DAY TO DAY PROGRAM
Day 1: Departure Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq (-/-/-)
Departure from Copenhagen (4:45 hours flights). Check-in at the hostel in Kangerlussuaq (Old Camp or Polar lodge). If possible we will try to get you a seat on the evening departure from Copenhagen in order to keep the cost low.
Day 2: Ice Cap (B/-/-)
Morning on your own in Kangerlussuaq, and just over midday 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: From Kangerlussuaq to 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 welcome you and brief you on your stay in Ilulissat. Afterwards you will go 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.
You have the rest of the day to yourself, to soak up the atmosphere of this special place
Day 4: Ilulissat – Hiking in the UNESCO National Park close to the ice fiord (-/-/-)
Today we will hike into the national park, where we will see remains from early Inuit cultures and get spectacular views over the impressive Kangia ice fjord. 10% of the entire ice flow from the inland ice and comes through this narrow strait, which produces more than 40 meters of icebergs per day. In fact it was quite likely an iceberg from this fjord, that sank the Titanic! Bring a lunch bag and continue the hike on some of the amazing hiking trails in this area.
Day 5: Ilulissat – Ice fjord Cruise (-/-/-)
First part of the day is at leisure – it’s possible to book extra trips. In the evening we head out for a cruise on the ice fjord. At about 10pm we will depart from Ilulissat and head out to the ice fjord. During the next couple of hours we will cruise among huge icebergs and enjoy the evening sun reflecting on the ice.
Day 6: Ilulissat – Oqaatsut by boat (-/-/-)
Today you’ll go by boat to the small settlement, Oqaatsut. Oqaatsut is a little village with only 27 inhabitants. The place was originally named “Rodebay”, after the Dutch whalers, who caught their whales in this area. Today it’s a charming little settlement with a small hostel, hotel and 2 restaurants.
Tonight you are staying the night at the bed & breakfast in Oqaatsut
Day 7: Oqaatsut – over night stay in the settlement (B/-/-)
Leisure time – you have the day to yourself, where you can soak up the atmosphere of the small settlement. The tranquility of the area and the silence is an immense contrast to the busy life in the western world, and offers great options to kick back and read a good book. If you want, however, you have the option to rent a kayak or to go fishing.
Day 8: Hiking from Oqaatsut – Ilulissat (B/-/-)
With your backpack and map you hike back to Ilulissat. The hike itself is about 23 km long and in a casual pace, it will take you about 7-8 hours. If you want to, you can take a taxi when reaching the airport, then you only have to walk 17 km. The route is marked with cairns and orange dots. You will cross small streams crossing through the landscape and pass by some of the few Summer houses in the area. At all times you will have the water on your right hand side, making it easy to navigate.
If you don’t feel like hiking back to Ilulissat, you have the option to get a boat transfer back to Ilulissat – price is DKK 500,-
In Ilulissat you will stay at our guesthouse.
Day 9: Ilulissat – on your own (-/-/-)
Today is on your own, with the option of choosing one of the different optional activities. Try to have a look at our tour program. We offer local tours in corporation with Ilulissat Adventure (owned by Arctic Friend).
Day 10: Homebound (-/-/-)
The trip has come to its end unless you have chosen to prolong it with x number of days.
You will otherwise catch the morning flight from Ilulissat to Kangerlussuaq, and continue to Copenhagen, where you will arrive in the evening the same day.
You can add more days to this program if you wish to spend more days in Greenland – please ask us, if it has you interest.
