Self-Launched Hiking East Greenland: Glaciers, Fjords & Inuit Culture
5 days · East Greenland
G Adventures charges £1,650
No-markup version: ~£905 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
East Greenland is one of the world's most remote and jaw-dropping hiking destinations — and you don't need a premium group tour to experience it. This self-launched 5-day itinerary follows the same stunning route from Kulusuk through the Apusiaajik Glacier, the Ikaasatisivaq strait, and up to the Sermilik ice fjord ridge, using local boats, independent camping, and community guesthouses. Greenland is never cheap to reach, but cutting out the operator markup saves you a significant sum. Fly into Kulusuk via Nuuk or Reykjavik, pack your own camping gear, and prepare for one of the most extraordinary wilderness adventures on Earth. All cost estimates are approximate and per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive Kulusuk — Town Walk & Boat to Apusiaajik Island
Kulusuk → Apusiaajik Island
Fly into Kulusuk Airport (small prop flights connect from Reykjavik via Air Greenland — book well in advance as seats are very limited). On arrival, explore Kulusuk village independently — it's a small settlement and easy to walk around. Visit the colourful wooden houses, the local church, and the Kulusuk Museum to learn about Inuit daily life and culture. In the afternoon, arrange a local boat transfer to Apusiaajik Island — ask at the airport or village for local boat operators who run these short crossings. Hike to your first wild camping spot on the island, set up your tent, and settle in for an Arctic evening.
🚌Air Greenland flight to Kulusuk Airport (from Reykjavik ~£300-400 return if booked early). Local boat crossing to Apusiaajik Island (~£30-50pp negotiated with local operators).
🛏Wild camping on Apusiaajik Island — bring your own tent, sleeping bag, and mat. Wild camping is legal and common in Greenland's wilderness areas.
- →Fly into Kulusuk via Air Greenland from Reykjavik (Keflavik or Nuuk) — book direct at airgreenland.com
- →Self-guided walking tour of Kulusuk village, church, and local museum
- →Arrange local boat crossing to Apusiaajik Island with a village boat operator (~£30-50pp)
- →Hike to wild camping spot on Apusiaajik Island and set up camp
Apusiaajik Glacier Hike & Ilinnera Valley
Apusiaajik Island
A full day of spectacular hiking on Apusiaajik Island. Head out in the morning towards the Apusiaajik Glacier — trails are unmarked but the terrain is navigable with a good map and compass or GPS (download offline maps on Maps.me or Gaia GPS before you travel). Observe the glacier up close and reflect on the dramatic effects of climate change on the Arctic landscape. In the afternoon, continue into the Apusiaajiip Ilinnera Valley, following river courses through rolling tundra and admiring Arctic wildflowers. Return to camp for the evening. Carry all your food — there are no shops or facilities on the island.
🚌On foot — full hiking day on the island.
🛏Wild camping on Apusiaajik Island (same camp as night 1).
- →Hike to Apusiaajik Glacier — download offline maps via Gaia GPS or Maps.me
- →Glacier observation and photography
- →Hike through Apusiaajiip Ilinnera Valley following river and hill trails
- →Spot Arctic wildflowers and wildlife including Arctic fox and seabirds
Boat Through Ikaasatisivaq Strait to Niiniartivaraq
Apusiaajik Island → Niiniartivaraq Area
Break camp and arrange a boat crossing back to the mainland, cruising through the dramatic Ikaasatisivaq strait and into the small fjord at the foot of the Niiniartivaraq mountains. Negotiate this crossing with the same local boat operator from Day 1, or ask locals in Kulusuk to connect you with someone who runs this route — it's a well-known stretch for local fishermen. Set up camp at the foot of the mountains, then take an afternoon hike into a small valley, climbing a hill for sweeping mountain panoramas. Try your hand at trout fishing in the rivers — bring a basic travel rod and a licence if required by local regulation.
🚌Local boat from Apusiaajik Island through Ikaasatisivaq strait to Niiniartivaraq (~£40-60pp negotiated with village boat operators).
🛏Wild camping at Niiniartivaraq — bring full camping kit.
- →Boat crossing through Ikaasatisivaq strait to Niiniartivaraq fjord (~£40-60pp with local operator)
- →Set up camp at foot of Niiniartivaraq mountains
- →Afternoon valley hike and hill climb for mountain views
- →Trout fishing in mountain rivers for dinner (bring travel fishing rod)
Ridge Hike to Sermilik Ice Fjord & Tiniteqilaq Village
Niiniartivaraq → Tiniteqilaq → Kulusuk
The highlight of the trip. Set out early and hike up to the 400m ridge separating the camp from the Sermilik ice fjord — one of Greenland's most dramatic landscapes. The views across the main Greenland Ice Cap are extraordinary; bring binoculars to spot icebergs drifting through the fjord below. Continue along the ridge trail to the tiny hunting village of Tiniteqilaq, one of East Greenland's most remote settlements. From Tiniteqilaq, arrange a boat back to Kulusuk (again, coordinate with local operators in advance). In the evening, enquire with your Kulusuk guesthouse or locally about attending a traditional Greenlandic drum dance performance — these are sometimes arranged for visitors through the local cultural centre or tourism contact.
🚌On foot to Tiniteqilaq, then local boat back to Kulusuk (~£40-60pp).
🛏Kulusuk Guesthouse / Red House Guesthouse — the main community guesthouses in Kulusuk, typically shared dormitory-style rooms. Book direct by emailing Kulusuk village administration or via Visit Greenland (visitgreenland.com). Budget ~£35-50pp/night.
- →Hike to 400m Sermilik ice fjord ridge — spectacular Ice Cap views
- →Iceberg spotting across Sermilik fjord (bring binoculars)
- →Trek along the ridge to remote Tiniteqilaq hunting village
- →Local boat transfer from Tiniteqilaq back to Kulusuk (~£40-60pp)
- →Evening: enquire about traditional Greenlandic drum dance circle via guesthouse or local cultural contact
Final Morning in Kulusuk & Depart
Kulusuk
Your final morning in East Greenland. Enjoy a slow breakfast, take a last walk around the village, and make your way to Kulusuk Airport for your onward flight. Flights back to Reykjavik depart in the morning — confirm exact times when booking as the schedule is limited. Check your luggage weight carefully as small Arctic prop planes have strict limits. A truly remote adventure to remember.
🚌Walk to Kulusuk Airport (5–10 mins from village). Air Greenland flight to Reykjavik included in return airfare booked on Day 1.
🛏N/A — departure day.
- →Final morning walk around Kulusuk village
- →Depart from Kulusuk Airport on Air Greenland flight to Reykjavik
- →Optional: pick up local Greenlandic crafts or soapstone carvings as souvenirs from the village
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£905 | £1,650 |
| Duration | 5 days | 5 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £745 per person (45%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£905
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Hiking East Greenland: Glaciers, Fjords & Inuit Culture cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £905 per person for 5 days in East Greenland. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,650 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £905 — a saving of roughly £745 (45%) per person.
How long is the East Greenland trip?+
This itinerary runs 5 days, covering 5 day-by-day stops through East Greenland.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, wildlife trip through East Greenland, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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