Day 1.
Arrival by own plane King Air 200 or similar to Ilulissat (JAV)
Illullisat. The location of Ilulissat is breathtaking – all year round huge icebergs raising more than hundred meters above sea level are stranded at the mouth of the fiord. These icebergs are all products of the mighty and most productive glacier in the northern hemisphere; The Ilulissat Glacier daily gives birth to 20 million tons of ice which also explain why it is included on the World Heritage list. Transfer to Hotel Arctic welcome and information meeting. Hotel Arctic is blessed with a location that speaks for itself – and has facilities that have been brought so much up to date that they meet all expectations. Nevertheless the human factor has a very high priority. In fact a vital priority. If the buildings and the technology function well it is the extra efforts of the personnel that make your experience into something even more enjoyable. Afternoon walk. During a walk through the town the guide tells us about the history of Ilulissat. We visit the old part of town and see buildings from the very start of the Danish trading station, the busy fishing harbor, the old church and the museum. City Walk followed by an Ice Fiord Cruise incl. Refreshments. The Ice Fjord contains one of the biggest and most active glaciers in the world. Its 3,000 square kilometer area advances at a rate of 20 meters per day. The glacier “calves” about 10 % of the inland ice that is pressed out into the sea from Greenland and there is nothing in the whole world that resembles it. All this means that the Ice Ford – off Ilulissat – is like a park full of sculptures constantly changing. Shapes, colors and sounds from the ice mountains are hard to forget – you are an eyewitness to a totally enchanting natural phenomenon.
Day 2.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Now it’s time to put on polar suits for the dog sledge ride with a local hunter to the hunters’ settlement Rodebay; packed lunch en route. Experience the impressive nature and see the cooperation between the sledge driver and the dogs. Do not miss this great experience! The dog sledge driver and his dogs take you across the thick ice on the way to Rodebay to let you experience the true Greenland. Over night at an expedition camp on the Icecap. (guides advice). In Rodebay dinner at the little local restaurant & overnight in a simple hut or in a expedition camp. Bring all your extra polar coats and polar sleeping bags. (Icelandic guide will advise). Northern lights illuminate the night skies, make it a favorite place for people in the summer as well as during the winter. With around 300 days a year under cloudless skies, Greenland is one of the best places in the world from which to see the northern lights.
Day 3.
Breakfast in Rodebay before we drive back to Ilulissat – late lunch at the hotel after check-in. Afternoon home visit to a local family for coffee/tea & cakes to hear the latest gossip on life in town. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 4.
Breakfast at the hotel Arctic.
Hotel Arctic is rated four stars – for the hotel facilities as well as the conference facilities – by the Danish association of hotels and restaurants. The rating reflects the high standard of facilities and services . . . . but not our unique location. Please add 900 icebergs! We’re awarded the Danish Green Key – a Danish certification programme of eco-sustainable tourism – as recognition of the environment-friendly policy and practice at Hotel Arctic. Transfer to airport for departure by own plane to Iceland.
