Adventure Camping in Greenland A new program for the adventurous traveler. If that’s you, you can experience Greenland “on the Ground” in all of the Arctic’s glory! 2009 This exciting new program will expose its participants to the unique landscapes, culture and history of a land that very few of us get to experience. Based on the East Coast of Greenland 60 miles below the Arctic Circle and populated with remnants of the indig- enous population who are adapting to modern times without giving up their past. The base camp offers fairly easy access to the Ice Cap, glacial tongues, ice bergs and hikes through tundra and even up on the glaciers. You will be offered a rotation of activities: Kayaking amidst the Ice Bergs of Sermilik Icefjord Hiking to the Mittivakkat Glacier , roping up, gearing up and making a short glacial traverse Boating and hiking to explore an Old Inuit site and ruins followed by a trip to the Great Greenland Ice Sheet The campsite is very well situated on a sand beach (with a volley ball net). Comfortable camp chairs, a mini-library, a few board games and nearby places to explore on your own give you much to do in any private time you want - Re- member there’s no darkness at this latitude (until September, that is). Iceland Adventure, LLC 888 686-6784 www.GreenlandDirect.com Day Tours from the Base Camp Mittivakkat Glacier The river emerging from the base of Mittivakkat Glacier has for thousands of years carried the sand that today forms the beach and surrounding shallow water where base camp is located. Mittivakkat is an isolated glacier without any iceberg production. It's the largest on Ammassalik Island and has been monitored for the past 75 years, which makes it the longest-monitored glacier in Greenland. Once the glacier stood where the beach is today, but since then it has receded by 2 km. The hike to Mittivakkat follows the river from the beach through the valley to its head at the glacier. Donning glacier equipment, the group steps onto the glacier for a short glacier traverse. The route on the glacier is both safe and easy, guests can relax and enjoy the singularly magnificent views over the Sermilik and out to the Atlantic Ocean. During lunch at the glacier, the guide explains what is known of this glacier, based upon many years of data collection. Your hike back to the camp takes another route where we see the valley from above. Equipment for this “expedition” of crampons, harness, rope, helmets and ice axes will be provided and before departing from the camp the group will be instructed in safety procedures and the proper use of glacier equipment. The group will consist of 10 and one guide. Ajangitaq, The Ice Sheet In the Ammassalik area 94 locations with a total of 229 Inuit ruins have been discovered and registered in the three large fjord systems - Sermiligaaq Fjord, Ammassalik Fjord, and The Sermilik Fjord. Not many generations ago, the East Greenlandic Inuits lived in small groups spread over the Ammassalik area. During winter, they lived in turf houses (a typical winter settlement consisted of one or two turf houses) and in the summertime they moved into tents on good fishing and hunting grounds. In the morning, a group will cross the Sermilik Fjord by motorboat to visit 'Ajangitaq,' a site with Inuit ruins and a tomb located on a small scenic peninsula. Once there your guide will describe the history, hunting culture, and old religion of the East Greenlandic Inuit. Later in the day it’s a short boat trip and hike to the beautiful Hidden Waterfall and Lake before visiting the large Ice Sheet in Johan Petersen's Fjord. Lunch is eaten on the boat while motoring up the Sermilik Fjord to the Greenlandic Ice Sheet, passing through an area known for its many seals. In Johan Petersen's Fjord, only 15 kilometers north of Ajangitaq, you’ll meet a very different arctic environment. Surrounded by big glaciers and the huge amount of ice in the water there is a cool - sometimes harsh - setting, completely different from the softer Ajangitaq area. The boat will be beached and a hike to a majestic glacier front is undertaken. Departure : 9 a.m. Visit at Ajangitaq ruin and area. Lunch in the boat. Visit the Ice Sheet in Johan Petersen's Fjord. Return to camp at about 7 p.m. Group: 10 persons one guide. Navigation Among Giants The Sermilik is one of Greenland's largest Icefjords with several active glaciers. Deep in the fjord is the highly active Helheim Glacier which alone produces 5% of all icebergs in Greenland. When an iceberg has broken off, it starts drifting down the fjord to the sea. Many of these bergs will pass near Base Camp before reaching the Atlantic Ocean and their long drift south past Cape Farewell, into the Davis Straits and, possibly, past Labrador. 'Iceberg Parade' is fantastic - to sail among the giants is beyond words. The day starts with kayak instruction in the shallow water just outside the base camp. This familiarizes the group with proper kayaking technique, navigating down the fjord. Safety procedures give everyone time to get comfortable in this boat that is such a large part of Inuit culture. The class will paddle to a small island where hot soup and lunch are served. The afternoon is spent exploring the the waterways between the icebergs. Equipment: 10 Very stable sea kayaks. Participants will get wet suits, spray skirts, life vests and paddles. In the morning there’s a kayak course, then lunch on a small rock island in the Ice fjord. In the afternoon it’s off - Among the giants. Paddling among huge icebergs is a once-in-a-life-time experience and you will be shown how to deal with them with the utmost respect. Yur expert guides and safety boat oversee the entire paddling trip, and it is important that guests follow the guide’s instructions during the outing to maintain a safe experience. Daily Itinerary Day 0 Day 3 Day 8 Leave the US for early morning arrival in Trekking from Tasiilaq to the campsite at Leave the camp on the beach and return to Iceland. Sermilik Fjord (15 kilometres). The last 3 Tasiilaq by boat. Stopping on the way back km. are by boat. The route is strenuous to explore the abandoned settlement Day 1 but not technically difficult. Duration 5 - 7 'Ikateq'. Dinner at the hotel. We include a voucher for the Flybus hours. The chef is waiting with refresh- shuttle from Keflavik to Reykjavik ments and is preparing the evening Day 9 airport, where you’ll catch your 2 hour buffet. All your luggage is transported After breakfast and check out, you’ll flight to Greenland. The flight over the from Tasiilaq to the camp. Alternatively, transfer to the airport and head back to Denmark Straits, between Iceland and transport by boat can be arranged. Reykjavik, arriving late afternoon. Greenland is a trip in itself as it is usually The departure to Iceland is by helicopter to quite dense with icebergs. In Greenland Day 4 - 7: Kulusuk, then Air Iceland flight to you land in Kulusuk’s airport and take a Day tours available include: (1) Hiking the Reykjavik, Iceland. short helicopter ride to Ammassaliik. Mittivakkat Glacier, (2) Visiting the Inuit Ruins at 'Ajangitaq' and the Ice Sheet, (3) We’ve included one more night in Day 2 Canoeing among the Icebergs on the Reykjavik. Arrival in Tasiilaq. Over night accommo- Sermilik Ford dation at Hotel Ammassalik or Hotel Day 10 Nansen, with a greeting and an introduc- Lunch is available in two forms: a bag Last Day in Reykjavik, Iceland tion to Adventure Camp Greenland. lunch is provided for folks taking the Depending on your return flights, you Dinner to follow. Next morning tours. Lunch in camp is served from 12 - 2 may have some time for some more breakfast starts at 7 a.m. pm. for those who have elected to spend Reykjavik, or if you’ve set up some time in the day in camp. Iceland you’ll do some more exploring.-- At 7 pm there’s a Greenlandic barbecue we’ll let you know of options in Iceland. and buffet. Evenings there will be You have a Flybus voucher to get you to entertainment such as drum dance, story Keflavik in plenty of time for your telling, lectures, beach games. homeward flight. Adventure Camp Facilities The private tents for guests are spacious Mountain Hardware Atrium 4's, each shared by two people. Individual guests can request to share a two-person tent with two individual 'rooms.' Expert guides with extensive local knowledge guide the day trips and provide insightful scientific and cultural talks. They will maintain a safe environment, attend to guests needs, and are also happy to take photographs. With a fully equipped kitchen and a restaurant tent, the chef and staff offer breakfast from 7 – 10 a.m., lunch from 12 – 2 p.m., and a barbecue dinner buffet starting at 7 p.m. Lunchboxes are provided for day tours. Guests will be served good meals based on Greenlandic fish and meat which is an important part of the Adventure Camp. There are bath and toilet facilities, tents, and a kiosk with art and handicrafts selected from the shop in Tasiilaq and also wine, beer, and chocolate. The community tent – “The Orange” - is a Mountain Hardware Space Station tent. Open 24 hours and heated when needed, the Orange provides a relaxed environment where you’ll find comfortable chairs and phones, can enjoy good conversation, a book from the mini-library, or a game of chess.