Snowshoeing along the Ilulissat Icefjord in Greenland
Request a quote Northern Lights and Icebergs

4 days in Ilulissat incl. dog sledding & Northern Lights tour

 from 830.00 €
Request a quote Northern Lights and Icebergs

4 days in Ilulissat incl. dog sledding & Northern Lights tour

 from 830.00 €

How many people are you?

Adults Children < 12 years

The trip you chose is offered from February to March. Within this given time, when can you travel?

Start
End

What accommodation level do you prefer?

Should we include international flights?

Yes No

From what airport do you want to fly?

We can customise this trip for you. What activities would you like to add?

Today you will head out by boat into Disko Bay and visit the gigantic floating icebergs, so have your cameras locked and loaded. These frozen giants have calved from the most productive glacier of the Northern Hemisphere, the Sermeq Kujalleq. It annually calves 35 km³ of ice into the UNESCO Icefjord - a sheer unimaginable amount. If we are lucky we might even spot a whale or two.

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.

Add this option to stay overnight at Igloo Lodge, a camp consisting of six traditional igloos and a wooden hut. We get there by snowmobile and once at the base we continue to explore the area by snowshoe enjoying fantastic views of the UNESCO Icefjord. Lunch, dinner, breakfast and a high-performance winter sleeping bag are included. With a bit of luck Northern Lights as well (Feb-Mar). Choosing this option will extend your program by one day.

You will visit a local handcrafts woman at her house where she is revealing glimpse into her traditional skills. In the past the Inuit only wore clothes made from animal skin or fur since these were warm and hard-wearing and ideally adapted for Arctic climate. The Inuit saying “A man is what his wife makes him” shows the great deal of responsibility the women carried by carefully choosing the skins and perfectly processing them into clothes that protected people in the harsh arctic winter. You will come to know how these skilled and talented artists were creating the traditional Inuit clothing as well as the festive national dress and also enjoy coffee and cake together. By joining this tour you support the local women community and contribute to the preservation of Greenlandic handcraft.

Today, you will enjoy an amazing 3 hours snowmobiling ride from Ilulissat. We follow the old trail to the north, crossing lakes, frozen fjords and hills with breathtaking views of Disko Bay and Disko Island. Finally we cross the frozen sea to reach Oqaatsut where we have a break drinking coffee or tea, eat snacks and discover the traditional settlement. We ride back to Ilulissat taking a different route to explore the back country, visiting a spectacular frozen waterfall and the dramatic rock cliffs that dominate the scenery. Please note that the itinerary can be adjusted to weather & ice conditions. No previous experience is required. Minimum age is 18 years. We will provide all the equipment and teach all you need to know to ride completely safe with our experienced guide.

In the morning you will head out for a great winter adventure. After a short safety briefing we will gear up and start our way to a small hunter’s hut by snowmobile. The route takes around an hour and a half, where we will follow the dogs sled way. This same way is used by fishermen from Ilulissat to go fishing to the frozen fjord of Sikuiuitsoq (in Greenlandic: place that always has ice). Along the way we will stop at some viewpoints to see impressive panoramic views of the Ilulissat Icefjord and the ice cap. Arriving at the hunter ́s hut we will leave the snowmobiles, put our snowshoes on and continue walking inside the UNESCO area (where snowmobiles are not allowed). It is time to start our adventure over the frozen sea and the small mountain next to the hut. The guide will choose the best itinerary according to safety and physical condition of the group. This snowshoe hike will take around 1 hour. After the hike we will stop for having our lunch. Then we will ride back with our snowmobiles to Ilulissat, following the same route we came.

Further information

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Snowshoeing along the Ilulissat Icefjord in Greenland
Equipment list Northern Lights and Icebergs

4 days in Ilulissat incl. dog sledding & Northern Lights tour
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Equipment list Northern Lights and Icebergs

4 days in Ilulissat incl. dog sledding & Northern Lights tour

Below is an equipment list with items we highly recommend you bring on the journey. To enjoy the trip to the fullest, comfortable and good equipment is essential. So be a bit picky about what you bring on our trip, make sure it is adequate for arctic conditions.

Remember when dressing up for your dog sledding trip, that you will mostly sit on the sledge enjoying the great arctic winter landscape without moving much. It is therefore from utmost importance that you dress very warm, especially protecting feet, hands and head.

Clothing & Footwear

  • Non-cotton, wool long sleeves and tights (base layer)

    Base layers are designed to keep you warm despite they might be wet from sweating, for example - therefore they must not be cotton but instead a mid-weight wool or other fast-drying fibre.If there’s one thing to stress over and over and over, it is that having several layers to choose from, or use in combination with each other. It is far more valuable for regulating body temperature than having only one or two very heavy layers that might make you too hot and never just right.It is recommended to bring a selection of warm long-sleeves and warm tights as base layers, so you have a few extras.

  • Wool sweater, fleece or PrimaLoft jacket (mid layer)

    A wool layer is always nice to have as additional warmth. Pick your favourite woollen winter sweater keeping youwarm and cosy. If you are not too much into woollen sweaters you can also bring a warm fleece or PrimaLoft jacket instead.

  • insulated or fleece pants (mid layer)

    It is recommended to bring a pair of insulated hiking pants as a sort of all-purpose pants. Fleece pants can be useful, too. Jeans are strongly discouraged. If you do not own insulated hiking pants, wear a thick base layer underneath your standard hiking pants.

  • down jacket (outer layer)

    Well, you are heading to Greenland in winter. So get prepared for cold! We recommend to bring a nice warm down jacket or the warmest winter jacket you find in your wardrobe. You will always need this jacket when you are outside but not moving so much, like on a boat or dog sledding trip, gazing at the Northern Lights or wandering through the settlements.

  • skiing pants (outer layer)

    Stay snug and warm and bring a pair of skiing pants to Greenland.They keep you warm from blowing cold winds so you can fully enjoy the arctic winter landscapes you came to explore.

  • windproof & waterproof jacket and pants (outer layer)

    Whether it is to protect you from wind and snow on land or from ocean spray while sailing, having good outer layers to protect against the elements will make the difference between a pleasant and unpleasant trip. It is recommended to bring both a windproof/waterproof jacket and a pair of windproof/waterproof pants. Gore Tex is a leading manufacturer of breathable and waterproof layers.As most wind- and waterproof gear does not keep you very warm, you will need to wear one or two warm mid layers below.

  • warm hat, scarf and warm (fleece) gloves

    Now that you are all dressed up don’t forget your head and hands. Half of our body heat we lose through or heads.Therefore we recommend to bring two pairs of warm hats and gloves as well as a pair of warm mittens.

  • warm and supportive footwear

    Footwear is of the utmost importance in Greenland. It must be comfortable, warm, yet supportive, as it is what protects your feet and will keep you going all day long. It is recommended to bring burly and warm winter boots for this winter trip, plus several pairs of super warm wool socks. The best warm & comfortable footwear is: • insulated and warm • waterproof or water-resistant • offering high ankle support • non-skid / has a sole with good traction. (Good for both icy terrain and slippery boat decks.) • worn-in. (It is not ideal to break in brand new shoes and have blisters on the first day.)

Other gear

  • 60-80 litre backpack or duffle bag

    It is recommended to pack your gear in a backpack. Many of the towns have simple dirt- or rocky roads covered in ice and snow in winter which are not exactly ideal for pulling luggage with wheels. If you do not own a backpack, prefer a duffle bag over a hard shell suitcase.

  • 20-30 liter daypack

    For maximum versatility, it is recommended to also bring a small foldable daypack to hold an extra layer or two and a thermos during short excursions.

  • sunscreen, lip balm

    Even though you are visiting Greenland during winter, we advise to bring sun screen and lip balm. If sun shines, the reflection off water, snow and nearby icebergs can cause some fierce sun exposure.

  • sunglasses

    As sun stays quite low during winter time, it is good to have a pair of sunglasses along.

  • water bottle

    Make sure you stay hydrated. It is recommended to bring your own water bottle or thermos to fill up with the freshest, cleanest, tastiest water you can find.

  • camera/binoculars

    There’s going to be no less than 10,000 amazing things to see and remember - icebergs that look different from every angle, small colourful houses perched at the edge of the hill and of course those cute sled dogs. It is recommended to bring whatever camera or looking device you wish, whether that’s a smartphone, snazzy camera, or selfie stick.

Rentable

  • standard dog sled clothing in Ilulissat (175 DKK per day)

    Clothing includes parka and trousers and needs to be paid on the spot in Ilulissat.

  • seal skin dog sled clothing in Ilulissat (300 DKK per day)

    Clothing includes parka and trousers and needs to be paid on the spot in Ilulissat.

  • boots for dog sledding in Ilulissat (50 DKK per day)

    The boots need to be paid on the spot in Ilulissat.

In case you have any further questions regarding the equipment to bring to the tour please do not hesitate to contact us.

Snowshoeing along the Ilulissat Icefjord in Greenland
FAQ Northern Lights and Icebergs

4 days in Ilulissat incl. dog sledding & Northern Lights tour
FAQ Northern Lights and Icebergs

4 days in Ilulissat incl. dog sledding & Northern Lights tour

General questions

When best to travel

  • What is the best time to travel to Greenland?
  • What is not a good time for travelling in Greenland?
  • How is the climate in Greenland?
  • What are typical activities in summer or in winter?
  • Where and when can I best witness the midnight sun?
  • Where and when can I best witness the northern lights?
  • How is the daylight during winter in Greenland?

Entering Greenland

  • Which entry requirements apply to Greenland?
  • What are the customs regulations entering Greenland?

Getting there and around

  • How can I get to Greenland?
  • Do I need to stopover in Copenhagen or Reykjavik before or after travelling to Greenland?
  • How long are flight durations to Greenland?
  • What is the baggage allowance on flights to Greenland?
  • How can I get around in Greenland?

Booking your adventure

  • How do I book a tour with Greenland Tours?
  • How far in advance do you recommend to book?
  • Should I book activities in advance or can I book them on the spot?
  • When and in what format do I receive my travel documents?
  • What if I have to cancel my trip?

Being safe and sound

  • Do I need travel insurance?
  • Are vaccinations required when travelling to Greenland?
  • Do I need to meet certain requirements when taking part in your tours?
  • What about medical care in Greenland?
  • Can I travel with children in Greenland?

Money matters

  • What is the currency in Greenland?
  • How much Danish krone (DKK) in cash should I bring to Greenland?
  • Where can I withdraw money in Greenland?
  • How is the acceptance for credit cards in Greenland?
  • What are the approximate costs for meals?
  • Is tipping common in Greenland?

Having a chat

  • What is the official language in Greenland?
  • Can I get by with English in Greenland?

Staying connected

  • How is mobile phone reception in Greenland?
  • How is internet and mobile internet connection in Greenland?
  • How will Greenland Tours contact you once in Greenland?
  • Do I need a power plug adapter or voltage converter?

Sleeping and eating

  • What types of accommodation are there in Greenland?
  • What is the Greenlandic cuisine like?
  • What choice of restaurants is there in Greenland?
  • How can I cater for myself in Greenland?
  • Is there vegetarian or vegan food in Greenland?
  • What are the approximate costs for meals?

Facts and figures

  • How many people live in Greenland?
  • What is the capital city of Greenland?
  • What religions are there in Greenland?
  • Are there UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Greenland?

Traditions and culture

  • How to immerse into Greenlandic culture?
  • What is a kaffemik?
  • What is a Tupilak?
  • How does the traditional dress in Greenland look like?

Encountering wildlife

  • Which animals are there in Greenland?
  • How likely is it to encounter a polar bear in Greenland?
  • How are the chances for whale watching?
  • Are there mosquitoes in Greenland?
  • Beware of sled dogs!

Being stuck in Greenland

  • How about the risk of flight delays and cancellations in Greenland?
  • What happens when my flight is delayed or cancelled?
  • How can I best use my extra time when being stuck?
  • How can I best use a stopover in Kangerlussuaq?
  • What if an individual activity is cancelled by the local provider due to bad weather?

What’s more...

  • Are the trips you are offering group or individual trips?
  • Can you send us a printed brochure or catalogue?
  • Where can I find good maps and city maps?
  • Where can I find literature about Greenland?
Visit Greenland - Mads Pihl
Individual tour

Northern Lights and Icebergs

4 days in Ilulissat incl. dog sledding & Northern Lights tour

Difficulty level: Easy from 830.00 €
Request a quote

You start the trip with an amazing northern light snowshoe tour along the famous Icefjord. We will see the incredible icebergs in the fjord which have calved from the great Greenlandic ice sheet. The following day, you go explore the beautiful icy scenery in the most authentic way possible - with the dog sled. You will have the last day at leisure in Ilulissat and can book a variety of exciting excursions on the spot. From November to mid March, chances are very high that you will be able to observe the spectacular Northern Lights dancing in the sky.

Rough summary

Day 1:

Northern lights snowshoe tour along the Icefjord

Day 2:

Dog sledding to the Icefjord. Night in Ilulissat

Day 3:

Day at leisure in Ilulissat. Night in Ilulissat

Day 4:

End of the trip

Prices and dates

Price per person:

Package based on: Double Single
Guesthouse 830 1025
B&B with locals 970 970
Apartment 960 1280
3* hotel 895 1095
3* hotel with sea view 950 1205
4* hotel 1070 1320
4* hotel with sea view 1135 1525

Dates:

daily departures, February 01, 2020 – April 15, 2020 (available)

Further details

Price includes:

  • 1,5 hour guided northern lights snowshoe tour to the Icefjord
  • 5 hour dog sledding trip in Ilulissat incl. packed lunch
  • 3 nights in Ilulissat
  • Breakfast included when staying in hotel and B&B

Type of trip:

This pre-arranged adventure is an individual trip, meaning you are discovering Greenland on your own but joining selected guided group activities during your stay. You will receive comprehensive travel information such as where and when to meet for the activities

Minimum age:

14 years

Options

If you are interested in adding one or more of our tour options to your request, just mark it with

Today you will head out by boat into Disko Bay and visit the gigantic floating icebergs, so have your cameras locked and loaded. These frozen giants have calved from the most productive glacier of the Northern Hemisphere, the Sermeq Kujalleq. It annually calves 35 km³ of ice into the UNESCO Icefjord - a sheer unimaginable amount. If we are lucky we might even spot a whale or two.

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.

Add this option to stay overnight at Igloo Lodge, a camp consisting of six traditional igloos and a wooden hut. We get there by snowmobile and once at the base we continue to explore the area by snowshoe enjoying fantastic views of the UNESCO Icefjord. Lunch, dinner, breakfast and a high-performance winter sleeping bag are included. With a bit of luck Northern Lights as well (Feb-Mar). Choosing this option will extend your program by one day.

You will visit a local handcrafts woman at her house where she is revealing glimpse into her traditional skills. In the past the Inuit only wore clothes made from animal skin or fur since these were warm and hard-wearing and ideally adapted for Arctic climate. The Inuit saying “A man is what his wife makes him” shows the great deal of responsibility the women carried by carefully choosing the skins and perfectly processing them into clothes that protected people in the harsh arctic winter. You will come to know how these skilled and talented artists were creating the traditional Inuit clothing as well as the festive national dress and also enjoy coffee and cake together. By joining this tour you support the local women community and contribute to the preservation of Greenlandic handcraft.

Today, you will enjoy an amazing 3 hours snowmobiling ride from Ilulissat. We follow the old trail to the north, crossing lakes, frozen fjords and hills with breathtaking views of Disko Bay and Disko Island. Finally we cross the frozen sea to reach Oqaatsut where we have a break drinking coffee or tea, eat snacks and discover the traditional settlement. We ride back to Ilulissat taking a different route to explore the back country, visiting a spectacular frozen waterfall and the dramatic rock cliffs that dominate the scenery. Please note that the itinerary can be adjusted to weather & ice conditions. No previous experience is required. Minimum age is 18 years. We will provide all the equipment and teach all you need to know to ride completely safe with our experienced guide.

In the morning you will head out for a great winter adventure. After a short safety briefing we will gear up and start our way to a small hunter’s hut by snowmobile. The route takes around an hour and a half, where we will follow the dogs sled way. This same way is used by fishermen from Ilulissat to go fishing to the frozen fjord of Sikuiuitsoq (in Greenlandic: place that always has ice). Along the way we will stop at some viewpoints to see impressive panoramic views of the Ilulissat Icefjord and the ice cap. Arriving at the hunter ́s hut we will leave the snowmobiles, put our snowshoes on and continue walking inside the UNESCO area (where snowmobiles are not allowed). It is time to start our adventure over the frozen sea and the small mountain next to the hut. The guide will choose the best itinerary according to safety and physical condition of the group. This snowshoe hike will take around 1 hour. After the hike we will stop for having our lunch. Then we will ride back with our snowmobiles to Ilulissat, following the same route we came.

Flight connections

Flights to Greenland are not included.
Fly to Ilulissat via Reykjavík/Iceland or Copenhagen/Denmark.
Return flight from 990 EUR per person can be added to your package.

Open map

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Northern Lights Snowshoeing tour along the Icefjord

At the old heliport we will put on snowshoes and a headlight before starting our northern lights. We will hike to Holms Bakke by the Icefjord where the people of Ilulissat welcome the sun every year on the 13th of January after a long dark winter. On our trip we hopefully be so lucky to see the spectacular northern lights dancing in the sky. We will enjoy the view of the beautiful winter landscape and the massive icebergs in the UNESCO Icefjord before we return back to Ilulissat. You will spend the night in Ilulissat.

Day 2: Dog sledding excursion to the Icefjord

Around 4000 years ago, the first settlers reached Greenland by dog sledges and today around 4600 people live in Ilulissat and around 3500 Greenland Dogs. Dogsleds are still a very important means of transportation. Our musher will equip you with warm clothes adopted to the Arctic winter temperatures and give you instructions on dogsledding. We start our adventure in Ilulissat and head in the direction of the Icefjord. This excursion is a great opportunity to experience Greenland in a very authentic way. We will ride up a hill in the direction of Sikuiuitsoq fjord, and enjoy the indefinite snowy and icy scenery. If the weather and ice conditions are good, we will try to reach the impressive Sermeq Avannerleq glacier, also called the “Dead Glacier”. You will spend the night in Ilulissat.

Day 3: Day at leisure in Ilulissat

You will have today at leisure. Depending on the weather conditions you could go sailing around the impressive icebergs, take a sightseeing flight over the Icefjord or meet some locals for a traditional Kaffe-mik. We will assist with the bookings. You could also use the day to relax and walk around town. You will spend the night in Ilulissat.

Day 4: End of trip

Today you could fly back or combine this trip with a guided tour or another individual trip.

Remark

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, thus we cannot guarantee that you will see them during your trip. However, if you are traveling in Greenland from end of August to end of March, chances are good that you will be able to observe them, but best deep in the winter (from mid November to mid March). If you travel in April it is unlikely to see the Northern Lights as days are already too bright.

What our customers say

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.