Northeast Greenland - Scoresby Sund, 2010

Dog-sledging in Liverpool Land with Inuit hunters

Icebergs of Greenland by dogsledge

Liverpool Land wildlife with Ann Harding

Dog Sledging around Liverpool Land with Inuit hunters

Image: ©Chris Johnson

The east coast of Greenland is known as the land of rock and ice. The mountains and glaciers dominate the view. For our adventure we'll leave the small hunting village of Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresby Sund) located at the mouth of the largest Fjord system in the world and head due north to explore Liverpool Land. Here we'll see sheer cliffs dropping down to meet the sea ice, deep valleys that beg to be explored and experience the silence of the high Arctic. This is a journey of contrasts. To the west lies Jameson Land, known for its low rollings hills and steady numbers of musk ox, while to the east lies Liverpool Land where it's mostly glaciated land breeding icebergs. We will pass through both areas using routes set in stone by generations of hunters. Along the trip we'll see countless signs of snow hares, lemmings and polar foxes and we may be lucky enough to see that elusive arctic traveller, the polar bear. Our guides are local mushers with a wealth of knowledge about the area and how to not just survive the cold but fully enjoy it. Two nights are spent in local guest house in Ittoqqortoormiit and nine days sledding.

Icebergs of Greenland by Dog Sledge

Image: ©Chris Johnson

This year we have introduced a new itinerary for those who are really fascinated by icebergs and would relish the opportunity to see them close up and take time to study and photograph these extraordinary ice formations. From Iceland you will travel by plane to Greenland and then by helicopter and Greenland dog sled to Hurry Fjord and the world's biggest fjord system, Scoresby Sund where we will start our search. Iceberg size can be estimated by water depth so this is a good place to begin. At night we will camp on the ice and our dogs will keep look out for polar bears. By day we will have plenty of time to explore and photograph the icebergs and with the aid of our sea map and laser range finder we will be able to chart water depth and take readings above the sea ice. On our return journey we may encounter and photograph seals and musk-oxen before a farewell dinner at our host's home.

Join this fantastic trip in spectacular Liverpool Land if you are interested in the birds and wildlife of the Arctic. Ann Harding who is a research biologist with several years of experience in arctic birdlife will join as our tourleader.

The group will travel by dog sled, a traditional, quiet way of travel which is ideal for observing wildlife, sleeping in tents and local hunting cabins. The journey and schedule will be flexible, and tailored according to individual interests and the activity and timing of the birds. We will spend time walking out to the open water polonia at Kap Tobin, watching the feeding activity of Brunnich's Guillemots and Little Auks that breed locally in large numbers. We should also see Black Guillemot, Northern Fulmar, Glaucous Gull and the common Eider. There is a good chance of spotting Ivory and Sabine's Gull. In addition to birds, we hope to see ringed and bearded seals, walrus, polar bear and narwhale at the ice edge. Continuing over the glacier to the large Little Auk colony at Kap Hoegh where we will stay in a hunting cabin. Although the trip is focused on seabirds and marine mammals, there are also good opportunities of seeing Arctic hare.