DAY TO DAY PROGRAM
Day 1: Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq
Departure from Copenhagen with Kangerlussuaq as your destination. In Kangerlussuaq you will stay at the local hostel Old Camp – breakfast is included. Kangerlussuaq was an old american military airbase until 1992. Today is the place known for its wildlife and short distance to the Ice Cap
Day 2: Ice Cap (B/L/-)
In the morning we leave for the ice cap. The trip is done by 4WD vehicles, which will take you through the Arctic tundra. On our way to the ice cap there will be plenty of possibilities to spot wildlife. We can get pretty close to the ice cap itself by the 4WD, but we will have to walk the last part up over the final ridge, from where we will get the first great views over the vast ice cap. It stretches hundreds of kilometers in all directions, and is indeed the last remains of the last ice age.
If you look at the mountains during the trip to the ice cap, where there is no longer ice, you can easily see how the ice has formed and softened the edges of the mountains.
During this time of year we will find lakes of melted ice and rivers on the ice itself – an experience of a lifetime!
Day 3: Kangerlussuaq – Ilulissat: Briefing and city walk (B/-/-)
Flying north for about an hour you will reach Ilulissat. Ilulissat means iceberg in Greenlandic, and already on your approach, you will be able to see icebergs scattered on the ocean beneath. In Ilulissat you will be staying at Ilulissat Guesthouse (please request if hotel is preferred)
Today, you will be met by our guide in Ilulissat, who will take you on a historical walk through town, where you will get a solid introduction to Ilulissat – the third largest town in Greenland. We will walk past the old colonial harbor, “brættet” (the wood -board) where the local fishermen sell their daily catch, the house of Arctic Explorer Knud Rasmussen and the Zion Church. Afterwards you will get a brief on your stay in Ilulissat.
You have the rest of the day to yourself, to soak up the atmosphere of this special place.
Day 4: Sermermiut Hike & Icefiord Cruise (B/-/-)
Breakfast at Hotel Hvide Falk.
The first part of today offers one of the most beautiful hikes you will ever experience. Sure there are harder treks out there, with formidable views, but nothing quite like this. Towering icebergs floating by as we walk into the valley of Sermermiut. Not too long ago several Inuit settlements called this their home, and its still possible to see some of their household remains. We will walk to the Kangia Icefiord, which came under UNESCO protection in 2004, a spectacular site. It is said that it was an iceberg from this very glacier front that sank the Titanic. 10% of the entire ice spill that happens in Greenland, exits through this narrow straight and very few glaciers in the world produce more or bigger icebergs than this place.
In the evening we will sail out and meet these icebergs on an ice fjord Cruise. To sail amongst the giant icebergs, gives a whole other perspective to the massiveness of these giant bodies of ice. It gets cold out on the ocean, so bring warm clothes, hat and gloves too.
Day 5: Ilulissat – Eqi the calving glacier (B/L/-)
Breakfast at Hotel Hvide Falk. Today is another day to write home about!
Few places in Greenland are as pretty as the glacier of Eqi, the calving glacier. It is situated about 70km north of Ilulissat, and we will go there by boat. On the boat we are able to sail up to the very edge of the glacier, and, if we are lucky, experience the calving glacier. The noise it makes, when old ice cracks off and drops into the sea, is a sight to behold.
Program for the EQI trip:
Departure from Ilulissat in a comfortable boat (cabin boat) in the morning. There will be tea and coffee on the way. During the voyage, the guide will tell us about the settlements that we pass.
11.30am A solid lunch will be served. And during approx. 1½ hour we will stay in front of the glacier, and cross our fingers that we will see a good show of ice breaking off.
02.00pm the boat will port Eqi Lodge. Those who are staying the night will jump on land and the rest stay on board. On the trip home there will be served coffee/the and a cake. On the way back whales and seals are often spotted. You will be back in Ilulissat around 18.00.
It is possible to stay the night at Eqi Lodge and sail back the day after for an extra rate. Included are full board and a guided hike to the moraine bank.
Glamping tent: From DKK 700,-/person
Comfort hut: From DKK 1.600,-/person
Comfort De Luxe hut: From DKK 2.000,-/person
Day 6: Ilulissat – Day on your own (B/-/-)
If you want to do any extra activities today, we can warmly recommend our Disko Bay Explorer trip. Joining our Disko Bay explorer tour you will get to see the best of the Disko Bay in one day. We head out for a day packed with adventure, combining whale watching, Ice fiord cruise, a guided walk around the settlement and lunch. Sailing along the UNESCO Ice fiord and visit the small village of Oqaatsut you will pass all the best sites. Lunch is included in the tour. Price DKK 1795,-
You can also check out our local excursion programme offered by Ilulissat Adventure – same nice Arctic Friend guides will take you out on these excursions (Ilulissat Adventure is owned by Arctic Friend)
Day 7: Ilulissat – Kangerlussuaq – Copenhagen (B/-/-)
Breakfast at Hotel Hvide Falk. Early flight from Ilulissat takes us to Kangerlussuaq, from where we fly back to Copenhagen where we will arrive at 08:00pm or 09.30pm
Traveling from Iceland?
This tour is also possible from Iceland without the Kangerlussuaq stop. Have 4-5 days in Ilulissat, or add extra days for more adventure. You can also consider adding Nuuk as an option, so please ask us for a program.
