Seize the Magic of Greenland in Ilulissat
Ilulissat is someplace you might want to go to in your lifetime when you’re into icebergs and all issues arctic. Frozen pure wonders meet a tradition that’s as fascinating as it’s vibrant forming a photogenic dreamscape of potentialities.
As Greenland’s third largest metropolis, Ilulissat is residence to the UNESCO World Heritage Website, the Ilulissat Icefjord the place the world’s quickest transferring glacier funnels icebergs in direction of Disko Bay. It’s a sight that’s laborious to understand upon first glace. It’s sheer scale, shapes, patterns and the huge whiteness can take a number of days to essentially take in so you should definitely plan for at the very least 5 days!
Basing your self in Ilulissat is a good way to make sure you can benefit from the numerous excursions and mountaineering routes that start on the town. Having spent two weeks exploring the area in July, I’ve put collectively this information of photogenic experiences do you have to want slightly inspiration in your personal journey.
Midnight Solar Icefjord Cruise
Put together your self for what will likely be top-of-the-line evenings of your life. No query.
Earlier than you’ve barely left the harbour at 10pm, the boat will likely be cruising previous floating icebergs, some the dimensions of a dinner plate, others the dimensions of a 5 story constructing. There’s actually no comparability for this expertise and when you’re a photographer, be able to unfastened your thoughts.
The Ilulissat Icefjord is the place large icebergs which have calved off the Kangia Glacier are caught, forming an ice financial institution of huge frozen buildings. As they slowly soften and break up, the icebergs drift out to sea of Disko Bay earlier than the Atlantic Ocean. Dimension, distinction and true pure magnificence is obvious in all instructions because the boat cruises alongside icebergs as much as 60m in top.
Through the summer season months humpback whales are sometimes sighted amongst the fjord too, gracefully spouting and forming bubble nets a lot to the delight of hovering seagulls.
On board the World of Greenland’s boat you may arise on deck and seize the surroundings with spectacular views all spherical. I extremely suggest trialling each the highest and again of the underside deck to make sure you get a mixture of panorama photos from water stage and in any other case.
Photograph tip: Take quite a lot of lenses so you may alternate your composition all through the cruise. Having a flexible lens just like the M.Zuiko 40-150mm F2.8 PRO lens will allow you to concentrate on each particulars and panorama photographs as you move the icebergs. Some moments, comparable to whales breaching or icebergs calving can occur shortly so you should definitely maintain your eyes peeled and set off prepared.
Kayak amongst Humpback Whales
A kayak tour in Ilulissat is tough to elucidate in phrases so it’s fortunate I’ve acquired some images of the expertise huh!? Let’s simply begin with the one which’ll promote you right away…
Above you’ll see humpback whales coming to the floor proper in entrance of a bunch of kayakers. Loopy, proper? Tucked inside a dry swimsuit, you’ll be toasty heat whereas paddling on the chilly arctic water but when this second occurs, you could must take slightly breather to chill down.
Being on the water generally is a stupendous ambiance however to paddle beside icebergs because the kayak gently rocks over the small swell and anticipation builds with whales in a position to seem at any second is one thing else. Each equally enjoyable and adrenaline pumping.
The quiet you’ll expertise on the water is barely interrupted by spouting whales and tender strokes breaking the water floor or, when you’re actually fortunate, the awe inspiring sound of a calving iceberg.
Led by an skilled kayaking skilled, you’ll be guided alongside the coast from the harbour in direction of the Ilulissat Icefjord below the rays of the midnight solar. In case you’re visiting in July, the solar gained’t attain the horizon, as a substitute offering countless preferrred images situations. Heat night daylight shimmers throughout the water floor…it’s actually spectacular.
Really useful tour – Kayaking Expertise with World of Greenland
Photograph tip: As a result of it’s necessary to in fact concentrate on paddling your kayak, slightly waterproof/motion digital camera will likely be the best choice for this tour. The Olympus TG-6 allows you to seize RAW recordsdata, video and can deal with the freezing chilly situations like slightly champ.
One factor to attempt when you’re in a position to get that near the water is a split-level shot. You possibly can learn my information to photographing split-level landscapes right here however basically simply dip your digital camera in so the water stage sits half means up the lens. There’s no a lot to see beneath the floor (except a whale passes shut by) however the motion of the water will present an ideal angle with distinctive composition.
Sermemiut Historic Hike
Labeled as a World Heritage web site in 2004, the Sermemiut Settlement is positioned beside the Icefjord, only a quick stroll from the township of Ilulissat. For 4000 years, varied Inuit cultures and communities residing on the settlement of which you’ll be able to nonetheless see stays throughout the panorama.
Attributable to its reputation and in addition that it kinds a part of the blue path mountaineering route, you may enterprise alongside the boardwalk your self at any time or decide to do a tour with a World of Greenland information. Having a information to share tales of the life and traditions provides to the expertise of imagining simply what life would’ve been like contained in the turf huts.
Icebergs type a powerful backdrop because the walkway leads in direction of Nakkaavik, referred to as ‘the place to fall’. The point of view is a rocky cliff the place a surprising but selfless act befell centuries in the past. Girls from the Inuit communities residing at Sermemiut would throw themselves off the cliff once they believed they have been a burden to society. One thing that till you’ve seen the cruel surroundings they lived in would sound completely loopy. The boys would as a substitute wander into the panorama, by no means to be seen once more.
Photograph tip: The hike isn’t too demanding so you may take a digital camera bag together with your complete package inside. You’ll need each a large angle lens to {photograph} the settlement and horizon of icebergs, plus a zoom to seize the element of the Icefjord earlier than you.
{Photograph} Whales on Safari
Witness two pure wonders collectively, icebergs and whales on a sea safari. Cruise the Ilulissat Icefjord the place whales collect as krill are stirred up by the churning currents throughout summer season.
Your captain will slowly enterprise across the icebergs on the look out for distant spouts of water or flocks of seagulls indicating whales could also be shut by. Retaining in fixed contact with native fisherman, the possibilities of seeing whales are very excessive so seize a seat on the highest deck (put on a lot of layers) and have your digital camera able to go!
The coastal waters of Greenland see about 15 species of whale all year long nevertheless the most typical sightings are of the Humpback whales and when you’re fortunate, you might even see a minke or fin whale. With the humpback fairly lively within the water, you’ll must have your digital camera able to go for any fin or tail slaps together with the all the time spectacular breaching.
When photographing the whales on this area, I used to be fascinated by how the seagulls work with them to gather krill that get discarded into the air. Not solely are they onto an excellent technique, they make for a unbelievable extra topic inside photos, additional enhancing the motion of a picture and dimension of the whale.
Photograph tip: Because of the unpredictability of the place and when the whales will seem, it’s necessary to have a dependable zoom lens obtainable on this journey. I photographed with the 40-150mm f2.8 on the Olympus E-M1 MKII and in addition had the 300mm f4 professional lens on the E-M1X to verify I lined all bases.
Utilizing the icebergs inside your composition is a good way so as to add to the story of your picture. Their patterns and contrasting white color towards the ocean and black whales creates a stupendous panorama scene!
Learn extra – The Advantages of a Zoom Lens Whereas Travelling
Wander the Vibrant Streets of Ilulissat
You’ve heard of the yellow brick street however in Ilulissat the rainbow-like skyline could have you composing photographs and skipping alongside the streets throughout city.
When timber kits have been initially despatched from Scandinavia to Greenland, the homes have been painted in daring colors to characterize their perform. Crimson was business, yellow signalled a hospital, blue was for fishing and black, the police station.
Now you’ll discover colors each shade of the rainbow (or Pantone palette) scattering the hillside overlooking the waters of Disko Bay. The custom of portray each homes and business buildings in daring tones has continued though now the illustration isn’t as precise illustration of perform. As a substitute, they type a vibrant city that’s value exploring simply as a lot because the icefjord you’ve little doubt come to see.
World of Greenland operates strolling excursions all through the summer season months in Ilulissat to present you an summary of each the historical past and important buildings. Wandering with an skilled information is a superb introduction to visiting Greenland as you’ll not solely hear about what you’re seeing however some tales and traditions too.
In case you’re quick on time, I can extremely suggest wandering all the way down to Zion’s Church, one of many northernmost church buildings on the earth, which is positioned on the shore near the city centre and really photogenic!
Photograph Tip: Get low to make use of the quite a few flowers in bloom so as to add much more color and a stupendous body to the scene. Additionally venturing out round midnight throughout summer season will present a stunning gentle with virtually nobody within the streets!
Hike the Coastal Yellow Route
Kicking off from both the facility station or trailhead of the blue/yellow route you may wander on this hike at your individual tempo to take pleasure in unimaginable views over the Icefjord.
This was my favorite path within the Ilulissat space as I used to be accompanied by whales the complete route alongside the coast…no joke, for hours. They have been swimming up and down so slowly, fishing on krill and offering a soundtrack of spouts as I criss-crossed over the rocky hillside. Probably the greatest days I’ve ever spent open air and I hope that anybody else who ventures alongside this path has the same expertise.
From downtown Ilulissat the hike all the best way to the icefjord takes roughly 2hours however give or a take slightly relying how briskly you stroll and naturally, what number of images you cease to seize. It’s not essentially strenuous nevertheless it’s value having first rate mountaineering boots, pack some snacks and make a half day of it to essentially take in the sweetness.
The shoreline route not solely supplies a chance to {photograph} the surroundings, icebergs and whales however you’ll come throughout some vibrant flora and still have the possibility to identify the very illusive and cute Arctic Fox.
Photograph tip: Whereas I usually suggest packing as little as doable on a mountaineering journey, I really feel like is one route the place you could wish to use your whole obtainable lenses. Since you’re taking pictures from stable floor fairly than a ship (like lots of the different excursions), you’ve acquired an opportunity to essentially take your time and observe the icefjord. That mentioned, I captured photos on a 12-40mm f2.8, 40-150mm f2.8 and 300mm f4 lens.
You possibly can seize a map from the World of Greenland workplace or tough it slightly and comply with the markings.
*In the summertime months you’ll wish to have a fly internet hat obtainable as a result of the humid situations create a swarm of buzzing bugs that may shortly flip your expertise right into a damaging one. Nonetheless, with a really trendy hat at your disposal, you’ll be completely protected and may proceed you on having fun with the views!
Fly above the Kangia Glacier with Air Zafari
An aerial vantage level is all the time value choosing when you’re a photographer, particularly when the panorama is as huge and epic as that of the Ilulissat area. From take off to touchdown your eyes will likely be in awe of the surroundings beneath.
In a small airplane you’ll fly as much as 65km down the icefjord with huge frozen buildings beneath forming a canvas you’ll little doubt wish to {photograph} many times. From above you’re in a position to see the meltwater streams as their vibrant blue color contrasts strikingly towards the white ice. There’s additionally a helicopter tour that may take you proper to the glacier’s edge! Take a peek on the obtainable excursions right here.
Choosing ‘The Kangia’ route will take you over the northern glacier ‘Sermeq Avangnardleq’ after which onto the mighty Isua Glacier which is the place the UNESCO World Heritage Website begins in your journey again by way of the icefjord.
Examine my expertise flying over Sermeq Kujalleq right here.
This glacier produces extra icebergs than another within the northern hemisphere so when you’re making an attempt to rely what number of icebergs you see…you could wish to begin at 10,000 and work from there. Banked up for miles down the icefjord, a flightseeing expertise offers you a perspective like no different to see actually how expansive this pure marvel is.
When you get slightly nearer to the mouth of the icefjord, maintain your eyes peeled for whales as they cruise by way of the water beside the icebergs. Moments earlier than touchdown we noticed what was initiatlly regarded as two whales…upon additional inspection of my images on the pc that evening, I’d really photographed six whales in a single picture!
Photograph tip: Attempt to get your digital camera as shut as doable to the home windows, utilizing your finger to make sure it doesn’t scratch the floor and smash the expertise for different company. There’s the chance you’ll get critically snap completely satisfied (cue me quickly photographing something white initially…which was in fact, all the pieces in sight), however take a second to stare out the window and determine the way you wish to compose your photos. Regardless of which flight route you go for there’s a minimal of 25minutes within the air so get snug, go searching after which seize a number of the greatest images you’ll ever take!
Additionally don’t fear an excessive amount of a couple of large angle lens…you’ll extra doubtless be centered on a 40-150mm vary because of the form of the home windows and naturally panorama beneath.
The place to remain in Ilulissat –
The placement of your lodge, house or lodge issues when visiting Ilulissat. It’s the distinction between plenty of strolling, and maximising your time!
I primarily based myself at Nuka Hostel, a brand new apartment-style advanced proper on the principle avenue near the World of Greenland workplace (your assembly level for many excursions), supermarkets, cafes and the harbour.
Having spent a complete of 10 nights there, can safely say it’s the place I like to recommend anybody on the lookout for someplace central stays. Regardless of being known as a ‘hostel’, it’s removed from it with well-appointed and glowing clear rooms, free WIFI (not discovered many locations) and beautiful employees! Plus there’s cooking services in your room making these midnight snacks very doable about your adventures within the midnight solar. There’s restricted lodging obtainable in Ilulissat so you should definitely e-book properly forward of your go to particularly throughout summer season! Verify the greatest charges right here for Nuka Hostel.
In case you’re after someplace by the water there are two lodge choices that present stunning rooms with ocean views so you may watch the icebergs and whales cruise by your window. Take a peek at each Resort Arctic and Resort Icefiord.
Ilulissat Map: Key locations of curiosity talked about inside this information –
Learn extra about the best way to {photograph} in these situations –
Keep at Glacier Lodge Eqi – Sleep by a rumbling glacier!
3 Scenic Places to Go to in Greenland
The best way to Use your Digicam in Excessive Circumstances + Climates
Climate Forecasting for Panorama Photographers
Hey! I’m the founder and photographer behind The Wandering Lens.
With 17+yrs expertise as an expert journey and panorama photographer, all recommendation discovered on this web site is from my private expertise on the street. I hope it’s helpful in your personal travels and would love to listen to within the feedback about your journeys and experiences world wide.
