Greenland is among countries that start with G listed on Countryaah.com. Only 19% of the area of Greenland is ice-free. Around 56,000 people live in this area, which is roughly the size of Germany and Switzerland combined, most of them Inuit. In their language, Greenland is called Kalaallit Nunaat (Land of the Kalaallit). With 18,000 residents, the capital Nuuk on the west coast is also the largest settlement on the island. This is also the seat of the Greenland Parliament. The second most important place in Greenland is perhaps Uummannaq: Since many children label their letters to Santa Claus with the words “Greenland”, the Danish Post has set up a special post office for Santa Claus here. In addition to the traditional sources of income hunting and fishing, tourism is playing an increasing role: around 65,000 people come to this region every year, to experience the natural treasures and phenomena of the Arctic. Polar bears, whales and seals are among the animal attractions, fjords, glaciers and ice deserts are among the scenic highlights and northern lights in winter and brilliant clear visibility in summer are among the meteorological features. In addition, there are rich natural resources beneath the ice sheet in Greenland, which arouse ever greater desires in the business world as the ice cover dwindles.
- Day 1: Flight to Iceland
- Day 2: Onward flight to Greenland
- Day 3: Orientation hike on the “peninsula” around Tasiilaq
- Day 4: Hike to Tasiilaq’s local mountain
- Day 5: Boat trip through the fjords to Kuummiut
- Day 6: Hike to the Tuno Fjord
- Day 7: Free day in Kuummiut
- Day 8: Drive to Rasmussen Camp
- Day 9: The Knud Rasmussen Glacier
- Day 10: The Greenland mountains
- Day 11: Boat trip along the glacier front to Tasiilaq
- Day 12: Rest day at the “Red House”
- Day 13: Boat trip back to Kulusuk and departure to Iceland
- Day 14: Iceland
- 15th day: journey home
Our boat trip to Tasiilaq takes one to two hours, depending on the ice conditions. Tasiilaq with its almost 2,000 residents is the largest settlement in East Greenland. Here, near Robert Peroni’s “Red House”, we will spend our first days. Peroni became known for having first crossed the Greenland Ice Sheet at its widest point. He only employs locals in his hotel; he wants to help preserve the Inuit culture.
Our partner Andreas is an ethnologist and geographer, he was traveling for years in extreme regions such as deserts and the Antarctic: “When I was in Greenland for the first time, I was really speechless: You can find so much breadth, size and clarity in the landscape seldom. ”The colorful Inuit settlements are in the most incredible places, and the clear air means that mountains miles away appear to us in the most intense colors and razor sharp.
We spend the night exclusively in sturdy tents, which is not a problem due to the relatively mild climate in summer. Our boat trip through fjords to Kuummiut is a special adventure. The secluded area is very suitable for hunting and fishing; no wonder; that the residents are exclusively hunters.
Meals: B = breakfast / L = lunch / packed lunch / D = dinner
1st day:
Flight to Iceland
Evening flight from Frankfurt (or other departure airports) to Keflavik / Iceland, bus ride to Reykjavik, where we will have an overnight stay.
Overnight in tent camp in Reykjavik
(- / – / -)
2nd day:
Onward flight to Greenland
We fly from Reykjavik to Kulusuk in East Greenland. From there we will be picked up by boats. The trip leads past the Apusiajik glacier to the island of Ammassalik in Tasiilaq. After arriving at our first tented camp on the banks of the Kong Oscar Fjord, we explore the place on foot. In the evenings in the “Red House” we may even have the opportunity to hear exciting stories about life in Greenland “first hand”.
Boat trip: approx. 1-2 hours, depending on the ice conditions,
overnight stay in a tent camp in Tasiilaq
(B / – / D)
3rd day:
Orientation hike on the “peninsula” around Tasiilaq
Our first introductory hike takes us over hilly terrain to the Polar Current, the mightiest ice current on earth. We are impressed by this majestic backdrop and look forward to the next few days full of profound nature experiences. On the way back there is the possibility of a short swim in a small lake.
Walking time: approx. 3 hours (+/- 300 m)
Overnight in tent camp Tasiilaq
(B / L / D)
4th day:
Hike to Tasiilaq’s local mountain
Today’s hike will be a mountain tour to Tasiilaq’s “local mountain”. The view and the panorama make it easy for us to forget the exertion, the landscape is so inspiring.
Walking time: approx. 5.5 hours (+/- 700 m)
Overnight in tent camp Tasiilaq
(B / L / D)
5th day:
Boat trip through the fjords to Kuummiut
We leave our first location and embark on our nature adventure. A boat trip takes us through the fjord from Ammassalik to Kuummiut. Mainly hunters and fishermen live in the village! We pitch our tents about 30 minutes’ walk from the village in a wonderful bay. A unique mountain backdrop surrounds us, maybe we will see whales in the bay.
Boat trip: approx. 1.5 hours
overnight in a tent camp near Kuummiut
(B / L / D)
6th day:
Hike to the Tuno Fjord
A hike takes us past the village, along the “Hausfjord” Tortsukatak to the head of the Tuno Fjord. From here we have a unique view of glacier moraines, the turquoise blue ocean and magnificent mountain ranges. On the way we marvel at a waterfall that brings the glacier water to the sea in magnificent cascades. We search our way through a river delta and enjoy the varied landscape.
Walking time: approx. 3-4 hours (+/- 300 m)
Overnight in tent camp near Kuummiut
(B / L / D)
7th day:
Free day in Kuummiut
We stroll through Kuummiut, which is close to our camp, on our own, meet people in their world, or we join the discovery tours of our tour guide, who will explain some things about life in such places, far away from the big wide world. We intend to visit the public “wash house” for our own needs, but there we can also gain insights into everyday Inuit life. There are plenty of picturesque photo opportunities in the village, we enjoy the day without any program pressure.
Overnight in tent camp near Kuummiut
(B / L / D)
8th day:
Drive to Rasmussen Camp
We take our time for enjoyment and leisure, maybe we can go on a short hike, our gaze is lost in the sea of icebergs. Afterwards, the camp will be dismantled and a boat trip to the Rasmussen Camp, which is located near the Knud-Rasmussen Glacier in a wild and romantic setting.
Boat trip: approx. 1.5 – 3 hours depending on the weather,
overnight stays in a tent at Rasmussen Camp
(B / L / D)
Day 9:
The Knud Rasmussen Glacier
The first hike takes us to the Knud Rasmussen Glacier. Along the fjord we reach the foothills of the lateral moraines and climb a small rock plateau with a fantastic view. A wonderful, uplifting encounter with the colorful, 3-4 km wide ice front where, if we’re lucky, icebergs are born when the glacier “calves”.
Walking time: approx. 2 – 3.5 hours (+ 300 / -300 m)
Overnight in a tent in the Rasmussen Camp
Overnight in a tent in the Rasmussen Camp
(B / L / D)
10th day:
The Greenland mountains
Depending on the weather and the mood of the group, anything is possible. And always the great, incomparable view of the ice flow of the Rasmussen Glacier, lined with many bold Greenlandic “Matterhorns”. We enjoy the pure nature around us and this with an equally impressive backdrop. We allow ourselves a lot of time to look and enjoy and adapt to the rhythm of nature. We are really far from civilization here. It goes south along the fjord, partly over hills, partly through small watercourses at the foot of smaller glacier tongues.
Walking time: approx. 4 hours (+/- 200 m)
Overnight in a tent at the Rasmussen Camp
(B / L / D)
11th day:
Boat trip along the glacier front to Tasiilaq
After the camp dismantling, our boat picks us up and we slide along the Rasmussen glacier front to the west and then pass the Karale glacier and then turn back into the Ikateq fjord. Here we visit the remains of the formerly secret US base Blue East in order to arrive late in the evening in Tasiilaq at our last tent location, at the “base camp” near the “Red House”.
Driving time: approx. 2.5 hours, depending on the ice conditions,
overnight stay in a tent camp in Tasiilaq
(B / L / D)
12th day:
Rest day at the “Red House”
Today we have earned a day of rest, it is freely available. Maybe we just take part in the everyday life of the Greenlanders to observe the “Red House” or the life in the village in peace. Everyone can also go their own way. We have all the freedom… If you like, you can join the tour guide on a hike through the Blumental (optional). This hike includes a breathtaking landscape experience. We get a wonderful panoramic view of the glacier-shaped Arctic landscape of mountains, lakes, rivers and of course icebergs in the sea.
Walking time: approx. 2-3 hours (+/- 300 m) optional
overnight stay in a tent camp in Tasiilaq
(B / L / D)
13th day:
Boat trip back to Kulusuk and departure to Iceland
Today we take the boats to the airport in Kulusuk. The time has come, it will be a difficult farewell to the world’s largest island. Flight to Reykjavik in Iceland, there we end the trip.
Travel time: approx. 1-2 hours
overnight in a tent in Reykjavik
(B / – / -)
14th day:
Iceland
For safety reasons, in case there should be weather-related delays in the flight from Greenland to Iceland, we have built in this buffer day. If we don’t need this (which we assume), we still have the opportunity to get to know some of the most impressive places in Iceland: First and foremost, of course, the charming and culturally interesting capital Reykjavik itself. optional).
Overnight in tent in Reykjavik
(B / – / -)
15th day:
Home trip
Transfer to Keflavik, flight home and farewell to your travel companions!
(F / – / -)