Kangerlussuaq
Kangerlussuaq may have less than 600 residents, but it offers several unique experiences that can’t be found anywhere else in Greenland. We encourage you to check out our complete travel guide to Kangerlussuaq at the Destination Arctic Circle website and extend your stay here to enjoy the following activities.
Point 660
By far the easiest access to the enormous Greenland Ice Sheet is from the end of Ice Road at Point 660. There are several tours available that enable you to experience the alien and icy world of the ice cap, ranging from a few hours through to overnight excursions where you camp on the ice.
Russell Glacier
The ~60m high face of the Russell Glacier is even more impressive for how close you can get to it. Standing on the rocks just metres away and looking up at the towering wall of ice is an unforgettable moment. There are several tours to the Russell Glacier available, with some combining both the glacier and Point 660 in the one trip.
Scenic Flight
The best way to get a birds eye view of the ice sheet is through flightseeing. The flight path is designed to take in the expansive arctic tundra and intricate glacial river systems where you can spot musk oxen and reindeer from the air, as well as the ice cap and the glaciers that spill down from it.
Wildlife Safari
The Arctic Circle Region is the only place in the inhabited part of Greenland where you can see wild musk oxen. While it is possible to spot these animals as you hike the Arctic Circle Trail, on a wildlife safari you will have a much better chance of seeing them up close. Your guide will also likely spot and point out reindeer, arctic foxes, arctic hare, and several birds that you may otherwise miss on your own.
Hiking
Although the Arctic Circle Trail is the most famous hike from Kangerlussuaq, there are also several shorter hikes in the area ranging from 2 hours to a full day.
Spend a few extra days in town so you can explore more of the area including:
- Kangerlussuaq Ridge
- Black Ridge
- Lake Ferguson
- Air Crash Site #2
- Sugarloaf Mountain
For more information, including detailed trail descriptions, maps and GPS routes, visit our dedicated hiking page for Destination Arctic Circle.
Exploring the town
angerlussuaq was originally built as an American Airbase for WWII. To learn more about this history and the evolution of the town, join a town tour where your guide will drive you around the town pointing out historical infrastructure and telling stories about bygone eras. Or you can visit the Kangerlussuaq Museum for further information.
Souvenirs
There are a few different souvenir shops in Kangerlussuaq to check out if you are ready to make a purchase. Aside from the one inside the airport (and duty free if you are flying internationally), walk a few metres outside the terminal to check out Vivi’s Shop and Niviarsiaq. Polar Lodge (about 50m up the road) and Old Camp (at the start of the road to Kellyville) also have souvenir shops at reception.
For more information
For more information about how to extend your stay in Kangerlussuaq, we encourage you to visit our Destination Arctic Circle website and check out our tour providers, or write to us.