Giant Icebergs and Whales

Fly directly from Copenhagen to Ilulissat, where the Greenland Ice Sheet is almost the first thing you’ll see through the airplane window. The flight itself is an experience as you cross the vast ice cap before the giant icebergs of Disko Bay appear below.

Upon arrival in Ilulissat, you’ll be transferred to Hotel Arctic, beautifully situated with magnificent views of Disko Bay.

Accommodation

Hotel Arctic will be your home for the next seven nights. Perched on a rocky hillside overlooking Disko Bay, the hotel offers spectacular views—and if you’re lucky, the first icebergs may already be drifting past your window.

Our guide will be available in the hotel lobby, where you’re always welcome to ask questions about the area and the many excursion opportunities.

There is a wide selection of activities in and around Ilulissat, both guided excursions and experiences you can enjoy on your own. If you enjoy hiking, you’ll find several excellent trails nearby. We also highly recommend joining one of the guided boat tours, where you’ll experience Disko Bay from the water and get close to the towering icebergs in their spectacular surroundings.

You’ll also find our subsidiary, Arctic Excursions, in Ilulissat. We offer a wide range of excursions that showcase the town’s unique blend of authentic Greenlandic culture, modern everyday life, and its close connection to the surrounding Arctic nature. Feel free to ask our guide for recommendations, whether you’re interested in guided excursions or exploring on your own. Excursions can be booked in the hotel lobby.

Today, you also have the opportunity to join a guided city walk through Ilulissat.

Historical Town Walk in Ilulissat (optional)

Our guided historical walking tour offers much more than simply exploring the town with a map. It’s the perfect introduction to Greenland’s history and culture, giving you a deeper understanding that will enrich the rest of your journey.

Founded as a trading post in 1741, Ilulissat is now Greenland’s third-largest town with more than 4,500 inhabitants. During the walk, your guide shares stories about the town’s history, Greenlandic culture, and everyday life 300 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. Along the way, you’ll visit the harbor, meet the local vendors at the open-air fish market, and pass Knud Rasmussen’s birthplace and the historic Zion Church.

In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at Hotel Arctic’s restaurant (drinks not included).

Today is yours to discover Ilulissat at your own pace. This charming Greenlandic town combines modern Arctic life with long-standing traditions. Hunting and fishing remain at the heart of everyday life, with small fishing boats sharing the harbor with large trawlers. Colorful houses brighten the rocky landscape, while Greenland sled dogs are a familiar sight throughout the town.

Hike to the Sermermiut Settlement by the Icefjord (optional)

The magnificent icebergs of Ilulissat provide the backdrop for the ancient settlement of Sermermiut, located about one mile (1.5 km) south of town. For more than 4,000 years, different Inuit cultures lived here, and traces of their presence can still be seen today.

Your guide will tell the story of life in Greenland before the arrival of Europeans as you explore archaeological remains, hear about ancient traditions, and even touch the permafrost with your own hands. The hike continues to the beautiful viewpoint at Kællingekløften, overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage Icefjord.

Many guests appreciate having a guide with them on their first hike in the Greenlandic backcountry. Besides making the walk more comfortable, your guide will point out historical sites that are easy to miss on your own, while sharing fascinating stories that bring the landscape to life.

Meet Greenland’s Iconic Sled Dogs – A Living Arctic Heritage (optional)

Join us for an engaging and educational excursion that introduces you to one of Greenland’s true icons: the Greenland sled dog. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll learn about the dog’s history, cultural significance, and role in modern Greenland, where ancient traditions continue alongside contemporary life.

For generations, the Greenland sled dog has been an indispensable companion for hunting, transportation, and survival in the Arctic. During this excursion, you’ll gain insight into how these strong and resilient dogs have shaped life in Greenland and why they remain an important part of local communities today. Through stories and fascinating facts, your guide brings this unique relationship between people and dogs to life.

The excursion takes place where the dogs live in their natural outdoor environment. You’ll see how their thick coats protect them from the Arctic climate and learn why they are working dogs rather than household pets. When conditions allow—and with the owner’s permission—you may have the opportunity to get close to selected dogs while always respecting both your own safety and the well-being of the animals.

You’ll also get a closer look at the specialized equipment used for dog sledding. From harnesses to sleds, each piece has its own purpose and history, offering further insight into both Greenland’s past and present. This excursion is perfect for families and curious travelers of all ages seeking an authentic Greenlandic experience where culture, nature, and knowledge come together.

Please note: For the safety of both guests and the dogs, you may only approach the dogs with the owner’s permission.

Today is yours to enjoy Ilulissat at your own pace. Browse the small local shops, relax at one of the cafés, or find a bench by the harbor and experience the town’s peaceful everyday life.

You also have the opportunity to take an unforgettable helicopter flight.

Helicopter Tour (optional)

The Ilulissat Icefjord and the Kangia Glacier take center stage on this spectacular helicopter excursion, which brings you into the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Neither by boat nor on foot can you get as close to the immense glacier—and from the air, you’ll experience the full scale of this extraordinary landscape.

The helicopter departs from Ilulissat Airport and flies as low as regulations and safety permit, passing over mountains, lakes, rivers, and the Icefjord before reaching a mountain near the glacier’s edge. Here you’ll have approximately 30 minutes to enjoy the breathtaking views. On the return flight, you’ll pass directly over the glacier front before following the Icefjord for nearly 45 miles (70 km) back to Ilulissat.

Evening Cruise on the Icefjord (optional)

The warm light of the evening sun—and, from late May through late July, the Midnight Sun—casts an unforgettable glow across the icebergs, creating a spectacle that draws visitors back to Ilulissat again and again.

Nearly everyone visiting Ilulissat chooses to experience this boat trip at least once. Every day, more than 40 million tons of ice flow from the Ilulissat Glacier into the Icefjord, forming enormous icebergs that can measure several hundred yards across and rise more than 330 feet (100 meters) above the water. At the mouth of the Icefjord, many of these giants become grounded, allowing us to navigate safely among them.

The icebergs are magnificent in every kind of weather. In bright sunshine, the contrasts are striking. Under cloudy skies, the deep blue tones become even more vivid. And in the soft golden light of the evening or Midnight Sun, the ice seems to glow from within.

When the captain switches off the engine, the silence is almost as impressive as the scenery itself. If we’re lucky, we may even hear the distinctive crackling sound of ancient air escaping from the centuries-old ice.

A truly unforgettable experience and one of the absolute highlights of any visit to Ilulissat.

Today offers even more unforgettable experiences on the water.

Whale Safari (optional)

Few experiences compare to seeing a whale up close. The first encounter with these enormous animals is something most people never forget. Greenland’s waters are home to around 15 different whale species.

During the summer months, humpback whales, fin whales, and minke whales are the species most commonly seen. They spend the season feeding in Disko Bay, sometimes surprisingly close to Ilulissat, while at other times they can be found in the Icefjord or farther north near Hare Island. For this excursion, we use a fast Targa boat, allowing us to cover a larger area. We also stay in close contact with local fishermen, who help us locate the whales.

Today you also have the opportunity to experience kayaking in the birthplace of the kayak.

Kayak Experience in Ilulissat (optional)

The Inuit have traveled Greenland’s waters by kayak for more than a thousand years—and now it’s your turn.

Gliding silently across the water, you’ll experience the giant icebergs from a completely different perspective. Depending on the light, the ice may appear brilliant white, deep blue, or glowing gold. Every trip is different, and with a little luck, whales may even appear nearby.

The excursion takes place in stable tandem kayaks, and you’ll be provided with appropriate paddling gear. A safety boat accompanies the group throughout the tour. The excursion lasts approximately 3½–4 hours, including at least two hours on the water.

You have the opportunity to join a longer hike today.

Hike Along the Blue Trail (optional)

Today, lace up your hiking boots and join us on the Blue Trail, one of Ilulissat’s most popular hiking routes. The trail winds through the rolling landscape south of town, where rocky outcrops, small lakes, and Arctic vegetation create a beautiful contrast to the giant icebergs on the horizon.

Along the way, the landscape opens up to reveal spectacular views of the Ilulissat Icefjord and Disko Bay. Your guide will share fascinating insights into the area’s geology, flora, and wildlife, and explain how nature has shaped life here for thousands of years.

The hike is taken at a relaxed pace, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, take photos, and experience the remarkable silence of the Arctic. You may spot a raven, a snow bunting, or perhaps an Arctic fox in the distance—and with a little luck, even a whale swimming through Disko Bay.

After returning to Ilulissat, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy. Perhaps you’ll relax with a cup of coffee overlooking the drifting icebergs or take a stroll through the town’s charming streets.

Today, we travel north through Disko Bay to the magnificent Eqi Glacier, one of Greenland’s most active calving glaciers.

Boat Excursion to the Eqi Glacier (optional)

The journey itself is an unforgettable experience as we pass small settlements, dramatic mountains, and drifting icebergs. Depending on the boat used that day, the sailing time to and from the glacier varies between approximately two and five hours each way.

The glacier reaches the fjord about 50 miles (80 km) north of Ilulissat. By boat, we can safely approach the towering glacier front and witness enormous chunks of ice breaking off and crashing into the sea. Once we arrive at Eqi, the boat remains in front of the glacier for a couple of hours, giving us the best opportunity to experience this spectacular natural phenomenon. When thousands of tons of ice plunge into the water, both the thunderous sound and the waves linger long afterward.

It is nature at its most powerful.

Around 2:00 p.m., the boat docks at Port Victor, the small landing point serving Glacier Lodge Eqi, to drop off and pick up passengers before returning to Ilulissat.

There are countless ways to experience the beauty of Ilulissat and its surroundings. By now, some guests choose to spend the day relaxing, enjoying the spectacular views and the peaceful atmosphere from Hotel Arctic.

Others are ready for one more adventure. Through our subsidiary, Arctic Excursions, you can choose from a wide selection of authentic experiences offered by local operators throughout Greenland. Excursions can be booked in advance on our website or directly in the lobby at Hotel Arctic.

One excursion we particularly recommend is the following, which can be booked together with this tour.

Boat Excursion with Lunch at Restaurant H8 in Oqaatsut (optional)

Join us on a day trip to the peaceful settlement of Oqaatsut, beautifully situated about 12 miles (20 km) north of Ilulissat.

The journey begins with a 30-minute boat ride through the giant icebergs drifting in Disko Bay. Although the Icefjord lies south of Ilulissat, many of its icebergs continue northward with the ocean currents, creating a spectacular backdrop along the way.

Upon arrival, your guide will introduce you to life in this small Greenlandic settlement. You’ll visit the church, the school, and the local fish processing facility while learning about everyday life in a close-knit Arctic community. You’ll also hear about Oqaatsut’s fascinating past as a Dutch whaling settlement—hence its former name, Rodebay.

The guided walk ends at Restaurant H8 Explorer, where you’ll enjoy lunch prepared with fresh local ingredients. After lunch, you can explore the surrounding landscape on foot or relax and take in the remarkable silence and breathtaking scenery before the boat returns to Ilulissat.

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Ilulissat.

By now, you’ve probably discovered that you never quite finish experiencing Greenland. The landscapes are constantly changing, the light is never the same twice, and there’s always another place waiting to be explored.

You’ll fly directly back to Copenhagen with unforgettable memories of a week spent among towering icebergs, whales, and the magnificent landscapes of North Greenland.