Highlights of the Arctic winter in 5 days | Ilulissat | Disko Bay

Today you will have a different view of the enormous icebergs released by the Ilulissat Glacier as we set sail on Disko Bay. On a boat trip among the icebergs, we will experience gliding slowly past these cathedrals of ice is a mind-blowing experience – it is impossible to comprehend how large they are until you are down at water level. Make sure you have extra batteries (the cold drains them faster) and plenty of space on your memory card, as the shapes of the icebergs constantly change as our boat weaves its way through them.

This evening, we will return to our snowshoes and head slightly out of town to witness one of the highlights of the Arctic winter – the magical Northern Lights. Of course, the weather has to cooperate (we will not see them if it is cloudy), and we must hope for a good amount of Solar activity (that is what causes them to appear), but seeing them dancing over the icebergs is an unforgettable experience. Make sure you rug up in warm clothing and have fully charged camera batteries and preferably a tripod if you are planning on photographing them.

This day is all about exploring the backcountry around Ilulissat on snow scooter. Mountains, valleys, frozen lakes and sea ice are just some of the potential highlights of our journey, with the exact route dependent on weather conditions. It may be that we visit the small settlement of Oqaatsut (population: 27), or head out to where the dog sleds are running between Ilulissat and the place where locals go ice fishing. We will let you know on the day.

In the afternoon, we will walk out to the start of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed area where we will do snowshoes for the hike to the Ilulissat Icefjord. Our hike will take us through the Sermermiut Valley, where we will pass the remains of Inuit dwellings, before delivering us to the Icefjord for breathtaking views of this impressive natural wonder.

Please note: Snowmobile tour and dog sledding tours are highly dependent on snow conditions, if you are travelling in December and January there is a chance there is not enough snow for these activities, however we will find alternative tours to do if that happens! 

Having experienced a modern form of winter transportation, today we set out to explore the area on a more traditional method – the dogsled. Dogs have been used for hunting and transportation for thousands of years and are a proud and important tradition here in Greenland.

We will schedule this day according to the weather forecast and determine the exact route based upon conditions. We may drive along the shore to the North and head out onto the sea ice if it is safe, or head into the back-country for a spectacular view of the Icefjord.

Option: The dogsled tour is scheduled to be 1,5 hours long. However, it is possible to upgrade to 3 hours.

After the dogsledding trip, you will be able to enjoy the Arctic Sauna experience! A perfect way to finish your day and get warm with a beautiful Disko Bay view.

Please note: Snowmobile tour and dog sledding tours are highly dependent on snow conditions, if you are travelling in December and January there is a chance there is not enough snow for these activities; however we will find alternative tours to do if that happens! 

Today we bid you goodbye and wish you well for your onward journey. Depending on the time of your flight, you may have time to browse the souvenir shops before your departure to pick up a memento of your winter Arctic adventure.

Or, if you decide to stay for a few extra days, it is possible to add extra days to match your flights. Please send us an email at info@guidetogreenland.com to get an offer on a full package program.