Day Programs
Day 1: From Nuuk to Ilimanaq. Settlement Tour and Tundra Hike (optional)
The day begins early with a flight from Nuuk to Ilulissat, where you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Greenlandic landscape. Upon arrival in Ilulissat, the adventure continues almost immediately as you board the boat to the small settlement of Ilimanaq. The boat trip past the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord is an experience in itself – surrounded by giant icebergs, the sparkling sea, and maybe even a glimpse of a whale breaking the surface.
Upon arrival in Ilimanaq, you’ll check into your bungalow, where you can enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and impressive views of Disko Bay. You’ll then have the option of a guided village tour where you can experience the small community’s history, architecture, and daily life if you arrived on the 10:00 am boat from Ilulissat.
Settlement Tour (optional)
A village tour is an essential part of any stay at Ilimanaq Lodge. Here, you get a unique insight into village life and the traditions that have shaped the community for generations.
On the tour, your local guide will take you through the rich history and culture of Ilimanaq. You’ll get a rare insight into what it’s like to live in a small Greenlandic settlement of just 50 inhabitants – where the winter frost sets in in September and only lets go in May.
How do you get water and electricity in such an isolated community? Where does the food come from? And what do you do both at work and in your free time? Your guide will share personal stories and give you an authentic understanding of everyday life in one of Greenland’s most remote settlements.
In the afternoon, you are free to explore the beautiful nature of Ilimanaq. Take a walk along the coast, admire the colorful houses, and feel the silence broken only by the wind and the gentle lapping of the waves. The village has a special tranquillity where you can immerse yourself in the moment and let nature embrace you. Alternatively, you can join a guided tundra hike. You can postpone this excursion if you don’t want to join tomorrow’s glacier adventure.
Tundra Hike (optional)
Experience the magnificent nature on this beautiful hike north towards Ilulissat Icefjord. Along the way, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Disko Bay and the majestic icebergs drifting by. If you’re lucky, you might glimpse Arctic foxes, snow hares, or even musk oxen as you hike through the wild landscape.
When there is no snow, you will experience the diverse flora of the tundra, where aromatic herbs and colorful flowers adorn the surroundings. The area has been inhabited through several historical periods, and you’ll sense the presence of the past in the landscape – not least at the old Inuit graves that bear witness to a rich cultural heritage.
Your experienced guide will ensure you are safe throughout the tour and share fascinating stories about the area’s nature and history from a personal and local perspective. Children must be at least 12 years old to participate in this excursion.
As evening approaches, a delicious dinner awaits at Restaurant Egede, where local ingredients such as freshly caught fish, reindeer, and musk ox are prepared with a modern gastronomic approach. In the cozy restaurant overlooking the fjord, dinner is enjoyed in relaxed surroundings where you can let the day’s impressions sink in.
After a day full of experiences, you can retire to your bungalow and relax. Enjoy the fresh air from the terrace or listen to the sounds of nature before sleep takes over.
Day 2 (or Day 3): Ilimanaq on your Own or Ilimanaq Glacier Adventure (optional)
After a good night’s sleep in your bungalow, you’ll wake up to the fresh Arctic air and the tranquil atmosphere of Ilimanaq. Today is your day to explore the area after enjoying a hearty breakfast in the restaurant.
Ilimanaq’s unique location offers great opportunities for hiking through the raw, untouched landscape. Whether you choose a shorter walk along the coast or a longer hike into the tundra, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Disko Bay, the icebergs, and the magnificent nature. Along the way, you may be lucky to spot wildlife such as Arctic foxes, sea eagles, or maybe even a herd of musk oxen.
For a more adventurous experience, join the Glacier Adventure, an unforgettable excursion to one of the impressive glaciers in the area.
Ilimanaq Glacier Adventure (optional)
The Ilimanaq Glacier Adventure takes you deep into the wild nature of the area, getting up close to both glaciers and the ice sheet. You can watch a video here.
The adventure begins with a beautiful boat ride south from Ilimanaq to Itilliup Ilua. Here, we disembark on a wide sandy beach where off-road UTVs are waiting to take us across the open plain to the Tasiusaq fjord system – an area used for hunting for thousands of years.
From Tasiusaq, we continue our journey through a dramatic landscape of icebergs and mountains. As we approach the deepest point of the fjord, two impressive glaciers reveal themselves in front of us, and behind them looms our huge ice sheet. Here, we disembark, enjoy a packed lunch with a view of the eternal ice, and then move onto the ice sheet to experience this spectacular natural phenomenon up close. We then return to Ilimanaq the same way we came here. Children must be at least 12 years old to participate in this excursion, and we do not recommend this tour for people with back problems.
Enjoy your dinner again at Restaurant Egede, where you will be treated to exquisite dishes based on fresh, local ingredients. You can let the day’s impressions sink in in the cozy surroundings.
Of course, you can also enjoy your lunches at Restaurant Egede.
Day 3 (or Day 4): Return to Nuuk
The day starts with a leisurely morning where you can enjoy a final moment in Ilimanaq. Have a leisurely breakfast and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful views of Disko Bay. Before 10:00 am, check out of your cabin and get ready for departure.
Then head back to Ilulissat, where you can enjoy the last boat trip along the mouth of the icefjord and take the last pictures of the impressive icebergs. Upon arrival in Ilulissat, you may have time to stretch your legs before continuing your journey to Nuuk.
With your luggage filled with memories of magnificent nature, unique experiences, and authentic encounters with Greenland, you’ll return to the capital richer in experiences and a story that will last a lifetime.
NOTE: If you have chosen the longer tour with four days and three nights in Ilimanaq Lodge, the program can be stretched so that you don’t have a settlement tour and tundra hike on the same day. You can also do other tours independently if you have an extra day.
