Profound back country backpacking in Greeland

• Tour Description

  Highlights of the Tour

  • Backpacking by the Icefjord
  • Greenland Ice cap view
  • Remote Inuit Village

  Profound back country backpacking in Greenland

  Take the ultimate East Greenland backpacking trip. This tour truly offers every challenge of good backpacking with trails crossing narrow valleys and fjords, high granite peaks that seemingly rise straight from the sea to the sky, as well as fantastic views from beautiful camps. The tour takes place in the mountains just East of the Sermilik ice fjord, a place only accessible by foot. at this point we will be able to uncover fragile flora and the bird life of the Arctic. We also explore the ever so popular enormous amounts of icebergs and drift ice of the Sermilik, also known as the Ice fjord! Our walk takes us past beautiful lakes and rivers, along the coast of ice filled fjords where the mountains are reflected in the still water of the Arctic summer. We continue on to visit the hunter´s villages of Tiniteqilaq, Kulusuk village, and the regional capital Tasiilaq (2000 inhabitants). During the backpacking, we carry provisions for 3 to 4 days at a time, assuring a reasonable limit to the weight of our backpacks.

  Note: During the backpacking, we carry provisions for 3 to 4 days at a time, assuring a reasonable limit to the weight of our backpacks.

  Tour Type: Backpacking in tents
  Total Walking Distance: 100 kilometers (62 miles)
  Altitude: 0 - 700 meters (0 -2295 feet)
  Maximum Ascent: 700 meters (2295 feet)

  Included: Guide for 12 days, breakfast (11), lunch (12), dinner (11), boat transfers, tents (8 nights), cooking gear, 2 nights in a Gueshouse in Tasiilaq and 1 night in a hostel in Kulusuk.

  Not included: Flights to/from Kulusuk (can be added on the first and last day of the trip). The price for flight is from 770 Euros and is subject to availability.

  Available Upon Request: Four-star accommodation in Reykjavík - please contact us for more information.

  Private groups & tailor-made tours
  Create the ultimate Greenlandic adventure for your group. You can choose to make one of our pre-existing intineraries a private tour or our travel experts can help you design a completely customized adventure from scratch to meet your group’s wants and needs. Our knowledgeable and friendly guides will ensure that your group has a fun and unique experience during your time in Greenland. Please send your group’s size, preferred dates and desired activities to [email protected]. We look forward to helping you create an adventure of a lifetime.

  If you have questions, please check our FAQs. If you do not find the answer please contact us: [email protected]

• Tour Itinerary

  Day 1: Reykjavik - Kulusuk - Ammassalik Fjord - Fjord Qingertivaq
  The tour starts at the domestic airport in Reykjavik where we take the flight to Kulusuk. To get to our destination, the Ammassalik fjord, a deep fjord that is over 50 km long, we transfer by boat that takes us between the mountainous islands of the East coast. A short stop will be made at the Inuit village of Kuumiiut located at the end of a peninsula before continuing into the fjord of Qingertivaq. Now we find ourselves in a narrow fjord, (just one kilometer wide for nearly 20 km) on mirror calm seas, dominated by immense granite mountain walls reaching 1500 m! Arriving at the bottom of the fjord, we disembark and set up the camp on the shore by the foot of a glacier tongue that plunges towards us from the plateau above.
  
  Day 2: Qingertivaq - Sermilik fjord
  Today we head up the valley, treading among high mountains and along the lake that bears the name Qinngertuup Imia (Lake of Trout). This is a place where the Inuit come during spring and fall to catch the arctic char. Around us we have impressive view of granitic peaks and glaciers that fall straight down between them. Continuing up over a large pass we have to wade a river of respectable size before we can begin our slight descent into the next valley towards the Sermilik fjord. We will set up camp for the night near the sea.
  Walking: 6-7 hours    Ascent/descent: 100 m
  
  Day 3: Sermilik fjord– Ikerasaalaq
  A great day spent at the edge of the vast fjord Sermilik (about 7 km wide) a majestic fjord cluttered with icebergs of all shape and sizes. The fjord receives huge amount of ice from the Greenland ice sheet that covers the most of the country, and its dazzling whiteness can also be seen overlooking the mountainous landscape. Throughout the day we head south along the banks of a river and we also have a good chance to see seals. Despite the beauty of the place it is not difficult to imagine the difficulty surviving the long months of polar winter at such a remote location. We set up camp in the Sapulik bay.
  Walking: 7 hours      Ascent/descent: 100 m
  
  Day 4: Sapulik -  Lake 13  
  After walking around Sapulik bay, our path turns away from the coast up along a valley following some lakes and rivers. We continue until we come to the bottom of the fjord Amitsivattiva, a truly incredible location! The fjord is so tight that it more looks like a crack in the granite wall than a 5 km long fjord with its slopes rising up several hundred meters while it is only a few dozen meters wide. We set up camp near the top opening of the fjord.
  Walking: 5 hours   Ascent/descent: 100 m
  
  Day 5: Amitsivattiva fjord - Tiniteqilaq 
  An exciting day you will remember all your life. We climb the high ground dominating the camp and, once up, turn south following a ridge that turns into a narrow peninsula, that extends into the sea. The ridge is located more than 400m above the water and the panorama is extraordinary. To our left we have a view of the fjord separating the island Ammasalik from the mainland and to our right a view to the ocean and impressive mountains that emerge from the summit of the glaciers. At the end of the day we go down to the forefront of the peninsula to reach the hunters village of Tiniteqilâq where we camp close by.
  Walking: 8 hours   Ascent and descent: 400 m
  
  Day 6: Tiniteqilâq
  Our day starts with a morning visit of the village of Tiniteqilâq. In the early afternoon, a boat picks us up to cross the channel between the mainland and the island of Ammasalik where we continue our journey by foot. Climbing the gentle slopes to about 300 m altitude, we find an ideal point to set up the camp with a beautiful view over the Sermilik fjord and Tiniteqilâq.
  Walking: 4 hours   Ascent: 300 m
  
  Day 7: Crossing of Ammassalik Island 
  Here the scenery changes completely. To cross the island we take the high road through a landscape of granite domes that were formed by glacial erosion. Following a small glacier we then descend into a valley filled with small lakes. At one point, we will come across a unique sight where large blocks of granite, sometimes reaching several meters in diameter, lie scattered on the ground reminding us that the glacier was still here not so long ago. We set up the camp on a small green area next to a small river.
  Walking: 7-8 hours     Ascent: 400 m Descent: 700 m
  
  Day 8: The 4 Qorlortoq Lakes
  Continuing our journey we reach the Qorlortoq Lakes in the middle of the island. Around the lakes we will most certainly meet the inhabitants of these parts of the island, Red-Throated Loons and Great Northern Loons ( aquatic birds) and on the lake's surface trout can most definitely be seen see jumping. As we get closer to the sea we will how the arctic vegetation becomes more dense. We set up the camp at the bottom of Kong Oscar Havn that in fact is more like a lagoon, connected to the ocean by only a short strait.
  Walking: 7-8 hours     Descent: 100 m
  
  Day 9: Tasiilaq
  A short morning’s hike towards Tasiilaq, the capital of East Greenland with 1800 inhabitants. In the afternoon we visit the village including the artisan center where people work seal skins and the local museum where we will get insight into the interesting culture of the Inuit. Night in a guest house in Tasiilaq.
  Walking: 3 hours
  
  Day 10: Somandsfjell- Flower valley Tasiilaq
  Today we hike up the 600+ high Somandsfjell mountain for a great view of the surroundings. On the way back we come down through the Flower valley. Night in a guest house.
  Walking: 6 hours     Ascent/Descent: 600 m
  
  Day 11: Tasiilaq- Kulusuk 
  We take the boat from Tasiilaq to Kulusuk island. There we walk to Cap Dan where during the cold war there used to be a radar station. Fantastic view over the drift ice and the Kulusuk coast. Night in a hostel in Kulusuk.
  
  Day 12: Kulusuk – Reykjavík
  In the morning we visit the village of Cap Dan before heading to the airport for our flight back to Reykjavík. Arrival in Iceland in the afternoon.

• Equipment List

  Backpacking Tours in Greenland

  -Equipment list for Backpacking Tours in Greenland

  Boots and clothing:

  • Sturdy Hiking Boots – waterproof with good ankle support. 
  • Long sleeve shirt (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic. 
  • T-shirt (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic. 
  • Light wool or fleece sweater (2nd layer).
  • Trousers – Strong and light material that dries quickly e.g. soft-shell. 
  • Jacket with a good hood – windproof, waterproof and breathable. 
  • Puffy jacket (e.g. Primaloft or down). 
  • Rain trousers – windproof, waterproof and breathable. Please note that full raingear is mandatory. 
  • Gloves 1 – 2 pairs – Wool or synthetic (polypropylene / polyester). 
  • Socks – Wool or synthetic. Two or three pairs. 
  • Warm hat – Wool or synthetic. 
  • Long Johns (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic.
  • Warm jacket/sweater – Wool or fleece (3rd layer).

  Other gear:

  • Backpack – (woman size: 50-60 litres - man size: 60-75 litres) – note that each guest will need about 15 – 20L of space free for food, tents and other communal gear. 
  • River shoes – Walking sandals or old running shoes with a good grip are a good choice, along with a pair of warm socks or neoprene socks. Open sandals or flip-flops will not do the job. 
  • Walking pole(s).
  • Sleeping bag – Down or fibre. Light weight and warm. We recommend goose down with high “fill power” or top of the line synthetic bags, 3 or 4 seasons.
  • Insulation mattress.
  • Toothbrush.
  • Towel – light weight and packable. 
  • Sunglasses & sun protection. 
  • Change of clothes – e.g. long and short underwear.
  • Water container – thermos flask or water bottle 0,5 – 1L. 
  • Camera, spare batteries and a memory card or films.
  • Personal first aid kit – including blister care. 
  • Prescription medication and other personal health items.
  • Toiletries; toothbrush, toothpaste, soap etc. 
  • Protection against flies (mosquitos); such at nets, repellents, etc.

  Optional gear:

  • Gaiters
  • Neoprene socks – highly recommended for river crossings. 
  • Pen knife. 
  • Sun/rain Hat or a Cap. Shorts
  • Thermal mat (for lunch breaks). 
  • Camera, spare batteries and a memory card or films.
  • Dry-bags for electronics and extra clothing. 
  • Heart-warming spirits.

  We provide 

  • Tents
  • Cooking gear

  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.

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

• Map