Iceland review - 2002, Qupperneq 48

Tasiilaq
Aasiaat
Ilulissat
GREENLAND
Ittoqqortoormiit
FAROE ISLANDS
Thorshavn
The Disco Bay Area
You can travel to the west coast of Greenland
from Kulusuk Airport. A visit to the area of
Disco Bay, north Greenland, is truly an unfor-
gettable experience. The region stretches
from Upernavik in the north to Kangaatsiaq in
the south, a distance of more than 550
km/341 m. In high summer, the midnight sun
shines for 24 hours a day. In winter, the howl-
ing sledge dogs help to create a very special
atmosphere. Some of the most active glaciers
in the northern hemisphere are in north
Greenland, so icebergs of all sizes can be
seen everywhere.
Excursions by boat or helicopter to glaciers
and ice fjords are available at several loca-
tions. A stable climate, both in summer and
winter, is characteristic of the area, which is
commonly known as a ‘high pressure halt’.
For further information:
Tel: (+299) 892540 Fax: (+299) 892545
aasiaat.tourist@greennet.gl
www.greenland-guide.gl/asiaat-tourist
We will make sure that your visit to Aasiaat will be a memory for a lifetime!
Amongst Whales and Icebergs
The beautiful town of Aasiaat lies in the heart of an archipelago
The municipality of Aasiaat is a town located in the skerries of the southern part of Disko Bay.
The town Aasiaat has a population of 3,500 (Greenland’s fourth largest town), when including
the small settlements of Akunnaaq and Kitsissuarsuit. The midnight sun can be experienced
from the end of May until the beginning of July.
The nature around Aasiaat (meaning ‘The Spiders’ in Greenlandic) is fascinating, with a multi-
tude of wildlife species. It is possible to see the whales and seals play in the quiet water during
the summer while the icebergs are floating by in silence – an unforgettable sight. Our boat trips
offer you possibilities to experience the quiet and charming life in the settlements of Akunnaaq
and Kitsissuarsuit.
If you wish for a challenge then there are opportunities to kayak amongst the skerries, where
you can experience the beauty of nature up close.
When the snow falls and the sea ice has connected all the islands together in the district, then
there are good opportunities for dog sled and snowmobile trips. Experience the traditional hunter’s
life first-hand by going out with him on his sledge, enjoying a hot cup of tea or coffee while the dogs
are having a well-deserved pause and the hunter is checking on his net on the ice.
We also offer charming shopping tours in town, visits to the museum, good accommodation
possibilities and excursions to other destinations in Disco Bay.
There is scheduled flight traffic with Dash 7 fixed-wing aeroplanes between Aasiaat and
Kangerlussuaq (Greenland’s international airport), and from there further on to other domestic
destinations and to Denmark, Canada and Iceland.
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