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Ilulissat

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Ilulissat is a city in Northern 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 2008) is provided exclusively by Air Greenland [1], which has flights north to Qaanaaq and Uummannaq (via Qaarsut) and south to Aasiaat, Qasigiannguit, Kangerlussuaq and Nuuk. However, Air Iceland [2] is scheduled to start flights direct to Ilulissat from Reykjavik, Iceland in summer 2009.

[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.

[edit][add listing] See

The main attraction in Ilulissat is the Ice Fiord. 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 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.

[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 reservation 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 an ice bear was located some kilometers north of town. This was a major event as it was first time in 20 years an ice 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 bear was shot.

[edit] Get out

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