Kangerlussuaq
We touched down at Kangerlussuaq airport at approximately 11 a.m. local time. I took 4.5 hours from Cophenagen. Kangerlussuaq, a gigantic floyd-shaped island, lies around 50 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. It is home to only 500 people in total. This is one of the tiny settlements of Greenland.
For the next several hours, Kangerlussua was our playground. The town has two hotels and an airport restaurant. A military base existed at Kangerlussuaq until 1927. Therefore, it serves as both an international airport and a connector between the tiny settlements. The Greenlandic people are uncomplicated and do not see the need for a security check for domestic travel.
Among other things, we observed polar aircraft at the airport. It was fascinating to learn about the techniques that polar aircraft use to land and take off in extreme conditions.
We strolled towards the town, taking in the sights and sounds of Kangerlussuaq's inhabitant. The town exudes an air reminiscent of a military post. The life is straightforward with basic needs met. After wandering the aisles of the neighborhood supermarket, we made our way to the police station to get our passports stamped. we learned that There are no hospitals in Kangerlussuaq. They have nurse stations and air ambulances. Most of the settlements have air ambulances that would take you to a bigger city in case of emergency.
As the night fell, We climbed to the satellite tower after sunset so we could capture the Milky Way and the Northern Lights in our photos.
What to do in Kangerlussuaq?
Kangerlussuaq is home to the world's second-largest ice cap, after Antarctica. The only place to drive to and walk on the ice cap is here. One can book the tours at the airport
Russell Glacier merges with Point 660.
I didn't do the tour this time, but I'll use these resources next time I visit Greenland. However, I collected a few resources.
Arctic Ice Tours: https://www.facebook.com/ArcticIceTours
Tundra Adventures: https://www.instagram.com/explore.kangerlussuaq/
Albatros arctic circle
Highest Golf Course
At Kangerlussuaq, the tour guide showed us the privately owned 16-hole golf course where only two people play.
The Arctic Circle trail starts here.
At Kangerlussuaq airport, I noticed a large group of hikers. They were hiking the 160 kilometers from Kangerlussuaq to Sisimuit. This is one of the most popular wilderness hikes.
The 160-kilometer Arctic Circle Trail is one of the ways to explore Greenland's unique backcountry, trekking the wilderness from ice sheet to sea. We embarked on this journey to disengage from our daily routines and reestablish a connection with the natural world. We did parts of the Arctic Circle hike in Sisimuit.
In winter, one can also snowmobile from Kangerlussuaq to Sisimuit. It's only 70km and takes 2-3 days to cover the journey.
Arctic circle trail crosses a few countries as shown in the map. In Greenland
You can learn more about the trail at
Arctic circle trail
Hiking in Greenland
Explore the area's wildlife and history.
At the airport, there are options to book various tours for the next few days.
Air Zafari
This is one of the costly options to see the icecap, but I guess it’s worth it. I didnot take this tour but did notice a few fellow tourist opting for the same. Air Zafari but this is one of the options to see the icecap
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