Winter excursions Ilulissat
Iceberg Sightseeing
When visiting Ilulissat you should not miss out on a boat tour among the famous icebergs.
During one year, more than 48 km3 of ice flows into the fiord. The result is gigantic icebergs, which can be more than 100 meters on each side and with a height on more than 100 meters above the water surface. These giants strand at the end of the fiord, giving us the opportunity to sail among them.
The icebergs are beautiful in every kind of weather. In sunny weather they glitter in shiny white, the blue shades are best seen when it is cloudy and the midnight sun casts a unique, warm glow on the icebergs.
The icebergs are Ilulissat’s icon and sailing among them is an absolute must-do when visiting Ilulissat. An incredible nature experience.
Please note
Remember warm clothes. It is cold out in the Icefiord both summer and winter.
We serve a hot drink onboard.
2-3 hours incl. transfer
All year
6 participants
Dog Sledding
* Supports local mushers in Ilulissat
The dog sled is one of the strongest icons for Greenland - a 2000-year-old tradition for the Inuit. Not many means of transport have survived such a long period - and the basic principle is still the same as before the Viking Age. Some dogs in harnesses tied to a simple constructed wooden sled. The whistling of the medes against the compressed snow and the creaking lashings as the sled twists with the terrain breaks the total silence. The experience cannot be explained - it must be tried.
We drive in flat terrain out on the plain behind Ilulissat, and do not drive into the backcountry. On the plain it is often windy and the snow blows into heaps. The route is therefore more stony and icy than on the other dog sledding tours. But anyone with a healthy back can join this trip, and regardless of the route and the terrain, sitting on a dog sled for the first time is a fun experience.
If you are hungry for a more adventorous tour and you have a good physical shape, we recommend you choose the 4 hour tour instead.
Please note
The accurate route will depend on the conditions.
The conditions change from day to day and from season to season. Sometimes we have deeper snow, and other times it will be more icy and rocky.
You sit two on each sled, in addition to the musher. If you have booked the trip alone, you may have to share a sledge with another participant.
We use local, Greenlandic mushers. It is not guaranteed that the musher speaks fluent English or Danish - but we get along with gestures and good vibes.
The dogs run at different tempi from day to day and from team to team. The duration of the trip is estimated, but can fluctuate depending on the team, snow consitions etc.
For the same reason, it can not be guaranteed that all the sleds are riding the same pace.
Greenlandic sled dogs are more working animals than pets, and they are raised more hardy than many other dogs.
It occasionally happens that dogs get entangled in the lines, get under the sled, get into fights with other dogs, or similar things that can seem violent to outsiders.
If you have back or neck problems, or if you are immobile, this trip is not for you.
All particpants must be at least 8 years old.
It's possible to add on a warm coverall from size xs to 2xl, or expedition boots from size 25 to 48.
1.5 hours
Dec - April
1
Dog Sledding, 4 hours
* Supports smaller, local tour operator
A 4-hour dog sled ride is for those of you who want to try a slightly more action-oriented dog sled experience.
We start by crossing the plain behind Ilulissat before heading over the mountain "Big Akinnaq". Here we climb 350 altimeters, where you cannot sit on the sled. It is therefore important that you are in good shape to be able to participate in this trip.
After having forced Big Akinnaq, the backcountry opens up with endless lakes and desolate mountains. The terrain is typical for sledding in Ilulissat – a little up, a little down, a little running after the sled. It never gets boring.
We drive out to the area at Nalluarsuk, after which we turn around and drive along the same track back towards Ilulissat. One of the highlights is the ride down Big Akinnaq, where we speed down the snowy mountain with a fantastic view of the town and Disko Bay.
Please note
You sit two on each sled, in addition to the musher. If you have booked the trip alone, you may have to share a sledge with another participant.
The dogs run at different tempi from day to day and from team to team. The duration of the trip is estimated, but can fluctuate depending on the team, snow consitions etc.
For the same reason, it can not be guaranteed that all the sleds are riding the same pace.
If you have back or neck problems, or if you are not in good physical shape, this tour is not for you. You must be able to walk 300 meters in height at a fast pace following the sled.
All particpants must be at least 12 years old.
It's possible to add on a warm coverall from size xs to 2xl, or expedition boots from size 25 to 48.
4 hours
Feb - April
1
Helicopter – Kangia Classic
This tour is the only opportunity to get right into the heart of the UNESCO area. No boat or hiker can get here on the outer edge of the mountain in front of the giant glacier.
With a production of 43 million tonnes of ice and a speed of 50 meters a day, Kangia Sermeq is the most productive glacier - not only in Greenland, but in the entire northern hemisphere. The glacier is seven kilometers wide and over one kilometer thick. It is an amazing sight to see these endless masses of ice and enormous forces of nature.
The helicopter takes off from Ilulissat Airport, and flies as low as the safety and protection regulations allow, over snow-capped mountains, frozen lakes and Kangia Icefjord. We land on the mountain at the edge of the ice sheet - in the middle of the protected UNESCO area.
Here we have approx. half an hour to enjoy a glass of champagne and the view. And if you are quick you might be able to reach the Inland Ice itself. On the way back we fly over the glacier front and follow the 70 km out through the Isfjord. Shortly before the town, the largest icebergs strand on the underwater moraine edge, forming a beautiful finale on this trip.
No boat or hiker can get here on the outer edge of the mountain in front of the giant glacier. Flying a helicopter is an experience in itself, and combined with the scenery in these surroundings, the trip is an absolute classic.
Please note
We always fly with the helicopter AirGreenland makes available. In winter, this is preferably AS 350 with room for 5 passengers.
1.5 hours
All year
4 participants
Snowmobile
Join us on an arctic ride in the backcountry of Ilulissat.
We start by driving up through "The Gorge" - a narrow track that cuts through the mountain just behind Ilulissat. From the top we have fantastic views of the city and Disko Bay.
From here the ride goes over frozen lakes and rugged mountain scenery. We stop at the best view points along the way, and get a warm drink.
Please note
The route depends on the conditions, and can thus change accordingly.
You will share the snowmobile 2 and 2. If you have booked the trip alone, you may have to share a snowmobile with another participant.
If you have back or neck problems, this trip is not for you.
All participants must be at least 12 years old.
Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
The drivers of the snowmobiles must be able to present a valid driver's license.
We will provide you with a warm coverall (size xs to 2xl) and expedition boots (size 25 to 48). But you must bring your ownb gloves and beanie.
3 hours
Feb - April
2
Prefer a single snowmobile?
If you want to have a snowmobile on your own, you can request this via the form below, and we will help you book it.
We recommend purchasing a single snowmobile if you are traveling alone or if you are an odd number of travelers.
Please write the number of guests wishing a single snowmobile and their full name, date and time of the trip, where you will be staying while in Ilulissat, and your arrival and departure day to/from Ilulissat.
Northern Lights Safari
On dark evenings with clear skies, the magical northern lights will often appear over Ilulissat. Join us for a walk away from the dazzling lights of the town, and out where the darkness begins. Our guide will explain the origin of the phenomenon, and serve a much-needed hot drink under the starry sky.
Aurora Borealis is the most spectacular phenomenon in the night sky. Solar storms over the polar regions provide optimal conditions to see the phenomenon in the Greenlandic darkness.
Please note
This tour does not leave if the weather is cloudy.
In that case, we will cancel the trip the same day, and try to set it up another day where you have the opportunity to participate.
If this is not possible, we will of course refund the full amount for the trip.
1,5 hour
Sept - March
4 participants
Ilulissat City Walk
You might think: “but we can walk around the city on our own." Yes, you can. But on this guided tour, we go deeper than just a walk, our Guided City Walk is a perfect shortcut to good knowledge and funny stories about Ilulissat and Greenland in general.
The guide will tell you about the history of the city, about Greenlandic culture, and modern life 300 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. We stop several places along the way, among others by the fishermen at the harbor, the hunters at "brættet" and we pass the famous polar explorer Knud Rasmussen's birthplace and the old wooden church Zionchurch.
Please note
Remember clothing according to the season.
2 hours
All year
4 participants
Walk to Sermermiut Settlement
Beautiful icebergs set the scene for the old settlement Sermermiut, located one and a half kilometers south of Ilulissat. For 4000 years, different Inuit cultures lived in this settlement and today you can still see remains that indicate their presence.
the guide tell stories about Inuit people’s life and traditions before the Europeans came to Greenland. See turf hut ruins and touch the permafrost with your own hands.
The area is so outstanding that UNESCO named it World Heritage in 2004 and it is estimated that up to 30,000 guests visit Sermermiut every year. For this reason there is a wooden walkway to protect the area against wear. Therefore anyone can go on this trip.
A tour to Sermermiut is an absolute must-do when visiting Ilulissat. We promise – you have never seen anything like this before.
Please note
Remember clothing according to the weather.
We serve a hot drink on the way.
2 hours
All year
4 participants
Ice fishing in Oqaatsut
Try your hand at a traditional Greenlandic fishing method that is still practiced today – ice fishing.
We start with a 30-minute boat trip to the small settlement of Oqaatsut, 20 km north of Ilulissat.
Due to the sea ice in the bay, we cannot enter the harbor, and therefore have to jump out onto the ice and walk ashore. It is completely normal practice in Oqaatsut and it is not dangerous - but we guarantee an unforgettable experience.
After we get dressed in a warm winter suit, we go out onto the sea ice again, where we try our luck through a hole in the ice and see if we can catch a fish or two.
After approx. an hour of ice fishing, we go back to the village and get warm in restaurant H8, where a nice lunch of local ingredients is also served.
After lunch, you have time to explore the settlement on your own, until the trip goes back to Ilulissat.
Please note
It requires some physical mobility to get from the boat onto the sea ice. If you are physically immobile, this is not the tour for you.
6 hours
March - April
4
Ice fishing by snowmobile
* Supports smaller, local tour operator
Experience the authentic Greenlandic tradition - ice fishing - a method that has been used for generations and is still practiced today.
Your adventure begins with an exciting 30-minute sled ride to a frozen bay. But this is no ordinary sled ride. You'll be pulled across the snow-covered landscape behind a snowmobile - an experience you won’t soon forget!
When we arrive at the fishing spot, the next chapter of your adventure begins. With an ice drill in hand, we cut a hole in the solid sea ice. Beneath the frozen surface lies the cold, dark depths - ready to reveal its secrets.
Here, it’s all about patience and focus, as you never know when the next tug on the line will come. The feeling of excitement fills the air as we hope to catch Greenland’s treasures: cod, the beautiful Uuvak, or perhaps a halibut, known for its delicious meat and its great importance in Greenlandic cuisine.
Throughout the trip, we will share stories and knowledge about the significance of ice fishing for the local community, and how it continues to play an important role today.
Are you ready to dive into an ancient tradition where nature, culture, and excitement come together?
Please note
The ride takes place in uneven terrain. If you have issues with your neck or back, or if you have balance problems, this is not the right tour for you.
3 hours
Feb - april
2
Dog sledding, 2 days
* Supports smaller, local tour operator
Do you dream of going on a more expedition-like dog sledding trip with a local Greenlandic musher?
We offer this 2-day trip, where the route goes out to the fishing spot "Attaartoq", and continues on the frozen fjord with spectacular view of "The Dead Glacier". This is one of the most beautiful and unique things the area has to offer.
We stay overnight in the "Twin Huts" - very basic accommodation, offering four wallk, a heater and not much more.
All food is included. We have a lunch stop half way on both days. The Greenland-style-dinner made of local ingredients like reindeer or halibut, is cooked in a trangia and enjoyed in the hut.
Call or write to us if you want to hear more about this opportunity.
Please note
You must be in really good shape to participate on this tour, as we have several mountains to climb, where you run behind the sled.
This tour is for the adventurous, who wish to try their hand at the harsh, arctic nature.
All participants must be at least 18 years old.
2 days
Feb - April
1 person
Inuit Kalaallisuut
* Supports the local Womens's Association in Ilulissat
Come join us on a visit at the local Women’s Association.
The Women's Association is active in most towns along the Greenlandic coast and has 800 members nationally. Here local women get together around a cup of coffee and a mutual goal about taking care of the old Greenlandic traditions and handcraft. Previously these handcrafts have been an important part of the common education, but nowadays they have become a knowledge mastered of very few.
During the visit there is a demonstration of different techniques for skin treatment as well as a casual showing and storytelling about the Greenlandic national costume. Afterwards you will get the chance to inspect the suit and feel the skin and weight of the pearls with your own hands. There will be served coffe and cake after Greenlandic tradition.
Experiencing the casual vibe in company with local enthusiasts will give a different perspective on any stay in Ilulissat.
Help us supporting this great initiative – everyone is welcome – men and children alike.
Please note
The Women's Association has no sewerage. In need of a restroom an outhouse can be used.
This tour is arranged on request.
1 hour
All year
10 participants
