Qeqertarsuaq - things to do...

Qeqertarsuaq was founded in 1773 as a whaling station. The city has 850 inhabitants and is beautifully situated overlooking Disko Bay. You can travel to Qeqertarsuaq from both Ilulissat and Aasiaat.

Hike to Kuannit

A little north of Qeqertarsuaq along the coast, is the unique area called Kuannit.
The place is extremely lush for Greenlandic conditions - almost neon-green with countless angelica plants in summer.
The volcanic origin of the island is also manifested in the special basalt columns which dominate the area. It’s relatively high above sea level, so you can sit in the heather and enjoy your picnic lunch while watching whales in Disko Bay.

The trip typically takes 3-4 hours return incl. a lunch break.
Price: 495,- DKK / 66 EURO

Destination: "Lyngmarks Glacier"

Stay in a wilderness hut at the foot of a glacier

After 3-4 hours of demanding hiking 900 m above sea level, we are rewarded with the sight of the enormous ice layer "Lyngmarksbræen". With glacier ice under your feet, you can really enjoy the stunningly beautiful views of Qeqertarsuaq and Disko Bay.  

The Wilderness Hut, Disko Mountain Lodge, is located at the foot of the glacier and with breathtaking views to the Disko bay. This cozy hut offers a unique overnight stay with a location and a view unlike any other.

Note: It is important to point out that it is a physically demanding hike that takes 3-4 hours each way. If you have a bad back, knee or hip, you should therefore consider the trip an extra time. Hiking shoes / boots are highly recommended.

Duration: 24 hour trip incl. overnight stay
Price: DKK 1695, - Pr. pers

2-person kayak with instructor. In the the near background there is an iceberg, and in the far background there is a big mountain.

Kayak with instructor and support boat

Do you dream of rowing in a kayak among icebergs in the land of the kayak's origin? If you're lucky, you'll also see a whale or two on your trip along the coast of Qeqertarsuaq.

The scenery is magnificent as our instructor guides us on the water. Safety is top-notch, as a support boat will accompany the group at a safe distance, so the sound of the engine does not disturb the peaceful experience on the water.

Duration: 3 hours including changing

Price: DKK 1250 per person

View from inside sauna on black sand beach with a view of the sea and its icebergs.

Sauna

If you're into winter swimming, Qeqertarsuaq is one of the most unique places in the world to take a dip. Here you can swim close to ice floes and icebergs from Greenland's only black-sand beach. The sauna is located 50 meters from the beach and has a panoramic window, from which you can enjoy the stunning views of Disko Bay.

Duration: 1 hour

Price: DKK 150 per hour

There is also the option to rent the entire sauna privately.

About Qeqetarsuaq

In our opinion, Qeqertarsuaq is one of the most beautiful places in Greenland. Glacier covered mountains dominate the hinterland, but on the coast you’ll find strange basalt columns and an abundance of flora, with angelica being one of the most prominent.

Qeqertarsuaq is one of our absolute favourite towns and certainly one of the most photogenic.

The location is exceptional, neighbouring Disko Bay with huge icebergs and countless whales. The island has a somewhat different landscape to the rest of Greenland – the hot springs and basalt pillars are evidence of the island’s volcanic past.

Located in Disko Bay, Disko Island is Greenland's largest island. The Greenlandic name for the island is Qeqertarsuaq, which means "the great island". The island has only one city, namely Qeqertarsuaq (Godhavn) on the south side, and a smaller village Kangerluk (Diskofjord), located 35 km north-west.
Many Greenlanders recognise Disko Island from a distance, with the island's characteristic basalt mountains of volcanic origin rising nearly 1,000 meters out of the water.

In the south, the mountains are covered all year round by the ice and snow of Lyngmark Glacier.
Disko Island is interesting for many reasons, not least because of the great diversity of flora. The island is situated between the low and high Arctic, and along with the occurrence of many hot springs, it provides a richer vegetation compared to other sites of the same latitude.

The sea is also very rich around Disko Island, which generally means large numbers of whales. In the spring, the area is one of the world's best to observe the great Greenland whales. In Greenlandic it has the very meaningful name "Arfivik", which means "the barrel-shaped". In summer, humpback whales are often seen very close to the coast.

Dog sledding: Yes (winter)
Midnight sun in the summer: Yes
Northern Lights: Yes, in a dark sky and with suitable atmospheric conditions

 

Package to Disko Island