Nature Tourism in Greenland

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.