Greenland. With its wide open spaces, barren landscape, and impressive icecap and mountains, one can really feel like a pioneer there. Perhaps that's why Greenland has staked its claim on the #GreenlandPioneer tag. It’s fitting.
So, with a dash of that pioneering spirit in their hearts, a pair of Nordic Visitor travel consultants partook in Nordic Visitor’s Icefjord Adventure tour from Reykjavík, and found themselves face-to-face with a UNESCO World Heritage Site, towering icebergs and whales.
Says Solveig of the adventure: “We took the 3-day express tour, which was perfect for us. We had enough time to explore the town and do all the activities we wanted to do in the short amount of time we had.
“We were so lucky, the weather was ideal for some sightseeing on the way so the pilot decided to take an extra ‘circle’ around the area before we landed to show us the spectacular scenery. When we arrived, we were greeted by friendly Greenlanders who drove us to the hotel. We checked in and headed directly down to the ‘city center’ of Ilulissat. Getting around in Ilulissat is fairly easy and the hotels that are not located in the right in the center of town offer complimentary shuttles to their guests.”
Solveig had been to Greenland previously, visiting Kulusuk, but this was Ævar’s first trip to the island.
Of his maiden journey, Ævar said “this tour was amazing and I really loved the Midnight sun and Iceberg tour.* I was standing outside the entire time, amazed by the beautiful icebergs in all sizes and shapes.”
Over the course of their Greenlandic adventure, Solveig and Ævar headed out in a 5-seater plane for sweeping views over the icefjord. “We could see how huge the glacier really is and how deep its crevasses are,” said Solveig. “Ævar and I were discussing then if we would get tired of seeing icebergs, but by the end of the tour we agreed that it would never get tiring.”
That evening the pair hit the water on a boat cruise among the icebergs, and also saw whales and seals enjoying the cold water.
Says Solveig: “From far away the icebergs look small, but when you get up close to them you realise some of them are the size of an apartment building!”
The following day, Solveig and Ævar took a 12-hour boat excursion to the Eqi glacier to see the calving ice. “As somebody who is, in general, terrified of the ocean and does not feel comfortable at all out on the open sea, the scenery was incredible enough for me to still enjoy the trip,” says Solveig. “To hear and see the calving ice fall was absolutely amazing and you could feel the boat moving with the waves that the calving created.”
*Solveig and Ævar travelled to Greenland at the end of the summer season, which is why they were able to partake in the Midnight Sun & Icebergs boat tour in the Ilulissat Icefjord. If you’re looking to get up close and personal with the icebergs during the winter months... and the northern lights, check out our great winter travel packages in Greenland.
Want to take a summertime trip to Greenland like Solveig and Ævar? Here are a few travel experiences we’d suggest. If you’ve got something specific in mind, contact us about building a custom travel package just for you.
