Ultimate Ilulissat Summer Break

Fly from Reykjavik to the western Greenlandic town of Ilulissat. Upon arrival meet your local guide and transfer to the Hotel Arctic, which will be your base for 4 nights. After a briefing with our local guide enjoy a city walk of Ilulissat. Ilulissat was founded in 1741 and is the third-largest town in Greenland with more than 4,500 inhabitants. Learn about the history of the town and contemporary life almost 300 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. Visit the fishermen at the harbour and the hunters at their trading post “Brættet.” Stop by the church and the birthplace of the famous Polar explorer Knud Rasmussen.

Enjoy dinner at your hotel, before perhaps exploring the town of Ilulissat under the midnight sun. (D)  

• Hotel Description

Today travel by bus as far as the road goes and then enjoy a guided walk along the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ilulissat Ice Fjord to Sermermiut to see the traces of ancient Inuit settlements. Sermermiut is a valley next to the ice fjord where inland you will see beautiful Arctic flowers and out to sea, magnificent icebergs. The trip will take about 2 hours. Later in the afternoon enjoy an excursion to meet Greenland’s iconic sled dogs in their natural habitat. Learn about their cultural importance, history, and modern role, with respectful, guided interaction and insight into traditional sledding gear and practices.

Then in the evening enjoy boat trip out amongst the icebergs. This is a must-do for every Ilulissat visitor!  Over 40 million tonnes of ice flow daily into the fjord, creating immense floating ice formations, some over 100 metres wide and tall. Witness this exceptional experience under the unique glow of the midnight sun. (B)

• Hotel Description

Today head out for a full-day Eqi Glacier trip. Sail towards the glacier, just 80 kilometres north of Ilulissat, and witness immense ice chunks calving into the fjord. Thunderous sounds and awe-inspiring ice crashes create a spectacle. Modern, comfy boats ensure a smooth journey, passing picturesque locations like Bredebugt, Oqaatsut settlement, and the whale-seal-rich Pakitsoq fjord system. Navigates the Ataa Strait, surrounded by bird-filled mountains and waterfalls, our ice-reinforced boats await the glacier's calving for around 2 hours. Enjoy a delectable lunch amidst this marvel. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

Today head out for a whale watching excursion. In Greenland waters there are around 15 whale species. Three of these are in Greenland during winter months, the Beluga whale, Narwhal and Greenland whale, while during the summer it's usually the humpback whale, minke whale and the fin whale that can be spotted. It is also possible to arrange a kayaking trip where you can really get up close to the icebergs in the bay. Or equally, enjoy a view of the icebergs over a cold beer on the terrace of the Arctic Hotel. (B,D)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Reykjavik. (B)