Tour type: 5-day sightseeing adventure
What’s included: Excursions according to itinerary, transfers, accommodation in double occupancy and food
Departures: Wednesdays and Sundays in July and August
Duration: 5 days/4 nights
Accommodation: Guesthouse or Hotel
Meeting point: The tour starts and ends at Kulusuk airport
Group size: 2 – 10 participants
Language: English
This tour will introduce you to the Greenland Highlights; Ice and Icefjords, impressive glaciers, an insight in the Inuit way of life in an East Greenlandic town and village and maybe even the sound and sight of a whale.
You spend four nights in Tasiilaq, the main town of East Greenland, and from here, you get two days of sailing among icebergs and through remote fjords were one majestic mountain peak, will be followed by the next. One afternoon you will eat your lunch at the foot of the famous Knud Rasmussen glacier, another you will visit one of the small hunting settlements situated at the incredible Sermilik Icefjord. In Tasiilaq you get to visit the local museum and together with a guide, you can take a hike to the beautiful Valley of Flowers situated just outside the town.
Included: Helicopter or boat between Kulusuk and Tasiilaq, excursions according to itinerary, accommodation in guesthouse in double room or hotel room (if guesthouse does not have availability), full board.
Hotel accommodation is also an option. Contact us to check for price and availability.
Not included: Flights from Reykjavík – Kulusuk – Reykjavík (can be added on the first and last day of the tour).
Note this trip is available as an Iceland – Greenland combo tour. More
If you have more questions, please check our FAQs. If you do not find the answer contact us: booking@greenland.is
This tour is semi-guided, meaning there will be a host waiting for you in Tasiilaq, who will pick you up at the airport and take you to the guesthouse, brief you on the program of the tour and make sure that you know where to be for the different excursions and guided walks.
Day 1 Kulusuk – Tasiilaq
Shortly after arrival in Kulusuk you will either go by boat or by helicopter to Tasiilaq – the main town on the East coast of Greenland with about 2,000 inhabitants.
Either way, it will be a beautiful experience flying above or sailing in between spectacular icebergs to the neighboring island. You will be taken to your guesthouse where you will be staying the next 4 nights and later there in the day there will be an information meeting and dinner with the other participants. If the weather allows it, the chef will prepare a lovely barbeque on the terrace.
Day 2 – Boat Excursion to the Knud Rasmussen Glacier (7-8 hours)
The excursion starts at the harbor of Tasiilaq, heading towards northwest into the broad Ammassalik Fjord. After about an hour sailing we will turn into narrow and steep fjords with breathtaking mountain peaks.
We will make a stop at Ikateq and look at some remnants of World War 2. It was here the Americans ran an airfield from 1942 – 47, in wartime code-names called “Bluie East Two”. It was built in order to facilitate transatlantic air traffic, navigation, search-and-rescue operations and weather forecast. You can still see the airfield, and rusted fuel drums, vehicles and ruins.
We will continue our journey and arrive in Sermiligaaq Fjord, which means “The Beautiful Glacier Fjord”. The name will not disappoint you. At some point you will be able to have the view of two calving glaciers simultaneously, Karale Glacier on your left side, and Knud Rasmussen Glacier right ahead of you. We will sail as close as the situation allows to Knud Rasmussen Glacier, go ashore and enjoy lunch here. After about 1-2 hours, we will head back to Tasiilaq.
Note: Bring some warm clothes with you, but in case you are freezing, we will have a down cover for you. Lunch, warm drinks and refreshments are included.
Day 3 – Boat Excursion to Tiniteqilaaq and Sermilik Icefjord (7-8 hours)
We start in the harbor in Tasiilaq and sail toward north along the Ammassalik Island trough a breathtaking landscape, passing floating ice that looks like sculptures. After 1 – 2 hours, we will arrive in a small settlement called Tiniteqilaaq (which means in Greenlandic “the strait that runs dry at low tide”). The settlement has a spectacular view on the Sermilik Fjord (in Greenlandic “Icefjord”) with colossal icebergs and on the horizon the Greenland Ice Shield touches the sky. 113 people lived permanently in Tiniteqilaaq on January 2015.
You will have the possibility for a stroll around the settlement by your own. After that we will continue to Sermilik Fjord and enjoy our lunch with a view on the gigantic icebergs. Then we head southwards in the Sermilik Fjord and sail around the Ammassalik Island passing more icebergs and return to Tasiilaq.
Note: Bring some warm clothes with you, but in case you are freezing, we will have a down cover for you. Lunch, warm drinks and refreshments are included.
Day 4 – City Walk and Flower Valley (4-5 hours)
The city walk will take us to a workshop where local artists make beautiful and renowned handicraft. Then towards the harbor and visit the museum, which is the old church built in 1903. The museum has many historical treasures, and you can learn about the life and history of East Greenland.
The walk continues along the shore to the Hospital and up to the new church. Above the church, you will enjoy a beautiful view over the town. In this area, you will be able to see the oldest houses of the town where the first colony manager Johann Pedersen or the polar explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen lived.
Before heading to the Flower Valley, you can visit the tourist office Skæven where it is possible to buy handicraft of all kinds, maps, etc. As the name of the valley indicates, you will be able to see many different flowers, such as arctic thyme, arctic bluebell, arctic dandelion, the national flower broad-leafed willow herb, and many more.
We continue the small curved path along the river for a few kilometers, until we reach a small waterfall. Here we will spend some time to enjoy the beautiful landscape and peacefulness, before heading back to Tasiilaq.
Note: It is an easy walk through town, but we recommend sturdy shoes for the walk in the Flower Valley. We recommend you to bring some refreshments with you.
Day 5 – Goodbye East Greenland
Today is a traveling day. In the morning you will take the helicopter or the boat back to Kulusuk where your flight out will be waiting for you.
Note: The itinerary can be subject to shift in order of the excursions. The content of the tour will remain the same.
SUMMER ACTIVITIES IN THE TASIILAQ AREA
Sometimes 5 days is not enough. If you wish to extend your stay, there are plenty of things to explore and experience. Here are a few. Contact us to set it up: booking@greenland.is
KAYAKING
Did you know that kayaking is an Inuit invention? It is! You will see why when you experience the tranquility and closeness to the icebergs when you navigate among the icebergs in the fjord in Tasiilaq. A local guide will teach you the basic paddle techniques and off you go into the Arctic bright night.
Available from Tasiilaq in July and August.
Guided evening paddle (2 hours)
Price from: 110 Euros per person
Contact us to set it up: booking@greenland.is
ICE CAP GLACIER HIKE
One thing is seeing icebergs floating in the waters, or a glacier from a boat. Another would be to hike on it, and feel it, and smell it, and hear it. This full day Ice Cap Hike starts with a 1 hour boat ride to the Ice Cap, and then a hike up to the plateu where the view is just amazing. A certified glacier guide will teach you the does and don’ts of walking on the ice and provide the gear neceissary.
Available from Kulusuk and Tasiilaq, in July and August.
Full day (7-8 hours) hike tour
Price from: 335 Euros per person
Contact us to set it up: booking@greenland.is
ICE CAVE TOUR
You could get even closer to the glacier than hiking on it or sailing around it. You can go inside it! There is a beautiful and safe ice cave not far from Kulusuk and Tasiilaq. A short boatride to the glacier, and a short hike on the ice will bring you into the heart of the glacier. A certified glacier guide will teach you the does and don’ts of walking on the ice and provide the gear neceissary.
Available from Kulusuk and Tasiilaq. in July and August.
5-6 hours
Price from: 240 Euros per person
Contact us to set it up: booking@greenland.is
SØMANDSFJELDET HIKE
Mt. Sømandsfjeldet (or the Sea-Man’s mountain) rises 679 m above the village of Tasiilaq. A hike up the steep hils will be rewarded with a magnificent view over the village and the surrounding little islands in Ammassalik.
Available from Tasiilaq, in July and August.
Guided hike (4-5 hours)
Price from: 110 Euros per person
Contact us to set it up: booking@greenland.is
WHALE SAFARI
August and September is when the whales come to East Greenland. Minkey whales, humbacks and finwhales are just a few of the species you could spot on an evening tour around Tasiilaq. Seeing these magical creatures offers a new scale of size.
Available from Tasiilaq, in August and September.
2-3 hour evening sailing tour
Price from: 110 Euros per person
Contact us to set it up: booking@greenland.is
EXTRA BOAT TOUR
There are so many places to visit and things to see that there is always another boat tour to join. Knud Rasmussen glacier and the US army base in Ikatek, the hunting village Tiniteqilaq and the ice fjord, or Johan Petersen fjord with its spectacular glacier toungs and marine while life.
Available from Tasiilaq, from June to September, depending on ice conditions.
2-3 hour evening sailing tour
Price from: 110 Euros per person
Contact us to set it up: booking@greenland.is
KULUSUK VILLAGE WALK
All tours start and end in Kulusuk, as this is where the airport is. You could therefore always join our daytour there and get a better inisight into the life in a small village, visit a small folk museum and get to see the traditional way of Inuit storytelling.
This tour is run in connection with the flight from Reykjavík so many people just come for the 4 hours. You can see a video from the tour here.
Available from Kulusuk, from June to September.
4 hour walking tour
Price: 105 Euros per person
Contact us to set it up: booking@greenland.is
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:
Other gear:
Optional gear:
Should you have any questions regarding this equipment list or the equipment on our tours feel free to contact booking@greenland.is
| Tour Dates | Availability | Language | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07.07 – 11.07 2018 | Confirmed Departure |
English | Request this date |
| 11.07 – 15.07 2018 | Confirmed Departure |
English | Request this date |
| 15.07 – 19.07 2018 | Confirmed Departure |
English | Request this date |
| 18.07 – 22.07 2018 | One needed to confirm departure |
English | Request this date |
| 22.07 – 26.07 2018 | Confirmed Departure |
English | Request this date |
| 25.07 – 29.07 2018 | Confirmed Departure |
English | Request this date |
| 28.07 – 01.08 2018 | Confirmed Departure |
English | Request this date |
| 01.08 – 05.08 2018 | Confirmed Departure |
English | Request this date |
| 05.08 – 09.08 2018 | Confirmed Departure |
English | Request this date |
