TRIP FACTS

• Tour type: Trekking
• Duration: 12 days - 11 nights
• Walking per day: 5 - 8 hours
• Group size: Min. 5 - Max. 14
• Accommodation: Tent and hostel
• Language: English and French
• Departures/Meeting point: July and August/Kulusuk Airport

HIGHLIGHTS OF TOUR

• Visit to Kuumiut hunter's village.
• Extraordinary glacier and mountain view.
• The incredible peace and quiet atmosphere.
• Baggage transport from camp to camp with a boat.

This trekking takes you to the deepest end of the Ammassalik fjord system, in front of incredible glaciers that calve into the sea and towering granite mountains. Enjoy the serenity and calm of the Karale fjord with an occasional crack in the Knud Rasmusen glacier breaking the silence, extraordinary landscape, and unique nature for walking. Experience Kumiut hunter’s village and learn about the extraordinary Inuit culture and how people survived in this very hostile environment and learn about the exciting history of exploration and expeditions of the 19th and early 20th centuries. From the Tunu fjord, an adventurous walk along the Tunup Kuua valley and over 2 km of glacier before arriving at the “lake alike” fjord of Tasilaq. Climb to the Tasilaq mountain hut before heading back to Kulusuk.

Suunigajik Peninsula

Twelve day trek from Karlale to Tasiilaq fjord

Itineraries

Day 1

Keflavik Airport - Kulsuk

Flight to Kulusuk from Keflavik Airport at 11.30 and landing at 11:15 AM local time. Meeting of participants at Kulusuk airport. Visit of Kulusuk and walk to a nearby viewpoint. Free time in the afternoon while the guide prepares for the coming days. Night in a hut-style accommodation in Kulusuk. Possibility to visit a small local museum in the afternoon.

Day 2

Karale Fjord

Morning boat trip to Karale fjord. Sailing north by the Aputsiak Island and several other islands before hitting the Ikatek strait with its pointed summits and snow-capped mountains. Ice is everywhere in the water. When arriving at Karale fjord the spectacle is breathtaking - the front of the Knud Rasmusen glacier and the high mountains are reflected in the still water of the fjord. We put up our camp for two nights. In the afternoon we stroll off for a nice walk to a good viewpoint. 4 hrs. walk.

Day 3

Karale Glacier

Today we head towards the Karale glacier along the coast of the Karale fjord. To get there we might have to cross a small glacier tongue to avoid rivers of meltwater from the ice. The view to the other side of the fjord is breathtaking, huge glaciers and mountains like the Rytterknægten tower over the fjord. At a safe distance from the Karale glacier front, we learn about climate change as we discover the changes in the landscape that have been happening in recent decades and are still going on. Late afternoon we return to the same camp where we spend the night. 6 to 7 hrs. walk.

Day 4

Nuuaartik Point

We leave the camp and start walking east along the coast to the Nuuaartik point, where the Karale fjord opens to the outer fjord system. At this point we see the front of the Knud Rasmusen glacier floating in the ocean straight to the north, breaking off pieces of ice, every now and then. We turn to the south and start to climb to a small mountain pass while new mountains start to come into view. We slowly descend to a valley called Nunartivaq. We arrive at the shore in an area full of boulders, where we put up the camp for the night. 6 to 7 hrs. walk.

Day 5

Ikatek Strait

We follow the coastline as we enter the Ikatek strait. At times we have to avoid steep parts by walking higher on the slope, until we arrive to a tiny inlet with a creek. We then follow the coast, which at this time is less steep, until we arrive to a valley that opens up to the west. We follow the banks of a big river until we find an old bridge where we cross. We have arrived to Ikatek or Bluie East two, former WWII airport and small military base. We visit the base that was abandoned almost 75 years ago. What they left behind is still visible, including machines, cars, equipment and fuel drums. The authorities have plans to clean up the ruins, but until then these strange remains remind us of the role Greenland played in WWII. We camp for the night close to the old docks of Ikatek. 6 to 7 hrs. walk.

Day 6

Suunigajik Peninsula

We walk the old 5000 feet runway to the southwest, until we come to the small peninsula of Suunigajik. From there we turn around the corner and head northeast, into Tunu (Dunu), a breathtaking fjord surrounded by mountains. Here on the shores it is not uncommon to meet the Common Ringed Plover that plays hide and seek with those who enter its territory. Arriving at the the fjord we have to cross a couple of rivers before putting up our camp. Here we might meet the Arctic fox and the Ptarmigan that nests in the tiny arctic willow bushes found around the campsite. 6 hrs. walk.

Day 7

Kuummiit Village

Visit to the hunters village Kuummiit, where we resupply in the local grocery store. Kuummiit is situated at the Ammassalik fjord where the water never freezes. Surrounded by high peaks in all directions it is the home to about 250 people who mostly depend on fishing in the fjords around. In the afternoon we return to the same camp. 6 hrs. walk.

Day 8

Tunup Kuua Valley

Today we cross from the Tunu fjord over to Tasilaq fjord through the narrow valley of Tunup Kuua. We follow the narrow valley with mountain peaks on both sides and a peak or two already showing them self at the other side of the pass. After passing a few lakes, we arrive to a glacier that crawls into the valley from the north. We cross the glacier eventually putting on our crampons depending on the ice conditions.

Day 9

Tasilaq Fjord

The route follows the Tasilaq fjord coastline and we enjoy the incredible view to the bottom of the fjord and the valley behind it. The most outstanding mountains are called the Triplets and are actually known to some big wall climbers. This day is shorter than yesterday, and we should be arriving to camp in the middle of the afternoon. 5 hrs. walk.

Day 10

Tasilaq Mountain Hut

The walk to Tasilaq Mountain Hut. We walk for two to three hours before we arrive to a glacier tongue that descends all the way from a valley 700 m up. We climb the moraine on the north side of the glacier with a stunning view over the valley below, until we come to a steep section that leads us directly to Tasilaq Mountain Hut at about 800 m altitude. This place is heaven-like for nature lovers. A magnificent place to sit down and enjoy silence and the calmness of the mountains. 7 to 8 hrs. walk. Night in a hut.

Day 11

Back to Kulusuk

We head back into the valley, down the moraine and past some beautiful boulders. This time the walk is faster and we arrive to the fjord in the middle of the afternoon, where our boat is waiting to bring us back to Kulusuk. 5 to 6 hrs. walk and 2 hrs. sailing. Night in a house in Kulusuk.

Day 12

Kulusuk - Keflavik Airport

At noon, a flight back to Keflavik airport. Arrival at 15.45 local time. End of tour.

Includes:  Guiding, Boat transfer from Kulusuk to the start of the trek, boat transfer from Tasilaq Fjord to Kulusuk at the end of the trek, all luggage transport from camp to camp, all food from lunch in Kulusuk on day 1 to breakfast in Kulusuk on day 12, Accommodation as described in program, tents, mess tent, all camping gear, safety equipment (satellite phone, first aid kit, etc.).

Excludes: Alcoholic beverages, flights to/from Greenland, other personal expenses, anything not mentioned in “Trip Includes”.  Flights from Keflavik to Kulusuk can be added.