. Uummannaq Disko Island Thule IlulissatScoresby Sund . Tasiilaq Kulusuk Sisimiut Kangerlussuaq Nuuk . Paamiut Narsaq . . Qaqortoq Narsarsuaq . GREENLAND ? ? = International Airport ? ? ? ? GREENLANDTRAVEL DIRECTORY 106Why choose Discover the World - see page 4 For our office opening hours please visit our website GREENLAND When to travel? The Arctic spring, between March and May, ushers in longer hours of daylight, bearable temperatures and snowy landscapes. After a long winter, the sun and light return during the fi rst few months of the year, and in March and April it is time to harness up the dogs and ready the sled. Dog sledging can be experienced in East Greenland in 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 September, is Greenland's high season. The periods just before and after the calendar summer - i. e. May and September - are two relatively overlooked months for travelling in Greenland, when the climate can be surprisingly mild in a period in which transport timetables are still offering high season services. The weather in ' summer' is most stable in the Disko Bay area but variable elsewhere. Sudden changes do occur, which can disrupt travel plans and fl ight schedules. Summer temperatures average around 11° C but can feel surprisingly warm in the sheltered fjords and valleys. It can be cooler on the coast and in the north, and by late August the cold nights start drawing in, with new snow usually arriving in mid- September. Magical aurora borealis displays are arguably the most spectacular from August to mid- November, and from mid- February to early April, and are best seen just south of the Arctic Circle. Greenlandic winters are long, harsh and very dark; from mid- October to end of February is in our view not a good time to travel. Flora & Wildlife For the naturalist, Greenland is full of surprises. Over 500 species of plant and several thousand mosses, lichen and fungi make up the typically Arctic fl ora. Among them are beautiful saxifrages and Arctic poppies which lend a splash of colour to the landscape GREENLAND ICELAND UNITED KINGDOM Qaqortoq

tel. 01737 218 800 | discover- the- world. co. uk107 in the summer ( particularly July/ August, dependent on the snowmelt). There are no trees in Greenland - just a few dwarf willow and birch shrubs that grow in sheltered localities in the south. Along with the reindeer, the musk ox is one of the land mammals which travellers have the greatest chance of seeing, especially in the vicinity of Kangerlussuaq. The polar bear is a rare visitor to inhabited areas, and is often 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 sea eagle. Whales can be seen all around Greenland, particularly during the summer months. It is most common to see fi n, humpback and minke whales. In addition species such as the bowhead, blue and sperm whale also frequent Greenlandic waters. Excursions & independent exploration The country offers magnifi cent hiking experiences in an almost untouched landscape. In most areas of the country you do not need to walk very far before you can enjoy the deafening silence and the sight of wide open spaces. Greenland is therefore a very popular hiking country for people who love the great outdoors. At many of Greenland's 18 towns there are well- trodden hiking routes of varying diffi culty, which can be completed within two or three hours depending on your pace and the number of breaks you take en route. A good alternative is a guided hike, or an excursion by boat, 4WD or helicopter through the stunning glacial landscape, where you can also learn about the fl ora and fauna in the area, as well as local history and geology. Excursions are best booked locally due to minimum numbers and varying weather conditions. GREENLAND REGIONS THE EAST Settlements in this sparsely inhabited region are almost entirely limited to the Tasiilaq ( Ammassalik) area. Tasiilaq is the largest community and the administration centre. Reached by helicopter transfer from Kulusuk ( fl ights from Iceland arrive/ depart from here), it has become the centre for dog sledging trips in early spring. Huskies are often tethered outside the colourful wooden homes of the local people and their howls leave no doubt as to what part of the world you are in. In both Tasiilaq and Kulusuk, as well as in the outlying settlements, traditional fi shing, hunting and carving methods are still used. The scenery is, in a word, stunning, whether you choose to visit in the spring or in summer when the pack ice has melted and the fjords are fi lled with icebergs of all shapes and sizes. Easily reached by air from Iceland, a visit to East Greenland makes an excellent add-on to an Iceland holiday. It is also a splendid destination in its own right, with excursions available by boat, jeep and helicopter, as well as an array of hiking possibilities. WEST COAST & DISKO BAY This is the centre for the fi shing industry and the location of the country's capital, Nuuk, but it is the acclaimed Disko Bay that is the draw for visitors. Its 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, eroded by the elements, assume weird and wonderful shapes that are a magnet for photographers. Disko Bay has been a centre of Inuit settlement for thousands of years and many valuable archaeological fi nds have been made there, including 3,500 year old remains at Sermermiut, the famous Ice Fjord viewpoint. The bay still supports a number of Greenlandic villages, among them Saqqaq and Rodebay, where visitors can observe the traditional hunting and fi shing way of life. Centre for the region is Greenland's fourth largest town, Ilulissat, whose history dates back to 1742, when it became a summer mission. Originally called Jakobshavn, after an infl uential merchant, it was later birthplace to explorer Knud Rasmussen. Now an important fi shing town and centre for shrimp processing, Ilulissat has a museum, two hotels and some good walks through its dramatic surrounds. THE SOUTH This is the island's agricultural centre and the destination for most visitors seeking outdoor activities. As elsewhere in Greenland, the scenery is amazing but, surprisingly for some, it is particularly colourful. The verdant landscape is dotted with towns and villages. There are working sheep farms; Inuit and Norse ruins and at Uunartoq and not far from Qaqortoq, the only hot springs in Greenland - where it is possible to bathe in the warm waters whilst watching icebergs fl oating in a nearby fjord. Qaqortoq has a population of 3,500 and is the hub of South Greenland. With its multi- coloured houses perched on a mountainside it rates as one of the islands' most beautiful towns - it also boasts the only fountain in the country, in the old square surrounded by historic buildings dating back to 1781. Narsarsuaq, the town founded in 1941 as a US Air Base, is another town worth visiting. From here, hike through Flower Valley where photographic opportunities are endless - the abundance of wildfl owers set against a backdrop of glaciers and rugged mountains is of special interest, so too are the best- preserved and most famous Viking ruins in Greenland. With the presence of the midnight sun here between mid- May and mid- July, there are plenty of activities and sights to see during the long days. TRAVEL DIRECTORYGREENLAND IlulissatSouth Greenland