Hiking East Greenland Adventure Tour

When someone says “incredible hiking adventure” East Greenland probably doesn't immediately come to mind. This five-day tour will 100% change that. Trek and camp your way across this rugged land's spectacular mountains, glaciers, and valleys, discovering the region's storied culture and fascinating wildlife along the way.

Group Leader Description  

The group will be led by a CEO (Chief Experience Officer) who is trained hiking and wilderness guide.

Health  

Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that quite often we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings for trip specific information. G Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our CEO they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.

Itinerary Disclaimer  

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Travel Insurance  

Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. G Adventures can provide you with the appropriate coverage. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

Trip Specific Safety  

As you are in the wilderness, it is mandatory that the group stay together at all times. It is also imperative to follow the safety instructions from the expert guide.

Packing List  

Cold Weather:
• Long-sleeved shirts or sweater
• Scarf
• Warm gloves
• Warm hat
• Warm layers

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Required visas or vaccination certificates (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)

Essentials:
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Toiletries (Preferably biodegradable)
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Greenland Hiking:
• Camping mattress/sleep mat
• Insect repellent
• Sleeping bag and liner, 4 season
• Toilet paper
• Waterproof footwear (For river crossings)

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (required)
• Hand sanitizer (required)
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
• Rubber gloves

Trekking:
• Gloves
• Hat
• Hiking boots/sturdy walking shoes
• Hiking pants (Convertible/Zip-off and quick dry recommended)
• Snacks (Protein bars, chocolate, dried fruits, candies, energy sweets.)
• Socks (Trekking socks (woollen or synthetic, not cotton).)
• Thermal base layer (Woollen or synthetic, not cotton.)
• Walking poles (Highly recommended.)

Note: For your own wellbeing and safety, we strongly suggest having good quality rain-gear, tops and bottoms. Also, respect that cotton
clothing is NOT appropriate for any strenuous outdoor activity (this includes jeans and t-shirts.) Modern outdoor clothing is by far more reliable, healthy and will greatly improve your experience. It also is key to layer while hiking as weather can change dramatically without notice.

Optional Activities  

No optional activities

Meals  

Breakfast. In the mornings we make a porridge, the Nordic breakfast classic, which is filling and provides long-lasting energy. We also bring some bread, butter and jam and of course, tea and coffee.

Lunch: In the morning, the group makes their lunch-packs: bread, spreads, hams and cheeses. And nobody should go on a trek without biscuits. If you think you need more on your trip, it's great to bring some extra energy bars or your favourite dry fruit/trail mix to keep in your day pack.

Dinner; The evening meal is a combination of dry-freezed food some days, and simple cooking over the camp stove. While the guide prepares dinner at the end of the day (your help with chopping and preparing is appreciated). Each meal is three courses, starter, main and desert. We try to make the menu diverse and keep a good balance. To give you an idea, you could have soup to start with, then cous-cous and sausage, and a piece of cake for desert. If our roads cross with a fisherman, we try to get some fresh fish to add to our meal. Because we strive to get as much as we can locally and that we are in the Arctic where meat
and fish is the stable diet (and for a good reason), we encourage you to go with the flow, unless you have special dietary requirements. In which case, you must advise us at time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

There are no shops nor possibilities to buy refreshments, snacks or drinks during our camping except on the last evening. We can stop in the local store on day 1 for you to pick up snacks before we catch the boat, but can't guarantee what is available. Again, we suggest you bring snacks with you.

Emergency Fund  

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

A Couple of Rules  

Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of people in the sex trade is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our CEOs have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they utilize the services of paid sex workers, in any capacity.

Meals Included  

4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners

Joining Hotel  

For details of your joining hotel please refer to your tour voucher, G Account, the G Adventures App or contact your travel agent.

Safety and Security  

Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it deemed necessary, due to safety concerns. Your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy and explore at your leisure. While your CEO will assist you with options available in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.

Water based activities have an element of danger and excitement built into them. We recommend only participating in water based activities when accompanied by a guide(s). We make every reasonable effort to ensure the fun and adventurous element of any water based activities (in countries with varying degrees of operating standards), have a balanced approach to safety. It is our policy not to allow our CEOs to make arrangements on your behalf for water based activities that are not accompanied by guide(s).

Swimming, including snorkeling, is always at your own risk. Read more about travel safety for ways to further enhance your personal safety while traveling.

Minimum Age  

You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.

Highlights  

Explore the remote wilderness of Greenland, Hike the majestic Apusiaajik Glacier, Conquer the Niiniartivaraq mountains, Learn about the Inuit culture and daily life in the north.

Important Notes  

Flights to/from Greenland
Specific flights are required to get to and from Greenland - please work directly with your booking agent/GCO to ensure the correct flights are secured.

Packing / gear
Layering is key on this trip and cotton clothing is not appropriate for strenuous hiking. You are restricted to a back pack/duffle of 15 kg per person + 6 kg daypack - we do recommend that you wear your main hiking outfit (with layers) on the plane and pack key items in your day pack in the chance that baggage can be misplaced/lost.

Participatory
This is a participarty trip, you are expected to help around the camp in set-up, cooking and cleaning. It is mandatory to "leave no trace" to preserve this remote environment.

Activity Level
You must be fit to participate in this trip, and you must participate in all included hikes. For safety reasons, no one in the group can be left behind or unattended at the camp.

Roughing it
This trip takes place in remote wilderness, you should be fully comfortable in these type of basic conditions, if not, this may not be the right trip for you.

Electronics
There is no wifi or electricity the first 3 nights of camping. We recommend bringing extra batteries, power banks, or solar charges to ensure you can keep your devices charged for pictures and videos.

About our Transportation  

The boats we use are speed boats for 6 to 12 passengers each-depending on the size of the group we may be split up in two boats and sometimes the luggage in the third boat.

Boat logistics: We have boat support on this trip. This means that each morning, our college from the nearby
village comes by boat and takes our luggage to the next campsite. We have to pack our bags and help him load the boat in the morning. He will then unload the boat by himself as close to the water as he can. When we arrive in camp in the afternoon, we make a human chain to move it the few meters to a flat spot where we set up camp. This is a group effort, and everyone's help is appreciated.

My Own Room Exceptions  

Night 4 in Kulusuk

Laundry  

There are no laundry facilities on this trip.

Spending Money  

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Money Exchange  

ATM and credit cards are not useful when camping. The supermarket may take them on day 1 and the last day when we are in Kulusuk, but there is always the chance they may not work. For this reason we advise you to bring cash for any snacks, souvenirs and for tipping the guide.

Danish Krona (DKK) is the local currency in Greenland.

My Own Room  

Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops.

Please be aware that single room accommodations in European hotels are often smaller, and may not be to the same service level as double-occupancy rooms.

Itinerary Notes  

Specific flights need to be booked for this trip; please see joining instructions for details.

Solo Travellers  

We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

About Accommodation  

This trip is a hiking and camping trip in remote locations in the wilderness; there is no electricity or shower and we make a hole in the ground for a toilette. Feel free to bathe in the lakes and ocean though. It is refreshing, to say the least. We sleep 3 nights in a tent (based on 2 people in a three-person hiking tent). The dinner and breakfast will be prepared by the guide with help of clients in a mess tent. The mess tent is big enough that everyone can sit on a simple foldable camping stool. We also have a small table and a large cooking stove. The trip is participatory, and you are expected to help set up camp and prepare meals.

The last night is in a small, very basic hostel dormitory. The full group will share 1 dorm room (all sexes), there are sleeping mats on the floor.

What's Included  

Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group. Kulusuk Walking Tour, Kulusuk. Apusiaajik Glacier and Apusiaajiip Ilinnera Valley Hike. Niiniartivaraq Mountain Hike. Sermilik Fjord High Ridge Glacier Hike. Traditional Drum Dance Circle. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodation  

Basic participatory camping (3 nts), basic hostel (full group sharing one dormitory-hut 1 nt).

Arrival Complications  

We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier and contact us as soon as possible. If you have a pre-booked transfer, and you have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.

International Flights  

Check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.

Dossier Disclaimer  

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Transport  

Hiking, walking, boat.

Group Size Notes  

Min 15, average 12.

Joining Instructions  

We recommend booking the following flights to and from Greenland with Air Iceland Connect:

Day 1: Arrival flight is NY231 Reykjavik - Kulusuk. Departure at 10:45. Arrival at 10:25
Day 5: Departure flight is NY232 Kulusuk - Reykjavik. Departure at 11:10. Arrival at 14:50

Flights cost approximately EUR 240 to 450 each way. Availability is limited, so it is important that you book your flights early.

Please note that these flights depart from and arrive to Reykjavik (domestic) Airport (RKV), not Keflavik (international) Airport (KEF), and allow plenty of time to transfer between airports. You can pre-book a direct transfer with G Adventures, or alternatively Flybus shuttle buses are available approximately every two hours and cost around USD 35.

What to Take  

We recommend using a backpack for your convenience, or a medium-sized duffle bag if you prefer. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage. You must be prepared to carry your luggage up and down stairs, on and off transportation, to/from the airport and to camping area. The luggage restrictions for the trip are one piece of maximum 15 kg per person + 6 kg hand luggage.

Feedback  

After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that we'll give you 5% off the price of your next G Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Your tour evaluation will be e-mailed to you 24 hours after the conclusion of your trip. If you do not receive the tour evaluation link in the days after your tour has finished, please drop us a line at customerservice@gadventures.com and we will send it on to you.