The trip starts with a morning departure from Copenhagen. After a 4½-hour flight, you’ll land in Nuuk, Greenland, and continue with a small domestic flight to Ilulissat. During the spectacular approach, you can admire the beautiful summer landscape, where the mountains are decorated in shades of green and brown, and the icebergs float majestically in the bay.

Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up by bus and driven to the beautifully located hotel. Here, a guide will welcome you and give you an information session about the city, the area, places to eat, and excursion options.

Guided tour of town (optional)

On a guided tour of the town, you can explore Ilulissat, the third-largest town in Greenland. Founded in 1741, the town has a fascinating history and features charming buildings such as Knud Rasmussen’s birthplace, which now serves as a museum. Discover the sled dog pitches where the dogs stay in the summer and get an insight into traditional Greenlandic city life combined with modern facilities.

In the evening, enjoy a delicious welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant (drinks not included).

Spend the day exploring Ilulissat at your own pace, or join a marathon day with many different and exciting excursions where you can really see ice in different ways.

If you’ve purchased the excursion package, you’ll start with a hike to the historic settlement of Sermermiut, followed by a visit to the dog site next to Sermermiut.

The abandoned settlement of Sermermiut by the Icefjord (optional)

This hike takes you through green landscapes to the ancient settlement of Sermermiut, where Inuit cultures have lived for 4,000 years. In the summer you can experience the blooming mountainsides while the guide explains the history and ancient customs of the area. You’ll see the ruins of some of the old peat houses. From the historically significant site of Nakkaavik (Old Women’s Gorge), you’ll have a fantastic panoramic view of the Icefjord and its huge icebergs.

Visit sled dogs in Ilulissat (optional)

Next, get up close and personal with Greenland’s iconic sled dogs and get a unique insight into their importance to the traditional Greenlandic lifestyle. During this experience, you’ll meet hard-working dogs and hear exciting stories about their role as indispensable helpers in the Arctic landscape. You’ll learn about their training, how they thrive in summer and winter (hint: they like winter best), and their impressive strength and endurance in winter. The visit includes asking an experienced dog owner questions and taking photos of the dogs in their natural environment. It is an unforgettable experience that showcases an important part of North and East Greenland’s cultural heritage.

Helicopter tour to Sermeq Kujalleq (optional extra excursion)

Experience Greenland’s nature from the air on an unforgettable helicopter tour to Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the world’s most active glaciers and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fly over the breathtaking Arctic landscape, where huge white icebergs and their deep blue ice feet stretch as far as the eye can see. The helicopter lands on a mountain close to the glacier, so you can enjoy the spectacular views and hear the rumbling sounds as the ice calves. This tour gives you a unique perspective of Ilulissat’s impressive ice world, and it’s only by helicopter that you can get to the glacier itself at the bottom of Ilulissat Icefjord.

Sailing among icebergs (optional)

This boat trip is an absolute must when visiting Ilulissat. Daily, huge amounts of ice from the Ilulissat Ice Glacier flow into the fjord, forming impressive icebergs. On a quiet boat trip, you’ll get closer to these majestic natural phenomena, and in the middle of the bright Arctic summer, this sight will leave you speechless.

The day offers plenty of options. Relax and enjoy the views of Disko Bay or take an unforgettable boat trip up to Glacier Lodge Eqi, directly opposite the impressive Eqi Glacier. This trip can be extended with a stay at Glacier Lodge Eqi – or there is also a third option where you can sail down south of the Icefjord and stay overnight in the beautiful Ilimanaq Glacier.

Sailing to Eqi Glacier (part of the standard excursion package)

We board our boat and head north towards the impressive Eqi Glacier, which calves ice into the fjord about 80 kilometers north of Ilulissat. The boat trip offers stunning views of the fjord’s icebergs and the raw beauty of the landscape. As we approach the glacier, we dock at a safe distance and spend about two hours in front of the mighty glacier, waiting to experience calving – a sight and sound you’ll never forget. Lunch is served on board while we enjoy the drama of nature.

The cruise can vary between two and five hours each way, depending on the type of boat. Those who have purchased the standard package will return home after a stop at Port Victor.

If you are staying at Glacier Lodge Eqi, we will be met by one of the camp guides upon arrival at Port Victor, Glacier Lodge Eqi’s small port facility. The guide will give an introduction and show us to our cabins. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight stay in Glacier Lodge Eqi (optional: Excursion package with Glacier Lodge Eqi)

Glacier Lodge Eqi consists of a charming collection of cabins with outstanding views of the active glacier. The cabins are cozy in rustic log cabin style and offer a unique base for relaxation and adventure. Walkways and ramps have been built between the cabins for easy access, but Glacier Lodge Eqi is not suitable for people with walking difficulties. This is mainly because the ascent from the port facility to the lodges is quite steep, and you must carry your luggage to your lodge. Your stay includes dinner, breakfast, and lunch served in the cozy Café Victor. Here you can also buy drinks and sweets while enjoying the view of one of Greenland’s most impressive nature areas.

Sail to and stay overnight at Ilimanaq Lodge (optional: Excursion package with Ilimanaq Lodge)

We depart in the morning and sail past the mouth of the Icefjord before docking at Ilimanaq Harbor approximately 45 minutes later.

The cabins at Ilimanaq Lodge are fantastic: They are on two floors with sleeping areas upstairs. When you wake up in the morning, you can go to the living room, sit on the couch, and watch the small fishing boats chug past on the crystal clear water. You enjoy a cup of coffee on the deck and wave to a whale blowing good morning through its blowhole. Ilimanaq Lodge combines magnificent nature experiences with luxurious comfort.

Once you’ve checked into your cabin, you’ll learn more about the settlement and go on a short tour.

Ilimanaq is located 15 kilometers south of Ilulissat and has approximately 50 inhabitants. Ilimanaq offers a full-color palette, from the brightly colored settlement houses to the changing hues of the surrounding landscape according to the seasons. Ilimanaq is a traditional Greenlandic settlement where the main occupations are still hunting and fishing.
Afterward, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy life in a quiet settlement, perhaps lounging on the terrace.

In the evening, dinner is served in a restored colonial building.

If you’ve stayed at home in Ilulissat, there are different options today. You’ll go whale watching if you’ve purchased the standard excursion package.

Whale watching (only included in the standard excursion package)

Getting close to the majestic whales is an overwhelming experience – a feeling that will give you a rush and leave you with memories for a lifetime. Greenland’s waters are home to around 15 species of whales, and during the summer months, the humpback, fin, and minke whales are the most commonly seen.

The whales move around Disko Bay throughout the summer, often close to the town, in the Icefjord, or further north at Arveprinsens Ejland. We use a fast Targa boat for this excursion, which makes it possible to cover greater distances and increase the chance of finding the whales. We are also in close contact with local fishermen who help us spot the big animals to give you the best possible experience.

If you’re at Glacier Lodge Eqi

The day starts with breakfast, and then we can go hiking again. We check out of the lodges before hiking to the moraine or hanging out in the area so the staff can get the lodges ready for the next group arriving in the afternoon.

Hike to the moraine at the edge of the ice sheet

From the cabins, we hike around the small lagoon at the southern end of the glacier. There are often large flocks of geese in the lagoon during the breeding season. The hike continues up to the moraine, where we can look down into the huge cracks in the glacier just a few meters from us. From here, we also get an overview of the front of the glacier, and we will see the impressive calving.

The ship departs back to Ilulissat at approximately 14:15. The boat trip home is the same route as up, and coffee, tea, and cake will be served along the way.

We will be picked up and driven back to Hotel Arctic where you will move into your room that has been waiting for you.

If you are in Ilimanaq

After a delicious breakfast, you’ll check out of Ilimanaq Lodge and sail back to Ilulissat, where you’ll have the day to yourself unless you want to go kayaking in the evening. But before that, you’ll be picked up at the harbor and driven back to Hotel Arctic, where you’ll settle into the room waiting for you.

You can also try kayaking in the homeland of kayaking on the evening of the fourth day.

Kayak Experience in Ilulissat (optional extra)

Inuit have been kayaking in Greenlandic waters for over a thousand years, and you can do the same. The kayak glides silently through the water, and you experience paddling among ice floes and icebergs. The sun gives the ice a unique play of colors, and the ice can be anything from chalky white to golden. In cloudy weather, the beautiful blue colors of the icebergs will stand out. If you’re lucky, you might even see whales. The tours are in stable double kayaks, and a support boat is included. The excursion lasts 3½-4 hours, and you’ll be on the water for at least two hours.

You are on your own to choose where you want to eat on your last evening. There are many restaurants in Ilulissat, and at Hotel Arctic, there are two very good ones, one of which you’ve already tried at the welcome dinner. Both restaurants have excellent views, and the food is of international class, prepared with delicious Greenlandic ingredients. You’ll also find several restaurants in town.

After an eventful weekend, it’s time to say goodbye to Ilulissat. Fly back to Copenhagen via Nuuk and arrive in the evening with unforgettable memories and amazing images in your mind.

This summer tour offers intense nature experiences and relaxation in the beautiful landscape of Greenland. Perfect for those who want to experience the best in a short time.