Two hikers overlooking Ikaasatsivaq sound in East Greenland near Tiniteqilaaq
© Visit Greenland - Mads Pihl
July August Guided tour

Alpine East

12 days trekking in remote East Greenland incl. flights from Keflavik

from €4,700 per person
Difficulty level: Challenging

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 Rasmussen glacier breaking the silence, extraordinary landscape and unique nature for walking. Experience Kuummiit hunter’s village and learn about the extraordinary Inuit culture and how people survived in this very hostile environment and learn about the exiting history of exploration and expeditions of the 19th and early 20th century. From the Tunu fjord, an adventurous walk along the Tunup Kuua valley and over 2 km of glacier before arriving to the “lake alike” fjord of Tasiilaq. Climb to the Tasiilaq mountain hut before heading back to Kulusuk.

Rough summary

Day 1:

Flight Keflavik - Kulusuk. Night in a house.

Day 2:

Boat transfer from Kulusuk to Karale Fjord. Night in tent.

Day 3:

Karale Fjord. Night in tent.

Day 4:

Nunartivaq. Night in tent.

Day 5:

Nunartivaq to Ikateq. Night in tent.

Day 6:

Ikateq to Tunup Kua valley. Night in tent.

Day 7:

Kuummiit. Night in tent.

Day 8:

Tasiilaq Fjord. Night in tent.

Day 9:

Tasiilaq Fjord. Night in tent.

Day 10:

Tasiilaq Mountain. Night in mountain hut.

Day 11:

Tasiilaq Fjord. Boat transfer to Kulusuk. Night in a house.

Day 12:

Flight Kulusuk - Keflavik.

Prices and dates

Dates & price per person:

July 2 – July 13, 2024: €4,700
July 16 – July 27, 2024: €4,910
July 30 – August 10, 2024: €4,700
August 16 – August 27, 2024: €4,765

Availability:

July 2, 2024 – July 13, 2024 (available)
July 16, 2024 – July 27, 2024 (available)
July 30, 2024 – August 10, 2024 (available)
August 16, 2024 – August 27, 2024 (available)

Further details

Price includes:

  • Flight Keflavik - Kulusuk, return
  • English speaking guide for 12 days
  • full board from lunch day 1 to lunch day 12
  • boat transfers
  • boats for luggage transport
  • cooking gear
  • 8 nights in tent
  • 1 night in mountain hut
  • 2 nights in a house in Kulusuk

Min / max participants:

5 / 12

Minimum age:

18

Hiking details:

Walking per day: 5-8 hours, 12-16 km (8-10 miles) mostly in difficult terrain
Total distance: 140 kilometers (87 miles)
Altitude: 0–850 meters
Maximum ascent: 850 meters (2790 feet)

Options

Feel free to add one or more of our tour options to make them part of your request.

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Single tent

  • EUR 100 per tour
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Price shown is per tour. Please book in advance with us.

Sleeping bag rental

  • EUR 50 per tour
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Vegetarian diet

  • €0
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If you follow a vegetarian diet, we kindly ask that you inform us ahead by choosing this option.

Vegan diet

  • €0
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If you follow a vegan diet, we kindly ask that you inform us ahead by choosing this option.

Flight connections

Flights to Greenland from Keflavik/Iceland are included.

Open map

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Kulusuk

You will fly by plane from Keflavik International Airport (Iceland) to Kulusuk Airport (Greenland). Visit of Kulusuk and walk to a nearby viewpoint. Free time in the afternoon while the guide prepares the coming days. Possibility to visit a small local museum in the afternoon. Night in a simple hut in Kulusuk (sleeping arrangement in a communal mixed-gender space with mattresses on the ground).

Day 2: Kulusuk - 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 caped mountains. Ice is everywhere in the water. When arriving to Karale Fjord the spectacle is breathtaking - the front of the Knud Rasmussen 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.
sailing: 2 hours, walking: 4 hours, altitude gain: 200-300m

Day 3: Hiking near 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 landscape that have been happening in the recent decades and are still going on. Late afternoon we return to the same camp where we spend the night.
walking: 6-7 hours, altitude gain: 300m

Day 4: Karale Glacier - Nunartivaq Mountain

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 up while new mountains start to come into view. We slowly descend to a valley called Nunartivaq. We arrive to the shore in an area full of boulders, where we put up the camp for the night.
walking: 6-7 hours, altitude gain: 450m

Day 5: Nunartivaq - Ikateq

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 it has not yet been done and until then these strange remains remind us of the role Greenland played in WWII. We camp for the night close to the old docs of Ikatek.
walking: 6-7 hours, altitude gain: 150m

Day 6: Ikateq to Tunup Kua valley

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.
walking: 6 hours, altitude gain: 150m

Day 7: Kuummiit

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.
walking: 6 hours, altitude gain: 100m

Day 8: Tasiilaq Fjord

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. At the highest point which is only at 300m altitude we see the valley on the other side descending to the fjord The view in Tasilak fjord is breathtaking. The fjord is very narrow and sheltered with up to 1500m high granite peaks on each side and over 2000m above the bottom of the fjord. One cannot help thinking that this compares with Patagonia. We put up our camp at the sea on the north bank of the river we have been following since we crossed the glacier.
walking: 7 hours, altitude gain: 500m

Day 9: Tasiilaq Fjord

The route follows the Tasiilaq fjord coastline and we enjoy the incredible view to the bottom of the fjord and the valley behind. 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.
walking: 5 hours, altitude gain: 100-400m

Day 10: Tasiilaq Mountain Hut

We walk for two to three hours before we arrive to a glacier tongue that descends all the way from a valley 700m 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 Tasiilaq Mountain Hut at about 800m altitude. This place is heaven-like for nature lovers. A magnificent place to sit down and enjoy silence and the calmness of the mountains. Night in a hut.
walking: 7-8 hours, altitude gain: 850m

Day 11: Tasiilaq Fjord - 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. Night in the same house in Kulusuk as on Day 1.
walking: 5-6 hours, Sailing: 2 hours, altitude gain: 0m

Day 12: Flight Kulusuk - Keflavik

In the late morning you will be flying back to Keflavik.

What our customers say

Very spectacular trip

Very spectacular trip, the guide Jean-David managed the trekking and cooking very well (earning his lunchtime naps!). The walking was tougher than suggested by just distance and height (a lot of rock-hopping or untracked sections), but was very enjoyable, led at a comfortable pace and highly recommended to those with trekking experience interested in visiting this relatively unknown area.

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Stephen Smith (Australia, August 2019)
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All adventure trips are undertaken on the responsibility of its participants. Greenland Tours does not assume any responsibility for accidents which are caused by its customers or can be traced to their own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realise that all outdoor activities carry an inherent risk.