North Greenland

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!