Greenland Express & Whale Watching - 5 day tour

Keflavik - Ilulissat. Board your included 3-hour flight from Keflavik International Airport in Iceland to Ilulissat. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer you to our accommodation for check-in. After settling in, gather for a welcome meeting with our local guide and the rest of the group, for an overview of the days ahead. Then, we’ll head out on a guided city walk around Ilulissat, where we’ll discover the charm of this unique town.

After the walk, you’ll have some free time to explore at your leisure. You might want to visit the local museum, learn about Greenlandic history, or simply observe daily life and the fishing boats at the harbour. A 2-course welcome dinner will be served at our hotel in Ilulissat, giving you the perfect opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers.

Later in the evening, around 22:00, we’ll depart for a sunset cruise to the renowned Ilulissat Icefjord, one of the world’s most impressive natural wonders and often referred to as the world’s largest ice sculpture park. The scenery here is absolutely stunning, with the colours and lights constantly shifting as the sun sets. It’s a truly overwhelming experience. We’ll also have the chance to enjoy a late drink on "the real rocks" along the fjord. The cruise will last around 2.5 hours, so be sure to dress warmly as it can get chilly on the water.
Overnight: Ilulissat  |  Dinner

Ilulissat - Sermermiut - Ilulissat. This morning, after breakfast, we will travel by bus as far as the road allows. From here, we’ll set off on a guided walking tour to the ancient Inuit settlement of Sermermiut, located on the famous Ilulissat Icefjord, which was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 2004. The settlement, just 1.5 km south of the town, is surrounded by Ilulissat’s stunning icebergs. Over the past 4,000 years, various Inuit cultures have lived here, and you can still see remnants from ancient times. We’ll learn about the local history and customs from before Europeans arrived and explore the plots that have been settled for thousands of years, all while admiring the spectacular views across the icebergs. Please ensure you wear proper boots or hiking footwear.

Our 3km hike will take around 1 hour to complete. The terrain is mainly track bridges, with some uneven and rocky paths.

After the hike, we’ll visit a local family for a home visit or Kaffeemik. Kaffeemik is a traditional Greenlandic social gathering, an important part of local culture, typically held in someone’s home or a communal space. Greenlanders are known for their warm hospitality and often invite visitors for coffee and cake. You’ll have the opportunity to see national costumes and learn about the lives of the locals, who live in relative isolation from the outside world. Then we head back to our hotel in Ilulissat.
Overnight: Ilulissat  |  Breakfast

Ilulissat - Ilimanaq - Disko Bay - Ilulissat. Today we sail south along the Ilulissat Icefjord, taking in the towering icebergs and observing local fishermen in their small boats. We visit the Ilimanaq settlement, where hunting and fishing still play a central role in daily life. We can see the historic wooden houses from the old Danish trading station, which date back to 1730.

After exploring the settlement, we enjoy a meal at a local restaurant, sampling Greenlandic specialities. On our way back to Ilulissat, we enjoy a whale watching cruise through Disko Bay. Keep your eyes peeled for minke, fin, humpback and blue whales, as well as orcas, beluga whales, and maybe even a narwhal or two.
Overnight: Ilulissat  |  Breakfast, Lunch

Ilulissat - Eqi Glacier - Ilulissat. We will depart early for our included 6.5 hour boat trip to Eqi, the calving glacier. Located 80 km north of Ilulissat, the Eqi Glacier flows into the fjord and is one of the most stunning sights in Greenland.

We will get very close to the 5-km wide glacier front, where we may witness huge chunks of ice breaking off. The sound of the glacier calving is remarkable, and the sight of icebergs crashing into the water is truly breathtaking.
Overnight: Ilulissat  |  Breakfast, Dinner