Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights

Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

Singapore

This adventure is: #adrenaline pumping, #far far away, #scenic

Kangerlussuaq: Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under t...

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Tracy

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Lee Ling Chong

“The second-hand torn Atlas that I picked up when I was 7 years old. I flipped it every day and wonder what is happening in the world and to the people. I wonder why straight lines can be drawn on the map and then called country.”

32 Adventures organized
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Highlights

Brave the harsh cold in Greenland while sitting on wooden sleds with packs of dogs transporting us across icy landscapes. Sail amongst massive icebergs that tower over us and gaze above at the Northern Lights among the Greenlandic night sky. This is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in a subzero climate you should not pass up so join me in riding the dog sleds together!

Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights starting at Kangerlussuaq, GreenlandHiker standing on volcanic rooks looking at northern lights dancing over the ocean. Photo: Visitgreenland.com - Paul Zizka.

Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights starting at Kangerlussuaq, GreenlandNorthern Lights in Greenland. Photo: Visitgreenland.com - Mads Pihl.

Highlights:
  • Exploring the unique, "never ending" Ice Cap Point 660 on foot, a rare experience in Greenland
  • Sitting on a dog sled where the dogs are extremely energetic and strong enough to whisk you away
  • Gazing up at the Northern Lights at Kangelussuaq, which rests at the heart of the Northern Lights belt, where it shines the brightest
  • Walk around the city of Ilulissat, home to the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The icefjord moves 30 meters daily and produces 20 billion tons of ice yearly. 
  • Sailing among the 40 million tons of icebergs which float into the fjord.
  • Hike to ancient settlement of Sermermiut, where different Inuit cultures have existed for 4000 years
  • Spending the night in the Igloo Lodge where temperatures are at 0 degrees Celsius.

Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights starting at Kangerlussuaq, GreenlandDog sledding in Greenland. Photo by Markus Trienke is / CC BY-SA 2.0.


Day 1

After our flight, we'll kick off our Greenlandic adventure by exploring Ice Point 660. Ice Cap Point is a vast, barren icy landscape waiting to be explored. There is also a chance we'll encounter reindeer and musk oxen.

Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights starting at Kangerlussuaq, GreenlandTravellers taking a break at the Ice Cap. Photo by Greenland Travel is / CC BY 2.0.


Day 2

Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights starting at Kangerlussuaq, GreenlandDog sledding tour. Photo by Drew Avery / CC-BY 2.0.

One of the main highlights of this trip, dog-sledding tour is a dream come true for many dog lovers. Being the Inuit's traditional form of transportation, dog sledding comprises mainly of a pack of dogs tied to some wood. The dog-lover in me is filled to the brim with excitement for this!

Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights starting at Kangerlussuaq, GreenlandNorthern Lights in Greenland. Photo: Visitgreenland.com - Mads Pihl.

They're only available during the winter. Aside from Kangerlussuaq's location, the Northern Lights shine the brightest also due to the little light pollution.

Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights starting at Kangerlussuaq, GreenlandKangerlussuaq panorama. Photo by Sebastian We is / CC BY 2.0.

The tundra in Greenland provides a welcome contrast to the usual icy and white landscapes. We may get the chance to observe the musk oxen from a distance.

Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights starting at Kangerlussuaq, GreenlandMusk ox by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via Wikimedia Commons.


Day 3-7 (Ilulissat)
Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights starting at Kangerlussuaq, GreenlandWinter in the town of Ilulissat. Photo by Greenland Travel is / CC BY 2.0 via Flickr.

Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights starting at Kangerlussuaq, GreenlandArctic Hotel in Ilulissat. Photo by Greenland Travel is / CC BY 2.0.

We'll fly to Ilulissat, a town 45 minutes away from Kangerlussuag. Inhabited by 4500 people, Iluissat is populated by colourful houses that add vibrancy to the green and icy landscape that surrounds it. A guided tour of Ilulissat will also be available.

Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights starting at Kangerlussuaq, GreenlandFishermen fishing at Iluissat icefjords. Photo by Greenland Travel is / CC BY 2.0

Day 4: Ilulissat is known for its boat trips amongst the icebergs, due to a marge mass of icebergs of up to 1 cubic km long floating out onto the fjord. This icefjord is a UNESCO Heritage site and a must-see attraction. We may also catch glimpses of seals and whales if we're lucky! 

Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights starting at Kangerlussuaq, GreenlandIcefjord at Ilulissat. Photo by Greenland Travel is / CC BY 2.0

Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights starting at Kangerlussuaq, GreenlandIcejford at Iluissat. Photo by fgeoffrey is / CC BY 2.0

Day 5: The Sermermuit settlement is over 4000 years old, and is inhabited by Inuit cultures till today. Icebergs provide the backdrop for this beautiful settlement.

Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights starting at Kangerlussuaq, GreenlandVisitors riding snowmobiles.  Photo: Visitgreenland.com - Mads Pihl

We'll hop on snowmobiles and plow through the snowy terrain to our igloo lodges. This is one to remember even if I end up rubbing my hands throughout the overnight stay in the 0 degree Celsius temperature inside!

Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights starting at Kangerlussuaq, GreenlandPhoto courtesy of Greenland Travel.

Days 6 and 7

Have a taste of Greenlandic food products at a brættet, an open market operated by fisherman and hunters. While appearing grotesque, its hard to find place with fresher food! We may try mattak, the traditional Inuit and Chukchi meal of frozen whale skin and blubber.

Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights starting at Kangerlussuaq, GreenlandMattak, a traditional meal of frozen whale skin and blubber. Photo by Lisa Risager is / CC BY-SA 2.0

Day 8

On day 8, take a final glance at the icebergs and beautiful landscapes, before we board our flight back to Copenhagen
Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights starting at Kangerlussuaq, Greenland Sunset at Iluissat. Photo: Visitgreenland.com - Mads Pihl.

Sleep in igloos, ride on dog sleds under the Greenlandic Northern Lights starting at Kangerlussuaq, GreenlandTraveler overlooking the Ilulissat Ice Fjord from a vantage point near Ilulissat. Photo: Visitgreenland.com - David Trood.

Itinerary

Day 1 Copenhagen-Kangerlussuaq, accommodation and welcome meeting (Ice Cap Point 660)
Day 2 Kangerlussuaq on your own (Dogsledding, northern lights and tundra tour)
Day 3 Kangerlussuaq-Ilulissat - accommodation, welcome meeting (guided tour of the town)
Day 4 Exploring Ilulissat on your own (sailing among icebergs)
Day 5 Explore Ilulissat on your own (hike to Sermermiut or Igloo Lodge)
Day 6 Explore Ilulissat on your own
Day 7 Explore Ilulissat on your own – experience the town
Day 8 Ilulissat-Kangerlussuaq-Copenhagen