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What makes Tasiilaq special?
Trail-free wilderness, waterways known only to locals, and pristine, snow-bound mountains draw outdoor adventurers from around the world to Tasiilaq every year. Accompanied by local hunters with a lifetime of experience or specially trained Arctic wilderness guides, you do not need to worry about guessing the stability of the ice or encountering a passing polar bear as you explore the vast and rugged landscape of East Greenland.
But these uncharted landscapes are not the only highlights of this remote Arctic town that remains steeped in ancient Inuit traditions. Here, hunting and dog sledding are a way of life and it is one of a handful of places in Greenland where you can still see Inuit drum dances performed.
How to get to Tasiilaq
Although it is the largest town in East Greenland, there are no direct flights to Tasiilaq. Both international (from Reykjavik) and domestic (from Nuuk) travellers must first arrive to the airport in Kulusuk and then take a helicopter transfer (all year – 15 min transfer) or boat transfer (summer only 30-45 min transfer) to reach Tasiilaq. There are direct helicopter transfers to the nearby settlements from Tasiilaq.
To reach Tasiilaq by sea you must join one of the cruise ships that call into port there or sail your own vessel or contact local tour operators.
The best times to visit Tasiilaq are: June – September (sailing, hiking, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, whale watching), and February – April (dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, northern lights). Photo tours, iceberg diving, and a mobile wellness sauna are available all year, as are conference facilities.
How to get around Tasiilaq
For the most part you can walk around Tasiilaq on foot. However, the city is known for its hilly layout, so it is guaranteed that you will have splendid views, but also sore feet. You can therefore call a taxi (see helpful numbers) or you can arrange a transfer by car (in summer) or snowmobile (in winter) if you have booked a tour with a provider.
If you have booked a stay at Hotel Kulusuk, Hotel Ammassalik or The Red House transportation from the airport/heliport is included in your stay. Contact them ahead of time with the time of your arrival.
Useful phone numbers
- Police (+299) 70 12 24
- Hospital (+299) 98 12 11
- Taxi (+299) 52 72 42, (+299) 59 83 13,
(+299) 49 65 22, (+299) 56 32 69
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What to Do in Tasiilaq
Tasiilaq is home to endless outdoor adventures, no matter the time of year. Photography tours that take in some of the World’s greatest landscapes are available throughout the year, as is the unique experience of cold-water diving to discover the hidden world of the other 90% of the iceberg. You can also experience the ultimate and take a helicopter tour of several glaciers that spill down from the icecap.
Long summer days (Tasiilaq is located just 106km south of the Arctic Circle) entice hikers of all experience levels keen to embark on adventures lasting from a few hours to a few weeks. Day trips include short hikes around Tasiilaq as well as glacier hiking, ice caving, and ice climbing adventures. Meanwhile, supported (you only carry a day pack) and unsupported multi-day expeditions led by Arctic wilderness guides safely allow you to experience and camp in the remote mountains and valleys of East Greenland.
Similarly, kayakers can paddle for one or several days with guides expert in navigating ice and Arctic waters. Explore the vastness of the East Greenland coastline as the Inuit did, or try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding – a modern spin on this ancient form of transportation.
For a more relaxed vacation, boat tours up the Ammassalik Fjord to several glaciers, the Sermilik Icefjord (one of the most active ice fjords in Greenland), traditional settlements, and an abandoned WWII airbase all offer the potential for incredible iceberg viewing and whale watching. Or, for the best chance at getting as close as respectfully possible to the ocean’s magnificent giants, join a whale watching tour that will take you directly to where the fishermen last spotted them.
During the colder months, Tasiilaq becomes a magnet for ski touring and heliskiing enthusiasts from around the world. An uncountable number of virgin peaks offer unbeatable views and pristine first-runs that end in untouched, snow-filled valleys that invite further exploration.
You can do so by joining a musher on one of the oldest forms of Arctic transportation – the traditional Greenlandic dog sled. Still commonly practiced by hunters and fishermen in Greenland, dog sledding is an Inuit tradition and one of the best ways to experience the raw beauty of the Tasiilaq area in winter. Forged over countless generations, the connection between the musher and his dogs and the almost supernatural ability for the pack to read ice conditions and avoid potential danger is an experience of a lifetime. Options exist to take a short tour of a couple of hours, travel to the best locations to try your hand at ice fishing, or embark on a multi-day trip across a variety of frozen landscapes (fjord, lakes, gorges, glaciers) to visit other settlements.
Other winter excursions include snowshoeing, snowmobiling adventures (a faster and less relaxed way of getting around than dog sled), and numerous opportunities to head out of town for the best views of the incredible Northern Lights (though they are often visible from the centre of town).
Self-guided Activities in Tasiilaq
While you will undoubtedly spend most of your time exploring Tasiilaq’s stunning surroundings, in your quieter moments make sure you also explore the town itself.
Make sure to visit Stunk – the artisan’s workshop where you can see some of Greenland’s best carvers at work, Tasiilaq’s architecturally unique church, and the small but excellent museum.
The Ammassalik Museum (Tasiilaq Museum), which also includes a traditional peat house, is located in what was formerly the town church. It was built in 1908 by the crew of a Danish sailing vessel that ran aground nearby using timber from the ship itself. A model of their doomed vessel hangs from the ceiling.
Self-guided hiking from Tasiilaq is limited due to the small but real possibility of encountering a polar bear. Safe options include the Flower Valley (with the possibility of a sauna in the middle of nowhere if you are lucky), walking along the bay (Qinngimu), exploring the Iddimiini conservation area with its traces of early Inuit settlements, and climbing to the numerous cairns that perch upon any of the hills overlooking the town.
If you plan to hike further afield, it is strongly recommended that you hire a local guide who is equipped with a gun, safety, and navigational equipment.
Good to know!
Tasiilaq is part of East Greenland.
Learn more on the region’s tourism website.
- Tasiilaq means “the town with the seawater that looks like a lake” in the Greenlandic language – named for King Oscar Sound. Not surprisingly, its Danish name was Kong Oscars Havn, which means King Oscar’s Harbour, when it was a colony.
- The island upon which Tasiilaq is located was formerly known as Ammassalik or Angmagssalik – Greenlandic for “the place with capelin”.
- The people of East Greenland speak a different dialect to those in other parts of the country, though most can also speak the official language of West Greenlandic.
- Tasiilaq only receives larger shipments of supplies about 8 times per year – between June and November. For this reason, the arrival of the supply ship is an event in Tasiilaq, with some locals heading out in their own boats to look for the ship and herald its arrival. Others go down to the harbor to greet the ship once it docks. The first ship of the season is received with a 3 canon salute, and the last is sent off with a fireworks display. The first things offloaded are the fruit and vegetables – followed by the candy!
- East Greenlanders are experts of making the most of their supplies, freezing vegetables for cooking and eggs for baking. They are also willing to take a break from work to stand in line if they receive a tip that the store has received fresh supplies from the heliport
- On the other side of Ammassalik Island to Tasiilaq, Sermilik Station is a glaciology research station dedicated to the study of the nearby Mittivakkat Glacier.
- Tasiilaq has two Pilersuisoq supermarkets – a smaller one near the harbour and a much larger one near the sports hall.
- There are several places to buy good-quality souvenirs in Tasiilaq. If you are specifically looking for a carving, head to the Stunk Artisan workshop to watch some of Greenland’s best carvers at work. They often have a small number of carvings that you can purchase directly. Otherwise, take your time browsing through the wide range of souvenirs at Navarana shop, or the gift shop at the Hotel Angmagssalik.
- If you would like camping, it is best to bring all your camping and outdoor gear with you, though you may find some basic, limited supplies in the large Pilsersuisoq. It is also usually possible to hire equipment from the local tour providers.