Greenland

Scoresby Sund, the longest fjord in the world, cuts into the East Greenlandic Mountains 350 kilometers, is 50 kilometers wide and occupies an area equivalent to the states of Massachusetts and Connecticut combined. This is one of the most remote and wildest regions on Earth. It was named in honor of English explorer William Scoresby who mapped the fjord in 1822.

Wildlife, including musk ox, Arctic foxe, Arctic hares and lemmings are commonly seen in the large river-valleys. Near Hekla Haven, large areas of expansive tundra dotted with hundreds of freshwater ponds have transformed into the brilliant reds and yellows of Arctic autmn.

Red Fjord is another stunning site with the entire fjord walled with cliffs of 300 million-year old Permian red sandstone.

Glaciers, ice flows, mountains, remote villages, sea birds and whales are what you can expect in West Greenland. Some of the most remote villages on earth dot the west Greenland coastline and are stepped in tradition. As Greenland is covered by an icecap, Inuit villages are only accessible by sea or sled. Filled with culture and smiling faces, the Inuit communities share their way of life with visitors happily inviting guests to try local delicacies such as seal, whale and puffin and taste the water from natural springs. With dramatic mountainous backdrops and colourful houses these villages offer some incredible photographic opportunities. As you walk through the streets you will hear the sled dogs howling to each other awaiting their next sled adventure with great anticipation.

Greenland is thought to have first been inhabited around 2,500BC.  Greenland’s modern day inhabitants are Inuit likely related to the Dorset and Thule cultures who arrived in 1,300 -1,400 AD .  Icelandic settlers did make Greenland home from around 985 when Eric the Red encouraged approximately 1,200 Icelanders to move to Greenland but these Norse settlements were abandoned 400-500 years later.

The early Inuit people believed that nature was endowed with the spirits. Every single stone, animal and organism was alive and had a soul. They also believed that the human soul could migrate from animal to animal, and this led to a lot of imaginative stories.  In fact, this belief is not really so surprising for a people who lived so close to nature and who were completely dependent on nature’s living resources.

These beliefs feed through to Greenlandic art or “Eqqumiitsuliorneq”, which translated directly means “to create things that look “strange”.  The inspiration for Greenlandic arts and crafts often originates from wildlife and the natural world.

The kayak – or ‘qajaq’ as it is called in Greenland – is an invention from old days that has been an essential piece of hunting equipment for Inuit people in Greenland and the rest of Arctic North America. The kayak is used in connection with sealing, whaling and fishing which given there is little farming or agriculture hunting is of great importance.  Today the traditional ‘qajaq’ is still seen in many towns and especially at the annual kayak meeting.

Greenland is today a self-governing country with strong ties to Denmark who granted home rule in 1979.  The Inuit or Kalaallit make up almost 90% of Greenland’s population.

Greenland boasts many exceptional glaciers and ice flows. The Ilulissat Glacier, a UNESCO site located on the west coast of Greenland, is believed to be the birthplace of the iceberg that sank the Titanic. The glaciers and ice flows of Greenland are so enormous they dwarf the visiting ships, and guests often have the opportunity to hike up beside the glaciers to appreciate the spectacular views.

Some sites don’t lend themselves to a physical landing or may be best seen from water level. Zodiacs (rubber inflatable boats) offer a safe way to explore and are an integral part of any day in Greenland.

Note: Please ensure you are adequately dressed as it can get cold; waterproof pants are essential

Luxury

Expedition – Luxury