Close to nature
Kangerlussuaq lies at the base of a 160-kilometre (100-mile) long fjord of the same name, which appropriately enough means "the long fjord". Just a couple of kilometres from Kangerlussuaq’s airport you can see some of the area’s approximately 5,000 musk oxen on a musk ox safari, whilst on a hike or on a rented mountain bike.

The ice sheet at Kangerlussuaq
From the mountain ridges at Kangerlussuaq you can look out over the huge ice sheet just 25 km (16 miles) away. However, you do not have to make do with seeing the ice from a distance since, quite exceptionally for Greenland, there is a road that goes right up to the edge of the ice sheet, where you can be driven out in a vehicle specially developed for this purpose.

Magnificent northern lights
Kangerlussuaq has a very stable climate with warm dry summers and cold clear winter days which are perfect for dogsled trips and not least for experiencing the northern lights. With around 300 days a year under cloudless skies, Kangerlussuaq is one of the best places in the world from which to see the northern lights.

Kangerlussuaq’s history
Kangerlussuaq was originally an American airbase built in 1941 under the name Bluie West 8. However, as a result of technological development, the base lost its military importance and in the 1990s was handed over to Greenland’s Home Rule. Today Kangerlussuaq airport represents the gateway to most of Greenland and is the place of employment for the majority of the town’s around 500 inhabitants.

How do I get to Kangerlussuaq?
During the summer there is a flight from Copenhagen 6 days a week with Air Greenland or SAS. Since May 2007 Air Greenland has also been offering a twice-weekly service in the high season to and from Baltimore on the east coast of the USA. From Kangerlussuaq there are connections to the rest of Greenland. Privately chartered flights also occasionally arrive at Kangerlussuaq, from where a number of cruise guests commence their journey in Greenland.

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