Greenland may be North America’s closest geographical neighbor (just 16 miles from the coast of Canada at the closest point), but reaching the Arctic landmass has been, until very recently, quite a difficult and expensive venture for American travelers. With the May 24 inauguration of Air Greenland’s first direct route between the United States and Greenland, reaching the world’s largest non-continental island from the States has become much easier, though no less expensive.
For years, American travelers heading to Greenland had to first fly to Iceland or Denmark before catching a connecting flight to their final destination. On Air Greenland’s new, seasonal flight from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to Kangerlussuaq, travelers touch down on the icy island in just five hours. The flights run during peak season, mid-June through mid-August, on Mondays and Thursdays. Roundtrip fares range from about $1,100 for a restricted economy class ticket to $2,600 for an unrestricted business class ticket.
Of course, visiting any of Greenland’s major towns besides Kangerlussuaq itself requires more travel – and more cash. With 85 percent of the island covered by an imposing sheet of ice, there are no roads running between the towns. Instead, travelers get around the country via domestic flights, helicopters and boat.
With a permanent population of approximately 56,000, it should come as no surprise that lodging and activity options are more limited than those offered in many other destinations in the world. But therein lies the beauty of an adventure in Greenland. We’ve put together a short guide to get you started planning a trip to this exotic destination.
When to Go: The summer months certainly offer the most optimal weather (temperatures even hit a balmy 70 degrees on occasion) conditions, but they also offer a chance to experience the midnight sun, Northern Lights and celebrations on Ullortuneq, Greenland’s national day. Air Greenland’s direct flights from Baltimore-Washington International run through Aug. 30, 2007. Whenever you choose to go, make sure to plan ahead. Flights and cruises fill up early, some up to a year in advance.
How to Get There: Independent travelers can book flights online through Air Greenland, but many leisure visitors opt to make arrangements through agencies experienced in arranging domestic transportation, lodging and excursions. Denmark-based Greenland Travel offers four-, five- and eight-day tours with options to visit glaciers, track musk ox, go whale-watching, view ice caps and fjords, hike coastal trails and experience traditional Inuit culture. U.S.-based Borton Overseas, Borello Travel and Tours and Scandinavian American World Tours offer a variety of four- to eight-day packaged tours and custom trips from Baltimore. For a complete list of tour operators, check out Air Greenland’s Guide to Package Tours.
Where to Stay: Except for Ittoqqortoomiit, Kangaatsiaq and Upernavik, every town in Greenland has at least one hotel, and some have multiple hotels, hostels and family-run bed and breakfasts. Popular lodging choices that many travel agencies suggest for tour groups and customized trips include the European-style Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat, Hotel Sisimiut in Sisimiut and Hotel Hans Egede in Nuuk. The Greenland Guide lists several additional hotels, as well as contact information for local tourist offices. Travelers looking to arrange hostel, bed and breakfast and home-stay accommodations on their own should contact local tourist offices directly for availability and booking information. Visitors to the southern town of Narsaq will find several working farms offering hostel-like accommodations, as well as companies renting individual homes. Check with the Narsaq Tourist Office for more information.
What to Do: Greenland is a giant playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Opportunities for hiking and viewing animal life abound, as do boating excursions and cultural visits to Inuit villages. Of course, visitors can pass the time exploring shops and restaurants in major towns like Nuuk and Ilulissat, but the real adventures lie outside these population centers. In conjunction with World of Greenland, Air Greenland operates helicopter sightseeing trips departing from Ilulissat Airport to view Greenland’s arresting ice fjords and Disko Bay.
Whale-watching and kayaking enthusiasts will want to head to the island town of Aasiaat in the southern part of Disko Bay. The Aasiaat Travel Service can arrange boat trips, guided kayak day trips and whale-watching for visitors. Instead of taking a traditional cruise from the mainland, travelers with the seafaring spirit can charter the Kisaq from Nuuk and create their own mini-cruise. If you’re looking to take an icy plunge, the town of Sisimiut is home to the Arctic Center, the only full-service, PADI-certified dive center in Greenland. In the south, the Narsaq Tourist Office offers tours to Greenland’s ice cap, as well as excursions to Viking ruins and hiking trips.
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