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Day 1. Arrival Ilulissat
We fly from Copenhagen to Ilulissat via Kangerlussuaq. In Ilulissat you are accommodated in a hotel, beautifully placed on the shore of the Disko Bay. The afternoon is free to explore the town and get a feeling of the atmosphere of Greenland's third-largest town. You might want to visit the town museum, formerly the college of education, and later the birthplace of Knud Rasmussen. In the harbour, fishermen unload their catches of halibut from their small fragile dinghies - life as a fisherman is hard and has its dangers. At "Brættet", where hunters sell their catch, you can try out a small piece of halibut, seal and, on good days, whale and maybe even polar bear. The town is full of life, and you will often experience playing greenlandic children, challenging gravity while they jump around waterpipes, fences or fishing boats on land. -/-/-
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Day 2. Trekking to Sermermiut by the the icefiord
We start the day at the quarry in the south-east end of town. From here we take the path which will lead us through a stunning ravine with high rockwalls. Once arriving at the top we will see a small white stripe of the ice cap in the horizon. The hike continues to a little lake from where we will get the first view of the Icefjord and the huge icebergs floating around in it. Passing by a small stream we fill up our water bottles and find a nice place to have our lunch picnic. The rest of the day we wander along the icefjord, experiencing the ice with all our senses. The noise from the icebergs is overwhelming, you can even smell the ice, as far as the eye can go there is only ice, ice and ice. We move towards "Holms bakke", the place where the people from Ilulisat gather every year to welcome the sun after a long arctic winter in the dark. Later on we will start exploring the largest of the old Greenlandic settlements, Sermermiut. During the Thule-culture period around 250 people lived and died in this remarkable rugged area. Sporadically both the early Paleo-eskimoes, the Saqqaq-culture have lived here but also the subsequent Thule-culture settled in the area that surrounds Ilulissat. We will look for remains from earlier settlements, such as kitchen middens and open graves. Late afternoon we return to Ilulissat. B/-/-
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Day 3. We sail to the Disko Island with Najaaraq Ittuk
Early morning we head off with a boat from Ilulissat to Qeqertarsuaq. In the beginning we are on the first row to the amazing icebergs. The distance between Ilulissat and the Disko Island is approx. 80-100 kilometres but if the weather is clear, you almost believe that the basalt mountains on Disko Island are so close that you can reach out and touch them. From the sea side you can easily see the glaciers that lie in a height of approx. 1000 metres and in several places their melt water is running down as splendid waterfalls. We arrive in Qeqertarsuaq at lunch time and will be checked in at the local hotel. B/L/-
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Day 4. Whale watching
This time of year it is the peak season for spotting humpback whales in the Disko Bay. Today these whales are protected as they where nearly extirpated by international whalers. Most of the summer the humpback whales stay close to the Disko Island where they enjoy the great amount of feed that is found here such as angmasatts, caplin but also krill and plankton. Lunch will be served on board the boat. In the afternoon you have the opportunity of visiting the town museum. B/L/-
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Day 5. Hiking trip to the ‘Lyngmarksbræ’ and dogsledge ride.
Immediately after breakfast we will make ourselves ready for the big challenge: the hiking trip to the ‘Lyngmarksbræ’, (glacier).Technically this is not a difficult hike, but still it is demanding and you have to be in a reasonable physical shape in order to do the 800 meters of altitude. We have all day and will take the breaks that are needed, in return we will be rewarded with an impressive view of the Disko Bay which surely will give us some more energy. After approx. 3-4 hours of hiking we will reach the hut, where we will be spending the night. After lunch it is time for a little dogsledge ride on the glacier. We will get a sense of this ancient means of transportation with its fine, arctic traditions. B/L/D
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Day 6. ‘Lyngmarksbræen’ and Qeqertarsuaq
We start with breakfast in the hut and make ourselves ready for the descent of the ‘Lyngmarksbræ’. If you look towards the north-east on a clear day, you can see the icebergs that block the mouth of the fjord at Ilulissat, at a distance of more than 100 km. Back in Qeqertarsuaq the rest of the day is at your own disposal. If you like handicrafts you could visit the workshop of domestic industry. You can even a souvenir made by yourself and out of animal tooth or bone — a unique souvenir. B/-/-
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Day 7. Whale watching
Once again we head off with the aim of spotting whales. Nowadays the humpback whales have increased in numbers but it is still being discussed if it should be allowed to hunt only a small number of them. It is an interesting matter which can surely make a good subject for a lively discussion. Besides the whales, we will also have the chance of spotting several species of birds, such as fulmars, black guillemots and arctic skuas. You also find all of the five Greenlandic species of seal in the Disko Bay. B/L/-
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Day 8. Kuannit and ‘Blæsedalen’
Today we will do a hike to the basalt pillars and the hot springs at Kuannit, which is also the place where we will have our picnic. It is a fascinating place that displays the volcanic origin of the Disko Island. If the group wants to, a longer trip into ‘Blæsedalen’ (“the valley of wind") and further along the Red River that gushes through the valley, can be arranged. B/L/-
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Day 9. By boat from the Disko Island to Ilulissat
Later this day we will take the boat back to “the mainland" and to Ilulissat. This means that most of the day is at your own disposal on the Disko Island. It is very recommendable to participate in the morning service in the very beautiful church of Qeqertarsuaq. The singing of the Greenlandic hymns will surely amaze you in these surroundings. In the afternoon you could take a walk to the view point ‘Udkiggen’ — the most southern point on the Disko Island. Through the years many whalers have been watching their catch from this spot. The waters are deep even close to the shore and this will give you a good chance of spotting one of the last "whale tails" on this trip. B/-/-
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Day 10. Ilulissat
This day is at your own disposal. You could visit the museum or take a small hike to the satellite hill from where you have a splendid view of the bay. Besides this you can choose to take a day trip in the area: a long line fishing trip, a boat trip or perhaps see the huskies beeing fed, etc. The choice is yours and the tourleader can help you book these tours.
In the evening dinner can be enjoyed in one of Ilulissats good restaurants. Later on in the evening you can choose to take a midnight boat trip. The massive icebergs glow in the sunset and the many colours in the ice create a view beyond comprehension. The icebergs, blue and white during daytime, change to all colours while the sun sets over the sea. B/-/-
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Day 11. Ilulissat — Kangerlussuaq
Morning can be spent on your own in Ilulissat. First in the afternoon we leave for the airport and fly via Kangerlussuaq to Denmark. If the weather is good we will have a splendid view — from one side you can see the ice fjord, from the other side it is the Disko Bay that lies beneath. If time allows it, it is possible to take a walk in the area around Kangerlussuaq. Even close to the populated area you can see musk oxes, which makes it interesting to take a hike or even better a cycling trip in the direction of the ice cap in order to get close to these magnificent animals. (Activity in Kangerlussuaq will be on your own). We change flights in Kangerlussuaq and continue the flight to Copenhagen with enough time to let all the great experiences settle in our minds. B/-
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Day 12. Arrival in Copenhagen, Denmark
We arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark - early in the morning.
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Meals:
Included meals are indicated each day by B (Breakfeast), L (Lunch) and D (Dinner). If a meal is not included it is marked with -
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Ilulissat - the place of icebergs:
Icebergs are called 'Ilulissat' in Greenlandic, and it comes as no surprise to anyone who has been here that this is the name of the town. Ilulissat is beautifully situated at the mouth of the 60 km long icefjord packed with enormous icebergs produced by the most productive glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. The largest icebergs strand at the mouth - at depths of 250 to 300 metres - and do not break free until the next spring tide, or until they are so eroded that the balance of the iceberg shifts. 5000 people live in Ilulissat and at least 4000 sledge dogs. This is an eloquent statement of the importance of the dogsledge as a means of transportation, even in a large modern town. The harbour is filled with fishing vessels and trawlers that bear witness to the great importance of fishing to the economy of Ilulissat. Only a couple of kilometres from the town lays the lush Sermermiut valley that extends down to the icefjord. In the year 1727 this was the site of Greenland's largest settlement of 250 people. Excavations have since shown that the beautiful valley had been inhabited for thousands of years, by the Saqqaq, the Dorset and the Thule culture.
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The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeanglia):
12 — 15 metres of length. Weight: 30-40 tons. The humpback whale is rather plump in its shape with a black back and a white belly. Its front flippers are exceptionally big. At submersion it shows its tail above the surface and it likes to jump. It is most commonly seen in Greenland and particularly in the Disko Bay from April — November. As this species is protected it will often be very trustful and can therefore be observed at close range. The humpback whale’s singing is known as one of the longest sounds produced by an animal. Despite its enormous size it moves elegantly in the water. It swims with a speed of more than 25 kilometres per hour and it can jump like dolphins, raising all of its body above the water. The humpback whale masters some advanced hunting methods with the “bubble-net" method as the most well-known: the humpback whale surrounds a shoal of fish with air bubbles coming from its blowhole then it swims into the shoal with its gigantic mouth wide open, straining the catch with its whalebones.
For information: In Qeqertarsuaq the whalers were allowed to catch one humpback whale, when celebrating the 200 years anniversary in 1973. The jaw from this animal now functions as a portal in front of the town museum.
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The dogsledge:
The dogsledge was used, and is still used by a number of the Inuit people on the west coast of Greenland only north of Sisimiut. The construction of the dogsledge was in the olden times adapted to the local environment - that means the amount of snow and ice. It was made of two sledge runners on which they used skin straps to truss an amount of tie broads and two levelling poles. The construction ensured that the sledge did not split but was flexible in the uneven terrain. The sledge was pulled by a team of approximately 5 to 10 sledge dogs. The hunter especially used the dogsledge as a means of transportation as he was supposed to go hunting on the sea ice. Today, the sledge still functions as an important means of transportation in many places in Greenland, and every year the sledge is celebrated at the Greenlandic Dogsledge Championship.
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International trip:
This tour is sold internationally. The tour will be conducted in English by a Danish tourleader.
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Duration:
12 days — 11 nights.
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Climate:
In the Ilulissat area the 24-hour average temperature in July and August is approximately 10°C - 15°C. The nights can be colder, but during the day the sun and the dry air give the impression of warmer temperatures than is actually the case. Night temperatures sometimes go below 5°C. Rain and showers may occur but at this time of year the weather is usually very clear, with good visibility.
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Light conditions in Ilulissat:
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Electricity:
There are only a few opportunities for charging batteries on this trip. Bring plenty of spare batteries.
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Mobile phones:
On most of the tour there is very little or no signal for mobile phones. In general we ask you not to use mobile phones when with the group. Please only use your mobile phone for text messages and conversation when you are not with the group.
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Maps:
"Saga Map nr. 11, Qeqertarsuaq - Diskoøen."
"Walking maps North Greenland, Ilulissat. 1:100.000", can be bought locally.
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The tour includes:
Flights: Copenhagen — Kangerlussuaq, return
Flights: Kangerlussuaq — Ilulissat, return
Boat transfer : Qeqertarsuaq — Ilulissat, return
Meals as indicated under each day in the program
English/danish speaking tourleader
All accommodation
A 1-2 hour dogsledge tour
2 days with whale safaris in the open eastern part of the Disko Bay
Overnight stay at a hut on the glacier of ‘Lyngmarksbræ’
Hike in Sermermiut
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Not included:
Personal traveling expenses for souvenirs, maps, drinks and beverages etc.
Insurances
Allow approx. 140 DKK per person per meal for not included meals
Rental of bikes - Kangerlussuaq
Entrance fees to the Arctic Station, museums etc.
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Please note:
The program is subject to alteration. A trip like this is very dependent on weather conditions; such as changes concerning wind, precipitation and ice. As a consequence of this some delays or cancellations of some parts of the program may occur, especially those that concern flight or boat transportation. No compensation will be offered within the first 24 hours of delay or change of program due to circumstances that can not be influenced by Topas. Your tourleader will aim to lessen the inconveniences and fill out the time with an alternative program.
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Departures in the Autumn
Departures after 01-08-08 will be modified according to the present itinerary. Thus, the new itinerary will include one extra day on the Disko Island and one day less in Ilulissat. The extra day on the Disko Island will include a hiking trip to “Engelskmandshavn" — a naturally emerged harbour situated near the village of Qeqertarsuaq. The name of this harbour in Greenlandic is Unnartorsuaq, “the very warm place", since the shape of the surrounding mountains implies that the place is sheltered and consequently the sun gains more power. For this reason it is possible to encounter orchids growing wild in the area.
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