Greenland : Essential West Greenland

The modern town of Ilulissat sits approximately 200km above the Arctic Circle, mid way along the west coast at the mouth of a 56km long ice fjord, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is here that you’ll find famous Disko Bay where icebergs of all shapes and sizes rise majestically from a sea of deep, dark blue only briefly visible between constantly moving ice floes. It is the 5km wide face of the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier that keeps this bay supplied with ice, being one of the world’s most productive glaciers flowing on average at 25m a day. Stay at the lovely Hotel Arctic; enjoy cuisine prepared by award-winning chefs and marvel at the icebergs floating out in the fjord!

Just a couple of kilometres from Ilulissat you’ll find the idyllic Sermermiut valley. In 1727 it was Greenland’s biggest settlement and home to more than 250 people. Excavations have subsequently revealed that for thousands of years the beautiful valley has been home to all of the cultures that have lived along the west coast of Greenland. North of Ilulissat is the settlement of Qqaatsut/Rodebay and the Eqip glacier, two more places you have the option of exploring during this trip.

Ilulissat’s population numbers around 4,500 people and at least 4,000 sled dogs, which underlines the importance of the sledge as a means of transport, even in a large modern town. The harbour is full of fishing boats and trawlers as naturally, fishing remains hugely important to the community.

One of the most popular excursions is the midnight sun cruise on the bay – sailing amongst the icebergs and seeing them at close range is truly amazing. Perhaps visit a local settlement and see how time seems to have frozen as much as the landscape – see the ways of Greenlandic hunters and experience the hospitality of the locals.