Discover Greenland: The Natural Habitat Experience

Airport transfers on or no more than two days before Day 1 and on final day of the itinerary or following day (transfers provided only if you are staying at a group hotel booked by NHA), helicopter flight between Kulusuk and Tasiilaq, accommodations including exclusive occupancy of Natural Habitat's Base Camp Greenland, meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on the final day, drinking water throughout the trip, soft drinks at meals and alcoholic beverages with dinner while at camp, services of NHA professional Expedition Leader(s), boat and camp crews, all boat transportation and excursions, optional sea kayaking and hiking excursions, gear including Mustang expedition suits for Zodiac excursions, waterproof overshoes, kayaking gloves and booties, mosquito head nets and dry bags, all kayaking equipment, most gratuities, all permits, entrance fees and taxes.

Round-trip transportation to and from the start and end points of the trip (Keflavik, Iceland), early arrival and late departure airport transfers (other than those described above), round-trip air between Reykjavik and Kulusuk, alcoholic beverages (other than those mentioned above), optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, Internet, etc.), some gratuities, airline baggage fees, required medical evacuation insurance and optional travel insurance.

Moderate
Our Base Camp Greenland adventure is a genuine wilderness experience. Our deluxe safari-style camp, accessed via a scenic 4- to 5-hour boat transfer and/or short helicopter flight, is located in an exceptionally remote and rugged area. Guests must be prepared for typical activities that take place in such a setting and in unpredictable weather conditions. Good health and general physical fitness are a must, as we are far from medical facilities. Our walks and hikes require strong mobility and stability. Although all activities are optional, and alternate activities are usually available at varying levels of physical demand, all guests must be able to walk unassisted at least two miles over uneven, rocky and sometimes steep terrain without trails. We use open Zodiac boats to access the shore for exploration, and landings can be unstable. Landings may be either wet (requiring you to walk a short distance in shallow water) or dry (disembarking directly onto land), and may require walking over rocks or large boulders that can be slippery with seaweed. Our staff is available to assist for safety purposes, but guests need to be able to comfortably negotiate such uneven and unstable conditions.

While at Base Camp, daily activities include nature walks or hiking, kayaking and Zodiac excursions of varying durations. Zodiac outings in the nearby fjords can last up to 8 or 9 hours (including stops), with opportunities for hikes ashore to explore geological and historic sights. We expect to operate in generally calm seas, but conditions can change quickly, and we may be exposed in the open boats to cold, windy or rainy weather. Travelers who have health issues that could be exacerbated by such conditions should take this into consideration.

In Tasiilaq, our hotel is located atop a very steep hill high above town, and vehicle transportation is provided to and from our group activities for those who prefer to ride rather than walk.

Our journey to Base Camp Greenland offers the only opportunity to encounter one of the planet’s most isolated locations via luxury camping. As we head way off the grid on Greenland's remote east coast, guests must be prepared for all the vagaries that come with travel to such an isolated destination. These include inclement weather, varying ice conditions and a scarcity of operational materials, all of which makes a journey to our exclusive Base Camp Greenland an adventure in the truest sense. At times, flights may be canceled due to poor weather, routes may be closed due to changing ice conditions, and amenities may become unavailable until a new shipment arrives. But the adventure is part of the excitement, and we will use our 25 years of Greenland operating experience to make the best of even substantial itinerary changes, should they occur.

Guests who desire a higher level of activity may participate in longer hikes and sea-kayaking excursions (weather, ice and local conditions permitting). These extended hikes will take place near sea level with some elevation gain, depending on the fitness level of those who opt to participate. Optional longer sea-kayaking excursions may also potentially be offered, with varied itineraries for individual desires and capacities. Our intent is to paddle in largely calm seas, though again, the weather can change with little notice, and excursions can occur in windy or rainy conditions. Shifting ice may also force us to alter our kayaking itineraries. All kayaking activities, whether scheduled easy excursions or optional longer excursions, are accompanied by a guide and safety boat.

Please note that mosquitoes and tiny black flies can be quite prevalent and a real nuisance at camp and on outings ashore, particularly during several weeks at the height of the summer season (we cannot predict exactly when this will be). For our guests' comfort we provide head nets, but if you have allergies or are particularly sensitive to mosquito bites, please come prepared with proper clothing, adequate skin protection and anti-itch cream, if necessary.

Please arrive at the Keflavik International Airport no later than 3:30 pm on Day 1 of the itinerary in order to participate in a group welcome briefing and dinner. The transfer from the airport to our hotel near the Reykjavik harbor takes approximately 1 hour.  

The adventure ends and guests are free to depart Reykjavik in the evening on the final day of the trip. Our scheduled flights from Kulusuk, Greenland to Reykjavik, Iceland arrive in Reykjavik at varying times throughout the season. Please contact your Adventure Specialist for flight details specific to your departure to see if a connection with your international flight is possible, keeping in mind that the transfer from the Reykjavik domestic airport to Keflavik International Airport takes approximately 1 hour. Note that based on current flight times available to us, as well as the transfer distance between airports, our return flight from Kulusuk will most likely not arrive in time to connect with flights back to the U.S., necessitating an overnight in Reykjavik.

Regardless of whether or not an international connection is possible, as weather can be extremely unpredictable in this part of the world and our flight from Greenland to Iceland can be delayed or canceled due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, we strongly recommend staying an extra night in Reykjavik to ensure that you do not miss your connecting flight. Many guests choose to take this opportunity to spend a few additional nights in Iceland in order to explore this fascinating city and the surrounding countryside.

We can best serve you if our Natural Habitat Adventures Travel Desk makes your reservations, as we are intimately familiar with the special requirements of this program and can arrange the most efficient travel. Please call us at 800-543-8917. Note, however, that the costs of services in Iceland, including extra hotel nights, have increased substantially this year due to extremely high demand and very limited availability. While we offer you the best possible rates available to us at our preferred accommodation, you may find less expensive hotel options or special web rates online. If you plan to make your own hotel reservations in Reykjavik, we strongly recommend that you book any necessary extra hotel nights as soon as possible. Due to Iceland's rising popularity as a travel destination, hotels are already selling out for the 2017 season.