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What makes Ilimanaq special?
Sail through the enormous icebergs at the mouth of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ilulissat Icefjord for an indulgent experience in one of the oldest settlements in Greenland. In a juxtaposition of old and new, carefully restored colonial buildings form the heart of Ilimanaq Lodge – a modern, luxury eco-lodge located at the edge of the North Greenland settlement and perched high above Disko Bay. Enjoy drinks and gourmet meals in the 18th century home of missionary Poul Egede, spend your time relaxing in front of one of the best views in the world, or head out into a beautiful backcountry where musk-oxen, arctic hare, and arctic fox are common, and adventure awaits.
How to get to Ilimanaq
One of Ilulisat’s closest settlements, Ilimanaq is located on the southern side of the Ilulissat Icefjord and must be reached by boat if coming from the larger town. DiskoLine runs several shuttles between Ilulissat and Ilimanaq daily during summer and several tour operators also offer excursions to the settlement. During Winter, the main way to reach Ilimanaq is via helicopter transfer from Ilulissat or with dogsled, snowmobile or snowshoe from Qasigiannguit to the south.
The best time to visit Ilimanaq is between June and September as this is when the shuttle, lodge cottages, and restaurant all operate.
How to get around Ilimanaq
Ilimanaq is a small settlement that has no cars and does not take long to walk around. This is typical of small settlements in Greenland.
For excursions in the area, the most common way to get around is by foot or boat during the summer, or with dogsled, snowshoes or snowmobile during the winter.
Useful phone numbers
- Police(+299) 70 14 48 (Ilulissat)
- Hospital(+299) 94 32 11 (Ilulissat)
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What to do in Ilimanaq
Sailing around the icebergs near Ilimanaq at the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord is one of the highlights of any vacation to Greenland. It is also an experience that is automatically included in the journey from Ilulissat to Ilimanaq, which lies on the southern side of the Icefjord. It is one of the easiest Ilulissat day tours you can sign up for and one of the most popular things to do from Ilulissat.
There are more things to do in Ilimanaq than you would expect. Though small, Ilimanaq has a fascinating history that is actively being preserved through the restoration of important buildings. One of the best ways to learn about this past is on a guided settlement walk (included in a stay at Ilimanaq Lodge) that takes you to every corner of Ilimanaq and paints a vivid picture of life in a small Greenlandic settlement. You can also experience this more directly by joining a kaffemik – a traditional Greenlandic gathering – with a local family.
For something more active, the backcountry surrounding Ilimanaq is perfect for hikers. Choose your own adventure while keeping a sharp eye out for musk-oxen and other wildlife, or join an excursion to Nordre Huse – a viewpoint overlooking the Icefjord and from where it may be possible to see the Ilulissat Glacier and the Greenland Ice Sheet on a clear day. Long-distance hikers may also like to walk all the way to Qasigiannguit – a town about 3 days South of Ilimanaq.
Another adventurous option is to take a full-day trip from Ilimanaq to the remote Sarqardliup Glacier that spills down from the ice sheet. This excursion is run exclusively by locals and involves 4-wheel-driving in a utility terrain vehicle (UTV), sailing, and glacier-hiking. It is a unique experience in the Ilulissat area and the best way for adventure seekers to explore a glacier.
If all that sounds a bit too energetic, Ilimanaq is also the perfect place to simply relax, watch icebergs drift lazily by, or spot whales. Those that choose to stay overnight in Ilimanaq have only to look up from their bed or step onto their balcony to enjoy these pleasures, in between indulging in amazing food at this Ilulissat settlement’s top class restaurant.
Good to know!
- The project to restore the historical houses in Ilimanaq won the prestigious Europa Nostra cultural heritage prize in 2018.
- The electricity used by Ilimanaq Lodge is generated through solar panels. Any excess is sold to the local community very cheaply.
- Ilimanaq means “place of expectations” in the Greenlandic language. Its Danish name was “Claushavn”, which means “Harbour of Claus”, when it was a colony.
- Ilimanaq has a small Pilersuisoq supermarket that stocks basics. It is best to bring everything you need with you.
- You can also support the local community by purchasing your souvenirs from Ilimanaq Lodge reception.
- There is no tourism information, though you could ask for information at the Ilimanaq Lodge reception.