Uncovering East Greenland's rich Inuit culture and history
Uncovering East Greenland's rich Inuit culture and history
An ice-strewn bay in Greenland
Panoramic vistas from the top of Mount Qeqqit Qaqqartivaat, Greenland
The magnificent Ammassalik fjord, Greenland
Picturesque village of Tasiilaq
Uncovering East Greenland's rich Inuit culture and history

Arctic Villages of Greenland

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 1 review

10 Days from

$5903 USD

Trip Code: GLD
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Sleeping Bag Hire
$60 USD

Duration

  • 10 Days

Activities

  • 7 days trekking

Accommodation

  • 9 nights dormitory hut / hostel

Meals

  • 9 Dinners
  • 9 Lunches
  • 9 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

6 / 10

Moderate

Trip highlights

  • Learn about traditional Inuit culture with multiple village visits
  • Experience the dramatic landscape and natural beauty of Greenland
  • Climb Qeqqit Qaqqartivaat, the Kuummiit mountain.
  • Explore Tasiilaq, the region's capital
  • Walk the beautiful Ammassalik Island

Overview

Greenland is the largest island on the planet (four times the size of France and five times the size of California) and ice cap covers 80% of its surface. The East coast where our trip takes place is cooler and more remote than Greenland's more populated west coast. This hiking trip takes you to three of the regions nicest villages as well as its capital, Tasilaq. Here we learn about the Inuit culture that has made it possible to survive the most hostile conditions one finds on Earth, for thousands of years. We climb Kuummiit mountain and Somandsfjeldet (Sailors Mountain) and enjoy incredible view of the surrounding regions. We sail among the icelbergs in Sermilik fjord and enjoy a scenic walk across Ammassalik Island and the secret spots of Kulusuk Island. This adventure offers both an incredible lesson in geography and an indepth look into Inuit culture.

Itinerary

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Join in Iceland to meet the flight to Kulusuk from Keflavik Airport at 17.30 and landing at 18:15 (6.15pm) local time. Meeting with the guide at the airport in Kulusuk. Walk to Kulusuk village (30 min). Night in our house in Kulusuk (dormitory, hut style). Walk: 30 mins Overnight: Dormitory room

Meals: D

This morning we depart to discover the beautiful landscape of Kulusuk Island. We start by walking up a nearby hill which affords us extraordinary views towards the West, where icebergs and drift ice are in abundance on the ocean. We admire the green coulouring a mountain lake before heading down to the coast to enjoy the cliffs and rock formations along the shoreline. We return to the Kulusuk house where we once again overnight. Walk: 6-7 hours Overnight: Dormitory room

Meals: B,L,D

This morning bwe transfer by boat (about 1 hour) to Kuummiit, the northernmost village in the Ammassalik region. Kuummiit stands at the foot of steep granite mountains which make for a very impressive setting. After settling in at our local hut-style accommodation, we go for an afternoon walk in the village and along the shore. On a small peninsula, we might meet a couple of local boys, fishing arctic char with a rod. We have fabulous views across the fjord to the alpine-like peaks that surround the area. Walk: 2-3 hours Overnight: Local house

Meals: B,L,D

Our goal today is to climb Qeqqit Qaqqartivaat, or Kuummiit mountain. At almost 1100m high we start our ascent by climbing the ridge just above the village, which has a fabulous view of what the locals call Dunu or Tunu, a beautiful small fjord surrounded by steep mountains. From here we turn left to climb a second ridge up to the edge of a hanging valley, before continuing on for another 200m climb to the summit. The view from this mountain is breathtaking. Mountains, glaciers, fjords, and valleys as far as the eye can see. 6 to 7 hours walk. Ascent 1050 m. Walk: 6-7 hours - Ascent 1050 m. Overnight: Local house

Meals: B,L,D

This morning we enjoy the picturesque sailing from Kuummiit to Tiniteqilaaq, which takes approximately 3 hours, and travels through the Ikaasatsivaq strait. The strait has towering granite peaks pointing to the sky on each side. Arriving in Tiniteqilaq we come to the edge of the Sermilik ice fjord. Tinit, as it is sometimes called, is a tiny hunter’s village at the edge of the Sermilik fjord. The Sermilik fjord has one of the most productive glacier systems in the world, moving over 30 meters per day and constantly calving icebergs. We bring our luggage to a comfortable house in the village and after a refreshment, go for a walk, enjoying the fantastic view. Walk: 3 hours Overnight: Local house

Meals: B,L,D

Today we enjoy a day hike, doing a loop over to a small river where we are likely to find the national flower of Greenland the Niviarsiaq (young girl) in west Greenlandic. This beautiful purple flower is called Dwarf Fireweed or Arctic River Beauty in English. We climb a long and broad ridge to a 420m high point to get a view over the Sermilik Fjord. The 360° view, affords panoramas to the East of pyramid-shaped mountains and endless ridges and peaks, and to the West, the enormous Greenland Ice Cap. This afternoon we return to Tiniteqilaq. Walk: 6-7 hours - Ascent 420m Overnight: Local house

Meals: B,L,D

Early morning, we take a short boat transfer to a place sometimes called the Golden Beach. From here we follow the trail that climbs the hills to the east. We pass a small lake, then a second and third until we arrive at a small mountain pass located about 350m above sea level. From here we hike along side several much bigger lakes until we hit Tasiilaq fjord. We follow the trail along the coastline until we come into Tasiilaq, the largest town of East Greenland with approximately 2000 inhabitants. Walk: 6-7 hours - Ascent 350m Overnight: Guesthouse

Meals: B,L,D

Just behind town lies Somandsfjeldet (Sailors Mountain) our goal for today. We begin our walk and follow a steep ridge until we get to the lower summit of the mountain where we enjoy incredible views! We continue on to the higher summit to savour more of the panorama which includes mountains, glaciers and icebergs, before descending into a valley on the north side. Here we walk along a lake to the Flower valley where we can see several arctic plants in bloom (July and early August). We return to Tasilaq and overnight in the same guesthouse. Walk: 5-6 hours - Ascent 650m Overnight: Guesthouse

Meals: B,L,D

Today we have a free day in Tasiilaq, where it is possible to visit the local museum, the local handcraft store, or the heart of town which is the harbour. In the afternoon we transfer by boat back to Kulusuk (approximately 1 hour) where we stay in the same house as at the beginning of the trip. Overnight: Dormitory room

Meals: B,L,D

Morning discovery of Kulusuk and walk to a nearby viewpoint. Lunch in our house before visiting a small local museum in the early afternoon. We leave to the airport around 16.30. At 19.00 (7 pm), flight back to Keflavik. Arrival at 21.45 (9.45 pm) local time where our tour concludes. Please ask us for accommodation options or other extensions in Iceland

Meals: B,L

Ready to start your adventure?

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What’s included?

Included

  • 9 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners (ie all meals from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 10)
  • 9 nights in dormitories/ local guesthouses
  • Experienced English speaking walking guide from Kulusuk
  • luggage transfer during the trip - soft duffel bag is preferable, max weight 15kg pp (excess luggage can be stored in luggage lockers in Reykjavik)
  • Return flights from Reykjavik To Kulusuk
  • Satellite telephone, first aid kit and other safety equipment.
  • Boat transfers fas listed in itinerary

Not included

  • Travel to and from your home country to Iceland
  • Transport to and from the meeting point in Reykjavik
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Pre- and post- tour accommodation in Reykjavik
  • Travel insurance
  • showers in huts (payable locally)
  • Special dietary surcharge (vegan, vegetarian, gluten free) - supplement may apply

Adventure Highlighted Video

Arctic Villages Greenland Trek

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