The Greenlandic roots are an exciting mix of various immigrating peoples and their ability to adapt to the Arctic challenges on the world’s largest island.

THE LAND OF THE PEOPLE WITHOUT ANY PEOPLE
In the Greenlandic language the name for Greenland is Kalaallit Nunaat. “The Land of the People”. But one day around 2000 years ago, Greenland was suddenly without any people and not a single human being could be found anywhere in the country.

For a period of nearly 2500 years, shifting waves of nomadic peoples, living off what the land and the sea could offer, had called this country home, but now the largest island in the world no longer had a human population.

Imagine a landmass greater than the combined areas of France, Great Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium, just left to plants and animals, and you will get an inkling of how huge the landmass was that greeted the immigrating hunters from communities around the Bering Strait, when they arrived around 700 A.D. coming across at Smith Sound close to the present day town of Qaanaaq, in the most northern part of Greenland.

AN INUIT CULTURE SMELLING OF FORESTS
Today we know, that the group, now referred to as the Dorset Culture, were the ones who came here, to a land void of humans, 1300 years ago.

It seems they may already have been here during an earlier wave of immigration right before the country was depopulated, but in spite of the amount of time they spent in Greenland, the Dorset Culture is shrouded in mystery. Why did they not use kayaks like the groups who came before and after them? How come they did not have dogs and sleds and why are their tools, patterns of habitation and technology so different from other Inuit immigrant groups?

The probable answers have been widely discussed, but the prevailing theory explains them as a group of people arriving here from the Northeast American woodland areas, and that they differ from other groups by “smelling somewhat of forests” as one Danish archeologist put it.

Their origins in this climatic temperate region may explain why they disappeared at the same time with the onslaught of the Little Ice Age in 1300 A.D. which turned Greenland into a colder and more inhospitable region.

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THE THULE PEOPLE BROUGHT THE SLED DOG WITH THEM TO GREENLAND
The harsher climate and the disappointing summers did not seem to bother the Thule people, a group of highly specialized and adaptable nomads, who quickly spread out all along the ice free coast line around 1300 A.D.

As with other immigrant groups of Inuit peoples, the Thule people had also gone east, this time crossing the Bering Strait into Greenland. According to legends and folklore they had heard about iron and its wonderful properties as a source for tools, and that the iron could be found in meteorites in Northern Greenland.

The Thule people were whale and seal hunters and were most likely the first people to bring dogs into Greenland thus inaugurating the cultural history of dog sledding in Greenland.

They would go on long journeys by dog sled in the areas they were hunting and thus they founded the cultural tradition which in later times has been popularized during the era of expeditions surrounding those by Knud Rasmussen’s travels in Northern Greenland and Arctic Canada, and which today has become an important part of the local culture as well as in adventure tourism.

CULTURAL TRADITIONS LIVE ON IN THE PRESENT
The people of the Thule Culture were using paths and hunting grounds already familiar to other earlier immigrant groups in Greenland, dating back to the very first immigrants 4.500 years ago.

Around the area of Sermermiut by Ilulissat, archeological digs have provided unique insights into the different groups use of the same area for hunting and fishing and from the traces that they have left behind, we know that they travelled along the shores of Greenland as early as 2500 B.C.

Although we have no written accounts from these earlier eras, an abundance of tools and settlements found throughout Greenland has confirmed that the Inuit cultures of the past were characterized by the same adaptability to the prevailing climate and geography as the modern day Greenlandic culture.

We are aware of, that the very first immigrants used vessels resembling kayaks in Greenland and that their clothing were the first glimmerings of a clothing tradition leading right up to today with our colorful national costumes and the winter clothing used by the hunters in Northern Greenland.

Today the kayak is a national symbol in Greenland and the vessel plays an important role as a living part of our cultural history, as well as, in the type of transportation available to adventure expeditions, wanting to explore along our rugged shoreline. Our national costumes are treasured and highly valued and used when we celebrate or commemorate certain events such as national holy days, special family events or when the Queen comes to visit.

Modern Greenland is a diverse, geographically extensive society with an adventurous population.

A RELAXED AND UNPRETENTIOUS PEOPLE
There is a certain lightheartedness to how we approach life here in Greenland. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. We understand how problems, big and small, need to be solved with whatever is available, and we prefer to understate dramas and events instead of making a big fuss about them.

We are often called hospitable, cheerful, and kind, but even if such universal traits will shape your experience of Greenlanders, we might be better characterized as adaptable, full of wanderlust, and culturally diverse.

CURIOUS AND VERSATILE GREENLANDERS
Scattered on a coastline as long as most of Europe we are fewer people than will fit into your average medium sized soccer field, and our spacious society is so deeply connected with the vagaries of nature that we have nothing but a shrug to give when weather forces us to change plans or wait for days on end.

We are urban in the country’s large towns, we are entrepreneurs, we are fishermen and hunters, and we love the outdoors and life at sea and in the mountains. We flock to every new café serving even just fairly decent coffee, paradoxically we might be the most ice-cream people in the world, we are exceptionally fond of swimming despite a clear lack of ability in the majority of the population, and most of us are familiar with an everyday rhythm of life that one moment sees us working in an office and minutes later we’re standing in a small open boat heading for adventure in the nearest fjord.

THE GRAND IS A PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE
We have a tendency to forget how obvious the drama becomes when you combine the climate and geography of Greenland, and sometimes that makes us slightly immune to the ever-present grandeur which you as a guest will probably notice before anything else.

And we can be almost careless in our mention of significant cultural and climatic events, as if the inherent powers of the land curb the need to use big words.

But conditions here are not inconceivably harsh and we live in neither peat houses nor igloos. Actually, in many ways we’re like any ordinary modern society. And it that sounds a bit bland we only have this to say: It is not! The climate, our cultural history, the flora, fauna, light, sounds, landscapes, language, and not least we as a people create a society that lends a unique edge to life in Greenland.

• The country is 82% ice cap with a small strip of inhabitable land along the shorelines.
• The land mass makes us the world’s 12th largest country, but at the same time we’re one of the sparsely populated places on the planet
• We live in small towns and villages and no roads connect the individual settlements.
• About 90% of the population is of Greenlandic descent, while the remaining 10% are immigrants, mostly from Denmark, but increasingly also from the rest of the world.
• The first language is Greenlandic, Danish is the official second language, and in the street you will even encounter Thai, Norwegian, Icelandic, Filipino, English, and other languages.

The museums of Greenland offer a modern voyage of discovery through a history of culture and art.

Greenland has always been a land for travellers, whether they be the very first people to set their sealskin-clad feet on our rocky ground about 4500 years ago, or the European explorers who arrived at the start of the last century.

The huge distances between settlements made long voyages necessary back then, as they do today, and this long historical journey is particularly evident in the narratives at our local museums. Visitors will gain a better understanding of how our ancestors survived in the harsh environment and how they managed to make the best of what the country and the sea had to offer in the way of game animals and materials. You will also learn how the ability to adapt culture and resources was developed.

NATIONAL MUSEUM, ART MUSEUMS & AIRCRAFT MUSEUMS
There are museums in all the larger towns in Greenland and they all tell of our connection to the past, each with a focus on the local environment and cultural conditions. Throughout the year special exhibitions are on display at local museums, including art and photo exhibitions by local and international artists.

Although our history is long, the world of museums in Greenland is fairly new, since all of the museums have been established within the last forty to fifty years. Each part of the country has its own unique history to tell, sometimes expanded by theme museums like the art museums in Nuuk and Ilulissat, or the museum in the South of Greenland which is devoted to the history of communication, all the way from the transfer of messages by kayak to today’s internet.

The airports in Narsarsuaq and Kangerlussuaq, built by the Americans, each have their own museum describing the history of aviation and the importance of air transportation during the Second World War.

NORSE HISTORY AND IMMIGRATION CULTURES
Often the museums themselves are part of the narrative they tell, as they are usually located in old buildings near the harbour, in buildings from the colonial era, or in buildings tied to airports.

At the same time, the museums are centers of knowledge of local historical events – the local museum can show you the way to ruins from the era of the Norsemen, or sites where tents and huts were erected by Inuit immigrants.

At the museums, the stories of the different cultures coming to Greenland meet, and by viewing artifacts and reading about local history, you will learn how waves of nomadic peoples, Norsemen, Christian Europeans, and with time, people from all over the world, have shaped the history of Greenland, and are shaping our modern society today.

Photo tours in Greenland add new dimensions to landscapes and culture, wildlife and natural phenomena, by exploring the destination through a lens.

Narrative Art
Images are about the art of telling stories to create emotions, and about bringing out the narrative in dramatic seasonal changes, people and culture, the northern lights, the living ice cap, and whale migrations.

Photo tours in Greenland are a unique way to explore the country, and when working with a camera you apply a distinct vision to the destination. Traveling photographers tend to become creative explorers for whom image making becomes an expressive passion.

Photographers tend to be both lone wolves and gregarious at the same time. They like to work on their own but often travel together in small groups, sharing experiences and learning new photographic techniques along the way, while looking for inspiration from tour leaders and peers.

THE LIGHT AND THE LAND
We know from photographers we meet in Greenland that the majority are looking for landscapes and wildlife; they like to explore the subtle colors of the destination and move from tiny details in rocks and ice to sweeping panoramic stories and back.

Light is a key tool for any photographer and it can be harnessed to create drama, contrasts, and to bring out emotions in the story of the image, which is why photo tours are always a combination of timing and location.

In Greenland, locations define our rough, mountainous and contrasting land, which is sparsely populated in small local communities, dominated by the enormous ice sheet, and shaped by the Arctic climate.

Nightscapes
The night holds a special place in Greenland, both because the bright summer nights provide golden hour lighting conditions for hours, and because in late summer and throughout the winter season the dry climate and lack of light pollution bring out the northern lights and stars on the night skies.

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are the obvious attraction of the night, especially at latitudes around and just south of the Arctic Circle, such as Tasiilaq, Sisimiut, Nuuk, and Maniitsoq, where the northern lights are particularly bright from September until April.

The real gem, however, is Kangerlussuaq on the west coast, which delivers clear skies more than 300 nights a year, and where you can go on northern lights trips with World of Greenland Arctic Circle.

The darkness also brings out other adventures, both nature based and photographic, adding perspective and depth to the experience, and for many photographers night photography is a way to combine exciting challenges with an almost therapeutic activity.

A diversity of locations
East Greenland is an established photo tour destination, and in the backcountry around Tasiilaq, the combination of alpine landscapes, ice fjords, the neighboring ice sheet, and small local communities makes this a popular place for adventurous photographers. They tend to use the logistical expertise of Travellodge Greenland and Red House Tasiilaq for small group travel, and the primary season is in August and September when the harsh summer light fades and becomes more manageable.

In North Greenland, in Disko Bay around the main town Ilulissat, and at the UNESCO world heritage site by the ice fjord Kangia, photographers take advantage of a concentration of locations which give access to icebergs, whales, local hunting and fishing communities and the volcanic rocks on Disko Island, all neatly tied together by a network of boat routes between towns and settlements.

South Greenland is a farming landscape set on a backdrop of sharp peaks, ice fjords, flower fields, and colorful coastal towns in a region known for its well preserved norse settlement ruins and Atlantic feel.

Other locations on the west coast of Greenland offer semi-urban cultural experiences and fjordscapes, while the far north offers Arctic desert, extreme seasonal differences, and unique lighting conditions for explorers of light who like expedition-style adventures and new challenges.

Keep your memories close to your heart as reindeer horn, soapstone and muskox wool turn into souvenirs like symbolic statues, beautiful jewelry and clothing for you to carry home.

A GREENLANDIC IDENTITY
It is said that one can recognize the essence of a people through their artwork because they instinctively depict what is central to their lives, and in Greenland the souvenirs tell the story of the country as a pioneering nation.

Ritualistic figures called tupilaks, intricate depictions of hunting and fishing, tools like the woman’s knife called an ulo, and carvings of polar bears, whales, and seals are all evidence of a people with close connection to the natural environment, who have thrived in Greenland by adapting their lives to nature’s way.

Greenlandic identity is shown not only through the images that souvenirs depict but also through their materials. As sustainable hunters, we only take the animals needed and we use every possible part. The bones and warm fur of Arctic mammals turn into jewelry and clothing, so souvenir shops are stocked with pieces made of reindeer and muskox horn, sealskin, muskox wool, and even polished whale baleen.

Greenlandic identity runs high as souvenirs depict Greenlandic images on the canvas of Greenlandic materials, and the fact that locals themselves proudly wear the same items that travelers buy as souvenirs bears testament to their authenticity.

BREAKING THE MOLD
Authentic comes in more forms than just animal bones. An increasing number of our artists are breaking the mold and putting a creative spin on Greenlandic souvenirs by using plastic, ceramic, or metal materials and by designing fur clothing with the international catwalk in mind. This adaptation of classic elements shows respect for the history that shaped Greenlandic society today while demonstrating that Greenlanders are solid members of the global community.

A rare, but incredibly beautiful, souvenir to find is jewelry made of gold from South Greenland. The production mine is now closed, making the supply of items that resulted from the area quite exclusive. Just imagine bringing your dearest to Greenland and leaving with one of the most unique souvenirs in the world – a set of wedding rings forged by hand out of Greenlandic gold!

• There are rules regarding which souvenirs made from animal products can be exported from Greenland, and some souvenirs require a CITES permit at no cost to you. For more information, consult an updated CITES page.
• Where to buy souvenirs: Souvenir shops, handicraft workshops, Kittat Économusée sewing workshop, hotels, tourist offices, and Sarfaq Ittuk, the Arctic Umiaq Line coastal ferry.
• What souvenirs to buy: Artwork and jewelry from local artists; tupilaks; sealskin clothing from Great Greenland; ornaments; statues and figurines carved from soapstone, reindeer horn, muskox horn, whale baleen, or walrus tooth; accessories knit from muskox wool.

KNOW YOUR REINDEER FROM YOUR NARWHAL
With so many souvenir shops to browse and even more souvenirs to mull over, it is easy to want a bit of everything. But there is one thing that helps narrow the difficult decision: The CITES export regulations.

Part of protecting the beautiful Arctic wildlife is keeping some animals sacred to Greenland. Souvenir shops will happily advise you on which items must stay in Greenland and which souvenirs can be yours to cherish forever.

The 160 km long Arctic Circle Trail is the ultimate way to explore Greenland’s unique backcountry, to disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with nature. Many hikers find it hard to resist this legendary trek from ice sheet to sea, but it can be difficult to find all the information you need to prepare, plan and complete the trail.

BIKING
Experience Greenland on two wheels!

One of the first things you’ll find out as a potential tourist to Greenland is that our road network is extremely limited. In fact, there are no roads connecting the different towns and settlements – meaning the most common ways to get around are by water and air.

But paved roads are not always necessary to embrace the freedom and flexibility that a bicycle can offer – why not take on Greenland’s backcountry with a good quality mountain bike, or even conquer snow and sea ice on a fatbike!

Within minutes, you can be out of town and into the wilderness, tackling varied terrain that passes through diverse landscapes. Check out some of Greenland’s most unique and accessible biking experiences, separated according to region.

Kangerlussuaq
Kangerlussuaq is perhaps the most convenient town in Greenland for biking, since it is home to the longest road in the country, which stretches from the ice cap all the way to the start of the Arctic Circle Trail, about 16 km west of Kangerlussuaq town.

Where to go
A popular trip is to cycle out to the ice sheet – either to Russell Glacier which runs off the ice cap, or further on to Point 660 – the edge of the ice cap itself. But be warned – this trip can be pretty hardcore! It’s about 25 km from town out to the ice sheet, and the road can be rocky and sandy, so make sure you get a mountain bike and that everything is in good working order. Along the way, enjoy the rolling mountainous scenery and look out for local wildlife, such as musk oxen, reindeer, arctic hares and birds.

You can also cycle across to the ‘other side’ of town from the airport, and then follow the road further for 5 km to beautiful Lake Ferguson, a popular spot for kayaking in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter. West of town, the road takes you about 10 km to the harbour onto the fjord.

Fatbiking
In winter, Kangerlussuaq is a popular location for fatbiking since it is possible to bike the Arctic Circle Trail in this way. Fatbikes are specialised mountain bikes with extra fat tires (hence the name!), offering a smooth ride over the tough Arctic terrain. They allow you to traverse frozen lakes and cut through snow on two wheels. Experience Kangerlussuaq on a fatbike with Sirius Greenland.

Sisimiut
Sisimiut is the second largest city in Greenland and is notable for its urban vibe. Most of the bikes you’ll see here will probably be in the outdoor skateparks being ridden by young BMXers! In the summer, you can often watch riders in the parks all night long under the midnight sun. Sisimiut has even produced a few homegrown professional BMX riders.

Where to go
Despite the vibrant buzz of the city, Sisimiut locals are closely connected to the wilderness that is almost literally in their backyard. To the east of the city the main road becomes a network of dirt tracks which are great for all levels of biking, especially in the summer when the sun dries them out.

Sailing is a way of life for Greenlanders, and we are proud to share with you one of our most favorite activities. Sailing expands our world past the city limits we know well and connects us to the incredible nature we love to explore. On the sunniest summer days, we will always choose sailing to a tried-and-true fishing spot or to a small hut in the fjord over staying on land!

The real beauty of taking a tourist boat trip in Greenland is the feeling that you are getting a bespoke experience. As there is no defined route that boat tours must follow, a detour to a rushing waterfall or the area where an eagle’s nest was recently spotted is not out of the ordinary. Your boat trip driver knows these Greenlandic waters from extensive experience sailing, and he wants you to experience the best.

But remember that Greenland’s nature can sometimes show its brutal side. As tempting as it might sound to hire a private boat owner for a boat tour, always opt instead for passenger-approved boats and companies, that comply with the strictest regulations about sailing in Arctic conditions.

SAILING THROUGH THE SEASONS
If there is open water, then a boat trip is possible! In spring, flexibility is a must as weather and iceberg conditions change from day to day, and so is a warm jacket. If a boat trip in Greenlandic spring sounds chilly, we won’t lie to you – it is! But how exceptional it is to be one of the few taking in the crisp Arctic air from the front deck. A hot cup of tea and the brilliant view take care of the rest.

Summer is truly the prime season for boat tours in Greenland. Winding through the intricate maze of islands and small canals while the warm sun energizes you from overhead, a boat trip can be reminiscent of sailing in the Italian Riviera. But catch sight of a humpback whale or the colorful wooden houses along the coast and realize that, in fact, you are sailing at the top of the world in spectacular Greenland.

• Boat tours are available in Greenland year-round. Summer is the primary sailing season, but spring boat tours are possible depending on ice conditions.
• Boat tours can last between 2-8 hours. Be sure to pack extra warm clothes, including waterproof layers, and accessories like a hat and gloves.
• Boat tours typically accommodate a maximum of 12 persons per boat. There may be a minimum passenger limit.
• Many boat tours offer a meal or snack on board. Check with your boat trip description for details.

BEAUTIFUL PRACTICALITY
A boat trip in Greenland for the sake of sailing is delightful, but often the boat tour comes packaged with another experience, under the guise of transportation. With many islands along the coast and no roads outside of town, many of Greenland’s greatest places like calving glaciers, mountain hiking trails, and Norse culture sites are only accessible by water. Think of the aquatic transportation more like an extra boat tour!

In South Greenland, for example, boat tours connect an elaborate route of Viking ruins and modern day sheep farms, and in every town in Greenland, a short boat trip can open up a whole world of village life. Don’t forget that sailing takes place in the same waters that whales call their summer paradise. The cherry on top of a perfect boat trip in Greenland is spotting a humpback and getting an impromptu whale watching tour just before heading home.

A YOUNG CLIMBING HISTORY
The early history of mountaineering in Greenland is closely linked with scientific exploration, and many first ascents were performed in connection with topographic mapping and geological exploration.

Climbing for sport started relatively late, not least because Greenland was a closed protectorate until 1950. After this time, the country was often visited by climbers, mainly from England, France, Italy and Denmark.

STAUNING ALPS
Stauning Alps are located in the North Greenland National Park, near the air strips of Mestersvig and Constable Point. There are many notable alpine peaks, up to nearly 3,000 m in height. Access to the area requires an expedition permit.

WATKINS RANGE
This is the area with the highest mountains in Greenland, culminating in Gunnbjørn Fjeld. Located behind the inaccessible and often feared Blosseville coast, this area is pretty much only reachable by ski equipped airplane from Iceland. It is one of the most visited mountain areas in Greenland. Access to the area requires an expedition permit.

SCHWEIZER LAND
Schweizer Land is a popular climbing area, not least because of the relatively short distance from the international airport in Kulusuk and the town of Tasiilaq. Most of the area (up to 150 km from Tasiilaq) lies with in a permit free zone, providing access to climbs on numerous peaks and rock walls.

CAPE FAREWELL / TASERMIUT FJORD
If you want good granite and solid rock, the fjords of South Greenland are an obvious and accessible climbing goal, which, with a bit of planning, can be reached in a day from Europe. It has been a popular climbing area since the early 1970s, and still has an almost inexhaustible number of unclimbed walls and peaks.

The most famous peaks are Ketil and Ulamertorssuaq (The Great Cylinder). Nearest town is Nanortalik, where you can hire boat transport into the fjords.

EVIGHEDSFJORDEN (THE FJORD OF ETERNITY)
The fjord is a classic climbing area close to the town of Maniitsoq and very popular with Danish climbers in the 1960s. The area is often used for extreme skiing and heliskiing.

UUMMANNAQ BAY AND UPERNAVIK
Again a classic climbing area, and in recent years “rediscovered” by some of the world’s best rock climbers, who have repeatedly used their own boats in this beautiful fjord system between the Nuussuaq Peninsula and the town of Upernavik. There is quite a bit of loose rock close to Upernavik, as well as firm solid granite One of most photographed mountains in Greenland, the Heart Mountain in Uummannaq, has recently had several new routes added!

Coastal sailing in Greenland is a spectacular nature experience through and through, but it is also an opportunity to get close to the Greenlandic culture. Unlike other Arctic cruises that are designed especially for tourists, Sarfaq Ittuk usually carries more local passengers than travelers. Greenlanders depend on the coastal ferry as an alternative to flying, and how lucky we are to have such a beautiful way to travel in Greenland.

As the honorary tourists on board Sarfaq Ittuk, you have a special window on the Greenlandic world. Dining alongside Greenlanders in the communal café and taking in the same magnificent view from the upper decks, you have every chance to strike up a conversation and hear stories you won’t find anywhere in the Internet. At the end of the journey, watch as your new friend reunites with his family on the dock, and know that you are witness to something unique to Greenland.

A SPIRIT OF EXPLORATION
West Greenland waters like the Davis Strait and Labrador Sea made the original highway along the west coast of Greenland many centuries ago. Today, there are still no roads between the dozens of towns and villages, but even with airplanes and helicopters available, coastal sailing remains a beloved way to travel in Greenland.

The maritime voyage evokes a spirit of exploration as you navigate past changing landscapes and iceberg-filled waters from one Greenlandic town to the next. Each town has its own character, and excitement builds anew to discover what adventures await on shore. When out on the high seas, enjoy whale watching and chatting with your fellow seafarers until the next harbor and cluster of small colorful houses comes into focus on the open horizon.

COASTAL FERRY SHIP GUIDE
There is a great amount of freedom on Sarfaq Ittuk to fall in line with the local way and to make your own adventure out of the voyage. But for those who wish for a bit of guidance, the Ship Guide is there during the high season purely to make sure your coastal sailing trip run smoothly.

In summertime, the coastal ferry Ship Guide arranges afternoon activities on board, and since Sarfaq Ittuk is only so big, he or she is always around and happy to answer questions.

• Sarfaq Ittuk, the coastal ferry run by Arctic Umiaq Line, sails between Qaqortoq (South Greenland) and Sisimiut (North Greenland) from March/April till early January and from Qaqortoq to Ilulissat (North Greenland) from May to January.
• The coastal ferry stops in a number of towns along its route. Passengers are welcome to disembark Sarfaq Ittuk while in port. It is also possible to start or finish a trip in the middle of the route.
• In summer, the Sarfaq Ittuk Ship Guide offers short walking tours when the coastal ferry is in port.
• For overnight passengers, there is a range of accommodations on the coastal ferry from private cabins to shared rooms with bunk beds.
• Three meals a day, plus an afternoon snack, are available on the coastal ferry. There is also a small store on board.
• All decks are open to take in the sights and do a bit of whale watching, and there is plenty of seating for everyone.

When you come into port at the many towns along the coast, disembark the ship for a short walking tour with the Ship Guide. You just might learn that this is the town where she spent her 18th birthday or where her father helped paint the prettiest church in Greenland. Such personalized tours in the midst of beautiful nature make coastal sailing in Greenland an unforgettable experience.

Explore Greenland on skis and get access to the snowy backcountry on both short, easy runs around many towns, and on longer trips with guides and accommodation in huts.

Winter in Greenland opens up new worlds and new trails across an otherwise roadless land, and the snowy season actually has more options for travelling through the country than you might immediately expect.

Dogsledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and then of course skiing are central to how we navigate our winter landscapes, and while many towns have groomed cross country ski trails right on their doorstep it is the longer, often multi-day, wilderness ski experience that appeals most to adventurous spirits looking to explore the mountains and valleys of Greenland.

BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURES IN EAST GREENLAND
Ammassalik Island in East Greenland is a popular hiking destination in summer. In winter the deep snows, accessible mountain valleys, and steep alpine peaks of the area around the region’s largest town, Tasiilaq, create a serious contender for the best cross country skiing destination in the country.

Tour operators such as Arctic Dream and Icelandic Mountain Guides together operate multi-day adventures in the region, bringing skiers from Tasiilaq to locations along the Sermilik Ice Fjord and further into the backcountry to the village Tiniteqilaaq, where less than 100 people live a life based on subsistence hunting.

Trips in this area are supported by dogsleds or snowmobiles, and skiers stay in huts along the way, some of which are in locations with nothing short of incredible views.

The added bonus is that you will be so far off the grid of the industrially lit world that the dark skies glow not just with frequent northern lights but also with more stars than most people will ever get to see in their lifetime.

• The airport village Kulusuk and East Greenland’s largest town Tasiilaq are the main adventure gateways in the region.
• The Ammassalik region has 3 hotels: Hotel Kulusuk near the airport on Kulusuk Island, and Hotel Angmagssalik and Hotel Red House in Tasiilaq. Add to this several smaller lodge- and hostel style accommodations, including the Travellodge Greenland houses in Tasiilaq.
• Tasiilaq has about 2,000 inhabitants and all regular shopping- and service facilities, a museum and souvenir shops.
• Just like Tasiilaq in the East, Ilulissat is a hub for winter experiences in the West, and you can do both dog sledding, snowmobiling, Ice Cap hikes, snowshoeing and many other things there.
• Ice Cap crossings require special permits obtained from the Greenland Self Rule government.

FROM EVERYDAY SKIERS TO EXTREME ICE CAP CROSSINGS
Day trips for both beginners and more advanced skiers are available in Ilulissat where the mountain guides from PGI Greenland offer a selection of shorter cross country ski trips, most of which can’t avoid the spectacle that is the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Ilulissat Ice Fjord and the icebergs in the Disko Bay.

And you will meet cross country skiers everywhere in Greenland. Trails often cut straight through town, even in the capital Nuuk, a well groomed cross country trail has seen infrastructure built around it with small tunnels and a bridge to make room for one of the most favored pastimes in the country.

A lot of us ski every day, and you will be surprised by how many small towns even have an illuminated cross country trail for those deep winter nights in December and January. Also, expect to see anyone from 3 year old kids to Arctic Circle Race winning athletes sharing the trails a sunny Saturday afternoon.

At the more extreme end of the spectrum skiers plan for years and prepare for months to cross the Greenland Ice Sheet, taking about a month to traverse the world’s second largest glacier with pulkas, often charting a route between Kangerlussuaq in the west and the tiny village of Isortoq in East Greenland.

The sea and seafaring has always been vital to us, and for you as a guest it makes for an optimal way to tour large parts of the country.

In premodern times, and especially during the latest wave of immigration from Canada to Greenland, the kayak and the larger umiaq were the most common and efficient means of transportation compared to arduous treks across the rugged Greenlandic mountain terrain.

Explorers, cartographers and adventurers looking to cross the ice cap or conquer the North Pole all came to Greenland from across the sea, and they met the locals and exchanged goods and experiences, while some even settled down and started a new life on the island.

PIONEERS AT SEA
Cruise guests in today’s Greenland might not plant the same explorer flag in their various destinations throughout Greenland, but the sense of being a pioneer in the wake of great adventurers who sailed these shores long ago still prevails. A cruise in Greenland is first and foremost a nature based experience, but on top of that it is an intimate meeting with our culture, society, and history which adds a dimension not often seen in other Polar cruises.

With the exception of the northernmost parts of Greenland, which are still hard to access because of sea ice, just about any inhabited place in Greenland can be reached in the peak season from June till October.

A VARIETY OF CRUISES FOR ALL TASTES
For a great all round experience of Greenland begin or end your cruise in Kangerlussuaq, at the bottom of a long, narrow fjord close to the Ice Cap which is an essential place to visit from Kangerlussuaq.

When you embark in Kangerlussuaq your cruise will almost certainly involve a trip north to the Disko Bay area, typically arriving in Ilulissat and cruising along the UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Ilulissat Icefjord, before heading wither heading south to Kangerlussuaq or across the Davis Strait to Canada or back towards Iceland with further Greenlandic destinations on the itinerary.

You might also be arriving on a larger cruise on your way across the Atlantic and in that case you normally only have one or two stops in Greenland unless you’re traveling aboard a dedicated expedition cruise ship or a schooner, both of which usually travel through fjords and explore nature and wildlife off the beaten path on fairly open itineraries.

Regardless of the ship type and irrespectively of your choice of season, be it early in summer when whales are abundant or on the edge of autumn when the northern lights come out, a cruise in Greenland is the perfect way to experience the country.

• Most cruise ships visit Greenland from mid-July to mid-August
• Greenland’s coastline is more than 44,000 kilometers or longer than the 40,000 kilometers around the Equator
• Most expedition cruises go to East Greenland while a number of actual Greenland cruises begin near the international airport in Kangerlussuaq on the west coast
• Nanortalik and Qaqortoq in South Greenland, and at times also the capital Nuuk, are frequented by larger ships on transatlantic crossings
• Many Greenlandic stores, hotels, and restaurants accept VISA and MasterCard but it is advisable to always carry cash, as some places might not accept your preferred credit card, including Amex, UnionPay, and other less common forms of payment in Greenland.

FROM MIDNIGHT SUN TO NORTHERN LIGHTS
North of the Arctic Circle you can experience the midnight sun, roughly until the end of July in Ilulissat, while you will find nights with no darkness even after the sun dips below the horizon south of the Arctic Circle. Walk around the upper deck of the ship and breathe in the fresh Arctic air in the magical soft midnight light while you cruise through calm waters sheltered by bays and fjords. This is like a balm for the soul.

On journeys with daily arrivals in towns and settlements you will often have the option of going on local tours both in town and with smaller boats in the area. Or you might find that someone local has set up a kayak performance, a show with dancers in the national costume, or a talk with greenlanders who recall life in a land from when the kayak and the umiaq were essential and everyday means of transportion.

HAVE A TASTE OF GREENLAND AND BRING HOME THE MEMORIES
Even with every meal included in your cruise it would be a shame to miss out on a taste Greenland. Larger towns all have restaurants or hotels with lunch menus, and often with a commanding view of the sea. And if you are in the presence of a guide with local knowledge you should consider buying fresh fish or meat from “Brættet”, the local Arctic fresh foods market, to bring back for the onboard chef to prepare.

Having your crew fishing little pieces of ice out of the sea before crushing them down to ice cubes for whiskey or other drinks is usually popular among seafarers looking for that bit of an extra feel good experience. Free floating pieces from ice cap are often more than 4,000 years old and it goes well with Martini and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Cold water diving in Greenland takes place in clear waters with icebergs, historic shipwrecks, strange plant life and action-packed dives at the mouth of a fiord or bay.

THE DIVE THAT BUILDS CHARACTER
Diving in the Arctic demands strength of character because the environment under the ocean surface requires the diver’s full attention. However, if cold water diving is something you would like to do with PADI OWA certified divers, who know the secrets of the fiord system, then a surprising world awaits you with places never before seen by a diver.

The flora and fauna under the ocean surface can only be described as different – even a bit strange – with catfish and lumpsuckers, forests of seaweed and odd looking sea cucumbers all vying for attention. There is a reason why cold water areas biologically are the most prolific areas in the world only surpassed by the coral reefs.

DIVING NEXT TO ICEBERGS
Diving under the ice is a specialty in East Greenland where Arctic Dream and Northern Explorer have found the best places in the area by Tasiilaq, combining blue icebergs with coral diving, ice caves and accommodation on land in huts in the fiord.

DIVING DURING WINTER TIME IN GREENLAND
If diving, to get down to a Greenlandic shipwreck or by icebergs, is not enough to feed your appetite for adventure then diving during winter time would be your next move.

Diving in ice filled waters and from holes in the ice is an on-the-edge event, but because the water temperature in the Davis Strait is much the same all year, your diving experience won’t feel any colder during winter, than it does in summer.

Winter diving, on the other hand, offers an almost surreal swirling of lights under the ice, and you will most likely pause for a moment, when back on deck again, taking in the view of the snow clad mountains along the shoreline.

• Cold water diving in Greenland is only done with PADI OWA certified diving instructors as guides
• Travellodge Greenland is based in Tasiilaq on the east coast of Greenland
• Diving platforms are boats certified to carry up to 12 passengers
• You are required to have a PADI OWA certificate and previous cold water diving is an advantage

ACTION FILLED DIVING IN THE FIORDS
For individuals, who wish to keep their blood circulation going mixed in with a bit of adrenalin, we have a very special sport, and the best way to describe it, is as underwater surfing.

In all its simplicity, it is about letting yourself drift with the current to an edge of an underwater ridge at the mouth of the fiord, and when the surge of waters from the tidal shift are squeezed over the ridge, you are sucked along by powerful underwater currents. According to what we have heard, it is supposed to be fun.

Arctic temperatures and several meters of snow are no match for the natural impressions and cultural twist that will warm your soul while dog sledding in Greenland.

Perfect pace
There’s something about experiencing Greenland’s majestic landscapes from the perspective of a dog sled that snowmobiling or a ski tour simply cannot match. Maybe it is the slower pace that gives plenty of time to take in all the impressions or maybe it is the combination of sled dogs panting plus the rhythmic beat of their large paws, a sound that is suddenly magnified against a backdrop of pure silence.

Enjoying this fascinating experience of man and dog working together in nature does necessitate a small tolerance for chilly temperatures, but Arctic fanatics are not the only ones that can take pleasure in dog sledding. Even if the cold typically does not agree with you, it is nothing a cup of hot tea, borrowed sealskin garb, and a blanket made of reindeer skin can’t fix.

HOLISTIC EXPERIENCE
Dog sledding is, no doubt, a classic way to experience Arctic nature, but what the unsuspecting visitor does not know, and what is unique about dog sledding in Greenland, is that a heavy dose of Inuit culture comes along for the ride. Dog sledding helps tell the story of how Greenlanders adapt to the robust environment that surrounds them. Contrary to other Arctic locations, dog sledding in Greenland is a way of life, by choice if not by necessity. Living in and off of the nature is central to Greenlandic identity, and therefore when you are close to the nature, you are also close to the Greenlandic culture.

GREENLANDIC SLED DOGS
Spending an afternoon riding along with Greenlandic sled dogs is something you won’t soon forget. They have a commanding presence with their shrill voices and thick winter coats that allow them to endure winter’s wrath.

The energy level and endurance of sled dogs is unmatched, and it seems the command ‘Go’ is completely unnecessary as they are constantly in ‘Go’ mode! Sled dogs howl and jump at the mere sight of the musher, and you better hold on to your dog sled or else these instinctive pullers will speed off without you!

THE ART OF MUSHING
The sled dogs provide the power, but the real star in the dog sledding world is the musher. Greenlanders are people of few words and are often taken as shy, but accompany them mushing a pack of sled dogs and their presence will suddenly be known. With a handful of command calls and a formidable whip as their only tools, the mushers skillfully drive their packs of sled dogs in order to safely reach their favorite fishing hole or hunting grounds.

Mastering the art of mushing is vital to prevent sled dogs’ disobedience from turning into a matter of life or death, and in Greenland the learning starts early. Passing from one generation to the next, children often have their own small sleds and even a few dogs of their own, though they are never mistaken that the dogs are working animals and not pets. It is a proud day when a Greenlander forms his first pack and leads it over mountains and sea ice.

TRANSPORTATION FOR MILLENNIA
Dog sledding in Greenland has been a mode of transportation and hunting for approximately 5000 years. Recently, it has also become a leisure activity for Greenlanders and tourists.

AVANNAATA QIMUSSERSUA
An annual dog sledding competition, called Avannaata Qimussersua, takes place in North Greenland.

WHERE?
Sled dogs territory is in towns above the Arctic Circle on Greenland’s west coast and in all towns on the east coast.

BREEDING
Sled dogs are a very ‘pure’ breed due to strict crossbreeding regulations. No other breeds are allowed into sled dogs territory. If sled dogs leave the area, they cannot return.

ENHANCED SENSES
Sled dogs have a special ability to read the environment. For example, they can sense when ice is too thin to cross, and they will stop.

Experiencing Greenland from the air provides a new perspective of the enormous size of the country, and the conditions for life in the Arctic.

Flight seeing, or adventure tours by air, is aviations response to kayaking. In a country where all the roads are pretty much confined within city limits, and where transportation through the wilderness is based on shipping or aviation, the large panorama windows of a helicopter or a small fixed wing aircraft, provide the viewer with sights of Greenland that few people get to experience.

As a rule, it will take you about a week on foot to cover the distance you can traverse by air in an hour, and we recommend you experience the landscape in both ways. But if your aim is to have an overview and see how the country changes patterns from oceans to fiords to mountains to the inland area and the ice, then a flight seeing adventure is your obvious choice.

MUSK OXEN AND THE ICE CAP IN KANGERLUSSUAQ
The edge of the Ice Cap is a chaotic ice landscape with strange twisted, wavy formations and bends, and in Kangerlussuaq, the Ice Cap is just minutes from the international airport,by air, of course.

The ride in the in small, nimble five passenger air craft passes over a landscape marked by the moving ice and its gradual withdrawal. From the sandy bottom of the fiord – deposits come from under the ice and are carried there by melting glacial rivers during summer – over gentle hills and rounded mountains to clearly visible moraines – marking the beginning of the inland ice, and the landscape steadily rising towards the Ice Cap.

Be sure to look carefully at the landscape on the way towards the Ice Cap. Because in 1964 biologists moved 27 musk oxen to the mountains around Kangerlussuaq and that tiny band of animals has today grown to a population of more than 10.000 musk oxen.

It should be easy to spot animals in such large numbers, but the herds are always on the move and therefore easier to watch from the air. The pilots from Air Zafari know the terrain so well that they guarantee everyone will see the musk oxen on all their flights in the Kangerlussuaq area. If they can’t locate any animals in the first valley they will just continue on to the next one.

• The operator of air tours, Air Zafari offers tourist flights in Ilulissat, Kangerlussuaq and Kulusuk.
• Air Greenland offers helicopter flights in Ilulissat.
• Each tour usually lasts from about 25 minutes to 1½ hours.
• Air Zafari uses special aircraft for flight seeing tours which provide excellent opportunities for great photo shoots from every window on the aircraft.

THE ICE FIORD AND ILULISSAT
The ice fiord, Kangia in Ilulissat, is the ultimate destination for many travellers to Greenland, and combined with boat tours among the icebergs and hiking trips along the edge of the fiord, flightseeing tours really prove their worth.

Ilulissat offers helicopter tours to the Ice fiord as well as large-scale adventures in fixed wing aircraft with extended range, providing an opportunity to see the world in even greater perspective when flying over the glacier at Eqi, and on out over the Disko Bay.

In Ilulissat there are very good opportunities to see whales from above, when they come up for air, breaking the water surface between the icebergs.

Although the following may sound like a weird nature experience, the presence of cruise ships will show the viewer in a very obvious way that even these massive floating hotels pale in comparison to the gigantic icebergs.

The world seems deceptively simple when viewed from above. The gigantic icebergs in the water look like ice cubes in a bath tub, the city like colorful Lego bricks and the mountains on the volcanic island of Qeqertarsuaq shrink in size resembling easy hills to run up on. Flying is not a bad idea at all.

RAW MOUNTAINS, ICE, AND SMALL COMMUNITIES IN EAST GREENLAND
In Eastern Greenland everything always seems a little bigger, wilder and more desolate than in Western Greenland. Especially if one chooses to believe the local population. Maybe there is something to it, because surrounding the airport at Kulusuk and the main town of Tasiilaq a raw world emerges with razor sharp peaks on the mountain ridges which stretch towards the north and the south, as far as the eye can see.

Going for a ride with Air Zafari in East Greenland, you will quickly get an appreciation of the logistical challenges that we live with, in our daily lives. The Ice Cap towards the west flanks the tiny belt of mountains and fiords, and from the around the middle of July, in the Denmark Strait towards the east, the pack ice descends straight down from the Arctic Ocean and mixes with the many icebergs from the Sermilik glacier in a tight belt around Tasiilaq.

The flow of broken pack ice, which the ocean currents push towards the south, affects life in East Greenland, and sometimes the heavy traffic of small boats with local people going to and from the small scattered communities, often have to slow down considerably while the passengers onboard assist in navigation, pushing the ice floes aside and looking for clear water between the icebergs.

Greenland’s most accessible and well-known glaciers, divided by region.

Explore glaciers
Greenland’s coastline is absolutely riddled with fjords and inlets, through which the magnificent ice sheet seeps out into the surrounding oceans.

NORTH GREENLAND
North Greenland is synonymous with icebergs and glaciers. It is home to what is said to be the world’s fastest-moving glacier, Sermeq Kujalleq, which is located close to the town of Ilulissat. In fact, the word ‘Ilulissat’ even means iceberg in Greenlandic!

About Sermeq Kujalleq
Sermeq Kujalleq has seen some spectacular calving events and it is said that the iceberg that sank the Titanic originated here. An area encompassing the glacier itself as well as the icefjord it feeds into has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, and the magnificence and accessibility of the icefjord has made the town of Ilulissat one of Greenland’s top tourism destinations.

How to experience this glacier
You can witness the spectacle of the icefjord very easily from the town of Ilulissat – a 20 minute walk from the town centre brings you right to its edge. This article outlines the different ways tourists can get up close and personal with the icefjord. However, you cannot see the glacier itself from here. To see the glacier, you have to swoop over it on a flightseeing tour. There is far too much ice in the fjord to be able to sail up to the glacier’s calving face.

If you’d like to get up close to a glacier in this area, you can sail from Ilulissat to Eqi glacier (slightly north of Ilulissat) in a day boat trip. You can even spend the night in a luxury lodge that overlooks this glacier’s dramatic calving face.

In many ways Greenland is the spiritual home of heliskiing. Mountain upon mountain offers first descents in a landscape where glaciers often flow straight from the ice cap to the coas.

Something is in the air. And it is made up of both skiing adventures, booming rotors, and cultural experiences in a land where remote, untouched, and exclusive are the starting courses in a menu offering peak to beach skiing in an Arctic world, side by side with local hunting and fishing communities.

EAST GREENLAND
Heliskiing in East Greenland is all about vast mountain expanses, tiny villages and towns along the coastline, runs that go right down to the water’s edge, and the icy Denmark Strait where whales, seals, and polar bears live year round.

The phrase “lack of space” does not seem to exist in the East Greenlandic vocabulary. In the region itself they often emphasize how wildness and roughness dominate the landscape, and there is something to it when you try to gauge the physical size of 250.000 km2 wilderness through a helicopter window.

WEST GREENLAND
The alpine ranges just south of the Arctic Circle in West Greenland are known for coastal heliskiing, peaks up to 2,000 meters, wide glacier faces, steep transitions to couloirs, and helicopter pick-ups right at the water’s edge of ice free fjords.

The 12-person expedition ship Kisaq provides direct access to the archipelagos and fjord systems around Maniitsoq and Kangaamiut. The couple running the ship combine comfort, local knowledge and highly praised culinary experiences on a mobile heliskiing platform, and each day they will meet the helicopter at the location where the skiing is considered to best.

LOCAL CULTURE
For many heliskiers coming to Greenland the experience is more than just about skiing, and part of the added value is the cultural experience of living close to the local population in a small fishing and hunting community.

The after-skiing stories mix with everyday chatter in the street when you live in a small settlement or town, and meeting the locals is a reminder that in the middle of this alpine adventure world there’s a people who has called this rugged land their home for millenia.

• The airport village Kulusuk and East Greenland’s largest town Tasiilaq are the basecamps in the area.
• The Ammassalik region har 3 hotel: Hotel Kulusuk near the airport, and Hotel Angmagssalik and Hotel Red House in Tasiilaq. Add to this several smaller lodge- and hostel style accommodations.
• Tasiilaq has about 2,000 inhabitants and all regular shopping- and service facilities, a museum and souvenir shops.
• Kulusuk airport is mainly serviced from Reykjavik in Island and the flight is app. 110 minutes.
• The village Kulusuk, close to the airport, has about 250 inhabitants, a small grocery store and an art and crafts shop.
• During the heliskiing season you can add dogsledding and snowmobiling experiences to the mix in and around Tasiilaq.
• Maniitsoq and Kangaamiut are the main heliskiing basecamps of West Greenland.
• Maniitsoq has about 2,800 inhabitants and all regular shopping and service facilities.
• Kangaamiut is a small village with app. 275 inhabitants, situated right next door to the highest peaks in West Greenland.
• Most heliskiers chose to fly from Copenhagen to the international airport in Kangerlussuaq and then on to Maniitsoq, but there’s also a connection from Reykjavik via Nuuk to Maniitsoq.
• In Maniitsoq accommodation is usually at the hotel, while accommodation in Kangaamiut is in private houses in the village.

Follow hiking trails in Greenland to reach mountaintops or traverse long distances. Or forge your own route and stand in no one’s footsteps but your own.

Greenland is the last frontier where robust nature reigns most powerful. The expansive backcountry literally knocks at the back door, and urban sprawl has not plagued these pristine mountains and lakes. Greenlanders often say that even though we build our homes next to the nature – and there is plenty of life and vibrancy in the town limits – our hearts are always happiest in the great outdoors. Come hiking in Greenland to experience a country that loves the nature just as much as you do.

BREATHE THE ARCTIC
Hiking in Greenland evokes a sense of freedom that reaches an unparalleled magnitude. As you follow hiking trails flanked by bold rock formations and purple Arctic flowers, you realize that Greenland’s mighty nature stands before you, unaltered by humans, just as it has for thousands of years. With any thoughts of stressful schedules and crowded streets falling away, you are free to hear the sounds of silence and to absorb the Arctic calm. You can just breathe in Greenland.

On a more literal note, ice is all around you when hiking in Greenland, and it radiates the smell of the Arctic. It is sweet and energizing; if ‘cold’ had a scent, this would be it! Whether you are trekking near the Greenland Ice Sheet, camping alongside a glacier, or sitting on the hillside marveling at iceberg-filled waters, the smell of the Arctic makes hiking in Greenland exceptional.

HIKING TRAILS FOR EVERYONE
Greenland is the size of Western Europe yet the entire population can fit inside one singular football stadium. The amount of open backcountry is immense, so the odds of finding suitable hiking trails, or making your own, are well in your favor.

Hiking in Greenland comes in all intensity levels, and there are plenty of hiking trails for the long distance trekker and the casual day-hiker both. Follow low elevation routes for a few hours to give yourself plenty of time and ease to take in the Arctic ambience, or extend the trip a bit and hike from inland clear out to the coastline.

For those who want to add a few shots of adrenaline and an incredible panoramic view to their hiking adventure in Greenland, take an ascending route to the top of a mountain. As you climb higher and higher, watch as your campsite or boat anchored in the water shrinks to a small dot, yet the wide, cloudless sky overhead comes so close you could touch it.

• The most popular mountains for hiking in Greenland are 300 – 1300 meters tall and can be accomplished in a day trip.
• East Greenland has the tallest mountains in Greenland. The tallest is near Ittoqqortoormiit, called Gunnbjørn Fjeld (3700 meters).
• One of the longest marked hiking trails is the Arctic Circle Trail between Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut (160 km). Hikers typically take 8-9 nights to complete the trail.
• Maps of hiking trails can be found in tour offices and in some book stores.
• There is no privately owned land in Greenland. You are free to hike anywhere you wish, but be respectful of surrounding people and land.
• Follow the Leave No Trace mountain code and carry all trash with you for the duration of your hike.

HIKING HOTSPOTS
South Greenland has an incredible system of hiking trails that link towns and villages to each other and link you to Greenland’s Viking history. Ruins of Nordic farms and churches pepper the entire region and greet you as you traverse South Greenland’s lush green hills.

The Arctic Circle Region is a fine place for trekking with one of the best marked hiking trails leading from the Greenland Ice Sheet all the way to the west coast. In less than two weeks you can traverse every lake and landform in the region! Not to mention the most popular hiking trail in Greenland: Arctic Circle Trail!

The Ilulissat Icefjord in North Greenland is a spectacular site to experience on foot. Hike along the edge of the Icefjord or set up camp next to one of the nearby glaciers. We promise that the sight and symphony of icebergs will be imprinted on your mind for years to come.

For a completely different view, go hiking in East Greenland where the mountains are taller and the landscape is more dramatic than much of the west coast. Near Tasiilaq, reach the tops of the mountains just behind town or take the scenic route through the Valley of Flowers.

ESSENTIAL READING IF YOU’RE THINKING
OF HIKING IN GREENLAND
If everyone in the hiking group is a beginner, then it’s best to choose a route that matches your abilities, e.g. a marked fell-walking route, possibly with overnight stops in huts. But how do you go about finding the best route? Well, it requires a little research, including enquiries at different tourist offices and time invested in studying tour descriptions either in books or on the Internet. You’ll then have to study the maps in more detail in order to analyse the route in relation to your abilities and to establish a realistic rhythm, e.g. 10-15 km per day in good terrain, as well as taking into account the wishes of the other members of the group – which could include trout fishing or taking time out to look more closely at historical attractions in the mountains.

The most important prerequisite for a successful trip is thorough knowledge of maps and compass or a GPS. Marked routes are good and provide a certain degree of reassurance for new beginners, but what would happen if it suddenly became very foggy and visibility was limited? In this case, it’s more than just nice to know where you are – it’s an absolute necessity! Practice makes perfect, so groups should make several trips together using a map, satellite phone and compass/GPS prior to the hike proper in order to ensure that everyone gets used to hiking together. This experience will be invaluable in the fells. Training hikes also teach you something else: establishing familiarity with your equipment. You’ll be able to break in your walking boots and get an idea of who’s to have responsibility for what – including shared equipment, which should be distributed amongst all participants owing to its weight.

There are endless possibilities for hiking trips in Greenland and it’s impossible to name all of them here. Certain routes are marked, but otherwise the majority of hikes in Greenland follow unmarked paths without bridges, signposts, etc. You can always find areas with a degree of difficulty to suit your needs, regardless of whether you’re a new beginner or an expert mountaineer. Visit Greenland has published a large number of hiking maps covering many different areas in Greenland with the routes depicted in different colours according to their degree of difficulty.

THE HIKER’S 12 COMMANDMENTS
1. Your physical condition is of course relevant in terms of your hiking trip. You must choose the route according to whatever you’re able to manage. If you have any limitations owing to health problems, you must take this into account. Don’t embark on a hike without first having carried out appropriate training and make sure you plan the trip carefully.
2. Make sure you remember to submit your hiking route to a tourist office in the area in question. They’ll then know where you are if it becomes necessary to conduct a search for you. Tell them where you’re staying, where you’re going and when you expect to return.
3. The weather is crucial on a hiking trip. Listen to the weather forecast and pay great attention to the weather conditions. How hikers cope with different weather conditions is very much an individual consideration, but don’t set out if the weather is bad!
4. Listen to good advice from experienced hikers.
5. Be prepared for bad weather and accidents, even on short trips.
6. Always remember hiking maps and compass or GPS.
7. Never go out alone.
8. Turn back before the weather conditions become critical.
9. Save your energy and look for shelter while there’s still time.
10. Always take the necessary first aid equipment with you.
11. Always bring extra warm clothing, even on short trips.
12. Don’t leave waste such as plastic, metal or other items behind. Not only do they spoil the countryside, they may also pose a potential danger to wildlife.

There are hot springs in several places in Greenland, but only at Uunartoq in Southern Greenland is the spring used as a pool, frequented all year round by local and foreign visitors.

On an uninhabited island between Qaqortoq and Nanortalik in Southern Greenland lies the only heated outdoor spa in the country, complete with a view to icebergs and pointy mountain peaks.

In other places in the country, especially on the volcanic island, Qeqertarsuaq, in the Disco Bay and in East Greenland, there are many known areas with hot springs, but it is the geothermal springs on the island of Uunartoq which steals the show.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR TOURS FROM BOTH QAQORTOQ AND NANORTALIK
Tour organizers in both Nanortalik and Qaqortoq offer frequent boat tours to the island throughout the summer, and it is common knowledge that people will bring along a picnic basket and a bottle of champagne to the springs. The clientele on an average afternoon is usually a mixture of locals and tourists splashing around in the 38 degrees warm water.

In a typically local way the conditions may seem a bit spartan when viewed by international standards, but the charming part about Uunartoq is this touch of “do-it-yourself” atmosphere that Uunartoq exudes. This is an experience that is so directly in touch with nature in such a unique place, that every visitor immidiately surrenders to the beauty of the surroundings.

• Uunartoq is close to the settlement of Alluitsup Paa between Qaqortoq and Nanortalik in South Greenland.
• Greenland Sagalands in Qaqortoq organize half day tours to Uunartoq from June to September in cooperation with Blue Ice.
• In Nanortalik, Nanortalik Tourist Service organizes tours to Uunartoq during the summer months.
• The source of the heat in the spring is not due to volcanic activity, but to the geothermal subsoil, which heats the water in the spring, when soil layers rub against each other.
• The hottest spring in Greenland is at Qeqertarsuaq, reaching up to 60degrees Celsius (140degrees Fahrenheit), while the spring at Uunartoq reaches temperatures of about 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit).

UUNARTOQS MANY LEGENDS AND HISTORICAL EVENTS
The hot springs at Uunartoq have been known for thousands of years. During the Viking era there was even a Benedictine Abbey in the fiord close by Uunartoq. One old story is about Leif Ericsson who, a thousand years ago, decided to go for a swim so that he would be clean and presentable before setting sail and going off towards the west in search of new land.

In spite of the allure that the island has had on those passing by, it has never been permanently settled. Maybe this is a result of the stories about ghosts that, according to hearsay, haunt the springs, and who often hide in the sea and summer fog common in the area.

The real reason could, of course, be the sparse vegetation and the harsh climate so close to the Ice Cap, and in a fiord filled with icebergs. But who knows?

What we do know, however, is no matter which way you choose to look at it, Uunartoq has been a key excursion area for thousands of years in Southern Greenland.

Drop a line into the hole and try ice fishing, one of the oldest forms of getting food in Greenland.

Ice fishing in Greenland
When the temperature drops to below freezing and the water crystallises into a thick layer of ice, the fjords become a frozen expanse for snow adventures, dog sledding and ice fishing.

The practice of ice fishing in Greenland is an age-old cultural tradition, and one that allowed the ancient Inuit to survive in the harshest of conditions. For thousands of years, it was a way of life. Today, ice fishing is a method still active in Greenland’s thriving fishing industry and many fishermen continue to use the original form of transport, dog sledding, to reach choice ice fishing locations on frozen fjords.

The ice fishing equipment needed is relatively simple: you will need a tooq, which is a manual icebreaker tool, or a more advanced drill to bore a hole through the ice. The fishermen will then drop long lines (which can be up to 1000 metres long when commercially fishing) into the water that are laden with heavy iron hooks and weights. A few hours later, it will hopefully take some effort to pull the lines back up as the catch will be heavy.

Ice fishing trips for tourists
There are tour operators ready to take you on an ice fishing trip wherever the sea freezes over. Sometimes, ice fishing is the main event and sometimes it is part of a dog sledding trip. It can also be a fully immersive, multi-day winter package in the snowy backcountry.

Going ice fishing with local guides is the safest way to try this experience, as they are the ones who know the terrain best. Ice fishing is currently available in north Greenland on the west coast from Qaanaaq to Uummannaq, Ilulissat, Sisimiut, Kangerlussuaq all the way to Nuuk, and also in East Greenland. The adventure begins by taking a boat, dog sled or snowmobile to reach your ice fishing location. Coffee, tea, snacks and stories are often a welcome part of the package as it will take some time to drop a line that is between 100 to 500m long into the ice hole. As you can imagine, ice fishing is a slow activity and you are welcome to relish the expansive nature while you are in it!

REMEBER!
You have to pay for a fishing license, and that if you go by yourself it is best to ask for local advice regarding ice conditions.

ICE FISHING FACTS
– Fishing is Greenland’s single most important export. In 2019, there were 364 dog sleds and 643 snowmobiles licensed for fishing (stat.gl)
– Longline fishing produces high quality produce as the fish are caught individually and there is no damage to the fish due to the pressure from the gillnet.
– A big sized Greenland halibut can be 15 – 20 kilograms!

Each destination has a slightly different take on ice fishing
– In the northern part of Greenland on the west coast, it is Greenland halibut waters. This is also where the most ice fishing activity takes place also by dogsled. You will have the opportunity to fish in classic style with an ice hole on the broad flat sea ice.
– In inland Kangerlussuaq, you will likely catch cod, on a frozen fjord where a hole will be drilled into the ice.
– In Nuuk, you will first sail by boat and then snowshoe to your end point by a lake or the sea. There you will try your luck at ice fishing Arctic Char with a fishing rod. You are actually in close proximity to the town, but you would never guess this as the feeling is that you’re miles away from it all.
– In East Greenland, you are often surrounded by the most dramatic peaks when you go ice fishing.
– Fish species and the Greenland shark
– You might catch the highly prized flatfish Greenland halibut, which has sweet-tasting white flesh and is plentiful in numbers in Uummannaq, Ilulissat and the fjords on the Greenlandic west coast. Its primary spawning ground is in the central Davis Strait off Nuuk.

Some operators also offer the possibility to fish for the ancient Greenland shark. If it bites the hook, you will not eat it as its meat is poisonous to humans without treatment. The Greenland dogs, however, will be happy for your catch! It is possible to do this as high up as Qaanaaq and in East Greenland.

Other fish species one can catch while ice fishing in Greenland include Atlantic cod, wolffish and golden redfish.

Ice fishing when to go
Ice fishing is available from January to April. It will take a few hours to reach your ice fishing location, so be prepared to breathe in the fresh air as your heart slows down to a pace needed to enjoy this experience.

Ice fishing clothing and gear
As you will be out in nature for quite some time, you should dress warmly in winter layers for the occasion. If it is very cold, it may be possible to rent warm sealskin outerwear to keep the heat in. You should also remember your sunglasses and sunscreen as the sun can reflect upon the snow!

Icebergs are fundamental to Greenland. Experience colossal icebergs grounded in the Ilulissat Icefjord or find them along Greenland’s coastline like floating sculptures.

Greenlanders once used icebergs to distinguish the seasons and even to identify towns, a testament to their steadfast presence and to the intertwined character of Greenlandic culture with our country’s powerful nature. Media stress that the ice in Greenland is melting, and while this is absolutely true, as long as the Greenland Ice Sheet exists, icebergs of all sizes and shapes will fill these Arctic waters.

ICEBERG CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
Many of the picturesque icebergs along Greenland’s west coast calve from two North Greenland glaciers, and as luck would have it, they share the same name!

The largest collection of icebergs in Greenland exists at the Ilulissat Icefjord, thanks to one of the fastest glaciers in the world called Sermeq Kujalleq. True to its “iceberg capital of the world” nickname, Ilulissat is home to thousands of icebergs that can be seen year round by hiking, sailing, or flightseeing.

A bit further north, another Sermeq Kujalleq glacier gives travelers in Uummannaq quite an impressive iceberg display. Here, one really can tell the seasons based on the changing icebergs. An eastern horizon with a thin white glow is the spring view while summer sees a harbor packed with towering icebergs finding their way to sea. And as the winter sea ice forms, any straggling iceberg gets frozen in place until next year, creating a great icy maze perfect for dog sledding and ice fishing.

ICEBERG HUBS IN GREENLAND
In East Greenland, the Sermilik Fjord stands just around the mountain from Tasiilaq, and it is particularly loaded with icebergs during the spring thaw. With so much ice to navigate, getting to the nearby village of Tiniteqilaaq by boat can be more of a thrilling icebreakers trip than smooth sailing! But not to worry – the alternative is a breathtaking helicopter charter that puts the entire fjord full of icebergs into view.

Nuuk and Paamiut, too have their own fjords with iceberg filled waters. In short, keep one golden rule in mind – wherever a glacier meets water, one will find icebergs!

South Greenland is a special place for iceberg watching for not one, but two, phenomena! Blue ice is rampant in South Greenland, and it appears so vibrant against a backdrop of lush green hills. Also, large sheets of pack ice are truly unique to South Greenland towns like Nanortalik and Qaqortoq. Unlike a freshwater iceberg that calves from a glacier, this is frozen ocean water that has traveled all the way from the east coast.

• There are two types of ice in Greenland’s waters – freshwater icebergs that calve from glaciers into the sea and saltwater pack ice that forms at sea.
• Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has the largest concentration of icebergs in Greenland.
• The portion of an iceberg visible above water is only about 10% of the total iceberg.
• Icebergs can be white or blue and even have dark stripes.
• Blue icebergs have very little air inside while white icebergs have many air bubbles or a snowy surface. Dark stripes in icebergs come from dirt that glaciers pick up as they move from land to sea.

ICEBERGS UP CLOSE
Sailing tours are the most popular and comfortable way to see icebergs, but in this one of a kind environment, why not satiate your adventurous spirit and meet an iceberg in a unique way? Take the rare opportunity to kayak through Greenland’s icy waters and to charge yourself with strong Arctic energy with every iceberg you pass.

Or really take the road less traveled and SCUBA dive alongside icebergs in Greenland. Seeing the foot of a massive iceberg and being within arms reach of extraordinary aquatic life are experiences of a lifetime. At the day’s end, when you look out at the icebergs in the water and know that you have experienced them in a way that few others have, you just might have to pinch yourself to believe it’s real.

Icebergs are one of the Big Arctic Five experiences in Greenland, and you can see them by the thousands from air, water, or land at the Ilulissat Icefjord.

There is no downplaying that this gallery of enormous ice sculptures is a spectacular sight. But just as the majority of an iceberg lurks unseen beneath the water, there is more to the Ilulissat Icefjord than its natural beauty. It tells a profound story of the planet’s history, and it is humbling in a time of climate change debate.

There are a handful of ways to experience this wonder of the world, and we like to think we came up with the perfect combination of experiences to fully grasp the scale and significance of the Ilulissat Icefjord.

ICEFJORD FLYBY
For most things in life, it is best to start with an overview, and the Ilulissat Icefjord is no different. This icefjord, one of the northernmost UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is a massive collection of icebergs that have calved from the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier one by one. It is necessary to first get a bird’s eye view so you know exactly how grand of a scale the Ilulissat Icefjord has.

Unless you arrive to Ilulissat on the coastal ferry, your first sight of the Ilulissat Icefjord will actually be from the window of an airplane. It’s a nice view, but get an even better look by flightseeing with a helicopter or fixed-wing plane. These smaller aircraft fly slower and lower all the way to the glacier wall, and with only a handful of seats, everyone has the best view in the cabin. You might even feel the rumble of the glacier calving beneath you, and then it really feels like an adventurous ride!

SAILING IN ILULISSAT ICEFJORD
After seeing the full picture of the Ilulissat Icefjord, one must get down to the water’s level to see the parts that create the whole. A 41-foot masted vessel may seem large sitting in the harbor, but once you start sailing between the skyscraper icebergs, taking minutes to get past a single one, the Ilulissat Icefjord comes into a different perspective.

Ice looks best during the ‘golden hour’, and in the land of the midnight sun, this happens late into the evening. After dinner, take a midnight cruise in the Ilulissat Icefjord and marvel at how the icebergs change from white and blue to shades of orange and red when struck by the midnight sun.

HIKE ALONG ILULISSAT ICEFJORD
Once you have had the thrills of hovering just overhead the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier and sailing through the maze of icebergs it creates, it is time to reflect on the Ilulissat Icefjord. Take the raised pathway to Sermermiut or hike along the marked Blue Route trail to claim your own plot of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Without a headset or the low chugging of a boat engine, the sounds of the Ilulissat Icefjord are suddenly clear – popping air as it escapes from the ice, icebergs colliding with one another as they find their way out to sea, and waves crashing on the rocky coastline. When you are sitting still, you can finally detect how the Ilulissat Icefjord really is full of life.

• The Ilulissat Icefjord is filled with icebergs that calve from Sermeq Kujalleq, the fastest moving glacier in the world (40 meters daily).
• The Ilulissat Icefjord is the same area as 66,000 football fields. It reaches 6 km wide and approximately 55 km long, but it is growing longer as glacier retreat occurs due to climate change.
• Sermeq Kujalleq runs directly from the Greenland Ice Cap, and it produces 10% of all icebergs in Greenland.
• The Ilulissat Icefjord became one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2004.

CLIMATE CHANGE ‘GROUND ZERO’
Climate change becomes more of a hot topic each day. The Ilulissat Icefjord, and the Greenland Ice Cap that produces it, are increasingly in the spotlight. We Greenlanders are thankful for the growing interest in an issue that we live with and adapt to constantly, but even more so, we are proud to be at the center of important research with global implications.

Visiting the Ilulissat Icefjord is not only about seeing a large calving glacier or melting icebergs before it’s too late. It is a unique opportunity to be active in the climate change conversation here at ‘ground zero’ and to let your experiences in Greenland inspire your life back home.

The kayak is a cultural link between the earliest immigrants in Greenland, the common everyday experience by local kayakers and the modern rugged adventure expeditions.

WHEN THE KAYAK ARRIVED IN GREENLAND
The kayak is a transportation and hunting tool that originated in the Arctic region and then spread east towards Greenland with the first wave of immigrants, who came to this country more than 4000 years ago.

In Greenland, people embraced the kayak to such an extent that it became the focal point of everyday life in a community of hunters, and even to this day the kayak is one of the strongest cultural symbols of our adaptability to the land that distinguishes us as a people.

THE KAYAK IS FOUND EVERYWHERE IN GREENLAND
Tour operators, and rental companies, of glass fiber kayaks are located all over the country, testifying to the vessels popularity with the many visitors who come to Greenland. The traditional Greenlandic kayak of today, is mostly used for hunting in the most northerly regions of the country, while the modern glass fiber kayak is used for both short trips and long hauls all along the coast.

We do acknowledge that this nearness to nature, the touch of the ocean surface, the rhythmic motion of the paddle through the water, the ability to propel a forward motion only by the use of the human body, are all, a compelling combination which fits well with our need for everyday excursions and adventurous expeditions.

Adding to that, are the icebergs, the whales, seals, flocks of birds, small Greenlandic towns and settlements, and a jagged coast line that adds its own unique Arctic dimension to an activity which for many people is more about the fellowship with ones travel companions than the wilderness experience of the trip.

FROM EXTREME EXPEDITIONS TO COMMUTERS IN THE CAPITAL
The countryside in Greenland is accessible and open to everyone 24-7, weather permitting. You may go ashore and camp anywhere you choose, as long as you are considerate of the surroundings, and follow general rules when in mountainous terrain.

You will discover that in many places the mountain sides will be very steep and go down straight into the water, and that there is no one else around. One small linguistic saying is the phrase “close by”, which in this country is another sentence for “as far as the eye can see and then some”.

But kayaking in Greenland doesn’t have to be to a remote fiord or under extreme conditions in order to provide people some substance in their daily lives. We know of people who use the kayak as a commute, when going to work from the suburb Qinnorput and into Nuuk proper. We see kids every summer, in all the harbours in Greenland, frolicking about and practicing the kayak roll, and we enjoy watching a kayak show as much as the passengers do aboard the cruise ships.

The northern lights or the Aurora Borealis is one of the great surprises of the Arctic night, and you can experience this multicoloured light show from September to April.

A BONUS IN THE NIGHT SKY
The northern lights is Greenland’s way of adding an extra bonus to the adventures of winter. It is free, there is enough for everyone and all it takes is for you to dress warmly, wear a sturdy pair of boots, add an ounce of patience, maybe carry with you a thermos of coffee, and then have someone there to share the adventure.

The phenomenon is a source of great interest to many of us living here in Greenland. We keep an eye out for the northern lights through online forecasts, we follow live updates of how the northern lights are spreading across the Arctic, we take lots of photos with great enthusiasm, and we love to take our guests out in the dead of night to view the sky.

Northern lights are part of the visual, physical characteristics of Greenland, and with an Arctic touch, the northern lights reach down from space filling up the night with myths and magic and clear and frosty winter adventures.

NORTHERN LIGHTS IN GREENLAND
One local area is mentioned again and again, when we want to point out the very best and most easily accessible destinations in Greenland to view the northern lights, and that is the airport settlement of Kangerlussuaq, uniquely located inland in lee of mountains and ice; Kangerlussuaq boasts more than 300 clear nights a year.

The season for watching the northern lights in Kangerlussuaq, which is from the end of September to the middle of April, is the same as in the rest of the country. Heading out on the only gravel road in Greenland leading directly to the Ice Cap, the opportunities for seeing the northern lights are at their best, as there is hardly any man made “pollution light” to speak of, even after travelling just a short stretch on the road.

Although the situation is pretty unique in Kangerlussuaq, the northern lights are none-the-less a common sight in the night sky in many places in Greenland. Even with the many street lamps in the capital city of Nuuk, the northern lights are clearly visible and will often make people stop, pause and look up at the sky on their way home from work.

SCIENCE AND MYTH
What are the northern lights really? Northern lights are electrically charged particles from the sun, which hit our atmosphere, and create a natural phenomenon of light with altering colors, revealing how far above our planet the particles are, when they hit the atmosphere.

But is this scientific explanation of the Aurora Borealis really the reason why we, time after time, stop in our tracks when the northern lights flash across the night sky? Or are we reminded of something greater than ourselves, something almost magical that will even entice Greenlanders, who are thoroughly accustomed to seeing the northern lights, to look up at the night sky.

We know for a fact that the same fascination that we feel and that you will feel while visiting, in a similar manner also challenged the imagination of our ancestors. In a well-known myth, we are told that when the northern lights dance across the night sky, it is the dead who are playing soccer with the skull of a walrus.

Even today people from some nations believe that children will be particularly intelligent if they are conceived on a night when the northern lights are visible in the sky. If that is the case, then one would think that we as a nation must be doing unbelievably well.

• Northern lights flash across the sky all year, but are most visible from the end of September to the middle of April.
• Kangerlussuaq, Sisimiut and Ilulissat all offer guided tours during the winter months to see the northern lights.
• Current updated information on solar activity and the northern lights is available on NOAA’s 30 minutes forecasts at the Space Weather Prediction Center.
• Northern lights are also referred to as the Aurora Borealis in the Arctic (New Latin, literally meaning: northern dawn). In Antarctica, a related phenomenon is known as the Aurora
• Australis or southern lights. The two events always happen simultaneously as the charged particles that hit the atmosphere move back and forth in a magnetic belt between the poles.
• The colors displayed in the northern lights fluctuate in hues from green to red to blue dependent on what type of particles are present. On the web site Webexhibits there is more about the colors and the reasons for them.
• You will probably want to film or photograph the northern lights when you are out viewing them, and therefore, for this purpose we have submitted a blog entry to Flotomalia.dk describing the steps needed in order to obtain successful photos of the northern lights.

The most isolated town in Greenland, where dog sledding, expedition cruises and wildlife dominate the opportunities for adventure.

Ittoqqortoormiit is not quite like the other towns. For many guests, just getting to Ittoqqortoormiit is in itself an adventure, as the town is almost as far as one can get from any other inhabited area in Greenland. The closest neighbour is the world’s largest national park with the Danish Sirius Patrol as the only human presence in a vast landscape dominated by small game, birds, polar bears, musk oxen, reindeer, walrus and 18,000 kilometers of rugged, pathless coastline.

Furthermore, the city is right next to the world’s largest and deepest multi-branched fjord system, and a special basalt rock formation with horizontal lines running through the cliffs, is quite different from other parts of the country, marking the transition to the even more desolate area of Northeastern Greenland.

THE OCEAN AND THE ICE ARE KEY TO THE TOWN’S EXISTENCE
Even though the sea ice blocks ship access to the town for about nine months of the year, Ittoqqortoormiit has nevertheless become an important cruise destination for small expeditionary vessels exploring the nature, wildlife and culture of Northeastern Greenland.

Hunting and fishing at sea are the only ways the community can survive; in addition, the sea ice is like a road providing new routes through the countryside. During early spring, when the sea ice is still thick yet the sun is high in the sky, many of the local people will go out for a weekend on dog sledding or snowmobile trips. Tent camps and camping life are the norm for a short while, a reminder of the spring experience you will have when going out on the land with local guides. These tours reflect how tourism has evolved out of normal everyday activities by the local populace.

• Ittoqqortoormiit was founded in 1925 with settlers from Tasiilaq and a few families from West Greenland, in part, by Danish territorial demands on Greenland.
• The town has a population of 450 residents and the main source of income comes from hunting and tourism.
• The town has one grocery store and a couple of small convenience stores.
• The nearby National Park is the largest in the world and within its borders is the tallest mountain in the Arctic region, the 3,694 meter tall Gunnbjørn’s Mountain.

SUMMER AND WINTER IN ITTOQQORTOORMIIT
You can choose to up the level of adventure by joining long tours on dog sled out on Liverpool Land, north of the town, passing several huts of historical significance used for hunting or research. The huts hide a treasure trove of wilderness stories.

During the short but intense summer period, kayaks are available for renting. Both short trips and long hauls through the ice-filled strait by Ittoqqortoormiit provide access to the uninhabited settlements of Cape Hope and Cape Tobin, as well as to the inviting albeit somewhat chilly beach at Walrus Bay. Cape Tobin is also known by its Greenlandic name, Uunartoq, meaning “that which one burns oneself on” because it is the location of the hottest hot spring in Greenland. The water temperature in the spring is 62 degrees Celsius.

Kulusuk is the gateway to different types of adventure-based activities for both summer and winter.

AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SOMEWHAT ABOVE THE ORDINARY
How many places in the world are you aware of where the first step, after getting your bags off the baggage carousel and passing the tax free shop in an international airport, is a transfer on foot or with an all-terrain vehicle on a gravel road with a view to ice-filled fiords?

That is what we thought!

It is not enough that Kulusuk airport is on a mountainous island surrounded by ice-filled waters in the least populated part of the country. The airport town is not a roaring metropolis, but just a small settlement with a population of 250 people, for whom income gained from hunting and fishing is as important as any income from the airport.

But this is probably why you decided to come here in the first place. You are searching for a Greenlandic adventure experience, wanting to meet the local population in a small community with ample room for differences.

KULUSUK IS A DESTINATION IN AND OF ITSELF
Kulususk is the gateway to East Greenland, and the opportunities for adventures on and around the island cover everything from cultural encounters to extreme expeditions in summer as well as in winter.

Hiking trips make the island accessible along gravel roads which connect the airport with the settlement and even continue on up to a nearby hill, the 300 meter tall Isikajia Mountain. From the top of the hill there is a great view of the Denmark Strait, icebergs, the fjord system, Tasiilaq island and much of the area’s jagged coastline.

Day trips from Iceland have even put Kulusuk on the Map of Reykjavik as places one can spend an afternoon. However, we do feel that Greenland deserves a visit which is longer than just one day. You will surely discover this yourself when you land in Kulusuk.

• There is grocery store in the settlement with a regular supply of food and household items in the summer time. During the winter months supplies dwindle as the frozen pack ice blocks any shipping of goods to East Greenland by boat.
• There is plenty of game in the area. In the 1930s, Kulusuk had a larger population than Tasiilaq. Tasiilaq has since grown substantially and now has a population of 2.000 inhabitants.
• The airport was built by the US Air Force in 1956 as part of the early warning defense system.
• Kulusuk is both an airport with connections to Tasiilaq, Nuuk and Reykjavik as well as a settlement with a population of 250 residents on Kulusuk island.
• The settlement was previously known by the Danish name, Kap Dan.
• The Kulusuk hostel is tailored for the hikers visiting the area, but at the same time opens up a convenient opportunity for the general traveller in East Greenland.
• Hotel Kulusuk lies between the airport and the settlement with a view to the fjord. The hotel offers transfers to and from the airport, and it is a fully modern hotel with a restaurant, internet and several offers of tours in the area.

ADVENTURES ON, AND AROUND, KULUSUK ISLAND
In the settlement itself there is a focus on offering cultural events such as meetings with local story tellers and kayakers, guided tours, lectures in the renovated church building, traditional East Greenlandic drum dancing, and visits to the renowned artists in Kulusuk, highly lauded for their Tupilak figurines.

Tasiilaq, the largest town on the east coast, is only ten minutes by air from Kulusuk with an Air Greenland helicopter, or an hour by boat, if the weather conditions are optimal. You will discover that the two places together make for a strong destination with many tour possibilities throughout the year.

Guided boat tours weaving between icebergs, transfers to a distant mountain valley and flightseeing with Air Zafari in their specially designed aircraft are all part of the summer program, while dog sledding and Northern Lights are among the most important winter excursions.

Guided boat tours weaving between icebergs, transfers to a distant mountain valley and flightseeing with Air Zafari in their specially designed aircraft are all part of the summer program, while dog sledding and Northern Lights are among the most important winter excursions.

The largest town in Eastern Greenland is the gateway to pretty much every kind of experience Greenland offers.

ISOLATED, YET ACCESSIBLE
If, for a moment, you are able to tear your gaze away from the mountain tops, the icebergs and all the great opportunities for adventure, you will discover that you are standing in Tasiilaq and looking out over King Oscar’s Harbour in East Greenland.

Around you is a town, which in spite of its only 2,000 inhabitants, is the gateway to a plethora of summer adventures on foot, in kayak, by boat or in the air, and then there are the winter adventures like dog sledding, skiing, heliskiing and snowmobiling.

East Greenland, and specifically Tasiilaq, is viewed as the ”front side” of Greenland or the “face towards the world” by many visitors. The region has nearly 50 years of experience with tourism and the regular flight connections to Reykjavik via the airport in Kulusuk ensure Tasiilaq’s accessibility to the outside world.

ADVENTURES IN TASIILAQ
Everything seems a little bigger in Tasiilaq. The mountains, the distances, the adventures, the challenges loom and beckon both summer and winter.

The hiking, climbing expeditions, kayak adventures, whale watching, visiting settlements, boat tours to the icefjord called Sermilik in summer, as well as the cultural events in the town itself, all mix with a layer of local culture, that gets its energy from the numbers of people from the settlements, who come into town throughout the summer. They visit family and friends, participate in the very popular coastal soccer championship and fill the streets with life and activity.

In winter, experiences range from urban introductions to dog sledding to snowmobiling trips to the nearby settlement called Tiniteqilaaq. Also within the realm of possibility is downhill skiing with snowmobile support, multi-day trips by dog sled, the opportunity to get one’s own dog sled license, week-long heliskiing adventures in remote mountain areas, and the ultimate challenge of crossing the Ice Cap from the settlement of Isortoq in East Greenland to Kangerlussuaq in West Greenland.

• Tasiilaq means “the place with a lake” (because of the shape of the fjord).
• It is the largest town on the east coast with a population of about 2,017 (2013) and is one of the fastest-growing towns in Greenland.
  Tasiilaq, or the island where Tasiilaq is located, was formerly known as Ammassalik or Angmagssalik, Greenlandic for “the place with capelin”.
• Tasiilaq is located approximately 106 km (65.9 mi) south of the Arctic Circle.
• One day’s hike from the town is the Sermilik Station (a glacier research base).
• Palo´s Wedding, the first Greenlandic movie, was shot in Tasiilaq. So was the music video ‘Infinitely You’ by Simon Lynge.
• Around seven or eight supply ships go to Tasiilaq each year. The first arriving at the beginning of June and the last mid- or at the end of November.
• People go out to sea on their own boats to scout for the supply ship and when spotted, three cannon shots are fired to welcome the ship with the new supply of food. Some of the locals go down to the harbor to greet the ship. First things out of the ship are fruits and veggies, then the candies!

MANY ROADS IN A COUNTRY WITH NO HIGH WAYS
We often hear people describe Greenland as a country without roads, and it is true that we don’t have any roads in the traditional sense between cities or along the coastline. Whoever claimed that gravel and asphalt has a monopoly on the definition of “road”?

East Greenland is a clear example of how the local population combines everyday experiences with traditional knowledge of the land and modern day GPS equipment to navigate waterways, dog sled routes, hiking paths and snowmobiling trails.

The many hiking tours in the Tasiilaq area that last for several days, often get transport support from passenger boats, when crossing straits or particular impassable parts of the coast line. The easiest way to travel between local communities is by boat. The roads of winter are often trails across frozen fjords, and mountain climbers will go by boat to distant areas before they find a way to climb the alpine mountain tops.

ARTS AND CRAFTS AND STREET LIFE
Artistic life in East Greenland is characterized by a continuation of craft traditions used in earlier times to decorate weapons used for hunting, household tools or masks.

Current arts and crafts draw on a wide range of regional creative expressions, and the East Greenlandic tupilak figurines are especially known for their quality in design and form, not only in Greenland, but internationally as well.

At the same time Tasiilaq draws the youth of the area as a magnet, in spite of the town’s modest size, and the youth use the town as a platform for music, adventure sports, photography and other typically modern ways of expression.

Vertical walls and pristine waters in Tasermiut Fjord make an adventurer’s imagination run wild while city sightseeing bring you down to earth.

UNIQUE IN SOUTH GREENLAND
Nanortalik stands on an island, literally and figuratively. Though it sits deep in South Greenland, whose reputation is as an idyllic paradise with fields of colorful flowers, Nanortalik breaks the mold. Its vertical walls that flank an intricate fjord system hint at a nature more akin to Greenland’s east coast. Add to that the expanse of sea ice just outside the harbor and the cultural migration of East Greenlanders to Nanortalik’s villages, and what you find is that Nanortalik is quite unique for South Greenland.

Like most islands, the journey to Nanortalik is involved, but the welcoming and friendly atmosphere that awaits you in town is worth the trip. As we Greenlanders say, once you have reached Nanortalik, it’s like returning to your childhood home. Come to Nanortalik to explore wild mountains and find the hometown you never knew you had.

STRONG NATURE IN NANORTALIK
From sea to mountain top, Nanortalik is surrounded by powerful nature. To the east stand many ranges of daunting peaks that seem to pierce the sky, and to the west float enormous sheets of sea ice with a collection of Arctic wildlife in tow.

The possibilities to experience nature in Nanortalik are as many as your imagination can handle. For the day hiker, just step out your front door and find the path that leads to panoramic views of Nanortalik from a southern vantage point. Later, challenge your sea legs by taking a boat trip along the Nanortalik coastline spotted with islands.

Did you notice that white line radiating from the horizon? It is not your ordinary icebergs but rather the great sea ice that forms from frozen ocean water and migrates from East Greenland in spring.

• Nanortalik is the southernmost town in Greenland, located on an island also called Nanortalik, at the mouth of Tasermiut Fjord.
• Nanortalik was founded in 1797. It currently has approximately 1350 inhabitants, making it the 10th largest town in Greenland.
• Five villages and several sheep farms surround Nanortalik.
• Nanortalik means “the place with polar bears”, as polar bears live and hunt on the sea ice outside of town.
• Vertical cliffs and steep peaks characterize the Nanortalik nature. Ketil Mountain is 2000 meters tall and has one of the world’s highest climbing walls.
• Tasermiut South Greenland Expeditions is a trusted outfitter for expeditions in Nanortalik.
• Greenland’s only natural forest exists 40 km from Nanortalik, in Qinngua Valley. There, trees grow to be several meters tall.
• Cruise ships from North America and Europe dock in Nanortalik throughout the summer.

TASERMIUT FJORD
For those craving the inevitable next adrenaline rush, the search stops with Tasermiut Fjord. The juxtaposition of harsh rock rising straight out of reflective fjord waters is extreme and mesmerizing.

Defy gravity on some of the most challenging rock climbing lines in Greenland, or put your paddle to the test against the electrifying Arctic current right beneath your kayak. After an expedition into Tasermiut Fjord, you can go home a decorated adventurer.

CHOIR CULTURE
With true Greenlandic character, Nanortalik locals are charming and friendly. Whether you meet casually around town or over a feast of traditional Greenland gastronomy, Greenlanders are keen to lend a helping hand or extend an invitation to a choir performance. Choir singing is identifiably synonymous with Nanortalik, and thanks to a handful of groups in town, you have ample opportunity to experience this exclusive Nanortalik tradition.

The Nanortalik Museum pays homage to the colonial era and Old Norse culture, answering most questions about the town and its beginnings as a commercial spot. But one question remains in the air – how did a natural rock near to the church come to have an uncanny affinity to the great polar explorer, Knud Rasmussen? Perhaps when you visit Nanortalik you can uncover the story behind the stone.

The largest town in South Greenland gives you art, culture, Norse history, boat tours, hot springs, kayaking and hiking trips.

IS THERE A RIVIERA IN GREENLAND?
Qaqortoq rises quite steeply over the fjord system around the city, and on hot summer days you may be tricked into thinking that there is a sub-arctic Riviera, a special Greenlandic version with icebergs in the bay and frolicking whales in the fjord, instead of sandy beaches, palm trees and over-population.

Qaqortoq is best seen on foot, which does say something about the size of our towns considering Qaqortoq is the largest in Southern Greenland.

Several tours to nearby hill tops open up a view to the surrounding mountain areas and to the pack ice at sea, drifting down the east coast of Greenland towards the Atlantic Ocean. The hike around the water supply, Lake Tasersuaq, will take you from the center of the city out into the mountains in a matter of minutes, and if you really wish to explore the city’s backcountry, the five-day hike to the Norsemen’s old Episcopal residence and the sheep farming settlement of Igaliku, is an obvious choice.

ADVENTURES IN THE WILDERNESS AROUND QAQORTOQ
Qaqortoq is well-connected with the surrounding South Greenlandic landscape that is full of adventure opportunities, and especially, when out on a boat the region really seems to open up.

The fjords around the city are popular kayaking destinations, small passenger boats will take you to the church ruin at Hvalsey, to Narsaq, to Igaliku and to the hot springs at Uunartoq.

We only recommend the trip to the hot springs if you are strong-willed, because once you experience the 38 degree Celsius warm water in this bathtub made by nature, you will find it very difficult to see why one should be doing anything else in life.

• Qaqortoq is the largest city in Southern Greenland with 3.229 inhabitants.
• The city was founded in 1775.
• Qaqortoq is an educational city with a high school, and the city is the center of commerce and trade in Southern Greenland.
• Qaqortoq is the only city in Greenland with a fountain in the center square.
• Local tour organizers will gladly assist in organizing tours to the hot springs in Unnartoq, the church ruins at Hvalsey, and to the surrounding towns and settlements.
• Qaqortoq is a popular cruise destination for the large ships crossing the Atlantic.
• The city has two large grocery stores and several smaller convenience stores.
• The city has a hotel, two youth hostels and accommodation in rental houses.

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES IN QAQORTOQ
During the mid-1990s, the Greenlandic artist, Aka Høegh, launched an ambitious sculpture project with artists from all of the Nordic countries. The following result was the exhibition Stone & Man, forty sculptures carved all around the city, many of them carved right out of the surrounding rock face. When we call something here a permanent exhibition, we really mean it!

Qaqortoq Museum is in possession of a collection of quite odd looking tupilaks or talismans, carved by the masters, Aron and Cecilie Kleist. The collection is the focal point of a museum which has the interesting habit of mixing modern art with classical Greenlandic cultural expressions.

The museum is located right next to the central square in Qaqortoq, or plaza if we are to keep our comparison with the Riviera, and even if it is not the Trevi fountain we are able to show off, nevertheless, the soon to be hundred-year-old fountain which is a well known and much loved destination for an excursion. Around the fountain is the old Qaqortoq city core, with historical buildings, cafe, eateries and even a stream running straight through the center of the old area.

URBAN YOUTH IN A MODERN GREENLANDIC CITY
While the classic cultural elements are an obvious choice for many visitors to Qaqortoq when exploring the city, especially pertaining to Norse history, artistic life and food culture, it is worth noticing that Qaqortoq is also large enough to have a vibrant youth culture.

The city’s high school brings young people together. Young Greenlanders often use the light summer nights to meet in a forum. It may be far from the large cities of the world, but to them it is a very urban setting with street sports and games and hip expressions.

Narsaq is the most striking agricultural town in Greenland situated in a fjord system known for hiking, mineral deposits and cowboy history.

MUSSE, MCCARTNEY AND NARSAQ’S COWBOYS
Although it may sound that way, Musse and McCartney are not country and western singers from the USA. They are just names given to a couple of the many horses, and like in any western town in the USA would, in the old days, be tied up out in front of the homes in Narsaq, when they were not used for sheep herding or transportation over the mountain.

Although the number of horses is not what it used to be in this most striking agricultural town in Greenland, many of the inhabitants identify to such a degree with sheep farming, cattle ranching and agriculture that they jokingly refer to themselves as cowboys.

With the passing of time, many of the sheep farmers have moved away from the town, but you can still see a number of lush, fenced gardens, a testament to the protection given to the sheep who would roam freely around in the streets. The gardens are the breadbaskets of the town, supplying the local population with potatoes, turnips, carrots, lettuce and strawberries in sizeable quantities.

KITCHEN GARDENS AND THE NORSEMEN OF NARSAQ
One day during the 1960’s, the desire to dig out some fresh dirt for a kitchen garden accidentally unearthed a Norse ruin right in the middle of town where the sheep were grazing next to the factory and the slaughter house. The manager of the factory found much more than a little dirt – Norse artifacts appeared with each shovelful, and before long, archeologists had unearthed a complete long house in the middle of town.

This long house is believed to be the very first place Eric the Red settled before moving to Brattalid at the end of the Tunulliarfik Fjord, where the settlement Qassiarsuk is located today. So it was in Narsaq in 1982, that that official celebrations commemorating the 1000th anniversary of the Norsemen’s arrival in Greenland took place.

• It is the youngest town in Greenland, founded as late as in 1959.
• Local boat operators handle passenger transportation to places like Qassiarsuk, Narsasuaq, Qaqortoq and to Itilleq by Igaliku.
• Arctic Umiaq Line’s passenger ship makes a stop in Narsaq on the ships route which connects the southern part of Greenland with the West Coast all the way up to Ilulissat.
• The mountain known as Qaqqarsuaq behind the town contains coveted minerals and attracts many rock pickers and others who have an interest in geology.
• The history of the Norsemen is on display at the museum, and a local rock picker has created his own exhibit about minerals and rocks, including the rare mineral, Tugtupit which so far has only been found in very few places worldwide.

HIKING AND MINERAL DEPOSITS
It is a combination of agriculture, Norse history and the landscape around Narsaq which provides the experience with a special South Greenlandic flavour.

Hiking in the mountains and valley behind the town opens up the countryside towards the backcountry. For persistent hikers the trek over the mountain to Qassiarsuk is a typical journey through the South Greenlandic countryside with sheep farms, green river valleys, raw mountains and ice-filled fjords.

If you are interested in some of the many mineral deposits in Greenland, then you may be familiar with the Dyrnæs-Narsaq complex. For those who may not have considered this to be a part of their South Greenland experience, the concentration of granite, sandstone, lavas and Tugtupit – a rare, semi precious stone which changes color – are all reminders of the mountain treasures in this part of the country.

CLOSE TO NATURE IN NARSAQ
In Narsaq you will notice that local people appreciate closeness with nature and consider it as one of the town’s core values. Hunting grounds are within hiking distance of the town, which is unusual in South and West Greenland, and the rivers ripe for fishing are likewise just a stone’s throw – or should we say a fly’s cast – away.

During May, there is an exodus of local people to one specific river where everyone aims to catch the first Arctic char of the season, in an event that is reminiscent of harvesting the first potatoes or opening the season’s first bottle of Beaujolais in other parts of the world.

The Arctic char is sold at very high prices at the local market and it is typically Greenlandic that events like these have far greater local importance than the fact that the well-known Danish author, Jørn Riel, once lived in the town and that his house is still there.

Igaliku is a versatile, family-oriented, open-air destination with Norse ruins, modern agriculture, sheep farms, and many hiking opportunities.

A SETTLEMENT FULL OF PERSONALITIES
For some reason the settlement Igaliku attracts people known for their strong personalities. Either they founded an Episcopal residence, like the Norsemen did on the farm Gardar in 1124, or they decided to move to the area and re-found it centuries after it was last abandoned, like the Norwegian man Anders Olsen and his Greenlandic wife, Tuperna, did in 1783.

According to anecdotes, actress and singer Marlene Dietrich also visited Igaliku during World War II, when she was staying at the nearby American airbase at Narsarsuaq, entertaining the troops. Today the little sheep farming settlement has just 27 residents who stay all year. The well-known Greenlandic artist, Aka Høegh, has a summer cabin in Igaliku and the settlement is also home to Christian Egede, who often can be found sitting outside his house entertaining with his accordion.

You will probably understand why Igaliku draws so many people when you, for the very first time, hike over the road called Kongevejen from the marina at Itilleq, or when you arrive through the fjord by boat from Qaqortoq.

The oldest sheep farming settlement in Greenland boasts tall mountains with peaks covered by snow during summer, rolling valleys lush with flowers, sheep and tall grass. A collection of sandstone houses, so different from the very distinctive wooden houses in Greenland, draw a portrait of a settlement with an ancient history, and a dynamic modern day narrative.

• Igaliku, “The Place Like a Pot”, was founded in 1782 by the Norwegian merchant, Anders Olsen and his Greenlandic wife, Tuperna.
• The settlement is also known as Gardar, after the Episcopal residence built by the Norsemen around 1100 A.D.
• Today Igaliku is a sheep farming settlement with 27 inhabitants.
• The Igaliko Country Hotel offers rooms and cabins.
• The Hotel serves food and runs the Igaliku cafe.
• Gardar Hostel offers accommodation in typical youth hostel style.
• The local grocery store run by Pilersuisoq offers basic household staples.

AN OPEN-AIR DESTINATION WITH A LOT OF ADMIRERS
Igaliku is a family-oriented open-air destination, with short and long hiking trails, kayak rentals, farm visits, and cultural experiences around the ruins of the old Episcopal residence and the one thousand year old irrigation system, which is partly still in use today.

The settlement receives a lot of visitors during early August, when Anders Olsen’s decedents arrive, to meet for a weekend of festivities, to celebrate the birthday of the settlement’s founding father. The event is well worth a visit if you can find somewhere to sleep, and get a ride on a boat from one of the many Greenlanders going to the settlement during that time.

HIKING TRAILS AROUND IGALIKU
You don’t need to go to Igaliku by boat if you prefer to hike there, as there is a well-marked five-day hiking trail over the mountain from Qaqortoq. On the trail you will have an opportunity to hike the hill, Redekammen, and to swing by the old well-kept church ruin at Hvalsey, one of the best known Norse landmarks in Greenland.

Going on the trail towards the north from Igaliku the main draw is the icefjord called Qooroq, worth a day’s hike for some, while others prefer instead to “greet” the sheep on the hill behind the settlement or hang out at the small hotel, where there is always time for a cup of coffee on the terrace.

Narsarsuaq is the gateway to hiking trails through lush valleys and Norse ruins spotted along a deep fjord.

A HISTORIC FJORD
Narsarsuaq and its immediate surroundings in Tunulliarfik Fjord hold incredible significance to Greenland’s history, for the land where Narsarsuaq now stands earned Greenland its name. The Norse Vikings settled in this vicinity many centuries ago and gave Narsarsuaq a name that hints that an Arctic forest covered the large plain. Taking tales of verdant nature in a deep fjord home to their Nordic brethren, the Vikings called this country Greenland. With Narsarsuaq as your home base, uncover the long history that lies in Tunulliarfik Fjord. Connect the dots of Viking ruins by sailing or hiking between Qassiarsuk, Igaliku, and Hvalsey. It is one thing to read about medieval farms in the sagas but quite another to see them come alive by standing in the same spots where Erik the Red and Viking settlers stood over a millennium ago.

OUTDOORSMAN’S PARADISE
Excitement fills you as you arrive to Narsarsuaq, but how can such a small village instill so much adrenaline and anticipation, you wonder? The mighty nature that surrounds Narsarsuaq – the fjord waters spotted with turquoise icebergs and the deep valley that points directly toward the Greenland Ice Sheet – just waits to be explored. While this beauty summons you into the nature like a great force, it is the solitude and the contrast of idyllic valleys next to powerful and rugged ice that keep you there.

Sailing amongst blue ice or hiking and flying around lush hills and glaciers are the classic experiences that add great action to your holiday. But a true outdoorsman can also find happiness in the small delights around Narsarsuaq. Go fishing on the beach and ride bikes along grassy pathways to find relics from when Narsarsuaq was an American military base. Or count eagles and hawks overhead as you pick the most beautiful napping spot in the Valley of Flowers.

• Narsarsuaq is the gateway to South Greenland. Its name means “the large plain”, after its natural surroundings.
• Narsarsuaq is located 100 km inside Tunulliarfik Fjord, just 6 km from the Greenland Ice Sheet.
• Narsarsuaq has 160 residents.
• Norse ruins from the 10th-15th centuries spot the hills around Narsarsuaq, including Brattahlid, the settlement of Erik the Red, where the first Christian church in all of North America was erected.
• Narsarsuaq is a popular cruise destination welcoming vessels from North America and Europe.
• The only beekeeper in Greenland lives in Narsarsuaq and sells small jars of honey in souvenir shops.
• Narsarsuaq was founded as an American airbase in 1941 called “Blue West 1”. The “Hospital Valley” pays homage to this era.
• Narsarsuaq Airport has the second-longest runway in Greenland, allowing it to accept larger airplanes. International flights arrive from Denmark and Iceland, and domestic flights arrive from Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk, and Paamiut.

SMALL VILLAGE; INTERNATIONAL MENTALITY
The residents of Narsarsuaq are a small yet close-knit band of dedicated people who think far beyond the boundaries of their South Greenland village. Nearly everyone in the village plays a vital role to ensuring Narsarsuaq is welcoming for international guests, tending to everything from the airport and cruise harbor to the hotels, cafés, and shops. At the height of the summer, Narsarsuaq has quite a global atmosphere as it houses travelers from all over the world who often outnumber even the Greenlanders!

The settlement is an agricultural destination for hikers and a visible meeting place between Norse culture and modern-day sheep farmers.

A THOUSAND YEARS OF SHEEP FARMING AND AGRICULTURE
One thousand years ago a group of Norsemen, with Eric the Red in the front, sailed into the bay where the settlement Qassiarsuk is located today. According to legend, Eric had such strong emotional ties to the area where he had grown up in Norway that he baptised the place he found, Brattahlíð which means “steep hill”. Before long, he and his companions had established an agricultural community in the fjord.

Farming is still the main occupation in Qassiarsuk and the sheep farmers in the area cultivate the same fields, and let their animals graze in the same river valleys and the same hillsides that the Norsemen used towards the end of the 9th century.

The agriculture of the sheep farms is also about a special feeling of community, and you will experience the strong bonds and the close cooperation between the families living in the settlement and the farms in the countryside.

REMOTE FARMS WITH MODERN CONNECTIONS
Where the gravel roads end around the settlement lie the sheep farms that give new meaning to the word “remote”, and especially in Tasiusaq and Nunataaq, about a day’s hike west of Qassiarsuk, the fields reach down to the edge of the water, in fjords where icebergs from the Ice Cap drift by on their way towards the ocean.

Yet, you will experience that the locals are connected to the internet, watch satellite television and run modern farms adapted for export, send their kids to a well-run school in the settlement and are generally focused on seeing the next generation grow up and get educated, even if this means that the young will have to leave South Greenland for a number of years.

• Qassiarsuk is a sheep farming settlement founded in 1924 by Otto Frederiksen. Many of his descendants today are among the settlements 50 inhabitants.
• Eric the Red and his wife Thorhildur settled here in 982 and built the first Christian church on the North American continent.
• Today Qassiarsuk has a grocery store and a cafe.
• There is a 120 kilometer gravel road in Qassiarsuk and the surounding hillsides and the area is great for hiking trips.
• Due to the sheep in the settlement the surrounding area has no mosquitoes.
• Every year Qassiarsuk hosts the Leif Ericsson Marathon.

THE NORSEMEN IN QASSIARSUK
Qassiarsuk was the stronghold of the Norsemen. It was here they built the first Christian church on the North American continent, and it was from this location that their culture of farming spread to the rest of South Greenland.

Today a statue of Leif Ericsson has been erected on a prominent vantage point in Qassiarsuk keeping watch over both the past and the present. In the Danish language, Leif is better known by his nick names – Leif the Happy, Leif the Lucky, or simply Eric the Red’s son. He is the very first man to sail towards the west arriving in North America at a place he called, Vinland. A feat of that magnitude is not left unnoticed in South Greenland.

Qassiarsuk is the most important of all the Norsemen landmarks in South Greenland because the ruins are still very much part of the present-day landscape, and with the re-construction of Thodhilde’s Christian church and the adjacent long house, you will experience the feel of these historical buildings coming alive in a way that is unique in Greenland.

HIKING AND THE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE IN QASSIARSUK
Although the actual growth of trees is limited to certain protected fjords, the landscape of South Greenland nevertheless in many ways resembles the fjords of western Norway.

The area around Qassiarsuk has mountain hiking trails as well as a 100 kilometer gravel road that connects the settlement with the surrounding farms of Tasiusaq, Nunataaq, Sillisit, Qorlortoq and Ipiutaq that offer accommodation if you wish to stay overnight on the route.

One of the classic treks in Greenland is the 60 kilometer hike from Qassiarsuk over the mountain to Narsaq. The route changes between easy-to-walk gravel roads, staying overnight at a sheep farm, and trekking over a mountain area with many remnants of the Norsemen.

Paamiut is embodied by snowy winter slopes, majestic wildlife, and a tourist density that will make you feel like the guest of honor around town.

VITALITY LIKE THE EAGLE
It is not every town in Greenland that can boast its own guardian from the animal kingdom. But Paamiut can. The white-tailed eagle, called Nattoralik in Greenlandic, is plentiful in Paamiut, and the townspeople feel a strong connection with it. Youth often name their football or handball teams Nattoralik, and so the eagle is like the Paamiut mascot. Come to Paamiut to spot eagles and wildlife; good luck is said to come to anyone who sets eyes on this king of the sky.

Just like the eagle, Paamiut stands independently as a distinct town. It is known for its mysterious yet comforting foggy weather and a pleasant mix of old and new culture at the cusp of great nature. Tour the old neighborhood to observe picturesque buildings and see where women turned thousands of tiny beads and pieces of sealskin into extraordinary national costumes, still worn today. To hear about daily life from the Paamiut perspective, nothing beats a casual conversation with locals around town. Just a bit of openness and a friendly smile goes a long way, and you might even score yourself an invitation to kaffemik!

PAAMIUT BACKCOUNTRY
Aside from the great eagle population, the nature in Paamiut also soars. In winter, an uncanny amount of snow makes the Paamiut backcountry a snow sport lover’s dream! Whether randonnée skiing or cross-country skiing is your passion, there is enough untouched mountainside for everyone to have his own piece of Greenland.

In summertime, the snow recedes revealing hiking trails that are trodden ever so slightly. Aim for the mountain peaks to feel like an explorer standing on the top of the world or traverse many kilometers of trails inland, stopping along the way to pick the angelica that grows wildly on the hillside.

As with everywhere in Greenland, sailing is a summertime favorite in Paamiut. Sail around the fjord to old villages where cabins still stand, or head into nearby Sermilik Fjord to see glaciers that flow directly from the Greenland Ice Sheet.

• Paamiut was founded in 1742 and has about 1,500 residents.
• The town’s name means “the people who live at the mouth”, a reference to its location at the mouth of the Kuannersooq Fjord.
• Paamiut is an especially good place to spot white-tailed eagles.
• Paamiut is known for its church with beautiful and distinctive architecture.
• There is 1 hotel in Paamiut called Hotel Ivaana.
• The Arctic Umiaq Line coastal ferry docks in Paamiut twice weekly, first heading south and second heading north.
• Paamiut has a convenience store and supermarket.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Paamiut is the well-kept secret of the Capital Region. While the bigger towns are for tourists who prefer itineraries filled with all the famous sights, Paamiut naturally attracts the travelers who want to go off the beaten path and gain a different perspective than the rest.

Paamiut locals of all ages are incredibly welcoming and are quick to make friends. We can usually spot the travelers as soon as they arrive, so don’t be surprised if you are quickly taken under someone’s wing. Local residents take great pride in the town and are keen to share all the good spots in Paamiut.

SPECIAL SIGHTS IN PAAMIUT
Sightseeing in Paamiut is about appreciating the beauty in simple experiences. Guide yourself to the church that is like a work of art and imagine what it takes to build such a wooden structure in a country with no trees. Or stop along the colorful bridge in the center of town to listen to the babbling river beneath. If you close your eyes, you can nearly see people washing clothes along the bank, like in the old days.

The heart of a nation. Greenland’s largest city and capital is fueled on fresh air, strong coffee and diverse personalities.

COLOURS of NUUK
Greenland’s capital Nuuk is a city of vitality, surrounded by immense nature and filled with vibrant Greenlanders leading fascinating lives of old traditions, modern twists, and diverse influences.

Home to gourmet restaurants, fashion boutiques, and the Northern Lights inspired Katuaq Cultural Center, Nuuk is the center of modern Greenland. However, a stroll through the picturesque Old Harbor shows that history and traditions remain strong in this growing city.

Nuuk is full of experiences not found anywhere else in Greenland. Marvel at mummies in the Greenland National Museum. Try a tasting flight of local craft beers at Greenland’s largest microbrewery. Learn about urban arctic living and the move toward Greenlandic independence with a city and parliament tour. Evaluate new and old expressions of Inuit culture at the Nuuk Art Museum. Play collegiate at Greenland University and see students preparing as Greenland’s future leaders.

• Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, was founded in 1728 by the missionary Hans Egede.
• Nuuk has approximately 16,800 residents.
• There are three hotels in Nuuk – Hotel Nordbo, Hotel Seamen’s Home and Hotel Hans Egede with a conference center with seating for 300 people. There is also a number of small accommodations.
• Nuuk has an international airport with year-round direct flights from Iceland, via Air Greenland and Air Iceland. Air Greenland operates domestic flights from Nuuk to every region of the country.
• The Arctic Umiaq Line coastal ferry docks in Nuuk twice weekly, once headed south and once headed north.
• Everybody can make use the Public and National Library of Greenland, including short term visitors and tourists.

A STYLISH ARCTIC METROPOLIS
The dining and shopping scene in Nuuk is the most diverse in the country, a veritable melting pot of original Greenlandic character with fresh global influence.

Stroll the pedestrian walkway in city center to window-shop at boutiques, souvenir shops, and Nuuk Center. Relax with a cup of strong coffee (and the obligatory piece of cake) in one of the city’s many bustling cafés. And make reservations at one of Nuuk’s fine dining restaurants where the only thing that rivals the intense flavors of Greenlandic delicacies is the chef’s artistic presentation.

You can also rent a bike in the sports-shop Pikkori Sport that is located in the centre, and bike around the city.

DISCOVER NUUK FJORD
Nuuk Fjord is sometimes overlooked in favor of its icier neighbors to the north, but this intricate water system is the second largest in the world, packed with inlets and islands open for exploration by boat or kayak.

Local boat trip operators provide access to this vast backcountry with a small settlement and huts offering the opportunity to stay and explore. Along the way, refreshing waterfalls and probable summer sightings of faithful humpback whales keep eyes and cameras entertained.

The solitude and scenery provide a perfect backdrop for hiking, angling for Arctic char, hunting or kayaking. The deep waters of the fjord teem with flavorful cod and redfish, delivering a bounty for both fishing and eating. Like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, the Narsap Sermia glacier flows directly into the fjord filling the headwaters with the sought-after icebergs, afterall.

“Colourful Nuuk” universe
Nuuk is a vibrant city full of contrast – the traditions merge with the modern Greenland, the nature and city is intertwined and the people are local as well as international. This is why colourful Nuuk is the heart of the Greenlandic nation.

With the mouth of the fjord sitting on the far western horizon and the ice cap knocking at the door, all roads lead to the backcountry.

GATEWAY TO GREENLAND
The local saying goes that you are never without a friend in Kangerlussuaq, for you are always destined to meet a familiar face in this gateway to Greenland. All day long, travelers touch down in Kangerlussuaq to crisscross around the country and reach the rest of the world.

The lucky ones are the people who trade the buzzing transit hall for a spot in the hills where the loudest sounds are the thoughts in one’s own head.

Look past the oddities of Kangerlussuaq’s military beginnings and beach-like temperatures in summer to discover that the only inland town in Greenland is really a diamond in the rough. A community with steadfast solidarity and a backcountry of the wildest degree stand here to put your adventurous spirit to the test.

GREENLAND ICE CAP
The Greenland Ice Cap is a mecca for travelers who wish to see a true wonder of the world. It is hard to believe that only a few decades ago it was inaccessible to most people. Like a mysterious and looming beast, the Ice Cap sent cool winds rolling down from its highest peak into Kangerlussuaq.

Fortunately the Greenland Ice Cap is easier to reach now, though it remains a force to be reckoned with. Watch as the glacier edge calves into river rapids below, leaving a jagged face of ice in its place. Or challenge your threshold for cold and spend a few nights camping on the ice while the wind whips around your tent. The opportunities to explore are diverse, but one thing is universal – nothing conveys Earth’s power like the Greenland Ice Cap.

• Kangerlussuaq offers easy access to the Greenland Ice Cap, via a 25 km dirt road.
• Kangerlussuaq and the 170 km fjord it rests on share the same name, meaning “big fjord”. The Arctic Circle crosses the fjord at its halfway point.
• Kangerlussuaq was founded in 1941 when it was opened as a U.S. Air Force base. Americans remained there until 1992. Kangerlussuaq Museum exhibits the town’s history as an American base and afterward.
• Kangerlussuaq has more than 300 days of clear sky a year, making it one of the best places to see the northern lights which are visible between October and April.

BREATHE THE BACKCOUNTRY
The appearance of summer foliage is the terrain’s invitation to traverse the hills and stand atop the mountain peaks. With an occasional herd of Arctic animals as the only cause for a traffic jam, solitude in nature is Kangerlussuaq’s specialty.

When the intense midnight sun has you wishing for a bit of relief, take refuge on the nearby waters. Kayaking in the fjord or along a string of refreshing lakes gives a whole new perspective on the vast Kangerlussuaq backcountry. Kayaking was central to Greenlandic hunting culture, and even though your adventure is purely for fun, channel Inuit hunters at sea as you slip into your kayak.

A LIGHT SHOW OVERHEAD
When the nights become cooler and longer, the northern lights take their cue to begin a winter of light shows. It takes a bit of dedication to capture these cosmic dancers on film, but the Greenland Ice Cap and the colorful houses in Kangerlussuaq set the perfect composition. Sometimes dressed in green and other times in purple or red, but always enchanting, the northern lights illuminate the sky overhead.

Backcountry sports and Arctic adventures in Sisimiut are the perfect answer to a pursuit for cultural discovery and pure natural settings.

ROUGH. REAL. REMOTE.
These three words cut to the core of Sisimiut’s reputation as an adventure travel hub in Greenland. Up here at the top of the world, there is no chance of running into your neighbor from back home, and the town doesn’t just put on a tough face when others are nearby. Sisimiut maintains its cool, urban character every day of the year.

In the midst of such wide territory, the adventure scale knows no boundaries. Fly fishing for Arctic char in crisp rivers, hiking and cross-country racing through the mountains, and snowmobiling in fresh powder are only the beginning of fun in this Arctic Circle backcountry.

BACKCOUNTRY SPORTS
The unsuspecting person might imagine that winter’s onset triggers a season of hibernation, but not in Sisimiut! In this winter-loving town, the cold and snow only add fuel to the fire.

Sisimiut’s mountains were made for exploration but there is a lot of ground to cover. So when in Greenland, do as the Greenlanders do and try dog sledding. Take in the view in all its rugged glory as you cross territory that only a Sisimiut local knows how to find.

An alternative is to feel the land right beneath your skis and dash through the mountains in the Arctic Circle Race. It is an event when locals and visitors stand side-by-side pushing their limits and having fun while doing it. The mental and physical challenges come one after another, and during the competition the adrenaline runs quite high. But in the end, everyone finishes with new friends from the shared experience and a sense of great accomplishment.

• Sisimiut is 40 km north of the Arctic Circle. The name means “the people living in a place where there are fox dens”.
• Sisimiut was founded in 1756 and has approximately 5,600 residents. It is the second largest town in Greenland.
• Near Sisimiut are two villages, Itilleq and Sarfannguit, which can be reached by boat with Sirius Greenland or the Arctic Umiaq Line settlement service.
• The town is an important cruise destination for both expedition vessels and medium sized cruise ships, linking Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq with the Disko Bay area and Ilulissat further north.
• The Sisimiut Museum has a special exhibition on trade, shipping and industry.
• There are two large supermarkets and many grocery stores and shops in Sisimiut.
• The city bus goes on a circuit around town, and taxis are available (+299 86 55 33).
• There are two hotels in Sisimiut: Hotel Sisimiut and The Seamen’s Home. Other accommodations include two hostels.
• Arctic Umiaq Line’s coastal ferry, called Sarfaq Ittuk, docks twice a week – once heading north on Saturday nights and once heading south on Monday mornings.

ARCTIC ADVENTURES
Though it is a bit sad to see the last patches of snow melting away, in summertime Sisimiut turns into an oasis for adventurers looking for new places to fulfill their hobbies. The Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq wilds are prime for big game hunting. Trophy hunters can foster camaraderie and learn about Greenlandic sustainable practices while searching for exotic targets like reindeer and muskox. Nearby, a few remote angling camps give fly fishermen exclusive access to the mountain rivers that are naturally stocked with Arctic char.

And for those looking for quality hiking in Greenland, the Sisimiut backcountry abounds. Start by climbing to the top of Palasip Qaqqaa or Nasaasaaq to scope out the surroundings, and you will see that the mountainous horizon stretches for days. Just pick a peak and let your wandering spirit prevail, or hike the entire 160 kilometer Arctic Circle Trail from the coast to the Ice Cap along routes followed by local populations for millennia.

URBAN COOL
In Sisimiut the boundary between terrain and town is a distinct one, but at heart the locals embrace the same rough, real, remote mantra of their natural counterpart. The Sisimiut locals are good to take matters into their own hands, and they have a thriving fashion sense that rivals any street in Europe.

Swing by the skate park to watch talented youth do BMX bike tricks in preparation for competitions around the world. In summer they are sure to be there day or night because the midnight sun never sets on this cool Arctic Circle community.

Angling, whale watching and heliskiing are the trademarks of Maniitsoq.

THE VENICE OF GREENLAND
In Greenland we love to compare our small towns with world famous metropolises, and since Maniitsoq is situated in an archipelago, intersected by small natural canals, the town has obviously been dubbed the “Venice of Greenland” by the locals. Anything less clearly would not be enough.

But where Venice falls just a bit short is where Maniitsoq shines. Active adventures open the gates to a backcountry with heliskiing, angling for Arctic charr, pods of visiting humpback whales, and the contrast between the rugged peaks of the Eternity Fjord and the quiet everyday life in the village of Kangaamiut, only an hour by boat from Maniitsoq.

You might be lead to believe that any kind of fish will do once you are wearing waders and standing in an unspoiled river in a Greenlandic mountain valley. But we understand how anglers are especially picky and that some fish simply are better.

Luckily nature provides in abundance around here, and two rivers just south of Maniitsoq are full of Arctic charr – and what’s more, both rivers offer hut accommodation and guides with deep local knowledge. We would expect nothing less.

• Maniitsoq was founded in 1755 and has 2.800 inhabitants
• The town name means “The uneven place” and refers to the many rocky knolls and small mountains shaping the structural layout of the town.
• The town has three hotels; Hotel Maniitsoq, Hotel Heilmann Lyberth (HHL) and Hotel Toppen. Especially Hotel Maniitsoq has a great panoramic sea view from its location high above the harbour.
• The Arctic Umiaq Line ferry passes Maniitsoq on a weekly basis and Maniitsoq Tour Boat services the nearby villages and also runs a regular passenger transfer to Nuuk in the summer months.
• The town has a supermarket, Brugseni, and a few smaller convenience stores

BOAT TRIPS & WHALES
The boat ride to the rivers resembles most other adventures at sea in the Maniitsoq region, and throughout the summer season whales grace the shores throughout much of the area. Humpback whales are particularly playful and love to show off aerial acrobatics and tail whips, so if you ever feel that the locals seem a bit pushy in their attempts to get you out to sea it is only meant as a friendly adventure challenge.

If you need to crank the adventure volume to 11 heliskiing in the alpine region around both maniitsoq and the nearby village of Kangaamiut is an essential part of the mix. We are actually prepared to stick our necks out and give the award for Greenland’s best heliskiing conditions to the peaks in the Eternity Fjord area.

In all modesty it has been arranged in way where the helicopter will drop you off on a razor-sharp peak and pick you back up at the water’s edge. Now that you’re here we prefer that you can take advantage of every available vertical meter.

Have an authentic experience in this unspoilt town close to a 150 km fjord where there is ample opportunity to discover Kangaatsiaq’s wildlife.

Kangaatsiaq means “rather small promontory”, and the town is Greenland’s youngest as it first achieved status as a town in 1986, but the settlement itself is of course much older.

Kangaatsiaq is an unspoilt little town, where there are no large hotels or tourist offices – in fact there is only private accommodation available and a single internet cafe. Among the many colourful single-family homes here you can write home to friends and family about an authentic and almost unspoilt town in Greenland.

CLOSE TO THE GREENLANDIC COUNTRYSIDE
East of Kangaatsiaq, a 150 km wide fjord system opens with countless islands, inlets and bays, and there are good opportunities to explore the protected waters by boat, canoe or sea kayak.

Along the way, there is ample opportunity to discover the wildlife, which includes reindeer, fox, and hare, as well as many different species of birds. In the sea around Kangaatsiaq, many species of marine mammals live, such as harp seals, humpback whales and minke whales.

• Kangaatsiaq achieved status as a town in 1986 and is thereby the youngest town in Greenland.
• Nearest town is Aasiaat.
• The primary occupation is fishing and hunting.
• In the wintertime is dog sledding and snowmobile the best means of transport in the city.
• There are no hotels, but there are accommodation options – either private accommodation or by the municipality.
• Very few tourists have visited this small town with its huge fjords and islands, inlets and bays.

DOG SLEDDING AND KAYAKING
During winter and spring, the dog sled is the most suitable means of transport for hunting and sport. However, travel routes to and from Kangaatsiaq are normally by ship, from either Aasiaat or Sisimiut.

The great importance of fishing and hunting still characterises the townscape. Between the dogs and sleds there are drying racks for fish and meat, adorned with stretched sealskins, yarn, buoys and kayaks.

Approximately 550 people live in Kangaatsiaq, and just over 700 live in the four settlements at Attu, Niaqornaarsuk, Ikerasaarsuk and Iginniarfik.

Come to Qaanaaq and leave with memories of majestic nature and incredible hospitality from the northernmost town.

ULTIMA THULE
Explorers and poets have long romanticized Qaanaaq as truly the top of the world. Ancient philosophers called it Ultima Thule, or the edge of known territory. Greenlanders called the area Avanersuaq, the great north. Qaanaaq is the extreme north of Greenland, but it is absolutely within reach. For the true explorer – the one that always looks to take a step further and experience what lies beyond – in Greenland your traveling spirit dreams of Qaanaaq.

You don’t have to be an extreme outdoorsman to enjoy Qaanaaq these days, but you do need a certain mentality of openness. Shed your tourist persona somewhere around Ilulissat and head north to a town where the local way is the only way. Here, organically evolving conversations that turn into sailing or dog sledding trips with a local fisherman replace a booklet full of scheduled tours. And fixed regimens give way to a series of days where each afternoon holds a new experience – sometimes a surprise but always an extraordinary adventure.

A LAND FOR PIONEERING PEOPLE
Qaanaaq is a magnet for pioneering people. Just as your inquisitive character leads you to Qaanaaq today, so too did the curious natures of ancient Inuit for more than 4500 years.

Greenlanders in Qaanaaq are crucial to the Inuit identity as powerful and pioneering people, and they are often considered proud to be the real people behind the classic associations like making handicrafts and hunting by kayak or dog sled.

Perhaps your most significant experience in Qaanaaq will be the human connection with Greenlanders, and everyday life and culture in the far north of Greenland has its own distinct rhythm deeply connected to the contrasting seasons of the Polar night and the Midnight Sun.

• Qaanaaq is the northernmost town in Greenland, just 30 km from Canada.
• Qaanaaq has approximately 650 residents, plus those in 4 surrounding villages.
• There is 24-hour sunlight in Qaanaaq between late April and late August.
• Qaanaaq is not originally a Greenlandic town. Qaanaaq was established in 1953 when Americans relocated Greenlanders from Pituffik village (and others) in order to build Thule Air Base in Pituffik’s place.

EXPLORE NATURE IN QAANAAQ
Dog sledding is the ultimate activity in Qaanaaq. At these high latitudes, the dog sledding season is the longest in Greenland because while the sun is here to stay come springtime, the cold temperatures and sea ice persist long into the light period.

Accompany a local on an ice fishing trip and experience the heartbeat of the Arctic, otherwise known as Greenlandic dog paws pounding on the frozen sea. Or joy-ride the Qaanaaq way and head toward the distinctive southern mountains whose triangular shapes you will daydream about for months to come.

During the crisp summer season hike into the hills behind Qaanaaq to get an eagle’s eye view out to Baffin Bay. And if you get the chance, sail along the Qaanaaq coastline through waters spotted with towering icebergs to surrounding villages, one of which lies even further north than Qaanaaq, if you can believe it.

At the end of your trip to the great north, leave with the insight that Qaanaaq is, ironically, far from uncharted territory but rather is a town of remarkably approachable Inuit culture at the top of the world.

A mass of small islands, villages, and natural sights are close enough for you to reach, making Upernavik a perfect do-it-yourself destination.

Upernavik is a prime town for travelers who want something between an organized holiday and a self-sustaining Arctic expedition. The off-the-grid factor in Upernavik is great thanks to its high northern latitude and a sun that disappears for three months a year. But with oodles of surrounding villages, lively maritime traffic in the summer, and easy connections from tourist hotspots, one still feels comfortably connected to the rest of Greenland.

Flying into Upernavik on a small propeller plane, you land on the snowy hill high above town. And so at the first sight of Upernavik you see exactly what adventures await. A bay dotted with thousands of islands, the spectacular Upernavik Icefjord to the north and the world’s largest bird cliffs, Apparsuit, directly to the south. An open-air museum revealing colonial and Viking histories. And a town full of interesting Greenlanders, each with his own narrative about daily life in Upernavik.

A VIBE OF CHANGE
Upernavik is filled with contrasts. The town’s fishermen are central to the Greenland fishing industry, yet they are isolated enough along the northwest coast to have their own language dialects, even from village to village. Inuit traditions like ice fishing and hunting for sea mammals are revered in Upernavik, yet climate change increasingly jeopardizes their sustainability and paves the way for more diverse and globalized industries to enter the region.

Whether these changes come to Upernavik next year or in the next decade, our pioneering spirit and culture of adaptation will show its strength. We welcome new opportunities to mix with old favorites, as playing a good football match or grilling fresh caught trout will certainly always remain.

• Upernavik has approximately 1160 residents in town, plus those in 9 surrounding villages. It has more surrounding villages than any town in Greenland, and there are more residents in the villages than in Upernavik.
• Upernavik means “the springtime place”, as it was a popular destination for Inuit for trading and fishing.
• Upernavik has the world ‘s northernmost open-air museum.
• There is no hotel in Upernavik, but there are a few guesthouses with toilets, showers, and Internet access.

A BAY OF ISLANDS AND ICE
The Upernavik archipelago has islands as far as the eye can see, literally thousands, and thanks to the Upernavik Icefjord, you may get the pleasant surprise that a distant island turns out to be a massive iceberg instead.

Getting in the water to see this collection of islands and their many villages is a must, and the summer months with midnight sun are the perfect time to do it. If you get the chance, go north to the Upernavik Icefjord or go village hopping by kayak in any direction you please. In winter, add an extra element of adventure by trading these open water craft for sled dogs or snowmobiles. With only the northern lights to illuminate the way, the sled dogs and drivers rely on their internal compass for guidance.

If you prefer to keep your feet on solid ground, take to the mountain rivers where Arctic char are so plentiful you will wonder if we stocked the waters just for your arrival. And if you come in August you can be witness to muskox hunting season in the Upernavik backcountry.

The wide sky overhead is the only timetable you need for discovering this haven for Inuit culture, bespoke fjord adventures and proud locals.

THE HEART OF GREENLAND
Myth has it that when you visit Uummannaq a piece of your heart remains on the island forever, summoning you back for the rest of your days. Some say it is the magic of the namesake mountain while others swear it is the chorus of children’s laughter down at the harbor. Whatever the force is, Uummannaq will capture your heart nearly immediately.

Uummannaq occupies a small footprint, but it redeems itself with big nature and true Greenlandic character. With just a dash of pioneering spirit and an open mind, you will find plenty of opportunities to learn about Inuit culture and to experience the vast landscape with all five senses.

A LOCAL SPIRIT
Greenlanders are the key element to any town’s character, and in Uummannaq, it is often the tiniest people who steal the show. It is a real treat to be serenaded by an ensemble of young musicians as you come on land from a cruise ship, and this symphony of small voices, often joined by sled dogs, simply cannot be found elsewhere.

All through Uummannaq’s streets you can feel the beat of the town as people walk from the shop with groceries in tow, stopping often to chat with friends along the way. On sunny summer days, women sell handmade goods down at the harbor while behind them, men come and go on fishing boats heavy with the day’s catch on board.

• Uummannaq was founded in 1763 and has approximately 1250 residents, plus 7 surrounding villages. It is the second largest town in North Greenland.
• “Uummannaq” means “invigorating” and is named after the 1175 meter heart-shaped mountain that lies behind the town.
  Uummannaq is known for having 2000 hours of sunshine a year.
• In 1972, 8 mummies (6 women and 2 children) were discovered at Qilakitsoq, near Uummannaq. The mummies represent ancient Inuit culture in 1475 AD, and are now a famous sight at the National Museum in Nuuk.
• Also near Uummannaq, you will find Santa Claus’ summer house.
• For several years, the Ice Golf World Championship was held in Uummannaq.

INUIT CULTURE ABOUNDS IN UUMMANNAQ
To understand present Inuit culture you need perspective on the past, and Uummannaq honors its original character at every corner. Turf huts stand in the town center paying homage to the not-so-distant past, and exhibits at the nearby Uummannaq Museum can teach you what life was like inside those huts. Or, channel your inner explorer and sail to nearby archaeological sites where Inuit thrived so long ago.

A WHOLE FJORD RIPE FOR DISCOVERY
No trip to Uummannaq would be complete without exploring the greater Uummannaq Fjord, whether it is by boat, helicopter, or the power of your own two feet. A good rule of thumb is: if the locals are heading there, it is probably a good place to go!

The nearby Nuussuaq peninsula and the Upernivik Mountains are just waiting to challenge your adventurous side. Whether you walk inland toward the glaciers or reach the highest peak, it is guaranteed you will stand in no one’s footsteps but your own.

And don’t think that life in Uummannaq slows just because the sun hibernates for a few months. In winter, locals get a kick out of driving their cars over the sea ice to reach nearby villages, but classic dog sledding remains the preferred method for longline fishermen to reach their fabled fishing spots. If you are lucky, they just might let you in on one of their secrets.

A welcoming dining table and a variety of nature experiences bring village camaraderie in Oqaatsut and the daily life of fishermen into close view.

VILLAGE LIFE IN OQAATSUT
Village life in Oqaatsut is about sustaining a small community that loves to be close to the sea. The few houses are scattered across a rocky terrain yet never very far from the harbor. Out here in this roadless village, cars are useless but fishing boats are the most prized possessions. Every summer morning, fishermen charge themselves anew with the sun that shone all night and thoughts of how many halibut and sharks they will bring home by the day’s end.

In winter Oqaatsut life persists, only it trades the small boat for a pack of raring sled dogs and add more candlelight and good friends around the dinner table to relieve the polar darkness. Greenlanders in Oqaatsut embrace village life because it is in the Inuit blood, but more importantly, it is a chosen lifestyle. Oqaatsut is home.

VISIT OQAATSUT
As a traveler, visiting Oqaatsut is your opportunity to experience the beat of village culture. Here the environment and one’s own internal clock prevail over standard concepts of time, but don’t for a second interpret that as ‘sleepy’.

The midnight sun in Oqaatsut virtually gives you time and energy to try a bit of everything. Explore the Oqaatsut backcountry spotted with lakes, and if your feet are up for a half day scenic walk follow the marked hiking trail between Ilulissat and Oqaatsut.

Or, take the easy route – a boat trip to the Ilulissat Icefjord or into town for souvenir shopping before sailing back to Oqaatsut. The aroma of lamb on the barbecue for a weekend grill fest will guide the way.

Follow the Inuit culture and go deep sea fishing any time the opportunity presents itself. Oqaatsut has a prime position on Disko Bay where cod, catfish, and redfish are abundant. To kick it up a notch, get an extreme fishing permit and go after all the halibut and Greenlandic shark your angling passion desires.

• Oqaatsut is a North Greenland village with a direct view to icebergs in Disko Bay. It sits 21 km north of Ilulissat.
• Oqaatsut has been inhabited since the 1700s. Currently, 42 residents live in Oqaatsut, making it the 8th smallest village in Greenland.
• Oqaatsut means “cormorants”, a black seabird common to the area. The village’s original name was Rodebay, meaning “red bay”, which was given to it by Dutch whalers.
• There is one small grocery store and a church that doubles as a schoolhouse. There are approximately 6-8 pupils in Oqaatsut school.
• Restaurant H8 is the only restaurant in Oqaatsut, and it features Greenland gastronomy. Its name is tribute to the renovated colonial-era warehouse it occupies.
• Overnight accommodations in Oqaatsut include: Hotel Nordlys, hostel rooms in converted warehouses and cooper shops, and private homestays.

GREENLAND GASTRONOMY
Food is a universal language, and with a bounty of Greenlandic specialties straight from the Oqaatsut waters, Greenlanders never meet a stranger. If you have found your way all the way to Oqaatsut, then you have surely earned a spot at the table.

Restaurant H8 serves crowd-pleasers like the freshest cod, shrimp, and salmon, and you can have it any way you wish – smoked, steamed, breaded, pickled. For the adventurous palates, the invitation to try whale and roe is always open!

While the chef’s creations take care of thrilling your taste buds, the scene out the window delivers a feast for the eyes. Restaurant H8 is the closest building to the Oqaatsut harbor, so the view literally does not get any better. Watch fishermen come in with tonight’s dinner, and if you sit there long enough, which is absolutely within the realm of possibility, watch how the current brings the icebergs in Disko Bay to life.

‘REMOTE’ IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
Standing in Oqaatsut, one does feel a refreshing sense of isolation, as the pleasant cadence of Oqaatsut is the polar opposite of the hurried pace you encounter at home. It may come as a surprise that Oqaatsut is actually quite close. From Ilulissat, short boat routes and a marked trail – used for hiking in summer and dog sledding in winter – make the remoteness of village culture in Oqaatsut just around the corner.

Nature, dog sledding, and cultural exploration await you in this iceberg paradise.

TIP OF THE ICEBERG
Every town has a claim to fame, and in Ilulissat it is the icebergs, without a doubt. But you need more than a few helping hands to count all the reasons why Ilulissat is more than just icebergs. Nature lovers will be drawn to hiking in the hills by the call of the wilderness. We dare you to try to find a camping spot that doesn’t impress. In town and in nearby villages, city museums and local cuisine will whet even the most discerning palates.

ICEBERG PARADISE
In Ilulissat, not one moment passes that you forget your proximity to the dynamic sculpture gallery of icebergs just outside town. Even when you close your eyes, the icebergs’ soundtrack of cracking and rumbling echoes from one end of Ilulissat to the other.

There is no wrong way to experience icebergs, but just as one needs two eyes for accurate perception, you need multiple adventures to understand the icebergs in Ilulissat. It is only after you have marveled at their chiseled shapes from the air, felt tiny while sailing past them on boat tours, and smelled their sweet scent while hiking along the UNESCO World Heritage Site that you can grasp the full character of Ilulissat’s icebergs.

DOG SLEDDING IN ILULISSAT
Winter in Ilulissat means dog sledding – a favorite amongst all residents, human and canine. When the mercury rises too high, locals often make jokes by sniffling and sneezing as though they are sick. Ask them what ails them, and they will cheekily respond that they are allergic to summer! Just as the sled dogs are pulling at the chains at the first whiff of snow, the mushers also greatly anticipate the start of dog sledding season.

The sled dogs energize the whole space, and you get a jolt of power as you sit on the sled for your personal Iditarod adventure. Sled dogs are just happy to run, and they pay no attention to whether their precious cargo is eager tourist or a stack of Greenlandic halibut. Centuries of pacing over thick sea ice and powdery terrain course through their blood so just hold on tight and let them carry you like they were born to do.

• Ilulissat was founded in 1741 as Jakobshavn. With approximately 4530 residents, it is the third largest town in Greenland.
• Ilulissat has 4 surrounding villages and 3500 sled dogs.
• Knud Rasmussen was born in Ilulissat, and his house is now a museum dedicated to his life and expeditions.
• Ilulissat means ‘icebergs’.
• Icebergs in Disko Bay come from the Ilulissat glacier, Sermeq Kujalleq, the world’s fastest glacier. It advances 40 meters daily and creates 46 cubic kilometers of icebergs annually.
• The iceberg that sank Titanic was probably born in Ilulissat.
• There are 3- and 4-star hotels in Ilulissat, and 5-star conference facilities. There are also hostel and apartment accommodations.

A DIVERSE TOWN
There is so much more to Ilulissat than its name reveals. One of its many runner-up nicknames is the Gastronome’s Getaway as there is a different cuisine for every night. Down at the harbor, next to the Ilulissat glacier, and out in the villages, barbecues wait for a feast of fresh ingredients to land on their flaming grills.

Today Ilulissat welcomes adventurers from every corner of the world, but Humpback whales were the very first summer visitors. Whale watching boat tours let you see the whales while they play hide-and-seek in their natural playground.

But don’t forget the players on land, too. Greenlanders have a competitive spirit and cheering voices roar from the sports hall and football field on many a Saturday morning. The community support runs deep in Ilulissat as family members and friends stand on the sidelines cloaked in team colors. Good music and a lively polka dance is the perfect end to the day.

Greenland’s forgotten paradise – Qasigiannguit is the place where the original way of life is still very much alive and nature is really close.

Qasigiannguit’s long history bears witness to the changing times and cultural heritage. Fishing for Greenland halibut and arctic crab is still the city’s prime business and pride. The old fishermen pass the family tradition on to younger generations, and new ones must step up to the plate. The harbor is the city’s focal point and this is where there is life and room for large smiles.

The sea is filled with seals, and the many whales seem more active when the midnight sun dominates throughout the summer, and if you happen to experience being in a boat that is side by side with a humpback whale, it is an experience like this that will have a deep impact on your travel memories.

The city’s small, and light blue colored hotel is situated by the sea, and from the terrace, it is often possible to spot the seals and whales. Not the worst kind of ending to a good day in the mountains, or out among icebergs and whales.

WHALES AND MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES IN QASIGIANNGUIT
The open hinterland and the available mountains around Qasigiannguit offer excellent hiking, and although the challenge for some may be huge, the view is worth the trip, especially the view from the city’s most prominent peak, the 450-meter tall Mount Qaqqarsuaq.

A little calmer, but a no less exciting experience, is to visit the old Gunpowder House which still remains in the hills above the old boat harbor. In the past, the house was used to store gunpowder for blasting the sea ice on very harsh winters, so the supply ships could get in to the harbor safely.

Today, the paint is chipped off the old Gunpowder House and the red color is almost gone. Standing out, and clearly visible to the naked eye on the old wooden planks, are the names of young girls and boys carved into the wood as a silent testimony to love, won or lost, through many generations.

• Every year, in the mountains around town, musk ox, reindeer, polar fox and mountain hares are spotted.
• One of the oldest houses in Greenland is found in Qasigiannguit, built in 1734 and today the town’s museum.
• The newest and largest, lower-secondary-level boarding school, for 14-17-year-oldsin Greenland, is located in Qasigiannguit.
• The town has a grocery store, smaller convenience stores, several eating places and a small all-purpose store, where one can buy
• Everything from fishing tackle and skin boots to music instruments and dog food.
• The town has a hotel, a youth hostel and several private homes offering cosy accommodation.
• During peak season in the summer, Diskoline has a boat service to Qasigiannguit five times a week.
• Qasigiannguit has 1,217 inhabitants and 97 in the settlement of Ikamiut.
• The town has its own fish processing plant and fish are exported around the world.
• From January to April, Qasigiannguit is one of the best places in the country to be to experience the Northern Lights.

DOG SLEDDING AND SKIING RACES
In the spring, and when the sun has regained its power over the darkness of winter, it’s time to go out on a dog sled. The creaking sled, the feel of the runners on the hard snow, and the dogs’ labored breathing breaking the frosty air, provides a wonderful feeling of freedom and a close connection with nature for animals, driver and passengers.

Skiing is one of the relatively new activities in Greenland and Qasigiannguit is no exception. The mountains behind the town opens up opportunities for both cross-country and tour skiing. If you like tour skiing, you will run into local skiers in the town’s backcountry, who are training for the national cross-country championships. For the more experienced skiiers following in the footsteps of polar adventurers, heading out to the edge of the Ice Cap some 20 km away seems the obvious choice to make.

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES IN QASIGIANNGUIT
The activities are many and the city museum stores some of Greenland’s most well-preserved ancient discoveries and exciting collections. The town offers culinary flavors, from the traditional to the modern kitchen – whether it’s with a fisherman on the docks or on the terrace at the city hotel.

In cooperation with the city museum in Qasigiannguit, it is possible to gain a unique insight into a part of the history of Greenland. On the project “Live Settlement” volunteers and professionals work together to bring to life, and to convey knowledge, of the Thule culture as it was around 1700 A.D.

Throughout the winter, project volunteers meet and manufacture tools and skin clothing using the scientific knowledge available on the Thule culture, and during the summer months the project moves outdoors, the women’s boat and kayaks are put in the water, participants dress in the skin clothing and get ready to welcome guests coming to town – exactly how a family of the Thule culture would have looked a summers day in 1700 A.D

Hiking trails lead you into the island’s lush hills to experience volcanic rock formations and dog sledding all year long.

EMERALD IN THE ICE
Qeqertarsuaq is an exceptional place in the truest sense of the word. Everything about it is the first, the largest, or the only. Qeqertarsuaq stands alone on the great Disko Island far off Greenland’s west coast, and the Lyngmark Glacier that towers above the town is the only place in Greenland to go dog sledding in summer. The natural environment around Qeqertarsuaq is so fertile with angelica and diverse species that it is literally like no other place in North Greenland.

Greenlandic legend says that Qeqertarsuaq stands so verdantly in the Disko Bay otherwise packed with icebergs because it comes all the way from South Greenland. Two hunters in search of seals freed the island from its southern position and pulled it north with nothing but their kayaks and a single baby’s hair. As it entered Disko Bay, a witch in Ilulissat spied the lush green island heading north and cast a spell on it to run aground. So here stands Qeqertarsuaq today.

DOG SLEDDING IN SUMMER
Dog sledding in summer may sound like a misnomer, but thanks to the Lyngmark Glacier that rises many hundreds of meters above the coast, Qeqertarsuaq is the only town in Greenland where dog sledding is possible all year long. What a contrast to sit bundled on a dog sled feeling the midnight sun beat directly overhead while spotting humpbacks and other summer whales like tiny specks in Disko Bay below.

Enjoying this wintertime favorite in summer is not without its dues. Without snowy mountainsides to allow for snowmobiling up to Lyngmark Glacier, one must first put in hard work to reap his great dog sledding adventure. Whether you lead yourself or opt for a hiking guide, you must rely on your own two feet and a string of blue-painted cairns to reach your starting point. Plan ahead to stay overnight up at the glacier hut and make the entire day’s experience well worth the walk.

• Qeqertarsuaq is the only town on Disko Island, 100 km west of Ilulissat. It means “the big island”.
• Qeqertarsuaq was founded in 1773 and has approximately 860 residents plus another 35 in Kangerluk, the island’s only village.
• Qeqertarsuaq houses the Arctic Station, the oldest continuously manned station in the Arctic.
• Disko Island has many natural features including a deep fjord for kayaking, mountains up to 1919 meters, hot springs, and columnar basalt rocks that evidence a volcanic history. Wintertime favorites include ice fishing, dog sledding, and snowmobiling.
• Accommodation in Qeqertarsuaq includes Hotel Disko Island, a hostel, Disko Mountain Lodge and a number of private homes. One is also welcome to camp in the hills.
• Qeqertarsuaq has two restaurants: the restaurant of Hotel Disko Island, which is open throughout the summer, and Blue Cafe.

UNIVERSAL APPEAL
Qeqertarsuaq is ideal for whale watchers and hikers, among other nature loving travelers. Sailing and whale watching starts in spring when bowhead whales are still in Disko Bay before heading west. Their seasonal exodus makes room for humpback whales to frolic in the Qeqertarsuaq summer waters spotted with icebergs that drift over from Ilulissat.

By midsummer, the angelica overwhelms Qeqertarsuaq and beckons you to follow the island’s many hiking trails. Gather leaves for an aromatic tea made with the cleanest water straight from the waterfall outside of town. Drinking local angelica tea while admiring the lifelike shapes of volcanic rocks is an experience one can only have in Qeqertarsuaq.

And if you fancy adding a bit of Greenlandic history to an otherwise total nature experience, Qeqertarsuaq Museum holds many stories of when Qeqertarsuaq was the capital of the north. Complete the cultural discovery by visiting Kangerluk inside Disko Fjord to get a taste of what small village life is like on Greenland’s largest island.

The land of a thousand islands gives nature lovers many ways to discover the southern boundary of Disko Bay.

Small colorful houses greet the eyes whether you arrive to Aasiaat by coastal ferry or propeller plane, but it is the large collection of custom artwork around town and the welcoming townspeople that set the tone for life in Aasiaat. As the educational headquarters of North Greenland, Aasiaat is becoming livelier by the year.

What Aasiaat lacks in vertical height on land it makes up for with a boat full of water adventures. Sailing, whale watching, fishing, and kayaking are some of Greenland’s best and time-honored entertainment, so you have everything to learn from Aasiaat locals, for whom the marine environment is so central to everyday life. Come to Aasiaat to experience Greenlandic culture and its close connection to the nature and sea.

AASIAAT MIDNIGHT SUN MARATHON
If you don’t mind a bit of exercise on your holiday, the summer Aasiaat Midnight Sun Marathon is a challenging, yet breathtaking, alternative to typical city sightseeing.

There is always a Greenlandic twist to events, and in Aasiaat it is that you must run the marathon track a few times, as one is hard-pressed to find 42 kilometres of road up here. The silver lining is that with each loop, you notice something new and extraordinary about Aasiaat and its surrounding terrain.

• Aasiaat is a town in North Greenland with approximately 3100 residents.
• Aasiaat means “spiders” in Greenlandic.
• Aasiaat was founded by Niels Egede in 1759 as a trading post. He named it Egedesminde, to honor his father, Hans Egede.
• North Greenland Gymnasium, similar to a high school, is located in Aasiaat. Its enrollment grows gradually, particularly with students from other towns.
• The Assembly Hall features 24 paintings by the famous Danish artist, Per Kirkeby.
• In summer, the Midnight Sun Marathon takes place in Aasiaat. In winter, residents frequently use the same tracks for cross country skiing.
• Aasiaat is a good place for whale watching year round.
• Aasiaat has some accommodation options: Aasiaat Guesthouse, Hotel Nanoq and Aasiaat Seamen’s Home.
• The Arctic Umiaq Line coastal ferry, Sarfaq Ittuk, stops in Aasiaat twice weekly, once heading north and once heading south.

MARINE ENTERTAINMENT
While the city limits make a fine realm for the traveler seeking unique events and cultural discovery, the modest elevation causes nature lovers to turn their adventurous sights not to the hills, but seaside.

Whale watching is a year-round favorite with winter whales like the centuries-old bowhead holding down the fort in the chilly Aasiaat waters, even when all others have headed south. In summer, they migrate away making room for humpback, minke, and fin whales to do acrobatics to their flippers’ content. With a bay riddled with thousands of islands, the whales’ playgrounds can be many. We suggest you make good friends with the boat captain – he usually knows the whales’ most popular hangouts.

That same maze of islands also affords boundless exploration for kayakers. Rent kayaks in Aasiaat, or come with your own kit, to see Aasiaat from water level. A day of navigating through thin island channels and weaving amongst chiseled icebergs glistening under the midnight sun is a real Greenlandic experience. Couple that with a surprise personal visit from an underwater giant and you just might have your coolest kayaking trip yet!