Picturesque village of Tasiilaq
Picturesque village of Tasiilaq
The magnificent Ammassalik fjord, Greenland
Camping and trekking in the Ammassalik fjord system Greenland
The vast expanses of the Ammassalik fjord system, Greenland
Visiting small townships in Greenland
Hiking in the Ammassalik fjord system Greenland

Greenland Trek: Karale to Tasiilaq Fjord

12 Days from

$6920 USD

Trip Code: GLC
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Sleeping Bag Hire
$80 USD
Single Supplement - Tent Only
$150 USD

Duration

  • 12 Days

Activities

  • 10 days trekking

Accommodation

  • 2 nights dormitory hut
  • 1 night mountain hut
  • 8 nights camping

Meals

  • 11 Dinners
  • 11 Lunches
  • 11 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

6 / 10

Moderate to Challenging

Trip highlights

  • Hike the beautiful Ammassalik fjord system
  • Learn about traditional Inuit culture
  • Experience the dramatic landscape and natural beauty of Greenland
  • Marvel at the tundra crossing Tunup Kuua valley
  • Traverse glaciers and climb to Tasilaq Mountain hut for spectacular views

Overview

This trek takes you to the deepest end of the Ammassalik fjord system in Greenland, an area renowned for it's incredible glaciers that calve into the sea and towering granite mountains. Sparsely populated and home to the culturally rich Inuit people, our trek gives us insight into life in the vast expanses. We take time to enjoy the calm quiet of Karale fjord with it's extraordinary landscape, punctured occasionally by a crack in the Knud Rasmusen glacier breaking the silence. Experience Kuummiut, a small fishing and hunting village and learn about the incredible Inuit culture and how people have survived in this hostile environment. Leaving the village behind we trek out through the Tunup Kuua Valley, where we should encounter Greenland's beautiful flora in bloom, before crossing over 2kms of glacier and arriving at the picturesque fjord of Tasilaq. Roughly translating to 'like a lake' due to the fact it is largely protected from the open ocean by the relatively narrow entrance, the region features innumerable jagged mountains, glaciers, and icebergs. We intend to pack a small backpack and climb to Tasilaq mountain hut, where we overnight before heading back to Kulusuk.

Itinerary

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At Reykjavik (Keflavik) Airport in Iceland, check in to your flight and depart for Kulusuk Airport in Greenland as you would at any airport. Departure is approximately 5:30 pm. Please arrive at the airport at least 3 hours beforehand. Upon arrival at Kulusuk, around 6:15 pm local time, you will be met by a representative who will transfer you to Kulusuk village, approximately 30 minutes away. Overnight stay is in our house in Kulusuk (dormitory, hut style). Walk: 30 minutes Overnight: Dormitory room

Meals: D

Morning boat trip to Karale fjord. Sailing north by the Aputsiak Island and several other islands before hitting the Ikatek strait with its pointed summits and snow-capped mountains. Ice is everywhere in the water. When arriving at Karale fjord the spectacle is breathtaking - the front of the Knud Rasmusen glacier and the high mountains are reflected in the still water of the fjord. We put up our camp for two nights. In the afternoon we stroll off for a nice walk to a good viewpoint. Walk: 4 hours Overnight: Tent

Meals: B,L,D

Today we head towards the Karale glacier along the coast of the Karale fjord. To get there we might have to cross a small glacier tongue to avoid rivers of meltwater from the ice. The view to the other side of the fjord is breathtaking, huge glaciers and mountains like the Rytterknægten tower over the fjord. At a safe distance from the Karale glacier front, we learn about climate change as we discover the changes in the landscape that have been happening in recent decades and are still going on. Late afternoon we return to the same camp where we spend the night. Walk: 6-7 hours Overnight: Tent

Meals: B,L,D

We leave the camp and start walking east along the coast to the Nuuaartik point, where the Karale fjord opens to the outer fjord system. At this point we see the front of the Knud Rasmusen glacier floating in the ocean straight to the north, breaking off pieces of ice, every now and then. We turn to the south and start to climb to a small mountain pass while new mountains start to come into view. We slowly descend to a valley called Nunartivaq. We arrive at the shore in an area full of boulders, where we put up the camp for the night. Walk: 6-7 hours Overnight: Tent

Meals: B,L,D

We follow the coastline as we enter the Ikatek strait. At times we have to avoid steep parts by walking higher on the slope, until we arrive to a tiny inlet with a creek. We then follow the coast, which at this time is less steep, until we arrive to a valley that opens up to the west. We follow the banks of a big river until we find an old bridge where we cross. We have arrived to Ikatek or Bluie East two, former WWII airport and small military base. We visit the base that was abandoned almost 75 years ago. What they left behind is still visible, including machines, cars, equipment and fuel drums. The authorities have plans to clean up the ruins, but until then these strange remains remind us of the role Greenland played in WWII. We camp for the night close to the old docs of Ikatek. Walk: 6-7 hours Overnight: Tent

Meals: B,L,D

We walk the old 5000 feet runway to the southwest, until we come to the small peninsula of Suunigajik. From there we turn around the corner and head northeast, into Tunu (Dunu), a breathtaking fjord surrounded by mountains. Here on the shores the Common Ringed Plover plays hide and seek with those who enter its territory. Arriving at the the fjord we have to cross a couple of rivers before putting up our camp. Here we might meet the Arctic fox and the Ptarmigan that nests in the tiny arctic willow bushes found around the campsite. Walk: 6 hours Overnight: Tent

Meals: B,L,D

Visit to the hunters village Kuummiit, where we resupply in the local grocery store. Kuummiit is situated at the Ammassalik fjord where the water never freezes. Surrounded by high peaks in all directions it is the home to about 250 people who mostly depend on fishing in the fjords around. In the afternoon we return to the same camp. Walk: 6 hours Overnight: Tent

Meals: B,L,D

Today we cross from the Tunu fjord over to Tasilaq fjord through the narrow valley of Tunup Kuua. We follow the narrow valley with mountain peaks on both sides and a peak or two already showing them self at the other side of the pass. After passing a few lakes, we arrive to a glacier that crawls into the valley from the north. We cross the glacier eventually putting on our crampons depending on the ice conditions. At the highest point which is only at 300m altitude we see the valley on the other side descending to the fjord. The view in Tasilak fjord is breathtaking. The fjord is very narrow and sheltered with up to 1500m high granite peaks on each side and over 2000m above the bottom of the fjord. One can’t help thinking that this compares with Patagonia. We put up our camp at the sea on the north bank of the river we have been following since we crossed the glacier. Walk: 7-8 hours Overnight: Tent

Meals: B,L,D

The route follows the Tasiilaq fjord coastline and we enjoy the incredible view to the bottom of the fjord and the valley behind it. The most outstanding mountains are called the Triplets, known to some big wall climbers as interesting objectives. This day is shorter than yesterday, and we should be arriving to camp in the middle of the afternoon. Walk: 5 hours Overnight: Tent

Meals: B,L,D

The walk to Tasiilaq Mountain Hut. We walk for two to three hours before we arrive to a glacier tongue that descends all the way from a valley 700 m up. We climb the moraine on the north side of the glacier with a stunning view over the valley below, until we come to a steep section that leads us directly to Tasiilaq Mountain Hut at about 800 m altitude. This place is heaven-like for nature lovers. A magnificent place to sit down and enjoy silence and the calmness of the mountains. Walk: 7-8 hours Overnight: Mountain Hut

Meals: B,L,D

We head back into the valley, down the moraine and past some beautiful boulders. This time the walk is faster and we arrive to the fjord in the middle of the afternoon, where our boat is waiting to bring us back to Kulusuk. Walk: 5-6 hours Boat: 2 hours sailing 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

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What’s included?

Included

  • 11 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinners (ie all meals from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 12)
  • 3 nights in dormitories/mountain hut on a multishare basis, 8 nights camping
  • Experienced English speaking walking guide from Kulusuk
  • tents, camping gear, cooking gear
  • luggage transfer during the trek - 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 transfer from Kulusuk to the start of the trek and from Tasilaq Fjord to Kulusuk at the end of the trek

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
  • Sleeping bag. Available for hire (must be pre-paid)
  • showers in huts (payable locally)
  • Special dietary surcharge (vegan, vegetarian, gluten free) - supplement may apply

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