Please book your trip to Greenland here!
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Dogsled at the rim of the Icecap, Diskobay
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| 23.03.2010 - 30.03.2010 |
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| 30.03.2010 - 06.04.2010 |
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| EUR 2,600.00 |
Itinerary
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Day 1
Fly from Copenhagen via Kangerlussuaq to Ilulissat |
Day 2
The dog sledding adventure begins. |
Day 3
Dog sledding to the Indlandsis (the Arctic ice sheet) and its glacier front. |
Day 4
Dog sledding to Qasigiannguit |
Day 5
Qasigiannguit |
Day 6
Dog sledding to Ilimanaq - then sailing to Ilulissat |
Day 7
In Ilulissat |
Day 8
Return to Denmark |
status info
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Open |
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| Open for booking |
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Limited availability |
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| Open for booking – guaranted departure – limited availability. |
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Sold out |
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| Sold out – Please, contact the tour-operator if you would like to be waitlisted. |
| OBS: Status report for departures will not be updated in realtime, mismatch can occur with our bookingsystem. |
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DOGSLEDGE |
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Dogsled at the rim of the Icecap, Diskobay
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Eight days in Greenland’s beautiful Disko Bay, including three days of dog sledding on the "Tasiussaq" fjord just south of the famous Ilulissat Icefjord. This trip is the perfect introduction to present-day life in Greenland - visiting Ilulissat (Greenland’s 3rd largest town), Qasigiannguit (a middle size town with approximately 1000 inhabitants) and finally the small, charming village of Ilimanaq with just 90 inhabitants. Outside civilization, incredible adventures awaits you in the most pristine Arctic nature - you’ll sail among the largest icebergs in Greenland, marvel at the northern lights, and last but not least embark on a dog sledding journey deep into the area’s fjords all the way to the edge of "Indlandsisen" - the second largest ice sheet in the world. Accompanied by local hunters you’ll get a feel for dog sledding as a mean of transportation, while having amble time to study the unique partnership between the dog musher and his dog team. Snow, ice, clean crisp air, starry skies and northern lights are key elements in this authentic winter adventure in Greenland’s northwest.
- Ilulissat — famed polar explorer Knud Rasmussen’s birthplace and today an important centre for scientific research in climate changes in the Arctic
- Three days of unforgettable dog sledding crossing the frozen Tasiussaq fjord to the edge of Indlandsisen
- Two mind-blowing sailing trips among giant icebergs having calved off "Sermeq Kujalleq" - the Northern hemispheres most productive glacier
- Visit the archaeological site "Sermermiut" and the famous "Kangai" Icefjord — a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004
- Walk among the colourful houses of Ilulissat, stopping by the town’s busy fishing port and (if you’re interested) visit its two museums — Ilulissat Town Museum and the Art Museum with its impressive collection of Emmanuel A. Pedersen Greenlandic landscapes paintings
- Two days far away from any tourism exploring the town of Qasigiannguit, also known as the "pearl of the Disco Bay"
- Experience up close how the dog mushers manage and work with their dogs
- Aurora Borealis — admire the northern lights dance on clear starry skies in the remote Arctic wilderness
- Participate in the hunt for local prey such as "uuttoq" (ringed seal) and ptarmigan
- In the gleam of kerosene lamps, you’ll enjoy sharing stories with the local dog mushers while our dogs are howling outside the cabin
- Ilimanaq - a typical, small Greenlandic village where time appears to stand still
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Appetizer — see zoom edition on maps.google.com
Google Maps is a registered trademark of Google Inc. (TM)
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Day 1. Fly from Copenhagen via Kangerlussuaq to Ilulissat
In Copenhagen we board Air Greenland’s Airbus and fly to Kangerlussuaq in Greenland. Here we transfer to a Dash-7 and fly further north to Ilulissat in the Disko Bay. A beautiful flight where we on a clear day will have our first views of the renowned Ilulissat Icefjord, where giant icebergs from Indlandsisen (the Arctic ice sheet) calve into the bay. Soon we’ll experience the ice fjord up close - sailing among the icebergs and travelling by dog sledge to the edge of the ice sheet. In Ilulissat, we’ll transfer to the harbour and embark on a two-hour unforgettable sailing voyage to the village of Ilimanaq - passing along the way the enormous icebergs having stranded at the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord. Upon arrival in Ilimanaq we’re accommodated in houses in the village before enjoying a dinner with the locals. -/-/D
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Day 2. The dog sledding adventure begins.
We’ll spend the morning getting to know Ilimanaq and explore what life is like in a small village. The missionaries came here in the mid 1700´s and the 90 inhabitants Ilimanaq is the oldest registered village in Greenland. In those days, when Greenland was still a colony, Ilimanaq was known as "Claushavn" - named after a Dutch whaler). We’ll visit Ilimanaq´s tiny church and if the production of "Ræklinge" (air dried halibut - a delicacy in Greenland selling for about 60 euro a kilo!) is in process, we’ll take a closer look at this factory as well. Mid day, our dog mushers will arrive from the town of Qasigiannguit in the south and we’re about to embark on our 3-day dog sledding journey.
We leave behind most of our luggage until our return to Ilimanaq, as "travel light" is crucial on a dog sledge journey. While the sledges are being prepared and we put on the handed out sealskin clothes and Arctic boots, you clearly feel the tension among the dogs. They are very eager to get going. And off we go - with an incredible speed and lots of noise and scuffle in the beginning, but as the dogs find their rhythm and position in the pack, the sledge caravan soon calms down, and you’ll find yourself in the midst of a white winter wonderland, where the immense quietness is only interrupted by the squeaking sounds of the sledges and the constant breathing of the dogs.
We follow the ancient dog sledding tracks used by past as well as present fishermen from Ilimanaq to get to the long line fishing spots on the Icefjord. An hour into the journey we’ll reach the Tasiussaq fjord, and from here on we’ll have a couple of hours riding on the ice, before we arrive to the hunting cabin where we’ll overnight. While the dog mushers feed and chain the dogs, we’ll arrange ourselves in the cabin, which quickly becomes a warm and cosy place, as the heat and light from the kerosene lamps mix with the smell of fresh-brewed coffee. Sleeping tonight is, of course, an option - however, so far away from any city lights and at this time of the year, your chances to see the puzzling northern lights are at their best! And maybe the howling dogs will be accompanied by the characteristic barking of a polar fox. Slowly you’ll begin to understand, what life must have been like for the world’s great polar explorers. B/L/D.
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Day 3. Dog sledding to the Indlandsis (the Arctic ice sheet) and its glacier front.
After a hearty breakfast we once again pack the sledges. On the sledges, each item has its place and function - the hunting gear, snack for the dogs, thermos with hot coffee and tea and (what quickly becomes your favourite item) the thick, soft and warm reindeer skin you’re sitting on! From the cabin we start with a short, slightly bumpy, ride until we’re back on the Tasiussaq fjord’s flat and smooth ice - also referred to as the "dog sledding freeway." Here, with hardly any effort at all, the dogs can go very fast.
To the people of Ilimanaq, this fjord system is a true paradise. Here they fish halibut in the winter and trout in the summer. The trout is smoked over heather - making it another sought-after delicacy in Greenland. Also, at this time of the year, the ringed seal enjoys napping in the sun on the ice close to its blowhole - giving the hunters the possibility to sneak up on it hiding behind a white screen. And fresh seal meat spells happiness among both people and dogs - it is without doubt the sledge dogs´ favourite food. Finally, the hen-sized ptarmigans (another appreciated prey) usually hang out around the sea shore in search of food. All we need is a little bit of luck and we will not return "empty handed!"
However, our main purpose of today’s ride is to get to the edge of the Indlandsis. Still in safe distance, we go as close as possible to the front of the enormous glacier calving from the Indlandsis directly into the Tasiussaq fjord. We stop to enjoy the grandeur of this spectacle and the deafening silence around us. On our return to the cabins, we’ll swing by the Ilulissat Icefjord hoping to run into a few fishermen - fishing with long lines and pulling up rays and 30-40 kilo halibuts from the 750 meter deep fjord! A fascinating sight. We’ll be back at the cabin in the late afternoon - enjoying once again all the components (and comforts...) of being a free spirit in the grand Arctic wilderness. B/L/D.
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Day 4. Dog sledding to Qasigiannguit
It only takes a few days to get the hang of things and the routines on an expedition, so it doesn’t take us long to get ready for yet another day of dog sledding. A solid meal however is very important to meet the "hardships" of the day in the outdoors, and we’ll take our time to enjoy our breakfast. Today’s journey to the town of Qasigiannguit is primarily riding on land - it’s a very scenic trip where we’ll be surrounded by tall, snow-covered mountains, and if the ice is safe, we’ll cross the bay "Laksebugten" into town. We’ll leave the dog mushers and the dogs at their individual stations in town, and here where we’re picked up and transferred to our hotel Diskobay, located on the top of a rocky hill at the harbour entrance. With 1.200 inhabitants Qasigiannguit is a typical present-day town in Greenland and after we are checked into the hotel, we’ll take a walk around town and learn about its exciting past and present. B/L/-
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Day 5. Qasigiannguit
After three days of dog sledding in the wilderness, most people have reached a state of total relaxation. Combined with the peaceful environment we’re in, the crisp, fresh air and the Greenlandic hospitality, it’s almost like being born anew! Today we’ll take a closer look at life in town, to understand how people adapt to the extreme Arctic conditions. We’ll also visit the town museum and its impressive collection of paleo-eskimo artefacts, representing the three main Inuit cultures in Greenland - Saqqaq, Dorset and Thule - dug out by archaeologists in the area around Qasigiannguit not that long ago. B/-/-
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Day 6. Dog sledding to Ilimanaq - then sailing to Ilulissat
We enjoy our breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant with impressive views of the Disko Bay and (on a clear day) the Disko Island in the far horizon. Then we jump back on the sledges and embark on the last leg of our dog sledding journey - following the ancient dog sledding track between Qasigiannguit and Ilimanaq, and hereby completing the "loop." It’s a four-hour trip in a combination of riding on land, and frozen lakes and fjords. Along the way, we’ll have spectacular views of the Disko Bay to the left and the mountains inland on the right. In Ilimanaq we’re reunited with our luggage, and after a picnic lunch we’ll we bid our farewells to the dog mushers and the dogs before we embark the boat taking us back to Ilulissat. Once again, we’ll sail along the impressive Ilulissat Icefjord - included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites because of its "unique beauty" and "scientific importance." Over the past years, the Ilulissat Icefjord has been significantly exposed in the media - scientist flock to the area, a number of movies have been made here, and last but not least conspicuous politicians from all over the world come to experience the enormous icebergs and see with their own eyes the (so intensely discussed) effects of climate change and global warming. In Ilulissat we’ll check into our hotel beautifully located by the bay, and then go for a walk around town. Ilulissat is Greenland’s 3rd largest town, and the largest area for dog sledding with a population of more than 4000 sledge dogs! B/L/-
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Day 7. In Ilulissat
We’ll start the day with a short walk to Sermermiut, the old settlement by the Icefjord. This is where the archaeologists in the 1950´s made some incredible findings, making it possible to date back the presence of the paleo-eskimo not only in this area but in Greenland in general. The afternoon is at your own disposal and we recommend a visit to one or both of Ilulissat´s interesting museums - the Ilulissat Town Museum (located in Knud Rasmussen’s birthplace) and the Ilulissat Art Museum (located in the old governor’s house facing the harbour). Finally, you may enjoy shopping for some Greenlandic handicraft, such as carved "tupilaks" or items in soapstone. Our adventure in Greenland is approaching the end, tomorrow we’ll depart Kalaallit Nunaat ("land of the people") with our bags (and minds) loaded with great experiences. B/-/-
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Day 8. Return to Denmark
Aboard the Dash-7 flying south from Ilulissat to Kangerlussuaq, we get (weather permitting...) the last glimpse of the Disko Bay, Qasigiannguit, Ilimanaq and the Tasiussaq fjord where we rode the dog sledges just a few days ago. In Kangerlussuaq we transfer to the airbus and about four hours later, we land in Copenhagen. Takuss Grønland — immaqa… (See you later Greenland - maybe...)
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Meals
Meals included are marked with B (breakfast), L (lunch), and D (dinner). Meals not included are marked with — On the Air Greenland flights between Denmark and Greenland free meals and drinks are served.
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Accommodations
The standard of the accommodations vary a lot on this tour, from nice hotels to more primitive facilities. In Ilulissat and Qasigiannguit you’ll be staying at hotels in 2-person rooms each with private bath. In Ilimanaq you will be accommodated in a regular house, where the restroom facilities consist of an earth closet, common in most of the settlements in Greenland. Ilimanaq has a service house where you’ll have the possibilities to take a shower. During the dog sledding trip there are two overnight stays in a common room in a basic hunting cabin. Single rooms in the hotels are available upon request for an extra fee listed in the "Not Included" section below.
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International departure
This trip is sold internationally. In an international group, the tour will be conducted in both Danish and English by a Danish tour leader.
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General information on riding a dog sledge
To keep you safe from accidents and hypothermia -and to ensure you the best dog sledding experience - 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 so he can easily jump on and off.
- The passengers sit in the rear end of the sledge - facing the driving direction.
- When passing flat terrain you can change position and sit sideways on the sledge.
- Always keep your legs up on the sledge to prevent your feet from hitting rocks and ice.
- In rough terrain or uphill, 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 dog musher with the balance by leaning to the opposite side of where the sledge heels to.
- When riding on ice you will now and then pass crevasses in the ice. It is important to stay on the sledge (unless the dog musher tells you otherwise) as it is usually easier to pass crevasses sitting on the sledge.
- During steep ascents it may be necessary to get off the sledge and walk next to it until the ascent has been passed.
- If it is cold you should now and then get off the sledge and run/walk next to it to stay warm
- Never approach the dogs without permission from the dog musher.
- Never give any leftovers or any other kind of food to the dogs.
- Always wear sunglasses and sunscreen with a high SPF. The sunscreen should not be water based due to the frost.
- Camera and video equipment is best kept underneath the clothes to protect the batteries from the cold.
- Food is best kept underneath the jacket or packed in-between clothes or it may freeze.
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Duration
8 days, 3 days dog sledding (level 1-2)
2 days in Ilulissat.
2 sailing trips along the Ilulissat Icefjord (Ilulissat/Ilimanaq; Ilimanaq/Ilulissat).
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Climate
The mean temperature in the Disko Bay area in March is around -18°C. (24-hour average temperature.) The nights can be colder, as low as -30 °C, but during the day it often feels warmer than what’s stated on the thermometer due to the strong sun and the dry air. This time of year the weather is usually very clear with good visibility and excellent chances of seeing the northern lights at night.
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Electricity
You will have access to electricity in the hotels in Ilulissat and Qasigiannguit - and limited access in the houses in Ilimanaq. There is no electricity in the hunting cabin, so bring plenty of spare batteries for the dog sledding part of the trip.
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Cell phones
There is sparse roaming and coverage on this tour, thus it is only possible to use cell phones in certain areas. In general we prefer that our adventures are not interrupted with cell phone conversations, and kindly ask you to only use your cell phone for text messages and conversation when you are not with the group.
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Maps
Saga Map #10, Diskobugten. 1:250.000 and hiking map North Greenland, Ilulissat. Both can be acquired 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 7-12 people.
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Currency
The currency in Greenland is Danish kroner (DKK) and we recommend that you exchange or withdraw DKK when in Copenhagen (e.g. at the airport) before departure. There are also cash machines in Ilulissat and Qasigiannguit (with limited opening hours). Foreign credit cards are accepted in many shops and hotels, however, please note that most places will charge a "foreign credit card fee" around 5%.
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The price includes
Flight: Copenhagen/Kangerlussuaq/Copenhagen
Flight: Kangerlussuaq/Ilulissat/Kangerlussuaq
Sailing: Ilimanaq/Ilulissat/Ilimanaq
English-speaking Danish tour leader
2 nights in hotels in Ilulissat
2 nights in hotels in Qasigiannguit
2 nights in a hunting cabin by the Tasiussaq fjord
1 night in the village of Ilimanaq
3 days of dog sledding on the Tasiussaq fjord close to Indlandsisen
Greenlandic dog mushers and approx. 12 —14 dogs — two guests per sledge
Ilulissat: guided walking tour of town and Sermermiut
Qasigiannguit: guided walking tour of town
Meals as indicated under each day
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Not included
Personal travelling expenses for souvenirs, maps, drinks and beverages etc.
Allow approx. DKK 500-600 in total for the meals not included in the trip
Rental fee of warm winter clothing (sealskin pants & jacket + arctic thermo boots) for the dog sledge rides, allow approx. DKK 450.
Entrance fees to museums etc. (approx. DKK 50-75)
Cancellation and travel insurances (travel insurance is mandatory)
Single room supplement DKK 2.000 (only available in the hotels in Ilulissat and Qasigiannguit)
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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 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 tour leader will aim to lessen the inconveniences and fill out the time with an alternative program.
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PICTURES |
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FILES
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Greenland Inspiration-video
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What to bring |
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