Highlights of Greenland

 

Dog sledding

Dog Sledding in Greenland. Photo by Visit Greenland via Flickr.

A dog sledding tour around Greenland offers a truly Arctic experience. The dogsled, which was developed by the Inuit thousands of years ago, still serves today as a primary means of transport for Greenlanders during the winter and spring. For travelling long distances across the frozen landscape, the dog sled is second to none.
Dog sledding is possible in Eastern Greenland and the area north of the Arctic Circle, where the conditions are just right for sledding. This area is known locally as ‘The dog sled districts.’ The best months are February, March and April.
Dog sledding tours can be arranged from most major towns in Northern and Eastern Greenland. Many tours are guided by local Inuit hunters and travel through the inner fjords, mountains, over glaciers and along the rugged coastline. At night you’ll often be sleeping in hunting huts and tents on the frozen sea.
If you want to try driving a dogsled yourself, you can take a driver’s training course for dog sledding in Tasiilaq. After only a few of days of training you can qualify for a license.

Nuuk

Nuuk by ilovegreenland via Flickr.

Nuuk is the capital and largest city of Greenland, containing about a quarter of the entire population — around 15,000 people. It is the least-populated national capital in the world.
Nuuk was founded in 1728 by the Norwegian missionary Hans Egede and is located at the mouth of a giant fjord system in Western Greenland, some 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle.
By Greenlandic standards, Nuuk is a pretty bustling city. It is home to the Katuaq Culture Center, the National Museum of Greenland, the Nuuk Art Museum and a number of other popular tourist attractions. Most visitors, however, come to Greenland for the stunning landscape and outdoor activities.
From May to November, humpback, minke and fin whales are commonly sighted in the iceberg-filled fjord system surrounding the city. The best way to see these creatures is on a sailing trip, which can easily be arranged. For hikers, there are several trails from Nuuk, including to the top of Sermitsiaq and Lille Malene, both landmark mountains that take just a few hours to reach on foot. There are also several illuminated cross-country ski runs in Nuuk.

Ilulissat

Ilulissat by Pcb21 via wikimedia commons

‘Ilulissat’ means literally ‘The Icebergs’. It is the third-largest settlement in Greenland, home to some 4600 people and 3500 sled dogs (Watch for dogsled yield signs around town; sleds have the right-of-way!). Situated some 125 miles north of the Arctic Circle, it is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations due to its location at the mouth of the Ilulissat Ice Fjord — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The nearby sea is filled with icebergs that have broken off the Jakobshavn Isbræ glacier — the most active glacier in the northern hemisphere. Around 20 billion tons of icebergs break off and float out of the fjord every year.
The fjord can only be reached by helicopter or by foot. It’s a fairly easy walk from the city and after a mile you’ll begin to see the icebergs. If you want to get up close to the icebergs, you might consider a boat trip. From the end of May to the end of July, you can tour the fjord on a cruise under the midnight sun.
Other popular activities include ice hiking and sailing, and no trip to Ilulissat is complete without a dogsled ride. Sled tours from one hour to ten days can be arranged with tour companies around town.

Disko Bay

Disko Bay by Igloowiki via wikimedia commons.

Sometimes referred to as ‘the green heart of Disko Bay’, Disko Bay is an unspoiled district of unparalleled natural beauty located south of the Ilulissat Ice Fjord. The area is characterized by its warm summers (up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit) and is known for its gentle hills, tundra plains, majestic fjords and mountains. It is an ideal place for trekking during the summer. Come winter, Disko Bay transforms into an icy wonder world, completely blanketed in snow and filled with the sounds of sled dogs barking.
The dog sled season in Disko Bay can start as early as December. Tours can be arranged in towns and settlements throughout the region. Meanwhile, July to October is the perfect time for whale watching.

Narsaq

In Greenland’s otherwise extreme arctic landscape, Narsaq is truly a gem. It is known as the ‘Green paradise of Greenland’. Narsaq is situated on a plain within the giant fjord system of southern Greenland, surrounded by waters that are rich with seals, salmon, Arctic Char and small whales. Even reindeers can sometimes be spotted grazing in the area.
The stunning scenery of the fjord system makes Narsaq a popular place for trekkers. For those who prefer to travel by kayak, Narsaq has a varied shoreline with plenty of inlets to explore. If you want to experience whales, icebergs, waterfalls and glaciers, boat tours and sailing trips from Narsaq out to the icecap can be organized at the local tourist offices.

Tasiilaq

Tasiilaq by ezioman via Flickr.

Located on the big island of Ammassalik, Tasiilaq is the largest town in East Greenland (population roughly 2,000). Situated on a fjord just south of the Arctic Circle, Tasiilaq is nature lover’s paradise. The town is bisected by a small river and surrounded by tall mountains, but some of the most striking features about Tasiilaq (which you’ll notice when arriving by boat or helicopter) are the brightly-colored houses built along the mountain skirts. Tasiilaq was founded by Danish explorers in 1894 and today is a unique amalgamation of modern European influence and traditional Inuit culture.
Getting to Tasiilaq is no easy task (you’ll need to hire a local boat or book a helicopter), but if you do manage to arrive, it’s a great place to get up close and personal with icebergs (they’re absolutely everywhere). You can also take an sailing excursion to the nearby abandoned village of Ikkatteq or a helicopter tour of the nearby glaciers. The Flower Valley, located just outside of town, has a unique flora and is a popular place for hikers.

Kangerlussuaq

Kangerlussuaq is a settlement on Greenland’s west coast, situated near the head of the Kangerlussuaq fjord. Until recently it was home to a U.S. military base, which today serves as airport and international gateway for the majority of travelers to Greenland.
The area surrounding the city is home to some of the country’s most diverse wildlife, including musk oxen, caribou, Arctic foxes and gyrfalcons. Kangerlussuaq is also known for the many adventure tours that begin and end here. These include tundra hikes, horseback riding, snowmobile excursions, cod fishing, trophy hunting, kayaking, long-distance ski trips, musk ox safaris and dog sledding expeditions. Another big selling point for Kangerlussuaq is that it is located under a spot known for strong auroral activity. Visitors during the winter months should be able to see a spectacular Aurora Borealis show at night. There is a 99% chance of visuals between November and March.

Qaqortoq

Qaqortoq is a handsome colonial town in southern Greenland, known for its quaint squares and some of the oldest buildings in Greenland (including the country’s oldest fountain). The Qaqortoq Museum is an interesting distraction for those interested in Norse history (exhibits include harpoons, kayaks and traditional blubber bags), but most visitors come for the hot springs located on the nearby island of Uunartoq, where the water can reach up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). Additionally, a number of tours on land and water can be arranged here, including whale watching and fishing tours.