Icebergs & Whales of Greenland

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours with 50 Degrees North. Please ensure that you have this organised as we will need to see proof of this upon issuing your tour documentation. Please contact us for a quote or visit http://www.suresave.net.au/

The indicated prices are per person unless otherwise stated. Prices may change without prior notice due to specific conditions at the time and place of the excursion. Please note that not all excursions are available during every tour-programme that includes this destination. Please refer to the tour-programme for a list of excursions available on that particular tour.

1: City Walk Ilulissat
During a walk through town the guide tells about the history of Ilulissat. We will visit the fishermen at the harbour and the hunters at their trading post. We will show you the church and the house where the famous explorer Knud Rasmussen was born..
Duration: 2 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 250

2: Visiting the old settlement of Sermermiut
By bus as far as the road goes. A beautiful walk along the UNESCO designated Ilulissat Ice Fiord to Sermermiut where traces from the 3 old Eskimo cultures still can be seen.The different Inuit cultures have lived here during the last 4000 years, and today you can still find artefacts, which witness their presence. Hear the story about the life and the customs of the Greenlanders before the Europeans arrival; see the ruins, the kitchen mitten, and fell the permafrost with your own hands.
Duration: 3 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 250 including refreshment

3: Boat trip to Hunter's Settlement - Rodebay
By boat to the small settlement Oqaitsut/Rodebay with a local population of approx. 40 persons totally dependent on fishing and hunting - a quite different world compared to the nearby town of Ilulissat. Guided walk through the village before we will enjoy lunch at the old trading station. You can walk back as an option (6 hours one way).
Duration: 6 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 1020 including lunch

4: Midnight Cruise to the Ice Fiord
The midnight sun and the warm red colours reflecting in the gigantic icebergs is a fantastic sight. Cruise between the icebergs and enjoy a late Martini on "the real rocks"! Season for midnight sun is approx. 22may-24jul. Outside this season the excursion is operated as an evening cruise with the beautiful sunset reflecting over the icebergs. Remember to bring warm clothes or you can rent suit of sealskin.
Duration: 3 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 600

5: By Helicopter to the Ice Cap
As a new service you can now pre-book our helicopter excursion in Ilulissat. The tour includes a ground stop where you can leave the helicopter! Either in front of the glacier itself (long tour) or mid fiord overlooking the whole ice fiord (short tour). Actual tour depends on helicopter available. During the flight we cruise in low altitude over the Ilulissat Ice Fiord which is now on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Operation depend on weather and helicopter capacity.
55min. flying time + ground stop DKK 2895
30min. flying time + ground stop DKK 2400

6: Hunter's Settlement - Ilimanaq
By boat to the settlement of Ilimanaq, which is situated just south of the Kangia Ice Fiord. Ilimanaq has a population of approx. 80 persons mainly depending upon fishing and hunting. A completely different world compared to the town of Ilulissat. Upon arrival to Ilimanaq guided tour of the settlement before enjoying our lunch with a local family.
Can also be operated by night at a smaller surcharge of DKK 250 per person.
Duration: 6 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 800 including lunch

10: Feeding the huskies
Ilulissat is sledge-area and the approx. 3500 dogs in town are still used for both work and fun every winter. We invite you to join the feeding of a dog team. You can see, feel, touch and most of all hear the howling of 20 hungry dogs. The owner will demonstrate the sledge and the harness and tell about life as a sledge dog in Greenland. Good shoes advised!
Duration: 1 hour (approx.)
Price: DKK 125

11: Whale Safari
By boat we go out into the Disko Bay to spot whales. In the summer time humback whales come to the Disko Bay to feed on the capelin, a small herring-like fish. As the humpback whales are protected they are very trusting and can often be enjoyed at close range. However, as this is not a zoo there is, of course, no guarantee for seeing the whales.
Duration: 5 hours (approx.)
Price: DKK 995 including lunch packet

Climate
Greenland is the world's largest island at 810,810 square miles, which is the same as France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Austria and Belgium put together. It boasts the Northern Hemisphere's largest ice sheet - 694,981 square miles, which cover 85 percent of its total area.

The Greenland climate is arctic to sub-arctic, but the distance between north and south means there are tremendous differences in temperature and climate. Thanks to a very dry air, cool summers feel surprisingly comfortable.

In general, summer temperatures are highest inland and coolest along the coasts. But you will be surprised to know that warm + 21° C days are not uncommon during the summer!

What to wear
It is best to be prepared by wearing 'layered' clothing. The outer layer should be wind and waterproof. Gloves and hats are recommended when sailing. It is a good idea to wear solid boots, waterproof shoes or rubber boots with a solid sole in the summer and winter. Clothing tends to be casual in Greenland and acceptable also in finer restaurants.

Here are a few things to be aware of when travelling in Greenland:

• Prolific smoking by the locals
• Danish is the main tourist language which may hamper your complete understanding of certain aspects of your tour
• The weather can be unpredictable
• Food will often not be considered 'gourmet'. Some towns are only supplied with fresh food twice a year