Ilulissat Icefjord
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Frequently asked about Ilulissat Icefjord:
Season: All year round. Organized tours: We organize boat trips, hiking routes and helicopter tours to Ilulissat Icefjord. Dress code: summer or winter – warm clothing is a must. Boat trips to the icebergs with children: Children can participate, but contact us and we will arrange the best route for children. Special hiking routes: To the Sermiut Valley and the Icefjord Center. The routes can be experienced both with and without a guide.
Can you stand on an iceberg? We are asked – and in principle – yes, because most of the mountain is below sea level. But we would advise against it! Icebergs are in constant motion, drifting slowly with the ocean currents and can tilt and the surface you’re standing on disappears.
How close to an iceberg? On a booked guided sailing trip, you can get as close as possible. On board, the right navigation info must be present. Colors: The icebergs have beautiful shades of white, blue and turquoise. The colors depend on the age of the ice and how light refracts through it. Shape: Icebergs can be huge – some are hundreds of meters high and extend far below sea level (and even further below sea level.)
Watch the whales as they arrive in Ilulissat Icefjord. Photo; Enrico Pescantini, Visit Greenland.
Hike at Ilulissat Icefjord. Photo; Enrico Pescantini, Visit Greenland
How are the icebergs formed at Ilulissat?
Icebergs are formed when the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier (a glacier can be compared to a frozen river) moves slowly down towards the sea, and along the way it calves – causing large chunks of ice to break off and flow into the water, creating huge icebergs. The icebergs flow into Disko Bay and out into the Atlantic Ocean.
Icebergs and climate change.
Ilulissat has become an important location for climate change research. The accelerated melting of the Greenland ice sheet, which affects the activity of glaciers, has major implications for global sea levels. Sermeq Kujalleq has been closely monitored by researchers because its changes can provide valuable insights into how climate change affects the Arctic and the rest of the world
Our travelers often come back from their journey and say that the sight of icebergs is also a reminder of how small you are as a human being next to the forces of nature. And that the formations of the icebergs, their creation and the visual experience of getting close to them is also a reminder of how closely connected humans are to our earth’s ecosystems.
When is the season to experience the icebergs at Ilulissat Icefjord?
You can experience the impressive icebergs at Ilulissat all year round, but the season depends on how you want to experience them.
Summer (June to August):
This is a popular time because the weather is mild and there are long bright nights with midnight sun. This means you can see the icebergs both day and night.
Boat trips: The weather is perfect for boat trips between the giant icebergs in Disko Bay.
Hiking: You can walk on trails like Sermermiut and enjoy views of the icefjord and floating icebergs.
Autumn (September to October)
Colorful landscapes: Autumn brings beautiful colors in nature and you can still see the icebergs. However, it gets cooler and the days get shorter.
Northern Lights: Autumn is the start of the Northern Lights season. Imagine seeing the great icebergs with the Northern Lights dancing above them!
Winter (November to March)
Magical ice world: Winter transforms the area into a snowy wonderland. The icebergs look even more majestic when surrounded by snow and ice.
Northern Lights: This is the best time to see the Northern Lights over the icebergs. Which is a magical experience!
Want to hear more about our tours to Ilulissat Icefjord?
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