My next “Favorite Moment” takes you to the Ilulissat Icefjord. Located within the Disko Bay of Greenland, it is one of the most amazing places I have seen! Huge icebergs calving off Jakobshavn Glacier drift towards the ocean and pass the lovely village of Ilulissat. It is a great base to go explore the midnight sun phenomenon and see icebergs beautifully lit by the sun.

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Greenland Icebergs during midnight sun (Ilulissat Icefjord)

 

It was May 2014 when I visited Greenland’s West Coast. My main goal was to hike the 170km long Arctic Circle Trail*, but there was one thing I could just not miss: The Ilulissat Icefjord! The small village is basically surrounded by huge icebergs calving off the Jakobshavn Glacier towards the East near the gigantic Inland Ice sheet. Drifting towards the ocean, they are passing the little peninsula and can be best seen from the blue hiking trek that starts in Ilulissat. We were actually camping near that trail and had some amazing views from there!

But the real deal is to go out on a boat during midnight and enjoy those gentle giants floating through the open ocean. Since Ilulissat is located approximately 350 km north of the Arctic Circle, it qualifies for a location to witness the midnight sun phenomenon during which the sun does not set anymore. Having 24 hours of daylight is something to get used to at first, but then you will be rewarded with an extended, nearly three hour long golden hour. During this time, the sun is getting very close to the horizon and creates the warmest orange colors you could imagine. Add some icebergs in the ocean, and you are in for a treat!

*Check out my German trip report if you want to hear about that story! Working on the English version and will update it as soon as I can.

 

We went out on the cruise on June 1st and I took the pictures above during midnight of that day. It was a great place to celebrate into my 30th birthday as well and we had an amazing encounter with a very old Greenlandic lady. All of us were pretty drunk at that time already and when she decided to make a move on me, I was certain that I would never remember this very special birthday! 🙂

Full story: Greenland Part II, Disco Bay & Ilulissat Icefjord

>> I will use the Favorite Moments Page to collect all my travel highlights. <<

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