Disko Island Exploration
5 days in Disko Bay incl. a visit to Disko Island
Discover Disko Island, surrounded by the most impressive icebergs of the Arctic hemisphere! The trip starts in Ilulissat, “The Town of Icebergs”. From there you sail to Qeqertarsuaq. Disko Island is very rural, and not many people have the chance to come here and enjoy the incredible view of the stunning Disko Bay. On arrival, you have the option to go on a hiking tour in the Qeqertarsuaq area. You will explore the the beautiful nature around the settlement and the colourful settlement itself. The next day you hike up the valley to Lyngmark Glacier. At the top you have an incredible view out on the Disko Bay. On the following day, we recommend an easy stroll to wonderful Kuannit, and examine the special geology of Disko Island before sailing back to Ilulissat. This trip will be a true once in a lifetime experience.
Rough summary
Day 1:
Day at leisure in Ilulissat. Night in Ilulissat.
Day 2:
Sailing from Ilulissat to Qeqertarsuaq. Night in Qeqertarsuaq.
Day 3:
Option to hike to Lyngmark Glacier or relax in town. Night in Qeqertarsuaq.
Day 4:
Possibility of hiking to Kuannit. Sailing back to Ilulissat.
Day 5:
End of trip in Ilulissat.
Prices and dates
Price per person:
| Package based on: | Double | Single |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel | 565 | 650 |
| 3* hotel | 835 | 1150 |
| 4* hotel | 895 | 1180 |
Dates:
daily departures, June 01, 2018 – September 30, 2018 (available)
Further details
Price includes:
- Transfers by boat Ilulissat - Qeqertarsuaq A/R
- 2 nights in Qeqertarsuaq
- 2 nights in Ilulissat
- Breakfast when staying in hotel
Options:
Ilulissat: Evening iceberg sailing (Jun-Sep, 2.5h, 95€)
On a 2,5 hour boat trip you will sail among the gigantic icebergs in Disko Bay in the evening sun. These frozen giants calved from the most productive glacier of the Northern Hemisphere, the Sermeq Kujalleq. It annually calves 45km³ of ice into the UNESCO Icefjord. Sailing around the gigantic icebergs in the evening sun is a fantastic experience. Remember to bring warm clothes.
Ilulissat: Evening kayaking (Jun- 15 Sep, 3h, 220€)
In the evening, you go for an impressive kayaking trip among the gigantic icebergs in Disko Bay. The activity consists in kayaking along the coast of Ilulissat, from where you can see big icebergs coming from the Ilulissat Icefjord. You experience this breathtaking scenery in the most natural and traditional way. Just you and your kayak, paddling as Inuits used to so and some still do. Nonetheless all the safety measures are included: the best equipment in the market (clothing that enables you to swim in freezing waters and the most safe and stable kayaks) and if that were not enough, our kayak instructors have the highest qualifications and lots of experience kayaking in Arctic regions (to participate in this trip max height is 2m and weight is 110kg).
Ilulissat: Sermermiut Hike (Jan-Dec, 2h, 48€)
It is a big day today. You came here to see glaciers and icebergs. And you do not mean the small ones, you mean the massive ones. Well, we promise - this is what you are going to see. Standing in front of the enormous Ilulissat Icefjord will make you feel small and humble. An endless amount of ice pushing down from the glacier Sermeq Kujalleq towards the sea, where ice is calving constantly creating those majestic icebergs floating in Disko Bay. Here, at the Ilulissat Icefjord World Heritage Site, we also stop at Sermermiut, an abandoned Inuit settlement, which had been used by Saqqaq, Early Dorset and Thule cultures. Our guide will give you insights of the Inuit culture and will answer your questions.
Minimum age:
14
Bring along:
Warm and waterproof outdoor clothing.
Options:
We can organize a guided tour for you to the Lyngmark Glacier and to Kuannit. Please contact us for a quote.
Flight connections
Flights to Greenland are not included.
Fly to Ilulissat via Reykjavík/Iceland or Copenhagen/Denmark. Return flight from 1090 EUR per person can be added to your package.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Day at leisure in Ilulissat
You will have today at leisure to visit Ilulissat or we can help you book excursions directly on the spot. You will spend the night in Ilulissat.
Day 2: Sailing from Ilulissat to Qeqertarsuaq - visit of Qeqertarsuaq
In the morning, you will sail across Disko Bay to Qeqertarsuaq, the main settlement of Disko Island. On the way, you will have a stunning view of all the giant iceberg formations floating in the sea. Upon arrival in Qeqertarsuaq, we will bring you to your accommodation. In the afternoon, you can explore the settlement on your own, or we can help you book a guided tour around Qeqertarsuaq. You will spend the night in Qeqertarsuaq.
Day 3: Hiking to Lyngmark Glacier - optional dog sledding
Today you can hike to the Lyngmark glacier on your own or you could book a guided excursion. You will need to leave Qeqertarsuaq early in the morning and head north out of the village and hike for about 4 hours up to the Lyngmark Glacier, which is situated on a plateau above the settlement. After the challenging hike (800 meter elevation gain) you will reach the hut situated next to the glacier. In the afternoon, and if the weather and ice conditions allow, you will have the opportunity to try out dog sledding on the glacier. Lyngmark glacier is the only place in Greenland where you can try this activity during summer (possible until the beginning of August). If dog sledding is not an option, you can take a walk around the hut and enjoy the amazing view of Disko Island and the bay. You will then hike back down to Qeqertarsuaq. You will spend the night in Qeqertarsuaq.
Day 4: Morning at leisure in Qeqertarsuaq - Ilulissat
On your last day, you will have the chance to enjoy the special atmosphere in Disko Island before returning to Ilulissat by boat in the late afternoon. There are only few tourists on Disko Island, thus the island still has a very special and authentic atmosphere. Here, you can truly see how the Greenlanders live and how they have adapted to the conditions of this remote part of the world. Our local contact could also offer you excursions, which you could book directly on the spot. The boat transfer back to Ilulissat in the afternoon, will give you the opportunity to enjoy the amazing view of the impressive icebergs in the beautiful afternoon light. You will spend the night in Ilulissat.
Day 5: End of the trip
Today you could fly back or combine this trip with a guided tour or another individual trip.
All adventure trips are undertaken on the responsibility of its participants. Greenland Tours does not assume any responsibility for accidents which are caused by its customers or can be traced to their own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realise that all outdoor activities carry an inherent risk.