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Appetizer — see zoom edition on maps.google.com
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Day 1. Copenhagen — Qeqertarsuaq
We take the flight from Copenhagen to Aasiaat via Kangerlussuaq. After arrival to Aasiaat we continue by helicopter to Qeqertarsuaq. From the helicopter we have an impressive view of the Greenlandic mountains, the ice cap and the enormous icebergs in the Disko Bay below us. Upon arrival in Qeqertarsuaq we check in at our hotel. After dinner the tour leader will inform you about the tour in general and the dog sledge part in particular. Seal skin clothing and boots will be handed out for those who would like to rent it. -/-/D
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Day 2. By dogsledge to the settlement of Kangerluk
After breakfast the sledge dogs are harnessed and we are ready for our first day on the sledges. The departure signal is given from Qeqertarsuaq towards Kangerluk at the Diskobay, a sledge ride of approximately 45 km. The dogs are impatient and their instincts for pulling the sledges are finally met. It is a very special experience to go by dog sledge, the silence is amazing. The silence is only interrupted by the commands of the sledge driver and the hard working dogs trying to follow orders more or less willingly. During a day on a dog sledge the sounds of the dog’s breathing and the driver’s commands become a part of a great experience of nature. The track down to the fiord is called “Majoren", we might have to get off the sledges and walk for a while - for safety reasons. Down at the frozen fiord we ride along the coastline and enjoy the snow-covered landscape. We will find a spot on the way to have our packed lunch. In the afternoon we will arrive to the small settlement of Kangerluk. About 50 inhabitants live here. We have dinner in the village hall, and after that spend the night in local houses with the local Greenlandic families. This time of year there are good chances of seeing the colorful phenomenon of northern light (aurora borealis). It is an overwhelming sight. B/L/D
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Day 3. Kangerluk — Disko Bay
In the morning we will gather on the sea ice in front of the store where the sledges will be ready for departure. Today we will be dog sledding for some hours. The route is planned from day to day according to the weather and ice conditions - normal procedure on the tour. As the sledges are not carrying any luggage and supplies today, we will be able to ride faster than usual. Later on we will find a nice spot to have a picnic. If we are lucky, we might see the “Itoq" — ring seals at the sea ice by their breathing holes or grouses on land feeding on the seeds of angelica. After the sledge ride the rest of the day is at your own disposal in Kangerluk and its surroundings. Here you have the opportunity of experiencing everyday life in one of Greenland’s smallest settlements. You can visit the school and church which are constructed in the same building. Maybe one of the Inuit hunters brings home a seal to the settlement and you have the opportunity to see the pray being cut up in the traditional way. Dinner is served in the village hall where many of the locals come too, and you can hear about the very different life style in this part of the world. B/L/D
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Day 4. Kangerluk — Qeqertarsuaq
We say goodbye to Kangerluk and the Disko Fiord and continue on our sledges through the valley of "Blæsedalen" to Qeqertarsuaq. We have a long climb from the fiord before we arrive in the actual valley. Depending on the snow conditions we might have to walk a little along the sides of the sledges. We take a break for picnic at the ridge with a view over the fantastic landscape we have been going through the past days. The dogs know now that they are on their way home; thus they speed up the pace because this also means a good solid meal for them back in the village. Slowly we are beginning to understand the power and rhythm of the dogs, it is very fascinating to observe the ranking in between the dogs, the pack-leader and the wing-dogs cooperating with the driver. The silent days pass by to now familiar sounds of scraping sledges, the crack of the dog whip and the breathing of the dogs. We return to Qeqertarsuaq in the afternoon. B/L/D
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Day 5. By snowmobile to the Lyngmark glacier
Today we will leave by snowmobile to the Lyngmark glacier — a fantastic ride to more than 1000 altitude-meters. Up here an amazing panorama awaits us with views to places more than 100 km away. In clear weather you can see the ice front at the mouth of the Iulissat Ice Fiord. We spend the night in a hut on the glacier giving us the opportunity to sense this magnificent place. The afternoon will give us time to go on exploration and enjoy the silence of these unique surroundings or maybe even try out the construction of an igloo. B/L/D
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Day 6. Visit to the Arctic Research Station
Before noon we will be transported back to Qeqertarsuaq on the snowmobiles. The dog sledge is the favourite means of transportation in Greenland but this motorized vehicle is also gaining a footing today. It is perfect for transportation of passengers and equipment but for fishing and hunting the dog sledge is still second to none. We relax in the town and we might swing by the Arctic Research Station (not included in the package prize) that is used by Danish students and scientists of botany, biology, geology and glaciology. Originally it was Knud Rasmussen that raised the funds for the station, but in 1953 the Arctic Research Station was handed over to the University of Copenhagen. The Arctic Research Station celebrated a 100 years anniversary in 2006. We enjoy the evening back in civilization. B/-/-
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Day 7. Our last day on the dog sledge
We pack and get our equipment for the day strapped on to the sledges, ready again for a sledge ride — the last on this tour. As usual the weather and ice conditions determine the route today. One of the side valleys next to the valley of ‘Blæsedalen’ is almost always passable, and if the sea ice is good, we may choose to take the route this way. It will be another exciting day with plenty of fresh air and beautiful scenery. A small trip to the look-out ‘Udkiggen’ is also a possibility. From here you may have the chance of spotting the impressive Greenlandic whales that are often seen near the Disko Island in spring time. Qeqertarsuaq has also got a small museum; among many things here you can see a number of original drawings made by Jacob Danielsen, born in Kangerluk. B/L/-
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Day 8. Enormous icebergs at Ilulissat
After these days of adventure on the Disko Island we leave Qeqertarsuaq by helicopter. A magnificent flight that takes us from the volcanic island with all its steep basalt rocks and over the impressive bay to Ilulissat, the third-largest city in Greenland. Here you can see the enormous giants of icebergs that are pushed out from the Kangia ice fiord into the bay close to Ilulissat. The ice is pushed through the 60 kilometres long ice fiord and at the mouth it strands and lies on a moraine at the bottom of approx. 300 meters depth. The view from the helicopter is stunning and this flight will be stuck in your memory for a long time. After arrival to Ilulissat we check in at the hotel beautifully located with a view of the Disko Bay.
In the afternoon a hike to the valley of Sermermiut is on the agenda. This place has now been excavated and was an ancient settlement, populated by the early Paleo-eskimoes, the Saqqaq-culture. Also the subsequent Thule-culture settled here. We cross the snow-covered valley and continue towards the peninsula and the cliffs jutting into the icefiord where we will also visit Kællingekløften — also known as “the Suicide Gorge". In the morning we saw the icebergs from the air; today we will experience the impressive sight of these gigantic chatedrals of ice close by from the landside. If extra time, one could pay a visit to the Ilulissat Museum, the birth place of the famous polar explorer Knud Rasmussen and/or the Arts Museum. This is also the last chance for buing a true greenlandic souvenir. B/-/-
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Day 9. Ilulissat — Copenhagen
Today is departure day and we say goodbye to this great and wonderful Arctic country and take the flight to Kangerlussuaq and from there back to Copenhagen. B/
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Meals
Meals included are marked with B (breakfast), L (lunch), and D (dinner). Meals not included are marked with —
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Accommodation
We will be accommodated in local houses in Kangerluk, in a hut on the Lyngmark glacier, a hotel in Qeqertarsuaq and a hotel in Ilulissat. The standard of the accommodation varies a lot on this tour, from a nice hotel to more primitive facilities. In Kangerluk we stay at places where the restroom facilities are made of an earth closet, common in most of the settlements in Greenland.
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International departure
This trip is sold internationally, which makes it possible for non-Danes to book the tour. In that case the tour will be conducted in both Danish and English by a Danish tourleader.
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General information on dog sledge transportation
To keep you safe from accidents and hypothermia and to secure an ideal ride on dog sledge it is important to have these few rules in mind.
- The sledge driver will often run next to the sledge or “hang" over the railing in the rear of the sledge. In most cases the sledge driver will sit in front of the sledge to make it easy for him to get on and off. Therefore the passengers sit in the rear end of the sledge.
Passengers are faced in the driving direction.
- If you pass flat terrain you can shift position and sit across the sledge.
- Place your legs on the sledge to prevent your feet from hitting rocks and ice.
- In rough terrain or up hill, hold on to the wire/ropes on the sledge. NEVER hold on to the side of the sledge as this can cause injuries to your fingers if they are caught under the sledge.
- In rough terrain you can help the sledge driver with the balance by leaning to the opposite side of where the sledge heels to.
- When driving on ice you will now and then pass cravasses in the ice. It is important to stay on the sledge (unless the driver gives other specific information) as it is usually easier to pass these cravasses sitting on the sledge.
- During steep ascents it may be necessary to step of the sledge and walk next to it until the ascent has been passed.
- If it is cold you should now and then step off the sledge to run/walk next to it.
- Never approach the dogs without permission from the driver.
- Never give leftovers from lunchboxes to the dogs.
- Always use sunglasses and remember sun lotion with high factor. The sun lotion should not be water based due to the frost.
- Camera and video equipment is best kept underneath the clothes to secure the batteries against the cold.
- Food is best kept underneath the jacket or packed in between clothes where it can be kept frost-proof.
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Duration
9 days, 4 on dog sledge (grade 1-2) and 2 trips by snowmobile.
1 days in Ilulissat.
2 helicopter trips (Aasiaat — Qeqertarsuaq; Qeqertarsuaq — Ilulissat)
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Climate
In the Ilulissat area the 24-hour average temperature in February, March and April is between -14°C and -18°C. The nights can be colder, as low as -30 °C, but during the day the sun and the dry air give the impression of warmer temperatures than is actually the case. This time of year the weather is usually very clear with good visibility and excellent chances of seeing northern light in the evening.
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Electricity
There are only a few opportunities for charging batteries on this trip. Bring plenty of spare batteries.
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Mobile phones
There is sparse roaming and coverage on this tour. Thus it is only possible to use mobile phones in certain areas. In general we ask you not to use mobile phones when with the group. Please only use your mobile phone for text messages and conversation when you are not with the group.
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Maps
Saga Map nr. 11, Qeqertarsuaq — Disko. 1:250.000 and hiking map North Greenland. Ilulissat 1:100.000 can be bought at Nordisk Korthandel, Studiestræde 26-30, Copenhagen. Tel. +45 33 38 26 38, www.greenland-guide.gl
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Number of participants
The tour will be conducted with 7-15 persons.
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Currency:
The currency is Danish kroner (DKK) in Greenland. Cash is always good, but credit cards as Visa are also accepted in many shops.
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The price includes
Flight: Copenhagen — Kangerlussuaq return
Flight: Kangerlussuaq — Aasiaat
Helicopter trip: Aasiaat — Qeqertarsuaq
Helicopter trip: Qeqertarsuaq - Ilulissat
Flight: Ilulissat — Kangerlussuaq
English-speaking Danish tourleader
Accommodation all nights
Overnight at a hut at the Lyngmarksbræ glacier
4 days of dog sledge ride
Greenlandic dog sledge drivers and approx. 12 —14 dogs — two guests per sledge
2 trips by snowmobile
Included meals as indicated under each day
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Not included
Personal travelling expenses for souvenirs, maps, drinks and beverages etc.
Allow approx. 500-600 DKK all together for the meals which are not included
Rental of warm winter clothing (sealskin) for dog sledge rides, allow approx. 450 DKK.
Entrance fees to museums etc.
Entrance fee to the Arctic Station (approx. DKK 150)
Cancellation and travel insurances
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Please note:
The program is subject to alteration. A trip like this is very dependent on weather conditions; such as changes concerning wind, precipitation and ice. As a consequence of this some delays or cancellations of some parts of the program may occur, especially those that concern flight or boat transportation. No compensation will be offered within the first 24 hours of delay or change of program due to circumstances that can not be influenced by Topas. Your tourleader will aim to lessen the inconveniences and fill out the time with an alternative program.
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