Hiking in the Silent Arctic - GRL72

Come discover for yourself the vast, unspoiled and still wild nature of East Greenland; Enjoy remote base camp hikes with breathtaking views of the icefjords, and epic mountain landscapes. Soak up the views while cruising by boat between icebergs. Full description below.

Photo: Björgvin Hilmarsson
Photo: Björgvin Hilmarsson
Photo: Björgvin Hilmarsson
Photo: Björgvin Hilmarsson

greenski

Tour type: Discovery base camp hiking

Difficulty:

EASY

HARD

Price from:  

Adult: On Group Request

  • JAN
  • FEB
  • MAR
  • APR
  • MAY
  • JUN
  • JUL
  • AUG
  • SEP
  • OCT
  • NOV
  • DEC

Departures: Only on Group Request

Duration: 10 days, 9 nights

Accommodation: Camping, hostel and guesthouse

Walking per day: 5-7 hours

  • Tour Description

    Highlights of the Tour

    • The Aputsiaajik Glacier
    • Picturesque Boat Tour to Tasiilaq
    • A hike to the Polheim Pass

    Ten-day base camp hiking in Greenland

    If there is any place in the Arctic one can have an authentic experience, it is in the Ammassalik region in East Greenland. This hiking trip takes you to the wilderness of Aputsiaajik Island and Nordfjord, the hunters village in Kulusuk and East Greenland’s capital, the town of Tasiilaq. Experience the Inuit hunters culture, hike to a glacier front that floats into the sea and climb the shoulders of the Polheim Mountain from where you will be rewarded with an amazing view. Learn about explorers that were deeply affected by the natural beauty of the region and its inhabitants and enjoy the silence and tranquillity of the True Arctic.

    Total hiking distance: 80 km (50 miles)
    Altitude: 0-700m (0-2300 feet)
    Maximum ascent: 700m (2300 feet)

    Included: Guide, breakfast (9), lunch (8), dinner (9). Accommodation: Guesthouse (2 nights), camping (5 nights), hostel (2 nights). Transportation: Boat transfers between hiking locations.

    Not included: Flights to/from Kulusuk (can be added on the first and last day of the tour). Flights for Reykjavik-Kulusuk-Reykjavik are from 770 Euros. The price depends on the available flight seat on the concerned date. 

    Accommodation in Reykjavík can be added before and/or after tour.

    Note: For this tour to be confirmed, the minimum number of passengers has to be met. If the tour is not confirmed you will get a full refund.

    Private groups & tailor-made tours
    Create the ultimate Greenlandic adventure for your group. You can choose to make one of our pre-existing intineraries a private tour or our travel experts can help you design a completely customized adventure from scratch to meet your group’s wants and needs. Our knowledgeable and friendly guides will ensure that your group has a fun and unique experience during your time in Greenland. Please send your group’s size, preferred dates and desired activities to [email protected]. We look forward to helping you create an adventure of a lifetime.

    If you have questions, please check our FAQs. If you do not find the answer please contact us: [email protected]

  • Tour Itinerary

    Day 1: Reykjavík – Kulusuk – Tasiilaq (Ammassalik island)
    The journey kicks off with a one and a half hour midday flight to Kulusuk, a small village clinging to the rocky coast. The bay in front of the village is dotted with icebergs that are in stark contrast to the bold rocky peaks behind them. From Kulusuk, we take a boat to Ammassalik island. This is a magical mini-cruise through a festival of fjords, islands and mountains covered by glaciers. We set land at Tasiilaq on Ammassalik Island. With about 1900 inhabitants, Tasiilaq is the most important village on the east coast of Greenland. Situated in Ammassalik fjord, faced with mountain Polheims Fjell (1008 m), it is a picturesque village with colorful houses. We spend the night in a local guesthouse.

    Day 2: Ascension of Sømandsfjeldet (679m) - Tasiilaq
    Today, we climb the summit of Sømandsfjeldet, the mountain that dominates the village. This ascension without trails demands a secure foot but it is worth the challenge. On the opposite side of the village, a cliff falls directly in the sea. The beautiful view over the archipelago  consists of numerous islets and big icebergs floating toward the south that sometimes stretch over 100 meters heigh. We return to the village by way of the flower valley and spend the night in the same guesthouse as the night before. 

    Day 3: Tasiilaq - Nordfjord
    You have the morning free to discover Tasiilaq. Walk around the streets of Tasiilaq and get a glimpse in the Inuit’s way of life - a society that still depends on seal hunting. In the afternoon, we take a short boat transfer to Nordfjord, where we put up a camp for 3 nights.

    Day 4: Polheim pass. 
    We start the day by hiking up north of our small fjord and into a narrow alpine half circle valley. From here, we take a steep slope up to the Polheim Mountain Pass and onto a small peak above the pass. The view of  endless mountain ranges and fjords filled with icebergs is simply breathtaking. We descend to our camp in the late afternoon. Walking: 7 hours

    Day 5: The hidden fjord and the Kiittertivaq mountain.
    We will climb a hill east of our camp to get the view over the Kittertivaq mountain and the fjord lying at its foot. We walk along the barren granite ridges and coastline along the fjord. We return to our camp later in the day. Walking: 6-7 hours.

    Day 6: Nordfjord - Aputsiaajik
    On a beautiful boat transfer through the fjords, we head towards the glacier covered mountains on the Aputsiaajik island north of Kulusuk. We set up camp facing the Aputsiak glacier, which comes into the sea in the bottom of a small fjord. This will be our base for the next two nights. After setting up camp, we will take an afternoon walk towards the straight that separates Kulusuk and Aputsiaajik islands. Walking: 4 hours.

    Day 7. Aputsiak Glacier

    We might be awoken by the noise of icebergs falling from the glacier in front of us. A new, wonderful day at the end of the world awaits us. Today, we head for the Aputsiak glacier, located further ahead in the fjord. With its wall of ice streching a couple kilometers wide, it is the biggest glacier in the area.  The urge to discover new grounds is hard to resist! Near our camp, we have several possibilities of great walks. We will hike to the glacier, and to the north-east mountains of the island, enjoy fabulous views pf the surrounding islands and white icebergs floating in blue waters. We will return to the same camp that evening. Walking: 7 hours.

    Day 8: Aputsiaajik - Kulusuk 
    Close to our camp there is a passage over to the east side of the island. We ascend a mountain to get a magnificent view ower the small straight separating this island from the next. The ocean, of course, is dotted with shining white icebergs. We take an afternoon boat transfer to Kulusuk and, if time alows, will stop in front of the Aputsiak glacier. The evening is spent in a hostel in Kulusuk. Walking: 5 - 7 hours. 

    Day 9: Kulusuk Island
    The whole day is spent exploring the island of Kulusuk. We will go on a walk that will feature the amazing scenery in this area and will give us insight into the local history. The view on the coast is amazing and at the most western tip of the island, we can  see out to the Atlantic ocean. Heading back, we will pass the lakes in the heart of the island. The Great Northern Loon, a bird that inhabits these parts, will not be worried by our visit since it is really the best fisherman around! Following the road that leads through the island we arrive back to the village and spend the night at the same hostel. Walking: 6-7 hours.

    Day 10: Kulusuk - Reykjavík 
    On the last day of this East Greenland adventure, we take a short walk in the morning before taking our flight back to Reykjavík.

     

  • Equipment List

    Trekking Tours in Greenland

    - Equipment list for Trekking Tours / Assisted Treks in Greenland

    For your own wellbeing and safety we strongly suggest following the advice of our equipment list, this includes having good quality rain-gear, tops and bottoms! Also respect that cotton clothing is not appropriate for any strenuous outdoor activity – this includes jeans and t-shirts. Modern outdoor clothing is by far more comfortable and will greatly improve your experience. 

    Boots and Clothing:

    • Sturdy Hiking Boots – waterproof with ankle support. 
    • Long sleeve shirt (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic. 
    • T-shirt (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic. 
    • Light wool or fleece sweater (2nd layer).
    • Trousers – Strong, light and fast drying e.g. soft-shell. 
    • Jacket or an Anorak with a good hood – windproof, waterproof and breathable. 
    • Rain trousers – windproof, waterproof and breathable. Please note that full raingear is mandatory on all our tours. 
    • Gloves. 
    • Socks – Wool or synthetic. Two or three pairs. 
    • Warm hat.
    • Puffy jacket (e.g. Primaloft or down).

    Other gear:

    • A duffel bag for the transport of your overnight gear between huts / campsites. Please avoid bringing a suitcase! 
    • Backpack for extra clothes and food during the day. 25 – 40L (1500 – 2500 cu in)  
    • River shoes – closed sandals or old running shoes  are a good choice, along with a pair of warm socks or neoprene socks. Open sandals or flip-flops will not do the job. 
    • Sleeping bag – A basic sleeping bag with no specific temperature rating is sufficient treks in huts/hostels – for camping tours we recommend a 3 season sleeping bag.
    • Towel – light weight and packable. 
    • Sunglasses & sun protection. 
    • Water container – thermos flask or water bottle 0,5 – 1L. 
    • Headlamp for reading and getting around the hut/tent. 
    • Change of clothes for wearing in the hut/camp.
    • Personal first aid kit – including blister care. 
    • Prescription medication and other personal health items.
    • Toiletries; Toothbrush, toothpaste etc. 
    • Protection against flies (mosquito's); such at nets, repellants, etc.

    Optional gear:

    • Walking pole(s).
    • Gaiters
    • Earplugs 
    • Neoprene socks – highly recommended for river crossings. 
    • Pen knife. 
    • Sun/rain Hat or a Cap. Shorts
    • Thermal mat (for lunch breaks). 
    • Camera, spare batteries and a memory card or films.
    • Dry-bags for electronics and extra clothing. 
    • Aperitif or other heart-warming spirits.

    Should you have any questions regarding this equipment list or the equipment on our tours feel free to contact [email protected]

  • Map

For availability and more information about this tour please contact us.