Oqaatsut with dogsled & Restaurant H8

This tour takes you on an adventure in the snow-covered area around Oqaatsut - a settlement of only around 35 people, located 20 kilometers north of Ilulissat.

By boat, we will set out from Ilulissat Harbor, gliding through the wintery waters toward the remote settlement of Oqaatsut. Upon arrival, our boat will dock at the edge of the frozen bay. During this time of year, the harbor is sealed by thick ice, transforming the bay into a natural pontoon and shimmering highway leading directly to the settlement. Together, we’ll walk safely across the ice — an unforgettable journey through breathtaking Arctic scenery.

When we reach Restaurant H8, we will get dressed in warm full body suits and boots - alike the ones that the Greenlandic fishermen uses nowadays. The local musher will be ready with his dogs and sled to take us on an adventure over the frozen bay. Dogsledding is one of the oldest traditions in Greenland, and are still used for both pleasure and work by the locals. Seeing the nature surrounding Oqaatsut and its backcountry from the sled is a unique experience. You will hear nothing but the paws of the running dogs touching the snow, and the musher communicating with them.

Once we return from the dogsledding tour, we’ll go back to Restaurant H8 to enjoy a hearty, warming lunch. Afterwards, our guides will take us on a walking tour through Oqaatsut, offering a unique glimpse into life in a modern yet traditional Greenlandic settlement. With time to explore the surroundings and enjoy the stunning viewpoints, we’ll end our visit before the boat arrives to take us back across the frozen bay — hearts full and cameras loaded with unforgettable memories.

Practical informationkeyboard_arrow_down

We will provide warm body suits and boots for the tour. We recommend that you wear warm, wool inner layers and socks, and that you bring a hat, gloves and buff to cover part of your face if necessary. It can get a bit cold sitting on the sled.

The dog sledding part of the tour takes approx 1 hour. Please be aware that the local musher speaks Greenlandic, and therefor only communicates in short sentences and gestures. It is very important to follow the instructions given by your guide before the tour, and that you always follow the instructions from the musher along the ride.

This tour is not suitable for participants with problems with/pain in their backs or legs.

You will be two participants on the sled. If you have booked as a single person or in an uneven number, you will share a sled with someone you don't know.

Lunch is included in the tour. If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions we should know, please inform us in advance (minimum 24 hours before the tour) on ilulissat@aac.gl for us to be able to take it into account. Drinks are not included.

On the boats there are toilets, heated cabins, and outdoor decks. The maximum capacity per boat is 12 passengers.

Please be awarekeyboard_arrow_down

The sled dogs is a working animal and does not share much in common with a typical family pet. It fulfills a very important role in the Greenlandic way of life in terms of survival through centuries. The dogs are treated very well by the mushers, but there is a clear hierarchy both between the musher and the dogs, but also between the dogs.