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A Visit To Eqi Glacier (The Calving Glacier) In Greenland.

Just north of Ilulissat on the west coast of Greenland and the world-famous ice fjord is Eqi Glacier, a wall of ice that´s up to 200meters/656feet high and 4km/2,4miles wide and one of the biggest and most active glaciers in all of Greenland.

Reaching the Eqi glacier is only possible on via a six to ten hour trip with a reinforced steel boat. It doesn’t take long after leaving Ilulissat before you start seeing huge chunks of floating icebergs, some of them ten times bigger than your small cosy boat and others even as tall as skyscrapers.

However, if you are extra lucky, you may also have a chance at spotting some whales on the way.

Ilulissat,Greenland,ice fjord,eqi glacier,north america
Ilulissat
Ilulissat,Greenland,ice fjord,eqi glacier,north america
Leaving the small town of Ilulissat.

Eqi glacier, located 80 km/49,7 miles north of Ilulissat with a population of 4,541, is the third-largest town in Greenland.

The boat trip in itself is beautiful, where you will see hundreds of icebergs in all shapes and sizes, and even a small waterfall from the big open sundeck from the top of the boat.

You will also pass the small and remote settlement of Oqaatsut/Rodebay while travelling further north into Disco Bay on your way to Eqi Glacier.

Ilulissat,Greenland,ice fjord,eqi glacier,north america
The small settlement of Oqaatsut/Rodebay.

Like already mentioned in my post about Kangerlussuaq and The Greenland ice sheet, Wheater even in July can be awful, and just like the day I visited the Ice Sheet at the beginning of my Greenland trip, on the day I went to Eqi Glacier, the weather also turned miserable (So it´s crucial to bring warm and windproof clothes).

Ilulissat,Greenland,ice fjord,eqi glacier,north america
One of the first but far from the last icebergs you will see floating around on your way to Eqi Glacier.
Ilulissat,Greenland,ice fjord,eqi glacier,north america,icebergs
A big Iceberg is soon turning into two icebergs.

Reaching Eqi Glacier can take from 2 hours to around 4 hours, depending on the amount of ice around Disco Bay and the Ataa Strait that the boat has had to drive up to reach Eqi.

Because of Eqi´s massive size, you will be able to see it in the far distance, but it’s not before you get to around 800 meters away from the Glacier itself that the boat will stop, and you can enjoy its full glory.

Ilulissat,Greenland,ice fjord,eqi glacier,north america,icebergs
The Mighty Eqi Glacier.
Ilulissat,Greenland,ice fjord,eqi glacier,north america,icebergs
Eqi Glacier
Ilulissat,Greenland,ice fjord,eqi glacier,north america,icebergs
A wall of ice

Eqi is a highly active glacier with big parts breaking off around every 15 – 30 minutes, hence the name “The Calving Glacier”. P.S the frequent “Calving” only happens when the sun is shining and warming up the ice.

During my 2-hour stay, not only did I encounter clouds and cold winds in front of the glacier, but  I only experienced a quarter of what would usually break off.

All the icebergs you passed on the way here have to come from somewhere, right?

The small boat will stop at a safe distance of 800 meters away,  and it´s easy to understand why when you understand the huge icebergs you passed on the way here have recently broken of Eqi Glacier.

If that is not concern enough when a part of the Eqi that ways hundreds of tons breaks off, can it cause a tidal wave.

Ilulissat,Greenland,ice fjord,eqi glacier,north america,icebergs
Calm water.
Ilulissat,Greenland,ice fjord,eqi glacier,north america,icebergs
Parts breaking off

Only small parts broke off during my 2-hour stay in front of the Eqi, but even at 800 meters away, I could feel the small waves that were a result of the parts breaking off while enjoying the way from the “sundeck”.

If the view wasn´t enough, the friendly crew on the boat had a small surprise, a small glass of whiskey or vodka (for a small fee) with some ice-cold ice fished straight out of the water.

So after two hours of a breathtaking view (not from the cold), it was time to head back to Ilulissat while passing by more impressive icebergs in all sizes and shapes.

But if you didn’t get enough photos of Eqi Glacier, is it possible to stay in what has to be the huts with the best view in the world, just across from the Glacier. At the Glacier Lodge Eqi, a true one of a kind luxury in the middle of nowhere (but with a world-class view) in Greenland.

Ilulissat,Greenland,ice fjord,eqi glacier,north america,icebergs
Glacier Lodge Eqi, At the end of the world, Eqi Glacier is just across the water.

Glacier Lodge Eqi is built next to the famous Danish explorer Poul Emile Victor’s old cabin. From here, he went on numerous expeditions to the Ice Cap in the years from 1948 to 1953.

The cabin still stands and is today a great reminder of all the polar history that happened in the era not that many centuries ago.

Eqi Lodge is an Eco-friendly accommodation with 15 small cabins. Where all the electricity comes from Solar Panels and ALL the waste is meticulously collected and brought back to Ilulissat.

The cabins are only reachable by boat (the same boat as used for Eqi Glacier tours) and are open when the waters around Greenland are not frozen, normally from 15th May to 15th September.

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Icebergs come in all shapes
Ilulissat,Greenland,ice fjord,eqi glacier,north america,icebergs
Some even have a hole big enough to drive a boat through.
Ilulissat,Greenland,ice fjord,eqi glacier,north america,icebergs
Ok, one more.

Additional Information About Eqi Glacier.

How To Visit Eqi Glacier: Only possible on an all-day excursion or while staying at Eqi Glacier Lodge, both done with the biggest travel company on Greenland, the “World Of Greenland“.

The price: 2295 Danish Kroner/363 USD/308 Euro.
The trip includes lunch, a soft drink, and unlimited coffee/tea, plus a transfer from your hotel/guesthouse in Ilulissat to the boat and back to your hotel/guesthouse after the trip.

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Ilulissat,Greenland,ice fjord,eqi glacier,north america,icebergs
A Visit To Eqi Glacier (The Calving Glacier) In Greenland. Just north of Ilulissat on the west coast of Greenland and the world-famous ice fjord is Eqi Glacier, a wall of ice that´s up to 200meters/656feet high and 4km/2,4miles wide and one of the biggest and most active glaciers in all of Greenland.

 

Anh

Monday 29th of April 2019

I would like to book one day trip from Ilulissat to Eqi Glacier on 30 May. No of guest is one (myself). Please let me know there is any available tour from 29 to 31 May (in case 30 May is not avaible)