Since 1992, the town of Ilulissat has actively promoted tourism and visitor numbers are gradually increasing at what is now considered Greenland’s most popular tourist location. World of Greenland is the town’s primary tourist company and offer a variety of ways for tourists to get close to the natural sights in and around Ilulissat.
Everything in Ilulissat is centred around its star attraction, the Ilulissat Icefjord (Ilulissat Kangerlua in Greenlandic) and its magnificent icebergs emitting from the Jakobshavn Isbræ Glacier (Sermeq Kujalleq in Greenlandic).
The icefjord is one of the most spectacular sights in the world and, in a town where everything is expensive, it's a relief that the most outstanding views are available for free with a walk to the icefjord's edge.
From the centre of town, head to the old heliport and follow one of the three trails to the edge of the fjord. After a 15 minute walk, visitors will find themselves stood beside one of the planet's most spectacular natural wonders. A walk alongside the icefjord is a must for any tourist visiting Ilulissat. The peacefulness and serenity is only broken by the occasional sound of cracking and calving ice.
The numerous icebergs scattered around Disko Bay can be viewed from various locations throughout the town. Standing at the water’s edge, it’s possible to gaze out at the huge protruding masses of white floating silently around the bay. However, tourists at the shoreline should be aware that the huge icebergs are renowned for flipping upside down in the water, causing mini tsunamis to surge towards shore.
After tourism, the town’s second industry is fishing and the locals use their fishing trawlers to sail tourists around the bay giving them the unique opportunity to float amongst the icebergs.
World of Greenland offer a 2.5 hour boat trip sailing among the icebergs, taking visitors close to the entrance of the Ilulissat Icefjord where some of the icebergs reach the size of apartment blocks.
During the summer months, World of Greenland operate the same tour at night, enabling tourists to witness the gigantic blocks of ice changing colour as the midnight sun descends to just above the horizon.
World of Greenland offers a unique opportunity to witness the Ilulissat Icefjord and Jakobshaven Isbræ Glacier from the air. The helicopter tours depart from Ilulissat town and fly over the bay, down the length of the icefjord and along the edge of the glacier. The tour gives passengers the chance to see both the calving glacier and the gigantic icebergs of the icefjord.
Before returning to Ilulissat, the helicopter will land on a mountain close to the icefjord where passengers can disembark and enjoy the spectacular scenery.
Helicopter tours are available all year round (weather permitting) and the 1.5 hour trip costs approximately DKK 2,700.
In a town inhabited by more sled dogs than people, it’s no surprise that the primary type of transportation during the harsh winter is dog sledge. Long before helicopters and aeroplanes arrived in Greenland, the sled dogs were used to connect distant Greenlandic communities.
Today they are still used as transportation during the winter months and are also available for tourists to experience life as a Greenlander. World of Greenland offer every conceivable length of sledge tours ranging from one hour to ten days.
For most tourists the two hour ride to a viewpoint over the icefjord is probably the ideal trip, giving not only a chance to experience life on a dog sledge but also the ultimate views of the Ilulissat Icefjord. However, for DKK 24,000, real adventurers can experience 10 days of wilderness on the once in a lifetime opportunity of the “long sledge-ride” to the Eqi Glacier.
Sledge rides are available between November and April and all sledge tours include an experienced sledge driver.
There is no shortage of tours available in Ilulissat and, in summer months it is advisable to book well in advance.
However, tourists should remember that the helicopters, boats and dog-sledge rides are simply there to enhance rather than replace the real attraction, the Ilulisat Icefjord and its spectacular icebergs.
This special and unique place in the Arctic Circle, is the most popular tourist attraction in Greenland and, were it not for its remote location, it would surely be one of the most popular in the world.
Anyone who seeks a truly unusual adventure this summer should check out Norwegian Coastal Voyage's cruises around Greenland. The company offers AARP Passport members a $300 per person discount until March 1 for any of its June or July Greenland cruises.
The cruise line features a 12-day expedition program to Greenland on board the MS Fram, a brand-new ship named for the vessel sailed by Norway's great explorer Fridtjof Nansen -- The cruises include PolarCirkel boat landings, excursions, and lectures by expert guides.
American tourists fly to Iceland and begin by spending two nights in its capital, Reykjavik, with an option to sample its vibrant culture and do some sightseeing.
It's not just for Bjork fans! Shore excursions include the Golden Circle, featuring Gullfoss, Iceland's more famous waterfall and geyser; whale watching (the cruise line says you are "almost guaranteed" to spot the largest animal on earth, the blue whale); the Westman Island, which has loads of birds; and Lake Myvatn, an area with "amazing" lava formations and sulphur pits and boiling mud pools.
Then catch a charter flight to Kangerlussuaq ("the long fjord"), which is north of the Arctic Circle and is one of the best places to observe native wildlife. In the early 1960's musk oxen were introduced to Kangerlussuaq from North East Greenland, and today there are over 5,000. A guide meets the group there for the transfer to the MS Fram by motor coach and then PolarCirkel boats to start the Greenland adventure.
The next six days include opportunities to experience native Inuit culture, spectacular icebergs, numerous species of whales and seals, abundant bird life including the white-tailed eagle, the unique Arctic flora, and, weather permitting, the Midnight Sun. One of the stops is at the glacier Eqip Sermina, where tourists may be lucky enough to watch an iceberg "calve," or separate, from the main glacier, up close and personal.
From the ship, travelers have the chance to take optional hikes, go dog sledding on the Lygnmark Glacier, and take a stroll trhough small hunting and fishing villages. Aboard ship there are lectures about the Arctic as well as an introduction to the flora and fauna in Greenland. Or, stay onboard and watch a spectacular daily panorama of fjords, icebergs, and mountains.
For those who have "done" Antarctica and other exotic colder climate destinations, or who don't want to follow the crowd, Greenland sounds like a gorgeous and lesser-visited alternative. Package prices (including airfare) start at $4,148 per person for a double-occupancy cabin.
Jakobshavn Glacier, Ilulissat Icefjord and Disko Bay's Icebergs
Everything in Ilulissat is centred around its star attraction, the Ilulissat Icefjord (Ilulissat Kangerlua in Greenlandic) and its magnificent icebergs emitting from the Jakobshavn Isbræ Glacier (Sermeq Kujalleq in Greenlandic).
The icefjord is one of the most spectacular sights in the world and, in a town where everything is expensive, it's a relief that the most outstanding views are available for free with a walk to the icefjord's edge.
From the centre of town, head to the old heliport and follow one of the three trails to the edge of the fjord. After a 15 minute walk, visitors will find themselves stood beside one of the planet's most spectacular natural wonders. A walk alongside the icefjord is a must for any tourist visiting Ilulissat. The peacefulness and serenity is only broken by the occasional sound of cracking and calving ice.
The numerous icebergs scattered around Disko Bay can be viewed from various locations throughout the town. Standing at the water’s edge, it’s possible to gaze out at the huge protruding masses of white floating silently around the bay. However, tourists at the shoreline should be aware that the huge icebergs are renowned for flipping upside down in the water, causing mini tsunamis to surge towards shore.
Ilulissat Boat Trips
After tourism, the town’s second industry is fishing and the locals use their fishing trawlers to sail tourists around the bay giving them the unique opportunity to float amongst the icebergs.
World of Greenland offer a 2.5 hour boat trip sailing among the icebergs, taking visitors close to the entrance of the Ilulissat Icefjord where some of the icebergs reach the size of apartment blocks.
During the summer months, World of Greenland operate the same tour at night, enabling tourists to witness the gigantic blocks of ice changing colour as the midnight sun descends to just above the horizon.
Helicopter Tours Over the Ilulissat Icefjord
World of Greenland offers a unique opportunity to witness the Ilulissat Icefjord and Jakobshaven Isbræ Glacier from the air. The helicopter tours depart from Ilulissat town and fly over the bay, down the length of the icefjord and along the edge of the glacier. The tour gives passengers the chance to see both the calving glacier and the gigantic icebergs of the icefjord.
Before returning to Ilulissat, the helicopter will land on a mountain close to the icefjord where passengers can disembark and enjoy the spectacular scenery.
Helicopter tours are available all year round (weather permitting) and the 1.5 hour trip costs approximately DKK 2,700.
Dog Sledding in Ilulissat
In a town inhabited by more sled dogs than people, it’s no surprise that the primary type of transportation during the harsh winter is dog sledge. Long before helicopters and aeroplanes arrived in Greenland, the sled dogs were used to connect distant Greenlandic communities.
Today they are still used as transportation during the winter months and are also available for tourists to experience life as a Greenlander. World of Greenland offer every conceivable length of sledge tours ranging from one hour to ten days.
For most tourists the two hour ride to a viewpoint over the icefjord is probably the ideal trip, giving not only a chance to experience life on a dog sledge but also the ultimate views of the Ilulissat Icefjord. However, for DKK 24,000, real adventurers can experience 10 days of wilderness on the once in a lifetime opportunity of the “long sledge-ride” to the Eqi Glacier.
Sledge rides are available between November and April and all sledge tours include an experienced sledge driver.
Visiting Ilulissat
There is no shortage of tours available in Ilulissat and, in summer months it is advisable to book well in advance.
However, tourists should remember that the helicopters, boats and dog-sledge rides are simply there to enhance rather than replace the real attraction, the Ilulisat Icefjord and its spectacular icebergs.
This special and unique place in the Arctic Circle, is the most popular tourist attraction in Greenland and, were it not for its remote location, it would surely be one of the most popular in the world.
Greenland - Adventure Cruises
Anyone who seeks a truly unusual adventure this summer should check out Norwegian Coastal Voyage's cruises around Greenland. The company offers AARP Passport members a $300 per person discount until March 1 for any of its June or July Greenland cruises.
The cruise line features a 12-day expedition program to Greenland on board the MS Fram, a brand-new ship named for the vessel sailed by Norway's great explorer Fridtjof Nansen -- The cruises include PolarCirkel boat landings, excursions, and lectures by expert guides.
American tourists fly to Iceland and begin by spending two nights in its capital, Reykjavik, with an option to sample its vibrant culture and do some sightseeing.
It's not just for Bjork fans! Shore excursions include the Golden Circle, featuring Gullfoss, Iceland's more famous waterfall and geyser; whale watching (the cruise line says you are "almost guaranteed" to spot the largest animal on earth, the blue whale); the Westman Island, which has loads of birds; and Lake Myvatn, an area with "amazing" lava formations and sulphur pits and boiling mud pools.
Then catch a charter flight to Kangerlussuaq ("the long fjord"), which is north of the Arctic Circle and is one of the best places to observe native wildlife. In the early 1960's musk oxen were introduced to Kangerlussuaq from North East Greenland, and today there are over 5,000. A guide meets the group there for the transfer to the MS Fram by motor coach and then PolarCirkel boats to start the Greenland adventure.
The next six days include opportunities to experience native Inuit culture, spectacular icebergs, numerous species of whales and seals, abundant bird life including the white-tailed eagle, the unique Arctic flora, and, weather permitting, the Midnight Sun. One of the stops is at the glacier Eqip Sermina, where tourists may be lucky enough to watch an iceberg "calve," or separate, from the main glacier, up close and personal.
From the ship, travelers have the chance to take optional hikes, go dog sledding on the Lygnmark Glacier, and take a stroll trhough small hunting and fishing villages. Aboard ship there are lectures about the Arctic as well as an introduction to the flora and fauna in Greenland. Or, stay onboard and watch a spectacular daily panorama of fjords, icebergs, and mountains.
For those who have "done" Antarctica and other exotic colder climate destinations, or who don't want to follow the crowd, Greenland sounds like a gorgeous and lesser-visited alternative. Package prices (including airfare) start at $4,148 per person for a double-occupancy cabin.
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