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Discovering the heart of Greenland

Did you know that only two of GreenlandÂ’s towns are connected by road? And that the main mode of transport during the winter is the humble dog sled? You can find out more about this fascinating island and its unique culture on a series of special voyages with Hurtrigruten in 2013 (which couldn’t be further removed from my own trips to Greenland when I wild camped in sub zero temperatures!). Home to the Inuit for more than 5,000 years, the voyages take guests on a somewhat more luxurious journey to the very heart of the Greenlandic way of life. Settlements here range from a population of just two to the larger communities of a few thousand. One thing is for sure – guests are guaranteed a warm welcome wherever they go. Offering a genuine insight into GreenlandÂ’s culture and traditions, guests are encouraged to explore, meet and chat with locals and can even join in a friendly football match or take a cup of ‘KaffemikÂ’, Greenlandic coffee, with the natives. Travelling on board, MS Fram, guests are transported directly to many small settlements, most of which are only accessible by boat. This makes it easier to mix with local folk, and in Uummannaq the ship receives a special greeting by a group of local school children. Highlights include the seafaring town of Sismiut, GreenlandÂ’s second largest, the port of Qeqertarsuaq, home to an Arctic research station and the impressive three-mile-long glacier front of Eqip Sermia. There are also  optional excursions such as a helicopter flight to Ilulissat Glacier or an exploration of the Viking ruins at Narsaq. ‘The Heart of Greenland’ is available during June 2013 and starts from £4374 per person (based on two sharing). It includes an incredible nine-day expedition along GreenlandÂ’s west coast visiting small settlements that are only accessible by boat, plus seven nights full board on the ship, return flight from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq, transfers, landings and lectures by the expedition team.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.

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One Comment

  1. I was looking into visiting Greenland. It’s so gorgeous and seems to be overlooked, too. It would be great to mix with all the locals there, too. =)

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