrs: Ilulissat is a dog sledding area in winter and the dogs in town are very happy to have summer visitors! Join in the feeding of a family of dogs; their owner will demonstrate the sledding equipment and tell you all about the lives of the sled dogs in Greenland.

Ilimanaq & Whale Safari - 5-6hrs: Visit the picturesque settlement of Ilimanaq combines with a whale safari cruise in Disko Bay to - humpback whales come to the Disko Bay to feed on capelin, a small herring-like fish. As they are a protected species, the whales are very trusting and can often be seen at very close range (sightings not guaranteed). A packed lunch is included.

Hike the Cecily Trail - 7-8hrs: Discover the different Arctic plants and beautiful icebergs floating in the Disko Bay on this guided full-day hike along the coast. Your guide tells you about the Cecily trail, named after an annual run from Rodebay to Ilulissat, used both by locals and for dog sledding in winter. Packed lunch included. Please note you have to be in good physical shape to participate in this medium level hike.

Dinner at the hotel tonight.

Day 4 Ilulissat - Copenhagen or Reykjavik

Breakfast at the hotel. Then have a farewell coffee at the hotel with your guide before your transfer to the airport for your flight from Ilulissat back to Copenhagen (via Kangerlussuaq) or Reykjavik (Keflavik Airport). On arrival at the airport there, your tour arrangements end.


2024 departures:
4 days from Reykjavik: Saturdays, 01 June - 14 September
5 days from Reykjavik: Tuesdays, 04 June - 10 September

4 days from Copenhagen: Tuesdays, 04 June - 10 September
5 days from Copenhagen: Fridays, 07 June - 13 September

Notes:

The 5 day / 4 night tour has this itinerary: Day 1 Copenhagen or Reykjavik (Keflavik Airport) - Ilulissat / Day 2 Walk to the Icebergs of Sermermiut & Midnight Cruise Amongst the Icebergs / Days 3 & 4 at leisure / Day 5 Ilulissat - Copenhagen or Reykjavik (Keflavik Airport)

Please note the tour costs are based upon a certain package price class on the included flights. If this class has sold out, the final price may be higher and will depend upon the availability of other classes at the time of booking.

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