Reykjavik & Ilulissat, the perfect 8-day Travel Package
Lava, geysers and waterfalls. Icebergs, ice fjords and the Inland ice cap. Reykjavik and Ilulissat are both Arctic winter destinations yet they offer widely different experiences – which is why we have combined them in this 8-day journey of discovery!
A variety of local tours are offered, so you can create a truly personalised itinerary, such as dog sledging, city walks, snowmobiling, fishing and hiking. Just take your pick and start making memories!
Highlights:
4-star Hotel Arctic, local traditions, gourmet cuisine, dog sledding, snow mobile, snowshoe walking, Northern Lights
Tour Code: JISW8RKV
If you want to add an extra night in Copenhagen before and/or after your journey at Clarion Hotel, feel free to contact aatour@arctic-adventure.dk for a comfortable upgrade!
Day by day & Tour Map
Day 1 - Arrival Day & City Sightseeing | Reykjavik
Welcome to Reykjavik! A Flybus shuttle bus ticket is included in the tour package to guarantee a smooth and worry-free transfer from Keflavik Airport to your hotel.
With rich natural sites of lava and ice, Reykjavik is a well-organized city with a lot to explore. After checking in at hotel, you can freely discover the city on your own or join our optional Reykjavik City Sightseeing by minibus. This excursion lasts around 3 hours and will present you with most of the highlights of Reykjavik in terms of architecture, culture and history. Harpa concert hall and the well-known Hallgrímskirkja church are some of the stops along the way. Pick up service is included.
Optional Activities Reykjavik City Sightseeing by Minibus - 3 hours, Difficulty 1Day 2 - City Walk & Night Sky | Ilulissat
Boarding with Air Iceland Connect, you will departure from Reykjavik to Ilulissat. You will fly across the vast ocean and Inland Ice Cap, and finally arrive at Ilulissat Airport. With the low altitude of the flights, you have the opportunity to witness the unbelievable views over the Inland Ice Cap!
Upon arrival, your Arctic Adventure guide is already waiting for you at the airport and ready to accompany you to Hotel Arctic. After that, a welcome meeting will make the official beginning of the Arctic Adventure for you.
In Greenlandic, Ilulissat means “Town of Icebergs”. Arctic Adventure guide will take you on a 1.5-hour long City Walk of Ilulissat. This excursion covers most of the natural and cultural highlights in Ilulissat. Walking around the town with our guide, you will surely grasp the reason why Ilulissat was given its name by the Inuit many centuries ago.
When the night falls, a 2-course dinner is served in the hotel restaurant. After dinner, you may want to join the optional Night Sky photography class, where you learn to take professional pictures of the mythical Northern Lights in the backcountry outside Ilulissat.
Optional Activities Night Sky Photography Class (on request) – 2.5 hours, Difficulty 2Day 3 - Sermermiut, Ice Fjord & Dog Sledding | Ilulissat
The hearty breakfast served at Hotel Arctic will start a brand-new day for you. Today is also a day full of adventures! You can walk around the town to explore its beauty on your own, or you can join some of our optional excursions.
Hiking around the UNESCO World Heritage Ice Fjord and Sermermiut. Combining natural beauty, historical aspects and the fun of hiking, this tour is a must do activity for any visitor. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, Ilulissat Ice Fjord is packed with icebergs, creating a beautiful view that is hard to describe with words. Numerous icebergs are frozen and stuck in the fjord during winter, which is quite unique and cannot be missed. The wooden track will take you closer to those icebergs and pass through Sermermiut – a early Inuit settlement. Located in the mouth of the ice fjord, it is a great spot to get a closer view of the amazing ice fjord. You will also hike on some hilly roads to experience the wild nature of Ilulissat. The icebergs and ice fjord show their beauty in different angles alongside this hiking journey. It is a most unique experience you cannot miss.
After the hike, you can join a 2-hour traditional dog sledding tour. People say Ilulissat is home to as many as sledge dogs as humans, and it is probably true! When the snow is thick enough, you can enjoy the freedom of dog sledding and witness the interesting working structure among Greenlandic dogs. Yes, in Greenland, the sledge dogs are pure Greenlandic dogs, not Huskies. Here in Greenland, sledge dogs are not pets! They are working animals and trusted buddies of their owners. Even though they look fluffy and cute, the wild instinct remains strong within their genes. You should always keep a safe distance with them and never approach, pet or feed them, no matter what!
Optional Activities Hiking around UNESCO Ice fjord and Sermermiut – 2 hours, Difficulty 2 Dog Sledding in Ilulissat – 2 hours, Difficulty 2Day 4 - Snowshoe Hiking | Ilulissat
Today you can join optional activities such as a snowmobile tour or snowshoe hiking. Alternatively, you can wander around in the city or perhaps relax at the hotel and enjoy the amazing views of the icebergs slowly floating by.
If you prefer a hike into the Greenlandic winter wonderland, you should choose a 4-hour Snowshoe Hiking to the Ice Fjord. This tour gives you the opportunity to wear snowshoes and hike around the UNESCO World Heritage Ice Fjord, an extraordinary experience!
Arrive at the departure point yourself, and the tour guide will be there waiting to take you for an adventure of unbeatable panoramic views, frozen lakes, and icebergs shining in the Arctic sunshine.
Optional Activities Snowshoe Hiking to the Ice Fjord in Ilulissat – 4 hours, Difficulty 2Day 5 - Ice Fishing day & Kaffemik | Ilulissat
Today you can experience traditional and local Ilulissat through our optional activities: ice fishing and Kaffemik. Alternatively, you can wander around in the city or perhaps relax at the hotel and enjoy the amazing views of the icebergs slowly floating by.
Ice fishing in Ilulissat has a long history. Travelling over the frozen sea ice, we will follow the experienced tour guide to find the perfect fishing spot, bore a hole in the thick ice and throw in our lines. If we are lucky, we will be able to cook the fish tonight and reward ourselves with something tasty and fresh! No matter you are a beginner or experienced angler, this tour is suitable for everyone who loves nature.
Kaffemik means “Coffee please”. You will be invited to the local family, and over a cup of coffee and a piece of cake, you have the chance to learn more about family history and local traditions. This is a great way to get an insider’s view of everyday life in the Arctic.
When you get back to the hotel, a 3-course dinner will be served to mark the ending of this memorable holiday. With icebergs floating by and maybe northern lights dancing in the sky, does life get any better?
Optional Activities Ice Fishing in Ilulissat– 3 hours, Difficulty 2 Experience Local life in Ilulissat (Kaffemik) – 1.5 hours, Difficulty 1Day 6 - Goodbye Ilulissat | Ilulissat
Today is your last day in Ilulissat, our tour guide will drive you to the airport. There, you can board on Air Iceland Connect flight to go back to Reykjavik.
Upon arrival to Reykjavik Domestic Airport, the local guide will accompany you to Hotel Reykjavik Centrum.
Day 7 - Golden Circle & South Iceland | Reykjavik
Reykjavik is a metropolis with a truly small-town charm to it. Today you can explore Reykjavik on your own or join one of our classic tours showcasing the highlights on Iceland.
We recommend the Golden Circle Classic tour which takes around 7 hours. We drive northeast and stop at the most famous attractions along the way - Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site of Gullfoss Waterfall; and the Great Geysir. Pick-up and drop-off service are included, please check with the hotel reception for the pick-up point near you.
The South Iceland Explorer Tour is another optional tour you can join. We drive south through unique farmlands, mountains, glaciers, extinct (hopefully) volcanos, and the roaring Atlantic Ocean. Seljalandsfoss waterfall, the black sand beach in Vik and Reynisdrangar are some of the attractions you will see on this trip of approximately 10 hours. Travel in a comfortable bus as you explore the South Coast on Iceland.
Tomorrow will be the departure day. Please inform the hotel reception about your flight time tonight to get your airport shuttle bus booked.
Optional Activities The Golden Circle Classic – 7 hours, Difficulty 2 South Iceland Explorer Tour – 10 hours, Difficulty 2Day 8 - Departure day & Goodbye Reykjavik
All good things must come to an end, and today is the time to say goodbye to the North Atlantic. We will provide you with a Flybus ticket which will take you from the hotel to Keflavik Airport. Please inform the hotel reception about your flight schedule the night before departure to reserve a seat on the correct Flybus departure.
Day 1 - Arrival Day & City Sightseeing | Reykjavik
Welcome to Reykjavik! A Flybus shuttle bus ticket is included in the tour package to guarantee a smooth and worry-free transfer from Keflavik Airport to your hotel.
With rich natural sites of lava and ice, Reykjavik is a well-organized city with a lot to explore. After checking in at hotel, you can freely discover the city on your own or join our optional Reykjavik City Sightseeing by minibus. This excursion lasts around 3 hours and will present you with most of the highlights of Reykjavik in terms of architecture, culture and history. Harpa concert hall and the well-known Hallgrímskirkja church are some of the stops along the way. Pick up service is included.
Optional Activities Reykjavik City Sightseeing by Minibus - 3 hours, Difficulty 1Day 2 - City Walk & Night Sky | Ilulissat
Boarding with Air Iceland Connect, you will departure from Reykjavik to Ilulissat. You will fly across the vast ocean and Inland Ice Cap, and finally arrive at Ilulissat Airport. With the low altitude of the flights, you have the opportunity to witness the unbelievable views over the Inland Ice Cap!
Upon arrival, your Arctic Adventure guide is already waiting for you at the airport and ready to accompany you to Hotel Arctic. After that, a welcome meeting will make the official beginning of the Arctic Adventure for you.
In Greenlandic, Ilulissat means “Town of Icebergs”. Arctic Adventure guide will take you on a 1.5-hour long City Walk of Ilulissat. This excursion covers most of the natural and cultural highlights in Ilulissat. Walking around the town with our guide, you will surely grasp the reason why Ilulissat was given its name by the Inuit many centuries ago.
When the night falls, a 2-course dinner is served in the hotel restaurant. After dinner, you may want to join the optional Night Sky photography class, where you learn to take professional pictures of the mythical Northern Lights in the backcountry outside Ilulissat.
Optional Activities Night Sky Photography Class (on request) – 2.5 hours, Difficulty 2Day 3 - Sermermiut, Ice Fjord & Dog Sledding | Ilulissat
The hearty breakfast served at Hotel Arctic will start a brand-new day for you. Today is also a day full of adventures! You can walk around the town to explore its beauty on your own, or you can join some of our optional excursions.
Hiking around the UNESCO World Heritage Ice Fjord and Sermermiut. Combining natural beauty, historical aspects and the fun of hiking, this tour is a must do activity for any visitor. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, Ilulissat Ice Fjord is packed with icebergs, creating a beautiful view that is hard to describe with words. Numerous icebergs are frozen and stuck in the fjord during winter, which is quite unique and cannot be missed. The wooden track will take you closer to those icebergs and pass through Sermermiut – a early Inuit settlement. Located in the mouth of the ice fjord, it is a great spot to get a closer view of the amazing ice fjord. You will also hike on some hilly roads to experience the wild nature of Ilulissat. The icebergs and ice fjord show their beauty in different angles alongside this hiking journey. It is a most unique experience you cannot miss.
After the hike, you can join a 2-hour traditional dog sledding tour. People say Ilulissat is home to as many as sledge dogs as humans, and it is probably true! When the snow is thick enough, you can enjoy the freedom of dog sledding and witness the interesting working structure among Greenlandic dogs. Yes, in Greenland, the sledge dogs are pure Greenlandic dogs, not Huskies. Here in Greenland, sledge dogs are not pets! They are working animals and trusted buddies of their owners. Even though they look fluffy and cute, the wild instinct remains strong within their genes. You should always keep a safe distance with them and never approach, pet or feed them, no matter what!
Optional Activities Hiking around UNESCO Ice fjord and Sermermiut – 2 hours, Difficulty 2 Dog Sledding in Ilulissat – 2 hours, Difficulty 2Day 4 - Snowshoe Hiking | Ilulissat
Today you can join optional activities such as a snowmobile tour or snowshoe hiking. Alternatively, you can wander around in the city or perhaps relax at the hotel and enjoy the amazing views of the icebergs slowly floating by.
If you prefer a hike into the Greenlandic winter wonderland, you should choose a 4-hour Snowshoe Hiking to the Ice Fjord. This tour gives you the opportunity to wear snowshoes and hike around the UNESCO World Heritage Ice Fjord, an extraordinary experience!
Arrive at the departure point yourself, and the tour guide will be there waiting to take you for an adventure of unbeatable panoramic views, frozen lakes, and icebergs shining in the Arctic sunshine.
Optional Activities Snowshoe Hiking to the Ice Fjord in Ilulissat – 4 hours, Difficulty 2Day 5 - Ice Fishing day & Kaffemik | Ilulissat
Today you can experience traditional and local Ilulissat through our optional activities: ice fishing and Kaffemik. Alternatively, you can wander around in the city or perhaps relax at the hotel and enjoy the amazing views of the icebergs slowly floating by.
Ice fishing in Ilulissat has a long history. Travelling over the frozen sea ice, we will follow the experienced tour guide to find the perfect fishing spot, bore a hole in the thick ice and throw in our lines. If we are lucky, we will be able to cook the fish tonight and reward ourselves with something tasty and fresh! No matter you are a beginner or experienced angler, this tour is suitable for everyone who loves nature.
Kaffemik means “Coffee please”. You will be invited to the local family, and over a cup of coffee and a piece of cake, you have the chance to learn more about family history and local traditions. This is a great way to get an insider’s view of everyday life in the Arctic.
When you get back to the hotel, a 3-course dinner will be served to mark the ending of this memorable holiday. With icebergs floating by and maybe northern lights dancing in the sky, does life get any better?
Optional Activities Ice Fishing in Ilulissat– 3 hours, Difficulty 2 Experience Local life in Ilulissat (Kaffemik) – 1.5 hours, Difficulty 1Day 6 - Goodbye Ilulissat | Ilulissat
Today is your last day in Ilulissat, our tour guide will drive you to the airport. There, you can board on Air Iceland Connect flight to go back to Reykjavik.
Upon arrival to Reykjavik Domestic Airport, the local guide will accompany you to Hotel Reykjavik Centrum.
Day 7 - Golden Circle & South Iceland | Reykjavik
Reykjavik is a metropolis with a truly small-town charm to it. Today you can explore Reykjavik on your own or join one of our classic tours showcasing the highlights on Iceland.
We recommend the Golden Circle Classic tour which takes around 7 hours. We drive northeast and stop at the most famous attractions along the way - Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site of Gullfoss Waterfall; and the Great Geysir. Pick-up and drop-off service are included, please check with the hotel reception for the pick-up point near you.
The South Iceland Explorer Tour is another optional tour you can join. We drive south through unique farmlands, mountains, glaciers, extinct (hopefully) volcanos, and the roaring Atlantic Ocean. Seljalandsfoss waterfall, the black sand beach in Vik and Reynisdrangar are some of the attractions you will see on this trip of approximately 10 hours. Travel in a comfortable bus as you explore the South Coast on Iceland.
Tomorrow will be the departure day. Please inform the hotel reception about your flight time tonight to get your airport shuttle bus booked.
Optional Activities The Golden Circle Classic – 7 hours, Difficulty 2 South Iceland Explorer Tour – 10 hours, Difficulty 2Day 8 - Departure day & Goodbye Reykjavik
All good things must come to an end, and today is the time to say goodbye to the North Atlantic. We will provide you with a Flybus ticket which will take you from the hotel to Keflavik Airport. Please inform the hotel reception about your flight schedule the night before departure to reserve a seat on the correct Flybus departure.
Optional Activities
What’s Included
- Return flights with Air Iceland Connect from Reykjavik Domestic Airport to Ilulissat
- Airport transfer between hotel and airport in Ilulissat
- Private transfer from hotel to Reykjavik Domestic Airport on Day 2
- Private transfer from Reykjavik Domestic Airport to hotel on Day 5
- Flybus ticket from Keflavik Airport to hotel on Day 1
- Flybus ticket from hotel to Keflavik Airport on Day 8
What’s Included
- 4 nights’ accommodation at Hotel Reykjavik Centrum or similar in standard room
- 3 nights’ accommodation at Hotel Arctic, Puisi Standard room
- Welcome meeting at Hotel Arctic on Day 2
- City Walk in Ilulissat on Day 2 with Arctic Adventure Guide
- Entry ticket to Ilulissat Museum
- Daily Breakfast
- 2-course dinner on Day 2
- 3-course dinner on Day 4
Not Included
- Flights between homecountry and Iceland
- Travel Cancellation Insurance
- Optional Activities
- Lunches and dinners (apart from the ones mentioned above)
- Transfers from Hotel Arctic to departure location of optional activities in Ilulissat (transfer for optional excursions"Kaffemik" "Hiking around UNESCO Ice Fjord and Sermermiut"and "ice fishing in Ilulissat" are included)
Practical Information
FAQ
1. For optional activities in Ilulissat, transfer from Hotel Arctic to departure location before and after the tour is NOT included in the price. Please contact your tour guide if you wish to book pick-up and drop-off transfers.
2. For optional activities in Reykjavik, pick-up services are included. Please consult at the Hotel reception for the nearest pick-up point.
3. For snowmobile, dogsledding tours and ice fishing tours, certain thickness of snow and ice are required. Based on the actual conditions of snow and ice, Arctic Adventure reserve the right to cancel or reschedule the tours.
4. For snowshoe hiking, the tour guide will decide whether snowshoes and hiking poles are necessary or not based on the actual conditions of snow and ice.
5. For snowmobile tours, all participants in this tour must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driving license. If you don’t meet those requirements, you can join the excursions as a passenger.
6. For dogsledding tours, you should always keep a safe distance with them and never approach, pet or feed them, no matter what!
7. For the helicopter tours, the price of this excursion is the basic price calculated based on 4 persons on the 5-seater plane and 6 persons on 8-seater plane. And it is subject to change upon your arrival based on the duration, type of helicopter, and actual participants. Changes of the price may happen even after booking and payment of this excursion.
8. Please follow safety regulations and the guidelines of tour guides throughout the journey.
9. We suggest you book the optional activities when booking this tour since limited number of seats are provided.
10. If the tour is cancelled due to weather conditions, failure to reach the minimum number of participants or other unpredictable situations, Arctic Adventure ApS reserves the right to cancel the tour. For tours cancelled by Arctic Adventure ApS under this situation, our customers will get a 100% refund.
11. If participants fail to participant the excursions based on their personal reasons (e.g. no show), Arctic Adventure ApS will not provide any refund.
12. Please note the decision to cancel is made through evaluation of actual weather situation, number of participants, and other unpredictable factors, not the customer.
13. For more information about cancellation policies, please check here.
For this excursion, we receive booking till the 10 weeks to the departure time of the excursion. However, please note that limited seats are provided. Late booking may be unavailable.
Weather in Greenland can be quite unpredictable, thus, cancellations and reschedule may occur.
If the excursion is cancelled due to weather conditions, failure to reach the minimum number of participants or other unpredictable situations, Arctic Adventure ApS reserves the right to cancel the excursion. For excursions cancelled by Arctic Adventure ApS under this situation, our customers will get a 100% refund.
Please go to “Practical Information” –>” Terms and Conditions” to view the detailed cancellation policy.
Transfers from Hotel Arctic to departure location of optional activities in Ilulissat (transfer for optional excursions”Kaffemik” “Hiking around UNESCO Ice Fjord and Sermermiut”and “ice fishing in Ilulissat” are included)
EQUIPMENT LIST
- Other clothing should be picked according to weather that day, you will not get much colder on the glacier as on the ground.
- Sturdy Hiking Boots – waterproof with good ankle support.
- Woollen/or thermal windproof hat, which covers your neck (alternatively, thermal face mask);
- Woollen/or thermal gloves (ideal as a base layer under waterproof gloves or mittens);
- Woollen/or thermal socks
- Warm, insulated winter jacket and snow trousers or salopettes;
- Woollen long sleeved shirts/or thermal shirts
- Thick sweater and woollen pullovers;
- Heat pads for hands and feet (especially for dog sled tours).
- Lip balm, cream and moisturizer
