The iceberg town of Ilulissat, Greenland
Ilulissat – town of the Icebergs
Ilulissat in Western Greenland is a UNESCO World Heritage site. All year round gigantic icebergs are stranded at the mouth of Disko Bay, providing a constant and spectacular backdrop. It is also a place where sled dogs outnumber the local population and where you can experience the midnight sun, inland ice and calving glaciers. You can see whales, seals and the Northern Lights and travel by helicopter, boat, dogsled and by foot.
Each season presents a different adventure, so make sure that you travel at the right time. Our summer break to this unique area will enable you to experience this breathtaking location and its highlights.
Ilulissat – town of the Icebergs
Ilulissat is 300km north of the polar circle and so the sun does not set from early June to late July. There is a wealth of activities to experience and spectacular scenery to see. This short itinerary includes the ‘must do’ activities but there are a wealth of other options should you wish to choose alternative excursions.
Highlights include sailing amongst the icebergs ♦ a trip to the Eqi Glacier ♦ a cultural & historical town walk ♦ the 4,000-year-old settlement of Sermermiut ♦ 4-night stay at the delightful 4-star Hotel Arctic which has spectacular views over the bay.
Itinerary
Day 1: London to Copenhagen
Fly London Heathrow to Copenhagen with SAS. Check into the Hilton Copenhagen Airport which is attached to the terminal. The hotel is just a 15-minute metro journey from the centre of Copenhagen, giving you plenty of opportunity to explore this city before your onward flight tomorrow.
Day 2: Copenhagen to Ilulissat (via Kangerlussuaq)
Grab an early breakfast at the Hilton and then it’s just a short walk to check in for your flight to Ilulissat (via Kangelussuaq), where on arrival you will be transferred to the Hotel Arctic – your base for the following 4 nights.
The rest of the day is at leisure for you to absorb your surroundings. We can highly recommend the restaurants at the hotel. There is gourmet cuisine served at Restaurant Ulo, the Brasserie offers a more informal dining experience, and in the summer there is are barbecues and outside buffet dining.
Day 3: Ilulissat
After breakfast you will take the complimentary shuttle bus into Ilulissat town centre for your cultural and historical city walk. You’ll visit the old part of town seeing buildings from the very start of the Danish trading station, the busy fishing harbour and the old church and museum. Start: 10:00 (2 hours).
After lunch you will take an easy stroll to the old settlement on the ice fjord. Beautiful icebergs are the backdrop for the 4,000-year-old settlement of Sermermiut, 1.5km south of Ilulissat. You can still see the relics and you’ll hear about Inuit life and traditions from before the Europeans came. Start: 14:00 (2 hours).
The rest of the day and evening are at leisure.
Day 4: Sail among the icebergs
Depending on when you are travelling there are day and midnight cruises among the icebergs, and many take both options if they can. About 20 million tons of ice flow out into the fjord every day, forming huge icebergs 100 metres above the water. Beautiful in every kind of weather, but remember to bring warm clothing! Start: 08.30 (2.5 hours).
Rest of day/evening at leisure. You may be able to squeeze in a helicopter flight to the Ilulissat Glacier, a whale safari or a dogsled expedition.
Day 5: Eqi Glacier
There are only a few places in Greenland that are as beautiful as the Eqi Glacier which ends in the fjord 80km north of Ilulissat. This ful-day excursion takes you along the coast and fjords where whales and seals are often seen. The boat stays at the foot of the glacier for 2 hours while you have a delicious lunch. Listen out for a huge distant rumble which signals the glaciers’ movement, and watch for huge pieces of ice breaking off and crashing into the water. It’s simply breathtaking. Start: 07:00 (12 hours).
Day 6: To Copenhagen
Leaving with great memories and a camera full of photos today you depart for Copenhagen (via Kangerlussuaq) and once again overnight at the Hilton Copenhagen Airport.
Day 7: To London
Spend another day in Copenhagen before your evening flight.
Getting there:
Ilulissat is situated on the western coast of Greenland. There are two routes either via Copenhagen in Denmark or Reykjavik in Iceland. Both routes require overnight stopovers in these exciting destinations. Your travel consultant will discuss the best route depending on when you are travelling.
When to travel:
Peak months for visiting are the summer months of July and beginning of August where you can experience the long midsummer nights. The Arctic summer is short and intense and flora and fauna explode in a wealth of colours. The ice fells glitter snow white or blue on their trip through the fjords: an inviting landscape perfect for hiking treks, sailing and fishing.
The spring and autumn months of May/June and end of Aug/Sep by which time most of the mosquitoes have disappeared from the fells; the weather is often still warm; ships, airplanes and excursions will not be as heavily booked as in midsummer and in the end of this period the fells will start taking on lovely autumn colours.
In winter, Greenland offers outstanding adventures including dog sledding, Northern Lights viewing, snowmobiling and snow-shoeing.
Blog: The best places to see the Northern Lights
Pricing information
7-day tailor-made itinerary
Price from: £2,250 - £3,000 per person for 7 days/6 nights
Inclusive of: Return flights from London to Ilulissat (via Copenhagen), 4 nights accommodation at the Hotel Arctic in standard room on a BB basis, activities and tours as described in the itinerary (additional excursions available), hotel transfers, 2 nights accommodation in Copenhagen (B)
RO = room only B = breakfast L = lunch D = dinner
Terms & conditions: Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and change; normal booking conditions apply
To book, call 0845 643 6563
To book this travel offer, call one of our tailor-made travel experts now, quoting reference WEX102481.
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