WONDERS OF ILULISSAT (4 days/3 nights)
If you want to see giant icebergs and experience Greenlandic culture -
come and explore the wonders of Ilulissat. This is a fully-escorted
tour program.
An all-inclusive package to visit a World Heritage Site
Take a trip to the Arctic – untouched
wilderness and exciting traditional Inuit culture. Located on the west
coast of Greenland - 300 kilometers above the Arctic Circle – the famous
Ilulissat icefjord is filled with icebergs from "Sermeq Kujalleq" which
is the most producing glacier in the northern hemisphere. Ilulissat
town is an exciting mix of Inuit culture, modern life and thousands of
sled dogs pulsing under the magical light of the midnight sun.
This is a 4 day all-inclusive package including
return flight from/to Reykjavík, airport transfer in Ilulissat, welcome
meeting, overnight at the 4 star Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat, half board,
walk to the settlement Sermermiut and the famous icefjord, midnight
sailing to the icefjord, boat tour to the village of Oqaatsut
(Rodebay) and the amazing boat cruise to Eqi glacier. If you want to see giant icebergs and experience Greenlandic culture - come and explore the wonders of Ilulissat.
Day 1: Saturday, Iceland - West Greenland and Boat Trip to Oqaatsut (Rodebay)
Flight from Reykjavik to Ilulissat (about 3 hours). Transfer to the
hotel and welcome meeting at the 4 star Hotel Arctic. The hotel is amazingly located with a fantastic view over the ice fjord, which was included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2004. The ice fjord contains one of the biggest and most active glaciers in the world. The glacier advances approx. 19 metres a day and produces about 35 square kilometre icebergs a year. Besides the sight you may also hear rumbling sounds from the ice. The hotel’s dogs slumber in the hills ignoring the summer warmth and the astonishing view.
A local guide welcomes you and it is now time to a fantastic visit to the settlement Oqaatsut (Rodebay). The sailing trip to Oqaatsut is in itself a truly wonderful experience presenting the icebergs and the landscape around Ilulissat.
The settlement is located absolutely amazingly in an archipelago with high mountains in the background. It faces the shore of the small Akuliarusinnguaq bay north of the Qeqertarsuaq island. Oqaatsut is inhabited by approx. 45 people and twice as many sled dogs and you’ll find a shop, school, church and a cosy restaurant H8. The restaurant located right down at the water front serves a nice dinner.
Throughout centuries Dutch whalers were attracted to this specific area which they named Rode Bay.
Racks with dried fish and the colourful houses in blue, red and yellow combined with the vast hilly area, the drifting iceberg and the warm and open hearted inhabitants will undoubtedly give you lifelong memories and a new meaning to the time aspect.
Later in the evening we sail back to Ilulissat crisscrossing ice bergs in all shapes and colours thanks to the glow from the midnight sun. Duration: 5 hours / Level of
difficulty: Easy / Meals: dinner (or lunch) is included at "H8" Restaurant.
Day 2: Sunday: Boat trip to Eqi - the calving glacier
Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning departure for the one day boat trip to Eqi - the calving glacier. The
Eqi glacier which runs into the fjord, 80 km north of Ilulissat is one
of the most beautiful places in Greenland. You can get close to the edge
of the glacier by boat and see the calving process. The front of the
glaicer is 3,4 km wide! The sound of the active glacier is quite
remarkable while the sight of icebergs toppling into the water is
breathtaking. The trip to Eqi is by modern and comfortable tourist boat.
A good lunch and other refreshments are served and included. Duration:
10-12 hours / Level of difficulty: Easy
2-course dinner at Hotel Arctic included.
Day 3: Monday, Eskimo Settlement at the Ilulissat Icefjord and Midnight Sailing
Breakfast at the hotel. On this last day you can enjoy a guided hiking trip to the abandoned
Inuit settlement Sermermiut 1.5 kilometre south of Ilulissat and the famous Ilulissat Icefiord that was inscribed on
UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2004. At Sermermiut you can still see the relics from the different Inuit cultures that wisely chose this spot and have lived here
over the past 4,000 years. Learn about local history and customs before Europeans arrived.
See plots settled for thousands of year and admire the views across the
majestic icefjord and the entire hinterland. Please wear proper boots or hiking boots. Approximate
2 hours. Rest of the day free at leisure to hike along the ice fjord
and explore the town of Ilulissat. After the farewell dinner (3-course) at Hotel Arctic we depart around 22:00 for a
midnight sailing trip to the famous Ilulissat icefjord that is the
world's largest ice sculpture park. The experience is overwhelming,
lights and colours change constantly. Duration 2,5 hours. Dress warm.
Day 4: Tuesday, West Greenland - Iceland
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend some time in the morning to explore
the town of Ilulissat and last minute Greenland shopping. The short cut
adventure has come to an end and you return by flight to Reykjavik,
Iceland.
Note: Excursion days may alter depending on weather and minimum number of participants.
Excursions from Ilulissat
There are many additional local excursions to choose in and from
Ilulissat. These excursions can only be ordered and paid for during your
stay and operate based on weather and capacity restrictions. Your
"Destination Guides" are on hand to assist you at your hotel with
information on the excursions.