Introducing GreenlandAn island of great proportions, Greenland is dominated by the world's second largest icecap. Only a narrow coastal fringe of rugged mountains and intensely green valleys remains ice-free, allowing a resilient and determined community to live at the edge of the habitable world.The fl eeting Arctic summer brings 24 hours of daylight and, north of the Arctic Circle, the midnight sun. During summer the pack ice breaks up and giant icebergs drift through the fjords, migratory birds arrive to breed, and hardy Arctic fl ora bloom and scatter seed. Traditionally a small-scale hunting and fi shing society, East Greenland in particular still retains the charm of its tiny coastal settlements, and rural life, lightly touched by the western world. 90% of Greenland's population lives in scattered settlements along the west coast.Flights to Kulusuk in East Greenland operate via Iceland. The gateway to Illulissat in West Greenland is via Iceland, or alternatively via Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq, from where scheduled Air Greenland helicopter fl ights (9-24 passengers) continue on to Ilulissat and other major settlements. There are no roads connecting the towns, so all transport takes place by aircraft or by ship. When travelling over shorter distances locals use their own boats, dogsleds or snowmobiles. Greenland is a land ruled by the weather. Travel delays can happen anywhere, but are in reality more likely here due to extremes of weather. For this reason we recommend adding overnight stays at either end of your Greenland holiday in Reykjavik or Copenhagen, as appropriate.???? UummannaqDisko IslandThule IlulissatScoresby Sund???? Tasiilaq KulusukSisimiutKangerlussuaqNuuk ????PaamiutNarsaq ???? ???? Qaqortoq Narsarsuaq????GREENLAND= International AirportGREENLANDICELANDUNITED KINGDOMGreenland makes a fantastic add-on trip to Iceland, or a holiday in its own right.Top Tip74 Why choose Discover the World - see page 6 For our offi ce opening hours please visit our website© Greenland Tourism

discover-the-world.co.uk/icelandbrochure Talk to the experts 01737 218 800 7575Nuuk © John Rasmussen75The RegionsThe EastSettlements in this sparsely inhabited region are almost entirely limited to the Tasiilaq (Ammassalik) area. Reached by helicopter transfer from Kulusuk, it has become the hub for dog sledging trips in early spring - contact us or see our website for our Greenland Husky Adventure tour. In Tasiilaq you will find that traditional fishing, hunting and carving methods are still used. Excursions are available (booked locally) by boat, 4WD and helicopter, as well as an array of hiking possibilities. Our Traditional East Greenland or East Greenland Wanderer tours also explore this area.West Coast & Disko BayDisko Bay's incredible calving glaciers include the most productive in the world, which advances 30m every 24 hours. Some of its icebergs can be several kilometres in length and are a photographer's highlight.Disko Bay has been at the centre of Inuit settlement for thousands of years and many valuable archaeological finds have been made there. The bay still supports a number of Greenlandic villages, among them Saqqaq and Rodebay, where visitors can observe the traditional hunting and fishing way of life. The centre of the region is Greenland's fourth largest town, Ilulissat. Cruises along the west coast are popular - consider the Greenland Coastal Voyage aboard the local ferry Sarfaq Ittuk. For details speak to our team or visit our website. The SouthThis is the island's agricultural centre and as elsewhere in Greenland, the scenery is amazing, although surprisingly for some, it is particularly colourful. The verdant landscape is dotted with towns and villages and there are working sheep farms as well as Inuit and Norse ruins. Narsarsuaq, the community founded in 1941 as a US Air Base, makes a good place to base yourself to explore the area. Refer to our website for tours including the South. When to travel? The Arctic spring, between March and May, ushers in longer hours of daylight, bearable temperatures and snowy landscapes. Dog sledging can be experienced in East Greenland (Kulusuk and Tasiilaq). June brings perpetual day, melting snow and ice in the fjords and an awakening of the wildlife. As a result, boat trips to glaciers, settlements and sites of historical interest are once again available all over the country. The summer, which often runs all the way from June into early September, is Greenland's high season, however May and September offer mild temperatures and tend to be a quieter time to travel. Summer temperatures average around 11°C but can feel surprisingly warm in the sheltered fjords and valleys. By late August the cold nights start drawing in, with new snow usually arriving in mid-September. Flora & wildlife Over 500 species of plant and several thousand mosses, lichen and fungi are found in Greenland, with saxifrages and Arctic poppies colouring the landscape in the summer, particularly in July and August, depending on the snowmelt. Along with the reindeer, the musk ox roams Greenland's landscape, particularly in the vicinity of Kangerlussuaq. The polar bear is a rare visitor to inhabited areas, and may be seen in remote hunting grounds in North and East Greenland. Wolves, arctic foxes, mountain hares and other small land mammals are also found, but are not often seen close to civilisation. Around 60 species of bird breed in Greenland, including the white-tailed eagle. It is most common to see fin whales, humpback whales and minke whales. Species such as the bowhead whale, blue whale and sperm whale also frequent Greenlandic waters, especially during summer.Excursions & independent explorationAround many of Greenland's 18 towns there are well-trodden hiking routes of varying difficulty, which can be completed within two or three hours. Alternatively, try a guided hike or opt for an excursion by boat, 4WD or helicopter. Excursions are best booked locally due to minimum numbers and varying weather conditions.Note: for expedition cruises to Greenland, visit our website or contact us.© Greenland TourismImages © Greenland Tourism