Dog Sledding in Greenland!

• Tour Description

  Highlights of the Tour

  • Dog Sledding in the Arctic Wilderness
  • Great Chances of Northern Lights
  • Snowshoe hike

  Dogsledding Greenland's Beautiful Winter World

  In the winter, East Greenland turns into a white winter world where snow-covered mountains and frozen fjords set their mark on the landscape. These fascinating surroundings are the destination of this 5 day winter tour. Here we will visit the island of Ammassalik, the town of Tasiilaq being our first destination. To get a better insight into what the arctic really feels like and the Inuit way of life, we will go on a 2 day dog sledge tour through Ammasalik Island. After returning back to Tasiilaq from the dog sledge adventure, you’ll have the option of another day out, this time on snow scooter to visit the nearest settlement to Tasiilaq, Tiniteqilaaq or to go see a glacier. You can also choose to go on a half day guided snowshoe hike or even explore the town of Tasiilaq on your own.

  The dogs are original Greenlandic dogs, a breed that evolved in East Greenland specifically for pulling sledges. The sledge dogs are top athletes full of energy and for them pulling is a necessity. They all have their distinctive personality and play a key role on the team that pulls the sledge.

  Included: Flights, helicopter transfers, airport taxes, 3 nights in a house in Tasiilaq, dogsled tour 2 days, with full board. You can take up to 10 kg of luggage for the dogsled tour.
  
  Not included: Flight from Reykjavík - Kulusuk - Reykjavik (can be added on the first and last day of the trip), Sleeping bag for the dogsled tour (can be rentet. Acc. in a basic hut, mountain style, on the west side of Ammassalik Island).  Personal equipment, insurance and expenses.

  Flights for Reykjavik-Kulusuk-Reykjavik are from 753 Euros. The price depends on the available flight seat on the concerned date.

  Single supplement: 115 Euros  
  
  Optional: Snow shoe tour to the Flower Valley or snowmobile tours.
  
  Departures: Private tours can be arranged with departure Saturday-Saturday. Contact us for other available dates.
  
  
  If you have more questions, please check our FAQs. If you do not find the answer please contact us: [email protected]
  

• Tour Itinerary

  Day 1: Reykjavík - Kulusuk - Tasiilaq
  Arrival in Tasiilaq and pick up at the Heliport.
  Lodging in houses, information meeting. The rest of the day you are free to take a look around Tasiilaq
  Supper in the house for all guests. A local chef will come and cook.
  
  Day 2: Tasiilaq - Sermilik Fjord
  Departure up through Ammassalik island to the Coffee Bar, the name is due to this being the location, where everyone stops for coffee break as it is in the middle of the island.
  After the break we turn towards the Sermilik fjord, we crawl to 500 meters to the top of the mountain, which leads us down through a river bed. The view on the trip is fantastic, you can see the ice fjord and the ice sheet in the horizon.
  Down the mountain we go until we come to a valley. Here we turn up a mountain into another valley, which leads us all the way down to the fjord. At the edge of the fjord, we will find the hut, in which we will spend the night. The view is spectacular with icebergs frosen into the ice.
  If you wish, we can walk up the mountain on snowshoes to get a 360 degrees view of the entire area.
  In the evening we will have a solid supper.
  Dog sledging: 6-8 hours
  
  Day 3: Crossing Ammassalik Island
  Today we pack our gear and head back to Tasiilaq, over glaciers and snowfields of Ammassalik Island.  Arrival in Tasiilaq in the late afternoon. Evening free. Night in Tasiilaq.
  Dog sledging: 6-8 hours

  Day 4: Optional activities
  Today you have several options to choose from. Go snowmobiling and let the driver show you places that the dog sledge cannot take you to see. Go on a full day adventure to a nearby village, Tinit, with only 120 inhabitants, who more or less survive on hunting. A boat tour between icebergs is optional from the village. You can also take half a day of snowmobiling and go to see a glacier and other great view points. It is a fantastic trips, which shows another part of Ammassalik than the dog sledging trip. 
  You also have the option of joining a guided snowshoe hike (3-4h) in the Tasiilaq area or go exploring the town of Tasiilaq on your own. 
  In the evening there will be a farewell dinner for all participants.

  Day 5: Tasiilaq - Kulusuk - Reykjavík
  After saying our goodbyes we have a transfer to the heliport in Tasiilaq. From there you fly to Kulusuk, where we get on your flight back to Reykjavík where this tour ends.

• Equipment List

  Dog Sledding - Greenland

  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, a sleeping bag and polar boots can be rented through [email protected]

  Boots and clothing:

  • Insulated boots; can be rented
  • Sorel or comparable made for extreme cold. Roomy enough to wear thick socks underneath and still have good room for toes
  • Thermal underwear shirt & long-johns – preferably wool
  • Thick wool or fleece sweater/jacket
  • Possibly two of different thickness that can be worn together
  • Trousers – thick softshell or fleece pants
  • Jacket with a good hood – windproof, and breathable
  • Gore-Tex or similar – big enough so that multiple layers of insulation can be worn underneath
  • Insulated jacket, ski-jacket or down jacket that fits over other layers
  • An insulated overall is also available on location, free of charge
  • Over-pants – windproof and breathable
  • Gore-Tex or similar – big enough so that multiple layers of insulation can be worn underneath
  • Insulated over pants, e.g. ski-pants
  • An insulated overall is also available on location, free of charge
  • Ski-gloves; 2 – 3 pairs of warm windproof gloves
  • Mittens; Large and well insulated expedition mittens
  • Down, fleece of fibre insulation – wind and waterproof, Consider bringing 2 pairs of different weight
  • Linger gloves, thin fleece or wool gloves that can be worn under mittens or ski gloves
  • Socks – Wool or synthetic socks, thick – few pairs
  • Warm hat – Wool or synthetic
  • Balaclava – fleece or wool that can be used to cover the face also
  • Warm jacket/sweater – Wool or fleece (3rd layer)

  Other gear:

  • Backpack – small pack for gear you will need to access during the day
  • Duffel bag – for your gear. Max weight 10kg. Hard suitcases are not permitted
  • Sleeping bag – a warm 4 season sleeping bag
  • A sleeping bag can be rented
  • Ski-goggles
  • Towel – light weight and packable
  • Sunglasses & sun protection
  • Change of clothes – e.g. long and short underwear
  • Water container – thermos flask 1L
  • Head lamp
  • Camera, spare batteries and a memory card or films
  • Prescription medication and other personal health items
  • Toiletries; toothbrush, toothpaste, soap etc.
  • Lip balm and hand cream (not water based), the fatter the better. This will keep your lips and skin healthy in the cold & dry climate

  Optional gear:

  • Buff or scarf for protecting your neck and face
  • Gaiters
  • Pen knife
  • Earplugs
  • Heart-warming spirits
  • Slippers for indoor use
  • Power bank / Solar Phone Chargers
  • Book

  Should you have any questions regarding this equipment list or the equipment on our tours feel free to contact [email protected]