Greenland is the world’s largest island, sitting between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. Most of its population lives along the ice-free coastline, and West Greenland is home to many of the country’s towns and settlements. Mountains, fjords and Disko Bay shape this part of the coast.
Ilulissat is a small town on the edge of Disko Bay, where huge icebergs move out from the Ilulissat Icefjord. A boat ride away, Disko Island looks completely different, with black-sand beaches, volcanic mountains and waterfalls. Along the coast, small settlements like Oqaatsut sit, while farther north, Eqi Glacier meets the sea.
These are some of the places we’ll visit on our six-day West Greenland Adventure. We’ll spend time in Ilulissat, hike near the Icefjord, travel across Disko Bay, and spend two nights on Disko Island. Boat trip? Check! We’ll head out to Eqi Glacier, with a stop in Oqaatsut too.
There’s quite a bit to know before traveling to this part of Greenland, especially in summer. In this guide, we’ll cover the places we visit, what there is to see and do, what the weather and long summer days are like, and how much hiking and activity to expect.
Ilulissat and the Ilulissat Icefjord
Ilulissat sits on Greenland’s west coast, about 250 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, beside Disko Bay and the Ilulissat Icefjord. Ice is part of the scenery almost everywhere you look. Huge icebergs drift through the bay, and many of them begin their journey farther inside the Icefjord at Sermeq Kujalleq.
Sermeq Kujalleq carries ice from the Greenland Ice Sheet toward the sea. As large pieces break away from the glacier, they make their way through the Icefjord and eventually into Disko Bay. The scale of this process is one reason the Ilulissat Icefjord became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Scientists have been studying the Ilulissat Icefjord and its glacier for more than 250 years, helping us better understand glaciers and climate change.
People have lived in this area for around 4,500 years, and traces of the Saqqaq, Dorset, and Thule cultures have been found here. That history still shapes the landscape you see today, especially around Sermermiut Valley.
If you decide to come with us to West Greenland, you’ll experience the Icefjord from both the water and the trail. On our first day in Ilulissat, we’ll head out on a private boat tour among the icebergs. Later in the trip, we’ll return for a guided 7 km hike through Sermermiut Valley, where people lived for thousands of years overlooking the Icefjord.
Disko Island: Volcanic Landscapes and Qeqertarsuaq
Disko Island lies across Disko Bay from Ilulissat and has a geology that sets it apart from much of the surrounding region. While most of Greenland’s bedrock is very old, volcanic activity shaped Disko Island in part, creating the dark basalt mountains and rock formations found around Qeqertarsuaq today. The area around Qeqertarsuaq is also known for its black-sand beaches, waterfalls, and relatively rich plant life.
Qeqertarsuaq is the main town on Disko Island and sits on the island’s southern coast. Like many Greenlandic towns, brightly painted houses stand against the darker mountains and coastline. In summer, you can explore the area on foot and by boat, with hiking routes leading from town into the surrounding mountains and along the coast. And when you’re out on the water, keep an eye out. Summer is whale season in Disko Bay, and while there are never any guarantees, you may be lucky enough to spot one, a sight I’m sure you’ll never forget.
The volcanic geology is one of the things that makes this part of West Greenland different. Around Qeqertarsuaq, hiking routes lead to waterfalls, basalt formations and higher mountain terrain. The area is also known for its vegetation, with more than half of Greenland’s plant species found in the backcountry around Qeqertarsuaq.
If you come with us, we’ll make this trip across Disko Bay from Ilulissat and spend two nights on Disko Island. We’ll have time in Qeqertarsuaq to hike and explore the coastline with a local guide. And trust us, you’ll be glad we have two nights here.
Eqi Glacier and Oqaatsut
About 80 kilometers north of Ilulissat is Eqi Glacier, one of the places in West Greenland where you can see a glacier meet the sea. Eqi is a calving glacier, meaning pieces of ice periodically break off at its front and fall into the water. You may even see it calve while you’re there, an incredible sight from the water.
The journey from Ilulissat to Eqi takes you north through Disko Bay, past icebergs and long stretches of coastline. There are no roads connecting Greenland’s towns and settlements, so people travel between communities mainly by boat or air. For us, that means much of our travel will be on the water. As you get closer to Eqi, the glacier becomes visible across the water.
Not far from Ilulissat is Oqaatsut, a small fishing settlement about 21 kilometers north of town. Can you picture it yet? Colorful houses sitting along the shoreline, with icebergs passing through the water.
Oqaatsut also has an interesting history. Its Greenlandic name means “cormorants,” while its former Danish name, Rodebay, or “Red Bay,” dates to the area’s whaling period. Today, visitors can walk through the settlement and along the shoreline, hike in the surrounding hills, or reach Oqaatsut by boat from Ilulissat.
If you come with us in 2027, we’ll spend a full day out on the water visiting Eqi Glacier and Oqaatsut. We’ll stop in Oqaatsut for lunch and have time to walk through the settlement before returning to Ilulissat.
What Is West Greenland Like in Summer?
Summer in West Greenland is cool, but not as cold as you might think. In Ilulissat, daytime temperatures in June and July are often around 5–10°C (41–50°F). A sunny afternoon may feel comfortable, while a boat ride can have you reaching for another layer pretty quickly. Layers and a waterproof outer layer are your best bet.
Not sure what to pack?
We put together a packing list to make that part a little easier.
Summer also means a lot of daylight. Ilulissat sits about 250 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, and for part of the summer the sun never actually sets. You can come back from dinner late in the evening and still have daylight outside. It can take a little getting used to when your watch says bedtime and the sky says otherwise. If you need a dark room to sleep, this is one trip where a sleep mask earns its place in your suitcase.
Summer is a great time for hiking around Disko Island, and whales can often be found in the surrounding waters, so you may spot one while traveling by boat. Mosquitoes and small biting midges are common during the summer months too, so insect repellent is worth packing.
Food in Greenland reflects both the Arctic environment and the traditions of the people who live here. For thousands of years, people relied on what the land and sea provided, with hunting and fishing becoming an important part of life. You can still see that history in Greenlandic food today, with fish and seafood, reindeer and musk ox among the local ingredients. In Ilulissat, you’ll find restaurants serving Greenlandic dishes as well as more familiar choices.
Those long summer days do mean that you won’t see the Northern Lights because the sky doesn’t get dark enough. If seeing the aurora is high on your list, Viking Women also offers winter trips in Iceland, including our Winter Ring Road Adventure, when the longer nights give us the chance to watch for the Northern Lights.
How Active Is Our West Greenland Trip?
We’ll be moving quite a bit on this trip, but we won’t be hiking every day. One of our longer hikes is the 7 km walk through Sermermiut Valley along the Icefjord. On Disko Island, we’ll also head into the mountains for a guided hike to a summit at approximately 800 meters. Some of the trails can be wet or uneven, so you’ll want to be comfortable spending a few hours on your feet.
There’s a mix of hiking, walking, boat travel and time to explore on your own. We’ll stay in hotels each night, so you’ll have a comfortable place to come back to at the end of the day.
You don’t have to be someone who spends every weekend hiking, but you should enjoy being active and feel comfortable walking on uneven ground and being outside for several hours at a time. And if the trail gets a little muddy, well, that’s what hiking boots are for.
Is This West Greenland Trip for You?
If you like the idea of hiking one day, heading out on the water the next, and having time to wander around a small Greenlandic town in between, this trip gives you a little of all of it. You’ll be outside a lot, and you’ll need to be comfortable with boats, changing weather, and some longer days on your feet.
Still trying to figure out which trip sounds most like you? We made a quick quiz to help.
Come to West Greenland With Us
We’re heading back to West Greenland in June 2027, and we’d love to have you along. Bring your layers. We’ll take care of the itinerary.
You can take a look at the full itinerary, dates, and everything else you need to know about the trip below.
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