OVERVIEW

Northern lights, icebergs, fall colours and Arctic culture!

Join us in September 2025 in Ilulissat and Disko Island, Greenland, as we explore one of the least-photographed but most beautiful countries in the world! You’ll get a chance to work closely with our world-class tour leaders and tackle a variety of topics aimed at expanding your technical photo skills and your creative vision — all while soaking in the Arctic splendour of an incredible, pristine environment.

Many of us at OFFBEAT have a long-standing relationship with Greenland and consider the island to be the ultimate landscape photography playground.

Location: Ilulissat and Disko Bay, Greenland

Dates: September 1-10, 2025 

Tour Leaders*: Paul Zizka + Curtis Jones + Stephen DesRoches

 ITINERARY

(Note: subject to change)

Day 1

• 2 PM on - check-in – Welcome to fabled Greenland! We arrive in the iceberg capital of the world and settle into the Hotel Ilulissat, our home for the next few nights. The hotel will provide transportation from the Ilulissat Airport to the hotel.
• 4:30 - 6:00 PM– Meet and greet in the hotel lobby.
• 6 PM - Welcome dinner.
• 8 - 10 PM - Our first shoot - we'll be headed to a special spot for sunset.

Day 2

• On our first full day we'll hike to the incredible Ilulissat Icejford, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At sunset, we'll head out on the boats to search for the wildest icebergs we can find!

Day 3

• Today, we explore a different section of the Icefjord. And, of course, as we'll do most nights, we'll stay up late for aurora if the skies are clear!

Day 4

• Day 4 sees us leaving Ilulissat behind and sailing across the Bay of Disko to the volcanic shores of Disko Island - always a highlight of the trip!

Day 5

• Explorations around mesmerizing Qeqertarsuaq - the only town on the entire island of Disko. If the weather plays nice, we'll show you what we feel is the most epic stretch of coastline anywhere on planet Earth!

Day 6

• Further explorations around Disko Island. Basalt columns, waterfalls, fall colours - here we come!

Day 7

• We love this island so much that as of this year, we've added extra time on it. You'll soon see why - Disko is full of magic. We'll venture into new corners today in search of icebergs and geological marvels.

Day 8

• Day 8 sees us take to the seas again as we make our way back to Ilulissat. Keep an eye out for whales and behemoth icebergs!

Day 9

• One more day in the land of icebergs, and one more crack at a memorable display of the northern lights. We end the day with a wonderful finale dinner at the Ilulissat Hotel.

Day 10

• Time to say goodbye after the adventure of a lifetime! We shuttle back to the Ilulissat airport to catch our flights out of Greenland.

* As per our Terms and Conditions, OFFBEAT reserves the right to change, at any time, the tour leader of any workshop.

 THE FINER DETAILS 

Included:

• Daily instructions/mentorship with your tour leaders, Paul Zizka, Curtis Jones, Stephen DesRoches
• Airport pickup/drop-off in Ilulissat.
• Ferry fees to Disko Island.
• All accommodation within Greenland for the duration of the workshop.
• Daily breakfast included.
• Iceberg boat tour.
• Location scouting and itinerary planned by OFFBEAT instructors.
• Lifetime membership to our OFFBEAT Community.

Not Included:

• Airfare to/from Ilulissat.
• Lunches and most dinners.
• Alcohol.
• Travel insurance.
• Any weather-caused delays/extensions to stay.

 PLEASE NOTE 

Western Greenland is a wild, wild place where EVERYTHING depends on the weather and transportation is often a challenge. Think of this adventure as an expedition, where we adapt to the weather in order to get the most out of the experience. The unpredictable conditions and remoteness are partly why Greenland is such a special place, and why it’s so rarely visited. While we hope to stick to our intended itinerary as much as possible, there may be delays in flights and ferries. OFFBEAT will not be responsible for extra expenses incurred by weather delays (whether those expenses are related to meals, accommodation or rebookings) and so it is imperative that you have the necessary insurance for this trip. We also highly recommend factoring in buffers in our international travel arrangements.

 PRICE AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE 

Cost: CAD $8900

Payment options: Full payment or $1500 non-refundable deposit to secure a space with remaining three payments as listed below.

Non-Refundable Deposit: CAD $1500

• Installment Payment #1 $1850 - Nov 29, 2023
• Installment Payment #2: $1850 - May 30, 2024
• Installment Payment #3: $1850 - Nov 30, 2024
• Installment Payment #4: $1850 - May 30, 2025

Note: Failure to pay by due dates means forfeiting deposit and spot will be freed up and potentially sold to another interested participant (see more in cancellation policy below).

If unforeseen circumstances arise, participants are welcome to transfer/sell their space to another interested participant. In such case, participants are responsible for handling payment for the transfer.

 PARTICIPANTS

• 8 minimum

We require a minimum of 8 participants in order to run this workshop. If the minimum numbers are not reached by January 2025 the workshop may be cancelled and deposits will be refunded to participants. See our cancellation policy below for more details.

 ACCOMMODATIONS 

Your time for the duration of the workshop is split between two comfortable hotels, one in Ilulissat, which offers stunning views of giant icebergs passing through the harbour, and the very unique Disko Hotel on the remote and rugged Disko Island.

Important note:   please note that accommodations will be shared (two participants of the same sex per room). Accommodations are always made for friends/spouses traveling together to ensure you room together.  A single room may be available for a supplemental fee.

 MEALS 

Breakfasts will be had at the hotels. Lunches and dinners will be largely on your own (although we of course often op to all eat together!). For those looking for sit down/restaurant meals, both villages offer a variety of restaurants. In Ilulissat, the hotel offers dining options that are excellent, and there’s plenty of choice in and around the town. As we are now quite familiar with the area, we are happy to recommend establishments if need be.

In Qeqertarsuaq, the options are definitely fewer - you’ll see why when you get there. This is the edge of the Earth! The hotel serves great meals and we suspect most will end up there frequently. However, if we’re lucky, a quirky place called the Blue Café will be open to welcome us. There is also a very well-stocked grocery store right in the village.

 TRANSPORTATION

Come expecting to walk through the village of Ilulissat and on Disko Island as opposed to vehicle transportation. The towns are small and it’s a great way to take in the local culture and sights of the town. For reference we found we walked, on average, about two-four kilometres per day in and around town (longer hikes, of course, for access to great photo places).

 WHAT TO EXPECT 

The workshop is suitable for participants of all levels of experience in photography. Most locations will be readily accessible with short hikes.

This event focuses 100% on landscape + outdoor + night photography, but participants are free to ask questions about and practice portrait photography as well. It is worth noting that the workshop will be quite intense in order to maximize field time. Participants are not expected to participate in every aspect of the workshop/tour. It’s up to you to get out as much as you like, though of course it is recommended you give it your all.

  LEAVE NO TRACE 

We preach and live the ethics of "leave no trace" photography, which means that the utmost care is given, while hiking and photographing, to leaving zero impact on the natural environment. Participants are expected to approach this tour with the same ethics at all times.

 WHAT TO BRING 

As the tour is in September in the Arctic, there is the possibility of some very diverse weather conditions and cool temperatures, especially in the late evening and early mornings. Please come prepared for a variety of weather conditions as the more comfortable you are, the more enjoyable your experience will be. For reference, we experienced temperatures ranging from -10C at night to +8C during the day during our scouting and subsequent September trips, with weather including beautiful sunshine, fog, light drizzle, and snow.

• suitable and comfortable clothing, which you can layer (including long underwear)

• warm jacket

• waterproof jacket and pants

• hiking boots (we will be in potentially wet and rocky areas)

• warm hat

• a headlamp

• gloves (try to find gloves that still allow you to operate your camera)

• your own camera equipment (preferably DSLR, which allows manual control of shutter speed, aperture and ISO settings and a range of lenses, if you have). Our recommended lenses to bring would be one wide angle lens with a fast aperture (useful for night photography) and a 70-200MM lens. Other lenses are useful, of course, but those two lenses were our most frequented "go-to" lenses.

• a sturdy tripod

• a cable (or wireless) shutter release

• a laptop for editing

As well, we optionally recommend:

• small first aid kit

• hiking poles

• handwarmers

• water bottle

 INSURANCE

It is not only advised but required that workshop participants have trip cancellation/interruption insurance, as well as emergency medical/illness insurance and rescue coverage (proof required within 4 months of departure).

Weather and other unforeseen factors can cause delays in travel, particularly from some of our more remote locations. It is the participant’s responsibility to cover any costs in the case of a travel delay of any length. 

Please ensure your trip cancellation/interruption insurance accommodates this possibility. By purchasing a spot you are acknowledging that you accept these conditions.

 OFFBEAT TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

Please take the time to review OFFBEAT’s Terms and Conditions, including our Cancellation Policies. You are required to agree to these in order to confirm your registration.

 TRAVEL VISA 

It is the participant's responsibility to ensure they have a valid Travel Visa (if applicable/required) for the duration of the workshop.