Trekking around Disko Bay

Detailed Itinerary

All accommodation, excursions and experiences described in the itinerary are included in the price.

Included meals are marked on the individual days as Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner. Meals that are not included are not mentioned in the itinerary.

Drinks are not included with the included meals.

On Air Greenland flights between Denmark and Greenland, complimentary meals and drinks are served onboard.
On domestic flights in Greenland, a cup of coffee and a biscuit are typically served.

Day 1. Copenhagen – Greenland. Welcome to Disko Bay

After just under five hours of flying from Denmark, we land in Ilulissat, the capital of icebergs.

Highlights

• Here, our tour leader will meet us and guide us down to the harbour, where we sail across Disko Bay on a beautiful and atmospheric journey. There are often opportunities to spot whales and see icebergs in impressive shapes and sizes.
• Along the way, the distinctive basalt mountains of Disko Island gradually become more prominent on the horizon.
• After approximately two hours of sailing, we arrive at Kongebroen in Qeqertarsuaq, beautifully situated at the southern end of Disko Island, surrounded by mountains, basalt cliffs and coastline.
• Our luggage is transported to reception while we check in at Hotel Disko Island – a charming hotel with small houses scattered around the town and views of nature in every direction.
• We celebrate our arrival with a cosy welcome dinner together.

Included meals: – / – / Dinner

Day 2. Hiking to Lyngmark Glacier and overnight stay in the mountains

Today, we explore Qeqertarsuaq and hike to Lyngmark Glacier, the permanent ice cap.

Highlights of the day

• We start the day with a guided town tour of Qeqertarsuaq, where we learn about the island’s unique nature, geology and history. We pass the small church and get a glimpse of everyday life in a town where the rhythm of nature still sets the pace.
• If a ship has recently arrived in the harbour, it is well worth stopping by the well-stocked supermarket – a small cultural experience in itself, where you can find everything from frozen prawns to flat-screen TVs.
• We then prepare for the hike ahead. Today’s destination is Lyngmark Glacier, the permanent ice cap located on top of Lyngmark Mountain above Qeqertarsuaq.
• We start at sea level and make our way upwards through varied terrain. The hike to the cabin where we will spend the night takes approximately four hours, including breaks, with around 850 metres of ascent.
• Once we reach the cabin, we are rewarded with spectacular views across the whole of Disko Bay. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the mouth of the Icefjord near Ilulissat, almost 100 km away, and follow large parts of the route we will be travelling over the coming days.
• The extent of Lyngmark Glacier varies slightly from year to year, but usually we can reach the ice less than ten minutes’ walk from the cabin. We prepare dinner together in the cabin kitchen and enjoy it surrounded by the views and tranquillity of the mountains.

Today’s hike: Approx. 6.5 km (approx. 4.5 hours)
Elevation: Approx. +870 meters (up) and -50 metres (down)
Terrain: Steep, with several sections of loose terrain
Included meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 3. Disko Island – hiking down from Lyngmark Glacier to Kuannit

If the weather is good, we start the day with coffee and breakfast on the cabin terrace before heading back down along the same trail we followed yesterday. The descent usually takes around four hours.

Highlights of the day

• Once back down, we continue our hike to Kuannit, a beautiful coastal area east of Qeqertarsuaq.

• Kuannit is truly unique, with impressive basalt formations and structures created by flowing lava millions of years ago. At the same time, the area is surprisingly lush, covered in almost neon-green mosses and large angelica plants that thrive around the warm springs.

• On the way back, we pass a beautiful waterfall on the Røde Elv river.

• Late in the day, we sail to the town of Qasigiannguit, where we check in at Hotel Diskobay.
  

Today’s hike: Approx. 6.5 km (approx. 4 hours)
Elevation: Approx. +50 meters (up) and -870 meters ​(down)
Included meals: Breakfast / Lunch / – 

Day 4. Qasigiannguit with an opportunity for a refreshing swim

We have the whole day to explore the Qasigiannguit area – and that is a good thing, as there is plenty to see and experience.

Highlights of the day

• Qasigiannguit is surrounded by mountains, tundra plains, green valleys, blue fjords and mountain peaks overlooking Disko Bay and Disko Island. The area is ideal for hiking, and our tour leader will lead a hike to Qaqqarsuaq (456 m), the prominent mountain rising behind the town.
• From the summit, we enjoy beautiful views of the town, Disko Island, the Icefjord and the Greenland Ice Sheet. We may even be lucky enough to spot musk oxen.
• We enjoy our packed lunches in the mountains, and on the way back there is an opportunity for those feeling brave to take a refreshing dip at the Paradise Bay.

About Qasigiannguit
With around 1,000 inhabitants, Qasigiannguit is a good example of a medium-sized Greenlandic town. It is significantly larger than the settlements, but also considerably smaller than Greenland’s “major cities” of Nuuk, Sisimiut and Ilulissat.

Today’s hike: Approx. 17.5 km (approx. 7–8 hours)
Elevation: Approx. +400 meters (up) and -400 meters (down)
Terrain: The terrain can be wet
Included meals: Breakfast / Lunch / - 

Day 5. Hiking from Qasigiannguit along Laksebugten – overnight in a wilderness camp

Today, we begin our two-day hike from Qasigiannguit northwards through the beautiful and remote landscape towards the settlement of Ilimanaq.

Our heavier luggage is transported by boat from the hotel to our campsite north of Laksebugten, so we only need to carry our daypacks with a packed lunch and the essentials for the day. This gives us the freedom to enjoy the hike and the surrounding landscape.

Highlights of the day

• The route we follow is rarely used, making the experience all the more special.
• We move through genuine mountain terrain with open tundra, hilly landscapes and varied surfaces. Some sections can be physically demanding, but the route is not technically difficult.
• Silence and the raw Greenlandic landscape surround us throughout the day.
• Our destination is our wilderness camp at the head of Laksebugten, approximately halfway to Ilimanaq. We expect to arrive in the late afternoon, when we help each other put up the tents, set up camp and prepare dinner on gas stoves.
• We spend the evening at camp, enjoying the silence, the company and the views across the open landscape.
• After a day of fresh air and adventure, a well-earned night’s sleep awaits us under the canvas, far from the beaten track and close to the rhythms of nature.

Today’s hike: Approx. 17.5 km (approx. 8–9 hours)
Elevation: Approx. +350 meters (up) and -350 meters (down)
Terrain: The terrain can be wet. We hike off-trail.
Included meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 6. Hiking from Laksebugten to the settlement of Ilimanaq

After a good breakfast and a cup of coffee, we pack up camp and carry our gear down to the support boat, which transports everything onwards. We then continue on foot northwards into the open and untouched tundra landscape.

Highlights of the day

• Today’s route takes us through an area with a strong population of musk oxen. With a little luck, we may catch a glimpse of these impressive animals moving calmly across the mountains.
• Arctic foxes, Arctic hares and ptarmigans also live here, while birdwatchers can look out for species such as snow buntings, Lapland longspurs and northern wheatears along the way.
• We start the day with a somewhat demanding climb up from Laksebugten, but we take it at a relaxed pace and enjoy the views as they gradually unfold.
• As the day progresses, we move through gently undulating tundra terrain without trails, which requires suitable footwear and equipment, as well as attention and balance.
• Along the way, the landscape opens up with spectacular views across Disko Bay and the branching fjord system of Tasiusaq.
• In the late afternoon, we reach the coast south of Ilimanaq, and it is a special experience to walk into the beautiful settlement, home to around 50 permanent residents. We take some time to look around and learn a little about the history of the place.
• In Ilimanaq, we are picked up by boat, and the journey to Ilulissat is an experience in itself as we cross the mouth of the Icefjord and get close to the enormous icebergs stranded in the shallow waters.
• We arrive at Hotel Icefiord in Ilulissat, where we check in and enjoy some well-deserved comfort.

Today’s hike: Approx. 25 km (approx. 9 hours)
Elevation: Approx. +750 meters (up) and -750 meters(down)
Terrain: The terrain can be wet. We hike off-trail.
Included meals: Breakfast / Lunch / –

Day 7. Ilulissat and time at leisure

After a lovely breakfast overlooking the icebergs, our tour leader will invite us on a guided town tour as an introduction to Ilulissat.

Highlights of the day

• You will learn about the town’s history, harbour, shops, museums and the many sights that make Ilulissat such a special place.
• Afterwards, you can continue exploring the town at your own pace, perhaps shopping for souvenirs, enjoying lunch at one of the local cafés or visiting some of the local museums, such as Knud Rasmussen’s birthplace and the art museum.

Included meals: Breakfast / – / –

Day 8. Hiking along the Icefjord

Today takes us hiking in the area around Ilulissat and the UNESCO-protected Icefjord.

Highlights of the day

• From the hotel, we leave town and head towards the Icefjord Centre.
• From here, we continue all the way to the ice via the ancient settlement of Sermermiut, which was one of the largest settlements of both the Paleo-Eskimo and Neo-Eskimo cultures.
• We reach the Icefjord itself, where we can feel the cold from the ice and the fresh Arctic air. The magical sight is enough to take most people’s breath away. The silence can be profound, broken only by the creaking of the ice and the occasional calving. We follow the Icefjord eastwards to a suitable spot for lunch before returning towards the award-winning Icefjord Centre.
• Afterwards, there is an opportunity to visit the impressive Icefjord Centre independently, or, if you would like to hike further, you can follow the tour leader along the coast on the so-called Yellow Route, back to the hotel.

About Sermermiut
During the final period of the Thule culture settlement, up to 250 people lived here. There were several periods of settlement in the area, and both the early Saqqaq culture, Dorset culture and later Thule culture are known to have lived in the region around Ilulissat.

Sermermiut
Today’s hike: Approx. 6 km (approx. 3 hours)
Elevation: Approx. +200 meters (up) and -200 meters (down)

Yellow Route
Today’s hike: Approx. 4 km (approx. 1.5 hours)
Elevation: Approx. +100 meters (up) and -100 meters (down)

Included meals: Breakfast / Lunch / –

Day 9. Sailing from Ilulissat to Glacier Lodge Eqi

Today, we leave Ilulissat in the morning and sail northwards, following in the footsteps of the great French polar explorer Paul-Émile Victor.

Highlights of the day

• We follow the coast northwards, soon passing Oqaatsut, a small and charming settlement with around 30 inhabitants, before continuing through the Atâ Strait.
• On the port side, we can see the high mountain on Arveprinsen’s Island.
• We approach Eqi Glacier, and while enjoying lunch on board, we watch the fascinating sight of chunks of ice breaking off and crashing into the water with a deafening roar – a powerful display of nature at work. In Greenland, this phenomenon is unique to Eqi.
• The ship docks at Glacier Lodge Eqi, specifically at Port Victor, located at a safe distance from the calving glacier.
• From the sea, we carry our luggage a couple of hundred metres up to Glacier Lodge Eqi, where we check into glamping tents, two people per tent.
• If you feel like stretching your legs after the boat trip, you can join the tour leader on a short but beautiful hike to the meltwater delta near the camp.
• Keep an eye out for the enormous white-tailed eagle, as the cliffs by the delta may be home to the northernmost breeding pair of white-tailed eagles.

Today’s hike: Approx. 3.5 km (approx. 2 hours)
Elevation: Approx. +100 meters (up) and ​-100 meters (down)
Included meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 10. Hiking to the Greenland Ice Sheet

After breakfast, we set off on an exciting hike towards the Greenland Ice Sheet.

Highlights of the day

• We make our way onto the ice, experiencing the thick ice beneath our boots and seeing some of the other historic remains in the area.
• Paul-Émile Victor used two heavy expedition vehicles to transport equipment onto the ice, which led him to construct an ingenious cable system to overcome the final steep section. The cableway is no longer in use, but much of his equipment remains as a reminder of a bygone era.
• Back on solid ground, we descend once again to sea level and Glacier Lodge Eqi. On the way down to the lodge, we enjoy spectacular views of Eqi Glacier.
• Dinner at Café Victor provides a fitting end to the day.

Today’s hike: Approx. 22 km (approx. 9–10 hours)
Elevation: Approx. +800 meters (up) and -800 meters (down)
Included meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 11. Hiking to the terminal moraine at Eqi Glacier

We have breakfast in the café to the sound and sight of the calving glacier. Afterwards, we pack our lunches and walk around a small lagoon to get closer to the glacier front.

Highlights of the day

• The hike takes us up onto the edge of a terminal moraine, a remnant of the glacier’s former extent.
• We enjoy our packed lunches with a view of this unique natural landscape before hiking back to Glacier Lodge Eqi and returning to Ilulissat by boat.
• We round off the trip with a cosy farewell dinner, looking back on the many experiences we have shared – with well-worn hiking boots, sun-kissed cheeks and bags full of memories from Greenland’s mountains and coastline.

About the terminal moraine at Eqi
The glacier has gradually retreated for more than 100 years, and the old glacier margins are clearly visible in the landscape. Despite its retreat, the glacier front rises almost 200 metres above the water in places. At more than 3 km wide, it is an impressive sight, particularly when the glacier calves chunks of ice into the sea, often several times an hour. The terminal moraine provides a safe opportunity to get remarkably close to this spectacular glacier.

Today’s hike: Approx. 12 km (approx. 4–5 hours)
Elevation: Approx. +380 meters (up) and -380 meters (down)
Included meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 12. Return journey from Ilulissat to Denmark

Practical info

Guide

Hiking and difficulty level

Grade 3 – More demanding hiking

More demanding hiking, occasionally through difficult terrain with long ascents. No special technical skills are required, but you should be in good physical shape and generally healthy. It is often possible to opt out of individual hiking days.

Daily hikes

Day 2. Hike to Lyngmark Glacier
Distance: Approx. 6.5 km
Duration: Approx. 4.5 hours
Difficulty: 3
Elevation: Approx. ⬆️ 870 m ⬇️ 50 m
Terrain: Steep, with several sections of loose terrain

Day 3. Hike from Lyngmark Glacier to Kuannit
Distance: Approx. 6.5 km
Duration: Approx. 4 hours
Difficulty: 3
Elevation: Approx. ⬆️ 870 m ⬇️ 50 m

Day 4. Hike to Qaqqarsuaq and the Paradise Bay
Distance: Approx. 17.5 km
Duration: Approx. 7–8 hours
Difficulty: 3
Elevation: Approx. ⬆️ 400 m ⬇️ 400 m
Terrain: The terrain can be wet.

Day 5. Hike from Qasigiannguit to the wilderness camp
Distance: Approx. 17.5 km
Duration: Approx. 8–9 hours
Difficulty: 3
Elevation: Approx. ⬆️ 350 m ⬇️ 350 m
Terrain: The terrain can be wet. We hike off-trail.

Day 6. Hike to Ilimanaq
Distance: Approx. 25 km
Duration: Approx. 9 hours
Difficulty: 3
Elevation: Approx. ⬆️ 750 m ⬇️ 750 m
Terrain: The terrain can be wet. We hike off-trail.

Day 8. Sermermiut
Distance: Approx. 6 km
Duration: Approx. 3 hours
Difficulty: 2
Elevation: Approx. ⬆️ 200 m ⬇️ 200 m

Day 8. Yellow Route
Distance: Approx. 4 km
Duration: Approx. 1.5 hours
Difficulty: 2
Elevation: Approx. ⬆️ 100 m ⬇️ 100 m

Day 9. Hike to the Delta at Eqi
Distance: Approx. 3.5 km
Duration: Approx. 2 hours
Difficulty: 2
Elevation: Approx. ⬆️ 100 m ⬇️ 100 m
Terrain: Good trails with a few steep sections

Day 10. Hike to the Greenland Ice Sheet at Eqi
Distance: Approx. 22 km
Duration: Approx. 9–10 hours
Difficulty: 3
Elevation: Approx. ⬆️ 800 m ⬇️ 800 m
Terrain: A long and exciting hike through a wide variety of Arctic terrain

Day 11. Hike to the terminal moraine at Eqi
Distance: Approx. 12 km
Duration: Approx. 4–5 hours
Difficulty: 2
Elevation: Approx. ⬆️ 380 m ⬇️ 380 m
Terrain: Mostly flat, with an ascent to the moraine

Duration, distance, and elevation are approximate. Pace, breaks, terrain, and weather affect the experience.

Notes on difficulty levels and hiking

The following factors are important to keep in mind for each hike, as they affect the experience of the hikes.

Terrain:
Greenland has relatively few marked trails, so we hike through varied terrain. The ground consists of a mixture of bare bedrock, soil, rocks, gravel and soft tundra vegetation. You should make sure that your footwear is waterproof.

In some places, the terrain can be uneven, with rocks and roots, so we recommend bringing hiking poles for additional support on the hikes.

Requirements:
We aim to organise the hikes so that everyone can walk at their own pace. It is possible to opt out of individual hikes.

During the hiking days on this trip, we only carry a daypack. However, you should be able to handle your own larger luggage during transfers and when boarding boats. We therefore recommend packing in a soft sports bag, backpack, duffel bag or similar, as this type of luggage is easiest to handle.

Boat trips

Travelling from one town to another requires travelling by boat. The waters are generally calm, but waves can occur. The longest boat journeys are approximately two and a half hours.

Accommodation

The Area

QEQERTARSUAQ
The only town on the magnificent Disko Island, known for its dramatic nature with basalt mountains, glaciers and lush valleys. The town was founded in 1773 and contains both cultural history and modern Greenlandic everyday life. The area is home to warm springs and an exceptionally rich flora – something truly unique in Greenland.

QASIGIANNGUIT
Beautifully located in the southeastern corner of Disko Bay and known for its welcoming atmosphere, colourful houses and unique location between mountains and fjords. The town is an ideal starting point for hikes into the green hinterland and along the coast. In the area, there are opportunities to see both whales and musk oxen.

ILULISSAT — “THE PLACE OF ICEBERGS”
Ilulissat is Greenland’s most visited town and is famous for its spectacular location by the UNESCO-protected Ilulissat Icefjord, where gigantic icebergs drift out into Disko Bay. The town combines modern Greenlandic life with historic settlement areas such as Sermermiut. From here, boat trips, hikes and flight experiences depart into some of Greenland’s most iconic landscapes.

GlACIER LODGE EQI
Located around 100 km north of Ilulissat, the calving Eqi Glacier lies in a scenic and remote part of Greenland. Eqi is one of the few places in Greenland where you can get up close to the 5-km-wide glacier front, which normally calves several times a day.

Meals

Included meals are marked on the individual days in the detailed itinerary as Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner. Meals that are not included are not mentioned in the daily programme.

Beverages are not included with the included meals.

On flights with Air Greenland between Denmark and Greenland, complimentary meals and beverages are served on board. On domestic flights in Greenland, a cup of coffee and a biscuit are typically served.

Flights and local transport

Climate

Average temperatures in the areas we visit during June, July and August are 5–8°C. The temperature is given as the average for the entire day. Nights can be relatively cold, but when the sun gains strength during the day, temperatures can rise significantly above the stated average. Due to the sun and dry air, temperatures often feel warmer than in the rest of Europe. Night-time temperatures can reach freezing point in exposed locations.

At this time of year, the weather is often clear, meaning visibility is usually excellent. Rain can still occur. There is midnight sun at the Ilulissat Icefjord from 21 May to 26 July. In addition, nights remain very bright for approximately one month before and after the midnight sun period.

Mosquitoes are found throughout the Arctic regions. They are most numerous in early summer and during the summer months. In Disko Bay, this is typically from late June until the beginning of August. However, numbers can vary considerably from year to year depending on the climate. In general, there are fewer insects later in August as the terrain dries out and the first night frosts begin. Mosquito repellent and a mosquito net are highly recommended.

Currency and credit cards

VISA/Dankort can be used in almost all hotels, restaurants and shops. However, we recommend bringing some cash (DKK) for possible use in settlements and for purchasing local souvenirs etc.

Wi-Fi and Mobile Coverage

Mobile coverage is available in the towns, but not necessarily outside the towns in the mountains or on the water. Therefore, mobile coverage is limited on this trip. Wi-Fi is available at the hotels. Please note that the connection can occasionally be unstable.
If you need a Greenlandic SIM card while in Greenland, you can read more here or contact your own provider.

Maps and travel literature

Please note

The right to make changes is reserved. Please note that a trip like this is dependent on favourable weather conditions. Therefore, minor changes to the programme may occur. Delays and cancellations may occur, especially in connection with air and boat transportation. No compensation or reimbursement is provided for the first 24 hours of delays or changes to the itinerary caused by external circumstances. Your tour leader will do their best to minimise any inconvenience and arrange alternative activities or make the best possible use of any additional waiting time.

Safety guarantee for trips to Greenland

If your package holiday cannot be completed due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances – such as government restrictions, travel restrictions or safety conditions at the destination – we will refund the full amount paid. This applies regardless of whether your travel insurance provides coverage. The guarantee follows the Danish Package Travel Act and applicable EU regulations for package holidays.

Who travels on group trips with Topas?

On our group trips, you will meet everyone from solo travellers and singles to couples, friends and families. What brings the groups together is the desire to experience the world and be active as part of a great community. It is often the combination of active days, small achievements along the way and evening conversations around the dinner table that creates the foundation for a strong sense of togetherness.

If this is your first solo trip, it may feel like a big step for some people. But you will quickly discover that the group consists of people with the same curiosity and passion for travel as yourself.

Important to know

The trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Not sure whether the trip is right for you? Feel free to contact us before booking if you're unsure about the physical demands of the trip, or if you have specific physical, mental or social needs that may affect your participation. Together we can assess whether the trip is the right choice for you.

Packing list

We have prepared a packing list to assist you when packing for your journey. The packing list contains some general information as well as recommendations on what is useful to bring on this particular trip.

The packing list should be considered a guide to what you CAN bring, and not a list of items you MUST bring on the journey, as individual needs and preferences may vary. However, our experience shows that the items mentioned are useful to have with you.

Print packing list Download packling list as PDF

Luggage

Bring a daypack, which will be used for the hiking trips, among other things. We recommend a backpack with a good carrying system, including a hip belt and chest strap, to reduce strain on your shoulders and back. Consider bringing this backpack as carry-on luggage on the flight.

For your main luggage (the luggage checked in on flights), we recommend bringing a soft sports bag, backpack, duffel bag or similar, as this type of bag is easiest to handle during transfers and when boarding boats. It is possible, but strongly not recommended, to bring a suitcase. Please note that, as a general rule, you should be able to carry and handle your own luggage throughout the trip.

It is a good idea to bring a dry bag for the items you would like transported to the two tent camps during the long hike from Qasigiannguit to Ilimanaq. The rest of your luggage can wait for you in Ilulissat.

Boots

For this trip to Disko Bay, it is very important to bring good trekking boots with a stiff sole (e.g. Vibram) and good ankle support. Make sure your boots are properly broken in and waterproof.

The trails we hike on can sometimes be steep, wet and have uneven terrain. We therefore recommend hiking boots, as they provide ankle support, and the stiff sole reduces strain on the feet when walking on uneven ground by distributing pressure from rocks and similar surfaces. In addition, the deep tread pattern is a great advantage if the trails are slippery.

It is a good idea to travel wearing your hiking boots or keep them in your hand luggage in case your checked luggage is delayed, against expectations.

Other footware

Water bottle

Trekking poles

If you do not have extensive experience hiking in mountainous areas or very uneven terrain, we strongly recommend using trekking poles. If you have not practised with them beforehand, the benefit of using hiking poles will naturally vary from person to person. However, they offer many advantages, and if the poles become inconvenient in certain terrain, they can easily be attached to your backpack — telescopic or folding trekking poles are therefore strongly recommended.

The general benefits of trekking poles include:

• They significantly improve balance on uneven and/or muddy terrain and when crossing streams.
• When used correctly, trekking poles provide considerable relief for the knees, both during ascents and descents. This is especially relevant on high-route and summit trips (difficulty level 3–4 and above), where you often carry a heavier backpack and where the total elevation gain and hiking distances are substantial.

Hiking poles must be packed in your checked luggage during the flight. Remember to protect the tips so that your luggage and other items are not damaged.

Clothing for hiking

Other clothing

Sun protection

Miscellaneous

Specific trip notes

During this trip, accommodation is in beds at hotels, where duvets, pillows and bed linen are provided. In the cabin at Lyngmarksbræen and during the two nights in tents, a sleeping bag and sleeping mat are provided respectively. You MUST bring your own liner sleeping bag to protect the sleeping bag.

Please note