Kayak expeditions in the north of Greenland, 18 days (4019)

In the Greenlandic wilderness, far up in the north, 600 km north of the Arctic circle, is the small village of Upernavik. The area is perfect for kayaking. There is a bay with over one hundred islands and the weather is stabile with little wind or waves. Ten small communities are spread out over the area and the large and active Upernavik Icefjord. Travel with us to this magnificent area on a true arctic adventure where we will explore an area that few have been to before us!

These are expeditions in its true sense! After visiting the city of icebergs, Ilulissat we take the flight up to Upernavik. We then let boats take us further north out in the wilderness into the Melville Bay. During the expedition we also do some hiking, especially on the first expedition. We bring with us food but we also get food during the tour. We might catch some arctic char, fjord cod and clams.

The days are long when the sun never goes down! So we can take the time we believe we need. If we find something during the way we will explore it. Hopefully we will encounter some whales and seals and we will pass some enormous bird cliffs.

When this is a true expedition, the following program is just a plan that easily can be changed during the expedition. The weather, the ice and the participants ideas and curiosity have great impact on the route.

The first expedition that starts on July 2nd is the one that takes us most furthest north.  On this expedition we combine more hiking than we do on the one that start on July 16. A boat will bring us and the kayaks to "The small reindeer land" far up north in the Melville bay. Here we will make a day tour up and into the land, hopefully we get all the way up to the Greenlandic Ice Cap that covers over 80% of the country. When we continue the expedition with our kayaks we will go south and get to places like Knud Rasmussens Bjorneborg and further to the small village Kullorsuaq. We will pass Wilcox Head that is the western cape of the Kiatassuaq Island (AKA Holms Island). We continue the expedition to the Nuussuaq peninsula where we will have great opportunities to catch some arctic char. In the village of Nuussuaq will the boat pick us up and bring us back to Upernavik. The last night is spent on the boat.
We paddle in total approximately 150 km on this expedition with day tours around 15 - 25 km.

The second tour with start on July 16 also starts with a boat trip from Upernavik. The boat takes us to Nuussuaq from were our expedition starts. On our route south back to Upernavik will we pass large bird cliffs, ice fjords and small villages. We will be kayaking on the north side of the Upernavik Icefjord and we will paddle among the icebergs so far into the fjord we can. After a visit in the small village Aapilattoq we aill continue to Upernavik
In total we will be kayaking aproximately 230 km on this expedition with day tours around 20 25 km.

Here on our Facebook page you will find pictures from the 2011 expedition.

We combine this trip with a stay in the town of icebergs, Ilulissat where you will have the opportunity to experience its fantastic icefjord with its icebergs measuring up to a kilometre in thickness.
Click here for to see pictures from Ilulissat

With us on the expedition is our local kayaking guide and instructor Sören Nikolaj Sörensen. Nikolaj was born in Odense, Denmark 1977 and have studied biology for many years. Shortly after finishing his degree he moved to Ilulissat and started working in its Hospital. Four months later he was employed as a bio-analytic by the department of Health in Upernavik. 2012 Nikolaj will have been living here for seven years and has contacts in all the area. Nikolaj is a trained kayaking instructor and has, since 2008, been guiding kayaking-tourists and dog-sledge enthusiasts throughout the Upernavik area, (Click on picture to enlarge).

VWe do have a shorter expedition in the same area.
Read more about it here!

NB! Please be aware that this trip requires you to be at least a moderate kayaker and experienced to handling sea-kayaks!

Travel dates (4019)   2012: July 2 - 20 The expedition that goes furthest north and include a bit more hiking. July 16 - August 3 The expedition with a bit more paddling and we go into the Upernavik Icefjord.    Price (SEK)   38 000:-  Price includes   • Flight Copenhagen - Kangerlussuaq - Ilulissat - Upernavik r/t incl taxes and fees • Boat transport with kayaks to the starting point (and back to Upernavik on the 2nd tour) • Guided city walk in Ilulissat • Use of kayak Prijon Seayak with rudder or similar. There is also one double kayak available, Prijon Excursion. • Use of paddle and skirt. • Use of dry suit and life jacket • Every kayak is also equipped with:   Spare paddle, Safety line for the paddle, toll line, small repair kit, pump.. • For the whole group: 1 satellite telephone for emergencies, 1 rifle, 1 GPS • Full board during the expedition • 2 nights in Upernavik (there are no hotels or hostels) • 3 nights on hostels in Ilulissat • Kayak expedition • Guide during the kayak expedition.  Price does not includes   • Meals during the time outside the kayak expedition. • Entrance fees to museum etc. • Tent, sleeping bag and sleeping mat. Might be possible to rent. Contact us if you are interreted. • Travel-- and cancellation insurance. NB! An travel insurance that cover picking up in wildernes is mandatory for this trip.

Number of participants: Min 6 max 10

NB! All prices are valid now but can be changed. Already booked tours do not normally ever change (see booking conditions).

Itinerary
Day 1: Departure
Departure from Copenhagen 13:00 (prel) via Kangerlussuaq to Ilulissat. The night is spent in Ilulissat at a hostel or b&b. A guided city walk is included.

Day 3:
Onwards with domestic flight to Upernavik. You will meet the guide and have a run-through of gear etc as well as making purchases for the kayaking trip. The night will be spent in a house.

Day 4-16:
Kayak expedition (see description further up on the page).

Day 16:
Upernavik, a visit to the museum is a good idea (not included). We will spend the night in a house. Only on the tour that starts on July 16.

Day 17:
The day is at your disposal. The flight to Ilulissat departs at 16:30 (prel) local standard time. Night spent at hostel..

Day 18:
departure from Ilulissat to Kangerlussuaq and continue to Copenhagen.