A human adventure requiring real team spirit
Highlights
- A rare expedition on a mythical route in winter
- Expedition accompanied by an experienced polar guide from Polar experience
- Immersion in a raw and wild nature, ideal for contemplation and reflection
- The last stage of preparation for the most extreme polar expeditions
- H24 personalized weather forecast services and medical hotline
- A human adventure beyond the physical challenge
- In small groups of 4 to 6 participants
Accompanied by a French-speaking polar guide from Polar Experience - International Polar Guide Association, we are off on a ski-pulka expedition from Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut, some 160 kilometers along the Arctic Circle Trail. Our expedition should last 9 days, depending on weather conditions. After checking our equipment, we set off slowly, as with any ambitious project. Beyond the physical commitment, this is a human adventure that requires real team spirit. The cold can be intense in March. Previous experience of ski manhauling is strongly recommended, unless you are in very good physical condition.
Overview
We land in Kangerlussuaq and check our equipment down to the last detail. Our pulkas weigh 40 kg and we are off for 160 kilometers, probably a good ten days depending on wind conditions. The Arctic Circle Trail is a breathtaking stretch of Greenland's back country, with mountains that become steeper near the coast and frozen rivers.
Discover our March 2020 expedition in the eye for the journalist and film-maker Christopher Shand.
Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN COPENHAGEN
Day 1
We arrive at Copenhagen airport and join our hotel and the rest of the group before departing for Greenland the following day.
DAY 2: ARRIVAL IN KANGERLUSSUAQ, GREENLAND
Day 2
Today, we fly from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland's busiest airport, giving us relative reliability for flights in winter conditions.
On arrival, we walk to our hotel and settle into our rooms. In the afternoon, all participants receive their personal expedition equipment: sleeping bag, mattress and all other important equipment (see equipment list), as well as a tent, kitchen kit, etc. Equipment is shared on the basis of two participants per tent. We check each piece of equipment to avoid any unpleasant surprises once we are on the expedition. Together we prepare the daily food rations, taking into account the highest calorie requirements.
DAY 3: START OF EXPEDITION ON THE ARCTIC CIRCLE TRAIL
Day 3
After breakfast, we begin our expedition on one of two possible routes, depending on weather conditions and group composition. Either we hike a 14-kilometer trail through Kellyville, where the Arctic Circle Trail begins, or we join the trail via a super-jeep transfer with our pulkas in a trailer. As with any expedition, we adjust our pace ski manhauling, accepting the omnipresence of the cold. As the day draws to a close, we are glad to be back in our comfortable sleeping bags.
DAY 4: FROM CAIRN TO CAIRN
Day 4
We wake up during the night to make progress at first light. The Arctic Circle Trail is marked by cairns, stone mounds that are easy to see from a distance in summer. But in winter, the snow masks their presence. So finding the route becomes a little more difficult. So we trust our guide and, according to the ambitious plan we have drawn up, cover a distance of 15 to 20 kilometers.
DAY 5: THE ARTIC WILDERNESS
Day 5
We find a pleasant routine in our movements and in the distribution of different tasks. In the morning, we take the time to get ready: enough time for the snow to melt for our breakfast, so that we are as rehydrated as possible. Everything we do takes much longer than usual. We wear gloves to handle our equipment and to progress in good conditions in an environment made up of accumulated ice. Once out of the tents, the extraordinary beauty of Greenland transports us and gives us the energy to keep moving forward.
DAY 6: THE ANIMAL KINGDOM OF GREENLAND
Day 6
Short climbs of no more than 500 meters. Our terrain is varied, with a good chance of encountering reindeer and deer. They use their hooves to find some vegetation to survive in such a harsh environment. Concentrating on the pace of our pulka skiing, we keep an eye out for predators, foxes and especially polar bears, which blend into the snowy, icy landscape. And if we are lucky, i.e. if the sky is clear, then we observe the aurora borealis. Magnificent veils of green, yellow, red and orange appear like a miracle from the northern regions, making us abandon our tent for a few moments of magic.
DAY 7: THE ITTINEQ RIVER
Day 7
We are almost halfway along the Arctic Circle Trail, marked by a wide open valley where the Ittineq River provides summer hiking trails along its bed. We walk over the bridge, which was recently built to provide a measure of safety when the melting snow creates powerful currents. We can ski on this icy, snow-covered landscape. It's cold, but at least we do not have to put up with the numerous mosquitoes that are common in summer. We walk to a small hut used as a shelter for trekkers in difficulty in summer, but it is far too small for our whole group. However, it is proof that a sense of humanity exists here, and reminds us that Greenland summers offer above-zero temperatures.
DAY 8: DESCENT TO SISIMIUT
Day 8
The biggest differences in altitude are to be found in the first part of our route. So, in this last third of the route, we start to descend to our destination, Sisimiut, a town located at sea level. The last part of the trail required some serious effort, but we have found a pace that suits us well and we are managing our effort to avoid perspiration and moisture in our clothes.
DAY 9: NIGHT ON THE ICE
Day 9
One of the best memories travelers take away from a polar expedition is the contradiction of being surrounded by immensities of ice and having to be aware of the smallest details in order to stay alert and safe. You can only be humbled and serene. Weather conditions around Kangerlussuaq are stable and rather calm in March. The thick blanket of snow absorbs all sound. The pure whiteness offers a restful calm. Each of our temporary ski tracks brings a sense of peace. When we leave our camp, we try to erase all signs of our presence out of respect for those who might follow us. We regularly pitch our tents on lakes and enjoy the beauty of the ice. At -25°C, we have no worries about the ice's ability to support our weight.
DAY 10: EXPEDITION RYTHM
Day 10
Overwhelmed by the beauty of the environment we pass through, the photographers among us discover new angles, colors and nuances. At times, we can attach our pulka to the harness of another traveler in the group, volunteering (!) to take the time to photograph. The cold invites us in every way to be on the move to warm up, especially our extremities. In this way, the group's progress is balanced and we can all take regular breaks together. We need to drink regularly and eat to keep our digestive systems in top shape.
DAY 11: ARRIVAL IN SISIMIUT
Day 11
Today we hope to reach our final destination, Sisimiut. We see the first signs of human life, which gives us energy for the last few kilometers. Colorful houses in the distance, smoke billowing from their chimneys. The smells so typical of human life are beginning to tease us, giving us a renewed desire to find something to eat and drink. The fatigue of the first few days has disappeared like snow melting in the sun. When we untie the pulkas from our harnesses and return to the hotel showers, there is no better sensation than warm water on the skin. There are no words for it... sleeping in a cosy bed!
DAY 12: FLIGHT BACK TO KANGERLUSSUAQ
Day 12
This morning, before our flight, we are still wandering around this Inuit community at the end of the world, if we have the time. Exchanges with the locals are warm and friendly. We are not typical tourists, and our imminent departure by plane requires a minimum of organization in terms of our equipment. Then we take off and start flying over the Arctic Circle Trail, where we have been making progress for the last ten days. It stretches out before us in all its splendour. We make a brief stop in Kangerlussuaq, then head for Copenhagen, which we reach in the evening. We settle into our hotel near the airport.
DAY 13: CONTINGENCY DAY
Day 13
We keep this day in case the weather has prevented us from flying the day before, or if we've accumulated a bit of a delay during the expedition.
DAYS 14: RETURN FLIGHT
Day 14
Today, we take our international flight back home from Copenhagen.
END OF EXPEDITION
For reasons that cannot be foreseen at this stage, such as unpredictable weather, the physical fitness or lack of fitness of participants or other circumstancess (customs formalities, road conditions, traffic, landslides, force majeure, etc.), your expedition leader may have to adapt the program, if necessary, to ensure the smooth running of your trip. He remains the sole judge and the one who guarantees your safety. Activity times are given as an indication and may vary from one participant to another.
The itinerary for all our expedition programs, or the ascent program for our high-mountain expeditions, are given here as a guide only. They are flexible enough to adapt to weather conditions with a few contingency days. In any case, you should follow the recommendations of your guide, who may suggest that you cancel your expedition due to weather, safety or physical conditions.
It is important to remember that this is a truly unsupported expedition, and that anything can happen. Expeditions Unlimited, your expedition leader, your guide or our local teams can in no way be held responsible.
Any costs incurred as a result of a change in the expedition schedule (extra nights' accommodation, extra flights) will be borne by the participants and not by the organizers. "Contingency days" refer to the expedition in the strict sense of the term (base camp/base camp in the mountains, departure point/exit point on a traverse, etc.).
Any early return of the expedition or of certain members only (early success, abandonment, etc.), generating costs for accommodation, meals, changes to air tickets or other activities not provided for in this program, will be charged in full to the participants.
Trip notes
Guiding
Your expedition leader is a French and English-speaking polar guide from the Polar Experience team (see description above), very experienced in polar environments and in group management. His name will be specified less than six months before departure.
He represents Expeditions Unlimited to the group, our partners and local authorities. He makes the decisions necessary for the smooth running of the expedition. His authority is preponderant and unavoidable. You must respect their decisions as well as those made collectively.
Our guiding ratio is 1 guide for 5 participants. Also, from 6 participants and up to 10 maximum, your expedition leader will have a co-guide.
If for reasons beyond our control and duly substantiated, our planned guide cannot guide the group, then he will be replaced by another experienced polar guide. The services would not be modified, the travel conditions would therefore be identical and this change would not constitute a valid reason for cancellation.
And throughout the program, we will rely on other local skills as needed. Finally, we will have access to very experienced personalized weather forecast services and an Ifremmont doctor, specialized in cold and isolated environments, on a H24 hotline.
For unpredictable reasons at this stage, like adverse weather conditions, insufficient physical condition of participants, insufficient competencies of participants related to the intended activities, your guide may decide to adjust the intended program and/or activities. At all times, his decision will be final on all matters likely to affect the safety and well-being of the trip.
Difficulty level
Level rated: difficult
This program is aimed at participants in good physical shape, with a significant sport practice, endurance in particular, holding a strong mental to face difficulties that are unforeseen by nature.
The main difficulty of this expedition is the potentially extreme weather conditions. The temperature at this time of the year can reach -40°C.
The carrying is provided by the participants in the pulkas which weigh nearly 40 kg at the start. A good physical and mental condition is therefore imperative. Each participant is responsible for the application of safety rules, his equipment and its maintenance, the installation of the camp, the preparation of meals. As always in this type of project, the key to success remains the collective and team spirit.
Participation in one of our seminars or polar courses of our School of Adventure is, if not required, strongly recommended.
Meeting point
We meet in Copenhagen.
We take care of return flights from Copenhagen to Greenland with Air Greenland, as well as the flight between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq. These tickets are an important part of your expedition cost.
In this journey, international flight should be understood as the one between your city of residence and Copenhagen. It is not included in this package.
Given the diverse origins of the participants on this trip, international outward and return flights are not included in this package. In most cases, we book flights on your behalf to ensure that the whole group arrives at the destination at the same time. We do not charge any fees for these air bookings. Please do not hesitate to contact us. If you book your own tickets, we will advise you on the ideal flight schedule to enable all participants to arrive within a reduced time frame. At the very least, you need tickets that can be modified.
Accommodations
As indicated in the program, accommodation is in hotels or homestays, from two to eight per room in Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut. A maximum of 2 nights' hotel accommodation is included in this package. All nights are spent in two-person tents during the expedition. Accommodation is not included in Copenhagen.
Meals
Meals are not included in Copenhagen. They are taken at the hotel or at the restaurant, on departure (Kangerlussuaq) as on the arrival of the expedition (Sisimiut) and are included in this package within the limit of 2 days maximum (6 meals). During the expedition, meals are prepared beforehand in ration form. They provide us with all the calories we need for the expedition with priority given to a balanced diet, light weight, and simplicity of preparation.
Transfers / Transport
Transfers to and from the airport and to and from the point of departure of the expedition are by vehicle according to our terrain conditions.
Group size
The group is composed of 4 to 10 participants maximum. The number of participants is deliberately limited to allow for greater immersion, to avoid embarrassing our hosts, and to develop freedom and flexibility. However, the maximum number may be exceeded if the last person to register wishes to travel with one or more other people. The services will not be modified, and the conditions of the trip will remain the same.
Equipment
All logistics equipment is provided, including tents and pulkas, as well as all collective equipment including stoves, gasoline, etc.
Your guide has a satellite phone, another equipement for telecommunications and emergency, as well as a geolocation beacon.
We also provide, free of charge, the extreme-cold sleeping bag (–30°C/–35°C) and the mattress.
The rest of the personal equipment is not provided. A full list is provided below in this document.
Our commitments to sustainable development
Our commitment to a better planet has been a reality since the beginning of our story but we always need to do more and better. Please find out more about our charter and our commitments in terms of sustainable development. We have drafted our charter and take action through six themes on which we act as concretely as possible, most often with you: social equity and cultural respect, preservation of water, waste management in expedition, protection of biodiversity, raise public awareness on these subjects and finally, the optimization and recovery of CO2 emissions.
Regarding carbon emissions, most of which are due to air travel, we calculated and communicated in 2018 on the carbon footprint of each of our programs, expressed in tonnes of CO2.
These calculations made us aware of the importance of the total carbon emissions generated by our activity. Also, we have committed in 2022 to a carbon reduction that we believe is unprecedented in the tourism industry, aiming to reduce the total emissions of our activity by 5% per year, taking 2019 as the reference year (3,430 tonnes of CO2). This commitment is in line with the trajectory of the Paris climate agreements of 2015, the current benchmark. Thus, in 2030, we commit ourselves not to exceed 2,160 tonnes of C02. Thus, our maximum “carbon” budget for 2024 is 2,950 tonnes and for 2025, this budget will be reduced to 2,800 tonnes. And so on until 2030. To find out more about all of our calculations and our commitments in terms of reducing our carbon emissions.
In addition, since 2019, we have been encouraging you when you book for your journey to contribute with a donation to an independent NGO, among the two we have selected that share the commitments made in our charter. We matched the amount of this donation to this program's carbon footprint. Thus, the journey you are considering generates 2,78 tons of CO2, which corresponds to a 100% donation of €83 for an estimated value today of €30 per tonne of CO2. This donation remains of course optional and you can decide to give between nothing and 100% of this amount. Since 2019, including covid years of 2020 and 2021, we have been able to collect thanks to you nearly €7,000 for these associations.
Please do not hesitate to come back to us with any questions you might have regarding this carbon footprint mechanism, our other sustainable développement commitments or even to share with us your experience through a chat or a mail at contact@secret-planet.com.
Polar Experience guiding
This program is guided by a Polar Experience guide, accredited by the IPGA (International Polar Guides Association) with a solid experience in the polar regions and who adhere to a specific working method to help participants achieve their goals on an individual basis. They frequently lead participants in Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland, towards the North Pole, the South Pole and elsewhere in Antarctica like in Queen Maud land. Not only are they some of the best polar guides in the world, but they also have first-rate teaching and interpersonal skills, making the experience you are about to have, with and thanks to them, even rarer.
These guides were all trained by our late Dixie Dansercoer, who tragically passed away in June 2021 in Greenland. With many years of polar experience, he had developed a high-level team with a specific approach which can be summarized as follows:
- Respect for the environment: going places and leaving no traces, this is what we implement the best way we can during all our Polar Experience guided trips and expeditions. As expeditions are inherently based on a minimalist’s attitude, we stick to the basics and avoid excesses. Respect for local cultures.
- Safety: our knowledge and know-how has been developed with a major focus on maximum experience and minimal risk for our participants. Preparation and high-quality equipment are obviously two major issues with no compromise. We have as well weather, medical and rescue partners on stand-by 24/7. Your guide has a satellite telephone, an Iridium Go! VHF radio, mountaineering safety equipment, a location beacon, GPS and other equipment necessary for a journey in the best safety conditions.
- Preparation & training: full immersion in physical and mental training, equipment knowledge, first Aid basics, logistical challenges and crisis management. Understanding the environmental, cultural and geographical characteristics of polar environment, learning from pioneering and contemporary expeditions. Preparation calls and expeditions training (theory, practice) over a weekend.
- High quality equipment: constant improvements and customized adjustments for maximum efficiency and performance. Screening of personal clothing and advice on purchase of special polar clothing at partner’s stores with special discounts.
Julie Brown, Dixie's partner of many years, now leads this dynamic little team.
Each participant receives the useful book, Polar Exploration: A practical handbook for North and South Pole expeditions, hard cover or electronic version, written by Dixie Dansercoer, which is the reference handbook that explains all aspects of polar journeys and expeditions: polar environment, safety, preparation, training and equipment.
Reviews
Marc X.
Thank you Marc for your review. And congratulations on a successful expedition, thanks to the quality of the group. see you soon!
Simon T.
Thank you, Simon. I must say that you and Brecht made a great team. See you soon 👍
Departures and pricing
Please find below all dates and prices for this expedition. Prices are quoted "from" and may be adjusted notably according to the number of participants (see trip notes for details). Please note that dates and prices for years beyond 2024, when given, are for guidance only and are subject to change and readjustment to take account of current economic realities.
No date works for me!
I initiate a new datePrice includes
- Return flights from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq with Air Greenland
- Flight from Sisimiut to Copenhagen with Air Greenland
- 20 kg baggage allowance on Air Greenland plus cabin baggage under 8 kg
- Accommodation in Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut within the limit of 2 nights
- Meals in Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut within the limit of 2 days
- Airport/hotel transfers in Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut
- Very experienced polar guide
- Meals in the form of freeze-dried rations during the expedition
- Tents for two people, stoves and fuel
- Pulkas and harnesses, mattresses and extreme-cold sleeping bags
- A security satellite phone (reserved for the guide)
- Taxes and permits
- Personalized weather forecast services throughout the expedition
- Medical follow-up by Ifremmont during the expedition (see above)
- Preparation meetings face to face and/or remotely
- Expedition live coverage for your community (InReach beacon supply, IridiumGo and subscriptions, LivExplorer service configuration)
Price does not include
- The International return flight to Copenhagen
- Hotel nights and meals in Copenhagen
- Consular fees and health tests (Covid)
- Excess baggage beyond the 20 kg allowance on Air Greenland
- Possible customs taxes on arrival in Greenland
- Any taxes for the importation of satellite phones, professional communication equipment and filming of a commercial nature
- Expenses related to an expedition schedule shift (additional nights of accommodation beyond 2 nights in Greenland, meals beyond 2 days of full board in Greenland, flights supplements)
- Costs related to an early return of the expedition or of certain members only (early success, abandonment, etc.), generating costs for accommodation, meals, modification of plane tickets or other unforeseen activities in this program
- Tips for the guide, to be shared with the other participants according to your satisfaction.
- Hotel nights, meals and other personal expenses during face-to-face expedition preparation meetings
- Personal equipment (please see equipment list below)
- Drinks and all personal expenses (personal visits, taxis, souvenirs, laundry, etc.)
- Travel and expedition insurance (assistance, evacuation and repatriation)
Your custom expedition
We put our expertise, our knowledge of the terrain, our creativity, our experience, the quality of our guides and the reliability of our partners at your service to build your custom expedition. We can also personalize an expedition to your wishes as soon as you form a "closed" group, whatever the number of participants.
This means that, unless you authorize us to do otherwise, no outside participants join you, and we can personalize your expedition by adapting it to your own pace, with the program extensions you desire, a higher level of comfort, certain activities, other encounters, etc.
Every expedition of this type is subject to a specific quotation. To get in touch with us now, please fill in the short questionnaire below. One of our experts will get back to you to refine your request and make you a proposal.