Bird’s-eye view: Frozen dream

TRAVEL Greenland

Near Ilulissat, Greenland, 69° N, −21° C, 15/3, 17:08

Beyond the village

TEXT AND PHOTO: Benjamin Hardman

Filled with dramatic ice-covered scenery, the backcountry of Ilulissat is an excellent place to explore. In such a vast and wild landscape, you feel like the first human to traverse the land.

Team up with one of the incredibly welcoming local guides and you could find yourself aboard a dog sled, sailing boat or on the back of a snowmobile for what will become a unique adventure in the Arctic.

Completely switched off from technology, we venture far out of town on snowmobiles to stay beside the back section of the icefjord in a mountain hut. Walking amongst the ice, we traverse over a safe section of the frozen sea ice that is mostly used for ice fishing in the winter. Being at the base of an iceberg in this area is a truly astounding experience.

Whilst endlessly impressive from a distance, being so close to the ice brings the immense scale right to your body. You really do feel incredibly small out there in comparison to these ice giants.

Getting there: Air Iceland Connect offers direct flights to Ilulissat 2-3 times a week in April, March and September, and up to seven times a week from early June to the end of August. → airicelandconnect.com