Tour type: Dog sledding discovery tour with traditional experiences
What’s included: Helicopter transfer, 4 days of dogsledding, 1 day of snowshoeing, accommodation, full board.
Departures: March and April
Duration: 8 days
Accommodation: Guest house and huts
Group size: 4 – 8 participants
Language: English
8 day dog sledding adventure on Ammassalik Island
East Greenland is probably the most isolated part of this great country. It is also a place where old traditions are still very much upheld. The way of life primarily requires hunting and ice fishing in the winter, coupled with dogsledding as the means of transportation. For visitors dog sledding is a great way to experience the magnificent unspoiled landscape of this isolated area as well as get a feel for the traditional arctic way of life. On this tour we will set out from Tasiilaq for a tour of the Ammassalik Island. We will see the Sermilik ice fjord, visit the small settlement of Tiniteqilaaq where we will dine with a local family. Before turning back through the middle of the Ammassalik Island to Tasiilaq. There we have time to visit the town or to go on an (optional) snow-shoe hike to the valley of flowers. This is a tour that takes you deep into the arctic world of East Greenland.
Included: Helicopter transfer, pick up in Tasiilaq, 4 days of guided dogsledding (two persons per sled), 1 day of guided snowshoeing, full board. 3 nights in guesthouse in Tasiilaq, 3 nights in huts and 1 nights in sleeping bag accommodation in Tiniteqilaaq (you can take up to 10 kg of luggage on the sled with you), snow suit for the dogsled tour, snowshoes.
Read about Pam’s exhilarating dog sledding adventure with us in the winter of 2016.
Not included: Flight from Reykjavík – Kulusuk – Reykjavik (can be added on the first and last day of the trip), Personal equipment, insurance and expenses.
Flight rate for Reykjavik-Kulusuk-Reykjavik depends on the available flight seat on the concerned date.
If you have more questions, please check our FAQs. If you do not find the answer please contact us: booking@greenland.is
For a shorter dog sled adventure check out our self guided tour Ice, Dogs and Norrthern Lights.
Day 1: Reykjavík – Kulusuk – Tasiilaq
The tour starts at Reykjavík airport where one of our guides will meet you for a short briefing. You will then board the plane for the 2 hour flight to Kulusuk. From Kulusuk you take the helicopter over to Tasiilaq on Ammassalik island where you will be met by our local partner who will take you to your accommodation. Free evening in Tasiilaq.
Night in guest house.
Day 2: Tasiilaq – The Sermilik Coast
Today we’re head out so get ready for the big adventure! Your will be picked up at the guest house and taken to the outskirts of Tasiilaq where our dog team is waiting. The guide will show you the basics of dog sledding, and how to behave with the dogs. With 2 persons per sledge, we will then head, north over King Oscars fjord and up to the big lake Qordlortoq between the granite mountain ranges. There we have short break before continuing to a place called the coffee shop. This is not really a shop though, but a gathering of a few huts in the middle of the Ammassalik island, where everyone travelling on dogsled or snowmobile usually takes a break, to drink a coffee or have a snack. Turning west in the direction of the Sermilik fjord, we head on through the snow-covered landscape and up to an altitude of 500m. From this altitude we have a spectacular view over the Sermilik Ice fjord. Our dogs then take us downhill through a beautiful riverbed to the small cabins that will serve as our base for the next two nights. Sitting on the edge of the Ice fjord we will have view over the fjord and the ice.
Night in a cabin. Sleeping bag accommodation.
Dog sledging: 6 hours total
Day 3: The Sermilik Coast
Today will be devoted to the exploration of the surrounding area and peaks. We will venture out up on a close by peak (in snowshoes), in an attempt to get a superb view of the Sermilik Ice fjord and the great Greenland Icecap across the fjord on the horizon. How far and high we will be able to go depends on the snow conditions but none the less this day is certain to be an adventure!
Night at the same cabin.
Snow shoeing: 4-6 hours
Day 4: The Sermilik Coast – Tiniteqilaaq
After a hearty breakfast we pack up our sledges and head up along the coast towards the north and to the small settlement of Tiniteqilaaq (approx 125 hab.). Here we have time to visit the village and get some insight in to the Inuit way of life in these harsh arctic conditions. We will spend the night in sleeping bag accommodation at a house in the settlement with basic facilities (shower is in the local service house).
Dog sledging: 4 hours
Day 5: Tiniteqilaaq – Pitserpaajik
Today we start our way back south. We go over the straight that separates Tiniteqilaaq and Ammassalik Island and turn slightly east into a valley that is a riverbed. The ride down this riverbed is one of the most beautiful on the island. On both sides we are surrounded by peaks and glaciers as we speed over the snowfields. Our route takes us over a fjord and all the way down to Pitserpaajik peninsula where a hut awaits us.
Night in a hut or in tents which can actually be warmer. The hut is used for preparing meals and eating).
Dog sledging: 6 hours
Day 6: Pitserpaajik – Tasiilaq
From the Pitserpaajik peninsula we head west in the direction of the lakes. Our way then takes us over the snow straight through Ammassalik Island until we come back to the town of Tasiilaq. After leaving the sledges and saying goodbye to the dog teams you will be taken back to your accommodation. Night in guest house.
Dog sledging: 6 hours
Day 7: Tasiilaq
Free day to explore the town of Tasiilaq or go for an optional tour on snowshoes to the valley of Flowers. The town of Tasiilaq is the administrative center of East Greenland. It has an interesting museum and some shops. Above the town lies the valley of Flowers in its winter coat offering an opportunity to enjoy a snow hike in the arctic environment up to a view point over the town.
Night in guest house.
Day 8: Tasiilaq – Kulusuk – Reykjavik
After saying farewell to all we have a helicopter transfer to Kulusuk, where we get on our flight back to Reykjavík where the tour ends at the airport.
NB. It is likely that you will see northern lights during your stay, but we can of course not guarantee it as it depends on the aurora activity and the cloud cover in the area.
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.
The winter in Greenland is cold but dry. You should prepare for this before your arrival. Make sure you bring plenty of warm clothing. The different layers need to be worn together so your outer layers should be roomy enough to accommodate plenty of insulating layers underneath. Make sure that you are able to cover any exposed skin (face mask / buff & ski-goggles). After the face, hands and feet are most prone to cold injuries, so a selection of good gloves and mittens is an absolute must as well as good insulated polar-boots. An insulated overall is included in our dog sledding tours, a sleeping bag and polar boots can be rented through booking@greenland.is
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| 27.02 – 06.03 2019 | Available | Request this date |
| 06.03 – 13.03 2019 | Available | Request this date |
| 13.03 – 20.03 2019 | Available | Request this date |
| 20.03 – 27.03 2019 | Available | Request this date |
| 03.04 – 10.04 2019 | Available | Request this date |
| 10.04 – 17.04 2019 | Available | Request this date |
| 17.04 – 24.04 2019 | Available | Request this date |
