Ammassalik Crossing - GRL63

The Perfect Greenland Winter Experience!

Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Mads Pihl
Photo: Mads Pihl

greenski

Tour type: Cross country skiing tour from hut to hut

Difficulty:

EASY

HARD

Price from:  

Adult: Contact Us

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What's included: Guide, food for 8 days, accommodation and luggage transfer

Departures: Group request only

Duration: 8 days

Accommodation: Hut and hostel

Meeting point: The domestic airport in Reykjavík

Group size: 5 to 12 participants.

Language: English

Walking per day: 6-8 hours

  • Video
  • Tour Description

    Highlights of the Tour

    • Unique Cross Country Skiing
    • Icefjord and Picturesque Landscape
    • Inuit Hunters Village

    Cross country skiing adventure with support on Ammassalik Island

    The Ammassalik Island in East Greenland is the perfect destination for a winter cross country skiing adventure. Its magnificent mountains, sharp granite peaks and snow covered glacier calottes decorate the landscape looming above the fjords dotted with icebergs. The friendly atmosphere of the local Inuit population and the assurance of great amount of snow make this one of the best winter adventures one can experience. On this tour we will cross the Ammassalik Island from Tasiilaq to the Sermilik Icefjord, visit the hunters village Tiniteqilaaq and admire the view to the main Ice shield of the Greenland Glacier, the world’s second largest ice mass. All our gear will be transported for us so you only have to carry your daypack. To ensure the comfort of this tour we will stay in BASIC huts after spending our days out exploring the beauty of the Arctic world.


    Total distance: 90 kilometers (55 miles)
    Altitude: 0 - 500 meters (0 - 1640 feet)
    Walking/Skiing per day: 6-8 hours
    Maximum ascent: 450 meters (1640 feet)

    Included: Guide for 8 days, food for 8 days (from lunch day 1 to lunch day 8), 3  nights in huts, 1 night in a local house in Tiniteqilaaq,  3 nights in a hostel, luggage transfer from day 2 - day 6.

    Not included: flight from Reykjavík - Kulusuk - Reykjavik (can be added on the first and last day of the trip), Personal equipment, insurance and expenses. 

    Accommodation in Reykjavík can be added.

    Note the tour is for group request only. 

     

    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

    From Reykjavík airport we take the flight to Kulusuk, arriving in the early afternoon. From Kulusuk we take a boat or helicopter transport to Tasiilaq according to conditions. We settle in at our accommodation in the late afternoon and if time allows us we go exploring the town of Tasiilaq and its surroundings on our skis. 

    Day 2: Tasiilaq-The lake area

    We get our gear together for a transport before we put on our skis on and head out in to this Arctic wonderland. We head into the middle of Ammassalik Island to the mountains and the lake area skiing on the snow covered frozen lakes between the granite peaks. Our first hut is on the edge of the innermost lake.

    Night in a hut.

    Skiing: 6-7 hrs 

    Day 3: The Lake area- Sermilik fjord

    A fresh morning start takes us up the slopes to the shoulder of the Mittivakkat glacier. We then turn west over the mountains getting a great view over the Sermilik Ice Fjord, and down. Our hut is right on the edge of the fjord, with fantastic view towards the fjord and its thousands of icebergs.

    Night in a hut.

    Skiing: 5-7 hrs 

    Day 4: Sermilik fjord – Tiniteqilaaq

    From our huts we turn towards the north east and head up along the coast in the direction of the village of Tiniteqilaaq.  On our way we thread through some valleys and skirt mountains that become higher and sharper as we approach the main land. When we reach the northern side of Ammassalik Island we ski across the frozen straight between Ammassalik and the main land to the small settlement of Tiniteqilaaq. We will have dinner at a local family, which offers a unique opportunity to get to know the Inuit culture. Night at local house.

    Skiing: 5-7hrs 

    Day 5: Tiniteqilaaq – The lake area

    After a nice stay in the cosy village we start out by crossing the frozen strait again following the dog sledge tracks. Enjoy the view of the mountains to the north east. Then we will start the ascent to cross the glacier on the northern part of Ammassalik Island, where we will reach an altitude of about 500 m. Then we head down into a valley and then up to a small pass before arriving to our hut at the lake area, where we will spend the night. Accumulated altitude gain today will be around 700m.
    Night in a hut.

    Skiing: 6-7 hrs 

    Day 6: The lake area -Tasiilaq 
    We start this day by following the valley and the small lakes, then crossing the big lake, Imertivaq, before we reach the frozen fjord of Kong Oscars Havn. We have now crossed Ammassalik Island and Tasiilaq awaits us on the other side. We will enjoy a nice warm meal and a cosy night at our guesthouse.

    Night in a guest house.

    Skiing: 6-7 hrs 

    Day 7: Tasiilaq

    A free day to explore Tasiilaq and the Inuit everyday life and a security day should the weather delay our process in the days before.

    Night in a guest house. 

    Day 8: Tasiilaq-Kulusuk-Reykjavík

    We have a transfer to Kulusuk, where we get on our flight back to Reykjavík where the tour ends at the airport.

  • Equipment List

    Cross Country Skiing Tours - mountain hut

    - Equipment list for Cross Country Skiing Tours
 (Cross Country skiing / Nordic Skiing)

    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. Modern outdoor clothing is by far more comfortable and will greatly improve your experience. 

    Boots and Clothing:

    • Sturdy ski boots that fit your binding system. 
    • Long sleeve shirt (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic. 
    • Long Johns (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic. 
    • Light wool or fleece sweater (2nd layer). 
    • Warm Jacket – Wool or fleece (3rd layer). 
    • Trousers – Strong and light material that dries quickly e.g. soft-shell. 
    • Jacket with a good hood – Wind and waterproof, breathable material; e.g. Gore-Tex or comparable. 
    • Pants/bibs – wind and waterproof, e.g. Gore-tex or comparable.  
    • Gloves, 2 – 3 pairs of different thickness. 
    • Mittens – waterproof with good insulation.  
    • Socks – Wool or synthetic. Two or three pairs. 
    • Warm hat and/or Balaclava.
    • Puffy jacket (e.g. Primaloft or down)

    Other gear:

    • Sleeping Bag – Down or synthetic. Aim for light weight and warm bag. Goose down with high “fill power” or top of the line synthetic bags are recommended.
    • Backpack (day-tours) for extra clothes and food during the day. Size: 20-30 L (1200 - 2000 cu in).
    • Sunglasses. 
    • Ski Goggles. 
    • Sun Protection. 
    • Towel – light weight and packable. 
    • Change of clothes – e.g. long and short underwear, clothes for the hut.
    • Water container – thermos flask or water bottle 1 – 2L. 
    • Camera, spare batteries and a memory card.
    • Personal first aid kit – including blister care. 
    • Prescription medication and other personal health items.
    • Toiletries; Toothbrush, toothpaste, earplugs etc. 
    • Swim suit (depends on tour). 
    • Head lamp. 

    Ski equipment:

    • Nordic touring / Cross country skies (min width of 50 mm) with steel edges and strong but lightweight bindings, e.g. Rottefella 75 mm, NNN BC or SNS XADV Raid. 
    • Skins covering the whole ski length and width in good working conditions. 
    • Extra glue (adhesive) for skins. 
    • Ski poles, strong with a big basket. 
    • Wax/Klister – depending on your type of ski.

    Optional gear:

    • Gaiters (optional) – Calf or knee height and wide enough for the boots. 
    • Pocketknife.
    • Dry-bags for electronics and extra clothing. 
    • Heart-warming spirits. 
    • Light slippers for indoor use.

    Should you have any questions regarding this equipment list or the equipment on our tours feel free to contact [email protected]. Our Gear Lexicon also contains more information on clothing and gear for this tour. 

  • Map

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