Inuit, whales, icebergs, glaciers, icy winds and warm locals. A paddling trip to Greenland is a trip nearby. Close to the water, close to nature, close to experiences that are not available at home. When the clouds burst open and the sun comes out, everything is perfect with heat, tailwind, flat sea and sun protection factor 30! A little hardship and many experiences are promised on this trip in the midnight sun among icebergs and whales. Short for GRL by abbreviationfinder, Greenland is one of countries starting with G listed on countryaah.

Greenland – 12 days

Day 1 Copenhagen – Uummannaq

Early departure by flight from Copenhagen to Qaarsut via Greenland International Airport in Kangerlussuaq. In Qaarsut we change means of transport to a helicopter for a 10 minute journey to the island of Uummannaq. Before the end of a long day, your guide will tell you what is important to keep in mind when paddling in Arctic conditions and you will have the opportunity to ask questions. We shoot a little during the day already the first day to get “in phase” with the midnight sun. The best time of day is when the sun is low for several hours and colors the landscape and icebergs beautifully red.

Day 2 Introduction / Paddling

During the day we get acquainted with the equipment we will use during the paddling. Everyone gets the opportunity to make individual adjustments and we end the day with a paddle around Uummannaq for a first feeling of paddling in Arctic waters. Day stage: Approx. 18 km

Day 3 Canoeing

We launch our kayaks and meet Storön. The crossing is 9 kilometers, but because the island is so high and the air so clear, one can easily be misled into thinking that it is a few kilometers there. Storön offers both a lunch place and a night camp. Day stage: Approx. 20 km

Day 4 Canoeing

After a hearty breakfast we pack the kayaks and slide further north. The long days allow us to paddle at a leisurely pace when it suits us best and with plenty of room for flexibility. We expect to land at one of the fjord estuaries and enjoy the western sun that gilds the slope where the fresh water meanders down to the sea. During the summer, many whales spend their time in Arctic waters and hopefully we see whales on several occasions. Some of the marine mammals we hope to see are herring whales, humpback whales, humpback whales, harp seals, and ringed seals. Day stage: Approx. 20 km

Day 5 Canoeing / Hiking

We explore one of the fjord intestines in the area and take the opportunity to hike up to the nearby lake to explore the ice sheet in the distance. If we are lucky, we will see mountain foxes who are vigilantly keeping an eye on us. Day stage: Approx. 15 km

Day 6 Canoeing

Our stage to the next camp site offers a slightly shorter paddling. Once there, there is of course the opportunity to explore the surroundings further with our kayaks. We camp on a sandy beach with fantastic views of the fjord and icebergs. Here we find well-preserved remains of ancient cultures buried in stone tombs along the shore. Our guide tells about how the Inuit survived in one of the most barren places on earth and about the kayak’s function from the past to the present. During the entire paddling, we naturally try to give as much space and flexibility as possible to activities such as photography, fishing and shorter hikes. Day stage: Approx. 10 km

Day 7 Canoeing

During the morning we are awakened by huge “thunder sounds” from the nearby glacier, Sermilik, where the ice sheet flows into the sea. When the glacier front collapses, the water fills with amounts of ice and a roaring sound fills the fjord. We paddle closer to the glacier, and are probably met by seals resting on the ice. We return to our camp where we stay another night. If the weather is good, as it often is, today we see the mouth of the Uummannaqfjord. The 120 km long fjord is perfect for kayaking with its protected location. The high mountains and islands protect against any westerly winds that can cause waves. Day stage: 20-30 km

Day 8 Canoeing

We paddle south and have our eyes wide open in search of whales. It is precisely this stretch that we are most likely to see the majestic mammals swim past us. From here we also have a view of the mighty Nussuaq peninsula. Day stage: Approx. 10 km

Day 9 Paddling / Uummannaq

We start our paddling again towards Ummaannaq and if we are lucky we catch fish that gild our last meal in the field (weather and wind decide when we make the last crossing back to Uummannaq)

Day 10 Buffer Day / Uummannaq

“Extra day” to compensate for any delays during the trip. If everything went as planned, we will use this day to explore Uummannaq and its surroundings, see below.

We spend the day exploring the island of Uummannaq itself. We go on a hike up the mountain for a dizzying view of the area. The evening then ends with a wonderful outdoor barbecue where we enjoy the last sunset and discuss the week that has been.

Day 11 Buffer Day / Uummannaq

After a quiet morning return to Copenhagen via Kangerlussuaq.

Day 12 Return home

You land again in Copenhagen in the morning