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Ilulissat

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Ilulissat is a city in Western Greenland.

Located in the Disco Bay just by the Icefjord, from which it has gotten its name, Ilulissat has one of the most beautiful settings for a great greenlandic experience.

[edit] Understand

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Ilulissat Airport (IATA: JAV, ICAO: BGJN) is located about 3 km (2 miles) from the center of town. Passenger service (as of 2010) is provided by Air Greenland and Air Iceland. Air Greenland [1], has flights north to Qaanaaq and Uummannaq (via Qaarsut) and south to Aasiaat, Qasigiannguit, Kangerlussuaq and Nuuk. Air Iceland [2] has flights twice weekly into Ilulissat from Reykjavik, Iceland (not to be confused with the international airport at Keflavik) in July and August.

[edit] By boat

Arctic Umiaq Line [3] sails to Ilulissat from South and West Greenland if the waters are safe.

Disko Line sails around Disco Bay for other destinations www.diskoline.gl [4]

[edit] Over land

The Disco Bay has not been frozen enough for dogsleding in more than 10 years, so only one trip (apr. 2007) has been made from Uummannaq, and that was via the inland ice.

[edit] Get around

You can walk around, or get a cab, if you're going to or from the airport, which is located a bit out of town. However, most hotels will pick up and drop off guests at the airport. The Hotel Arctic, which is furthest from the center of town, offers regular van service to the city center (although it's only a 20 minute walk should you prefer to go on foot.)

Watch for dogsled yield signs. Dogs are kept in many places around town, and sleds have right-of-way. They are fast and quiet, with dogs fanning out in front each on individual ropes. Pedestrians and vehicles both must beware.

Beware of Dogsled
Beware of Dogsled

[edit][add listing] See

The main attraction is the Ilulissat Ice Fiord [5], a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 35 kilometers from the city is a glacier constantly delivering icebergs into the Fiord. The speed of the glacier has increased from 22 meters/day in 2002 to now (2007) 35 meters/day as a result of global warming. The fiord is 500 meters deep, so the iceberg floats to Ilulissat where they hit a barrier, as the fiord is only 250 meters deep at the mouth to the Disko Bay. So here the icebergs get stuck until enough ice has melted so the iceberg can pass the barrier. As 8/9 of an iceberg is below sea level you'll see a lot of icebergs 20 to 30 meters high. The Fiord can only be reached by foot or boat (or by helicopter). It's a fairly easy walk from the city and after 1-2 kilometers' you'll see the icebergs - an impressive sight. You may take a 3-4 hours boat trip from the harbour - also a recommended tour.

[edit][add listing] Do

If you walk South from the camping ground you will reach the coast at the mouth of the icefjord. West of Kællingeklippen you will be high above the water, but walking around to the East side you can climb all the way down to the water and sit and watch the nature in all its magnificence.

No winter or spring trip would be complete without a dogsled ride. Tours from one hour to ten days can be arranged with tour companies in town. Each sled will hold one or two passengers, not including the driver who will sometimes run alongside, sometimes ride on the back, and sometimes jump on to sit in front of you.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-range

[edit] Splurge

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Ilulissat is the place in Greenland with most accommodations/hotels, but due to the increased popularity, it is recommended to make reservations in advance.

[edit] Budget

  • Sleep inn/Youth Hotels

[edit] Mid-range

[edit] Splurge

[edit] Contact

[edit] Stay safe

In the summer time long trousers, long sleeves, a hat and a mosquito-net is a must.

In the summer 2007 a polar bear was located some kilometers north of town. This was a major event as it was first time in 20 years a polar bear was seen in the area. In fact many of the local inhabitants surrounded the bear and it was soon decided that the bear was a threat. Consequently, the luckless bear was shot.

[edit] Get out

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