Glacier & Ice (OB sales only)
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Port
Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
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Activity Level
Strenuous Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$220
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 6 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Very few places in Greenland offer such a phenomenal sensation and view of the Greenland Ice Sheet as Point 660, located at the ice sheet’s edge. The Greenland Ice Sheet is a fantastic natural formation that has developed over millions of years as layers of compacted snow and ice, gasses, dust and water accumulated. Although the landscape appears to be a frozen mass that has stood unchanged for eons, the Ice Sheet is active just like a living, breathing, evolving organism. In fact, with an average thickness of 2- to 3-kilometers (1.25-1.75 miles), the immense weight continues to push the ice outward toward the sea, which is why this so-called inland ice sheet can also be seen along much of Greenland’s coast. Begin in a 4WD-vehicle or coach you will pass Kangerlussuaq’s makeshift golf course, a miniature forest of conifers and a roughly 400-meter high cone-shaped rock called Sugarloaf. As Kangerlussuaq fades in the distance, we enter a stunning landscape of mountains, plains and semi-desert valleys. The route to the Greenland Ice Sheet winds along the beautiful valley of Sandflugtsdal and its equally long, milky turquoise meltwater river. The terrain alternates between fertile moor and dense scrub with sandy dunes and barren mountain slopes. By Greenlandic standards, this landscape is mild with rich flora and speckled with lakes, yet it is still relatively arid. A few kilometers from the ice sheet’s outer periphery lies the Russel Glacier, an impressive sight with vertical ice walls rising as high as 60 meters. Finally at Point 660 enjoy being nearby the edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Its towering backdrop of glacial foothills stretches from north to south as far as the eye can see, and is quite a remarkable sight to behold. You will have the opportunity to explore the surrounding area on foot and breathe in the ice sheet’s one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
Please note: Be aware that the surface of the ice can be slippery and uneven. To access the ice sheet, guests must be able to ascend and descend icy hills via a curvy, prepared walking path; however, not everyone will find this easy. The approximate walking distance is 400–500 meters each way, including gentle ups and downs. Elevation details vary and are not fixed; if exact measurements are required, we can send an escort free of charge to obtain them. Some guests—especially those with walking difficulties—may find this experience moderate to strenuous, primarily due to sandy/rocky dunes and uneven ice surfaces. Hiking poles and light spikes/crampons are recommended for additional stability, though cramp ons cannot be rented or provided onboard. Walking on the ice is generally flat but bumpy. The route is not a formal built trail; it is a natural, random pathway selected by the guide who is familiar with the area. In some cases, the driver may also serve as the guide, depending on group size. Guests who wish to return to the bus early may do so independently. The terrain is open and relatively flat, making it easy to see and orient toward the bus, which will remain unlocked during the walk for comfort or early return. After approximately one hour on the ice, guests will warm up on the bus as we return through Greenland’s beautiful tundra landscape. Along the way, there is a good chance of spotting reindeer, musk oxen, and—depending on the season—various bird and flower species. A restroom stop is typically made on the return journey. However, if needed, a stop can also be made at the airport on the outbound drive by request.