Hotel Qaanaaq
Traditional dog-sled travel.
Avanersuaq
The Avanersuaq (place of the farthest north) District is the most northerly in Greenland and lies between 70 and 80 degrees North, stretching from Melville Bay in the south up to Smith Sound. There is archaeological evidence that suggests that the first settlers of Avanersuaq arrived some 5000 years ago after crossing Smith Sound from Canada. The direct ancestors of today's Inuit belonged to the ‘Thule' culture and reached Avanersuaq soon after 1000 A.D. The Inuit of this remote area of Northwest Greenland have been known by a number of different names. The Scottish explorer John Ross, who on his ‘Voyage of Discovery' in 1818 was the first European to encounter these Inuit, called them'Arctic Highlanders' They have also been know af "Thule Eskimos" and "Polar Eskimo". They call them selves "Inughuit" which means ‘Great People'
Today, hunting sea mammals like seals, walrus and polar bear is still important to the Inughuit both as a source of food and also as a way of preserving their culture.
Avanersuaq gives visitors the opportunity to see some of the most spectacular scenery in the high arctic. You can experience traditional dog-sled travel or during the summer month, you can hike amongst beautiful arctic flowers or jus relax and enjoy the midnight sun. Temperatures in Avanerusaq vary from a low of -40C in winter to a high of +12C in summer.
Tours from Qaanaaq.
Between March and June its possible to arrange dog sled tours of a couple of hours out to the Icebergs in the fiord or longer trips can also be arranged. You will travel in the same traditional way that the Inughuit have for centuries. On overnight trips you will sleep in a canvas tent erected over a sled. You can rent suitable fur clothing in Qaanaaq, but remember to bring a warm sleeping bag.
How to get here.
Please contact your travel agency for information on how to get here,
or if you want to stay at Hotel Qaanaaq contact the Hotel
Thr travel route is Copenhagen to Kangerlusuaq and to Ilulisat where you have to stay overnight, next morning the flight starts in Ilulisat to Upernavik and to Qaanaaq.
There are flights from Ilulisat to Qaanaaq on Wedensday.
Please use the link to find a timetable for your trip to Greenland it is under traficinfo.
It is a PDF file
Air Greenland - Grønlandsfly
HINT.If you are over 60 years please ask for senior or senior citizen tickets there can be a lot of money to save.
Anyway ask for discount tickets if you can plan your trip after the tickets please notice there can be limitations with that type of tickets but they can be ½ price.
HAVE A NICE TRIP.
Communications, Currency and weather.
There are worldwide telephone and fax connections available in all the communities in Avanersuaq.
It is also possible to use GSM mobilephones only in Qaanaaq, and internet and mails are posible when you stay at the hotel
Danish Kroner is the currency used in Avanersuaq.
It is possible to draw limited money with the danish creditcard "dankort" in the shop and postoffice.
If you stay at the hotel ask for the use of other creditcard in Qaanaaq and change in use of these.
Severe weather conditions can interrupt travel and outdoor activitis in Greenland: Allow for this when making your travel plans.
For more information contact:
Hans Jensen Tel: +299 97 12 34
Hotel Qaanaaq Fax: +299 97 10 64
Postbox 88
3971 Qaanaaq
Greenland
E-mail Hotel Qaanaaq
E-mail Polareskimo
E-mail Hans Jensen
