

Sermeq Kujalleq | Ilulissat Glacier | Jakobshavn Glacier
Published: 06/06/2020
Reading time: 2 minutes
The Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier feeds the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Ilulissat Icefjord and is one of the most famous and active glaciers in the world.

Alternatively known as the Jakobshavn Glacier or Ilulissat Glacier, Sermeq Kujalleq is located about 250km North of the Arctic Circle near the city of Ilulissat. It flows down from the Greenland Ice Sheet where it is estimated to drain about 6.5% (110,000 square kilometers) of the Inland Ice. The geography of the land under the Ice Sheet forces this large drainage system to be concentrated into a narrow stream, resulting in Sermeq Kujalleq being one of the fastest moving glaciers in the world – around 40m per day. It is also responsible for about 10% of all the icebergs in Greenland.Â
A Retreating Glacier
Sermeq Kujalleq has been studied scientifically for more than 250 years. Between the 1700s and 1851, the glacier advanced gradually, but since then it has retreated significantly. In particular, in 2002, the entire ice front of the glacier broke up, resulting in a retreat of ~12km in one year.

How to explore Sermeq Kujalleq
The only way to see the Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier itself is with a scenic flight, as the face of the glacier is located about 80km away from Ilulissat and not easily accessible. For this reason, many visitors to Ilulissat choose to visit the Eqi Glacier to see a glacier face up close and witness the frequent calving events.

While it is not possible to visit Sermeq Kujalleq, there are many opportunities to explore the downstream result of the calving events from the glacier. The Ilulissat Icefjord is located ~2km to the South of Ilulissat and is easily reached by land or water.
For the best and most practical information about what there is to see and do around Ilulissat, including Sermeq Kujalleq, the Ilulissat Icefjord, and the Eqi Glacier, read our Ultimate Travel Guide to Ilulissat.
Read more articles from Guide to Greenland
-
Dog Sled Expedition | Tasiilaq | East Greenland
Tour startsTasiilaqDuration5 hoursFrom 1700 DKKSee more -
4.00(1)
City Walk | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration2 hoursFrom 1590 DKKSee more -
Authentic experience!
Ice fishing with local fisherman at UNESCO heritage site | Ilulissat
Tour startsIlulissatDuration8 hoursFrom 3700 DKKSee more -
Whale Safari | Uummannaq | North Greenland
Tour startsUummannaqDuration4 hoursFrom 2900 DKKSee more -
Accommodation and tours included!
4 Days of Ice Sheet Camping, Arctic Kayaking, and Glacier BBQs | Kangerlussuaq
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration4 daysFrom 9500 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)1 To 6 Passengers Included
The Calving Glacier Eqi | Private tour | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration6 hoursFrom 12400 DKKSee more -
5.00(2)
Snowmobile ride | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration3 hoursFrom 1595 DKKSee more -
Boat tour to Ikerasak settlement | Uummannaq | North Greenland
Tour startsUummannaqDuration3 hoursFrom 2000 DKKSee more -
5.00(2)
Dog Sledding Tour | Kangerlussuaq | West Greenland
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration2 hoursFrom 1895 DKKSee more -
Sailing to Karale & Knud Rasmussen Glacier | Tasiilaq | East Greenland
Tour startsTasiilaqDuration8 hoursFrom 2000 DKKSee more -
Musk Ox, Reindeer & Ice Cap Tour | Kangerlussuaq
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration25 minutesFrom 1350 DKKSee more -
4.67(6)
Russell Glacier | Kangerlussuaq | West Greenland
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration4 hoursFrom 750 DKKSee more -
Including flights from Iceland
Tasiilaq Winter World | 8 Days | East Greenland
Tour startsTasiilaqDuration8 daysFrom 29650 DKKSee more -
Includes 1 to 7 Passengers!
Kangersuneq Fjord Safari | Private Charter | Qasigiannguit | Diskobay
Tour startsQasigiannguitDuration5 hoursFrom 6200 DKKSee more -
City tour and hike to the flower valley | Tasiilaq | East Greenland
Tour startsTasiilaqDuration5 hoursFrom 620 DKKSee more -
5.00(3)Driver included!
Snowmobile tour to UNESCO viewpoint | Ilulissat
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 hoursFrom 1500 DKKSee more -
4 hour Dog Sledding Tour | Kangerlussuaq | West Greenland
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration5 hoursFrom 2725 DKKSee more