6 Days • 5 Nights
Ilulissat Icefjord: Icebergs, Whales & the Eqi Glacier
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Cruising among the vast icebergs of the Ilulissat Icefjord is the spectacular heart of this journey. The UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord is one of the most extraordinary sights on earth, fed by the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, one of the fastest and most productive in the world, which calves enormous icebergs into the fjord. You cruise by boat among these floating cathedrals of ice, some the size of buildings, glowing white and electric blue and endlessly sculpted by wind and water, drifting slowly out to sea. The scale, silence and beauty are overwhelming, and every iceberg is unique.
- Watching humpback whales feed among the icebergs of Disko Bay is a magical wildlife highlight. The rich waters of Disko Bay, off Ilulissat, are among the best places in the Arctic to see whales, and in summer humpbacks, fin whales and minke whales gather here to feed among the drifting ice. You head out by boat to watch these giants surface, blow and dive, their great tails lifting slowly against a backdrop of shimmering icebergs, an unforgettable spectacle. Your guide reads the water and the wildlife, finding the whales and sharing the traditions of the bay. The encounters are magical.
- Witnessing the thunderous calving of the Eqi Glacier is a spectacular highlight. The Eqi Glacier, reached by a beautiful boat journey north across Disko Bay, is one of the most active calving glaciers in Greenland, its towering face rising from the sea at the head of a remote bay. You cruise for several hours through iceberg-strewn waters, watching for whales, then pause before the glacier to witness great blocks of ancient ice break away and crash thunderously into the sea, sending waves rolling across the bay. The raw power and beauty are unforgettable.
- Walking the shoreline trails of the Icefjord in the golden Arctic light is a beautiful highlight. Beyond the boat trips, the Ilulissat Icefjord is best savoured slowly on foot, along the boardwalk and rock trails that lead from the town and the old Sermermiut settlement to a series of spectacular viewpoints over the ice-choked fjord. You walk amid Arctic wildflowers and tundra, past the site where the Inuit have lived for thousands of years, to gaze over a sea of stranded icebergs glowing in the long, golden light of the Arctic evening. The peace and beauty are profound.
- Colourful Ilulissat itself, and its warm Greenlandic life, are a rewarding highlight. Ilulissat, the third-largest town in Greenland, is a beautiful place of brightly painted timber houses tumbling down the rocks to a busy harbour, with sled dogs, fishing boats and icebergs offshore. You wander its colourful streets, visit the small but excellent local museum in the former home of the explorer Knud Rasmussen, watch the fishing and hunting life of the harbour, and meet local people whose warmth is immediate. You taste fresh Greenlandic food, from halibut to snow crab. The town and its people are captivating.
- Above all, this journey immerses you in the greatest ice and wildlife of Greenland, an unforgettable Arctic experience. The Ilulissat Icefjord and Disko Bay are among the most spectacular natural wonders on earth, and this focused journey immerses you in them. Over six days you cruise among the vast icebergs of the Icefjord, watch humpback whales feed in Disko Bay, witness the calving Eqi Glacier, walk the shoreline trails in the golden light, and savour colourful Ilulissat, all guided by expert local guides. The combination of towering icebergs, feeding whales, calving glaciers and warm Greenlandic life makes this an unforgettable journey.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 6-day journey.
Your Arctic journey begins as your flight arrives at Kangerlussuaq, the main air gateway to Greenland, set at the head of a long fjord deep in the tundra. You are met and transferred to your hotel, and settle in to this remote outpost surrounded by low mountains, tundra and, on the horizon, the great Ice Sheet. Greenland is one of the most remote and extraordinary places on earth, and the sense of arriving at the edge of the wilderness is immediate. If time and the light allow, you may take a short walk onto the tundra, where musk oxen graze and Arctic hares dart among the rocks. This evening, over dinner, your guide introduces you to the spectacular journey ahead among the icebergs and whales of Ilulissat and Disko Bay. Rest well amid the deep Arctic silence.
This morning you transfer to the airport and fly north over a dazzling landscape of ice and water to Ilulissat, the beautiful town on the shore of Disko Bay beside the famous Icefjord. You are met and settle into your hotel, then set out on a first walk through the colourful town and along the boardwalk trails to the mouth of the Icefjord, where a sea of vast icebergs glows in the Arctic light. From the ancient Sermermiut settlement, where the Inuit have lived for thousands of years, you gaze over the ice-choked fjord, taking in the overwhelming scale and beauty. The floating cathedrals of ice are beyond words. This evening, savour fresh Greenlandic seafood in town. Rest well in beautiful Ilulissat, beside the greatest icebergs on earth, ready to cruise among them tomorrow.
Today you cruise among the vast icebergs of the Ilulissat Icefjord, the spectacular heart of this journey. You head out by boat into the mouth of the fjord and along the coast, cruising among floating cathedrals of ice, some the size of buildings, glowing white and electric blue and endlessly carved by wind and water. These icebergs are calved by the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, one of the fastest and most productive in the world, and the scale and silence are overwhelming. You pause among the ice to take in the beauty, watching for seals and seabirds, and photographing the extraordinary shapes and colours. Every iceberg is unique. Back on land, you may walk more of the shoreline trails in the golden evening light. This evening, savour the light on the ice. Rest well in beautiful Ilulissat.
Today you head out into the rich waters of Disko Bay in search of the great whales of the Arctic summer. The bay is among the best places on earth to see humpback whales, which gather here to feed among the drifting icebergs, alongside fin and minke whales. By boat you watch these giants surface, blow and dive, their enormous tails lifting slowly against a backdrop of shimmering ice, an unforgettable spectacle. You cruise among the icebergs and along the beautiful coast, keeping watch for seals and seabirds too, as your guide shares the wildlife and traditions of the bay. The encounters are magical. Back in Ilulissat, you have time to explore the colourful town, its harbour, its sled dogs and the excellent local museum in the former home of the explorer Knud Rasmussen. This evening, savour fresh seafood. Rest well.
Today you make a spectacular boat journey north across Disko Bay to the Eqi Glacier, one of the most active calving glaciers in Greenland. You cruise for several hours through waters strewn with icebergs, watching for whales along the way, until you reach the towering face of the glacier at the head of a remote bay. You pause before the ice to witness great blocks break away and crash thunderously into the sea, sending waves rolling across the bay, an unforgettable display of raw power and beauty at close and safe range. You enjoy a lunch overlooking the glacier and soak up the wild, silent grandeur of the setting. The ice is magnificent. This evening, back in Ilulissat, savour the memory of the calving glacier over a final dinner. Rest well beside the beautiful bay.
After a final morning in beautiful Ilulissat, perhaps a last walk along the Icefjord to watch the icebergs in the changing light, or some souvenir shopping for Greenlandic craft, you are transferred to the airport for your flights home via Kangerlussuaq. You leave having immersed yourself in the greatest ice and wildlife of Greenland, the vast, luminous icebergs of the Ilulissat Icefjord, the humpback whales of Disko Bay, the thunderous calving of the Eqi Glacier, and the colourful, welcoming town of Ilulissat itself. The images stay vivid long after you land, the floating cathedrals of ice, the whales surfacing among the bergs, and the painted houses tumbling to the harbour. Greenland offers beauty, wildlife and wild wonder in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to the extraordinary icebergs and whales of Disko Bay.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 5 nights accommodation in carefully chosen hotels, lodges and expedition ships, with a welcome dinner and a lunch at the Eqi Glacier
- Daily breakfast
- All airport, helicopter, boat and land transfers as per itinerary
- Touring, sightseeing and activities with expert English-speaking guides and expedition leaders
- Boat excursions, national park permits and entrance fees as per itinerary
- the Ilulissat Icefjord boat cruise, a Disko Bay whale watching trip, an Eqi Glacier boat excursion, guided Icefjord shoreline walks, all internal flights shown, and all entrance fees
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- International flights to Greenland via Copenhagen or Iceland
- Optional helicopter flights over the Icefjord and tips for guides
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, but it is not part of the European Union or the Schengen Area, so it has its own entry rules; many nationalities (including UK, US, Canadian, Australian and EU passport holders) may visit without a separate visa, while others require a Danish visa specifically endorsed for Greenland, and a passport valid for the length of stay is required. Rules can change, so we confirm the exact, current requirements for your nationality and assist with any visa or documentation where needed
- Currency: The currency is the Danish Krone (DKK); cards (including contactless) are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops and tour operators in the larger towns such as Nuuk, Ilulissat and Qaqortoq, so you rarely need much cash, though it is wise to carry some for small settlements, craft stalls and remote stops. ATMs are found in the main towns; tipping is not expected as service is included, though rounding up for exceptional guiding is always welcome
- Best time to visit: Greenland has two very different seasons. Summer (June to September) brings the midnight sun, open water for cruising and boat trips, calving glaciers, whales, hiking and green sheep-farming valleys in the south; winter (roughly October to April) brings the Northern Lights, dog sledding, snowshoeing and frozen fjords. July and August are peak for whales and icebergs, while late winter and early spring offer strong aurora and the best dog sledding conditions
- Language & etiquette: Greenlandic (Kalaallisut) is the official language and Danish is widely spoken, while English is spoken by most people working in tourism, so communication is easy on organised trips. Greenlanders are warm, calm and welcoming, with a deep Inuit hunting and fishing heritage and a strong respect for nature and the land; ask before photographing people or catches, and take a genuine, respectful interest in local life, which is always appreciated
- Getting around: There are almost no roads between towns in Greenland, so travel is by air (Air Greenland flights and charters via hubs such as Kangerlussuaq and Nuuk), by helicopter to smaller settlements, by coastal boat and ferry, and in winter by snowmobile and dog sled. Distances are large and schedules depend on weather, so we build realistic connections and buffer time into every itinerary and keep flexible alternatives ready
- Health & safety: Greenland is one of the safest places on earth, with negligible crime and welcoming communities; the real considerations are natural rather than human, including fast-changing Arctic weather, cold, sea ice, and remoteness from major medical facilities. Comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation is essential, and our guides carry safety equipment, monitor conditions closely and follow official and expedition guidance at all times, adjusting plans around the weather when needed
- Culture & food: Greenlandic culture is rooted in Inuit traditions of hunting, fishing and dog sledding, expressed in kayaking, drum dancing, tupilak carving and colourful timber towns; local food is fresh and distinctive, including halibut, cod, prawns, snow crab, reindeer, musk ox and lamb from the southern farms, alongside Danish and international dishes in town restaurants. We recommend the best local tables and cultural experiences at every stage of your journey
- Weather & packing: Arctic weather changes quickly in every season, so warm layers are essential year-round, along with a waterproof, windproof jacket, warm mid-layers, hat, gloves, and sturdy waterproof walking boots; in winter you will also want serious thermal clothing, much of which expedition operators can provide. Power is 230V with European type C and F two-pin plugs, so bring an adapter, and mobile and wifi coverage is good in towns but limited or absent in remote fjords and at sea
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time for whales and icebergs in Ilulissat?
Icebergs fill the Ilulissat Icefjord and Disko Bay all year, so they are guaranteed whenever you visit. For whales, the summer season from roughly June to September is best, when humpbacks gather in Disko Bay to feed, and this is also when boat trips to the Eqi Glacier run and the days are long, with the midnight sun in June and July. We tailor the timing to your interests, and can also arrange winter visits for the Northern Lights over the frozen fjord.
Can I add a helicopter flight or kayaking to this trip?
Yes. Ilulissat is a wonderful base for optional add-ons, and we can arrange a helicopter flight over the Icefjord for a breathtaking aerial view of the icebergs and the glacier that calves them, sea kayaking among the smaller bergs for the adventurous, and hikes further along the fjord. Just tell us your interests and fitness and we will build the perfect balance of boat trips, flights, walks and rest into your days in beautiful Ilulissat.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, and on expedition cruises and at remote lodges most or all meals are included, as noted in each itinerary, often with fresh Greenlandic seafood, reindeer, musk ox and lamb alongside international dishes. In towns such as Ilulissat, Nuuk and Qaqortoq we usually leave some meals free so you can explore local restaurants, and we are always happy to recommend and reserve the best tables and cultural dining experiences at every stage of your journey.
Are the tours private or in a group?
On land, your journey is private by default, with your own expert guide, boat charters and transfers and a pace tailored entirely to you, while expedition cruises are small-group by nature aboard comfortable ice-class ships with expert expedition teams. Greenland's knowledgeable guides bring the Icefjord, the glaciers, Inuit culture, Norse history and Arctic wildlife vividly to life, reading the weather, ice and light to find the very best of the icebergs, whales and Northern Lights at exactly the right moment.
Do I need a visa for Greenland?
Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but sits outside the EU and the Schengen Area, so it has separate entry rules; many nationalities may visit without a separate visa, while others need a Danish visa specifically valid for Greenland. We confirm the exact, current requirements for your nationality, advise on documentation and passport validity, and assist with any visa where needed, so your entry is smooth. Remember that flights usually connect through Denmark or Iceland, which may have their own rules.
Is Greenland safe to visit?
Greenland is one of the safest destinations in the world, with negligible crime and warm, welcoming communities; the real considerations are natural rather than human, namely fast-changing Arctic weather, cold, sea ice and remoteness from major medical facilities. Comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation is essential, and our experienced guides and expedition teams carry safety equipment, monitor conditions constantly and follow official guidance, adjusting plans around the weather so you can relax and enjoy this extraordinary Arctic land.
When is the best time to visit?
It depends on what you wish to experience. Summer (June to September) brings the midnight sun, open water for cruising and boat trips among icebergs, calving glaciers, whales, hiking and the green valleys of the south; winter (roughly October to April) brings the Northern Lights, dog sledding and frozen fjords. July and August are peak for whales and icebergs, while late winter and spring are superb for the aurora and dog sledding. We advise on the best timing for your interests.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Every itinerary is a flexible starting point. We can adjust the balance of the Ilulissat Icefjord and Disko Bay, East Greenland and Scoresby Sund, the Norse ruins and green valleys of the south, the capital Nuuk, and the edge of the Ice Sheet, add an expedition cruise, dog sledding, kayaking, whale watching or Northern Lights nights, and tailor the pace, comfort level and focus entirely to you. Just tell us your dreams and we will craft them around the ice, wildlife and culture of Greenland.
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