A Taste of Greenland

Arrive in Ilulissat, a colourful Arctic town set beside Disko Bay, and transfer to your fjord-side hotel. After settling in, join a local guide for an introduction to the town, discovering its harbour, cultural heritage and close relationship with the surrounding ice. Ilulissat sits beside the UNESCO-listed Icefjord, where enormous icebergs from the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier drift towards the bay. You may also learn about Greenlandic explorer Knud Rasmussen and see the working sled dogs that remain an important part of life in this northern community.

Today is yours to explore Ilulissat independently. Venture towards the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord and admire the immense quantities of ice flowing from the nearby glacier into Disko Bay, or spend time discovering the town and its Greenlandic character. Those wanting to explore farther can choose from optional experiences ranging from Icefjord hikes and iceberg cruises to Arctic fishing, paddleboarding, visits to nearby settlements or a private sauna overlooking the fjord. A helicopter flight above the Ice Cap can also be arranged in advance, subject to weather and availability.

Take to the water for one of Greenland’s most memorable experiences: kayaking among the icebergs of Ilulissat. Following a safety introduction, set out with an experienced guide from the waterfront near Zion Church and paddle towards the waters around Sermermiut. From your kayak, admire the immense Iceberg Bank, where giant formations can become grounded on the seabed. The precise route is adapted to the day’s weather, ice conditions and group experience, making each journey through this spectacular frozen seascape unique. No previous kayaking experience is required.

Head onto the Arctic waters surrounding Ilulissat for a whale-watching adventure through a remarkable landscape of drifting icebergs. During summer, humpback whales arrive in the region to feed, creating opportunities to watch these magnificent animals against the dramatic backdrop of Disko Bay. Wildlife encounters can never be guaranteed, but simply cruising through these iceberg-filled waters is an experience in itself. Afterwards, return to Ilulissat with the remainder of the day free for independent exploration or additional optional activities.

Enjoy a final full day in Ilulissat with the freedom to shape your own Arctic adventure. Hike beside the Icefjord for sweeping views across the frozen landscape, try Arctic fishing or paddleboarding, return to the water by kayak, or unwind with a sauna overlooking the fjord. For an entirely different perspective, a pre-arranged helicopter flight can carry you above the Icefjord towards Greenland’s vast Ice Cap. Whatever you choose, the day provides another opportunity to experience Ilulissat’s extraordinary combination of wilderness, ice and contemporary Greenlandic life.

Enjoy your final morning in Ilulissat, perhaps taking one last look across the extraordinary iceberg-filled waters that define this corner of western Greenland. Later in the morning, transfer to Ilulissat Airport for your onward flight, bringing your short Arctic journey to a close after six days of Greenlandic culture, wildlife and unforgettable encounters with the immense frozen landscapes of Disko Bay.