East Greenland Arctic Safari

As technology shrinks our planet and its farthest reaches become more accessible, novel adventures are ever rarer. But that's what you'll find at Base Camp Greenland, our deluxe safari-style camp near the edge of the Greenland ice sheet. In East Greenland, one of the most isolated places on Earth, we are immersed in raw Arctic beauty while staying in surprising comfort.

Whales frequent the fjord, while icebergs, spawned from massive glaciers, glitter in the late sunset light. Beneath granite peaks that tower over deep inlets, we find stunning hiking and kayaking. Miniature wildflowers and cotton grass dot the tundra, and by early autumn, lowbush blueberries and crowberries ripen as dwarf birch turns gold.

Nothing compares to East Greenland for an epic Arctic adventure on the front lines of a rapidly changing climate - and there's no better way to experience it than from the wilderness base camp!

Tasiilaq

Arrive into Reykjavik International Airport where you will board your flight to Kulusuk, Greenland. From Kulusuk, make a scenic transfer by helicopter to Ammassalik Island, landing in Tasiilaq, the small administrative centre of East Greenland. Though it's just a 10 - minute flight, it offers a preview of the magnificent scenery to come, with icebergs drifting below and perhaps even a chance to spot a whale from the air. Tasiilaq's charming collection of wooden houses painted in bright primary colours surveys King Oscar's Bay, surrounded by pointed peaks iced with glaciers. The town of 2,000 is a hub for outdoor adventure, from hiking and kayaking in summer to dog sledding and glacier skiing in winter. Most of East Greenland in uninhabited, however, except for a handful of small subsistence hunting communities. Greenland's east coast is often called 'the back side' by those on the west, where most of the population, its capital and institutions are located. East Greenland's people had no contact with the outside world till the turn of the 20th century, and that isolation has fostered a distinct and resilient culture.

Our introduction to Greenland begins here where Arctic wilderness and traditional lifestyles meet. We convene at our hotel for lunch and a short briefing on what to expect during our adventures ahead, surveying the 180-degree view of the town below and mountains beyond. Then set out with our Expedition Leader to explore the area around Tasiilaq on foot, hiking into the Valley of Flowers above the scenic bay that fronts the town. Bring you camera: the ice-clad gneiss and granite peaks provide a striking backdrop for waterfalls and small lakes fringed by northern wildflowers in season.

Iceberg Cruise & Hiking

Though interior Greenland is covered by a massive ice cap, a few habitable areas exist around the bays and coastal islands, and the region we visit enjoys a surprisingly mild and dry summer climate. Our exploration starts with a half-day excursion by enclosed private motorboat in the open waters of the Greenland Sea, providing our first close-up views of icebergs. In addition to large chunks of ice calved from glaciers that feed the region's fjords, we also see tabular icebergs - ocean-going slabs of ice, some of which have been drifting for months or even years, driven down the coast by the strong East Greenland Current. Glaciologists believe that some even travel from Northern Canada, hundreds of miles away. Once they reach the outer edge of Greenland's fjords, they collide with ice that has broken off the Greenland ice sheet to form gigantic composites, sometimes mingling with brash ice to create frozen mosaics. Whales are also found seasonally in these waters, when ice conditions permit, and we'll look for fin, minke and humpback whales, as well as seals. Back on shore, we explore the coastline on a scenic walk and visit Tasiilaq's small history museum to learn about the culture and traditions of the Inuit, at home in this region for centuries. This afternoon, we'll also hear first-hand experiences from a local resident, sharing personal perspectives on daily life and year-round subsistence in this remote Arctic wonderland.

Tasiilag - Base Camp Greenland

Depart via boat for our exclusive wilderness Base Camp, located on the east side of Sermilik Fjord. Our destination is near the tiny hamlet of Tinit, which we'll visit during our stay. The village is one of the most picturesque outposts in East Greenland, surveying a panorama of Sermilik Fjord littered with huge icebergs, with the ice sheet in view beyond. Behind the town, glacier-clad peaks rise over a mile-high, jutting up like a sharp black teeth through the ice. Tinit is home to fewer than a hundred hardy people who live a subsistence lifestyle, fishing and hunting amid constantly shifting ice.

Keep an eye out for whales as we travel, as they are frequently seen in these waters when ice conditions permit. The area is filled with evidence of ancient habitation, including graves and ruins of old Inuit sod house foundations, and it is an evocative place to learn more about Inuit history and Iore. Researching Base Camp Greenland, we find ourselves in one of the most remote places on Earth. After settling in to our private tent cabins, sit down for a coffee, tea and lunch in the dining room. We'll convene for an orientation to our environs, followed by a gear fitting to prepare for our Arctic explorations ahead. An afternoon exploration is likely to include a paddle among the small bergs and calm waters of our protected bay if weather permits, then we'll gather for dinner and a lecture to acquaint us with the region's remarkable natural history. Through presentations and personal visits during our stay, we also learn about Greenland's cultural heritage and aspect of modern life. Traditional Inuit identity remains dominant in East Greenland, and during our time at camp, we share an authentic encounter with this enduring culture that still exists in close harmony with nature.

Exploring Sermilik Fjord

The landscape along Greenland's isolated and rarely visited east coast is dramatic. Great fjords indent the coastline, penetrating far into sheer-sided mountains capped by the world's second-largest ice sheet - and Sermilik Fjord is the mightiest of them all. Our base camp provides a safe and comfortable outpost from which to explore this vast expense of wild terrain just below the Arctic Circle. Beyond our location at the mouth of a glacial valley, the wider region is dotted with a few isolated villages where Greenlandic Inuit people have thrived for centuries in the uncompromising Arctic environment. In varied encounters, we learn about their culture and how they are retaining their traditions while adapting to contemporary life in the 21st century.

On Zodiac excursions, navigate among a flotilla of icebergs in an array of wild shapes, some as big as buildings, as we look for seals and whales. Guided sea kayaking is also an option for an eye-level view on the frigid waters and bobbing ice. Ashore, choose among hikes of varying ability levels as we traverse the mountainsides and wander near glaciers that wind down from the Greenland ice sheet. This huge ice mass - second in size only to Antarctica - stretches more than 1,500 miles from north to south, is nearly 2 miles deep as its thickest point, and covers 80 percent of the island. Learn about the crucial role the ice sheet plays in regulating the Earth's climate and see with your own eyes how rapidly it is being affected by a warming climate. Amid fields of Arctic cotton grass, look for Arctic fox and birdlife including ptarmigan, northern wheatear and possibly gyrfalcon.

Long hours of summer daylight allow for extensive exploration. Each evening, we retreat to Base Camp for creative meals prepared by our accomplished chef. After dinner, gather for interpretive presentations by our naturalist Expedition Leaders, who share their extensive knowledge of Greenland's geology, glaciology and human history. And, though the sun gleams late into the evening just below the Arctic Circle, a good night's sleep is in order to refuel for the next day's adventures. Wrapped in profound silence in our isolated cabins, we're sure to get it. On our late-season departures, we may even have a chance to see the northern lights, if the aurora is active in the darkening night sky.

Base Camp - Kulusuk

we make our way back to Kulusuk by helicopter or boat. Survey jagged peaks and huge U-shaped valleys gouged by glaciers from above. On arrival in Kulusuk, we check in to our hotel surrounded by more of East Greenland's imposing mountains - it's a well-known gathering point for adventures and scientists heading out to the ice sheet. If time permits, we'll make an exploratory walk around Kulusuk before a private performance of traditional Greenlandic drumming and dancing. Celebrate an extraordinary adventure of discovery and camaraderie over a farewell dinner on our last night together in Greenland.

Base Camp Greenland

An exclusive refuge of comfort in the Arctic, where guests enjoy rustic luxury surrounded by raw wilderness. Though it's located in one of the most remote places on the planet, the camp provides a host of amenities usually reserved for far more civilized locales. Guest accommodations are in eight individual safari-style tent cabins that house two persons each. Built of heavy-duty vinyl on raised platforms, each cabin has a private veranda with a view of the bay and Greenland ice sheet in the distance, offering a chance to enjoy a panorama of the wilderness in sublime solitude. Guests enjoy social time in the camp's inviting yurt, a comfortable, well-lit indoor space for lecture presentations and lounging, plus a spacious deck from which we can take in the view of the bay. Retreat to the dining tent for excellent meals prepared by our creative camp chef, with fresh and varied ingredients arriving regularly.