Travel deep into the wild lands to the north of our lodge, traversing tundra, following fjords and crossing passes to access the tidewater glacier fronts of Sermiligaq.
We'll meet you at the gravel airstrip and walk 30 minutes over tundra back to our lodge, with kit transferred by ATV. We'll discuss plans and the latest forecast, before dinner and a comfortable night at the lodge. In the morning we'll finish packing bags before setting out on foot for our first day of hiking. We'll take in the low hills and ridges in the centre of Kulusuk island, which give expansive views over the icebergs drifting down the coastline, and the vast alpine ranges which stretch into the distance to the north.
APUSIAAJIK ISLAND
After a night on Kulusuk island, camped near an old winter settlement, we take boats north into the fjords, aiming to make a traverse of Apusiaajik island - coastline, lakes, rivers and low cols lead us to our camp on the north side of the island, looking up at the glaciated peaks above.
THE SHORES OF IKATEQ FJORD
With camp packed up, we'll load the boats again for the journey up Ammassalik fjord, always alert for sightings of the many whales that visit during the summer months. We start hiking near the small community of Kuummiut, heading east along verdant hillside to reach the alluvial tidal flats of Tunu and the evening’s camp. Over the next days, we’ll trace Ikateq fjord’s shoreline, exploring tundra, finding our way over streams, and passing by the remains of a WWII-era American runway.
OVER THE PASS TO THE CALVING GLACIERS OF SERMILIGAQ
From our camp above the sand beaches of Nunartivaq, our route gains 700m on a traverse to the upper reaches of Sermiligaq fjord. From our highpoint, we look out over multiple tidewater glaciers, the high peaks of the Caledonian Alps and the fjord extending out to sea.
ICE
Icebergs, calved from the Karale and other unnamed glaciers in view, drift on the tide past our shoreside campsite. We aim to make a day-walk westwards towards the main glacier flow. Next day, travelling by boat through floating brash ice, we'll access the eastern shores of the fjord and walk to the Knud Rasmussen Glacier, an active glacier front several kilometres wide. Of all our camps, this is our favourite. On your final day in Greenland, our boats will collect us in the morning for the journey back to the lodge. Lunch and hot showers will be waiting for us, then we'll pack bags before heading back to the airstrip in the afternoon for the evening flight back to Keflavik.
A traditional wooden cabin we have built ourselves over the years, our lodge is nestled in the tiny Inuit village of Kulusuk, home to 200 people.
A comfortable and practical base to explore East Greenland, our lodge provides cabin bedrooms, running water, hot showers, and flushing toilets, a rare thing in this cold climate. There’s a drying area for kit, a sitting room heated by a stove and a big table we all gather around each evening. Cut off by sea ice six months of the year, our stores and freezers are well supplied to provide a plentiful and varied menu. Whenever possible, we eat locally caught fish, from salmon to arctic char, cod and halibut.
To get the most out of this trip, we recommend that you are comfortable walking 6 – 7 hours a day over rough ground (typically 10 – 15km) with some ascents up to 700m. Wild camping experience is certainly an advantage but not a pre-requisite.
We are a small and dedicated team of internationally qualified UIMLA Mountain Leaders who are also passionate adventurers, skiers and mountaineers. As specialists, we encompass over 20 years' experience here in East Greenland. We have great respect for this remote region, carefully managing the unique risks this environment presents. Our safety record is a result of this focus.
To come visit us on this remote coastline, we’re best reached via Iceland, only 1 hr 40 mins away by turbo prop-plane.
Keflavik, Iceland’s international airport is a hub for North America and Europe and also the starting point for flights to our local airstrip in Kulusuk.
Seats on these Icelandair-operated flights are in short supply and book out early. Whilst we don’t organise flights ourselves, travel agent VR Travel aims to reserve tickets for all our trips and can assist with international connections. You can also book direct with Icelandair.