Tour Description
We call this trip a "unique round tour" because you’re guaranteed many special experiences on the route that takes you from one unique place to the next.
The round tour begins in Qasigiannguit, where you have the opportunity to see one of Greenland's best museums, and whales swim right outside the door of your hotel.
Ilimanaq is one of the smallest villages in Greenland but nevertheless a beautiful place with outstanding views. Located just south of Ilulissat Icefjord, the new Ilimanaq Lodge consists of 15 comfortable seafront cabins with large balconies. You can enjoy meals in Restaurant Egede, located in a recently restored historic house and specialising in locally sourced produce.
Ilulissat is, on the other hand, a "big city" in Greenland. With its icefjord filled with huge icebergs, and as polar scientist Knud Rasmussen's birthplace (b.1879 d.1933), Ilulissat is one of Greenland’s main tourism destinations.
Glacier Lodge Eqi is particularly special. All cabins face the active glacier Eqip Sermia. Completely isolated from the outside world and without mobile interference, you can immerse yourself in nature and experience the rugged Greenlandic wilderness in peace.
Highlights
- UNESCO World Heritage site
- Eternal daylight: Midnight sun
- Disko Island - high mountains and black beaches
- Accommodation in the wilderness: Glacier Lodge Eqi
- Opportunities to see whales in Disko Bay
- Beautiful walk to Sermermiut and Ilulissat Icefjord
- Historical and cultural experiences in the Ilimanaq district
Summary
Day 1. Copenhagen - Ilulissat via Kangerlussuaq
Sit back and relax on your 4 hour, 40 minute flight across the Atlantic to Kangerlussuaq. From here you continue on a domestic flight to Ilulissat.
Day 2. Ilulissat - Disko Island
A few hours of sailing across Disko Bay brings you to Disko Island. The nature here is completely different from the "mainland", as the island was formed by volcanic activity.
Day 3. Basalt mountains, black beaches and green vegetation
Disko island is known for its varied nature. Black, green, blue, white and then the midnight sun. The entire color palette is visible whether you are hiking, cycling, kayaking or winter bathing.
Day 4. Disko Island - Qasigiannguit
We cross Disko Bay again and come to the southern part of the bay. Most often whales are spotted along the way. Entering the city with a good view of the many colorful houses.
Day 5. Qasigiannguit
Enjoy Qasigiannguit at your own pace. Here you’ll find one of Greenland's best museums, some good local walks, or take a moment to rest on one of the town’s many benches - always with a great view.
Day 6. Qasigiannguit - Iluissat
Today you will sail from Qasigiannguit to Ilulissat. The sailing trip takes you past the place on the UNESCO World Heritage List called Ilulissat Icefjord. There are very good chances of seeing whales, especially when the boat approaches Ilulissat and the huge icebergs.
Day 7. Ilulissat
Day at leisure to explore Ilulissat city and surroundings. We recommend a visit to UNESCO’s World Heritage Listed Sermermiut and Ilulissat Icefjord as a minimum.
Day 8. Eqip Sermia - the calving Glacier
Early departure by boat from Ilulissat to Glacier Lodge Eqi. Remember warm clothes (layers upon layers) as most of the day takes place on board a boat. There is an opportunity to see seals and whales along the way. Lunch with a view to the Calving Glacier running down from the Greenlandic Icesheet.
Day 9. Glacier Lodge Eqi - Ilulissat
Spend the morning in the camp and peaceful surrounds. Afternoon boat departure to Ilulissat. During the cruise you can enjoy a cup of coffee and a piece of cake with the best views, including the glacier. A guided tour to the moraine is recommend and included in your overnight stay. Overnight stay in Ilulissat.
Day 10. Departure
Farewell beautiful Greenland. Flight from Ilulissat to Kangerlussuaq, and onwards to Copenhagen.
Click here to see the detailed daily itinerary
NOTE! If you would like more days in Ilulissat, please contact us. We will tailor the itinerary according to your wishes.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1. Copenhagen - Ilulissat via Kangerlussuaq
Your adventure begins with a flight of approx. 4 hours and 40 minutes from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq, where you change to a smaller aircraft for your onward flight to Ilulissat. While preparations for landing are made, the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Listed Ilulissat Icefjord comes into view. Now you can see that the icebergs really are huge!
You’ll be transferred by bus from Ilulissat Airport to your accommodation at Hotel Icefiord, where you’ll be staying in a sea view room.
The rest of the day is on your own. The hotel has a restaurant which is very popular, don't forget to ask for a tabel at arrival.
- / L / -
Ilulissat - things to do...
For many enthusiasts, Ilulissat (formally Jakobshavn) is considered “the Navel of the World” when discussing travel to Greenland.
Day 2. Disko Island - made by vulcanic activity
We cross Disko Bay by boat in a few hours and arrive at a completely different terrain than the one we left on the "mainland". Volcanic activity has created Diskoøen and it is very clear with black beaches, basalt mountains that tower +1000 m above sea level, just behind Qeqertarsuaq - one of two towns on the island. Disko Island, Qeqertarsuaq has approx. 800 inhabitants and the settlement of Kangerluk with approx. 20 inhabitants. Qeqertarsuaq is beautifully located between high mountains and the sea. The colorful houses form a nice contrast to the black basalt, the blue sea and the chalk-white icebergs that often lie just outside the city.
B / - / -
Day 3. Disko Island - hike to Kuaniit and a swim among icebergs.
A relaxing walk around the town with the colorful houses is a must. Continue if necessary. the city tour with a walk along the coast to Kuaniit. An area where you can see basalt formations in the high mountains but also up close. Along the coast you will find some of the most lush areas in Greenland. Lots of vegetation and water. From the coast you can often spot whales frolicking in the water. If you want to keep them company, a swim from the black beach is recommended. On the beach, it is possible to recover the heat in the sauna set up. A shed for winter bathers with a view of grounded icebergs.
B / - / -
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.
Day 4. Disko Island - Qasigiannguit
Depart by Disko Line ferry to Qasigiannguit. The southbound sailing route to Qasigiannguit takes about 3 hours and there are good opportunities to see whales and seals along the way.
In Qasigiannguit you’ll be picked up by Hotel Diskobay's bus and driven to the hotel. Welcome to Qasigiannguit and to the city's approx. 1,100 inhabitants. From the hotel's balcony you can enjoy views of Disko Bay and Disko Island, where whales often jump from the water just below the hotel. It's almost an exception if you do not see a whale during your stay at Hotel Diskobay.
You have the whole afternoon free to explore. We recommend a visit to the outstanding local museum. It houses an extraordinary collection of items dating back to the Saqqaq culture (approx. 4000 years ago), as well as the more modern history of the region. There are green benches dotted around the town, strategically located for enjoying the lovely views.
B / - / -
Qasigiannguit.
In Qasigiannguit the Midnight Sun shines around the clock during summer, and in winter the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) dance in the night sky.
Day 5. Qasigiannguit
What you did not achieve yesterday may be achieved today. Qasigiannguit has a lot to offer. We recommend a hike to Paradise Bay. You don't go more than 100 meters outside the city before you feel you are in the wilderness. A hike in the mountains with a view of Disko Bay and from the ridge a look back at the now small colorful miniature houses in the city. We spend the night at Hotel Diskobay
B / - / -
Day 6. Ilulissat - the place of enormous icebergs
We sail from Qasigiannguit to Ilulissat along the eastern edge of Disko Bay. Along the way, we pass Kangia Icefjord. On the glacial moraine, right at the mouth of the fjord into Disko Bay, stand the grounded icebergs that Greenland is so famous for. Enormous giants as large as cathedrals lie side by side. After landing, we take a hike to Sermermiut, a former settlement strategically located with a view of the enormous icebergs. (In case of a late arrival, the hike may be scheduled for the following day in Ilulissat).
M/-/-
Day 7. Ilulissat (UNESCO)
You have the day at leisure to form your own impression of the city.
Ilulissat Icefjord was admitted to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2004, and was one of the first areas in the Arctic to be placed on the list. Although the area is protected, we have special permits to sail among the icebergs and fly helicopter tours.
There is a range of excursions you can participate in. You can do a sightseeing tour or a beautiful hike to the old Inuit settlement at Sermermiut. If you’d like to see a little more from the air, you can take a tour by helicopter or small 2-engine airplane. Both flight trips are great for photographers and offer a very different and memorable perspective.
See Ilulissat excursions here
B / - / -
Ilulissat - enourmouse icebergs
For many enthusiasts, Ilulissat (formally Jakobshavn) is considered “the Navel of the World” when discussing travel to Greenland.
Day 8. Ilulissat - Glacier Lodge Eqi
Early departure from Ilulissat where we sail north to Glacier Lodge Eqi. After a few hours of sailing with a view to the wasteland of Greenland, we arrive at the glacier front v. Eqip Sermia. At a safe distance from the ice wall, we switch off the engine and just float on the sea for a few hours enjoying the view of the calving glacier. Eqi calves at least once an hour. With this beautiful view, a lunch is served on board the ship. At 1400 the ship arrives at Glacier Lodge Eqi, where guests are exchanged. We go ashore and as soon as the ship has left us, you feel very small in this huge landscape. Fortunately, Cafe Victor offers good food and in the lodge we find the finest cabins and luxury wilderness tents. We quickly become comfortable and simply enjoy the grandeur of the moment. During your stay at Glacier Lodge, full board is offered.
B / L / D
Eqip Sermia – Eqi Glacier, things to do...
Imagine total silence being interrupted by thunder. But was that really thunder? No, that was the rumble and splash of ice calving from Eqi Glacier into the sea and making waves.
Day 9. Glacier Lodge Eqi - Ilulissat
You will be served breakfast and lunch at Glacier Lodge Eqi. For those who wish, after breakfast there is the option of a beautiful hike to the moraine. You walk via the lagoon to the glacier front and eat your brought lunch sandwich from Café Victor sitting in the 1st floor on the old marginal moraine with a view over the glacier and the glacier front and with a view down into the deep ice crevasses. After lunch, the trip goes back to Glacier Lodge Eqi. Hiking trips typically take approx. 4 hours from Glacier Lodge Eqi and return. There is an afternoon departure to Ilulissat around 14.
Arrival in Ilulissat around 19 and accommodation at Hotel Icefiord. If you want to go out to eat and experience something other than the hotel's good restaurant, there is everything from cafés to 4-star restaurants.
M/F/-
Day 10. Ilulissat - Kangerlussuaq - Copenhagen
Filled with unique impressions and memories of a lifetime, it's now time for your return home. Enjoy your last look at Disko Bay and the UNESCO protected Ilulissat Icefjord, before your short flight to Kangerlussuaq. In Kangerlussuaq you’ll board Air Greenland's Airbus, for your flight back to Copenhagen.
B / - / -
As we say in Greenlandic, Takuss’ - see you later!
NOTE! – Would you like to extend the journey?
If you would like more days to fully explore and experience our wonderful part of the world, we have excellent knowledge of Greenland and can tailor an itinerary according to your wishes. Please contact us for information.
Price and Practical Info
Price Includes
- Flights Copenhagen (Denmark, Europe) - Kangerlussuaq (Greenland) - Ilulissat (Greenland) incl. taxes
- Flights Ilulissat (Greenland) - Kangerlussuaq (Greenland) - Copenhagen (Denmark, Europe) incl. taxes
- 4 nights at Hotel Icefiord (Ilulissat), in shared double room incl. breakfast
- 2 night at Hotel Diskobay (Qasigiannguit), in shared double room incl. breakfast
- 2 nights at Hotel Disko Island
- 1 nights at Glacier Lodge Eqi (Eqi), 2 person standard cabin incl. full board (start and finish with lunch)
- Transport from / to airport and hotel (Ilulissat)
- Sailing: Ilulissat-Disko Island-Qasigiannguit-Ilulissat-Eqi-Ilulissat
- Contribution to the Travel Guarantee Fund
- All taxes and charges
Price Excludes
- Meals, except meals on Atlantic flights and meals specifically mentioned in “Prince Includes”
- Excursions except those specifically mentioned in "Price Includes"
- Tour guide (this trip is on your own)
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Single room / cabin supplement of 4,500 DKK. However, this is not possible at Glacier Lodge Eqi
Please note: The price of this trip is a base-level estimate, calculated on a certain seat category for the flights and room/cabin category for the accommodation. The actual price for your travel date may differ, according to availability at the time of booking. Please confirm with us any possible surcharges at the time of making your booking.
If you need further explanation, please feel free to contact us.
Meals
Included meals are marked with M (breakfast), L (lunch), D (dinner) on each day.
If meals are not included, these are marked with -.
On Air Greenland flights between Denmark and Greenland, free meals and drinks are served on board. On domestic flights in Greenland, a cup of coffee and a biscuit are typically served.
Accommodation
Access to Electricity
It’s possible to charge digital camera batteries at the hotels (with your own charger). However, access to electricity cannot be offered while staying at Glacier Lodge Eqi, as electricity is only produced for short periods during the day by a generator.
We recommend you bring extra batteries (charged) for the nights in Eqi.
Mobile Phone
Mobile phone coverage is sparse during this trip, so there will only be limited opportunities to use your phone.
IMPORTANT NOTE!
The programme is subject to change without notice. A trip like this is dependent on good weather. There may therefore be some changes in the program. Delays and cancellations may occur, especially in air and ship transportation.
No compensation is granted for the first 24 hours of delay or travel changes due to external circumstances. We will strive to reduce the disruption as much as possible and endeavour to provide an alternative program or fill in the additional waiting time.