Hiking and Kayaking to the Ice Cap
Join us on an adventure of a lifetime; embark on a sea kayaking expedition into the untouched Greenlandic wilderness. This expedition connects normally inaccessible destinations that could not be any more 'off the beaten track'. Discover an active hiking and sea kayaking trip in one of the most remote places on earth. Experience true quietness as you paddle silently through iceberg filled waters where whales frequent.
Itinerary
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Day 1 Ilulissat - Oqaatsut
Your guide will meet you in Ilulissat. From here it is a scenic boat trip to the isolated settlement of Oqaatsut. This tiny village is home to only about 45 people who live in traditional coloured houses. We take time to explore this delightful village at the end of the world with its traditional Inuit culture and complete our first hike to explore our stunning surroundings.
Accommodation: Hostel
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Day 2 Our kayaking adventure begins
After an introduction to sea-kayaking techniques, navigation skills and an equipment check, we load up our boats and set off northwards. Our expedition begins with a calm day - you will be weaving in and out of Icebergs and paddling with confidence in no time! We set up camp in a sheltered bay and enjoy the chance to live like a traditional Inuit community - learn bushcraft skills and go foraging to add to our evening meal.
Activities: Sea kayaking 5 hours
Accommodation: Camping -
Days 3 to 4 Kayaking to Pakitsoq Bay
The adventure continues - we pack up camp, load up our boats and head north to Pakitsoq Bay. Keep your eyes open for whales, seals and eagles as we head deeper into the wilderness...
Activities: Hiking and kayaking, 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Camping -
Day 5 Pakitsoq Bay and the ice sheet
Learn tidal navigation skills as we kayak from our campsite into the Fjord. From here, we can hike up to stunning views of the ice sheet; we explore the area on foot and by kayak. This isolated part of Greenland is home to a range of flora and fauna including whales...
Activities: Kayaking, 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Camping -
Days 6 to 7 Kayaking to Oqaatsut
We load up our kayaks - a beautiful two day journey through Greenlands picturesque scenary awaits. Keep your eyes open for whales, seals and eagles as we paddle around icebergs and make our way back to Oqaatsut.
Activities: Kayaking, 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Night 6 camping & night 7 in hostel accommodation -
Day 8 Ilulissat
Breakfast and return boat trip to Ilulissat
Transport: Boat
The details in this programme are updated regularly but imponderables and unpredictable circumstances may result in inaccuracies. In order to provide the adventure which is best suited to your demands, the weather and the operational conditions, changes to the itinerary may be made. For safety reasons, we reserve the rights to interrupt your participation at any time if your technical level or fitness is deemed unsuitable or if you are seen as a danger to yourself or to those around you. This will in no case give rise to refunds or compensation.
Other trips you may like
Discover West Greenland: Live like an Inuit in one of the most isolated and captivating destinations in the world. This adventure includes a mini wilderness camping expedition, hiking, kayaking, whale watching and walking on the ice cap! A complete discovery of West Greenland and simply unforgettable family holiday.
Dates & prices
International departures:
No departure for now
Trip code: GROWAK
Included
- All in-country transfers as detailed in itinerary
- Accommodation as detailed in itinerary
- Full board from lunch Day 1 to breakfast Day 8
- Full supervision by a qualified expert Altaï guide
- Two nights in traditional style accommodation in Oqaatsut
- All technical equipment provided (camping, sea kayaking...)
Not included
- Registration fee: €18 (free for under 12s)
- International flights
- Insurance
Optional activities
Please let us know if you would like to reserve any of the following optional activities:
- Greenlandic meal in traditional restaurant: prices vary from €25
Notes
For many years, we put our know-how and our experience of nature and adventure travel in Greenland to the service of travelers from different horizons. You may find yourself in an international group with participants from our various partners.
Comfort - 1/5 Camping
Normally we provide a 3 man dome tent per 2 people for maximum space and comfort. For our basecamps we usually set up a fully equipped mess tent for meal times, including a table and stools. We are proud of our quality camping equipment and take care to monitor and store everything correctly. This trip also includes nights in local guesthouse and hostel accommodation with shared facilities.
Level - 2/5 Moderate
This trip is accessible to anyone with a sense of adventure and a positive attitude. You do not need previous sea kayaking experience but physically you should be able to swim 100m and participate in 5-6 hours of hiking/kayaking per day. Our hikes are not technically difficult but venture over uneven terrain. This trip involves camping and please note that your help with tasks like cooking is much appreciated and expected - we want you to be a part of our team.
Terms and conditions
Booking conditions
Booking a trip with Altai Greenland implies acceptance of the terms and conditions of sale. Each customer is required to complete a registration form and, subject to availability at the time of registration, travellers are expected to pay a deposit of 30% of the total price to complete their booking. Payments can be made online or by bank transfer. You will receive an e-mail with your booking confirmation.
Invoice procedure
Once your booking is confirmed you will receive an invoice by e-mail. The full balance of the trip must be received at least 30 days before your departure date. We reserve the right to cancel your booking, free of charge, if this deadline is not respected.
Cancellation policy
If for any reason you have to cancel your trip, Altai Greenland requires written confirmation of your decision. The money you have paid will then be refunded according to the following deductions:
- Cancellation received more than 30 days prior to the departure date: a sum of €50 per person will be retained
- Cancellation received 30 to 21 days before the departure date: your deposit, 30% of the total trip price will be retained
- Cancellation received 20 to 14 days before the departure date: 50% of the total trip price will be retained
- Cancellation received 13 to 7 days before the departure date: 75% of the total trip price will be retained
- Cancellation received less than 7 days before the departure date: 100% of the total trip price will be retained
Special cases:
Please note that, regardless of the date of cancellation or modification if you have agreed to pay for services such as hotel reservations, flights or additional activities, these services are usually non-refundable so additional fees may apply.
Fixed airfares: if your airline ticket was issued in advance, often done to avoid significant surcharges, you will be charged 100% of any non-refundable fees if you wish to change or cancel your flight plan.
Fixed in-country costs: early charges for firm bookings will be charged if you cancel or modify your trip.Insurance costs: if you have taken out comprehensive or cancellation insurance, the cost of insurance is due and cannot be refunded.
Please note that fees apply according to the date we receive your cancellation or modification request in writing.
If we have to cancel a departure due to an insufficient number of participants, you will be informed no later than 21 days before departure and a full refund will be issued, you will not be entitled to further compensation. We reserve the rights to cancel departures due to exceptional circumstances which may impact the safety of participants. Such circumstances include those amounting to 'force majeure' in which case participants will receive a full refund but they will not be entitled to any compensation.
Changes to travel contract
If you wish to make a change to your booking please contact Altai Greenland in writing; you will be expected to pay any fee which might arise from this change. In the event of unforeseen external events, Altaï Greenland may change some aspects of the travel contract. If any changes are necessary you will be informed as quickly as possible.
Pricing
The prices on our website are updated regularly and all of the prices we advertise are accurate when published. We reserve the rights to make changes to any of these prices. Before you make a booking we will give you the up-to-date price of your chosen holiday including any supplements, upgrades or additional activities you may have requested. If the number of travellers is fewer than the indicated number of participants on the website, a small group surcharge may be applied. For all of our trips we include details of services, prices and what is/is not included but please be aware that changes to the prices may be necessary in accordance with exchange rates or price changes of various components of the journey.
Contract transfer
If you are unable to travel for any reason, you can transfer your booking to another person in which case our modification conditions apply. Both the transferor and transferee will be jointly and severally liable for payment of the total holiday price and other associated expenses. Some airline carriers treat name changes as cancellations and you may be required to pay for the cost of a new ticket.
Practical info
Staff
You will be welcomed at the airport by a representative from our friendly team and accompanied for the duration of your holiday. Armed with an abundance of experience and a wealth of expert knowledge our professional Greenland team know the country inside out. All activities are lead by our qualified guides. They are all English speaking outdoor practitioners with a passion for everything Greenlandic. Please note that this adventure takes place in an isolated polar environment which can be hostile - your guide will explain safety rules which must be followed.
Food
This trip includes full board except the final evening meal in Ilulissat - we are proud of the varied, fresh and frankly delicious food we provide on our camping trips. Meals are based on a selection of local products and you will have the opportunity to try Greenlandic delicacies such as cod, arctic char and mussels.
Each day will start with a hearty breakfast accompanied by plenty of tea and coffee. Then you will prepare your own picnic lunch for the day from a buffet style array of options - everyday there will definitely be sandwiches, hot drinks and cakes among the other options. Each evening meal will include three courses- we try to offer fresh fruit and vegetables everyday but this is not always possible in Greenland!
Your help in the kitchen is expected and much appreciated, particularly in the evenings. We like when the whole group work as a team to cook dinner, it creates a pleasant atmosphere as we reflect on the days adventures together.
Please let us know about any dietary requirements when you book the trip and we will work with you to cater for your needs.
Accommodation
Oqaatsut
We sleep in a rustic village refuge in the heart of the traditional Greenlandic settlement. There is no running water so we use water from a fountain. Showers are found in a village communal house for a small fee (€2). We use shared dry toilets which are the only facilities in a number of small Greenlandic settlements.
Wild Camping
We provide quality 3 man dome tents, 1 per 2 people for maximum space and comfort plus a spacious fully equipped mess tent complete with a table and stools for communal moments and mealtimes.
Transportation
In Greenland we use local boats, specially adapted for ice navigation, to cross fjords.
Budget & exchange
The currency in Greenland is the Danish Krone (DKK)
Please budget for a meal in Ilulissat: €25-€70 / 200-500DKK. Alcohol is very expensive in Greenland, if you want to enjoy an evening drink after your days adventures, we recommend buying Duty Free alcohol in the airport.
Supplied equipment
We
provide you with the technical equipment you will need for this
adventure - all you need to bring are your hiking boots.
We will provide
everything else including:
- 3 man dome tents (1 per 2 people for maximum space and comfort)
- Self-inflating sleeping matt
- A mess tent with table, stools and cooking equipment
- Tandem sea kayak with directional rudder
- A Gore-tex dry suit with integrated warm fleece liner
- A spray deck
- A life jacket
Our sea
kayaks were chosen for their stability and comfortable, they are suitable for
first time kayakers. Average speed 2-3 miles per hour, up to 6 miles per hour.
Suitable for all sea conditions and in the unlikely event of capsize they are
surprisingly easy to right, even at sea you would be back on board and paddling
in no time.
Vital equipment
- Sleeping bag (comfortable at 0°C for maximum warmth)
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket (with a hood)
- Waterproof trousers
- A warm jumper or two
- Suitable underwear, t-shirts and walking trousers
- Thermals - top & long johns
- A swimsuit
- Warm gloves and hat (even in the summer - evenings can be chilly)
- Sunhat and sun cream
- Sunglasses (UV 400)
- Any personal medication
- Towel & toiletries
- A water bottle
- A small rucksack to use as a day bag
- Warm pyjamas
- Head torch & spare batteries (although it is nearly always light in the summer months)
Material
We prefer that you do not wear cotton clothing, including underwear, when participating in activities. When cotton gets wet from water or sweat it ceases to insulate and it does not dry fast. The best materials for outdoor activities are fast drying materials like polyester or materials which are warm when wet like wool. The most powerful materials against the wind and rain are 'breathable' materials like Gore-Tex or Nikwax.
Our advice for keeping warm
Winter in Greenland can be very cold, please think carefully about what clothes you bring, although we will provide warm outer layers, the layers you wear next to your skin make the biggest difference. We recommend:
- No cotton
- Bring dry spares of everything, even underwear and gloves
- Wear multiple layers including:
- A warm breathable base layer
- A second thermal layer
- Wind and waterproof protective out layer (we provide an additional quality jacket and over trousers)
Helpful equipment
You may also consider packing
- Your camera
- Binoculars
- A notepad and pencil
- A thermos flask
- Plastic bags for wet/dirty clothing
- A comfortable evening outfit
- Walking poles
- Inflatable pillow
- Insect repellant
- Blister plasters
- Tissues
Luggage
Please bring a small rucksack to use as a day bag. You can bring this as hand luggage on the aeroplane. You will carry your lunch, water, spare layers and any personal medication with you each day in this bag. You will also need a larger bag to store your other clothes and belongings in, please ensure that this is a soft bag like a ruckack or holdall rather than a hard cased suitcase because it is more practical. We recommend packing all of your clothes in plastic bags so that they stay dry in the event of wet weather.
Medicine
Your guide is a trained first-aider and will carry a full first aid kit at all times during the trip. We recommend that you bring a small personal first aid kit containing any medication you may need such as inhalers, plasters, antiseptic and painkillers.
Passport
Most travellers require a passport that is valid for at least three months after the return date. It is your responsibility to confirm your specific passport requirements and please be aware that proof of onwards travel may be required.
Visa
Most travellers do not need a VISA to travel to Greenland but proof of onwards travel may be required. It is your responsibility to confirm your specific visa requirements.
Mandatory vaccines
There are no specific health risks.
Health information & recommendations
It is your responsibility to check that your personal health insurance covers everything in this trip. A consultation with your doctor is a prerequisite for any trip.
Weather
Year round the temperatures in Greenland can range from -25°C to more than 20°C (-13°F to +68°F). The air is low in humidity which means that the temperatures do not feel as cold as you might imagine and that the views are amazing, it appears that you can see further. Generally speaking Greenland is not very windy and the warmest months are June - August.
The length of the day varies significantly throughout the year. The shortest day of the year
is 21st December with no sunlight! The longest day, with 24 hours of sunlight, is 20th June. You can see the midnight sun from May - July and the Northern Lights in the darker months.
Electricity
Greenland uses Northern European electrical standards (50Hz/220 volts) and the standard Europlug socket with two round prongs.
Local time
Most of Greenland uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)/ Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) -3; most areas use Daylight Saving Time (DST).
Topography
Area: 836,300 mi²
Population: 56,186 inhabitants (2016)
Capital: Nuuk
Languages: Kalaallisut or West Greenlandic, Danish is also widely used
Regime: Part of the Kingdom of Denmark but politically autonomous
Part of the continent of North America, Greenland is the largest island on Earth and it is covered by the largest ice sheet in the world outside of antarctica.
Sustainable tourism
As adventure and wilderness travel experts who run trips to some of the most remote parts of the world, we take responsible tourism very seriously.
We respect the ‘Leave No Trace’ outdoor ethical code and try to explore this beautiful location whilst causing minimal environmental damage.
The Leave No Trace policy can be summarized in 7 simple steps which we hope you will follow during ourtrip...
- Be prepared
- Stick to trails and camp overnight right
- Stash your trash and pick up waste
- Leave it as you find it
- Be careful with fire
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Over the years we have built up good relations with our local suppliers and we are keen to support local businesses as much as possible. We are a small company and we pay our local partners and suppliers directly insuring fair rates.
Our small group sizes not only provide a more intimate adventure but also cause less impact on the environment and local communities.
We expect all who travel with us to support and uphold our Sustainable Tourism philosophies.
My local agent
Elodie
- Outdoor activities enthusiast
- Adventure travel expert
- Logistics expert
- Region
- Disko Bay
- Activity
- Hiking Kayaking Summer
- Duration
- 8 days
- Group
- 5 to 12 people
- Code
- GROWAK
- Price
- From €1,890
- Level
- 2/5
- Comfort
- 1/5
- Language(s)
- English
Strengths
- Go sea kayaking in Greenland's iconic waters
- Venture on a kayaking expedition into the Greenlandic wilderness with a professional guide
- Amazing guided-hike to/on the ice sheet
- This trip includes full board and all technical equipment
- Two nights in the tiny village of Oqaatsut discovering the Inuit way of life