This tour combines the two 'towns of ice' - Kangerlussuaq and Ilulissat - West Greenland's absolute highlights. Kangerlussuaq is one of the best places for viewing Arctic wildlife - from musk oxen to reindeer and Arctic foxes, and a great place from which to visit Greenland's amazing inland Ice Cap! Ilulissat offers plenty to see and do, with the famous Icefjord located just outside town.
Itinerary
Day 1 Copenhagen - Kangerlussuaq
Make your own way to the airport for your Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq. On arrival, meet your local guide at the airport and short walk to your hotel, followed by a welcome meeting. Then time at leisure. Dinner at the hotel. 2 nights at Hotel Kangerlussuaq or similar.
Day 2 Kangerlussauq: Day at leisure or Optional excursions
Day at leisure or perhaps join one of the optional excursions available only in Kangerlussuaq as follows, which must be pre-booked:
Arctic Nature Wildlife Safari: The world's biggest population of wild Musk Oxen live within close range of Kangerlussuaq. Drive by minibus to an area where it is possible to see these fascinating beasts, as well as reindeer. Please note that as we are going into the wilderness, there is no guarantee that you will see the animals, but the viewing rate is generally high. 1.5hrs.
4WD to the Inland Ice Cap: Today enjoy an amazing guided tour by 4 wheel drive through an Arctic desert, along rivers, through old glacier valleys and over small mountains directly to the Inland Ice Cap. En route, we make several photo stops and walk to some viewing points to better overlook this fantastic Arctic landscape (the actual part of the Ice Cap visited will depend upon the weather.) 4-5hrs.
Russell Glacier Explorer: Tour by 4X4 on the lookout for wildlife in the Arctic landscape before spending time exploring the edge of the strikingly beautiful Russell glacier. 4hrs.
Dinner at the hotel tonight.
Day 3 Kangerlussuaq - Ilulissat: Town Walk
Short flight from Kangerlussuaq to Ilulissat. On arrival, meet your guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel, followed by a welcome meeting and a guided town walk. Learn about the history of Ilulissat and visit the old parts of town, to see buildings from the very start of the Danish trading station era, as well as the busy fishing harbour, old church and museum. Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel tonight. 4 nights at Hotel Arctic or similar.
Day 4 llulissat: Walk to the Icebergs of Sermermiut and Sunset 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. Sermermiut is a fertile valley next to the Ice Fjord and here you can enjoy the flowers as well as the fantastic icebergs. Light refreshments are included.
Dinner at the hotel, then later enjoy a sunset Cruise Amongst the Icebergs. The midnight sun and the warm red colours reflecting in the gigantic icebergs is a fantastic sight. Cruise between the icebergs and enjoy a late drink on "the real rocks"! The cruise includes light refreshments.
Days 5 and 6 llulissat: Day at leisure or optional excursions
Two days to relax and explore on your own, or join one of the great optional excursions offered only in Ilulissat as follows, which must be pre-booked:
Home Visit: 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. 1.5hrs.
Cruise to Eqi Glacier & Rodebay: 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. 7hrs.
Kayaking: morning or evening tours. 3hrs.
Visit the Greenlandic Huskies: 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. 1.5hrs.
Ilimanaq & Whale Safari: 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. 6hrs.
Hike the Cecily Trail: 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. 7-8hrs.
Dinner at the hotel each night.
Day 7 Ilulissat - Copenhagen
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Copenhagen, via Kangerlussuaq. On arrival at Copenhagen Airport, your tour arrangements end.
2024 departures: every Tuesday 04 June - 10 September
Notes:
All 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.
