groenland ilulissat navigation icebergs baie disko o-nord

Icebergs in the Midnight Sun

REGION
Greenland
THEME
Culture, Stay, Wildlife
ACTIVITIES
Cruise, Fjord, Glacier, Hiking, Icebergs
DURATION
6 days
DIFFICULTY
Easy

Visit the enormous icebergs of Greenland at the Ilulissat Icefjord in Disko Bay. Enjoy whale watching, sailing, and hiking near the icebergs under the midnight sun.

Fly from Iceland and visit the enormous icebergs of Greenland located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ilulissat Icefjord in Disko Bay. Enjoy whale watching, sailing, and hiking near the icebergs under the midnight sun.

You will find the most productive glacier in the Northern Hemisphere in the Ilulissat Icefjord. It produces up to 40 million tons of ice per day. The wild beauty of the thousands of icebergs drifting in Disko Bay welcomes you to the wonderful world of the Arctic.

Visiting Ilulissat

Ilulissat is located nearly 300 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and is the destination of this trip. With its 4,500 inhabitants and 2,500 sled dogs, it is a thriving and dynamic town where the old and the new coexist in perfect harmony. Here, you will discover Greenlandic culture. Additionally, nature is right at your doorstep, ready to be admired and explored. In Ilulissat, you are in the safe and knowledgeable hands of our local partners, who will send a guide to your hotel and welcome you upon your arrival. Our partner offers a wide variety of excursions.

Highlights

  • Stay in the town of icebergs, Ilulissat
  • Sail among gigantic icebergs
  • Discover spectacular and calving glaciers
  • Immerse yourself in the authentic life of the town and settlements
  • Get up close to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ilulissat Icefjord

DEPARTURE DATES

June 16, 23, 27, 2023
July 07, 14, 18, 21, 28, 2023
August 01, 08, 11, 15, 22, 25, 29, 2023

Detailed program

DAY 1 | PARIS / REYKJAVIK

Fly to Reykjavik on regular Icelandair flights. Transfer to your hotel on your own. Overnight at Hotel Konvin or similar near Keflavik Airport.

DAY 2 | REYKJAVIK / ILULISSAT – WELCOME HIKE TO SERMERMIUT AND WELCOME DINNER

Transfer to the airport on your own.

Direct flight from Keflavik International Airport to Ilulissat. You will be picked up at the airport and driven to the Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat.

The flight itself is quite an adventure as you fly at low altitude over the inland ice cap as you prepare to land in Ilulissat.

Upon arrival, a guide from our local excursion office will welcome you and provide information on the various excursions available, as well as experiences you can enjoy on your own during your stay in Ilulissat.

Optional hike to the Icefjord and the abandoned village of Sermermiut.

Groenland Ilulissat Sermermiut ete promenade icebergs rochers roche voyage o-nord

Beautiful icebergs serve as the backdrop for the ancient 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 past presence.

Listen to the story of the life of the Inuit and their traditions before the arrival of Europeans in Greenland. Observe the ruins and touch the permafrost with your own hands. Visitors often ask if they can do these hikes themselves. The answer is yes. But in our experience, most people prefer to have a guide with them the first time they walk in the Greenlandic wilderness.

Additionally, historical sites will be pointed out along the way, and these can be difficult to find on your own. You will take a coffee or tea break at “Kællingekløften” with a beautiful view of the Icefjord before heading back.

Welcome dinner at Hotel Arctic.

DAY 3 | ILULISSAT AT YOUR LEISURE OR OPTIONAL ACTIVITY MIDNIGHT SUN SAILING IN THE ILULISSAT FJORD

Today, you have the option to take two optional excursions.

Optional whale safari.

groenland ilulissat safari baleine ete iceberg o-nord

It is an incredible experience to get close to large animals like whales. There are 15 species of whales in Greenland. During the summer, you typically see humpback whales, minke whales, and fin whales. The whales swim throughout Disko Bay during the summer; sometimes near the town, sometimes in the Icefjord, or north of the island Arveprinsens Ejland.

We are in constant radio contact with fishermen and hunters regarding the whales and their locations. The humpback whale, with its distinctive flipper, is the one most frequently seen. Later, it is time to prepare for the next optional excursion. The midnight sun makes the days very long, and you will feel full of energy to explore and enjoy the entire day.

Sunny nights can only be experienced north of the Arctic Circle, where the sun in summer never sets below 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.

Optional sailing among the icebergs.

Groenland Ilulissat bateau navigationicebergs neige hiver o-nord

Almost all visitors to Ilulissat choose to try this boat excursion among the icebergs at least once. Each day, more than 40 million tons of ice flow into the fjord. The floating icebergs are gigantic, sometimes wider than 100 meters and with a height reaching up to 100 meters above the water’s surface as well.

These giants pile up at the bottom of the fjord, offering you a beautiful opportunity to sail among them. You should not miss this exceptional experience during your visit to Ilulissat. The icebergs are a wonderful sight in all weather conditions; in the sunlight, the contrasts are very sharp, while the shades of blue are strikingly beautiful when it’s cloudy, and the midnight sun casts a unique glow on the icebergs at night.

Taking a boat tour on a bright night is an extraordinary experience. Don’t forget to bring warm clothes – otherwise, seal skin clothing is available for rent.

DAY 4 | ILULISSAT AT YOUR LEISURE OR OPTIONAL SAILING TO THE EQI GLACIER

Today, you can explore the town of Ilulissat or join us for a boat excursion to the Eqi Glacier.

Optional full-day excursion to the calving Eqi Glacier.

groenland ilulissat glacier eqi bateau excursion o-nord

Few places in Greenland are as beautiful as the Eqi Glacier, which flows into the fjord 80 kilometers north of Ilulissat. It is possible to get very close to the glacier by boat and see enormous chunks of ice breaking off. The sounds are thunderous, and the sight of ice crashing into the water is astonishing.

We sail in modern and comfortable boats on the Eqi Glacier excursion. The route takes us north along the coast, passing Bredebugt, the settlement of Oqaatsut, and the large fjord system called Pakitsoq, where whales and seals are often spotted.

Lunchtime and Ice Calving

Further along the route, we cross the Ataa Strait, which is surrounded by steep mountains with birds and waterfalls. Our boats, reinforced to sail in icy waters, will stay in front of the glacier for about 2 hours and wait for the ice to calve. During this time, a delicious lunch will be served. This is a full-day excursion where you will have a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the experience and fully enjoy the boat ride through the ice-filled waters.

Don’t forget to bring warm clothes – otherwise, seal skin clothing is available for rent.

Farewell dinner at Hotel Arctic.

DAY 5 | ILULISSAT / REYKJAVIK

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Return to Iceland

After breakfast, it is time to return to Iceland. After spending memorable days in this Arctic paradise, it is time for you to return to Keflavík International Airport. We guarantee that you will go home full of memories that will stay with you longer than any other trip you have taken – at least that’s what other travelers tell us.

You will have one last impression of the enormous icebergs of the Ilulissat Icefjord with a breathtaking view from the air as you take off towards Iceland.

Transfer to your hotel on your own. Overnight at Hotel Konvin or similar near Keflavik Airport.

DAY 6 | REYKJAVIK / PARIS

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport on your own. Fly to Paris on regular SAS flights.

End of our services

HOTEL ARCTIC ILULISSAT

groenland ilulissat hotel arctic ete terrasse icebergs o-nord

The most famous hotel in Greenland is Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat. It is situated with a fantastic view of the town of Ilulissat, the Ilulissat Icefjord, and Disko Bay. Hotel Arctic is the northernmost 4-star hotel in the world and, in addition, the hotel has a 5-star conference center. The hotel is located just outside the town, about a 15-minute walk from the town center (approximately 1.5 km from the central intersection of the town). The hotel has two excellent restaurants, and the large terrace outside the restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine while the sun casts its golden glow at midnight on the icebergs of the Ilulissat Icefjord.

NOTE: The hotel offers airport transfers, but there are no transfers for excursions or other activities.

Travel periods

Departures from 16/06/2023 to 03/09/2023

Prices

From 3,070€VAT included
Ask for a quote

Pricing information

OUR RATES INCLUDE:

  • Regular Icelandair flights Paris/Reykjavik/Paris in Economy Class I
  • Airport taxes €144 at this moment, subject to change
  • 2 nights in a double/twin room at Hotel Konvin Keflavik or similar with breakfast
  • Round-trip flights Keflavik/Kangerlussuaq/Keflavik (checked baggage 20kg, hand luggage 8kg)
  • Transfers in Greenland
  • Welcome by an English-speaking local guide
  • 3 nights in a double room at Hotel Arctic Ilulissat with private bathroom/toilet
  • Breakfasts
  • Welcome dinner upon arrival
  • Farewell dinner
  • Complimentary assistance insurance

OUR RATES DO NOT INCLUDE:

  • Meals except those mentioned in the “our rates include” section
  • Excursions (we recommend booking our excursion package)
  • Any service not mentioned in the “our rates include” section
  • Cancellation insurance
  • Premium Multirisk insurance (please inquire)

Good to know

Optional Activities

Good to Know: We recommend booking the package when booking your trip.

Whale Watching in Ilulissat

Travel Season: Summer

It’s an incredible experience to get close to large animals like whales. Whales swim throughout Disko Bay during the summer. Sometimes they are near the town, sometimes in the ice fjord, and sometimes further north. Fishermen and hunters are our sources of information on whale sightings, so we almost always find them.

Whale safari by speedboat Guide Whale information Coffee and tea Transfer from downtown to the port and return Duration: 3h30

Price: 160 euros

3 Excursions Package

This excursion package includes the fantastic option of experiencing both the magnificent Arctic nature and getting closer to Inuit history and culture. The full-day excursion to the stunning Eqi Glacier is an incredible experience. It is possible to get very close to the glacier by boat and see enormous chunks of ice breaking off.

Hike to Sermermiut through the Ilulissat Icefjord (2 hours) Midnight sailing in the Ilulissat Icefjord (2h30) Full-day cruise to the Eqi Glacier (6-12 hours)

Price: 465 euros