Trekking in East Greenland - from camp to camp with a light rucksack

Trekking in magic and remote East Greenland plus two nights in Iceland. 8 days of trekking along the Sermilik fiord and around the beautiful Ammassalik Island. This is a “once in a lifetime” experience for the adventurous person who prefers trekking in beautiful and remote areas with mountains, ice, and glaciers but also short stays in small settlements. You don’t need to bring your iPhone, but remember your camera.

The trek takes us through one of the most beautiful landscapes - in the world, if we may say so. Each night we camp far away from civilization, and our local guides follow us by boat and transport all our equipment, so we can hike with only a light rucksack.

The trek is designed for people in physical shape, preferably those who have hiked previously, though extensive hiking experience is not necessary.Participants typically vary in age from 35 to 60 years of age, and equal numbers of men and women.

Day to day itinerary
Day 1 From Copenhagen to Reykjavik
Day 2 From Reykjavik to Kulussuk and then Tasiilaq
Day 3 Trekking: Tasiilaq – the small settlement Kuummiit – - Ilinnera
Day 4 Trekking: Ilinnera – - Ikaasaalap Ilinnera
Day 5 Trekking: Ikaasaalap Ilinnera – - Paarnakajiit
Day 6 Trekking: Paarnakajiit – - Amitsivartivaq
Day 7 Trekking: Amitsivartivaq – small settlement Tiniteqilaaq
Day 8 Trekking: Tiniteqilaaq – beach at Mittivakkat glacier
Day 9 Trekking: glacier hike at the Mittivakkat glacier
Day 10 Trekking: Mittivakkat – - Tasiilaq
Day 11 Day off in Tasiilaq (buffer for the trek)
Day 12 Flight Tasiilaq to Kulusuk and then Reykjavik
Day 13 Flight Reykjavik to Copenhagen

Day 1. Flight Copenhagen to Iceland and visit to the Blue Lagoon
We fly from Copenhagen to Reykjavik in Iceland in the North Atlantic. At Keflavik airport, our guide meets the group and we travel by bus for the 40 km drive to Reykjavik – the capital of Iceland. Our drive takes us through very fascinating lava landscape – all black and with very little flora.

We arrive in Reykjavik. Despite its relatively small size, Reykjavik is a real metropolis with attractive shopping streets, modern restaurants,cafés and architecture.

Day 2. Flight Reykjavik to Kulusuk and by helicopter to Tasiilaq
Our journey continues to Greenland. We fly from Reykjavik to Kulusuk and after a stopover we continue by helicopter to the beautiful city of Tasiilaq. We check in for our stay at Hotel Ammassalik, featuring a stunning view of the city and the endless Arctic wilderness. The local support team is there to welcome us, check our equipment and go over the routes so that we are fully prepared for our trekking adventure early next morning.

Day 3. The trek begins. From Tasiilaq to Ilinnera and a visit to the beautiful settlement of Kuummiit
We begin our day by handing over our baggage to our support team, who is responsible throughout the trek for transporting our bags, tents, provisions, etc. We then make our way to the boat in which we sail northward. The trip continues east around Ammassalik Island and up through the Ammassalik fjord. Along the way we stop for 1-2 hours to visit the beautiful settlement of Kuummiit, which was established in 1915 as a mission station. Next, we sail approx. 25 km northward to the Solport Valley (Ilinnera), where we debark to begin our trek. We spend about 7 hours hiking to Sermilik Fjord, where the stunning view of the Greenland ice sheet awaits us. Our camp is ready upon our arrival and a hot evening meal is served. Around us, the immense green valley provides the breathtaking setting for our first night in camp.
 
Day 4. From Ilinnera to Ikaasaalap Ilinnera
We begin our trek along the Sermilik Fjord. With its ice-filled grandeur and the Greenland ice sheet on the right, we make our way southward. The Sermilik Fjord is the second-largest of its kind in Greenland, and approximately 5% of the annual ice melt flows out to sea here. This, combined with the high mountains of East Greenland and the ice sheet as backdrop, makes the Sermilik Fjord one of the world’s most magnificent nature experiences. Day 4 is a relatively light hiking day, leaving us energy to explore the next valley or climb a mountain. 

Day 5. From Ikaasaalap Ilinnera to Paarnakajiit
Our trek continues down along the coast, passing through a verdant green landscape. We stay overnight at Paarnakajiit near the famed Greenlandic turf houses, which were inhabited until the 1960s. There is a strong sense of living history at this remarkable spot in the middle of Sermilik Fjord.

Day 6. From Paarnakajiit to Amitsivartiva
We continue our trek south, where we lose sight of the ice sheet for the first and only time on the entire trip. Our journey takes us inland to an exciting area filled with glaciers and alongside several long lakes. We make camp for the night on a site at the Amitsivartiva fjord.

Day 7. Amitsivartiva to the Tiniteqilaaq settlement
We start the day with a hike up the mountain crest behind Tiniteqilaaq, where the view is worth the effort of the entire climb. At 600 metres above sea level overlooking the southern part of Sermilik Fjord, we draw closer to the breathtakingly beautiful settlement of Tiniteqilaaq, home to a population of 100 people. We spend the night at a camp outside the settlement, where we can shower at the community centre. 

Day 8. From Tiniteqilaaq to Mittivakkat glacier
Our day begins with a boat trip across the narrow Ikasagtivaq strait to Ammassalik island, where the East Greenland capital of Tasiilaq is found. We explore the west side of the island along the coast. At Qaattu, we sail by boat to the sandy beach at the Mittivakkat glacier where we make our campsite for the remaining days of the trip.

Day 9. Glacier hike on Mittivakkat
We spend the entire day exploring the Mittivakkat glacier, where the successful adventure race ’Arctic Team Challenge’ took place from 2001 to 2007. A guided hike here on Mittivakkat is extraordinarily beautiful and impressive; and as always, safety is our first concern.

Day 10. Along the ”Sermilik route” to Tasiilaq
On our last day of trekking, we hike east along the Sermilik route until we reach Tasiilaq at King Oscar Fjord, where our hotel is located.

Day 11. Tasiilaq
A free day in Tasiilaq, also considered a “buffer day” in case the weather had forced us to spend an extra day afield. If not, you can spend one last day absorbing the beauty of East Greenland. Hop aboard a tour boat for a trip around the ice fjords, or visit the city's museum located in the old church. 

Day 12. Tasiilaq – Kulusuk – Reykjavik
We continue our journey back to Iceland and Reykjavik, where we stay overnight in a guesthouse. The afternoon is yours to explore Reykjavik.

Day 13. Reykjavik– Copenhagen
Our adventure is coming to an end, but there is one last pleasure that every visitor to Iceland ought to enjoy: a healing soak in the therapeutic waters of the Blue Lagoon. On our way to Keflavik airport, we stop for a relaxing couple of hours at the lagoon before departing for Denmark.

About the tour guide
The tour guide is responsible for organising all practical aspects of the trip including transportation, lodging, food preparation, etc. The tour guide is also an expert on the area itself – where to find the best hiking routes, good places to buy fresh-caught fish, etc. 

Greenland Travel has a 50-member-strong group of guides, many of whom have worked with us for more than 10 or 20 years. Their experience is handed on through the training of new guides, ensuring both continuity and a high standard of quality. With one of our tour guides at your side, a great Greenland experience is more than assured.

The tour guide is responsible for and is authorized to change the route, accommodations, method of transportation and schedule if deemed necessary. Every attempt will be made to harmonize any changes with the wishes of the group. And although travel takes place in a group, our tour guide will always do his or her best to accommodate individual needs and requests.