Starting at
£3700
Starting at £3700
Our Disko bay, Greenland adventure allows you to experience a country unspoiled by tourism. Experience a world of towering icebergs – too big to explain and where pictures will never do them justice. See pods of whales dance by your boat in Disko Bay and possibly even see seals pop up for a breath. There are no roads between towns (and only 40 miles of paved roads in the whole country) so connections are made by plane or boat. If you enjoy nature, wide open spaces and off the beaten tracks, this is definitely one for your bucket list.
Greenland holidays feature on many bucket lists but few people venture to this beautiful country. We absolutely consider this Greenland Disko Bay adventure the trip of a lifetime. Like all of our packages, it has been created by our travel specialists and Charlotte (pictured) has actually visited all of the locations on the tour, so you can be assured that you’re getting a tried and tested experience.
We recommend a good level of fitness to participate in this package. Owing to their challenging and remote nature Greenland holidays unfortunately tend not to be suitable for individuals with mobility issues or disabilities. Contact us to discuss your requirements.
We start our adventure to Greenland, a country of only 55,000 people and with just 2 runways suitable for large international planes, by flying via Copenhagen – Greenland is a Danish dependant autonomous colony – or via Reykjavik. Since there is only 40 miles of paved roads in the country, small flight connections are frequent and we take a further flight from Kangerlussuaq, a former US military base to the town of Ilulissat. The population in Ilulissat is around 5,000 – this makes it the third largest “city” in Greenland. From here you are picked up and transferred to your accommodation for the first night – the Hotel Hvide Falk where you will have a room with a view of the fjord. Take time to stretch your legs with the 5 minute walk into town or enjoy dinner or a drink in the Hotel’s restaurant or bar which have views over the ice fjord and Disko Bay.
Night in Hotel Hvide Falk
Following breakfast, the meeting point for your activity is a 3 minute walk away. Meet with your guide for a 5 minute drive to the start of your guided settlement walk.
Sermermiut settlement has been used by the Inuit for 4000 years and the area is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. One of the few areas in the whole of Greenland with an actual marked path we walk on the easy wooden path down to the bay where we enjoy the amazing views of the icebergs. If you have a camera, you will want to take some pictures and if you are sharp sighted, or have binoculars, you may also see whales come up for air in the bay.
It’s hard to appreciate how big the icebergs are but if you see a fishing boat go past you might be able to see just how massive some of them are – and remember only 5-10% is usually above the surface! As we round the corner we come to the bottleneck of the Jakobshavn glacier.
In the late 1800s the glacier edge reached the bay but now is around 70km back, having retreated around 15km in the last 20 years alone. Where the glacier is calving the fjord reaches depths of 1km but at the edge of the bay this drops to just 250m meaning many of the larger icebergs ground causing a build-up that looks like a seas of ice. It’s quite a spectacle and at the end of the path your guide serves tea and coffee and there is chance to walk on the rocks. It should be noted that whilst the first part of the trail offers a wooden path at the end of the tour there is a break of the rock edge and we recommend sturdy walking boots and sensible caution if doing this as there are no paths or safety fences.
The glacier is one of the most productive on the planet currently calving more than 45m of ice a day averaged over the year. Indeed, the Calving from this glacier is believed to have created the iceberg that sank the Titanic. We return along the wooden path and then are driven by bus back to the town centre. Total activity time approx. 2 hours.
If you wish at this point, or later in the trip you can choose to follow the “yellow route” or “blue route” which are longer walks following off road paths. Maps are available at the guide office and the offer different perspectives on the bay. There are a series of painted dots on the rocks to follow and the yellow rout takes around 3 hours and the blue route up to 5. In the summer time the midnight sun means there is not likelihood of getting stuck in the dark but we highly recommend basic precautions are taken such as sturdy boots, a phone, waterproofs and a spare warm layer, some food and water and informing someone of your whereabouts and likely return time. These more challenging route are often very quiet and you may see no other people for hours at a time. Indeed, if you like amazing views all to yourself, they are highly recommended.
Night in Hotel Hvide Falk
Breakfast
Around 30 minutes by boat through the Ice fjord is the town of Ilimanaq (population 53). On a calm day you get not only a wonderful view of the icebergs as you pass them but an excellent opportunity to see whales and possibly even seals.
The newly built Ilimanaq lodges have floor to ceiling windows looking toward the bay and terraces to sit and watch for whales. The mezzanine bedrooms give you views to the icebergs.
Recently taken over by 2 Michelin starred KOKS ther restaurant offers in credible food with amazing views.
Night in Ilimanaq Lodge
Breakfast
Full day adventure, 8 hours. First we travel by all terrain vehicle and boat to the Tasiusaq fjord where we spend around an hour sailing to the Sarqardliup glacier. Following this, we continue on foot to find a suitable place where we can actually set foot on the glacier. Our guide tells us about the area and glacier and we stop along the way for lunch. We return in time to freshen up for dinner
Ilimanaq means “area of expectations” in Greenlandic and is thought to refer to the expectation of a good fishing catch. Previously home to a hundred or more families during the summer there are now just 53 registered residents. We learn about the history and the recent restoration of some of the main buildings.
Lunch in the restaurant
1800 return boat to Ilulissat – watch out for whales!
Following arrival back in Ilulissat we transfer to Hotel Arctic
Hotel Arctic is the World’s most Northernly 4* hotel and your home for the next 2 nights. You will stay in an upgraded room with bay views and there are 2 excellent restaurants onsite. The hotel is a 15 minute walk to the town or there is a frequent free transfer bus during the day.
Evening 2 course welcome meal showcasing local cuisine and ingredients
Night in Hotel Arctic with Bay view room
Breakfast
Hotel transfer to town
Kayak activity – Kayaks, from the Greenlandic “qajaq” have been used here for 4000 years and today we have this amazing opportunity to kayak amongst icebergs. We dress in safety equipment including survival suits and have opportunity to see the icebergs from the unique water level perspective. Modern equipment and certified guides keep us safe, warm and comfortable and we spend 2 hours on the water at a comfortable pace enjoying the wildlife and nature.
Night in Hotel Arctic with Bay view room
Breakfast
Morning at leisure – have a look at the shops for souvenirs, take on one of the longer hikes or relax and enjoy the icebergs for one last morning
Airport transfer
Return flights to London Via Kangerlusuaq and Copenhagen or via Reykjavik
Arrive back to London
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