DAY TO DAY PROGRAM
Day 1: Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq – The Ice Cap
Departure from Copenhagen at 09:00, and arrival in Kangerlussuaq at 09:40, local time. NB – departures from Reykjavik (Iceland) are also available
In Kangerlussuaq you will stay at the local hostel Old Camp, and upon arrival there will be a briefing about the place and the activities.
At 1pm we are heading out to the Ice Cap, which lies about 30 miles (40km) from Kangerlussuaq. We use 4wd busses to drive the rugged way, through beautiful landscapes, formed by the extending and retreating ice cap. This is actually where the ice stopped after the last ice age, during which the ice cap covered most of Northern Europe. The round shapes of the mountains really shows the true force of the ice. If conditions permit, we will be able to walk up upon the ice cap itself.
Underway there will be rich opportunities to spot wildlife.
Day 2: Kangerlussuaq – Ilulissat / Citytour (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hostel, and afterwards we fly to Ilulissat. Even at the inflight over the ice fiords, you will be able to spot floating icebergs far into the horizon. We will pick you up and take you to your hotel, at the very edge of the Disko Bay.
Today we will take you on a historical walk through town, where you will get a solid introduction to Ilulissat. We will walk past the old colonial harbour, “brættet” where the local fishermen sell their daily catch, the house of Arctic Explorer Knud Rasmussena and the Zion Church.
Day 3: 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,-
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: Cruise to EQI (B/L/-)
Breakfast 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:
07.00am Departure from Ilulissat in a comfortable boat (cabin boat). 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.
02:15pm Journey back to Ilulissat. We are taking the same route home, and coffee and cake is served on the boat.
06/07:00pm (depending on the boat and ice conditions) We will back in Ilulissat – look out for seals and whales on the way back!
Note: if you want, it’s possible to add a stay in the Eqi camp with full board and a hike to the moraine bank. Per person in double cabin DKK 1.250,- per person.)
Day 6: Ilulissat – Day off (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. This day is on your own, and we recommend a visit to the local art museum or the Knud Rasmussen Museum. You will have plenty of time to hike around town, and check out the many smaller shops, some of which sell local handicrafts. 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.
