The day is at your disposal, and the possibilities are many. For example, visit the sewing workshop, where they make souvenirs from sealskin or go shopping in the crafts shops for gifts made from tusks, bones, and antlers.
If you have bought the excursion package, you can look forward to a hike to the abandoned settlement of Sermermiut by the icefjord.
Hike to the abandoned settlement of Sermermiut (optional)
Ilulissat’s beautiful icebergs form a beautiful backdrop to the ancient settlement of Sermermiut, one and a half kilometers south of the town. For 4,000 years, successive Inuit cultures lived in the settlement as it was a great place for hunting. Hear the story of the lives and customs of the Greenlanders before the Europeans arrived. As the place is covered in snow, you will have to use your imagination to see the ruins. However, the view is amazing, so it’s well worth the trip.
On this short trip, we turn back after seeing the viewpoint at the Kællingekløft, a place where old people would throw themselves off the cliff in times of need.
Many people ask, “can’t I do this hike on my own?” The simple answer is “Yes, you can.” However, we find that many people feel comfortable with having a tour guide on their first hikes in the Greenlandic hills. Also, the guide will point to sites of historical interest, which may be difficult to find on your own. Finally, it’s nice to share the experiences with someone.
Igloo Lodge (optional)
On days 4-5, you can experience a real igloo where you will spend the night and, from here, go on some unique excursions.
Our subsidiary in Ilulissat, World of Greenland, has been very successful with their summer lodges at the Eqi Glacier and in the settlement of Ilimanaq. Now, they also offer winter lodges in the shape of igloos. You will be taken on a snowmobile through the wonderful winter landscape where we hope to see northern lights dance in the sky in the evening.
Here, at the foot of the mountains, you will spend the night in an igloo (with the possibility of staying in a heated cabin, if you prefer). Igloo Lodge consists of five spacious igloos, each of which accommodates two people. Reindeer pelts and warm winter sleeping bags are covering the beds. There are also candles on the bedside table, which means that the temperature is around the freezing point inside the igloo. It is a stark contrast to the estimated minus 20 degrees Celsius outside. The wooden cabin by the lodge is where we will eat our meals. In the wooden cabin, there is also an outhouse type restroom.
While staying at the Igloo Lodge, you are going on a snowshoe trip where we head to a vantage point, overlooking the Ice Fjord. The trip to Igloo Lodge itself is also exciting. You are driven on snowmobiles for about an hour into the Ilulissat hinterland with amazing views along the way. You will be met at the cabin with coffee and lunch. Afterward, you will go on the excursion mentioned above, have afternoon coffee with cake, dinner, and evening coffee followed by a look outside to see if the northern lights are out. Then you can retire to your igloo, and, in the morning, breakfast is served and, finally, there’s the snowmobile trip back to civilization.
Please notice: If you are interested in our outdoor package, please contact us by phone or email, so we can check if there is availability when you want to go. As mentioned, the other excursions are also included in the outdoor package. However, if you choose the outdoor package, some of these other excursions will be moved to other days than mentioned in this day-to-day program.
