Our base for this photography tour will be a place called Disko Bay, which rests on Greenland’s west coast. There we’ll be well north of the Arctic Circle - something that will quickly become clear as we get to know some of the local wildlife. Luckily for us, the Disko Bay area is known for regular visits of humpback whales and seals, so we’ll always have one eye on the water! Out on the Icefjord, the water is calm and there are next to no waves, so spotting wildlife and capturing incredible reflections should be well within our grasp.
Disko Bay is a bay on the western coast of Greenland, where for the duration of the trip we will spend our nights at a 4-star hotel. This guarantees that the group will be well rested, properly fed, and within walking distance of plenty of Greenlandic culture. Ilulissat is known for its colourful houses, dog sledges, museums, fish markets, and hospitable locals. In short, there’s plenty to do while you’re waiting for your camera batteries to recharge!
The villages of Greenland aren’t really connected by highways or motorways. Here the sea is king, and the natural waterways offer the best routes to take. Because of this, we will charter a private boat for the entirety of our adventure. On our journey we will visit several Greenlandic settlements, including Qasigiannguit, Aasiaat, and Oqaatsut.
Much of our travelling and photography around Ilulissat’s Icefjord will be carried out at night, when the midnight sun offers the best light to work with and the conditions are unlike anything you will have experienced. More often than not we will begin our sessions late in the evening and continue through the night, chasing the best light and the most spectacular scenes. With the sun low on the horizon the light will become more saturated, with deep icy blues and a sky tinged with fiery reds. This magical light lasts between 2 to 4 hours, so we will try and make the most of it by cruising each evening..
This tour is suitable for all levels of experience and ability. We’ve got a savvy captain who’s used to working with photographers, knows the area well, and has an uncanny knack of sussing out great spots from behind the wheel. However, please note that the itinerary proposed is subject to the weather conditions. One thing we can promise is that we’ll take you to the best locations and help you walk away with a catalogue of inspiring photographs you’ll be proud of.
So what are you waiting for? Six days and five glorious nights in Greenland await...
After the dinner, we load to our vessel and depart to the Icefjord. You meet with greatest icebergs in the world tonight! The magic light usually lasts around 2-3 hours. Sun slightly touches the horizon, giving incredible colors, and roll on distant mountains. All these 3 magic hours we photograph icebergs, cruising around the fjord. Our trip is constructed for photographers, unlike touristic cruises you may book on solo trip to Ilulissat.
We finish the cruise around 2-3 a.m. in the night. We have a spare time until breakfast. If you feel you can endure some more, you are welcome to walk around the Ilulissat after the breakfast, observing how the settlement wakes up and starts its normal everyday life.
After dinner we will once again sail out into the icefjord. We’ll start a little earlier on day two, as on top of our usual ice hunt we will be visiting several small settlements to the south, including Kangia, Qasigiannguit, and/or Ilimanaq. The final stop will depend on the conditions of the ice. Greenlandic settlements tend be colourful, with colonial buildings full of character.
On our journey back we will hunt for some open-water icebergs, which vary in size, and come in a staggering variety of shapes. Castles, archways, towers - we will spend plenty of time under the midnight sun photographing these natural masterpieces. Our expedition will arrive back in Ilulissat between two and three in the morning.
We will eat out that evening, in what is known as the “whalehunter’s pub”, a small restaurant with a big history. There aren’t a huge amount of options, so we may just go there for lunch instead - it’ll depend on their weekly schedule!
After eating we will head back to Ilulissat and begin a night hike Sermermiut and the nearby Sermeq Kujalleq glacier. This is where all of the Disko Bay icebergs begin their journeys. Our walk will start from the outskirts of Ilulissat, before heading past Seqinniarfik, and up to the hilltop where local people meet the first rays of sun on January 13th every year. The path is straightforward, fitted with wooden paving for the majority.
It’s around 1 hour each way, with striking views and comfortable slopes. We will have plenty of stops on the way, and enjoy the midnight sun while keeping an eye out for the local wildlife. We will spend a couple of hours harnessing our tripods and long exposures to take some memorable photographs of the Icefjord.
Wildlife: In many ways, our daily excursions out onto the serene waters of the Icefjord will be a permanent whale safari. Hours will be spent at sea every day, and we expect to encounter plenty of whales as we glide through the water. Photography instruction: Throughout the duration of this photo tour the group will be guided by two award-winning professional photographers. Instruction will include post-processing classes, portfolio reviews, and critique sessions during the day. Comfort: Each night the group will be hosted at one of Greenland’s 4-star hotels, where we will enjoy local food and fabulous 3-course dinners. Incomparable scenes: This tour focuses on the Icefjord, a UNESCO world heritage site overflowing with natural beauty and striking spectacles. The landscapes and seascapes of Disko Bay will be our main photography hotspots, where we will sail alongside the greatest icebergs in the world under the magical illumination of the midnight sun. Local culture: Many of Greenland’s settlements are only reachable by the sea. Our exclusive boat means that we have access to many of these remote places, and you have time for travel and people photography during the expedition.
We highly recommend that you get a travel and medical insurance. Your own domestic medical insurance and private health scheme will not cover you whilst you are overseas. The tour will always dependent on weather, as the weather can be highly unpredictable. Likewise, sightings of wildlife will be dependent on the movement of animals and cannot be guaranteed.
2-7 Aug 2022 7-12 Aug 2022 12-17 Aug 2022 29 Aug - 3 Sep 2022 3-8 Sep 2022 8-13 Sep 2022 13-18 Jul 2023 23-28 Jul 2023 22-27 Aug 2023 7-12 Sep 2023
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