Eqi Glacier

Eqi Glacier is often referred to as the calving glacier as you are guaranteed to see small and large pieces of ice breaking off the five kilometre wide glacier.

Eqi Glacier gives you a unique opportunity to experience an active glacier. It breaks off large or small pieces of ice all the time! The glacier is located 80 kilometers north of Ilulissat, and you can only get there by boat. The boat trip is, in itself, beautiful and goes past the village of Oqaatsut and further up into the northern parts of Disco Bay. If you stay overnight in Glacier Camp Eqi, you will have good hiking opportunities in the area.

The calving glacier

Eqip Sermia is the Greenlandic name for the Eqi Glacier. The glacier is one of the most active in Greenland. However, it is not as big as Sermeq Kujalleq, which is located at the mouth of Ilulissat Ice Fjord. However, Eqi Glacier is more accessible, and you have the opportunity to get closer to it.

The glacier itself is approximately five kilometers wide and is an impressive sight. It is a unique experience to sit in a boat in front of the glacier and wait for pieces of ice to fall off. When that happens, you will be fascinated by the huge bang that comes when the ice breaks – followed by the big splash when the ice hits the water.

As you probably know, the Greenland Ice Sheet is formed of snow, and when the old snow is pushed down by the weight of the newer snow, it becomes ice. The air between the individual snowflakes will eventually become air bubbles under pressure. When the large glacier calves, this air is released again, giving the explosive sounds. You can also hear it in a miniature version if you put a natural ice cube from the Ice Sheet in your drink.

Along the glacier on land

Near the Eqi Glacier, you will find Glacier Lodge Eqi. Many travelers stay one or two nights here. This stay will also offer great opportunities for experiencing the ice up close. You can go on a 4-5 hour hike from the Glacier Lodge to the moraine at Eqi Glacier. The trip is not that difficult, but you have to be prepared to cross a small river and then climb a little up the mountain to get the right view of the glacier from the moraine’s edge. Once you have done so, you will be rewarded with the most beautiful view of the gigantic glacier.

Read more about Glacier Lodge Eqi.

The Greenland Ice Sheet

You can also venture on a slightly longer adventure and join an 8-10 hour hike up onto the Greenland Ice Sheet. It is certainly not in every place you will have that opportunity. The Ice Sheet is quite enchanting, and you will be surprised by the meltwater rivers that run on top of the ice, and the beautiful ice wells that you will see there in blue and turquoise colors.