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POSSIBILITIES & INSPIRATION
All over Greenland, towns and hamlets are waiting to be discovered and experienced. Every place has its own charm, but common to all of them, is that they offer a nature so incredible and beautiful that it is hard to imagine.
We can help arrange travels, conferences, and training/courses all over Greenland, with stays at hotel, bed & breakfast, hostel, or tent including outings and board. Contact us and tell us what you want.
Almost anywhere in Greenland you are close to the sea, and this offers a very different nature experience, which spans from trips with kayak or small fishing boats all the way to big and beautiful cruise ships from Arctic Umiaq Line. These cruise ships are used both for commuting between towns and for longer cruises.
Following you will find some examples for inspiration, outlining some special local offers, characteristics, and attractions from different areas/towns in Greenland.
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Kangerlussuaq
Kangerlussuaq means "the big fiord", and is one of the two airports of Greenland. The airfield is situated at the bottom of the 175 km (110 miles) fiord, carving in from the west coast, and serves as entry to most of Greenland. The airbase bears evidence of its long history serving as American airbase.
Kangerlussuaq has a stable climate with very warm summers and very cold winters.
In the summer time, the area is perfect for hiking and offers from easy trips to very demanding hiking. Kangerlussuaq has abundant wild life, and as soon as you move away from the actual airport area, there are rich possibilities of seeing musk oxen, reindeer, polar foxes, snow hares, etc. You can hike to the Granatfjeldet Mountain, which is reachable on a daytrip. If you bring a hammer, you may bring home some genuine Greenland garnet.
There is also the possibility of hiking out to see some of the old plane wrecks, from planes that went down during the Second World War, when the inland valley was used for war casualties and hospital area. Due to the dry climate, the planes do not rust, so they can be viewed almost as when they fell from the sky.
If you are interested in fishing, the area around Kangerlussuaq is very accommodating. For example, the river Robinson, one hour by ship from the harbour in Kangerlussuaq, offers a nature heaven for trout fishermen. Look for details under
Robinson River on your own.
After Volkswagen (VW) Group built a test track 150 km (ca. 95 miles) from Kangerlussuaq, there is now a dirt road all the way to the Inland Ice. This gives a unique possibility of driving the 25 km all the way, to stand face to face with the enormous wall of ice the constitutes the edge of the Inland Ice, the ice cap that totally covers the inner part of Greenland, and even to climb the ice itself.
Every year in December, an ice hotel, Hotel Igloo Village is constructed and offers the possibility of spending the night the way the Inuit's have done for hundreds of years. Everything is made from ice. It is a beautiful and different experience when the candles are all lit and the warm colour strikes through the cold walls. The beds are also made from ice, but are all equipped with special polar sleeping bags, made from musk oxen and reindeer fur, to keep warm. The ice hotel has its own ice bar as well, where you may buy a whisky in a glass - made from ice.
Kangerlussuaq also offers dogsled trips, both short and longer trips. Driving a dogsled in Greenland is almost a "must", but if you are more into speed, you may also explore the surroundings on a snow mobile.
Key words for Kangerlussuaq: Northern Lights (Aurora), Inland Ice, dog-sled, musk oxen, reindeer, fishing, hunting, fossils, precious stones, flowers, snow scooter, sailing.
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Ilulissat
250 km (ca. 150 miles) north of the Polar Circle, in the Disko Bay, you will find Ilulissat with its 4600 inhabitants, and about twice that amount of dogs! Ilulissat means "ice bergs", and a visit to the city will tell you why!. The city is situated at the end of a 40 km ice-fiord, where you, among other things, will find the world's most productive ice glacier, producing 20 million tons of ice every day.
In the summer, there is plenty of opportunity for hiking in the area around Ilulissat. Facing the beautiful fiord, there is an old settlement, Sermermiut, not far from the city, which is worth a visit. In 1727 there were about 250 Inuit living in Sermermiut, and excavations have proved settlements thousands of years back. On the way to Sermermiut, you can experience the 'kællingekløften' cliffs. The name is derived from the older women who threw themselves over the edge, when they felt like a burden to the settlement.
Ilulissat should be experienced at sea. It is a unique experience to sail the beautiful ice fiord, when the midnight sun illuminates the sky with all its colours. If you go north of Ilulissat you can visit small hamlets, where the old colonial houses today serve as hostels or restaurants. A little further north you find the amazing glacier, Eqi, where you may also spend the night in modern cabins.
In the city there is plenty of opportunity to ride dog-sleds. It may be the only city, where the dog-sleds appear on the traffic signs, since the dog-sleds have the right of way over motorized vehicles. There are numerous possibilities of riding a dogsled, from a couple of hours to several days, with the possibility of overnight stays in cabin or tent.. The city also arranges the so-called "Arctic Palerfik", celebrating winter's departure. It is a great experience to see the 100 dogsleds, 220 people and 1200 dogs that leaves from a frozen lake in the city on a 3 day trip in the fantastic winter landscape of the Disko Bay.
The winter also offers ice fishing trips with the local hunters. From late fall to early spring, there are rich opportunities to see the Northern Lights (Aurora) display its palette of ever changing colours in the night sky.
Keywords for Ilulissat: Ice bergs, glaciers, dogsleds, sailing, helicopter, settlements, ruins, seal hunting, precious stones, canoe sailing, snow scooter.
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Sisimiut
Surrounded by deep fiords and high mountains you will find Sisimiut, on the west coast of Greenland, 100 km (60 miles) north of the Polar Circle. Sisimiut is the most northern harbour that does not freeze over and the most southern city with dogsled dogs. The city was founded in 1756 and today has 5600 inhabitants. The city is a constant mixture of new and old. One moment you are walking in the historical centre, feeling the history, and the next, you experience modern Greenland with its fishing, educational institutions, etc.
6 km (4 miles) southeast of Sisimiut you will find more than 30 km (ca. 20 miles) of prepared cross-country ski paths, with ski lifts, and the area is perfect for both snow scooter and ski experiences.
Every year, the city of Sisimiut arranges the world's hardest ski race, the "Arctic Circle Race", a 3-day race, where participants go 160 km (100 miles).
You need not move far from the city to enjoy some of the joys of summer. There are small perfect rivers and lakes, perfect for sport fishing, and should you get thirsty, you can go straight for the origin of the kildevandselven spring river. From the top of the mountain you can overlook the sea off the coast, where you often spot whales playing in the water.
Sisimiut is known as the "home of the snow scooter" in the wintertime. A large number of families use this mode of transportation, even though the dogsled still is the most widespread. There are lots of places to explore on snow scooter, as well as dogsled. If you want to go a little further, you can go all the way to Kangerlussuaq. The trip lasts about 6 hours on snow scooter, on dogsled about 3 days, depending on wind and weather.
Key words for Sisimiut: Dogsleds, snow scooter, sailing, sea/river/lake fishing, hunting, ski.
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Nuuk
At the mouth of the giant Nuuk fiord lays Nuuk, capital of Greenland, with its 13000 inhabitants. Nuuk is one of the most beautifully situated capitals in the entire world. In Nuuk you will find the National Museum, Santa Claus' house, the beautiful culture centre Katuaq, a number of schools, cultural institutions, the headquarter of Greenland's Home rule government, etc. You also find shopping, bars, restaurants, and there is a sense of big city life, in spite of the modest size. However, the big city feeling disappears, when you stand in the old colonial harbour, looking at the old wooden houses, or looking over the fiord, where whales are playing in the waters during the summer.
The nature is rich and there are a large number of different animals in the surroundings of Nuuk. The conditions are perfect for trips on snow scooter or ski inland, or sailing trips on the second biggest fiord area of the world. The fiord does not freeze in the winter, which allows sailing on the fiord all year around.
In the area you can see old ruins, both Viking and Inuit ruins. There are also excellent spots for salmon- and trout fishing. Nuuk is the perfect destination if you wish to combine the joy of city life with the pleasures of nature.
Nuuk every year, in the summer, hosts Nuuk Marathon, an international race in the streets of Nuuk, and in the winter the Nuuk Snow Sculpture Festival, an international festival at highest level.
Key words for Nuuk: Sailing, whale safari, culture, business, helicopter, sea fishing, hunting, museums, Santa's workshop.
Other places of interest from Greenland:
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Nanortalik
Nanortalik means "the Bear Place", but in spite of the name, it is a rare occurrence that bears appear in the city. It does happen occasionally in the pre-summer period, though, that bears arrive on drifting ice from the east coast of Greenland.
Nanortalik is the most southern city, with an administrative region that stretches all the way to the east coast. The area is well-known for its high mountains with steep peaks, and long vertical mountain slopes flanking the fiord of Tasermiut.
The area has a rich historical heritance. The ruins of the first Viking settlements are scattered in the landscape, and you will see several farm communes and monasteries. The city has 2 hotels and a hostel, and offers multiple opportunities for day trips.
Key words for Nanortalik: Natural hot springs, gold mine, seal hunting, hiking, mountain climbing.
Narsarsuaq
The gateway to southern Greenland, Narsarsuaq welcomes the visitor with an exceptionally luscious, but very clean and raw nature, decorated with impressive and beautiful mountains, colourful flowers, and a very stable climate. From Narsarsuaq you can go to Qassiarsuk, where Erik the Red settled in the year 982, and where you can admire the reconstructions of Tjodhilde's church and the farm of Erik the Red.
Tasiusaq, a small sheep farm community, is also reachable from Narsarsuaq. In Tasiusaq you will experience a special quiet and beauty, and from there you can see, in the horizon, the impressive rising wall of ice, the Inland Ice.
The cities of Narsaq and Qaqortoq are reachable by helicopter or ship from Narsarsuaq, and both cities offer a number of trips and rich accommodation possibilities.
Key words for Narsasuaq: Inland Ice, ruins, hiking, trekking.
Narsaq
Narsaq means "the Prairie", and the town spreads over a big flat area, abruptly cut at the edge by big mountains. There are 1700 inhabitants in Narsaq, and the primary business is based on processing / producing products from sheep farms and fishery. The city is beautifully situated at the foot of the 685 m (ca. 2000 feet) Qaqqarsua Mountain.
From a geological standpoint, the area is one of the most exciting in all of Greenland, and there is a very high concentration of rare stones and minerals.
The area also has many well-preserved Viking ruins. For accommodation, the city offers hotel, small hotel apartments, bed and breakfast, and hostel. You have many options for day trips from Narsaq.
Key words for Narsaq: sheep-breeding and farms, Viking ruins.
Maniitsoq
Maniitsoq is also known as the "Venice of Greenland". The city is founded on small islands and tiny peninsulas; all connected via a large number of bridges, and it has, just like its "Italian cousin", a very romantic city centre.
There are a multitude of possibilities for going in boat or kayak around all the islands, and the many rivers in the country around Maniitsoq, makes the area a paradise for sport fishing. The very changing and hilly landscape provides exciting and challenging hiking, and possibilities of Greenland safari on snow mobile - according to the season.
There are multiple accommodation opportunities. Especially Hotel Maniitsoq is worth a mention, due to its beautiful placement on top of a hill, with a wonderful view of the harbour and the sea. The hotel offers culinary specialties, based on an organically very high quality kitchen.
Key words for Maniitsoq: Shark fishing, mountain trout fishing, kayaking, seal-hunting.
Qaqortoq
Qaqortoq is the biggest town in southern Greenland with more than 3500 inhabitants. Everywhere in the city you see examples of the very unique, Nordic art project "Stone and Man". 24 Nordic sculptors have contributed with works of art, chiselled in natural granite, and the city appears as one big sculpture park.
The beautiful strong-coloured houses of wood, invites everyone with their blooming gardens. Close to the harbour, you will find the town square with the oldest fountain in Greenland. Surrounding the square are some of Greenland's best-kept houses from the colonial era.
In Qaqortoq, as well, there are many possibilities for day trips in the area, and accommodation is offered at hotel, hostel, and sailor's home.
Key words for Qaqortoq: Sculptures, flower gardens, colonial buildings.
Tasiilaq
Tasiilaq is the biggest town on the east coast of Greenland, with 1700 people. Tasiilaq is situated just by the Polar Circle, which gives nice warm and sunny summers and relatively mild winters.
The town is pretty with its small houses in strong colours, spread around the landscape. The nature in Greenland's east coast is unusually beautiful -it looks rough with its majestic mountains, but the unique arctic flora appeases the strong impression. The place is ideal for hiking and trekking, both short and long. You do not have to go far to find untouched places and isolated areas in the vicinity of Tasiilaq.
Key words for Tasiilaq: Mountain climbing, hiking, kayaking, sailing, snow scooter.
Uummannaq
Uummannaq is without a doubt the "Pearl of Northern Greenland". Uummannaq means "the heart-shaped", and that is not without reason, since the town is placed on an island at the foot the beautiful Hjertefjeld (heart-shaped) Mountain. The town is far north, about 600 km (375 miles) north of the Arctic Circle. This is getting close to the North Pole, and maybe that is why, this is where Santa Claus lives.
Uummannaq is also known for one of the most remarkable archaeological finds in Greenland. In 1972, incredibly well preserved human remains were discovered, six grownups and two children, dating back to 1475. The mummies are today on display at the National Museum in Nuuk.
Uummannaq is also host to the yearly ice-golf tournament. It is probably the most beautiful golf tournament around, but the balls are naturally not white!
As a new addition, Uummannaq also arranges a particular challenge for sports fishing, namely trying your luck with the biggest fish in Greenland, the Greenland Shark.
Key words for Uummannaq: Shark fishing, ice golf, Santa Claus' home
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There are so many good reasons to visit Iceland. The climate is relatively mild, thanks to the Golf Stream, but the weather may quickly change from sun to rain - or even snow within a few minutes. This, however, just adds to the charm of the island.
In the capital, Reykjavik, there is lots of life, with restaurants, cafes, shops, museums, and a good, slightly American inspired atmosphere.
Of course, nature is the big attraction in Iceland. Volcanoes and lava fields next to snow covered glaciers and steaming natural hot springs. Horses and sheep grass the fields and off the coast whales and dolphins play in the clear waters.
Iceland is the land of nature's forces and contrasts, a different experience, and an island that all should visit, at least once in a lifetime.
See also "Special trips and events" for trip descriptions, call or mail for suggestions and/or offers.
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Only removed by 2 hours of flying from Denmark, the Faroe Islands rise out of the Atlantic Ocean, and invite a natural calmness and new experiences. Few places in the world, the nature is so wild and untouched, and few places is history felt as out here, at the end of the world.
The last decades, ever more hikers, fishermen, riders, bird watchers, and other nature lovers, have been drawn towards the Faroe Islands. People, who have experienced the islands, almost always return. The Faroe Islands is a country of contrasts, romantic - dramatic, and the weather is just as unpredictable and changing as the landscape. There is the possibility of very diverse experiences, ranging from sail trips at the foot of the tall steep mountains to pure meditation with a fishing rod, by one of the many inland lakes.
A trip to the Faroe Islands is a trip back in history. Old traditions and customs are maintained here. The songs from the middle ages are still heard, dried sheep meat is a delicacy, and on a lucky day you may experience the nerve-wrecking bird catch in the mountains. On the other hand, natural ingredients of modern Faroe life are techno music, Italian cooking, and home PCs.
This wonderful mixture of new and old is an experience in itself. Even though the past offered an isolated life on the 18 islands, today the Faroe Islands is a modern and easily accessible society. The islands support a small tourist industry, not very big, but big enough to make a trip to the Faroe Islands easy and comfortable.
See also "Special trips and events" for trip descriptions, call or mail for suggestions and/or offers.
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