Tour Information
Tour the West, South, East, and North of Greenland/Kalaallit Nunaat
The West
This section of Greenland is the most populous and accessible of any part of Greenland. There is a ferry that travels up and back across the region that connects the towns and villages, a whole range of tour companies that have day excursions and extended visits to the more remote and wilder areas, and flight tours by helicopter and planes as well. Many people make their own individual plans to travel here, and that is a great option. Just remember to plan on enough time to allow the weather to clear for a great view of the region. Clouds, rain and snow are part of this extraordinary land and are part of the experience.
The South
The South is the warmest and oldest settled region by European people, about 1,000 years of activity there, and is much more remote and quiet than the West. It is unique in that there are small remnants of farms, villages and massive mountains and canyons as well. It is the greenest part of the massive island and one that is accessible most of the year as well.
The East
If one goes to Greenland to experience the most spectacular fjords, mountain ranges and awe inspiring beauty of the colors of the island’s rock faces, this is the region to explore. There are more polar bears here than anywhere else, except the northeastern section of the country, and the villages here are few and far between. But with planning one can arrange local guidance and take in the sights as well. This is also the most traveled area by cruise ships that explore the fjords and other areas that lie to the east of the Ice Sheet that covers 80% of the land mass. It is truly magnificent!
The North
The North is dominated by the largest national park in the world, The Northeast national Park, and is seldom ever visited. Most of the region includes the ice sheet, and is far enough north that there is little open coastal land and not as many land animals as other places in Greenland. Some cruise ships ply the coastal waters, but they are few and do not often stop along the coast. The real appeal on these coastal excursions is the rare chance to see polar bears floating along on the sea ice hunting seals in the warmer months. It is a trip just knowing that this huge section of Greenland has been set aside for future generations and will be ever more popular as the ice sheet slowly recedes.
Helpful Guides
There are two exceptional guide books that cover the country of Greenland and that offer excellent overviews of the island and so much of its natural and built-up places. They are:
Greenland – This is one of the most comprehensive tour guides available and is indispensable for travel, especially in the West.
Greenland – There are very few guides to any remote place in the world that are as comprehensive as this book by Bo Normander. It covers virtually every aspect of life on Greenland, from nature, the landscape and as a travel guide. If you want to study the country and all its aspects this is a critical guide to Greenland